Fishing derbies announced throughout the forest
Release Date: May 29, 2019
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. – The U.S. Forest Service, along with State and local partners are sponsoring free fishing derbies throughout the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.
The following is a list of scheduled fishing derbies along with the date, times and other information:
Big Piney Ranger District, Deer, Arkansas
Location: |
Deer Pond, Deer, AR |
Date of Derby: |
Sat, June 8 |
Time Registration Starts: |
8:30 a.m. |
Time Fishing Starts: |
9 a.m. |
Time Event Ends: |
12 p.m. |
Age Group: |
15 and under |
Restroom Availability: |
Yes (portable toilets) |
Contact Persons: |
Sarah Davis |
Contact Phone Number: |
870-446-5122 |
Partners: |
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission |
Location: |
All hooks out of the water at 11 a.m. Participation awards and contest prizes will be presented at 11 a.m. |
Other Information: |
All hooks out of the water at 11 a.m. Participation awards and contest prizes will be presented at 11 a.m. |
Big Piney Ranger District, Jasper, Arkansas
Location |
Little Buffalo (Bradley Park), Jasper, AR |
Date of Derby: |
Sat, June 29 during the Elk Festival |
Time Registration: |
Starts: 8:30 a.m. |
Time Fishing: |
Starts: 9 a.m. |
Time Event Ends: |
11 a.m. |
Age Group: |
12 and under |
Restroom Availability: |
Yes |
Contact Persons: |
Sarah Davis |
Contact Phone Number: |
870-446-5122 |
Partners: |
Newton County Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and local businesses |
Other Information: |
All hooks out of the water at 11 a.m. Participants that catch the biggest fish and heaviest stringer will win prizes. Winners will be announced 12 p.m. |
Boston Mountain Ranger District, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Location: |
Lake Wedington |
Date of Derby: |
Sat, June 22nd |
Time Registration Starts: |
8 a.m. |
Time Fishing Starts: |
9 a.m. |
Time Fishing Ends: |
11 a.m. |
Age Group: |
12 and under |
Restroom Availability: |
Yes (flush toilets) |
Drinking Water Available: |
Yes |
Contact Person(s): |
Matt Lark or Jessie Rogers |
Contact Phone Number: |
479-667-2191 |
Partners |
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Forest Service, local businesses |
Other Information: |
All hooks out of the water by 11 a.m. Awards will be presented for the biggest fish and heaviest stringer and for casting contest winners. |
Mt. Magazine Ranger District, Paris, Arkansas
Location: |
Cove Lake, Campground Loop A. |
Date of Derby: |
June 8 |
Time Registration Starts: |
Participants must be pre-registered. |
Time Fishing Starts: |
8:30 a.m. |
Time Fishing Ends: |
10 a.m. |
Age Group: |
4 to 9 |
Contact Person(s): |
Mindi Lawson or Carla Pfeiffer |
Contact Phone Number: |
479-963-3076 |
Partners: |
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, National Wild Turkey Federation, Paris Rotary Club |
Other Information: |
All hooks out of the water at 10 a.m. There is a 2 fish limit. Awards will be presented for the heaviest 2 fish (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age class: 4-6, 7 - 9) and for the smallest fish and for Albino or tagged fish. There will be numerous random prizes. |
Pleasant Hill Ranger District, Clarksville, Arkansas
Location: |
Gillian Pond |
Date of Derby: |
Sat, June 1 |
Time Registration Starts: |
8 a.m. |
Time Fishing Starts: |
9 a.m. |
Time Fishing Ends: |
11 a.m. |
Age Group: |
12 and under |
Restroom Availability: |
Yes (portable toilets) |
Drinking Water Available: |
Yes |
Contact Person(s): |
Greg Taylor or Jason Engle |
Contact Phone Number: |
479-754-2864 |
Partners: |
Clarksville Kiwanis Club, Clarksville Wal-Mart, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Forest Service |
Other Information: |
All hooks out of the water by 11 a.m. Awards will be presented for the heaviest fish, smallest fish, heaviest stringer and for casting contest winners. In addition, there will be random prize drawings during the event. |
St. Francis Ranger District, Marianna, Arkansas
Location #1: |
Ranger Pond, Mississippi River State Park |
Date of Derby: |
Sat, June 8 |
Time Registration Starts: |
7 a.m. |
Time Fishing Starts: |
8 a.m. |
Time Fishing Ends: |
10 a.m. |
Age Group: |
For Children 12 and under |
Restroom Availability: |
Yes |
Handicap Access: |
Yes |
Drinking Water Available: |
Yes |
Contact Person: |
Terri Vanderford |
Contact Phone Number: |
870-295-5278 ext. 5244 |
Partners: |
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, Arkansas State Parks, Lee County Conservation District, Marianna Chamber of Commerce. |
Other Information: |
First 125 Participants to register receive a free camp chair. |
St. Francis Ranger District, Marianna, Arkansas
Location #2: |
Storm Creek Lake - Swimming Area, Mississippi River State Park |
Date of Derby: |
Sat, June 8 |
Time Registration Starts: |
7 a.m. |
Time Fishing Starts: |
8 a.m. |
Time Fishing Ends: |
11 a.m. |
Age Group: |
For Children Ages 4 - 12 |
Restroom Availability: |
Yes |
Handicap Access: |
Yes |
Drinking Water Available: |
Yes |
Contact Person: |
Terri Vanderford |
Contact Phone Number: |
870-295-5278 ext. 5244 |
Partners: |
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, Arkansas State Parks, Phillips County Businesses |
Other Information: |
Poles only, no rod and reels. |
Sylamore Ranger District, Mountain View, Arkansas
Location: |
Mirror Lake, Blanchard Springs Recreation Area |
Date of Derby: |
Sat, June 8 |
Time Registration Starts: |
8 a.m. |
Time Fishing Starts: |
9 a.m. |
Time Fishing Ends: |
11 a.m. |
Age Group: |
Ages 4 - 12 (Children must be accompanied by an adult) |
Restroom Availability: |
Yes (recreation site) |
Handicap Access: |
Yes |
Drinking Water Available: |
Yes |
Contact Person: |
Idun Guenther |
Contact Phone Number: |
870-269-3228 ext. 3247 |
Partners: |
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, AMVETS #7, VFW #4766, American Legion #43, Riders United 4 Children, U.S. Forest Service and local businesses. |
Other Information: |
Weigh in will begin at 11 a.m. Trophies will be given for largest fish in three age categories: 4-6 years old, 7-9 years old, and 10-12. There will be a general raffle for prizes for other registered participants. There is a three trout limit. Participants should be old enough to hold the pole themselves and are limited to one pole each. Some Trout bait will be provided. |
Please note that Mirror Lake will be closed from June 6 at 10 a.m. through June 8 at 12 p.m. for the fishing derby.
Link to list of fishing derbies on the Ouachita National Forest