Proposed 2012-2013 Late Migratory Bird Regulations Approval
Committee: Regulations Date: August 16, 2012
Explanation:
Staff presented the 2012-2013 late migratory bird regulations proposals for commission consideration. These proposals will be presented at the August meeting for approval.
Prepared by: Luke Naylor
Proposed 2012-2013 Late Migratory Bird Regulations Approval
RESTRICTIONS ON WMAs
It is unlawful to take or attempt to take migratory waterfowl on WMAs after noon or remain on water-inundated areas or water courses on WMAs after 1 p.m. from the first day of the first segment of regular duck season to the last day of the last segment of regular duck season.
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 1
Boats and boat motors shall comply with the following restrictions on certain WMAs:
EXCEPTION:
Boating activities by Central Arkansas Water Utility and U.S. Geological Survey personnel engaged in the performance of their duties are allowed in the Restricted Area Zone 1 of Lake Maumelle.
PENALTY: Class 1
All Commission-owned or controlled WRAs are closed to access from Nov. 1-Feb. 15.
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 1
It is unlawful to leave waterfowl decoys overnight on WMAs and WRAs.
PENALTY: Class 1
It is unlawful while on any commission-owned WMAs or controlled lakes to build, erect, or take or attempt to take wildlife from duck blinds made from identifiable building materials, such as wire, nylon, metal or lumber, which are not removed at the end of each day's hunt or at the end of the WMA's shooting hours. Structures not in compliance with this code may be removed by Commission personnel and destroyed or otherwise disposed of in compliance with Commission policy.
PENALTY:Class 1
Nov. 17-25, Dec. 6-23 and Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013.
EXCEPTION:
Ducks, coots and mergansers may be taken during the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt
(Code 11.04).
LIMIT
COOT: Daily limit 15, possession limit 30.
DUCKS: Daily limit six. No more than four mallards (no more than two of which may be females), two pintails, one mottled duck, two scaup, three wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck and one canvasback.
Possession limit no more than two daily limits.
MERGANSERS: Daily limit of five (no more than two of which may be hooded mergansers).
Possession limit no more than two daily limits.
EXCEPTION:
Bayou Meto WMA daily duck limit: Daily limit of four ducks which may include no more than three mallards (no more than two of which may be females), two pintails, one mottled duck, four scaup, three wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck and one canvasback.
Bayou Meto WMA Mergansers limits: Daily limit of four (no more than two of which may be hooded mergansers).
Nov. 17, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013statewide.
LIMIT: Daily limit two, possession limit four.
Nov. 3, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013statewide.
EXCEPTION:
In compliance with the Addendum B1.14. LIMIT: Daily limit 20, no possession limit.
Early Canada Goose Statewide Season: Sept.1-15, 2012.
Northwest Canada Goose Zone Season: Sept. 22-Oct. 1, 2012.
Late Canada Goose Statewide Season: Nov. 17, 2012-Jan. 27, 2013.
Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset statewide.
EXCEPTION:
Holla Bend NWR is closed.
LIMIT: Daily limit two. Possession limit four.
EXCEPTION:
The daily limit is five Canada geese from Sept. 1-15, 2012, possession limit 10.
Feb. 1-15, 2013statewide.
LIMIT: No more than three migratory birds in any one day, possession limit six.
Feb. 2-3, 2013statewide.
LIMIT: Same as statewide.
AND LIMITS Jan. 28-Feb. 1 and Feb. 4-April 25, 2013statewide.
LIMIT: No limit.
SPORT FISHING: | CODE | COST | EXP. DATE |
Alligator Gar Fishing Permit | AGP | Free | Dec. 31 |
Resident Fisheries Conservation License | FSH | $10.50 | ** |
Resident 3-Day Trip License | RT3 | $6.50 | * |
Resident Disabled Fishing 3-Yr License | RDF | $10.50 | + |
Resident Disabled Combination 3-Yr License | RDC | $35.50 | + |
Non-Resident Annual Fishing License | NRF | $40.00 | ** |
Non-Resident 14-Day Trip Fishing License | N14 | $22.00 | * |
Non-Resident 7-Day Trip Fishing License | NT7 | $17.00 | * |
Non-Resident 3-Day Trip Fishing License | NT3 | $11.00 | * |
Arkansas Trout Permit | TPR | $5.00 | ** |
Non-Resident Trout Permit | TPN | $12.00 | ** |
White River Border Lakes License | WRL | $10.00 | ** |
Resident Guide License/Fishing | GLF | $25.00 | ** |
Non-Resident Guide License/Fishing | GNF | $150.00 | ** |
SPECIAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHING: | |||
Hoop Nets (with or w/o leads), Turtle Nets | HN | $4.00 | Dec. 31 |
Slat Traps & Fiddler Nets | FS | $12.50 | Dec. 31 |
Commercial Trotlines (inc. snaglines, throw-lines, limb lines, set hooks) per 100 ft | TL | $5.00 | Dec. 31 |
Box Traps Turtle Trap | TT | $2.00 | Dec. 31 |
Commercial Tackle (Seine, Trammel & Gill Nets) 100 yds. or fractional part thereof per tag | SNS | $15.00 | Dec. 31 |
Commercial Fisherman's Permit & Sportfishing License | CFS | $25.00 | Dec. 31 |
Commercial Fisherman's Helper Permit | CFH | $25.00 | Dec. 31 |
Junior/Senior Commercial Fishing Permit | JSC | $14.50 | Dec. 31 |
Alligator Farmer/Dealer Permit. | AFP | $200.00 | June 30 |
Alligator Tags | $4.00 | June 30 | |
Alligator Snapping Turtle Breeder/ Dealer Permit | AST | $100.00 | June 30 |
Aquatic Turtle Harvest Permit | THP | $100.00 | Dec. 31 |
Aquatic Turtle Harvest Helper Permit | TH | $50.00 | Dec. 31 |
Junior Aquatic Turtle Harvest Permit | JTH | $25.00 | Dec. 31 |
Aquatic Turtle Dealer Permit | TDR | $250.00 | Dec. 31 |
Non-Resident Aquatic Turtle Dealer Permit | TDN | $500.00 | Dec. 31 |
Aquatic Turtle Farmer Permit | TBP | $100.00 | Dec. 31 |
Resident Shell Taker and Seller | STS | $100.00 | Dec. 31 |
Shell Taker Helper Permit | SH | $100.00 | Dec. 31 |
Shell Buyer | SBR | $1,000.00 | Dec. 31 |
Non-Resident Shell Buyer | SBN | $2,000.00 | Dec. 31 |
Shell Buyer's Agent Permit | SA | $100.00 | Dec. 31 |
Resident Fish Dealer | MD | $10.00 | Dec. 31 |
Non-Resident Fish Dealer | FDN | $250.00 | Dec. 31 |
Minnow Dealer Tackle (Minnow (Seine, Traps or Lifts) | MS | $5.00 | Dec. 31 |
Fish Farm Health Inspection Permit | VHS | $200.00 | +++ |
Fish Farmer (Aquaculturist) Permit | FF | $25.00 | Dec. 31++ |
Bull Frog Permit (Must have valid Fish Farmer Permit) | BP | $25.00 | Dec. 31 |
Resident Roe Taker/Seller Permit | RTS | $500.00 | Dec. 31 |
Resident Roe Taker/Helper Permit | RH | $100.00 | Dec. 31 |
Resident Roe Buyer/Exporter Permit | RBE | $1,000.00 | Dec. 31 |
Non-Resident Roe Buyer Permit | RBN | $2,000.00 | Dec. 31 |
Commercial Boat Dock Permit | BDN | $25.00 | Dec. 31 |
Commercial Boat Dock (User Fee) | BPL | $150.00 | Dec. 31 |
Private Boat House/Irrigation (Single) | BHS | $10.00 | Dec. 31 |
Private Pier/Irrigation | DPS | $10.00 | Dec. 31 |
Irrigation Permit | IP | $10.00 | Dec. 31 |
Put & Take Pay Lake | PLO | $150.00 | Dec. 31 |
HUNTING LICENSE AND PERMITS: | |||
Deferred Hunter Education | DHE | Free | * |
Resident Wildlife Conservation License | HNT | $10.50 | June 30 |
Resident Sportsman's Permit | RS | $25.00 | June 30 |
Resident Disabled Hunting 3-Yr License | RDH | $25.00 | + |
Resident Disabled Combination 3-Yr License | RDC | $35.50 | + |
Non-Resident Annual All Game License | NBG | $300.00 | June 30 |
Non-Resident 5-Day All Game License | AG5 | $150.00 | * |
Non-Resident 3-Day All Game License | AG3 | $100.00 | * |
Non-Resident 1-Day All Game License | AG1 | $50.00 | * |
Non-Resident Annual Small Game License | NRH | $80.00 | June 30 |
Non-Resident 5-Day Small Game License | SG5 | $55.00 | * |
Non-Resident Trappers Permit | NFT | $125.00 | June 30 |
Private Lands Elk Permit | PLE | $35.00 | **** |
Arkansas Resident Waterfowl Stamp | DSR | $7.00 | June 30 |
Arkansas Non-Resident Waterfowl Stamp | DSN | $ 3 | 5.00 June 30 |
WMA Hunter Use Permit | |||
Bayou Meto WMA | UBM | Free | June 30 |
Dave Donaldson Black River WMA | UDD | Free | June 30 |
Dr. Lester Sitzes, III Bois d'Arc WMA | ULS | Free | June 30 |
Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA UEG | Free | June 30 | |
Freddie Black Choctaw Island Deer Research Area WMA | UFB | Free | June 30 |
Harold E. Alexander Spring River WMA | UHA | Free | June 30 |
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA | UHG | Free | June 30 |
Hope Upland WMA | UHU | Free | June 30 |
McIlroy Madison County WMA | UMM | Free | June 30 |
Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA | UMF | Free | June 30 |
Moro Big Pine Natural Area WMA | UMB | Free | June 30 |
Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA | URE | Free | June 30 |
Scott Henderson Gulf Mountain WMA | USH | Free | June 30 |
Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA | USN | Free | June 30 |
Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA | USB | Free | June 30 |
Trusten Holder WMA | UTH | Free | June 30 |
AGFC Leased Lands Permit (Hunting, Trapp | ing and Camping) | ||
Casey Jones WMA. | LCJ | $40.00 | ** |
Big Timber WMA. | LBT | $40.00 | ** |
Cherokee WMA. | LCH | $40.00 | ** |
Gum Flats WMA | LGF | $40.00 | ** |
Provo WMA | LPR | $40.00 | ** |
Lafayette County WMA | LLC | $40.00 | ** |
Jim Kress WMA | LJK | $40.00 | ** |
Falconry Permit Apprentice | FPA | $25.00 | June 30 |
Falconry Permit General | FPG | $25.00 | June 30 |
Falconry Permit Master | FPM | $25.00 | June 30 |
Resident Guide License/Hunting | GLH | $25.00 | June 30 |
Non-Resident Guide License/Hunting | GNH | $150.00 | June 30 |
Resident Special Guide License | GLS | $150.00 | June 30 |
Non-Resident WMA Waterfowl Hunting Permit (5-day trip) | NW5 | $ 2 | 5.00 * |
Non-Resident WMA Seasonal Waterfowl Hunting Permit | NWP | $100.00 | June 30 |
HUNTING COMMERCIALIZATION: | |||
Resident Trappers Permit | TP | Free | June 30 |
Resident Fur Dealer | FD | $50.00 | June 30 |
Non-Resident Fur Dealer | NFD | $100.00 | June 30 |
Special Commercial Quail Permit | CQP | $25.00 | June 30 |
Game Bird Shooting Resort Permit | CSR | $150.00 | June 30 |
Commercial Wildlife Hunting Resort Permit. | CHR | $500.00 | June 30 |
Wildlife Breeder/Dealer Permit | WBD | $50.00 | June 30 |
Wildlife Importation Permit | WTP | $25.00 | June 30 |
Mountain Lion Permit | MLP | $50.00 | June 30 |
Live Fox and Coyote Permit | FCP | $25.00 | June 30 |
LIFETIME LICENSE: | |||
Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Fishing License | MRF | $10.50 | Non-Expiring |
Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Hunting License | MRH | $25.00 | Non-Expiring |
Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Combination License | MRC | $35.50 | Non-Expiring |
Resident Military Retiree Lifetime Waterfowl Permit | MRD | $ 7.00 | Non-Expiring |
Resident Military retiree Lifetime Trout Permit | MRT | $ 5.00 | Non-Expiring |
Resident 65 Plus Lifetime Fishing License | PLF | $10.50 | Non-Expiring |
Resident 65 Plus Lifetime Sportsman's Hunting License and Permit | PLH | $25.00 | Non-Expiring |
Resident 65 Plus Lifetime Combination License | PLC | $35.50 | Non-Expiring |
Resident 65 Plus Lifetime Waterfowl Permit | PLD | $7.00 | Non-Expiring |
Resident 65 Plus Lifetime Trout Permit | PLT | $5.00 | Non-Expiring |
Non-Expiring Lifetime Resident Hunting & Fishing Sportsman's Permit | LSP | $l,000.00 | Non-Expiring |
Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Fishing License | VLF | $10.50 | Non-Expiring |
Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Hunting License | VLH | $25.00 | Non-Expiring |
Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Combination License | VLC | $35.50 | Non-Expiring |
Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Waterfowl Permit | VLD | $ 7.00 | Non-Expiring |
Resident Disabled Military Veteran Lifetime Trout Permit | VLT | $ 5.00 | Non-Expiring |
*Good from requested day of issue for period of license. **Good for 1 year from date of purchase. ****Expires when the zone quota has been reached (Addendum A1.09). *****Good for that season only.
