Beginners Fishing Guide

8/12/2019 Beginners Fishing Guide

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Theres nothing better than a lazy afternoon on the bank of

your favorite fishing hole, dreaming about a lunker thats about

to make your bobber disappear.

If youre already a fisherman, then you know the thrill of

anticipation. If youre not an angler, this publication will help you

get started.

Now that weve piqued your interest, you may realize thatyouve got a few things to learn about fish and angling. No

problem the basic fishing techniques described in this guide

dont require a huge tackle box. A rod, reel, hook, bobber and a

few worms will work just fine.

After you land your trophies, well help you identify them and

show you how to prepare and cook your catch of the day.

Youve made it this far lets get moving. Take a gander at the

guide and head out to enjoy the best of what Arkansas water

has to offer.

Sincerely,

Scott Henderson, Director

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

As a recipient of federal funds from the U.S. Department of theInterior, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission operates programssubject to the nondiscrimination requirements of Title VI of the 1964Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the AgeDiscrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of1972 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

Under these acts, the U.S. Department of the Interior strictly prohibitsdiscrimination because of race, color, national origin, age,sex or disability in its federally assisted programs.

Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated againstin any program, activity, employment, facility or provision of services bythe Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, or desires further informationregarding these acts, should write immediately to:

The Office of Human Resources Arkansas Game and Fish CommissionU.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ATTN: Compliance OfficerDepartment of the Interior 2 Natural Resources DriveWashington, D.C. 20240 Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

or

AGFC


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EditorsJeff WilliamsRandy Zellers

Fish IllustrationsJoe Tomelleri

Fish Habitat IllustrationsPatrick Soper

CartoonsWill Merriot

PhotographerMike Wintroath

DesignerJeanne Zaffarano

This is a publication of theAGFC Aquatic Resources Education Program.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission2 Natural Resources Drive

Little Rock, Arkansas 72205www.agfc.com

Arkansas Game and

Fish Commission

BeginnersFishing

Guide

Arkansas Game and

Fish Commission


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Bream...................................................................................4

Black Bass................................................................................10Catfish............................................................................14

Crappie............................................................................18

Trout.............................................................................2 2

Fishing Tackle and Equipment...................................................26Knot-Tying............................................................................... 28

Fishing Tips.............................................................................30

Safety Tips.............................................................................32

Fish Preparation and Recipe.....................................................33

Table ofContents

If you cannot find the answer to your fishing question,

please call (877) 676-6963.


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HABITATWhere Fish Live

Healthy fish need water, food, cover and space. These four things are called habitat.

Its important that people take good care of lakes and streams so fish and other

life in the water will have what they need to stay healthy.


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Nicknames:Sun perch, copperbellyHabitat:Found in relatively clear, slow-moving streams, ponds and lakesPreferred Water Temperature:75-80 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time: 67-70 degrees; April-AugustNatural/Live Bait:Crickets, aquatic insects, earthworms, maggots and catalpa worms

Artificial Lures:Jigs, small spinners, plastic/hair grubs, popping bugs and insect imitations

Fishing Fun for EveryoneMention bream in Arkansas and youre talking about the sunfishfamily. Bream are numerous and very easy to catch. They will bite

just about anything earthworms, corn, jigs, you name it. They cabe found in just about any stream, lake or pond and are great to

Bluegill

Nicknames:Shellcracker, government-improved breamHabitat:The bottom of clear, quiet waters with moderate vegetationPreferred WaterTemperature:73-77 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time: 66-70 degrees; April to mid-AugustNatural/Live Bait:Earthworms, crickets, grubs, maggots, catalpa worms and freshwater grass shrimpArtificial Lures: Redears rarely take artificials

Redear Sunfish

Bream

Arkansas has one of thelargest state-ownedsystems of fish hatcheriesin the United States.


