Arkansas Fishing Regulations

• Violation Points
• General Regulations
• Definitions, Methods and Associated Regulations
• Regulations for Arkansas Lakes
• Regulations for Flowing Waters 
• Regulations for Family and Community Fishing Locations 

Violation Points

Violation points are assigned to anyone convicted of breaking an AGFC hunting or fishing regulation (boating violations are not considered toward revocation). The accumulation of 18 violation points for violations within three years may result in the revocation of hunting and fishing privileges for one year. The accumulation of 30 points within five years may result in a three-year loss of licenses and privileges.

Access to Commission-owned lands is prohibited if hunting privileges are revoked as a result of violations. Twelve violation points will cause a hunter to be disqualified from all permit hunt drawings.

Double points are assessed: 

• when an someone 21 or older is convicted of committing a violation while accompanying a youth under 16
• for violations committed by a Guide License holder
• for violations committed in a trout catch-andrelease area
• for bass-related violations on lakes Monticello, Lower White Oak, Columbia, SWEPCO, Pickthorne and Austelle.

A conviction for selling wildlife may result in lifetime revocation of hunting and fishing licenses. Check 01.00J in the official AGFC Code for a full listing of violation points. 

General Regulations

It is illegal to:

• Refuse an officer’s lawful request to see or inspect your wildlife, tackle, weapon or license.
• Interfere with an officer performing his or her duties.
• Flee from an officer.
• Aid, accompany or abet someone else in a violation.
• Hunt or fish after your license has been revoked or suspended.
• Import, transport, possess or take endangered species.
• Transport illegally taken fish or wildlife across state lines.
• Waste the edible portion of fish or wildlife, with the exception of rough fish (excluding buffalo).
• Take wildlife for scientific studies without a permit from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Fisheries Division.
• Use game fish, or parts thereof, for bait or lures, except for 4-inch and smaller bream.
• Buy or sell game fish unless they were raised by a licensed fish farmer or unless they are bream four inches or shorter. In either case, a fish dealer’s license may be required.
• Litter or fail to extinguish fires on public property.
• Take bait other than insects, freshwater shrimp, worms and baitfish from public waters and sell or offer to sell it. A fish dealer’s license may be required.
• Release any fish, baitfish or crayfish into public waters without written permission from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, unless releasing said species into waters where they were originally taken.
• Feed or lure alligators in the wild.
• Possess fish or wildlife taken by someone else without a signed statement from the taker, stating name, address, species, date taken and license number. This requirement also applies to commercial storage facilities.
  Game Transfer Form  
• For a guide to give away his or her fish if it will cause the recipient to exceed his or her daily limit.
• Place or use rebar or any non-woody materials into the substrate of AGFC-owned lakes. 

On AGFC wildlife management areas, lakes and accesses, unless otherwise noted on pages 56-77 of the 2010 Arkansas Fishing Guidebook, you may not legally: 

• Hunt, trap or possess hunting equipment except when seasons are open.
• Possess a loaded firearm in a camping area or in fishing or boating access areas, unless you have a concealed weapon permit.
• Remove anything - other than personal possessions - from Commission-owned land without permission.
• Camp outside a designated area, camp more than 14 consecutive days (including time when the camp is set up but not occupied), or allow the camp to remain unoccupied for more than 48 hours.
• Disobey official signs.
• Damage Commission property.
• Cut trees.
• Burn timber, brush or grass.
• Burn materials containing nails, screws or other metal objects.
• Leave a fire unattended.
• Bait wildlife.
• Post signs.
• Create a disturbance after 10 p.m.
• Use or possess alcohol while hunting.
• Engage in commercial activities without prior Commission approval.
• Construct, place or occupy a permanent hunting stand, building, shelter or moored houseboat.
• Use or possess chainsaws, handsaws, hatchets, axes, weed trimmers, string trimmers or other cutting devices. Chemical defoliants are prohibited.
• Operate any motorized vehicle on any road, trail, levee or dam owned by the Commission, where no maintained road exists, or in a direction of travel contrary to directional signs on a wildlife management area or Commission-owned lake. No all terrain vehicles are allowed unless the driver has a mobility impaired program card.
• Water ski or use personal watercraft.
• Create a hazardous wake.
• Obstruct an access area, parking area, launching ramp or access road.
• Build a structure on Commission-owned (or controlled) lakes unless it complies with Commission policy. Further information is available from the Fisheries Division office by calling (501) 223-6371.
• Possess firearms except while legally hunting or carrying a concealed weapon permit. During open hunting seasons, firearms may be transported by boat if unloaded and cased