+ Good for 3 years from date of purchase. ++Fee applies to initial purchase. No fee for annual renewal.
EXCEPTION:
Apprentice Class Eligibility, and Application Conditions and Requirements:
General Class Eligibility, and Application Conditions and Requirements:
Master Class Eligibility, and Application Conditions and Requirements: Master Class falconers must have practiced falconry with their own raptors(s) at the General Falconer level for at least 5 years.
Falconry Eagle Permit Eligibility, and Application Conditions and Requirements.
Eligibility Requirements to obtain falconry permit for individuals with falconry experience who are new residents in the United States.
Eligibility Requirements to obtain falconry permit for individuals with falconry experience who are Not U. S. Residents.
EXCEPTION:
Additional Requirements regarding falconry permits including Reinstatement of lapsed falconry permit and residency requirements.
EXCEPTION:
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding facilities and care.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding take and possession of raptors from the wild.
EXCEPTION:
EXCEPTION:
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding possession of raptors bred in captivity.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding possession of raptors transferred from migratory bird rehabilitators.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding record keeping.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding theft of a falconry bird.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding Selling or Trading Raptors held under a Falconry Permit.
EXCEPTION:
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding Take of Prey by Falconry Raptors.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding Release of Falconry Birds into the Wild and Falconry Training Techniques.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding migratory bird feather and carcass possession.
EXCPETIONS:
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding Raptors Injured Due to a Falconer's Trapping Efforts.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding assistance in the rehabilitation of raptors to prepare them for release according to the following requirements.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding Use of Falconry Raptors in Abatement and Education Activities.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for falconers holding a permit issued by another state to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding Non-resident falconers hunting and taking raptors in Arkansas.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding taking falconry raptors to another country for use in falconry activities.
Permit Requirements: It shall be unlawful for holders of Falconry Permits to fail to comply with the following requirements regarding facility inspection and permit revocation.
SUMMARY FOR COMMITTEE ITEM 2013 Fishing Regulations Considerations - Second Reading Summary
Committee: Regulations Committee
Date: August 15, 2012
Title: 2013 Fishing Regulations Considerations - Second
Reading for Approval
Explanation: The Fisheries Division recommends the attached fishing regulation changes. The following pages include a listing and brief explanation of the changes followed by the recommended Code Book language to be adopted. A Minute Order is also attached for approval. All approved changes would go into effect 1 January 2013.
Prepared by: Mark Oliver
Chief of Fisheries
2013 Proposed Fishing Considerations
Miscellaneous (Clarifications)
Clarification on Code 30.12 on the width of slots on slat traps
During the Code Book revision process, minor mistakes were made while transferring this code. These are simply clarifications.
Clarification on Code 26.18: Adding language to include all game fish and their parts, dead or alive, are illegal to use as bait (with the exception of bream under 4-inches and bream caught by hook and line)
During the Code Book revision process, minor mistakes were made while transferring this code. These are simply clarifications.
Addition of 35.11 Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV) Fish Importation Regulation under Code 1.00D, Confiscation and Seizure
When this regulation was first created in 2007, and added to the Official Code Book Language, it was not added under the confiscation and seizure section.
Change Hwy 313 to Hwy 360 in Code 31.07C, Mussel Harvest Restrictions
The Fisheries Division received this clarification from Enforcement because from Hwy 360 upstream to Hwy 313 is non-navigable and to alleviate problems with trespassing on private land, possibly during duck season.
Clarification on Code 35.10: Hyperlinks need to be changed and 35.10 should be listed under Code 1.00L, Denial, Suspension or Revocation of Licenses, Permits, Tags and Stamps
During the Code Book revision process, minor mistakes were made while transferring this code. These are simply clarifications.
Clarification of Code 30.15, relocating the sentence "All lakes, bays or other bodies of water, other than tributary streams, connected to waters as specified above, when accessible by boat, from the main channel" to the bottom of "A", thus encompassing all listed rivers.
During the Code Book revision process, minor mistakes were made while transferring this code. These are simply clarifications.
Clarification on Fishing below Dams Restrictions
The Enforcement Division has identified some confusion with fishing below dams (Code 26.07). There are exceptions that allow anglers to fish below dams, however under these exceptions, it needs to be clearly stated under exception 1, "Unless otherwise posted, fishing is allowed with one hand held pole or rod", as well as under exception 2, "In waters not otherwise restricted (Code 26.06), rough fish may be taken with bow and arrow". These changes will alleviate the confusion.
Clarification on which waters aquatic turtles can be commercially harvested
There has been confusion regarding waters open to commercial aquatic turtle harvest versus those of commercial fishing. The format of the code language was changed to break it down into discrete units for ease of understanding which counties and/or water bodies are specifically open to commercial harvest of aquatic turtles. The deletion of two counties is based on a lack of any harvest from those counties over the past seven years, yet several other counties which have had no reported harvest, in the same time period, remain open. Restrictions to specified portions of counties are based on ecoregion (Mississippi Delta and Coastal Plain) attributes where harvest has historically been most prevalent. In summary, over half of all counties, or portions thereof, in the state remain open to commercial aquatic turtle harvest.
Other 2013 Proposed Fisheries Considerations
Remove Lake Atalanta from Community Fishing regulations and make it open to fishing with rod or pole only with a catfish and trout daily limit of five.
When Lake Atalanta was added to the list of Community Fishing Lakes, the regulations covering them included catch and release only for largemouth bass. That restriction was counterproductive to the overcrowded bass population. Because of this, the lake was excluded from the Community Fishing Lake List and was no longer listed in the fishing regulations guidebook. Including the lake in the list of regulations for Arkansas Lakes will reinstate the original regulations that the lake has been under for several decades.
Allow the use of single, barbed hooks while fishing with bait outside of the Special Regulations Area on the Beaver Tailwater.
In 2006, anglers on the Beaver Tailwater were restricted to using single, barbless hooks while bait fishing on the Beaver Tailwater outside of the Special Regulations Area. This change was implemented in an attempt to reduce post-release mortality of trout. However, a thorough review of the scientific literature and monitoring efforts by AGFC suggest that this regulation has not improved overall survival of rainbow trout on Beaver Tailwater. Given that the current regulation exposes anglers to additional risk of being issued a citation and the lack of improvement in overall trout survival, we are recommending removing this restriction.
Allow use of artificial lures with multiple, barbless hooking points in the special regulation area on the Beaver Tailwater.
This change would allow the use of artificial lures with multiple, barbless hooking points in the special regulation (artificials-only) area on the Beaver Tailwater. A substantial amount of scientific literature supports that artificial lures with single, barbless hooks do not significantly improve post-release survival of fish over that observed for artificial lures with treble or barbed hooks. Allowing anglers to use artificial lures with barbless, treble hooks would expand the angling opportunities for anglers that fish with this type of tackle while still achieving management objectives. An added benefit would be consistency in tackle restrictions in special regulations areas on all major tailwater trout fisheries throughout the state.
Remove 13 inch length limit on large-mouth bass on lower Ouachita & Saline Rivers. Maintain length limit at Felsenthal NWR
Recent fish population data and FAST modeling still support the use of a 13-inch minimum length limit for improving largemouth bass population dynamics in Felsenthal Reservoir. However, recent data do not support the continuation of the same regulation further upstream. From an enforcement and public comprehension view it would also be better to define the regulated area based on a static area (i.e. Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge boundaries) instead of the fluctuating water levels of the Ouachita and Saline rivers and their backwaters.
Lower White Oak Lake "Catch and Release" Fishing Only
Fishing mortality needs to be minimized while the reservoir refills and fish populations are re-established following the Lower White Oak Lake renovation. Catch-and-release fishing should provide some fishing opportunities to area anglers without causing significant impacts to the newly stocked fish populations.