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Nicknames: Ricefield slick, greenie, perchHabitat:Ponds, lakes and slow-moving streams and ditches.Found in thick, weedy cover and can tolerate murky, warm water.Preferred Water Temperature:80-84 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time: 69-73 degrees; April-AugustNatural/Live Bait:Aquatic insects, crayfish, earthworms, crickets, catalpa worms and maggotsArtificial Lures: Small spinners, jigs, plastic/hair grubs, popping bugs and insect imitations

Green Sunfish

NicknamesBig-eared sunfish, sun perchHabitat:Found in clear, rocky bottom, upland streams, oxbows, lowland lakes and lowland streamsPreferred Water Temperature:68-70 degreesSpawning Temperature: 70-80 degreesNatural/Live Bait:Aquatic insects can be more than 80 percent of the longears dietArtificial Lures: Small spinners, jigs, plastic/hair grubs, popping bugs and insect imitations

Longear Sunfish


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Nicknames:Goggle-eye, redeyeHabitat:Found in clear, weedy, fast-moving streams with rocky bottomsPreferred Water Temperature:69-70 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time: 60-70 degrees; April-MayNatural/Live Bait:Crayfish, crayfish tails, aquatic insects, small fish, earthworms, crickets and maggotsArtificial Lures: Popping bugs, jigs, small spinners and plastic worms/grubs

Rock Bass:Rock, Shadow and Ozark

Nicknames:Stumpknocker, goggle-eyed perchHabitat:Shallow lakes, ponds, sloughs and slow-moving streams with muddy bottoms,lots of weeds, stumps and logsPreferred Water Temperature:80-85 degreesSpawning Temperature and Time: 65-70 degrees; April to mid-AugustNatural/Live Bait:Earthworms, insects, maggots, grubs, catalpa worms, small fish and cricketsArtificial Lures: Popping bugs, jigs, small spinners and grubs

Warmouth


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Bream Habitat

Fishing for WordsUse the words in the box to complete the following sentences.

1. All anglers should know their states fishing and regulations.

2. Never cast when someone is behind you.

3. can be used to catch all types of bream.

4. rarely take artificials, unlike bluegills.

5. More than 80 percent of the s diet is aquatic insects.

CRICKETSLONGEAR

RULES

REDEARS

STANDING


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Natural/Live Bait

crayfish

crickets and grasshoppers

insect larvae

grass shrimpearthworms


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How to Use an Artificial Lure.

beetle spin Retrieve near cover.

Lead-headed jigs and jig bodies (feathers,natural hair or plastic) can be mixed andmatched in any combination. Fish sometimesrespond better to different colors.

Artificial Lures

tinsel jig

in-line spinner

beetle

bream killer beetle spinpopping bug

small plastic worm


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Nicknames:Bucketmouth, bigmouth, green bassHabitat:Found in lakes, ponds, rivers and streams statewide.They prefer waters with submerged vegetation and flooded timber and brush.In streams, they prefer slow-moving current.Preferred Water Temperature:68-78 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time: 62-68 degrees; April-JuneNatural/Live Bait:Minnows, earthworms, crayfish, small fish and frogsArtificial Lures:Spinner baits, buzzbaits, soft-bodied lures, top-water lures,

popping bugs, flies, crankbaits, jigs and spoons

Largemouth Bass

Nicknames:Brown bass, brownie, bronzebackHabitat:Clean, cool streams and lakes.In streams, they like areas with moderate current.Preferred Water Temperature:67-71 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time:60-65 degrees; April to mid-JuneNatural/Live Bait:Minnows, earthworms, crayfish, small fish and frogsArtificial Lures: Spinner baits, buzzbaits, small soft-bodied lures, top-water lures,popping bugs, flies, crankbaits and jigs

Smallmouth Bass

BlackBass Black BassBass are popular targets for Arkansas anglers. Three types of blac

bass live in Arkansas largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.Bass live in rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.


