Master Angler Award
What is the Master Angler Program
Arkansas ' Master Angler Award Program, which started in 1985, recognizes anglers who catch trophy size fish that meet demanding minimum weight requirements, but are not state records. There are eight categories. In the program: black basses, sunfish; crappie, pikes and true perches, catfish; trout, true basses and rough fish.
How Do I Qualify?
It's simple! lf you are fishing with a handheld line and catch a fish that meets the minimum weight requirements; you can participate in the program. To be certified a ”Master Angler,” you must catch a qualifying fish in at least four different categories. They do not have to be caught in the same year.
How Do I Apply?
Official entry forms are available, at most boat docks and bait shops or from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR72205 (501-223-6300).
You can click on the hyperlink below and print the Master Angler Award Application from this website.
Anyone convicted of a fishing or hunting violation may not participate in the program for three years from date of conviction.
Click here to view and print application
What Will I Receive?
If you catch a qualifying fish in a single category, you will receive a beautiful clutch-back pin depicting fish in that specific category, and a letter of recognition. Once you have caught a qualifying fish in four different categories and become a “Master Angler,” you will receive a certificate suitable for framing.
Categories and qualifying weights (in pounds)
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Black Bass
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Largemouth bass
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8.0
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Smallmouth bass
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3.5
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Spotted bass
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4.0
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Sunfish
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Bluegill
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1.0
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Redear
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1.5
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Longear sunfish
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.5
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Warmouth
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1.0
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Rock bass
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1.0
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Green sunfish
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1.0
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Hybrid bream
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1.5
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Pikes & True Perches
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Sauger
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2.0
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Walleye
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14.0
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Pickerel
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4.0
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Northern pike
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10.0
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Tiger muskie
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5.0
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Catfish
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Bullhead catfish
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2.0
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Flathead catfish
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20.0
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Channel catfish
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12.0
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Blue catfish
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20.0
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Trout
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Rainbow trout
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8.0
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Brown trout
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12.0
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Brook trout
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3.0
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Cutthroat trout
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5.0
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Lake trout
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5.0
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True Basses
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Striped bass
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25.0
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Hybrid striped bass
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13.0
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White bass
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3.5
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Crappie
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White crappie
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3.0
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Black crappie
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3.0
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Rough Fish
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Bowfin
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10.0
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Common carp
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20.0
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Gar
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20.0
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Paddlefish
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30.0
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Grass carp
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30.0
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Drum
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12.0
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Buffalo
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30.0
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