New Arkansas Fishing Regs For 2009

[jdmidwest]

Several fishing regulations changes are now in effect

Several fishing regulations changes are now in effect LITTLE ROCK – A number of changes in fishing regulations for Arkansas anglers went into effect Jan. 1. Most are minor or local rules, but a couple apply statewide.

One new rule will “allow the use of wood or cane poles anchored in the substrate of AGFC-owned lakes to support yo-yos and limblines.” Substrate means the lake bottom.

What this rule means is that a fisherman can drive a wooden stake or push a cane pole into the bottom of an AGFC lake to hold yo-yos or limblines. What the rule does not mention, meaning it is not legal to do it, is to use rebar of other metal rods for these anchoring purposes. You can’t use a steel T-post.

Metal posts and rods in the water can be hazards to boats. Wood or cane poles aren’t, as boats can bump over them or push them out of the way. The wooden or cane poles must be removed when the angler is done fishing the yo-yo.

Another statewide rule is on on how to measure a fish. It received the additional words “on its side.” You measure a fish’s length from the top of the nose to the tip of the tail with the tail’s lobes pressed together. And you do it with the fish lying on its side, not upright.

Other new rules in condensed form:

* Live wild-caught bait can be used on Lake Norfork if the bait was caught “from the watershed above Lake Norfolk” as well as from the lake itself.

* A 14-inch minimum length limit was placed on largemouth bass on the Ouachita River from Tate’s Bluff near Camden to Felsenthal Dam and on the lower Saline River from Stillion Bridge to its mouth.

* A 20-inch minimum length limit was placed on flathead catfish in the lower Ouachita River between the mouth of the Little Missouri River and Camden. The rule is for both commercial and recreational fishing.

* The boundary was clarified for the Narrows Tailwater Trout Area of the Little Missouri River below Lake Greeson. The boundary is now the Muddy Fork Road bridge at Murfreesboro.

* A 15-inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass on Lake Jack Nolen near Greenwood was removed, and the daily limit recorded from 10 to six.

Several fishing regulations changes are now in effect * Snaglines must be checked daily. The term was added to the rule on daily checks of trotlines.

* Regulations on trout fishing boundaries on the White River below Bull Shoals Dam and Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam were changed to read :”as indicated by signs.”

* A 24-inch minimum length limit and a daily limit of one was put on brown trout on the white River below Bull Shoals Dam and on the North Fork River below Norfolk Dam.

* Entergy Park Pond at Hot Springs was added to the AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program.

* Fish farmers must keep records of sales and shipments for at least three years.

* Shovelnose sturgeon were added to the list of Arkansas sport fish. There is no daily limit on them.

* The boundary of the White River Border Lake area was changed to Houseman Access.

* Hogging and noodling of fish (catching them by hand) will be allowed on Lake Charles and the Strawberry River below U.S. Highway 167.

* Ten blue catfish may be taken on Lake Millwood in southwest Arkansas in addition to the daily limit of 10 catfish of all species, due to an overpopulation of blues in the lake.

* Mobility impaired anglers must have an AGFC mobility impaired card on them when they fish Dry Run Creek in Baxter County near Norfolk Dam.

[rps]

Curious me. How much will a normal brown 24 inches long weigh?

[laker67]

Curious me. How much will a normal brown 24 inches long weigh?

A healthy male will weigh 4 to 5 pounds, add 2 pounds for a healthy female brown. These are river fish. In the trout parks, not so much the case. I once caught a 24.5 inch female at bssp that weighed 9.5 pounds.

[jdmidwest]

24" reg will make some nice brownies on the tailwaters. I would like to see it on the Spring River also.