Researchers diving into COVID-19 effects on recreational fishing
July 29, 2020
LITTLE ROCK — Americans seem to have fallen back in love with the outdoors during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. With organized sports, spectator-fueled events and formal schools being shuffled to the side to slow the spread of the virus, time in the outdoors seems to have become a rediscovered gem to many people looking to escape cabin fever during self-imposed quarantines. Rods, reels, canoes, kayaks, mountain bikes and all other sorts of outdoors equipment has flown off shelves so quickly that manufacturers have been unable to keep up with demand.
Oxbows natural option for anglers
July 29, 2020
JONESBORO — Arkansas is blessed with a multitude of fishing holes. Manmade reservoirs, and large rivers to upland streams and small ponds, Arkansas has almost anything a fisherman could want.
AGFC to plug leaking infrastructure at Lake Wilhelmina
July 29, 2020
MENA — Contractors working with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will close the portion of Polk County Road 125 that crosses the levee of Lake Wilhelmina Aug. 11 to attempt to plug leaking infrastructure that has plagued the lake for the last two summers.
Spines help catfish live another day
July 29, 2020
CAMDEN – Fisheries biologists say the best way to determine a fish’s age is by the study of the otolith, a calcium carbonate structure in the inner ear that develops annual growth rings, like the rings inside a tree. The drawback to this process, though, is that a fish must be harvested to get to the otolith.
Bass anglers participate in a catch-and-keep tournament for conservation
July 22, 2020
PLUMMERVILLE — A winning weight of 10 fish for just over 10 pounds would have most bass-fishing tournament directors contemplating a permanent blacklisting of the lake from their schedule, but Jared Pridmore, director of the Lake Brewer Bass Club and owner of JP Custom Baits, was nothing but smiles when he saw the results of his “Tiny Fish Tournament” in April. The only thing that made him happier than the low weight was the sight of the fish-filled cooler where participants turned in their fish instead of releasing them to the water.
Director, biologists mull changes needed in flooded Hurricane Lake WMA
July 22, 2020
BALD KNOB – Kayakers would have found the South Unit of Henry Gray Hurricane Lake Wildlife Management Area inviting in June. In fact, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Wildlife Management Division biologists had placed blue markers on trees that would be easily recognizable to paddlers who use the AGFC’s water trails around the state.
Private property in Winona WMA becomes new leased land area
July 22, 2020
PERRYVILLE — People familiar with Winona Wildlife Management Area will see a change in this 160,000-acre hunting area this year as they prepare for hunting season. The large public hunting area has been split into two separate sections — Winona WMA and Cedar Mountain Leased Land WMA. Each will carry its own regulations and season limits, and one will require a $40 fee to access for hunting, fishing or camping.