Arkansas Game and Fish Commission initiative looks to open private waters to anglers

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas anglers can get ready to cast off to a new favorite fishing spot because some untapped private waters are opening up to the public for the first time this weekend.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Public Access to Private Waters initiative is one of AGFC’s nine Conservation Incentive Programs, but it is the only one targeted at expanding access to fishing.

Arkansas Game and Fish Spokesman Trey Reid said, “it’s likely going to be a higher quality experience for anglers.”

“You know in other words, better chance to catch some fish,” Reid explained.

Those hoping to take advantage of the new fishing holes will need to tackle the permit process online which has a $5 application fee.

For those willing to volunteer land for private access, there is an up to $10,000 financial incentive, including $200 per weekend when there is public access.

AGFC will serve a role like a consulting service where it can test water quality, do surveys to find how many fish there are in the area, advise on how many fish to take out or stocking rates in the future, etc.

Mark Killingsworth is one of three landowners who joined the program. He owns farmland and said he is not much of a fisherman. He learned of the program through his participation in the winter-flooded rice fields for waterfowl habitat conservation initiative and believed he was a perfect fit for private water access too.

“This is a lot to undertake for someone who is not very skilled or experienced in that kind of area, so having a team of professionals, it was just a good resource to be able to make this a better habitat short and long term,” Killingsworth said.

There are currently only five permits available in a drawing each weekend, but Game and Fish hopes to scale up access in the future with some talks already underway to do just that.

More information on how and when to apply for a permit can be found online . The AGFC website also has information on how to become a partner in this program .

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