Derby Days
The AGFC boosts supplies of fresh catchable-sized catfish in more than just FCFP locations. Hatchery trucks spend hundreds of hours each year hauling fish for fishing derbies and events coordinated by small towns and organizations throughout Arkansas. Churches, civic groups, nursing homes and scout troops are among the organizations partnering with the AGFC’s fishing derby program.
“We want everyone to have a good experience fishing, and fishing derbies are the way a lot of people first learned how fun it can be,” Gary Logan, assistant chief of the AGFC Education Division, said. “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. 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.”
According to the AGFC’s Derby Program Webpage, more than 140 derbies are already on the books for 2026.
“We list the organizers’ contact information for each derby alongside its location and date, so that interested anglers can reach out and learn more about the event and how they can participate,” Logan said.
A few derbies focus on a specific group or age range — for example, children, people with disabilities or elderly anglers — but many are geared for families to come out and fish together.
“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.”
Visit www.agfc.com/education/fishing-derby-program for a list of locations, dates and contact information for each derby.
####
WITH THE FLOW
The AGFC stocks hundreds of thousands of pounds of catchable-sized channel catfish throughout Arkansas each year for instant angling enjoyment. AGFC photo.
CATFISH CROWD
AGFC Assistant Chief of Fisheries Jason Miller shows a school group how catfish are harvested from ponds to be stocked around the state. AGFC photo.
TOUCHING PHOTO
Family and Community Fishing Locations help introduce new anglers to the joys of fishing. AGFC photo.
FISHING DERBY
More than 140 public fishing derbies are scheduled for 2026, thanks to the efforts of many dedicated AGFC staff throughout the state to deliver angling opportunities. AGFC photo.