If you’re a central Arkansas angler who is finding that the bass and crappie aren’t very active in your favorite fishing spots with these changing weather patterns, consider giving rainbow trout fishing a try. Trout will bite readily through the coldest days of winter.
The AGFC recently stocked multiple Hot Springs area locations with “catchable-size” rainbow trout (see photo). Blakely Dam, Carpenter Dam and Remmel Dam tailwaters each received stockings. In addition, Entergy Park pond and Family Park pond in Hot Springs also received stockings.
Anglers 16 and older are required to have a fishing license. The Arkansas Resident Fishing License is $10.50. For trout, you must possess a fishing license and a trout permit ($10) in order to keep trout caught at these locations. Trout daily limit is 5, no culling allowed.
Popular baits are moldable or pre-formed soft prepared baits, whole kernel corn, small spinners and small spoons.
* BUOYING YOUR FISHING HOPES IN NEA: Next time you’re at Lake Poinsett or Lake Charles in northeast Arkansas, check out the new habitat buoys being installed at several fish attractor sites on both lakes during the next month, according to Brett Timmons of the AGFC Fisheries Division. Buoys will be placed on existing fish attractor sites that will be enhanced using 100-plus donated Christmas trees. These new fish attractor buoys have a QR code that will access the AGFC Interactive mapper for the lake and show all locations of fish attractor sites on the lake. Fish attractor locations can be viewed on the AGFC Interactive Mapper. Additionally, you can also download files to upload to your GPS device from the Fish Attractors page on the AGFC website (https://www.agfc.com/en/fishing/where-fish/fish-attractors/).
* DON’T FORGET TROUT DAY ON SATURDAY AT LAKE VALENCIA: Catch some rainbows with the AGFC on Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9 a.m until noon at Lake Valencia in Maumelle at the annual AGFC’s Trout Day Celebration.
More than a typical fishing derby, Trout Day celebrates winter’s last round of trout stockings at Family and Community Fishing Program locations. The AGFC stocks these cold-water fish during winter as a special treat for anglers who normally would have to drive many miles to reach some of Arkansas’s famous trout tailwater fisheries to catch these fish.
In addition to the fishing, hosts will have on-site fish-cooking demonstrations and samples to show just how good a fresh-cooked fish dinner can taste. Registration is required at https://my.register-ed.com/eventregistration/roster/191653. Bring your own fishing gear and bait. Anglers 16 and older need a valid Arkansas fishing license and a trout permit to fish.
