HOT SPRINGS – The U.S. Forest Service, along with State and local partners are sponsoring free fishing derbies throughout the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.
The following is a list of scheduled fishing derbies along with the date, times and other information:
Ouachita National Forest
Caddo/Womble Ranger District, Mt. Ida
Location: Womble Pond
Date of Derby: June 6
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: Ages 12 and under
Contact Phone Number: 870-867-2101
Other Information: Prizes will be awarded
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish, Magic Bait
Cold Springs/Poteau Ranger District, Waldron
Location: Truman Baker Park – Hwy 71 Bypass, 2.5 miles south of Waldron
Date of Derby: May 30
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Three Age Groups: Ages 3-6; 7-11; and 12-15
Restroom Availability: Yes
Handicap Access: No
Drinking Water Available: No
Contact Person: Waldron City Hall
Contact Phone Number: 479-637-3181 (8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mon – Fri)
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Forest Service, Scott County Extension
Office, Waldron Police, City of Waldron, Scott County Judge, Arkansas Forestry
Commission, Natural Resources Conservation Service – Soil Conservation, Tyson,
Wal-Mart, Harps Grocery, First National of Waldron, Community National Bank,
Chambers Bank, McClelland Consulting, AmeriChemm, Evens Enterprise, QSI, Abbott
Logging and Joel Campora Memoral Fund
Other Information: Register early at City Hall, Wal-Mart and the County Judges office. Prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place age groups. Boys division and Girls division age 3-6; 7-11; and 12-15. All children must have their own stringers and no combining of fish. Five fish limit. Once limit has been obtained, we request that others be allowed to fish. The first 100 kids to register will receive free T-shirts.
Jessieville-Winona-Fourche District, Jessieville
Location: Jessieville Work Center Pond
Date of Derby: Sat, June 6
Time Registration Starts: 6:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Event Ends: 10:30 a.m.
Age Group: 15 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Persons: Virginia McDaniel
Contact Phone Number: (501) 984-5313
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Hot Springs Village Anglers Club, Ouachita Bass Anglers, Magic Baits, and U.S. Forest Service
Other Information: The pond has a handicapped accessible pier.
Mena/Oden Ranger District, Mena
Location: Rifle Range Pond
Date of Derby Sat, June 6
Time Registration Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10:30 a.m.
Age Group: Ages 12 and under
Contact Phone Number: 479-394-2382
Other Information: Registration and sign in start at 7:30 a.m. Prizes to be awarded.
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish, Magic Bait, Oden Wood and Water Club, U.S. Forest Service
Oklahoma Ranger District, Talihina, Okla.
Location: Talihina Veterans Center Pond
Date of Derby: Sat., June 6
Time Registration Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 12 p.m.
Age Group: Ages 3 – 16
Restroom Availability: Yes
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Phone Number: 918-653-2991 ext.115
Partners: Talihina Lion’s Club, Magic Baits, and U.S. Forest Service
Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Big Piney Ranger District
Location: Deer Pond, Deer
Date of Derby: Sat, June 6
Time Registration Starts: 8:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.
Time Event Ends: 12 p.m.
Age Group: 12 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes (portable toilets)
Contact Persons: Cecille Scott, Sarah Davis, or Kirby Carlton
Contact Phone Number: 870-446-5122
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Local businesses
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 11 a.m. Participation awards and contest prizes will be presented at 11 a.m.
Big Piney Ranger District
Location: Little Buffalo (Bradley Park), Jasper
Date of Derby: Sat, June 27
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.
Time Event Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: 12 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes
Contact Persons: Kirby Carlton
Contact Phone Number: 870-446-5122
Partners: Newton County Chamber of Commerce, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and
local businesses
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 11 a.m. Participants that catch the biggest
fish and heaviest stringer will win prizes, and random prizes will be given to participants. Winners will be announced at the square in downtown Jasper 12 p.m.
Mt. Magazine Ranger District, Paris
Location: Cove Lake, Campground Loop A.
Date of Derby: June 13
Time Registration Starts: Participants must be pre-registered.
Time Fishing Starts: 8:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10 a.m.
Age Group: 2 to 9
Restroom Availability: Yes (at the campground)
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person(s): Mindi Lawson or Carla Pfeiffer
Contact Phone Number: 479-963-3076
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, National Wild Turkey Federation,
Paris Rotary Club
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 10 a.m. There is a 2 fish limit. Awards will be presented for the heaviest 2 fish (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age class: 2 – 5, 6 – 9) and for the smallest fish and for Albino or tagged fish. There will be numerous random prizes.
Pleasant Hill Ranger District, Clarksville
Location: Gillian Pond
Date of Derby: Sat, June 13
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: 12 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes (portable toilets)
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person(s): Greg Taylor or Pat Kowalewycz
Contact Phone Number: 479-754-2864
Partners: Clarksville Kiwanis Club, Clarksville Wal-Mart, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, U.S. Forest Service
Other Information: All hooks out of the water by 11 a.m. Awards will be presented for the heaviest fish, smallest fish, heaviest stringer and for casting contest winners. In addition, there will be random prize drawings during the event.
St. Francis National Forest, Marianna
Location: Storm Creek Lake (Phillips County)
Date of Derby: Sat, June 13
Time Registration Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: 6 – 12 (Children must be accompanied by an adult)
Restroom Availability: Yes
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person: Terri Vanderford
Contact Phone Number: 870-295-5278
Partners: U.S. Forest Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Farm Bureau, Philips County Chambers of Commerce
Other Information: Prizes for girls 6 – 12 years old and boys 6 – 12 years old
St. Francis National Forest, Marianna
Location: Ranger District Pond
Date of Derby: Sat, June 13
Time Registration Starts: 7:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10 a.m.
Age Group: Todpole 3-5 years, 6-9 and 10-12 (Children must be accompanied by an adult)
Restroom Availability: Yes (port-a-potty)
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person: Kristina Root Carranza or Terri Vanderford
Contact Phone Number: Kristina Root at 870-295-4040 or Vanderford at 870-295-5278
Partners: U. S. Forest Service, Mississippi River State Park, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Lee County Conservation District, Marianna/ Lee County Chamber of Commerce
Other Information: First 15 children registered in 3-5 age group will receive a Zepco Pond Patrol fishing pole, first 85 children registered in the 6-12 age groups will receive a 202 Zepco rod and reel. Trophies will be given in the 6-9 and 10-12 ages groups for the first fish caught, smallest fish, heaviest fish, and greatest total weight. In the case of a tie, a coin will be tossed.
Sylamore Ranger District, Mountain View
Location: Mirror Lake, Blanchard Springs Recreation Area
Date of Derby: Sat, June 13
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: Ages 4 – 12 (Children must be accompanied by an adult)
Restroom Availability: Yes (recreation site)
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: No
Contact Person: Jessica Hawkins
Contact Phone Number: 870-269-3228 ext. 3233
Partners: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, AMVETS #7, VFW #4766, American Legion #43, U.S. Forest Service
Other Information: Weigh in will begin at 11 a.m. Trophies will be given for largest fish in three age categories: 4-6 years old, 7-9 years old, and10-12. There will be a general raffle for prizes for other registered participants. There is a three trout limit. Participants should be old enough to hold the pole themselves and are limited to one pole each. Trout bait will be provided.
