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The Master Angler Award Program began in 1985 to recognize anglers who catch trophy fish that are not state records. There are eight categories in the program: black basses, temperate basses, bream, catfish, crappie, perches, trout, and a miscellaneous category.
How Do I Qualify?
Residents and nonresident anglers of any age are eligible to participate. If you catch a qualifying fish species that meets the minimum weight requirement, you are eligible to apply for a Master Angler award. All qualifying entries must be caught on rod and reel in Arkansas. To achieve certified Master Angler status, you must catch a qualifying fish in at least four categories. They do not have to be caught in the same year.
What Will I Receive?
If you catch a qualifying fish in a single category, you will receive a pin depicting fish in that category and a letter of recognition. You are eligible to receive one pin per person, per species within each category. Once you have caught a qualifying fish in four categories and become a certified Master Angler, you will receive a certificate suitable for framing and a commemorative Master Angler coin.
How Do I Apply?
Official entry forms are available at some boat docks and bait shops and from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205, or apply using the online application form.
| Black Bass | Weight |
|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | 8.0 |
| Smallmouth bass | 3.5 |
| Spotted bass | 3.5 |
| Bream | Weight |
| Bluegill | 1.0 |
| Redear | 1.5 |
| Longear sunfish | 0.5 |
| Warmouth | 1.0 |
| Rock bass | 1.0 |
| Green sunfish | 1.0 |
| Perch | Weight |
| Sauger | 2.0 |
| Walleye | 9.0 |
| Saugeye | 4.0 |
| Pickerel | 4.0 |
| Catfish | Weight |
| Bullhead | 2.0 |
| Flathead catfish | 20.0 |
| Channel catfish | 12.0 |
| Blue catfish | 20.0 |
| Trout | Weight |
| Rainbow trout | 8.0 |
| Brown trout | 10.0 |
| Brook trout | 3.0 |
| Cutthroat trout | 5.0 |
| Temperate Bass | Weight |
| Striped bass | 25.0 |
| Hybrid striped bass | 13.0 |
| White bass | 3.5 |
| Crappie | Weight |
| White crappie | 2.5 |
| Black crappie | 2.5 |
| Miscellaneous | Weight |
| Bowfin | 9.0 |
| Gar | 10.0 |
| Paddlefish | 30.0 |
| Drum | 12.0 |
| Buffalo | 20.0 |
Phone:
501-223-6365
Email:
Sarah.Baxter@agfc.ar.gov
Website:
http://www.agfc.com/masterangler
If you have questions about the program or application, please call me at the number above.