Three fish worth a total of $2,500 were caught during the first full weekend of the 2018 Hot Springs Fishing Challenge on lakes Hamilton and Catherine, Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said Monday.
"This was our first full weekend of the Fishing Challenge and we are off to a great start," Arrison said.
"'Big Al' is still at large," he said, referring to the top prize fish in the Fishing Challenge, worth $15,000.
The 2018 challenge, sponsored by Visit Hot Springs and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, began May 1 and runs through 5 p.m. July 31. Seventy-one tagged fish potentially totaling $101,000 were released into the two lakes on April 30.
According to a news release, a $1,000 4.5-pound largemouth bass was the first to be boated on Friday on Lake Hamilton by angler Michael Long of Hot Springs. Long said he had spent a long day fishing when he spotted the big bass floating on the surface near Hill Wheatley Park and hauled it in.
The second prize fish, a $1,000 channel catfish, was caught by Joe Thomas, of Hot Springs, on Lake Hamilton. Thomas said he was reeling in one catfish when he got a bite on his other line and reeled in the prize fish.
Stevie George, of Hot Springs, caught a $500 bluegill while fishing on Lake Hamilton, marking the third catch in the 2018 challenge.
"I've been fishing on Lake Hamilton for years," George said. "This lake is full of fish. More people -- more young people -- need to get out here and fish."
Anyone who reels in one of the 68 remaining blue-tagged fish stands to win a prize ranging from $500 to $15,000 for catching "Big Al." Four remaining tagged fish will bring $5,000 each, 44 worth $1,000 each remain, and 19 have the $500 tags, the release said. The $500 fish could have their prize doubled to $1,000 each if they are caught during this year's special Free Fishing Weekend bonus-prize period June 8 through 10.
"Free Fishing Weekend is an annual tradition sponsored by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and approved by Gov. Asa Hutchinson," Jeff Newman, manager of the Andrew H. Hulsey State Fish Hatchery, said in the release. "Free Fishing Weekend furnishes many citizens and visitors an opportunity to enjoy the amazing angling the Natural State has to offer.
"Residents and nonresidents may fish that weekend from Friday at noon until midnight Sunday without fishing licenses or trout permits. Regulations for Arkansas waters apply; daily limits, slot limits, and length limits must be observed."
The grand prize fish could be a largemouth bass or one of five other species bearing the lucky 2018 challenge tag. Since the challenge began in 2012, only one person has ever caught "Big Al." Clues will be given out during June and July about "Big Al" if he has not been caught by then.
"On June 1, we will reveal the first clue about 'Big Al' if he remains at large," Arrison said. "Then we'll reveal a second clue on July 1, and a third on July 26, if the top prize hasn't been claimed."
The Hot Springs Fishing Challenge is open to anyone with a valid Arkansas fishing license. Employees and immediate family members of Visit Hot Springs or the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission are ineligible to win a cash prize.
Fish released include largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, white bass, crappie, and walleye. The blue tags include a phone number and prize number for identification. Anglers must call the phone number and present the fish with the tag attached.
Each angler who catches a prize fish grants permission to Visit Hot Springs to use their name, likeness, biographical information and photographs without compensation for advertising and promotional purposes.
Local on 05/08/2018