The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has enacted emergency trout fishing regulations on several major rivers after trout production collapsed at two hatcheries, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
For the next 120 days, anglers must release all trout caught from Bull Shoals Dam to the Norfork Access on the White River. From there to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion, the limit is two trout daily, only one longer than 14 inches. Similar limits apply to the Norfork, Greers Ferry, and Beaver tailwaters.
Trout program coordinator Christy Graham said poor water quality at the Norfork hatchery and flood damage at the Spring River hatchery have caused massive fish losses — more than 1.2 million trout in recent weeks.
Officials say the restrictions are temporary and aim to prevent long-term damage to Arkansas’s trout fisheries.
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