Remove catch and release only for largemouth bass and implement 5 fish per day limit for largemouth bass on Lake Sylvia
Lake Sylvia (USFS) is currently under a catch and release regulation for largemouth bass. This regulation was implemented in an effort to reestablish the bass population after draining the lake and renovation of the dam several years ago. Electrofishing sampling conducted by USFS fisheries biologists indicates ample bass with several year classes represented.
Include Mom's Lake in the Family Fishing Program
Mom's Lake is a 9 acre fishing reservoir in Clay County near Corning. The AGFC accepted ownership of the lake from a private contributor. The contributor requested that fishing be restricted to children, senior citizens and disabled anglers. The fish population is susceptible to overharvest without severe restrictions being in place.
Include Walnut Ridge City Lake in the Family Fishing Program
The Walnut Ridge City Lake is a city-owned, 1 acre fishing reservoir in Walnut Ridge in Lawrence County. Fishing restrictions are currently governed by city ordinance. These restrictions are similar to those included in the AGFC Family Fishing Program. The city has requested that the lake be included in the FFP list of lakes for enforcement and stocking purposes. A lake this small in an urban area is susceptible to overharvest without severe restrictions being in place.
Changing the minimum length limit of 34-inches to 35-inches on Paddlefish in the Mississippi River
From 2008 to 2011, paddlefish data was collected during ride alongs with commercial fishermen on the Mississippi River. Length, weight, gender, age, and fecundity information was collected. Based on the age and growth data, only 10% of the gravid females are being protected under the 34-inch minimum length limit (MLL). Model estimates from Spawning Potential Ratio indicate an exploitation rate of just over 20% could make harvest unsustainable and an exploitation rate of 40% could result in recruitment overfishing with a 34-inch MLL. Changing the MLL to 35-inch would protect 20% of the gravid females. Model estimates from Spawning Potential Ratio indicate an exploitation rate of just over 35% could make harvest unsustainable and an exploitation rate of 70% could result in recruitment overfishing with a 35-inch MLL. Fisheries does not expect an exploitation rate of 70% to occur in the Mississippi River due to the difficulties of fishing in the river. It would also result in a 27% increase in the number of eggs that could be harvest from the area.
Allowing commercial harvest of aquatic turtles (by any method) on private property in areas closed to commercial fishing and turtling
The past several years the Fisheries Division has received requests to allow commercial of harvest aquatic turtles on private property, in counties closed to commercial fishing and turtling. Code language (34.04 Exception 5) was drafted to allow for the commercial harvest of aquatic turtles, via a no fee Private Land Nuisance Aquatic Turtle Permit issued to the landowner, in closed counties only from manmade lakes and ponds on private property by Commission licensed commercial turtle harvesters. Only three (3) aquatic turtle species will be permitted for commercial harvest, the Common Snapping Turtle, Redear Slider, and Spiny Softshell. These species are the most commonly (in terms of numbers) harvested commercial species, they are common inhabitants of manmade lakes and ponds, and are the most frequently caught (i.e., on hook and line, trot lines, limb lines, etc.) nuisance aquatic turtle species This Code change was patterned after the AGFC Depredation Permit process. A triplicate Private Land Nuisance Aquatic Turtle Permit form will be provided by the Commission.
Ban commercial fishing on Old River Lake
This small oxbow lake simply doesn't have a large enough fishery to justify commercial harvest, therefore it should be closed to commercial fishing.
Alligator gar commercial harvest report requirements
Submission of current required alligator gar harvest report forms is unenforceable and the minimal data that is submitted is inadequate and often inaccurate. To aid evaluations of the geographic range, exploitation rates, and population stability of alligator gar stocks in Arkansas, it is necessary that sufficient data be collected from sport and commercial fishermen. All recent changes and additions to regulations and reporting requirements for alligator gar have focused on sport fishermen. Thus, measures are needed and warranted to obtain similar information from commercial fishermen.
Decrease minimum length limit on largemouth bass in the Arkansas River from 15-inches to 14-inches.
A 15-inch minimum length limit (MLL) was placed on largemouth bass in 1998 in an effort to increase abundance of harvestable sized bass. Since then numerous largemouth bass stock assessments have been conducted by both AGFC and UAPB to evaluate and monitor: age and size structure, growth, condition, and exploitation. In addition, angler creel surveys were conducted on several pools of the river and most recently relationships between hydrology and bass population characteristics were examined. Study results indicate there are fewer harvestable-size bass in the Arkansas River and they are growing slower. Hydrology (high water/flows) during 2007-09 appears to have negatively affected both abundance and growth of the bass population. Furthermore, age and growth analysis indicates it taking an additional year for bass to reach the 15- inch MLL. Tag-reward and creel surveys indicate the Arkansas River as a high catch-and-release bass fishery. It is therefore recommended that the 15-inch MLL for largemouth bass in the Arkansas River be decreased to 14-inches, which should allow for higher yield and harvest rates without compromising size structure. With the population experiencing slower growth rates, decreasing the MLL to 14-inches should provide more harvestable-sized fish to anglers sooner. Lowering the MLL to 14-inches should also help offset some of the negative effects high water/flows will continue to have on the Arkansas River largemouth bass population.
Clarification in Codes 26.07 and 32.05 to allow only cast and throw nets to harvest shad below dams
The way the regulations are currently written, in Code 26.07 you can only use a hand held dip net for taking shad below dams. The regulation should only allow use of cast and throw nets for harvesting shad below dams, not hand held dip nets. Code 32.05 refers to "all" of Code 32.04, when it should only refer to Exception C.
Clarification in Code 9.10 to reflect Wildlife Importation Permits are not required for aquatic wildlife
There has been a lot of confusion on whether persons bringing certain aquatic species (crayfish and turtles) into the state need a Wildlife Importation Permit (Code 9.10). The Fisheries Division has never issued Wildlife Importation Permits for any aquatic species, and that is the overall consensus of AGFC staff. With this in mind, we recommend changing the code book language to reflect that Wildlife Importation Permits are not required for aquatic wildlife.
Clarification of the definition of wildlife and aquatic wildlife in Code 1.00-C
There is a need to clarify the definition of Wildlife and aquatic wildlife because there are two definitions that aquatic organisms fall under.
Clarification on Addendum R1.01 is needed correcting the code number for sale of fish
Clarification on Addendum R1.01 is required due to minor mistakes that were made while transferring this code during the code book revision process.
Deletion of Western Chicken is needed in Addendum J1.01
Western chicken turtles should be deleted from the Aquaculture Clean List (J1.01) as they are not allowed for take or possession.
Change the penalty one ranked codes to penalty two ranked codes in code section 30.00
The Fisheries and Enforcement Divisions propose to change all commercial fishing codes (Code section 30.00) that have a penalty one ranking, to penalty two ranking.
Clarification of mesh size for fiddler nets is needed from mistakes made during the code book revision process
Clarification of mesh size for fiddler nets (Code 30.05) is required due to minor mistakes that were made while transferring this code during the code book revision process.
Proposed 2013 Fishing Regulation Considerations
s are to be deleted. Red, bold, underlined fonts are additions.
For the purposes of the Arkansas State Game and Fish Code of Regulations, the following terms shall be construed, respectively, to mean and include:
ADULT GOBBLER - Male turkeys having at least one of the following characteristics:
ALLIGATOR DEALER - Any person, firm or corporation engaging in the sale, purchase,
barter or exchange of an American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) or other crocodilian species, or any part, nest or eggs thereof in Arkansas.
ALLIGATOR FARMER - Any person, firm or corporation possessing an American alligator
(Alligator mississippiensis) or other crocodilian species, or any part, nest or eggs thereof in
Arkansas for the purpose of propagation, production or rearing.
ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE DEALER - Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the sale or purchase of alligator snapping turtles.
ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE BREEDER - Any person, firm or corporation possessing alligator snapping turtles for the purpose of propagation, production, rearing or sale.
ANIMAL - An organism of the animal kingdom, as distinguished from the plant kingdom, including any part, product, egg or offspring thereof.
ANTLERLESS DEER - A doe or a buck having 2 inches or less of hardened bone antler (this type of deer must be checked as a buck).
ANTLERLESS ELK - Any elk (male or female) not meeting requirements to be a legal bull elk.
AQUACULTURE SPECIES - Any species listed on the Approved Aquaculture Species List
(Addendum J1.00) and species not listed but allowed under Unlisted or Restricted Species Possession Permits.
AQUATIC WILDLIFE - All aquatic species, includingaquatic snails, aquatic turtles, crayfish (crawfish and crawdads), fish (including minnows), frogs, mussels and salamanders.
ARKANSAS RIVER BOUNDARY (Sportfishing Only) - The Arkansas Post Canal from Lock and Dam No. 1 to the Arkansas River and the Arkansas River from Dam No. 2 upstream to the Oklahoma state line, including all lakes, bays and tributary streams accessible by boat from the main channel except:
[BULLET]Big Bayou Meto upstream from Arkansas Highway 11;
[BULLET]Plum Bayou upstream from U.S. Highway 79;
[BULLET]Little Maumelle River upstream from Pinnacle Mountain State Park;
[BULLET]Maumelle River upstream from Lake Maumelle Dam;
[BULLET]Fourche LaFave upstream from Arkansas Highway 113;
[BULLET]Palarm Creek upstream from Interstate 40;
[BULLET]Cadron Creek upstream from the weir;
[BULLET]Point Remove Creek upstream from Arkansas Highway 113;
[BULLET]Petit Jean River upstream from Pontoon Boat Ramp at Arkansas Highway 154;
[BULLET]Illinois Bayou upstream from Russellville Waterworks Dam;
[BULLET]Big Piney and Little Piney creeks upstream from Arkansas Highway 359;
[BULLET]Horsehead Creek upstream from Interstate 40;
[BULLET]Mulberry River upstream from Interstate 40;
[BULLET]Frog Bayou upstream from Arkansas Highway 162 and Lee Creek upstream from Lee Creek Dam,
[BULLET]And from the first non-navigable shoal for streams entering the Arkansas River along the right bank descending from the Oklahoma state line to Lake Dardanelle Dam.
ARTIFICIAL LURE OR FLY - Terminal fishing tackle made entirely of rubber, wood,
metal, glass, feathers, hair, synthetic fibers or plastic, with hook attached.
BAITFISH - Minnows, logperch, gizzard and threadfin shad, gar (other than alligator gar),
bullhead catfish, crayfish, drum, bowfin under 6 inches, skipjack herring, brook and inland silversides, bigmouth, smallmouth and black buffalo, river carpsucker, banded and Ozark sculpin, bream 4 inches and under, and bream over 4 inches that are caught by hook and line.
BAITING - The direct or indirect placing, exposing, depositing, distributing or scattering of salt, grain or other feed that could serve as a lure or attraction for wildlife to, on or over any areas where hunters are attempting to take them.
BIG GAME - Alligator, black bear, deer, elk and turkey.
BLACK BASS - Largemouth bass, redeye bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass.
