Free weekend fishing June 11-13 statewide, Governor proclamation

Arkansas – From noon on June 11 through midnight June 13, everyone will be able to fish across Arkansas without fishing license. This applies for both residents and non-residents, following the proclamation by Gov. Asa Hutchinson announced Friday.

This came after the meeting by Megan Perkins, agriculture liaison to Hutchinson’s office.

The annual tradition is sponsored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and approved by Gov. Hutchinson. This is a great opportunity for nature lovers and fishing enthusiasts.

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

Although no license will be required, all other limits will still apply for the fishing weekend like daily limits and size restrictions on certain bodies of water.

“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.”

More details about the fishing weekend event can be found here.