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Thursday, May 30, 2013

Free fishing tournaments for children

Children will soon be out of school for the summer and many families are looking for ways to have fun in the sun together. The Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests are co-sponsoring several fishing derbies on Ranger Districts across Arkansas and Oklahoma.

“We work closely with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation to ensure all the derby sites are well-stocked with catfish or trout for the event,” said Richard Standage, Ouachita National Forest Fisheries Biologist.

“The derbies are free to the public,” said Keith Whalen, Ozark-St. Francis National Forests Fisheries Biologist. “Each child must be registered before casting a line. The registration consists of name, age, address, phone number, and the signature of a parent or guardian.” Anyone interested can contact their local district office, or sign up during registration time the day of the derby.

Although some artificial catfish and trout bait will be available, participants are encouraged to bring their favorite bait. Each angler must have his or her own fishing pole and tackle. Children must have a parent or guardian with them during the event.
 
Following is a list of site specific information for each event.

Ozark-St. Francis National Forests
Sylamore Ranger District, Mountain View, Arkansas
Location: Mirror Lake, Blanchard Springs Recreation Area
Date of Derby: June 8
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 Wakefield
Contact Phone Number: 870-269-3228 ext. 3233
Other Information: Weigh in will begin at 11:00 a.m. Trophies will be given for largest fish in three age categories: 4-6 years old, 7-8 years old, and 9-12. 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.


Boston Mountain Ranger District, Ozark, Arkansas
Location: Shores Lake
Date of Derby: Sept. 7
Time Registration Starts: 7:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10 a.m.
Age Group: 12 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes 
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person: Rhea Whalen
Contact Phone Number: 479-667-2191 
Other Information: This event will also be a JAKES event. Age groups will be broken into 1-4 years of age, 5-9 years of age and 10-12 years of age. Weigh in will begin at 9:30. Prizes will be given for largest fish for first, second and third place in each age group. Some bait available. The fishing derby is sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Crawford County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, merchants from Ozark, Mulberry and Alma.


Mt. Magazine and Fourche Ranger Districts, Paris and Danville, Arkansas
Location: Spring Lake, Boat Ramp (West)
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: Participants highly recommended to preregister; registration at the event from 7 – 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 9:30 a.m.
Age Group: 4 to 10
Restroom Availability: Yes 
Drinking Water Available: No
Contact Person(s): Joy Serrano and/or Kurt Radcliff
Contact Phone Numbers: 479-963-3076 or 479-495-2844 (Fourche Ranger District)
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 9:30 a.m. There is a 3 fish limit. Awards will be presented for the heaviest 3 fish (1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each age class: 4-6, 7-8 and 9-10), overall smallest fish (1 prize), tagged fish (1 prize) and numerous random prizes. This is a joint event between the Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests.


Mt. Magazine Ranger District, Paris, Arkansas
Location: Cove Lake, Campground Loop A.
Date of Derby: June 8
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
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 10:00 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, ArkansasLocation: Gillian Pond
Date of Derby: June 8
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 11:00 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.

Big Piney Ranger DistrictLocation: Deer Pond, Deer, AR
Date of Derby: Saturday June 8
Time Registration Starts: 8 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
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 11 a.m. Awards will be presented at 11 a.m. to the participants.

Big Piney Ranger District and Newton County Chamber of Commerce 
Location: Little Buffalo (Bradley Park), Jasper, AR
Date of Derby: Saturday, June 29, 2013
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 9 a.m.
Time Event Ends: 12 p.m.
Age Group: 12 and under
Restroom Availability: Yes 
Contact Persons: Kirby Carlton
Contact Phone Number: 870-446-5122
Other Information: All hooks out of the water at 11 a.m. There is a general drawing for a canoe and the participants that catches the smallest fish, biggest fish and heaviest will win bikes. Winners will be announced at the square in downtown Jasper. Also there are random prizes given to participants.

St. Francis National Forest, Marianna, ArkansasLocation: Storm Creek Lake
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: 6 - 12
Restroom Availability: Yes 
Handicap Access: Yes
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person: Terri Malone
Contact Phone Number: 870-295-5278
Other Information: Prizes for girls 6 – 12 years old and boys 6 – 12 years old

St. Francis National Forest, Marianna, Arkansas 
Location: Ranger District Pond
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10 a.m.
Age Group: 6 - 12 
Restroom Availability: Yes (port-a-potty) 
Drinking Water Available: Yes
Contact Person: John Morrow or Terri Malone 
Contact Phone Number: John Morrow, 870-295-4040 or Terri Malone, 870-295-5278
Other Information: Prizes for girls 6 – 12 years old and boys 6 – 12 years old

Ouachita National Forest
Caddo - Womble Ranger District, Mt. Ida, Arkansas
Location: Womble Pond (Behind the US Forest Service Mt. Ida Office)
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m. 
Age Group: 12 and under
Contact Person: Dan Miller/Derek Rollins
Contact Phone Number: 870-867-2101 
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Magic Bait Company, and the US Forest Service

Caddo - Womble Ranger District, Glenwood, Arkansas
Location: Caddo Pond Date of Derby: September 14
Time Registration Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 11 a.m.
Age Group: 12 and under and 55 and up
Restroom Availability: Yes
Contact Person: Dan Miller or Brian Pounds
Contact Phone Number: 870-867-2101 (Dan) or 870-356-4186 (Brian) 
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Magic Bait Company, and the US Forest Service

Jessieville – Winona - Fourche Ranger Districts, Jessieville, ArkansasLocation: Jessieville Work Center Pond
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 6:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10:30 a.m.
Age Group: 15 and under
Contact Person: Sarah Thompson
Contact Phone Number: 501-984-5313, 479-495-2844
Other Information: The Jessieville Work Center Pond has an accessible pier, restrooms and drinking water. 
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Magic Baits, Hot Springs Village Anglers Club, Ouachita Bass Anglers, and the US Forest Service

Mena - Oden Ranger Districts, Oden, ArkansasLocation: Oden Rifle Range Pond (off Highway 88 on Forest Service Road 748)
Date of Derby: June 8
Time Registration Starts: 7:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 7:30 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: 10:30 a.m.
Age Group: 16 and under
Contact Phone Number: 479-394-2382
Partners: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Oden Woods and Water Club, and US Forest Service

Oklahoma Ranger Districts, Talihina, OklahomaLocation: Talihina Veterans Center Pond
Date of Derby: June 1
Time Registration Starts: 7 a.m.
Time Fishing Starts: 8 a.m.
Time Fishing Ends: Noon
Age Group: Youth 3 to 16 years old
Contact Phone Number: 918-567-2326
Partners: Talihina Lion’s Club, Magic Baits, and US Forest Service

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