Rainbow trout limits on FCFP ponds remain at five fish per day while the trout last.
Winter trout stockings at Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Family and Community Fishing Program sites will be scaled back this year after major trout losses at two of the state’s three publicly owned coldwater hatcheries.
Despite the reduced supply, AGFC officials say trout will still be delivered to all locations that traditionally offer winter stocking, with distribution planned ahead of the Christmas holiday.
Spring flooding at the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery in Mammoth Spring damaged equipment, washed trout from raceways, and reduced catchable-size fish. In October, the Norfork National Fish Hatchery reported additional losses, with up to 80% of its rainbow trout stock affected. AGFC redistributed trout planned for other parts of the state to support the heavily used Beaver, Norfork and Bull Shoals tailwaters, and emergency regulations were enacted to preserve fishing quality.
“With less than a quarter of our usual winter supply, we had to adjust stocking rates across the state,” said Christy Graham, AGFC trout program coordinator.
Instead of multiple stockings at select sites, each Family and Community pond that normally receives trout will receive a single stocking in December. About 13,500 rainbow trout will be distributed.
“We want trout available when people are off work or out of school for the holidays,” said Clint Coleman, assistant coordinator for the program.
Trout will be stocked at 38 of the program’s 50 locations, and anglers may keep up to five per day. Stockings of channel catfish will resume in April.
Created in 2002, the Family and Community Fishing Program has expanded from 10 to 50 locations statewide. More information is available at agfc.com/familyfishing.
Images provided by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
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