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Nicknames:Kentucky bass, spotsHabitat:Rivers, streams and deep reservoirsPreferred Water Temperature:74-77 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time: 62-68 degrees; April-JuneNatural/Live Bait:Minnows, earthworms, crayfish, small fish and frogsArtificial Lures:Spinner baits, buzzbaits, soft-bodied lures, top-water lures, popping bugs,flies, crankbaits, jigs and spoons

Spotted Bass

Black Bass Habitat


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crayfish

crickets and grasshoppers

earthworms

Natural/Live Bait

frogs

small sunfish

minnow

shad


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crankbait

Artificial Lures

Lure Use and Techniques

plastic worm

Fish will hitcrankbait asit bumps overobstructions.

Vary retrieveby stoppingoccasionallyafter bump.

deep-diving crankbait

top-water popper

plastic worm

top-water prop bait

spinner bait

grub

spoon

swim bait

lipless crankbait

jig

beetle


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Nicknames:Spotted cat, fiddlersHabitat:Commonly found in big rivers, in current over deep stretches with sand, rock or gravel bottoms.They are stocked in lakes, ponds and streams throughout the state.Preferred Water Temperature:75-80 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time:70-75 degrees; late April-JuneNatural/Live Bait:Earthworms, crayfish, shad and minnowsPrepared baits: Stink bait, blood bait, cheese bait, chicken gizzards, chicken hearts, liver and cut bait

Channel Catfish

Nicknames:Blues, white catPreferred Water Temperature:72-78 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time:70-75 degrees; April-MayNatural/Live Bait:Shad, minnows, crayfishPrepared baits: Stink bait, blood bait, cheese bait, chicken gizzards, chicken hearts, liver and cut bait

Blue Catfish

Catfish Can Be Caught Almost Any TimeCatfish are abundant in Arkansass streams, lakes and rivers. Theyare very easy to catch and are excellent to eat, so they are verypopular with anglers. The AGFC stocks about 1 million channelcatfish every year. Catfish rarely take artificial lures, but sometimbite spinners, jigs and spoons.

Catfish


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Nicknames:Mud cat, yellow catHabitat:Flatheads are found in reservoirs and big rivers, often below locks and damsPreferred WaterTemperature:78-82 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time:70-80 degrees; late June-JulyNatural/Live Bait:Live fish and minnowsPrepared baits: Rarely caught on prepared baits

Flathead Catfish

Nicknames:Creek cats, mud cats, yellow-cats, black cats, polliwogsHabitat:Black bullheads are found in still-water streams, lakes and ponds with murky water and soft,

muddy bottoms. Brown bullheads are in large, deep lakes, slow-moving streams and ponds.Yellow bullheads like clear, heavily vegetated lakes, ponds or warmwater streams.The color of the chin barbels determine the species. Yellow bullheads have yellow or white barbels;black bullheads have black barbels, and brown bullheads have brown barbels.Preferred Water Temperature:Black, 75-85 degrees; brown, 78-82 degrees; yellow, 75-80 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time:Black, 66-70 degrees May-June;brown, 70-75 degrees late May and early June; and yellow, upper 60s or 70s late spring and early summerNatural/Live Bait:Earthworms, small fish, crayfish, minnows and goldfishPrepared baits: Stink bait, blood bait, cheese bait, chicken gizzards, chicken hearts, liver and cut bait.

Bullheads: Black, Brown and Yellow

Black

Brown

Yellow


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minnowssmall sunfishearthworms

Catfish Habitat

crayfish

Natural/Live Bait


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Prepared Baits

cheese hearts and liver stink baits

How to RigThere are several ways to rig line to catch catfish.

These work in both moving and still water. Prepared baits also can be used with these rigs

swift, shallow river

Use enough weight to get bait below

waterline to the botom.

Fish can pick up bait and move offwithout feeling weight of sinker.

Swivel acts as a stop.

