AGFC hears fishing regulations proposals

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission heard proposals for 2018 fishing regulations, including a revised version of a regulation intended to limit the transportation of wild-caught baitfish within the state Thursday at its regular meeting in Little Rock.

The commission will vote on the regulations Aug. 17 in Little Rock.

The revised baitfish proposal clarified several points of confusion among members of the public and within the commission itself.

The revised language will make it illegal to to use any live baitfish, including crayfish, unless it was caught within the same body of water it is being used, or caught in a tributary entering upstream of the body of water where it is being used. No baitfish would be allowed to move upstream past a dam or barrier that prohibits the normal passage of fish.

It will also be legal to use bait that was purchased from a licensed dealer selling only certified farm-raised baitfish.

Other notable proposals include:

■ Making it unlawful to cull any species of trout on all waters in the state.

■ Removing the 13-inch minimum length limit for spotted bass on Lake Ouachita.

■ Implementing an 18- to 21-inch protected slot limit for largemouth bass on Lower White Oak Lake. Anglers would be able to keep one largemouth bass per day longer than 21 inches.

■ Removing the 13- to 16-inch protective slot limit on largemouth bass at Dierks Lake.

■ Enacting statewide creel limits for catfish and crappie on Lower White Oak Lake.

■ Removing the daily creel limit for crappie on Lake Charles.

■ Open special commercial fishing season on Lake Chicot to address silver carp.