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Master Angler Program
Master Angler Program

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. 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.

Master Angler Pins

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

Program Coordinator