002.00.14 Ark. Code R. 006
Nov. 22-Nov. 30. Dec. 4-23 and Dec. 26.2014-Jan. 25. 2015.
EXCEPTION:
Ducks, coots and mergansers may be taken during the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt (Code 11.04). LIMIT
COOT: Daily limit 15, possession limit 45.
DUCKS: Daily limit six. No more than four mallards (no more than two of which may be females), two pintails, one mottled duck, three scaup,
three wood ducks, two redheads, one black duck and one canvasback.
Possession limit no more than three daily limits.
MERGANSERS: Daily limit of five (no more than two of which may be hooded mergansers).
Possession limit no more than three 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, three 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. 13. 2014-Jan. 25. 2015 statewide.
LIMIT: Daily limit two, possession limit six.
Nov. 13.2014-Jan. 25. 2015 statewide.
EXCEPTION:
In compliance with the Addendum B1.14. LIMIT: Daily limit 50, no possession limit.
Early Canada Goose Statewide Season: Sept.1-15.2014.
Northwest Canada Goose Zone Season: Sept. 20-29.2014. Late Canada Goose Statewide Season: Nov. 13.2014-Jan. 25.2015. Shooting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset statewide. EXCEPTION: Holla Bend NWR is closed. LIMIT: Daily limit two. Possession limit six.
EXCEPTION:
The daily limit is five Canada geese from Sept. 1-15. 2014. possession limit 15.
Feb. 1-15.2015 statewide.
LIMIT: No more than three migratory birds in any one day, possession limit six.
Jan. 31-Feb. 1.20IS statewide.
LIMIT: Same as statewide.
AND LIMITS
Oct. 11-Nov. 12.2014. Jan. 26-30 and Feb. 2-April 2S. 2015 statewide.
LIMIT: No limit.
REQUIREMENTS
It is unlawful to hunt migratory waterfowl without having on the person the appropriate Arkansas Resident or Non-Resident Migratory Waterfowl Hunting Stamp that has been signed by the person in ink across the face of the stamp. EXCEPTIONS:
RESTRICTIONS
It is unlawful for any person to hunt snow, blue and Ross's geese during the Conservation Order season (Addendum B1.14) without possessing on the person the following:
Youths 15 years of age and under.
It is unlawful to enter or remain on certain WMAs and lakes in violation of their restrictions listed in Addendum CI. 12. PENALTY: Class 1
Boats and boat motors shall comply with the following restrictions on certain
WMAs:
-
Ill Bois d'Arc Lake), Shirey Bay Rainey Brake and Steve N. Wilson Raft Creek Bottoms 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
WRAs
All Commission-owned or controlled WRAs are closed to access from Nov. 1-Feb. 15.
EXCEPTIONS:
When the main road gate at Mitchell Corner is open, boating access is allowed from 1 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the following waterbodies:
Proposed Fisheries Regulations to be implemented January 1, 2015
Removal of Creel and Slot Limits on Grandview Lake #1
The current creel limits of 2 largemouth bass and lA statewide for all other sportfish appear to be limiting growth of bass in this lake. Relative weights of bass collected in fall 2013 were mostly at or below 90%. Von Bertalanffy growth models of largemouth bass (LMB) suggest an La, of 498 mm which is within the 16-21 inch (403-530 mm) slot limit. Age and growth data indicate that fish enter the slot at age 6 and never exceed it. Age data also indicate a mean length at age 3 of 305 mm (12 inches), which is slow growth.
Removal of 13 to 16 inch slot limit for largemouth bass on DeGray Lake. Replace with 13-inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass only (no size restriction on spotted bass)
The current regulation has been in place since 1997 (16 years). Current length at age data for DeGray Lake largemouth bass is 13 inches at age 3. Over the last year and a half, Fisheries Division staff used a public process to develop the DeGray Lake Management Plan. Input from the DeGray Lake Citizens Advisory Group led to a recommendation to remove the existing 13-to 16-inch slot limit and replace the slot limit with a 13-inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass only. The 13-inch minimum length limit would match the current length regulation on Lake Ouachita.