BLOCKING OUT - The removal of the head and/or tail associated with the processing of a commercial fish. The blocked-out carcass (bullet) must be at least the minimum length required for the body of water where the commercial fish was harvested (Code 30.11).
BONUS DEER - A harvested deer that is not included in a hunter's statewide bag limit.
BOX TYPE TURTLE TRAP - A floating trap designed to capture aquatic turtles, but does not permit capture of fish (Code 34.07).
BREAM - A species of the genus Lepomis, including bluegill, redear, warmouth and other sunfish.
BUCK - A male deer (see LEGAL BUCK definition).
BUCK DEER SEASON - A deer season in which no deer other than legal buck deer may be taken.
BUY - To purchase, barter, exchange or trade, including any offer to purchase, barter, exchange or trade.
CAPTIVITY OR HOLD CAPTIVE - The holding of living wildlife in a controlled environment that is manipulated by man for the purpose of exercising ownership, possession or control of the wildlife, and that has boundaries designed to prevent selected species from entering or leaving the controlled environment.
CARCASS - The body of a dead animal.
CASE - A container specifically designed to hold a firearm which completely encloses the firearm by being zipped, snapped, buckled, tied or otherwise fastened with no portion of the firearm exposed.
CATCH-AND-RELEASE - The requirement that fish of a designated species must be immediately released into the water where caught.
CERVID - A member of the Family Cervidae including without limitation deer, reindeer,
moose, elk and caribou.
CHASE FOR PLEASURE - To search for, pursue or chase game animals or other wildlife with the use of dogs for recreational purposes only, with no intent of hunting such game animals or wildlife.
CHECKING WILDLIFE - The reporting of specific information to the Commission concerning harvest of alligator, bear, deer, elk and turkey by one of the following methods:
phoning a designated number to report bear, deer or turkey harvests, electronically through the
Commission's on-line deer and turkey checking Web site or mobile applications, and in person to report harvest of elk and alligator at a designated check station.
CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE (CWD) - Fatal disease affecting the brain of cervids that belongs to a group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
CHUMMING - To dislodge or deposit any substance not attached to a hook which may attract fish.
CITES TAG - a permit that allows shipping of certain animal pelts outside the State of Arkansas and assures compliance with the Convention on the International Trade of Endangered
Species.
CLEAN - Having no meat matter or tissue attached to the carcass.
COMPUTER-ASSISTED HUNTING - The use of a computer or any other device, equipment or software to remotely control the aiming and discharge of a firearm, bow or crossbow to kill wildlife located in Arkansas.
COMMERCIAL FISH - Bowfin (over 6 inches), buffalo, catfish, carp, drum, gar, paddlefish, sucker family, white amur and sturgeon.
COMMERCIAL FISHERMAN - Any person who fishes with tackle designated as commercial tackle requiring a license and/or tag issued by the Commission.
COMMERCIAL TACKLE - Properly licensed tackle used to catch aquatic wildlife for commercial purposes.
COMMERCIAL WILDLIFE HUNTING RESORT - A facility, location, business, or operation that offers, for pay or other consideration, an opportunity to hunt native wildlife, other than pen-raised game birds, held in captivity. Includes all contiguous land, and structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on the land, used for the hunting activities.
COMMERCIAL WILDLIFE PERMIT - Any or all of the following permits: Alligator Farmer/Dealer, Alligator Snapping Turtle Breeder/Dealer, Resident Shell Taker and Seller, Shell Buyer, Non-Resident Shell Buyer, Resident Roe Taker/Seller, Resident Roe Buyer/Exporter, Non-Resident Roe Buyer, Resident Fur Dealer, Non-Resident Fur Dealer, Special Commercial Quail, Game Bird Shooting Resort, Commercial Wildlife Hunting Resort, Wildlife Breeder/Dealer and Wildlife Importation.
COMMISSION - The Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission, unless otherwise designated.
DEFERRED HUNTER EDUCATION (DHE) - Designates a holder of a valid Arkansas hunting license/permit who has deferred completion of the hunter education program.
DISABLED - Any individual who is 100 percent permanently and totally disabled as declared by one or more of the following federal agencies: the U.S. Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs or the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board.
DOE - A female deer.
DOE DEER SEASON - A deer season in which a doe may be taken.
DROWNING SET - Any leg-hold trap that uses one or more of the following techniques to retain the target animal in water of suitable depth for drowning: a slide wire with lock, a tangle stake or a drowning weight.
DUCKS (includes the following species) - All species of teal, merganser, whistling duck and scaup; American wigeon, American black duck, bufflehead, canvasback, gadwall, common goldeneye, mallard, mottled duck, northern shoveler, redhead, ring-necked duck, ruddy duck, northern pintail and wood duck.
EDIBLE PORTIONS - portions of the following animals are considered edible as stated below:
EITHER-SEX DEER SEASON - A deer season in which a doe or a legal buck may be taken. EMERGENCY CONDITION - Any condition involving:
ENCLOSURE - Any area surrounded by a man-made barrier, including but not limited to fencing, walls, structures or other devices that prevent wildlife from leaving a particular environment.
ENDANGERED SPECIES - A wildlife species or subspecies endangered or threatened with extinction listed, or proposed as a candidate for listing, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or
any native species or subspecies listed as endangered by the Commission (Addendum P1.00).
FALCONRY - The caring for and training of raptors for pursuit of wild game, and hunting
wild game with raptors. It includes the taking of raptors from the wild to use in the sport and
caring for training and transporting raptors held for falconry.
FEDERAL WATERS - Waters designated by federal law as federally controlled or under the jurisdiction of a department or agency of the United States Government.
FEE LAKE - A lake in which there is a fee for fishing rights. All persons 16 years of age and older must possess an Arkansas fishing license. Daily limits apply.
FERAL HOG - Any hog, including but not limited to Russian and European wild boar, which is roaming freely and is living in a wild or feral state.
FIREARM - Any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance, including without limitation muzzleloaders and modern guns (see LOADED FIREARM).
FISH OR FISHING - To lure, attract, collect or pursue fish species or aquatic wildlife for the purpose of taking or attempting to take such species by any method.
FISH DEALER - Any person who sells live fish, including baitfish.
FISH FARM - Waters and adjacent premises confined within a pond, tank or lake not connected with public waters, and under management of a fish farmer.
FISH FARMER (AQUACULTURIST) - A person, firm, partnership or corporation engaged in the propagation or rearing of aquaculture species for sale.
FREEFLOATING FISHING DEVICE - A floating fishing device unanchored or unattached to a stationary object.
FURBEARERS - Badger, beaver, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, mink, muskrat, nutria,
opossum, raccoon, river otter, spotted skunk, striped skunk and weasel.
GAFF - To take or attempt to take fish with a hand- held or handled hook.
GAME ANIMALS - Alligator, black bear, bobcat, coyote, deer, elk, gray fox, red fox, mink, opossum, eastern cottontail rabbit, swamp rabbit, raccoon, gray squirrel and fox squirrel.
GAME BIRD SHOOTING RESORT -A facility, location, business, or operation that offers, for pay or other consideration, an opportunity to hunt captive-raised game birds. Includes all contiguous land, and structures, other appurtenances, and improvements on the land, used for the hunting activities.
GAME BIRDS - Turkey, quail, pheasant, chukar and all birds classified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as migratory game birds.
GAME FISH - Alligator gar, black bass, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, catfish, trout, bream, goggle-eye, walleye, muskellunge, sauger, saugeye, paddlefish and pickerel.
GEOCACHE - Items in a container (cache) placed or hidden for individuals to subsequently find using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver.
GEOCACHING - An outdoor sport, similar to "high-tech treasure hunting," involving use of a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to find a cache.
GUIDE - A person who provides, for monetary or any other compensation, that person's personal services for the purpose of assisting others to locate, pursue, catch or hunt wildlife. HACKING - The temporary release of a raptor held for falconry to the wild so that it must survive on its own.
HARASS - An intentional or negligent act which creates the likelihood of injury to wildlife by annoying it to such an extent as to significantly disrupt normal behavioral pattern which include but are not limited to, breeding, feeding, or sheltering. HEN TURKEY - Female turkey with or without a beard.
HIGH-FENCE ENCLOSURE - An enclosure that contains an area of at least 500 contiguous acres, with at least 60 percent of the acreage in forested cover that has been classified as timberland by the local county tax assessor, that has a perimeter fence at least 8 feet high, with no cross-fencing that has the effect of reducing the size of the area to less than 500 contiguous acres with at least 60 percent of the acreage in forested cover as herein provided. HOGGING - The taking of fish by the use of hands only in or under the water. HUNT OR HUNTING - Taking or attempting to take wildlife by any method including but not limited to searching, pursuing, chasing, tracking, luring, or attracting. HUNTING INCIDENT - When bodily injury above basic first aid or death occurs due to an activity directly related to a hunting excursion in the field. Examples of such activities would include discharge of a firearm, bow, or crossbow and falls from an elevated platform (tree stand, tower stand, or elevated duck blind).
HUNTING PARTY - Two or more persons hunting together. HYBIRD RAPTORS - Offspring of birds listed as two or more distinct species. IMPORT OR IMPORTATION - To ship, convey, carry, transport, bring or introduce into Arkansas anything from outside its borders.
IMPRINT - A bird that is hand-raised in isolation from other raptors from two weeks of age until it has fledged and will be considered to be an imprinted bird for its entire life. JAKE - Sub-adult male turkey having all these characteristics: longer central tail feathers, outermost one or two wing feathers lacking white barring all the way to the tip and a beard 6 inches or less in length.
KILLING DEVICE - Any firearm, bow and arrow, crossbow, compressed gas or spring-powered pistol or rifle, blowgun, speargun, hand-thrown spear, slingshot, irritant gas device, explosive device, or any other implement designed to discharge a projectile capable of killing wildlife.
LARGE CARNIVORE - Tigers (Panthera tigris), African Lions (Panthera leo), or any hybrid thereof and all species of bears.
LEGAL BUCK - A male deer may be considered legal under the following rules as applied by this Code:
more in width 3) a male deer having at least one main beam 18 inches or more in length (Code 21.03). (f) WMA Special Restrictions: Special restrictions may apply on certain WMAs
(Code 21.03). LEGAL BULL ELK - An elk having at least one antler visible above the hair line. LEGAL TURKEY - A turkey may be considered legal under the following rules as applied by this Code:
LIMITS -
LITTER - All waste which has been discarded or otherwise disposed of, including, but not limited to, convenience food and beverage packages or containers, trash, garbage, all other product packages or containers, and other post consumer solid wastes as referenced in State
Law, or discarded game animal carcasses.
