Arkansas Game and Fish: July 1 rule changes add smallmouth protections and a $10.50 conservation permit

Arkansas Game and Fish outlined a package of fishing regulation changes that took effect July 1, including new protections for smallmouth bass on 10 flowing‑water streams and a $10.50 conservation permit for nonconsumptive users.

Trey Reid with Arkansas Game and Fish summarized the most significant changes on the Outdoor Report, saying the department has “designated 10, flowing water streams, rivers in the state as blue ribbon streams for smallmouth bass. Only 1 fish can be kept per day, and it's gotta be longer than 15 inches.” The list of streams he named included the Buffalo, Crooked Creek, Spring River, the Illinois River and the Kings River.

Reid also said the minimum legal length for walleye at Greers Ferry Lake increased to 16 inches from 14 inches for anglers who keep fish. On trout, Reid said the department made regulations more conservative after fish losses at the Norfolk National Fish Hatchery and that two‑fish daily limits and size restrictions continue to apply on many tailwaters, with some local variations below Norfolk.

The department moved the effective date for new hunting and fishing rules from Jan. 1 to July 1 to align with the state's fiscal year, Reid said, so anglers should expect future annual rule changes to take effect on that schedule. He told listeners the department’s updated fishing guidebook will include a “What’s new” section (pages 8–9) and should be available next week through regional offices, retailers that sell licenses and as a PDF in the agency app and on agfc.com.

A new $10.50 conservation license is available for people who do not hold a hunting or fishing license but intend to use smaller Arkansas Game and Fish wildlife management areas or lakes for nonconsumptive activities. Reid described it as “basically a conservation license” at the same price as the department’s least expensive hunting or fishing license and said revenue will go directly into conserving those lakes and wildlife management areas.

Hayden, the program host, and Reid encouraged listeners who cannot obtain a physical copy of the guidebook to use the app, where the permit can be stored electronically.

The department urged anglers and other users to consult the updated guidebook or agfc.com for full, location‑specific details on creel and length limits before heading afield. The show closed with a reminder that the new rules are in effect and that the AGFC app and website carry the most current information.