LITTLE ROCK – Arkansas’s Free Fishing Weekend gets underway at noon on Friday, June 6, and continues through midnight on Sunday, June 8. No sport fishing licenses will be required for anglers during that period. No trout permits will be required either.
Free Fishing Weekend is an Arkansas tradition dating back to 1978.
Open houses and fishing derbies for youngsters are planned at the state’s five fish hatcheries June 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information on the derbies, phone the AGFC Fisheries Division office at 501-223-6371.
Youngsters 12 and under will be allowed to fish with the supervision of an adult. Children may catch and keep up to three catfish (or three trout at the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery). The derbies will include casting contests and prizes.
Derbies will be at:
Andrew Hulsey State Fish Hatchery, Hot Springs, 877-525-8606.
Charlie Craig State Fish Hatchery, Centerton, 877-795-2470.
William Donham State Fish Hatchery, Corning, 877-857-3876.
Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery, Lonoke, 877-676-6963.
Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery, Mammoth Spring, 877-625-7521.