RULES OF RECOGNITION
 

The fish mush have been legally caught in Arkansas waters where a sport fishing license is required. This rules out fish taken from hatcheries and pay lakes. Fish taken from club waters and private ponds will be considered if all other requirements are met. The fish must be caught on rod or pole using hook and line. Fish caught on handheld snagging equipment will be considered if taken form waters where snagging is legal. Exception: A fish caught using other legal sport tackle (trotline, limbline, jug, yo-yo, etc.) can be submitted for consideration in the “unrestricted tackle” category, if it exceeds the record weight established for that species by an angler using rod or pole. However, only catches made by an angler possessing a valid sport fishing license using legal sport fishing methods will be considered. Commercial fishcatches do not qualify. Regardless of what type of tackleis used, only one person may be involved in subduing the fish, except for help in nettingor gaffing.

To apply for a state record, the angler must submit a completed State Record Fish Application which is printed below.

On all record claims, witnesses to the catch are highly desirable. Unwitnessed catchesmay be disallowed if questions arise regardingtheir authenticity.

A fisheries professional must identify the species of fish. The identification need not be made at the time of the weigh-in, but the professional’s name, address, phone number, signature, and title (or qualifications) must appear on the application form or on a separate document confirming the species identification. When possible, a good photograph of the fish should accompany the application. ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION Arkansas State Record Fish INFORMATION AND APPLICATION The fish must be weighed on a certified scale legal for trade. Certified scales can be found in stores, post offices, feed mills, etc. An employee of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must witness the weigh-in and must sign the application or a separate document confirming the fish’s weight. Only that weight witnessed at the official weigh in will be acceptable, regardless of the fish’s weight when it was caught. Any fish establishing a new record weight will be considered, regardless of the size and species.

One ounce graduations are used for record purposes. Fractions of an ounce will be dropped. The fish cannot be altered by any means to induce additional weight beyond the fish’s normal weight. To assure the integrity of the record listings, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission may reject any fish believed to have been taken in violation ofthe official rules for recognition. Its decision will be final.

 

For a copy of the state fish records, write:
Fish RecordsArkansas Game and Fish Commission Communications Division
 2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205

 

State Record Fish Application
ANGLER INFORMATION
Name ___________________________________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________________
City _________________________________________________ State _______________ Zip___________
Telephone: Home ________________________________ Business ______________________________
Fishing License Number ____________________________________________________________________

TYPE OF FISH CAUGHT Common Name ______________________________ Scientific Name (Optional) _____________________ METHOD OF FISHING Conventional rod and reel Snagging Other (describe) Bait/lure used ________________________________ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION The undersigned, being a professional fisheries person, do hereby verify the identity of the described fish: Name (print) _________________________________ Address ____________________________________ City _________________ State ______ Zip _______ Telephone ___________________________________ Title ________________________________________ Place of employment __________________________ Signature ___________________________________ WITNESS(ES) TO THE CATCH  (Optional, but recommended. See rules.) Name (print) _________________________________ Address ____________________________________ City _________________ State ______ Zip _______ Telephone ___________________________________ Signature ___________________________________ Name (print) _________________________________ Address ____________________________________ City _________________ State ______ Zip _______ Telephone ___________________________________ Signature ___________________________________

DATE AND LOCATION OF CATCH Date (month, day, year) ________________________ Location (name of lake, river, etc.) _______________ County/nearest town __________________________ Specific location on river or lake (optional) ________ ___________________________________________ MEASUREMENTS OF FISH (optional) Total length, tip of nose to tip of tail ______________ Fork length, tip of nose to ‘V’ in tail ______________ Girth, around fish in front of dorsal fin ____________ WEIGH-IN INFORMATION Fish weight: Pounds _________ Ounces ________ Location of scale (name of store, etc., nearest town) ___________________________________________ Date scale last certified ________________________ The undersigned, being an employee of the AGFC or the USFWS, does hereby verify the weight of the described fish. ___________________________________________ Signature of witness ___________________________________________ Title of witness (Note: Weigh-in must be witnessed by an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service employee.) PHOTO INFORMATION (optionaI) Is a photo enclosed? Yes_  No_ If yes, check one: PIease return photo._ The AGFC may keep the photo  and use it for publicity purposes_