LOADED FIREARMS - Firearms are considered loaded if shells or cartridges are in the chamber, magazine or cylinder. Percussion cap muzzleloading firearms are considered loaded if the percussion cap is on the nipple. Flintlock muzzleloading firearms are considered loaded if there is powder in the flashpan. Electronic pulse ignition muzzleloaders are considered loaded if the ignition circuit is charged.
MIGRATORY BIRDS - All birds protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and subsequent amendments.
MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS - Coots, crows, doves, ducks, gallinules or moorhens, geese, rails, snipe and woodcock.
MINNOWS - Small nongame fish commonly used for bait including bluntnose minnows, bullhead minnows, chubs, dace, fatheads, common carp under 6 inches, goldfish, shiners and stonerollers.
MOBILITY IMPAIRED - A designation made by the Commission based upon a satisfactory showing that a person has a permanent physical condition, verified by a physician duly licensed to practice medicine by a state medical board, which severely impairs the person's mobility and prevents him or her from being able to engage in hunting or fishing activities without the use of an ATV or similar specialized device for transportation.
NATIVE WILDLIFE - Those species and sub-species of wildlife that have established, naturally reproducing, free-ranging, wild populations within Arkansas.
NIGHT - The time period 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
NOODLING - The taking of fish by the use of a pole-mounted breakaway hook that detaches at the time of the strike or catch, or snare type device, with an attached line manipulated by hand when a person is in or under the water.
NONGAME WILDLIFE - All wildlife other than furbearing or game animals, game birds and game fish.
NON-NATIVE WILDLIFE - Any wildlife not defined as native wildlife.
NONRESIDENT - A person not defined as a resident.
NUISANCE WILDLIFE - Any wildlife creating a problem by committing damage to personal property or crops.
OPEN SEASON - A time frame established by the Commission during which a designated species may be lawfully taken.
PEN-RAISED QUAIL - Quail raised or hatched in captivity.
PERSON - Any individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership or other legal entity in singular or plural as the context requires. All pronouns shall include the masculine, feminine and neuter.
PORTABLE HUNTING STAND - Any device or structure used for the purpose of hunting
that can be carried in its entirety by one person.
PORTABLE POP-UP BLIND - A structure used to conceal a person that can be collapsed and carried in its entirety by one person.
POSSESS OR POSSESSION - Having or holding wildlife, or any property in one's power; the exercise of dominion over property. Possession includes actual possession (physical occupancy or control over property) and constructive possession (control or dominion over property without actual possession or custody of the property).
PROPAGATE OR PROPAGATION - To allow plants or animals to breed or multiply.
PUBLIC ROAD - The traveled portion and the shoulders on each side of any road maintained for public travel by a city, county, state, or federal government and includes all structures within the limits of the right-of-way of any such road.
PUT-AND-TAKE PAY LAKE - Private waters open to public fishing for a fee, after being licensed by the Commission and where no fishing license or daily limit of fish is imposed.
RAPTOR - Migratory bird of the Order Falconiformes or the Order Strigiformes including
bald eagles and golden eagles.
REAR OR REARING - To maintain plants or animals to increase their size or development.
REHABILITATION - Providing medical treatment or other care to orphaned, sick or injured wild animals that have come into human possession with the goal of returning the animal to the wild.
RESIDENCE - Any dwelling such as a house, manufactured home, or apartment that is permanently fixed in place and is owned, leased, or rented fully or in part by an individual.
This term does not include tents; temporary lodging or rental units such as hotels, motels, resorts, or commercial campgrounds; recreational vehicles; mobile travel trailers; or, motor vehicles.
RESIDENT -
Special Guide, Alligator Farmer/Dealer, Alligator Snapping Turtle Breeder/Dealer, Commercial Fisherman's and Sportfishing, Commercial Fisherman's Helper, Junior/Senior Commercial Fishing, Resident Shell Taker/Seller, Shell Taker Helper, Shell Buyer, Resident Fish Dealer, Resident Roe Taker/Seller, Resident Roe Taker Helper and Resident Roe Buyer/Exporter.
ROUGH FISH - Gars, bowfin, bullhead catfish, common carp, Asian carp (grass carp, bighead carp, silver carp), suckers (including buffalo) and drum.
SEINE - A fishing net that hangs vertically in the water where the ends can be drawn together to entrap fish.
SEINING - The act of moving a seine by boat or human power to capture fish.
SELL OR SALE - To exchange or deliver for money or its equivalent; to offer for sale, barter,
exchange or trade or the act of selling, bartering, consigning, exchanging or trading.
SHELL BUYER - Anyone who buys mussels or mussel parts from a Taker. An agent purchasing for a licensed buyer is not a buyer.
SMALL GAME - Furbearers, migratory game birds, quail, rabbit and squirrel.
SNAG - to take fish using conventional rod-and-reel tackle where the fish is impaled by the forceful retrieval of one or more hooks.
SNAGLINE - Commercial tackle consisting of a horizontal line with hooks or drops less than 24 inches apart.
SPORTFISH - See GAME FISH for definition.
TACKLE - An apparatus or device used to take wildlife.
TAKE - To shoot, kill, injure, trap, net, snare, spear, catch, capture or reduce to possession.
TAXIDERMY - The art of preparing, stuffing and/or mounting wildlife and parts thereof.
TRAP OR TRAPPING - A device to catch and hold wildlife.
TROUT - Any members of the Salmonidae family including rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, lake trout and cutthroat trout.
WATERFOWL - All species of coots, ducks, geese and swans.
WATERS OF THE STATE - All streams, lakes, sloughs, bayous, marshes or any other waterbodies either permanent or intermittent located wholly or partially within Arkansas, with the exception of pay lakes and fish farms.
WILD - To be living in a state of nature and not domesticated.
WILDLIFE - All wild birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians and other wild aquatic forms, and all other wild animals, regardless of classification, whether resident, migratory or imported, protected or unprotected, dead or alive, and shall extend to and include any and every part of any individual species of wildlife, including animals living in a captive state and which lack a genetic distinction from members of the same species living in the wild. Aquatic wildlife includes all aquatic species, including aquatic snails, aquatic turtles, crayfish (crawfish and crawdads), fish (including minnows), frogs, mussels and salamanders. WILDLIFE CHECK METHODS - The following are the official wildlife check methods:
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA (WMA) - Designated areas owned or controlled by the Commission and distinguished by certain markers and considered a separate zone with regard to wildlife regulations including: wildlife management area (WMA), waterfowl rest area (WRA), wildlife demonstration area (WDA), special use area (SUA) and state park-conservation area (SP-CA). YOUTH -
ZONE - An area defined by the Commission where hunting and/or fishing activities are regulated.
Upon conviction of the offender, the court having jurisdiction may order title to the equipment forfeited to the Commission and such equipment disposed of in compliance with Commission policy. Equipment confiscated may be advertised and sold at public auction with the proceeds of the sale to be deposited in the Game Protection Fund. (C) Procedural matters regarding seizure and forfeiture of contraband not otherwise addressed herein shall be governed by the provisions of Rule 15 (Disposition of Seized Things) of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure, as amended.
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 3
It is unlawful to take or attempt to take fish within 100 yards below dams or within the outlet channels of Arkansas Valley Electric Cooperative Hydroelectric Plant at Barling and the Murray Hydroelectric Plant at North Little Rock.
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 1
It is unlawful to take or attempt to take baitfish within 100 yards below dams or similar constructions.
EXCEPTION:
Shad may be taken in compliance with Code 32.04, Exception C.
PENALTY: Class 1
It is unlawful to sell as bait, possess while fishing, or use as bait aquatic animals other than insects, freshwater shrimp, worms and baitfish as defined in Code 01.00C Baitfish. Game fish and their parts, dead or alive, may not be used as bait, except for bream under 4 inches. Bream over 4 inches must first be caught by hook and line to be used as bait. PENALTY: Class 1
The restrictions in this subsection shall apply to the following waters: Chicot County -- Lake Village Community Fishing Pond
Clay County - Mom's Lake
Columbia County -- Armory Pond
Craighead County -- Craighead Forest Park Youth Fishing Pond
Faulkner County -- Dr. James E. Moore Jr. Camp Robinson Firing Range
Fulton County -- Salem City Lake
Hempstead County -- Mike and Janet Huckabee Youth Fishing Pond
Jefferson County -- Pine Bluff Regional Park Youth Fishing Pond
Lawrence County - Walnut Ridge City Lake
Pulaski County -- Landers Lake, War Memorial Park Pond Union County -- Mattox Park Lake
RESTRICTIONS:
The restrictions in this subsection shall apply to the following waters: Baxter County -- Amon's Lake Benton County -- Lake Springdale
Clark County -- Clear Lake
Crittenden County -- Tilden Rodgers Park Pond
Garland County -- Family Park Pond, Entergy Park Pond
Jefferson County -- Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pond in Pine Bluff
Lonoke County -- Cabot Community Pond, Mike Freeze England Community Pond
Miller County - Lake Dieffenbacher
Pike County -- John Benjamin Glenwood Community Pond
Pope County -- Pleasant View Park Pond
Pulaski County -- all lakes, ponds and streams managed by the City of Little Rock
Parks and Recreation Department within the city limits of Little Rock, Cherrywood
Lake, Lake Valencia, Little Rock Air Force Base Pond, North Little Rock City Park waters, Pinnacle Mountain State Park Pond, Sherwood
Municipal City Pond, Willow Beach Park Pond
White County -- Searcy City Lake
Saline County -- Sunset Lake
Sebastian County -- Carol Ann Cross Pond
Sebastian County -- Wells Lake, Fort Chaffee
Yell County -- Dardanelle City Park Ponds, Yell County Wildlife Federation Pond
Washington County -- Murphy Park Pond
RESTRICTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 1
It is unlawful to purchase commercial tackle tags or to operate commercial tackle, or sell or attempt to sell wild-caught commercial aquatic wildlife without a current commercial fisherman's permit and sportfishing license. A bill of sale or receipt of transfer with a commercial fisherman's permit number must accompany all sales to fish markets, processors or retailers of fish or fish parts in each transaction. Bills of sale must be retained by the purchaser for a period of 12 months and made available for inspection by the Commission.
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful for nonresidents to assist or participate in commercial harvest operations or to possess commercial fish, mussels, crayfish, aquatic turtles or commercial tackle associated with commercial harvest on Arkansas waters.
EXCEPTION:
In compliance with Addenda H1.01-03.
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful to fail to obtain the appropriate commercial tackle license for each gill net, trammel net, fish seine, hoop net, slat trap, fiddler net, snag line, trotline, limbline, throw line, set hook, or turtle tackle (hoop nets and box type traps) used in Arkansas waters. Commercial fishermen may not use commercial tackle for sport-fishing in waters open to commercial fishing.
