Host Trey Reid talks with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Deputy Director Ben Batten about new regulations passed at the April commission meeting that take effect July 1, aligning fishing and wildlife regulation start dates and guidebook releases. They highlight the expansion of “blue ribbon” smallmouth bass streams from 2 to 10, with a one-over-15-inch smallmouth limit. They also discuss eliminating fish possession limits to simplify rules, clarifying how guides can transfer legally harves...

Host Trey Reid talks with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission fisheries staff Eric Naas and Will Lancett about the first year of Arkansas’s Legacy Lunker program after the donation period ended March 31. They report 19 qualifying bass donations, with fish coming from several waters including DeGray (5), Lake Austell (3), Lower White Oak (3), and Ouachita (3), and discuss unusual double-catch stories, minimal false alarms, and strong public support on social media. The donated fish are now spawn...

Host Trey Reid discusses Arkansas Game and Fish Commission fisheries and fish hatcheries with Reed Pfeiffer, an Assistant Chief in Operations and Jason Miller, an Assistant Chief in Fisheries, who began at the Joe Hogan Hatchery in 2000 and managed it before becoming assistant chief in 2023. They outline Arkansas’s hatchery system—four warm-water facilities (Joe Hogan at Lonoke, Andrew Hulsey in Hot Springs, Charlie Craig in Northwest Arkansas, and Donham in Northeast Arkansas) and the Jim Hi...

In this Arkansas Wildlife Podcast episode, host Trey Reid talks with Emily Roberts, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s prescribed fire coordinator, about how prescribed fire reinstates a natural process historically common in Arkansas and improves habitat by reducing leaf litter, opening canopies, and restoring grasses and wildflowers for wildlife. Emily describes her background, explains how fire suppression grew with settlements and timber protection, and outlines how public perception...

Host Trey Reid welcomes Colonel Joe Williams, chief of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Enforcement Division, to discuss Williams’ upbringing near Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, his hunting and fishing roots, and the game warden encounter that inspired his career. Williams describes earning a degree from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, interning with AGFC, entering the academy in 2009, and learning under mentors like former Director Pat Fitz during his 13 years in Ashle...

Host Trey Reid welcomes John Stein, District 1 fishery supervisor in Northwest Arkansas with 24 years at the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, to discuss fishery management challenges in a rapidly growing region. Stein shares his background from Northeastern Colorado and his path into fisheries, including early work as a fish pathologist and a hatchery technician at the Andrew Hulsey Hatchery in Hot Springs. The episode covers increased fishing pressure around Beaver Lake, management goals f...

Join host Trey Reid on the Arkansas Wildlife Podcast as he delves into the diverse and intriguing world of freshwater mussels with Dr. Kendall Moles of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Discover the ecological importance of mussels, their unique reproductive mechanisms, and the various conservation efforts in Arkansas. Dr. Moles shares his journey and the challenges faced in preserving these vital species, including propagation techniques and the relentless search for host fish. Learn ab...

Join host Trey Reid on the Arkansas Wildlife Podcast as he delves into the significant role of the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation (AGFF). Special guests Jibbie Tucker and Deke Whitbeck share insights about the foundation's history since its inception in 1982, its mission to support the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), and its impactful projects. Learn about the AGFF's efforts in fundraising, educational programs, and conservation initiatives. Discover how events li...

Join Trey Reid from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as he sits down with Nick Feltz, the District 10 Fisheries Supervisor, for an in-depth update on the ongoing Lake Conway renovation and restoration project. This episode covers the significant progress made halfway through the five-year timeline, including dam and spillway construction, habitat improvements, and homeowner involvement. Nick also discusses the productivity of contractors, removal of dilapidated structures, and future pla...

Join host Trey Reid with guests Jeremy Risley and Will Lancet from Arkansas Game and Fish Commissions Fisheries Division in the latest episode of the Arkansas Wildlife Podcast as they discusses the exciting launch of the Legacy Lunker Program. They delve into details about the program's aim to enhance the genetics of Arkansas's bass population through selective breeding. Anglers have the chance to contribute by donating bass weighing 10 pounds or more during a specific time frame each year. W...