Hatchery-raised shad boost food chain in Arkansas fisheries
Oct. 4, 2017
Fisheries managers often hear cries from enthusiastic anglers, shouting for more bass stockings or more stockings of Florida-strain largemouth, but growing large bass is much more about improving their environment than adding more to the system.
Arkansas Wildlife Television kicks off with fast flying action, hurricane relief
Oct. 4, 2017
It’s only been a month since hunters had their first chance to dust off the shotguns and kick off the hunting season with a traditional dove hunt, and the Arkansas Wildlife Television crew was there to capture the season’s start. One of the crew also rode along and helped the AGFC’s Enforcement Division during its response to help victims of hurricanes Harvey and Irma and brought back some incredible footage from the effort.
Arkansans harvest record number of alligators during 2017 season
Sept. 27, 2017
In two long weekends, Arkansas hunters harvested 94 alligators during the 2017 alligator hunting season, eclipsing the previous record of 66 taken in 2016.
Arkansas bear survey includes opportunity for public participation
Sept. 27, 2017
Just about every hunting camp in bear territory has a tale or two to tell about a mischievous bruin finding its way into their feeder or trash bins. Over the years, those stories have expanded from the Ozark and Ouachita mountains into the southern half of the state, prompting Arkansas Game and Fish Commission biologists to keep a watchful eye on growing bear populations throughout Arkansas. As part of this expanded monitoring effort, biologists are asking hunters and outdoors enthusiasts to help record bear sightings through a simple online survey on iNaturalist.org.
Commission approves wild-caught baitfish transport ban, postpones effective date
Sept. 21, 2017
LITTE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission unanimously voted to ban the transportation of live, wild-caught baitfish from one waterbody to other watersheds in an attempt to prevent the spread of invasive species, such as Asian carp and zebra mussels. After listening to public comments, the Commission decided to delay the regulation’s effective date until Oct. 1, 2018, to enable commercial baitfish producers time to grow shad large enough to fill the needs of striped bass guides in the state.
Arkansas Wildlife Fishing Report
Sept. 20, 2017
Many west central Arkansas anglers have discovered that the once abundant vegetation in Lake Ouachita is making a strong comeback. Prior to 2007 much of the shoreline around Lake Ouachita was heavily vegetated with hydrilla, an invasive aquatic plant. In 2009 this dense vegetation seemingly vanished over a very short period of time. Recently, dense patches of Hydrilla have begun to reappear near the state park, Rabbittail, Buckville, Hotel Island, and Crystal Springs in addition to other areas around Lake Ouachita. While hydrilla is an invasive species and AGFC does not advocate the introduction of invasives, hydrilla does create excellent fish habitat until it becomes too dense for even the fish to use.
Leftover WMA deer hunt permits available online Sept. 26
Sept. 20, 2017
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has many WMA draw hunt permits that were not drawn during the regular drawing period that will be available in a first-come, first-served online sale beginning at 8 a.m., Sept. 26.