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 2
Metal tags issued with commercial tackle licenses must be attached to the tackle as specified:
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful to use any tackle for commercial purposes other than as specified below:
properly licensed drag seines; hoop nets, with or without wings or leads; where permitted, fiddler nets with or without wings or leads; where permitted, slat traps; trammel nets; gill nets; limb lines; set lines; trotlines; and, snag lines in waters open to commercial fishing.
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful to use any lead or wing of any type connection with hoop, barrel or pond nets in excess of 100 yards.
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful for any lead or wing of any type to be set within 100 yards of another lead or wing.
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful to block horizontally from water's edge to water's edge more than half of the width of any stream with nets, leads, wings or seines.
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful to use fish seines at night in waters of the state.
EXCEPTION:
Between the main levees of the Mississippi River.
PENALTY: Class 2
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful for commercial fishermen to possess catfish or buffalo less than 16 inches or paddlefish and sturgeon of any size taken from waters of the state.
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 2
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful to use or possess fiddler size hoop nets or slat type fish traps in any waters of the state other than those specified below:
U.S. Highway 63 in Craighead County.
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 2
EXCEPTION:
When fishing slat traps only.
PENALTY: Class 2
ARKANSAS RIVER from its mouth to the Arkansas/Oklahoma state line including that part of the Arkansas River from the Ozark Dam to the Arkansas/Oklahoma state line, bounded on the north by the Union Pacific Railroad and on the south by Arkansas Highway 22 in compliance with Codes 30.24-25;
ARKANSAS WATERS between the main levees of the Mississippi River.
BLACK RIVER from its mouth to the Missouri state line; CACHE RIVER and lakes accessible by boat from the river;
FOURCHE La FAVE RIVER from its mouth to the Arkansas Highway 7 bridge in Perry County;
LITTLE RIVER from its mouth in Hempstead and Little River counties upstream to the Corps of Engineers boat ramp on west bank of river below Millwood Lake Dam; OUACHITA RIVER from the Louisiana state line to the confluence of the Caddo River;
PETIT JEAN RIVER from its mouth to the Arkansas Highway 10 bridge in Yell County;
RED RIVER in Hempstead, Lafayette, Little River and Miller counties; ST. FRANCIS RIVER upstream to the mouth of the Left Hand Chute of Little River in Poinsett County;
SALINE RIVER from its confluence with the Ouachita River upstream to the Stillion railroad bridge in Ashley and Bradley Counties; SULPHUR RIVER from its mouth to the Texas state line;
WHITE RIVER upstream from its mouth to 100 yards below Dam No. 1 at Batesville in Independence County;
All lakes, bays or other bodies of water, other than tributary streams, connected to waters as specified above, when accessible by boat, from the main channel except as limited by Addendum Chapter H1.00; EXCEPTIONS:
Lake Erling, including all tributaries upstream from 100 yards below Lake Erling Dam to Arkansas Highway 313 in Lafayette County; All lakes owned and/or operated by Arkansas State Parks, USDA Forest Service, AGFC (excluding all natural lakes on Commission WMAs within counties not designated as closed); Columbia County Lake in Columbia County; Dorcheat Bayou from its headwaters in Nevada County to the Arkansas/Louisiana state line; Horseshoe Lake in Crittenden County; Saline River above the Arkansas Highway 278 in Bradley County; Lake Wallace in Drew and Chicot counties; Lake Chicot (from Connerly Bayou Dam to the Ditch Bayou Dam, inclusive) in Chicot County; Hensley Lake in Jefferson County; Lake Maumelle in Pulaski County; White Oak Bay (Ozark Lake/Arkansas River); Morgan Point Bendway Lake in Desha County; Little Missouri River and all lakes in the Hot Springs Village Area of Saline County.
EXCEPTION:
Hoop nets shall not be used on Grand Lake (Chicot County).
Arkansas (Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Ashley (Emergency Closure Codes 38.04-06), Bradley (Emergency Closure Codes 38.03; 38.06), Calhoun (Emergency Closure Codes 38.03-04; 38.06), Chicot, Clay, Columbia (Dorcheat Bayou closed in (B) above; also see Emergency Closure Code 38.02), Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Drew (see Emergency Closure Codes 38.04-05), Greene, Hempstead, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson (see Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Lafayette, Lawrence, Lee, Lincoln, Little River, Lonoke (see Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Miller, Mississippi, Monroe, Nevada (Dorcheat Bayou closed in (B) above), Ouachita, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie (see Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Pulaski (see Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Randolph, St. Francis, White, Woodruff and Union (see Emergency Closure Code 38.06) counties.
EXCEPTIONS:
EXCEPTION:
That part of Saline River south of Arkansas Highway 371 (old Arkansas Highway 24) in Howard and Sevier counties is open year around to hoop nets.
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful for a commercial fisherman to fail to report annually, on forms supplied by the Commission, his or her harvest of alligator gar or other such species for which harvest information may be required, in compliance with Code 1.00 L. PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful to commercially take, attempt to take, or possess any sturgeon from the Mississippi River, including the Arkansas River to Dam 2, St. Francis River to the Huxtable Pumping Station and the White River to Montgomery Point Lock and Dam.
PENALTY: Class 2
It is unlawful to fish with gill nets, trammel nets, trotlines, snaglines and hoop nets in waters between arrival point signs and any lock and dam.
EXCEPTION:
Hoop nets may be fished below Dam 2 only when fished from the launching ramp below the dam on the Arkansas County side to the mid-point of the river, downstream to the boat ramp on the Desha County side and the entire river downstream to Morgan Cut-Off.
PENALTY: Class 2
PENALTY: Class 2
EXCEPTION:
In the counties closed above, mussels may be taken year-round for commercial purposes in the following river/stream segments:
ARKANSAS RIVER from the Pulaski County line upstream to the Oklahoma state line (including all waters of Dardanelle Lake, Ozark Lake and Pool 13);
PETIT JEAN RIVER from its mouth upstream (including Blue Mountain Lake)
to Arkansas Highway 217;
FOURCHE LA FAVE RIVER from its mouth (including Nimrod Lake)
upstream to the Arkansas Highway 27 bridge;
CADRON CREEK from its mouth upstream to Arkansas Highway 287 on its east fork in Faulkner County;
NORTH CADRON CREEK from its mouth upstream to Arkansas Highway 285
in Faulkner County;
POINT REMOVE CREEK from its mouth upstream to Kissire Bridge in Conway County;
WHITE RIVER from the Jackson/Independence County line upstream to 100 yards below Dam No. 1 at Batesville;
STRAWBERRY RIVER from the Lawrence/Sharp County line upstream to the Arkansas Highway 58 bridge in Sharp County; and, all lakes, bays or other bodies of water, other than tributary streams, connected to waters specified above, when accessible by boat from the main channel. When a river or stream forms the boundary between open and closed counties, that boundary segment shall be open.
Lake Erling including all tributaries upstream from 100 yards below Lake Erling Dam to Arkansas Highway 360in Lafayette County;
All lakes owned and/or operated by the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, the USDA Forest Service, Commission-owned waters (excluding Grand Lake and all natural channel scar lakes on WMAs in open counties);
Bayou Meto Bayou, in compliance with Code 38.01;
Columbia County Lake in Columbia County;
Horseshoe Lake in Crittenden County;
Lake Wallace in Drew and Chicot County;
Upper and Lower Lake Chicot (from Connerly Bayou Dam to the Ditch Bayou Dam) in Chicot County;
Lake Maumelle in Pulaski County;
Black River in Randolph County closed from 100 yards above Old Davidsonville State Park downstream to 100 yards below the park's lower boundary, and
All lakes in Hot Springs Village in Saline County.
PENALTY: Class 1
Francis, Saline (east of I-30), Union, White (east of Arkansas highway 67)and Woodruff counties;
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class
PENALTY: Class 3
GAME FISH DAILY LIMITS | |
Alligator Gar | 1 |
Black Basses (including not more than four Smallmouth) | 10 |
Bream (over 4 inches length) | 50 |
Catfish (exc. Bullhead) | 10 |
Crappie | 20 |
Rock Bass | 10 |
Muskellunge | 6 |
Paddlefish | 2 |
Pickerel | 6 |
Sauger | 6 |
Saugeye | 6 |
Shovelnose Sturgeon | No Limit |
Striped Bass or Hybrid (Combination) | 6 |
Trout (including not more than: 2 brown trout, 2 cutthroat trout, 2 brook trout) | 5 |
Walleye | 6 |
White Bass | 25 |
Yellow Bass | No Limit |
Daily Aggregate Limit | 75 |
Daily Limit for all sportfish on Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d'Arc Lake, Horseshoe Bend Pool of the Strawberry River in Izard County and Lake 1 on Rick Evans Grandview Prairie WMA 1/2 daily limit. All sportfish on Lower White Oak Lake must be released immediately. EXCEPTIONS:
Ozark Zone (Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Newton, Randolph, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington counties) - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 12 inches with a daily limit of four, except Bull Shoals, Beaver, Greers Ferry, Table Rock Lakes and Lake Norfork (see Ex. 1(B) below).
Ozark Zone Blue Ribbon Streams - Crooked Creek from Arkansas Highway 101 bridge downstream to the confluence with the White River; between the U.S. Highway 62-412 and U.S. Highway 62 Spur bridges at Pyatt - smallmouth bass minimum length limit 18 inches, daily limit of one. Buffalo River from confluence with Clabber Creek downstream to the confluence with the White River - smallmouth bass minimum length limit 18 inches, daily limit of one. All other water of Crooked Creek and Buffalo River - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 14 inches, daily limit of two.
Ozark Zone Catch-and-Release Area - Crooked Creek, along boundary of Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation property near Kelley's Slab Access.
Ozark Zone Quality Streams - Kings River from Trigger Gap to U.S. Highway 62 bridge smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 18 inches, daily limit of one.
All other water of the Kings, Illinois, Spring, South Fork of the Spring and Eleven Point rivers and War Eagle Creek - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 14 inches, daily limit of two. Ouachita/Boston Zone (all Arkansas counties not included in the Ozark Zone) - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 10 inches, daily limit of four.
Ouachita/Boston Zone Quality Streams - (Mulberry, Caddo above DeGray Lake, DeGray Lake, Cossatot River, Ouachita River upstream from Lake Ouachita, Ouachita River downstream from Remmel Dam, Saline River, including its four headwater forks in Saline, Perry and Garland counties, South Fork/Ouachita, Little Missouri above and below Lake Greeson) - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 12 inches, daily limit of two. Ouachita/Boston Zone Catch-and-Release Area - all smallmouth bass caught in Lake Ouachita including the Ouachita River upstream to the River Bluff access and the South Fork of the Ouachita River upstream to Hovel Branch must be immediately returned to the stream. Greers Ferry Lake - daily limit six.
Grandview Lake 2 and Lake Sylvia- daily limit five.
Lake Millwood - daily limit six.
Lower White Oak Lake and Lake Columbia - daily limit eight.