Change current daily limit from 10 to 6 black bass combined (largemouth, spotted, & smallmouth) for DeGray Lake
There is very strong support from angling public voiced at DeGray Lake Management Plan meetings regarding this regulation. This is a conservation measure to reduce the daily limit in light of harvest size restriction change. This will match the current daily limit allowed on Lake Ouachita.
Removal of yellow bass (Morone mississipiensis) from the sport fish list and addition of yellow bass to the rough fish list
Yellow bass have become established in several Arkansas impoundments (i.e. Lake Conway, Beaverfork Lake) and compete with desirable sport fish. The yellow bass has been deemed an aquatic nuisance species by the Arkansas Aquatic Nuisance Species Plan. Intent of this regulation change is to allow anglers catching a yellow bass to dispose of the catch without being in violation of wasting edible portions of game fish.
Establish a 10-inch minimum length limit for crappie (white and black) on Lake Conway
Lake Conway currently does not have a minimum length limit (MLL) on crappie. High fishing mortality combined with fast growth rate creates ideal conditions for a MLL to be an effective management tool. Extensive studies (4 years of age/growth data, exploitation study, and modeling) support this management recommendation. Modeling indicates that a MLL would increase the yield, mean length of harvested crappie, mean weight of harvested crappie, number of larger fish in population, at a minimal expense to the total number of crappie harvested.
Establish a state wide creel of 30 crappie per day (excluding current exceptions)
Currently there is a 20/30 split for the crappie creel limit is based on geography and highways and not on biology or science. Research has shown that environmental conditions and length limits (to a lesser degree) have a greater impact on crappie populations than creel limits. This change would also simplify regulations.
Include Bald Knob Community Pond in the Community Fishing Program Restrictions
Bald Knob Community Pond is a 2.5-acre reservoir located in Bald Knob, in White County. The lake is owned by the city of Bald Knob, and is located directly behind the town's sports complex. The restrictive limits of the Community Fishing Program Restrictions will help to protect the fishery and distribute the harvest among many different anglers.
Include Conway Station Park Pond in the Community Fishing Program Restrictions
Conway Station Park Pond is a 2.5-acre reservoir located in Conway, in Faulkner County. The lake is owned by the city of Conway, and is associated with a park that has a number of amenities: baseball fields, parking, and restrooms as well as proximity to the Boys and Girls Club. The location is near the geographic center of Conway, and provides an excellent location to serve a very high number of residents of the town and surrounding area. The restrictive limits of the Community Fishing Program Restrictions will help to protect the fishery and distribute the harvest among many different anglers.
Include Lake Keith in the Community Fishing Program Restrictions
Lake Keith is a 6-acre reservoir located in Cave Springs, in Benton County. The lake is currently owned by the Illinois River Watershed Partnership. The location will serve anglers of Cave Springs and surrounding areas. The restrictive limits of the Community Fishing Program Restrictions will help to protect the fishery and distribute the harvest among many different anglers.
Restriction of limblines within Buffalo River National Park
This regulation will eliminate use of limblines on the Buffalo River National Park. The Buffalo National River receives heavy use by boaters and anglers. This regulation will reduce conflict between anglers and the much larger group of pleasure boaters by removing a safety hazard.
Removal of Silver red horse from the commercial fish species list because it is one of the rarest fishes in Arkansas
The intent of this regulation is to prevent commercial harvest of Silver Redhorse, one of the rarest fishes in Arkansas. The fish is rare in Arkansas, but globally secure. The silver redhorse have been declared a "Species of Greatest Conservation Need" in the Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan. About 15 specimens have been collected since 1960, primarily in the White River near Oil Trough and the Black River. These areas are open to commercial fishing. There is likely a breeding population in the state. Clarifications were also made to the wording of the definition to make it flow better, which is consistent with the Code book Committee protocol.
Prohibit Ouachita Stream bed Salamander Eurycea subfluvicola from Take or Possession
The recently discovered Ouachita Streambed Salamander Eurycea subfluvicola has one of the most limited distributions of any vertebrate in the United States. It is currently known from only one site in Hot Spring County and appears to have a very small population size. Due to the extremely limited range and small population size this species should be protected from take or possession to prevent the possible extinction of this highly unique species.
