This program aims to increase aquatic resources awareness angling techniques and angler participation statewide

The U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service awarded the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (AGFC) $260,000 under the Sport Fish Restoration program (CFDA 15.605) on July 1, 2025, to expand aquatic resources awareness and angler education statewide through June 30, 2026. The grant funds a comprehensive aquatic resources education initiative designed to increase angling participation and stewardship knowledge among Arkansans. Key deliverables include operating a Mobile Aquarium program to educate 18,000 students and reach 150,000 residents; hosting 350 fishing derby events; recruiting 5,000 participants through a tackle loaner program; conducting angling clinics and seminars for 5,000 students; and organizing at least 12 onsite community fishing events to introduce 25,000 people to angling through the Family and Community Fishing Program.

Additional program components include training 300 educators through the Fins Program to teach fishing in schools and community organizations, marketing 59 Family and Community Fishing Program locations to 150,000 residents and nonresidents, and delivering aquatic education and angling instruction to 55,000 students in Arkansas public school systems. This award continues AGFC's long-standing aquatic resources education program, which has reached over 200,000 people annually for the past twenty years, supporting the Sport Fish Restoration program's mission to enhance sport fish conservation, public access to recreational fishing, and aquatic resource education.

To fulfill this purpose the arkansas game and fish commission will continue its aquatic resources education program to equip arkansans with the knowledge needed to be successful anglers and good stewards of our aquatic resources. This program has reached over 200000 people annually for the last twenty years.objectiveseducate 18000 students through the mobile aquarium by june 30 2026.inform and communicate with 150000 arkansans through outreach opportunities using the mobile aquarium program by june 30 2026.host 350 events through the fishing derby program by june 30 2026.recruit 5000 arkansans through the tackle loaner program by june 30 2026.teach 5000 students different aspects of fishing through angling clinics and seminars by june 30 2026.host at least 12 onsite community fishing events in hopes to introduce 25000 people to angling through the family and community fishing program by june 30 2026.advertise and market 59 family and community fishing program locations to 150000 arkansas residents and nonresidents by june 30 2026.train 300 educators to teach fishing in arkansas schools and other community organizations through the fins program by june 30 2026.inform and communicate with 55000 students using the aquatic education and angling education programs conducted in arkansas public school systems by june 30 2026.