Mallard Lake and Little Missouri River - daily limit one.
Marion McCollum Lake, Lake Sylvia and Lake Hindsville -
Largemouth bass caught must be immediately returned to the water.
Beaver, Bull Shoals, DeQueen, Norfork, Table Rock lakes, Lakes Jack Nolen, Ouachita, Ashbaugh - daily limit six.Lake Lou Emma - daily limit five. Lake Atkins - daily limit four.
No limit on bream 4 inches or shorter.
DeWitt City Park Lake (Arkansas County); Lake Bentonville and Lake Atalanta(Benton County); Hidden Lake (Carroll County); Big Timber Lake and Gurdon Lake (Clark County); Hubble Lake (Clay County); Lake Bailey (Conway County); Lake Cambadelle and Lake Lou Emma (Crawford County); Marion City Park Lake (Crittenden County); Village Creek State Park Lakes (Cross and St. Francis Counties); Lake Bennett (Faulkner County); Lake Clearfork (Garland County); Crowley Ridge State Park Lake and Reynolds Park Lake (Greene County); Newark City Lake (Independence County); Lake June (Lafayette County); Ward City Park Lake (Lonoke County); Hindsville Lake (Madison County); Blytheville City Park Lake (Mississippi County); Donald Branch Fishing Pond (Monroe County); Lake Sylvia (Perry County); Shady Lake (Polk County); Twin Lakes A and B, Camp Ferncliff, Paradise Lake (Pulaski County); Old Davidsonville State Park Lake (Randolph County); Forrest City Park Lake (St. Francis County); Truman Baker Lake (Scott County); Cave City's Lakes (Sharp County); Gunner Pool and Hayden Bend Pond (Stone County); Devils Den State Park (Washington County); Spring Lake, Kingfisher, Clubhouse Lakes in Petit Jean WMA (Yell County) and posted USDA Forest Service ponds and lakes.
Between the main levees of the Mississippi river, from the confluence of the Mississippi and White rivers upstream to the Benzal Railroad Bridge, and from the confluence of the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers upstream to the Yancopin Railroad Bridge - daily limit of 50, possession limit of 100. Beaver Lake and its tributaries; lakes Ashbaugh, Sequoyah and Monticello - no limit.
Alligator gar longer than 36 inches may not be harvested from noon, May 1-noon, July 1, statewide. Alligator Gar Permit is required to harvest alligator gar (Code 26.28).
White River (Bull Shoals Tailwater) and North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater) - minimum length 24 inches, daily limit one. Spavinaw Creek (Benton County) west of Arkansas Highway 59 and Spring River - minimum length 16 inches, daily limit two. Little Red River (Greers Ferry Tailwater) from Greers Ferry Dam to Arkansas Highway 305 Bridge - protected slot limit of 16-24 inches, daily limit of five (only one of which may be longer than 24 inches).
White River (Beaver Tailwater) from Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access - protected slot limit of 13-16 inches, daily limit of five (only one of which may be longer than 16 inches). Little Missouri River, from Narrows Dam to Arkansas Highway 27 Bridge - all brown trout must be released immediately.
White River (Bull Shoals Lake Tailwater), North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater), Spavinaw Creek (Benton County) west of Arkansas Highway 59, Spring River - minimum length 16 inches, daily limit of two.
White River (Bull Shoals Lake Tailwater), North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater), Spavinaw Creek (Benton County) west of Arkansas Highway 59, Spring River - minimum length 14 inches, daily limit two. (D) Rainbow Trout:
Lake Atalanta (Benton County) - daily limit five.
All fish measurements must follow procedures listed in Code 01.00-C Length Limit definition.
EXCEPTION:
EXCEPTION:
Artificial Lures Only Area/No Bait Zone from approximately 0.5 mile below Beaver Dam to approximately 100 yards upstream of Parker Bend Access, as indicated by signs.
Class Crustacea
Family Cambaridae
Procambarus acutus (White River Crayfish) Procambarus clarkii (Red Swamp Crayfish)
Family Palaemonidae
*Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Malaysian Prawn) - certified disease-free (certification must be posted on-site)
Class Osteichthyes
Family Polyodontidae
Polyodon spathula (Paddlefish)
Family Lepisosteidae
Lepisosteus oculatus (Spotted Gar) Lepisosteus osseus (Longnose Gar) Lepisosteus platostomus (Shortnose Gar)
Family Amiidae
Amia calva (Bowfin)
Family Anguillidae
Anguilla rostrata (American Eel)
Family Clupeidae
Alosa chrysochloris (Skipjack Herring) Dorosoma cepedianum (Gizzard Shad) Dorosoma petenense (Threadfin Shad)
Family Salmonidae
* Oncorhynchus clarki (Cutthroat Trout)
* Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow Trout)
* Salmo trutta (Brown Trout)
* Salvelinus fontinalis (Brook Trout)
* Salvelinus namaycush (Lake Trout)
Family Esocidae
Esox americanus (Grass Pickerel) Esox niger (Chain Pickerel)
Family Cyprinidae
* Carassius auratus (Goldfish, including ornamentals)
* Ctenopharyngodon idella (Grass Carp)
* Mylopharyngodon piceus (Black Carp) - TRIPLOIDS ONLY Cyprinella venusta (Blacktail Shiner)
* Cyprinus carpio (Common Carp, including koi) Hybognathus nuchalis (Miss. Silvery Minnow) Luxilus chrysocephalus (Striped Shiner) Lythrurus umbratilis (Redfin Shiner) Notemigonus crysoleucas (Golden Shiner) Notropis atherinoides (Emerald Shiner) Notropis boops (Bigeye Shiner)
Notropis buchanani (Ghost Shiner) Notropis volucellus (Mimic Shiner) Opsopoeodus emiliae (Pugnose Minnow) Pimephales notatus (Bluntnose Minnow) Pimephales promelas (Fathead Minnow) Pimephales vigilax (Bullhead Minnow) Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek Chub)
Family Catostomidae
Erimyzon oblongus (Creek Chubsucker) Erimyzon sucetta (Lake Chubsucker) Hypentelium nigricans (Northern Hogsucker) Ictiobus bubalus (Smallmouth Buffalo) Ictiobus cyprinellus (Bigmouth Buffalo) Ictiobus niger (Black Buffalo) Minytrema melanops (Spotted Sucker) Moxostoma erythrurum (Golden Redhorse) Catostomus commersoni (White Sucker)
Family Ictaluridae
Ictalurus furcatus (Blue Catfish) Ameiurus melas (Black Bullhead) Ameiurus natalis (Yellow Bullhead) Ameiurus nebulosus (Brown Bullhead) Ictalurus punctatus (Channel Catfish) Noturus gyrinus (Tadpole Madtom) Noturus nocturnus (Freckled Madtom) Pylodictis olivaris (Flathead Catfish)
Family Aphredoderidae
Aphredoderus sayanus (Pirate Perch)
Family Cyprinidontidae
Fundulus notatus (Blackstripe Topminnow) Fundulus olivaceus (Blackspotted Topminnow)
Family Poeciliidae
Gambusia affinis (Mosquitofish)
Family Atherinidae
Labidesthes sicculus (Brook Silverside)
Family Percichthyidae
Morone chrysops (White Bass) Morone mississippiensis (Yellow Bass)
* Morone saxatilis (Striped Bass)
Family Centrarchidae
Centrarchus macropterus (Flier) Lepomis cyanellus (Green Sunfish) Lepomis gulosus (Warmouth) Lepomis humilis (Orangespotted Sunfish) Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill) Lepomis marginatus (Dollar Sunfish) Lepomis megalotis (Longear Sunfish) Lepomis microlophus (Redear Sunfish) Lepomis punctatus (Spotted Sunfish) Micropterus dolomieui (Smallmouth Bass) Micropterus punctulatus (Spotted Bass) Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass) Pomoxis annularis (White Crappie) - < 6 inches Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Black Crappie) Elassoma zonatum (Banded Pygmy Sunfish)
Family Percidae
Percina caprodes (Logperch) Stizostedion canadense (Sauger) Stizostedion vitreum (Walleye)
Family Sciaenidae
Aplodinotus grunniens (Freshwater Drum)
Family Cichlidae
* Oreochromis aureus (Blue Tilapia)
* Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique Tilapia)
* Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia)
Class Amphibia
Family Ranidae
Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog)
Rana sphenocephala (Southern Leopard Frog)
* Denotes nonnative species
VHS Fish Farm Health Inspection Permit
It shall be unlawful for any person to import, transport or otherwise receive into the state of Arkansas live fish and/or fertilized eggs from any VHSV-positive state (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ontario and Quebec) without first obtaining a valid Fish Farm Health Inspection Permit issued by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and complying with the provisions of said permit. All persons wishing to ship live fish or fish eggs into Arkansas from VHSV-positive States must first obtain the Fish Farm Health Inspection Permit and a copy of the permit must accompany all shipments into the state, even if the fish are transported by a third party.
Furthermore, any person hauling live fish through Arkansas from VHS positive states are prohibited from discharging water from fish hauling tanks while within the state. All shipments of live fish or eggs coming into Arkansas must be accompanied by an invoice or bill of lading that clearly describes the origin(s) of all fish and/or eggs in the shipment. Additionally, the fish health inspection report must be no more than 60 days old from date of reported test results at time of application for Fish Farm Health Inspection Permit from Commission. A Fish Farm Health Inspection Permit shall be an annual permit that is issued in two (2) six-month intervals (refer to Addendum D1.01). The first interval will cover the period of January 1 to June 30, and the second interval will cover the period of July 1 to December 31. The second interval of the permit will be issued only after new semi-annual testing results are submitted to the Commission. For additional information, please refer to Addendum D1.01, I1.01 and Code 35.11.
Hybrids
It is our intent that production or sale of any hybrid is permissible if both parent
species are
included on the Approved Aquaculture Species List.
Wild Crayfish
The harvest and sale of native Arkansas crayfish species that naturally colonize aquaculture ponds and are cultured incidental to production of other aquaculture species is allowed.
Wild Turtles
The harvest and sale of native Arkansas turtle species that naturally colonize aquaculture ponds and are cultured incidental to production of other aquaculture species is allowed, unless the species is protected by other codes see Code Chapter 34.00.
Aquarium Species
It is not the intent of this policy to constrain aquarium trade. Marine and tropical aquatic species commonly distributed in the aquarium trade may be sold without special permit, as long as they are held only in closed aquarium systems and are not prohibited by other codes (e.g. Code 26.13).