Remove double points for bass-related violations on Lakes Monticello, Lower White Oak Lake, Columbia, SWEPCO, Pickthorne and Austelle
Double points for bass-related violations on Lakes Monticello, Lower White Oak Lake, Columbia, SWEPCO, Pickthorne and Austelle should be removed. This regulation was set many years ago to protect the bass fishery. This regulation is no longer required.
Open Morgan Pt. Bendway to commercial fishing
Morgan Point Bendway was closed to commercial fishing during the initial stocking of the lake and was just never opened afterwards. The lake is connected to the lower portion of the Arkansas River, which is open to commercial fishing. Since the initial stocking is complete there is no reason to keep it closed to commercial fishing.
Open commercial fishing special season on Calion Lake
Calion Lake is an AGFC lake, and is thus closed to commercial fishing. However, occasional high water from the Ouachita River floods Calion Lake, which allows commercial fish species such as buffalo to enter the lake. These fish could be utilized by commercial fishers if given the opportunity. Rough fish such as common carp and gar are also present in large numbers and their removal could be beneficial to the sport fishery. We propose opening commercial fishing on a limited basis during winter months (January 1 - February 28) when recreational activity is at a minimum to lessen the likelihood of conflict among user groups.
Close commercial fishing on the Ouachita River upstream of Hwy 79B bridge (Camden)
This stretch of river is a small riffle-pool type stream that is downstream of tailwater discharges from Remmel and DeGray dams. Currently, commercial fishing is closed from January through March. However, catfish population data collected by Fisheries Division staff indicate that catfish populations in this stream reach cannot support a commercial fishery. We believe that a total closure of commercial fishing is appropriate for this stream reach.
Establish an upstream boundary for commercial fishing at the Hwy. 367 Bridge on the Little Red River
The upper boundary for commercial fishing currently rests at the Hwy. 305 Bridge, the lower boundary for the trout waters. There is no specific delineation of the area open to commercial fishing but falls under Code: 30.15 (C) designating White County as open. Trout area regulations set the boundary for commercial fishing at the Hwy. 305 Bridge. We have conducted numerous electrofishing samples from the Albion area to the low head dam at Searcy and just below the dam. We saw very little in the way of a commercial fishery in those samples. We would like to move the boundary downstream to prevent by-catch of rainbow or brown trout in the areas closer to the trout fishery and also to prevent by-catch of walleye in the area just below the Searcy dam. The area upstream of the Searcy dam is a popular recreational fishery also.
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 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 Jl .00) and species not listed but allowed under Unlisted or Restricted Species Possession Permits.
AQUATIC WILDLIFE - All aquatic species, including aquatic 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 offish (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), paddlefish, shovelnose sturgeon, and
all species of buffalo, catfish, carp, drum, gar, and sucker family (except silver redhorseY
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.
DISABLED VETERAN;
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 PI.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.
FntEARM - 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 wouldjnclude 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.
HYBHtD 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 led), 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:
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:
LENGTH LIMITS -
LIMITS-
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.
MILITARY RETntEE - Any individual at least 60 years old who is entitled to retired pay as a result of his or her United States military service. 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 properly 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).
PRIMATE - A live individual animal of the taxonomic order Primates, excluding
humans.
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), drum and yellow bass.
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.
WDLDLIFE - 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 (crawdads and crayfish), fish (including minnows), frogs, mussels and salamanders.
WDLDLIFE 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.
The Commission shall assign points to:
It is unlawful to possess native wildlife as pets except as follows:
troglodytic species (cave dwellers), or those animals defined as endangered species.
