Arkansas Game and Fish Commission stocks ponds with rainbow trout for winter

Nov. 17, 2021

Randy Zellers

Assistant Chief of Communications

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Family and Community Fishing Program is getting a head start on the holiday season by releasing hundreds of rainbow trout in program ponds throughout the state.

Each year, rainbow trout raised at the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery in Mammoth Spring are delivered to community ponds in Arkansas once the water temperature has cooled enough to accommodate the cold-water fish. According to Maurice Jackson, AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program coordinator, the fish will be delivered beginning this week, and all program ponds scheduled for trout should have fish swimming in them in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.

“We’ll follow up in December with additional stockings, and those fish will have tags for prizes as well,” Jackson said. “We’re excited to keep this great angling opportunity going for Arkansans. It’s great to know you are never more than a short drive to be able to cast a line in The Natural State.

” Visit www.agfc.com/familyfishing to learn more about the Family and Community Fishing Program and to find a pond near you participating in the winter trout stocking schedule.