LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Community First Alliance, Inc. will kick off the spring fishing season with Arkansas’s largest community fishing event April 13 at MacArthur Park in Little Rock. The “Big Catch” will celebrate its fifth year in The Natural State, combining fishing, food and a day of fun for the whole family in one package.
“We’ll stock nearly 2,000 catchable-sized channel catfish for anglers to enjoy a fishing derby on the pond,” said Maurice Jackson, Family and Community Fishing Program coordinator for the AGFC. “And thanks to all of the vendors and sponsors, we’ll have about $15,000 worth of prizes to give out during the course of the day.”
In addition to the fishing, the AGFC will host archery and BB-gun shooting, and many other partners will have activities and expos throughout the day.
“We’ll have a health fair with free health screenings, and Pulaski Tech will be there to show people how to clean and cook their catch. They even have handouts with recipes in English and Spanish to offer people new ways to prepare their fish that can be healthy and a fun change of pace from simple deep frying.”
Jackson explains that fish caught at the AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program ponds can be just as good of quality as the farm-raised catfish found at grocery stores. The fish are raised in very similar hatchery systems, and most are caught within a few weeks of being stocked.
“There’s just something satisfying about enjoying a meal you brought home yourself,” Jackson said.
Hunters Feeding the Hungry will be available with other wild game treats for participants to sample and will offer some easy ways to cook some of Arkansas’s most popular game animal: white-tailed deer.
Attendees are encouraged to bring their own tackle, chairs, coolers and favorite catfish bait.
“Catfish aren’t picky,” Jackson said. “You can use worms, prepared catfish baits, or even cut up chunks of hot dog in a pinch. Prepared stink bait also is a good choice and only costs a dollar or two at the store.”
Lunch also will be provided for all registered participants. Thanks to generous donations, hot dogs, ice cream and other refreshments will be available.
If you don’t already know how to fish, don’t let that stop you from joining in on the fun. A special fishing clinic will be held at 6 p.m., April 11 at the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center to learn the basics. Participants will learn all they need to know to fill a stringer with catfish at the following weekend’s derby.
“People try to make fishing too complicated; it’s as easy as learning to tie a knot and cast a rod,” Jackson said. “Anyone can get out and fish with a little basic knowledge. That’s why it’s such a great thing to place at the center of this amazing community event.”
The workshop also is free, but registration is required.
Call the center at 501-907-0636 to register for the workshop. To register for the fishing event, visit www.c1a.life for the online signup form.