Cool weather heralds return of statewide catfish stockings 

OSCEOLA — Cooler weather arrived just in time for a fantastic early archery buck-only deer hunt and dove season opener in Arkansas, but the fall fun isn’t just for hunters. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is resuming statewide catfish stockings at all Family and Community Fishing Program ponds and is kicking off the festivities with a special opening weekend fishing derby Sept. 13 at the newly established Hybar Steel Waters Fishing Pond in Osceola.

“The Osceola location marks our 50th Family and Community Fishing location in the state,” FCFP Coordinator Maurice Jackson said. “The event also happens to fall on Osceola’s 150th year of being a city, so we partnered with them and Hybar Steel to make this something special.”

Jackson said Hybar Steel donated the pond to the city and has committed to developing the 35 acres surrounding the pond into a park for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Outdoor activities include the kids zone, fishing, BB gun shooting and archery. The Minority Health Commission will offer free health and wellness screenings, and lunch will be provided while supplies last.

“Attendees to this and any fishing derbies supported by the AGFC are encouraged to bring their own fishing tackle and bait,” Jackson said. “These are essentially farm-raised catfish from the hatchery, so bring a cooler to be able to bring them home and enjoy a meal after the fishing day is over, too.”

As always, children under 16 can fish for free anywhere in the state, but anglers 16 and older must have a valid fishing license (available at www.agfc.com/licenses)

This event is sponsored by the city of Oceola, Hybar Steel, Minority Health Commission,  Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, Hiram of Tyre in Jonesboro and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Register in advance at the AGFC’s online calendar.

The event marks a milestone for the AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program, which began as a simple fishing derby under the direction of former Commissioner Tommy Sproles and has grown to reach 35 cities in 24 counties across The Natural State.

“We stock catfish each spring, then we have to hold off on stockings during the hottest part of the summer to increase the survival of the fish and angler satisfaction at the ponds,” Jackson said. “We resume catfish stockings each September, and we’ll get started stocking catchable-sized rainbow trout in winter once the water cools enough to support these cold-water fish. Every location also has plenty of bass and bream to catch as well as the occasional crappie.”

Visit www.agfc.com/familyfishing to learn more about the program, find a location and see the last time it was stocked with catchable-sized fish for a great day on the water.

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CUTLINES:

CATFISH STOCKING
Thousands of catfish are being stocked across Arkansas this week to offer added angling opportunities in local park ponds. Visit www.agfc.com/familyfishing for each location. AGFC photo.

COURTESY FISHING PIER
The Family and Community Fishing Program will celebrate its 50th fishing location at Hybar Steel Pond in Osceola this Saturday. AGFC photo.