The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission heard comments this week regarding a management plan for the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters, two of the most important tailwater fisheries in the state.  The rivers are strongly influenced by water releases from reservoirs, and therefore can be managed for quality fisheries through proper water control measures. 

Fisheries managers were seeking public input on the plan, which would combine a water release regime with other changes such as restrictive fishing regulations to improve the fishing.

Goals in the plan include maximizing angler access, improving water quality and fish habitat, providing an enjoyable fishing experience and maintaining satisfactory catch rates.

The plan includes the potential for catch and release fishing regulations, but only if they prove to be effective, which is being determined through a University of Arkansas study that’s underway.

The draft retains all catchand-release areas pending the completion of a multiyear study of the tail waters by the University of Arkansas Cooperative Research Unit.

Arkansas Chapter of Trout Unlimited president Bruce Ritter had this to add:

“The ultimate decision whether to manage our resource with slot limits or a system of catchand-release areas is a significant one. Changes to the current system should only be made if those changes are supported by meaningful data,” Ritter said.

While the management plan has garnered plenty of support, some people do have issues with parts of it. 

Several participants, including Julie Raines of His Place Resort at Cotter, objected to future bait restrictions. Raines said the restrictions could drive away a large segment of anglers who don’t or can’t fly fish — such as children, the elderly and the disabled.

Regulators should be encouraging children to take up the sport of fishing, not discouraging them by restricting bait fishing, said Mike Seftar, manager of Nabatak Inc. in Midway, a wholesale distributor of live and artificial fishing bait.

As in every fish management plan, the best outcome will likely be one where the fishery is improved with support from all sides.  And I sure hope it works.  I’d love to get the chance to catch a monster brown trout in an Arkansas tailwater someday!