Bobber withlight sinkeradjusted to adepth so thebait will be nearthe bottom.

still water

12-18 inches

12"-18"

12"-18

barrel sinker

deep, slow-moving river

Floatingjig headmay beused tokeep baitoff bottom.

swivel 12-18 inches

12-18 i

3-way rig

weight


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The most reliable method of separating the two iscounting the dorsal fin spines. Black crappie normallyhave seven or eight; white crappie usually have six, butsometimes five. Color is not as dependable, but whitecrappie are paler, and dark spots on the sides usuallyare arranged in regular vertical bars. Black crappie

are typically darker and have irregular spotting.

Nicknames:Papermouth, speckled perch, white perch, specksHabitat:White crappie are found in natural and man-made lakes, as well as large, slow-moving streamsPreferred Water Temperature:70-75 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time:62-65 degrees; April through mid-JuneNatural/Live Bait:Small minnows are the best and most commonly used live bait for crappiesArtificial Lures:Jigs, small spinners, plastic/hair grubs and insect imitations

White Crappie

Nicknames:Papermouth, speckled perch, specksHabitat:Black crappie prefer cleaner, clearer water than their white cousins. Natural lakes and reservoirswith lots of weeds are where youll find them. They also are found in large, slow-moving rivers.Prefered Temperature:70-75 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time:62-65 degrees; April through mid-JuneNatural/Live Bait:Small minnowsArtificial Lures: Small jigs, tiny crankbaits, spinners and spoons

Black Crappie

Crappie Great Sport Fish and Dinner GuestCrappie have a reputation as one of Arkansass tastiest fish.Theyre also simple to catch and offer plenty of action to anglersBoth black and white crappie are found in nearly every body ofwarm water in Arkansas.

Crappie


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Natural/Live Bait

How to Rig

Bobber withlight sinker

Pinch orsplit-shotsinker

Minnows can be hooked through the back, just before the tailfin or through both lips.Try to keep your minnow alive and moving to attract bigger fish.

Use just enough weight to get bait below waterlineto the botom.

split shot

12"-18"

12-18 inches

minnow


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Artificial Lures

small crankbait

small spinner bait

critter jig

road runner

hair jig

beetle

tinsel jig

slider

curl-tail jigs

tube jigs

lead heads


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Nicknames:RainbowHabitat:Rainbow trout are found in the main current of the stream, behind obstructions like boulders and fallentrees, vegetation and in deep holesPreferred Water Temperature:55-62 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time:50-60 degrees; September-January, spawning is rarely successful in ArkansNatural/Live Bait:Earthworms, wax worms, crayfish and minnowsArtificial Lures: Spinners, jigs, artificial flies, small crankbaits, spoons and insect imitations

Prepared Baits: Whole-kernel corn, cheese, marshmallows and salmon eggs

Rainbow Trout

Trout Coldwater Fishing at Its FinestArkansas is blessed with some of the finest trout fishing in AmerTrout require cold water and are found on the White River belowBeaver, Bull Shoals and Norfork dams. They also are found in theLittle Red River, Spring River and the Little Missouri River. Troutare stocked in some Family and Community Fishing Program ponduring winter.

Trout

Nicknames:CutthroatHabitat:Cutthroat trout are found in the main current of the stream, behind obstructions like bouldersand fallen trees, vegetation and in deep holes.Preferred Water Temperature:55-62 degreesSpawning Temperatures and Time:Spawning is not successful in Arkansas.Natural/Live Bait:Earthworms, wax worms, crayfish and minnowsArtificial Lures: Spinners, jigs, artificial flies, small crankbaits, spoons and insect imitationsPrepared Baits: Whole-kernel corn, cheese, marshmallows and salmon eggs

Cutthroat Trout

More than 1 milliontrout are stocked eachyear in Arkansas.


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Technique for Using Natural and Prepared Bait

rocery BaitNatural/Live Bait

salmon eggs

scented bait

corn

crayfishearthworms

minnow

insect larvae

In some cases, bobbers are not used.A sinker can be attached 12 to 36inches above the bait.