Aquatic pets taken in compliance with Code 26.26. PENALTY: Class 1
It is unlawful to use trotlines, setlines and limblines with drops or hooks less than 24 inches apart statewide; to use any trotline or snagline below any lock and dam on the Arkansas River from the dam to the nearest arrival point navigation marker downstream; or to fail to run any line and remove catch daily. All trotlines, setlines and limblines must be clearly labeled with the name and address, vehicle operator's license number, or current vehicle license number of the person using such equipment. Information must be attached on each line at the bank end. Unlabeled lines shall be removed and destroyed by the Commission. It is also unlawful for to fish any more than 100 hooks at any time between the main levees of the Mississippi River fCode 26.08). EXCEPTIONS:
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
Drew County - Monticello High School 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 - Mattocks Park Lake
RESTRICTIONS:
The restrictions in this subsection shall apply to the following waters:
Baxter County - Anion's Lake
Benton County - Lake Bentonville, Lake Springdale, Lake Keith
Clark County - Clear Lake
Crittenden County - Tilden Rodgers Park Pond
Garland County - Family Park Pond, Entergy Park Pond
Faulkner County - Conway Station 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,
Community Center Pond, Cherrywood Lake, Lake Valencia, Little Rock Air
Force Base Pond, North Little Rock City Park waters, Paradise Lake, Pinnacle
Mountain State Park Pond, Sherwood
Municipal City Pond, Willow Beach Park Pond
White County - Bald Knob Community Pond, 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:
It is unlawful to take or attempt to take by any method other than those described in Code 32.04. or by hand, and possess alive any aquatic wildlife species other than six of each species per household. The sale or purchase of such wildlife or their progeny, or then-release into waters other than those from which they were collected, is prohibited. EXCEPTIONS:
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
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 US Highway 79B bridge (Camden);
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 HI .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; 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, White River above the mouth of the Black 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).
EXCEPTIONS:
Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Newton, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Saline, Scott, Searcy, Sebastian, Sevier, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, Washington and Yell counties. When a river or stream forms the boundary between opened and closed counties, that boundary segment shall be open to tackle legal in the open county, unless closed in other Codes.
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
PENALTY: Class 2
Randolph (east of the Black River) from the southern border to Pocahontas: from Pocahontas to Mavnard east of Arkansas Highway 115: and from Maynard to the state line east of Arkansas Highway 166). St. Francis, Saline (east of 1-30), Union, White (east of Arkansas Highway 67) and Woodruff counties;
EXCEPTIONS:
PENALTY: Class 1
Alligator Gar | 1 |
Black Basses (including not | |
more than four Smallmouth) | 10 |
Bream (over 4 inches length) | 50 |
Catfish (exc. Bullhead) | 10 |
Crappie | 30 |
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 |
Daily Aggregate Limit | 75 |
Exceptions:
Horseshoe Bend Pool of the Strawberry River in Izard County. All black bass and crappie on Lower White Oak Lake must be released immediately.
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). Greers Ferry Lake - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 12 inches, daily limit six.
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 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.
Grandview Lake 2 and Lake Sylvia_- daily limit five.
Lake Millwood - daily limit six.
Mallard Lake - daily limit one.
Marion McCollum Lake, Lake Sylvia - Largemouth bass caught must be immediately returned to the water.
Beaver, Bull Shoals, DeGray, 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 AtalantaJBenton 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); Lower White Oak Lake (Ouachita County);_Lake Sylvia (Perry County); Shady Lake (Polk County); Twin Lakes A and B, Camp Ferncliff (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.
(CJ Crappie daily limit - 20 in and Lake Monticello.
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.
Lake Atalanta (Benton County) - daily limit five.
All fish measurements must follow procedures listed in Code 01.00-C Length Limit definition.
Kidd; Lee Creek; Sugar Loaf Lake, and Dierks Reservoir (Howard and
Sevier counties).
EXCEPTION: No restriction in Woodland Trail Pond - located at the Felsenthal NWR Headquarters on Hwv 82 (Ashley County); Locust Ridge Pond - located at Locust Ridge on Hwy 82 (Union County); Eagle Lake Pond- located north of Eagle Lake on Bradley Road 53 (Bradley County); and Shallow Lake Field Pond located west of Shallow Lake (Union County). Person(s) keeping largemouth bass less than 13 inches from these waters must exit the NWR boundaries immediately upon leaving these ponds and may not enter NWR campgrounds or fish other NWR waters with largemouth bass less than 13 inches from these four ponds in their possession.
EXCEPTION:
Ouachita River from Sandy Beach Access (Ouachita County) to Remmel Dam.
EXCEPTION:
002.00.14 Ark. Code R. 006