Trout scarcity reduces winter stockings at Household and Group areas – Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee

BY Randy Zellers
ON 11-14-2025
LITTLE ROCK — Winter trout stockings for Household and Group Fishing Areas will see a shortened season this 12 months after current losses in trout manufacturing at two of the three publicly owned coldwater fish hatcheries in Arkansas earlier this 12 months. Though the overall trout accessible has been diminished, Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee workers are dedicated to delivering trout for the Christmas vacation to all FCFP areas that historically see the winter bonus fishing alternative.
Spring floods wreaked havoc on the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery in Mammoth Spring, damaging gear and infrastructure and washing many trout out of the raceways earlier than they’d an opportunity to develop to catchable dimension. Throughout October, further setbacks at Norfork Nationwide Fish Hatchery precipitated it to lose as much as 80 % of its rainbow trout inventory, ensuing within the AGFC redistributing trout deliberate for different areas across the state for use within the Beaver, Norfork and Bull Shoals tailwaters. Emergency regulations were also placed on many trout-fishing destinations to allow the stocked trout and high-quality fishing experiences they supply to last more.
“As a substitute of getting no trout accessible for 3 of our hottest fishing locations within the north half of the state, we wanted to regulate stocking charges in any respect of our fishing areas, however that additionally comes with the worth tag of getting to share the burden throughout the state,” Christy Graham, AGFC Trout Program coordinator, mentioned. 
With lower than 1 / 4 of the everyday provide accessible for the winter, FCFP workers determined the very best plan of action was to inventory all the program ponds that usually obtain winter trout one time in December as an alternative of stocking a number of instances at just a few areas. 
“We all know some areas are extra well-liked than others, however the concept of the trout stockings is to provide individuals throughout the state the chance to catch a trout whereas the water temperature will let these fish stay,” Clint Coleman, FCFP assistant coordinator, mentioned. “With solely about 13,500 rainbow trout to distribute, we have to wait till the week earlier than Christmas to verify the fish are in ponds and hungry proper when persons are out of college or have taken off work for the vacations, so they’re extra apt to get pleasure from a visit or two this winter.” 
As soon as stocked in December, rainbow trout can be accessible for harvest at 38 of the 50 FCFP areas, and anglers can be allowed to maintain as much as 5 trout per day.
“We’ll nonetheless have the ability to inventory lots of of trout per location, however it’s going to simply be that one time throughout December this 12 months,” Coleman mentioned. “The water temperatures will enable them to stay till spring, and we’ll resume stocking with catchable channel catfish in April.”
The AGFC Household and Group Fishing Program was developed in 2002 after a three-year pilot research. This system’s aim is to boost or create locations in extremely populated areas in order that glorious fishing is on the market to all Arkansans. This system has grown from stocking catchable-sized fish in 10 areas in 2002 to 50 areas in 2025. In 2007, this system expanded from stocking solely channel catfish to incorporate rainbow trout in winter when water temperature allowed these fish to outlive. This system has offered a possibility for 1000’s of Arkansans to fish with family and friends in handy areas. Go to www.agfc.com/familyfishing for extra data and to see a listing of stocked areas all through the state. 
 
####
CUTLINES:
THREE KIDS AND A FISH
Household and Group Fishing Program Areas will nonetheless have one stocking of rainbow trout this December. AGFC picture.
FATHER SON LIMIT
Rainbow trout limits on FCFP ponds stay at 5 fish per day whereas the trout final. AGFC picture. 
Nov. 13, 2025
Nov. 13, 2025
Don’t miss one other situation. Enroll now to obtain the AGFC Wildlife Weekly Publication in your mailbox each Wednesday afternoon (Waterfowl Stories are revealed weekly throughout waterfowl season and periodically outdoors the season). Fishing Stories arrive on Thursdays. Fill within the following fields and hit submit. Thanks, and welcome!
Arkansas Recreation and Fish Fee
2 Pure Sources Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
833-345-0325

source