As anglers hit Arkansas’s renowned trout waters this winter, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) is urging caution to protect spawning trout and their nests, known as redds.
Unlike other fish that spawn in warmer months, Arkansas’s troutespecially brown troutreproduce during winter. Brown trout in the Little Red River rely entirely on wild spawning, making this a critical time for their survival.
The AGFC advises anglers to watch for redds, which are oval patches of clean, lighter gravel about two to three feet in diameter. Seasonal regulations are in place, including a closure of the Bull Shoals Catch-and-Release Area from Nov. 1 to Jan. 31. Downstream areas require catch-and-release for brown trout during this period.
Removing spawning trout from their nests leaves eggs vulnerable to predators. To minimize harm, AGFC recommends using barbless hooks, landing fish quickly, and keeping them in the water as much as possible before release.
Experienced anglers often avoid targeting spawning trout, focusing instead on other species that feed on dislodged eggs. For more details on trout management, visit the AGFC website at www.agfc.com/en/fishing/sportfish/trout.
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