Gov. Asa Hutchinson has proclaimed that anyone may fish in Arkansas without a license or trout stamp from noon on June 11, through midnight on June 13. Megan Perkins, agriculture liaison to Hutchinson’s office, read the proclamation at the beginning of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's May meeting.

An annual tradition sponsored by the AGFC and approved by Hutchinson, Free Fishing Weekend gives many the opportunity to enjoy the numerous angling opportunities in the state.

Residents and nonresidents can enjoy the permitless fishing. All other regulations, like daily limits and size restrictions on certain bodies of water, still apply during the weekend.

The AGFC will host special fishing derbies at four of its freshwater hatcheries June 12 in celebration of the event.

“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,” said Ben Batten, chief of the AGFC’s Fisheries Division. “Unfortunately we will not be able to conduct a fishing derby at the Spring River trout hatchery in Mammoth Spring, but all other hatcheries will be available to Arkansans.

“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.”

Jun 5, 2021 - Visit www.agfc.com/en/education/calendar/annual-event/free-fishing-weekend-statewide-2021 for more information on Free Fishing Weekend and the hatchery derbies.