The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is stocking hundreds of thousands of catchable catfish at community ponds and public fishing derbies across the state this spring.
Warm afternoons are back, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is making sure Arkansans have a great reason to head outside after school and work. The agency is shipping catchable-sized channel catfish from its four warmwater hatcheries to ponds and fishing derbies across the state, giving families an easy, affordable way to fish close to home.
Where Arkansas Catfish Come From: Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery in Lonoke
Every channel catfish the AGFC stocks in Arkansas starts its life at Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery in Lonoke, the commission’s oldest and largest warmwater hatchery. Hatchery manager Chad Wicker has spent 21 years raising and delivering fish to anglers throughout the state.
“It takes 18 months to two years for those catfish to develop from fry to catchable size,” Wicker said. “We spawn the catfish and hatch all the eggs here at Joe Hogan. We’ll hatch more than a million.”
Of those, roughly 300,000 are grown to catchable size, meaning at least 13 inches, for immediate use at fishing derbies and Family and Community Fishing Program locations. Fingerlings are also distributed to hatcheries across Arkansas, including the William H. Donham State Fish Hatchery in Corning, the C.B. “Charlie” Craig State Hatchery in Centerton, the Jim Collins Net Pen Operation on Lake Ouachita and the Andrew Hulsey State Hatchery in Hot Springs.
The cost to produce each fish runs roughly 75 cents to $1 in feed alone, not counting staff time, energy costs, fuel, transport and facility maintenance. The AGFC also trades fish with other states to maximize the variety of species available to Arkansas anglers.
Family and Community Fishing Program: Free Fishing Ponds Near You in Arkansas
Most catchable-sized catfish are destined for community ponds close to home, not remote reservoirs. The AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program places fish in park ponds managed by cities and towns, specifically targeting locations near population centers of at least 25,000 residents.
FCFP Coordinator Maurice Jackson said the program, originally envisioned by former Commissioner Tommy Sproles, recently hit a major milestone.
“The program celebrated its 50th location statewide last year,” Jackson said. “The program is all about getting young anglers interested, as well as trying to give anglers of all ages and abilities the opportunity to fish within a short drive or bicycle ride from their home.”
FCFP ponds are stocked in spring and fall, depending on pond size and anticipated fishing pressure. A complete list of stocked pond locations and special fishing regulations is available at agfc.com/familyfishing.
Arkansas Fishing Derbies 2026: More Than 140 Free Public Events
Beyond community ponds, AGFC hatchery trucks log hundreds of hours each year hauling fish to public fishing derbies organized by churches, civic groups, nursing homes, scout troops and towns throughout Arkansas.
Gary Logan, assistant chief of the AGFC Education Division, said more than 140 fishing derbies are already on the calendar for 2026.
“Some of the derbies will be held at FCFP locations, but a few other bodies of water are added to the list to increase angler opportunities,” Logan said. “When we can, we try to hold multiple events at the same bodies of water to take advantage of fish that were previously stocked still being available to catch.”
Most derbies are open to families of all kinds, though some focus on specific groups such as children, people with disabilities or older anglers. Organizer contact information is listed alongside each event’s date and location on the AGFC website.
“And the fishing fun doesn’t stop when the derby ends,” Logan said. “These are ponds that are open to public fishing, so you’ll have some good fishing for weeks after the derby, too.”
A complete list of 2026 fishing derbies in Arkansas, including dates, locations and organizer contact information, is available at agfc.com/education/fishing-derby-program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a list of AGFC-stocked fishing ponds in Arkansas? A complete list of Family and Community Fishing Program ponds stocked by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is available at agfc.com/familyfishing. The site also includes fishing regulations specific to each location.
Are Arkansas fishing derbies free and open to the public? Most AGFC-affiliated fishing derbies are free and open to the general public. Some events are geared toward specific groups such as children, older people or people with disabilities. Check agfc.com/education/fishing-derby-program for dates, locations and organizer contact details for each event.
What kind of fish does the AGFC stock in community ponds? The AGFC primarily stocks catchable-sized channel catfish, defined as 13 inches or greater, in community ponds and at fishing derby locations. These fish are raised at state hatcheries including Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery in Lonoke.
How many fishing derbies are scheduled in Arkansas in 2026? More than 140 public fishing derbies are scheduled across Arkansas in 2026 through the AGFC’s fishing derby program.
Do I need a fishing license to fish at an AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program pond? Fishing regulations, including licensing requirements, vary by FCFP location. Check the specific rules for each pond at agfc.com/familyfishing before you go.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens—thank you for supporting our work!
