Enhance statewide fishing opportunities for arkansas anglers.objective 1. Determine the status of fish populations on approximately 50 bodies of water by june 30 2026.objective 2. Determine the…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) awarded the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) a Sport Fish Restoration Formula Grant (CFDA 15.605) in the amount of $3,018,324 effective July 1, 2025, with a completion date of June 30, 2026. This award supports comprehensive fisheries management and habitat enhancement initiatives across Arkansas to improve sport fishing opportunities for state anglers. Key deliverables include conducting fish population assessments on approximately 50 bodies of water, evaluating angler utilization patterns on at least 4 public waters, and investigating the causes and quantifying impacts of approximately 4 fish kill incidents.

The grant funds substantial habitat restoration and enhancement activities, including the placement of woody structures and artificial materials, native aquatic vegetation reestablishment, and water management interventions at approximately 12 lakes to increase fish populations and productivity. Additionally, AGFC will implement stream habitat improvements through planning or construction at approximately 20 stream bank locations and removal or prioritization of approximately 40 fish passage barriers to benefit sport fish populations. The award also supports approximately 20 public outreach events addressing stream bank stabilization and erosion control best practices. These coordinated efforts across public and privately owned waters are designed to enhance sport fish production and angler utilization while improving overall aquatic habitat quality and water quality statewide.

Enhance statewide fishing opportunities for arkansas anglers.objective 1. Determine the status of fish populations on approximately 50 bodies of water by june 30 2026.objective 2. Determine the utilization of aquatic resources by anglers on at least 4 public waters by june 30 2026.objective 3. Increase sport fish production and angler utilization at approximately 10 locations of privately owned waters by june 30 2026.objective 4. Determine the probable cause of approximately 4 fish kills and quantify the damage of fish kills to fishery resources by june 30 2026.objective 5. Enhance fisheries habitat and fish populations at approximately 12 lakes by placing woody structure and artificial materials reestablishing native aquatic vegetation and controlling nuisance vegetation conducting liming and fertilizing to enhance system productivity and manipulating water levels by june 30 2026.objective 6. Stream team enhance aquatic habitats and maintain sport fish populations through planning or construction on approximately 20 stream bank locations via the stream habitat program by june 30 2026.objective 7. Stream team improve fish passage to benefit sport fish populations through inventory prioritization or removal of approximately 40 fish passage barriers via the stream habitat program by june 30 2026.objective 8. Stream team provide approximately 20 outreach events via the stream habitat program to inform the public on the best practices for stream bank stabilization and erosion control to allow for a stronger habitat for sport fish and improve overall water quality by june 30 2026.