By Deseray McKinzy
According to media sources, Governor Asa Hutchinson announced Thursday, May 27th ‘Free Fishing Weekend’ which was proclaimed for June 11-13. This weekend means that anyone in Arkansas can fish without a fishing license or trout stamp from noon Friday, June 11, through midnight Sunday night, June 13. That includes residents and non-residents.
Sources say this is an annual tradition sponsored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and approved by Gov. Hutchinson, Free Fishing Weekend gives many people the opportunity to enjoy the amazing lakes The Natural State has to offer.
As far as the normal regulations, such as daily limits and size restrictions on certain bodies of water, the news release states that those will still apply during this weekend.
The media release also stated that in celebration of the weekend, the AGFC will host special fishing derbies at four of its freshwater hatcheries.
Ben Batten, chief of the AGFC’s Fisheries Division was mentioned stating, “This year we are excited to announce that not only youth, but the entire family may come out and fish with us at our warm water hatcheries,” he added, “People will need to register in advance to ensure we have adequate space and parking on the hatchery grounds, but we look forward to a return to the hatchery derbies after they had to be canceled last year.”