Restricted Species
Some species are well established in Arkansas aquaculture but under criticism at regional and/or national levels. While we do not currently restrict the trade in these species, persons possessing or desiring to possess these species are required to apply to AGFC for a Restricted Species Possession Permit. This permit will detail the location of their facilities, measures taken to eliminate the possibility of escape, and the numbers and species to be held (these numbers are best estimates and will only be updated when permit is renewed for the next year). The permitted culture of any restricted aquaculture species shall be conducted in a responsible manner that minimizes the possibility of escape. Permitted aquaculturists are required to construct a barrier that prevents escape of juvenile and adult fishes from culture ponds. Pond drainpipes should be double screened prior to any pond drainage with at least one screen being of a mesh size small enough to prevent the passage of any permitted fish present in the pond. These and any other measures listed on the application to eliminate the possibility of escape will be considered the "best management practices" that the applicant agrees to implement. AGFC will maintain records of the number and location of these species in the state, and determine if sufficient precautions are taken to prevent escape into the waters of the state. AGFC will review applications based on the best information available to evaluate the potential for escape. If this potential is acceptably low, AGFC will grant a no-cost special holding permit for these species, renewable annually. In the event that restricted aquatic organisms are released or escape from a permitted facility into waters of the state, the permitee shall notify the AGFC immediately. The permittee shall not be responsible for unforeseen occurrences such as floods, lightning or sabotage. Facilities with ponds prone to flooding shall limit culture of Restricted Species to areas least likely to become inundated. Holders of Restricted Species Possession Permits are expected to assure that buyers of these species in Arkansas also have an approved permit. Failure to comply with permit terms or inability to show adequate measures of escape prevention may result in permit denial or revocation.
The species covered by these permits include the following:
Family Cyprinidae
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Silver Carp) Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (Bighead Carp) Diploid Mylopharyngodon piceus (Black Carp) Scardinius erythrophthalmus (European Rudd)
***NOTE*** THE BELOW ARE NOW LISTED AS INJURIOUS SPECIES
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (Silver Carp) Hypophthalmichthys nobilis (Bighead Carp)
The injurious wildlife listing means that under the Lacey Act it is illegal to import or to transport live bighead carp, including viable eggs or hybrids of the species, across state lines, except by permit for zoological, education, medical, or scientific purposes.
EXAMPLE 1: A producer maintains diploid black carp to produce triploid black carp for sale to catfish farmers to control snails in their ponds. The individual has previously applied for a Restricted Species Possession Permit for diploid black carp, documenting sufficient measures to prevent escape and been issued a no-cost permit. The individual may sell triploid black carp to his customers and may sell diploid black carp to other black carp producers after ensuring that they also have Restricted Species Possession Permits to possess diploid black carp.
EXAMPLE 2: A food fish producer purchases bighead carp, holds them in raceways for a few days, then ships them to an out-of-state fish market. The individual has previously applied for a Restricted Species Possession Permit for bighead carp, easily documenting sufficient measures to prevent escape (held in raceways with blocked egress) and been issued a no-cost permit. The individual is then able to purchase the fish, hold them, and ship them to other markets (assuming it is in compliance with regulations of the destination state).
Turtles
The turtle species listed below are native to Arkansas and may be cultured by those who obtain a Commercial Turtle Dealer/Breeder Permit from the Commission and report production by species (Commission Chapter 34.00).
Family Chelydridae
Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle)
Family Emydidae
Chrysemys picta dorsalis (Southern Painted Turtle)
Graptemys geographica (Common Map Turtle)
Graptemys ouachitensis (Ouachita Map Turtle)
Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii (Mississippi Map Turtle)
Pseudemys concinna (River Cooter)
Trachemys scripta elegans (Redeared Slider)
Family Kinosternidae
Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis (Mississippi Mud Turtle) Sternotherus carinatus (Razorback Musk Turtle) Sternotherus oderatus (Common Musk Turtle)
Family Trionychidae
Apolone spinifera (Spiny Softshell)
Trionyx muticus muticus (Midland Smooth Softshell)
Other Species Covered under Separate Permits
The following species are governed by separate code and have their own permit requirements. This policy does not seek to add any further permitting requirements for these species.
Family Alligatoridae
Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator) - Federal Permit Required
Family Chelydridae
Macroclemys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) - AST Farmer/Dealer Permit Required
Permits to Culture Unlisted Species
Requests to import and culture species not listed in this policy will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. The burden of proof will rest with the applicant to show measuresare in place to prevent the possibility of escape will have no significant ecological impact (i.e. species can not survive in waters of Arkansas due to temperature, salinity, or other environmental factor). The permitted culture of any unlisted aquaculture species shall be conducted in a responsible manner that excludes the possibility of escape from culture ponds. Permitted aquaculturists are required to construct a barrier that prevents escape of juvenile and adult fishes from culture facilities. The applicant will also need to provide justification as to the need to import the species into the state and why species listed in this policy will not fill the need. In the event that unlisted aquatic organisms are released or escape from a permitted facility into waters of the state, the permittee shall notify the AGFC immediately.
EXAMPLE 1: A producer in southern Arkansas wishes to raise yellow perch. This species is not native to Arkansas and has begun to show up in reservoirs in the north part of the state. Since the habitat in the producer's area is hostile to yellow perch (water chemistry and summer temperatures), AGFC issues an Unlisted Aquaculture Species Permit.
EXAMPLE 2: A producer wants to grow Australian redclaw crayfish. This species is not native to Arkansas (or the U.S.) but is found in comparable latitudes in Australia. The producer's plans are to raise them inside in heated raceways and have no discharge. This is found to eliminate the chance of escape and AGFC issues an Unlisted Aquaculture Species Permit.
PERMIT PROCESSING PROCEDURES Permit Renewal
Restricted Species Possession Permits and Unlisted Aquaculture Species Permits will be issued on an annual basis to correspond with expiration dates of Fish Farmer Permits. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is responsible for providing renewal notices to permit holders six weeks in advance of permit expiration date. Existing permits will remain in effect past listed expiration date if a renewal application is pending.
Permit Review
Restricted Species Possession Permits and Unlisted Aquaculture Species Permits are granted at the approval of the AGFC. The AGFC may solicit input as needed in the review of individual applications.
Modification of Lists
Any individual may petition AGFC to add or remove species on the Approved Aquaculture Species List or the Restricted Aquaculture Species List. The petition must provide thorough documentation of why a species should or should not be included on a list. Petitions should address the biological threat of the species, including native range, habitats utilized, movement patterns, spawning requirements, reproductive rate, food habits, and temperature and water quality limitations. They should include documentation of any introductions or escapes outside the species native range. They should also evaluate the potential impacts to native species through predation, competition, disease transmission, and displacement. Petitions should include copies of all pertinent reference material.
Petitions to add or remove species on the Approved Aquaculture Species List or the Restricted Aquaculture Species List will be responded to by the Chief of Fisheries after consultation with an advisory board representing: Arkansas State Aquaculture Coordinator, Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center, Aquaculture / Fisheries Center at UAPB, U S Fish & Wildlife Service, Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission staff.
*****
04-12
CODE NUMBER | TYPE OF VIOLATION | POINTS |
03.09 | Counterfeiting License | 18 |
03.15 | Special Guide License Requirements | 18 |
05.01 | Hunting Wildlife in Closed Season - Big Game | 30 |
05.01 | Hunting Wildlife in Closed Season - Small Game | 12 |
05.02 | Night Hunting | 30 |
05.04 | Selling Wildlife Restrictions **A conviction for violating this regulation may result in lifetime revocation of all hunting and/or fishing privileges. | ** |
05.05 | Hunting from Road Prohibited | 18 |
05.17 | Alligator, Bear, Deer, and Turkey Tagging Requirements | 12 |
05.18 | Big Game Checking Requirements | 12 |
05.27 | Endangered Species | 30 |
05.33 | Hunting or Fishing after Revocation of License Prohibited Hunting, Fishing, Trapping, Releasing Hunting Dogs or | 30 |
05.35 | Pursuing Wildlife with Dogs without Landowner/Lessee Permission Prohibited | 9 |
05.36 | Hunting/Fishing Endangerment Prohibited Assessment of additional points dependent upon severity of violation. A conviction for violating this regulation may result in the assessment of additional violation points up to and including lifetime revocation of privileges when associated with the following occurrences: | 12 |
With Property Damage | 18 | |
With Personal Injury | 30 | |
With Human Fatality | Lifetime | |
07.03 | Hunting Bear Over Bait | 9 |
07.05 | Hunting Wild Turkey Over Bait Prohibited | 18 |
08.04 | Dogs Prohibited During Deer Season | 12 |
12.01 | Taking of Alligators Prohibited | 18 |
13.01 | Disturbing/Shooting Bears in Dens Prohibited | 18 |
14.04 | Taking of Raptors Prohibited | 18 |
16.01 | Taking or Possessing Elk Restricted | 18 |
20.24(B) | Feral Hog Restrictions on WMAs | 30 |
20.24(C) | Releasing Feral Hogs - Restrictions on WMAs | 30 |
24.08 | Guiding Prohibited on all AGFC-owned or controlled WMAs (Guides) | 18 |
24.08 | Guiding Prohibited on all AGFC-owned or controlled WMAs | 9 |
(Guided Hunters) | ||
26.01 | Taking Fish with Electrical Devices, Firearms, Explosives, Toxic or Killing Substances | 30 |
26.20 | Sale of Game Fish | 18 |
29.03 | Sale of Bull Frogs | 18 |
30.17 | Resident Roe Taker/Seller Permit Requirements | 18 |
30.18 | Resident Roe Buyer/Exporter and Non-Resident Roe Buyer/Exporter Permit Requirements | 18 |
30.19 | Roe Buyer/Exporter Reporting Requirements | 18 |
30.02 | Commercial Fishing by Non-Resident Prohibited | 18 |
30.20 | Paddlefish and Sturgeon Possession Restrictions on White River, Arkansas River and Border Waters | 18 |
30.21 | Cutting or Mutilations of Paddlefish and Sturgeon Prohibited | 30 |
30.23 | Paddlefish and Sturgeon Harvest Restrictions | 18 |
31.01 | Mussel Shell Taker, Buyer and Seller License and Reporting Requirements | 18 |
34.01 | Aquatic Turtle Permit Requirements | 18 |
34.03 | Aquatic Non-Resident Turtle Dealer Permit | 18 |
34.04 | Commercial Aquatic Turtle Harvest Restrictions | 9 |
34.05 | Aquatic Turtle Tackle Restrictions | 9 |
34.07 | Aquatic Turtle Transaction and Reporting Requirements | 9 |
34.08 | Possession of Sportfish by Aquatic Turtle Harvesters Prohibited | 9 |
34.09 | Take or Possession of Alligator Snapping Turtles Prohibited | 18 |
34.10 | Take of Chicken Turtles Prohibited | 9 |
34.11 | Importation of Alligator Snapping Turtles and Chicken Turtles Prohibited | 18 |
38.06 | Commercial Fishing for Certain Fish Prohibited in Lower Ouachita River | 18 |
All others | All other violations | 6 |
002.00.12 Ark. Code R. 008