You can use a red plasticattractor above the bait.

Bait can be corn, cheese,salmon eggs, redworms,

wax worms or marshmallows

Put a barrel sinker,swivel sinker or a splitshot on your line

marshmallows

repared Bait


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Techniques for Artificial Baits and Lures

inline spinner

Fish will hit crankbait

as it bumpsover obstructions.Vary retrieve bystopping occasionallyafter bump.

Retrieve above cover

Artificial Lures

crankbait

woolly buggercrankbait

minnow bait

spoon

in-line spinner

sowbug

marabou jig

tinsel jig


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Knot-Tying

Tangles With PurposeFishing line requires special knots to hold the hook or lure securwhen a fish is pulling against you. These three knots will cover anfishing situation, and are fairly easy to tie. Practice them at home,so you dont waste fishing time trying to remember how to do itIf your knot doesnt look right, or if your line looks worn or frayecut it and retie. Good fish are often lost because of bad knots.

The Fishermans Knot(Improved Clinch)

Tighten the knot slowly by pulling on the line withone hand and the hook with the other.

Trim off the loose end of the line with a pair offingernail clippers.

Run several inches of line through the hook eye.Don't be stingy here. Make it comfortable andeasy to tie.

Wrap the loose end of your line around itself fiveor six times.

Pass the loose end through the loop in the linenext to the eye in the hook.

Push the loose end through the new loop youjust created. Moisten the knot. This will lubricatethe line and make your knot easier to tighten.


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Figure Eight Knot Palomar Knot

Make sure you know the regulations foreach area you may fish. Take a look at theAGFC Fishing Guidebook and familiarizeyourself with fishing regulations.

Insert the end of the line through the lure orhook. Bring the end back around and lay it overthe standing part of the line.

Pass the end of the line under the standing part ofthe line. Insert it in the loop that is formed at theeye of the hook or lure. You should see the shapeof the figure eight.

Holding the hook or lure in one hand, pull thestanding part of the line with your other hand tosecure the knot. Trim the knot, leaving about116-inch of line extending past the knot.

Double about 4 inches of line and pass loopthrough the eye.

Let the hook hang loose and tie an overhand knotin the doubled line.

Pull loop of line far enough to pass over hook,swivel, or lure.

Pull both ends of the line tight. Moisten beforefully tightening. Clip off extra line.


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Fishing Tips

Searching for Fish

Cast your bait to the left.Fish about 3 minutes.

No bite?

Now cast infront of you.

Fish for 3 minutes.No bite?

Now cast to the right.Fish for 3 minutes.

Check your bait.

Best Time to FishYou can catch fish any time, but they usually bite best from 30minutes before sunrise until two or three hours after the sun up. They get hungry again 30 minutes before sunset and bite wefor about an hour or two.


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Fish in one spot

for 10 minutes.If you dontcatch a fish,Try a new spotabout 25 stepsaway.

Keep the slack

out of your linewhile fishing.When your bobbgoes under, youmay have a bite.

Move fast. Give

firm pull on therod. Reel insteadily and drafish to the bankwith the reel.Keep the fish inthe water afteryou catch it.

Fish hide arounrocks, logs and

trees in thewater. These argood places tocast your bait.


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Safety Tips

Rocks can beslippery andcause youto fall.

Always wearyour life jacket.

Dont stand orwalk on logs.

Be careful withfishing hooks.Dont hookyourself oryour friends.Hook a FISH!

If your linegets snagged,cut it. Don'tyank it.

Use sunblock;avoid sunburn.

Learn torecognizepoison ivy andpoison oak.

Dispose of trashproperly. A brokenbottle or jaggedcan could spoilsomeone's fishing trip.


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FAMILY&COMMUNITY

Want Reel Family Fun?Visit your local Family and Community Fishing Program destination.Stocking Hotline

(866) 540-FISH (3474)Where, when and what the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is stocking

Documents

Beginners Fishing Guide