AGFC Says, “Keep those Striped Bass!”

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission says, “Keep some of those striped bass you catch”. With summer here in full force and water temperatures on the rise the inevitable increase in fish mortality is here. It may seem counterintuitive, but keeping your striped bass can actually increase the number of fish available for other anglers. Studies say stripers caught any time the surface temperature exceeds 75 degrees have a much greater risk of dying, even after release. With water temperatures rising these bass dive deeper into cool water. When caught and pulled from this cool environment the bass have a much harder time recovering even if they make it back to their preferred water temperature zone. Many folks find themselves having an excellent day of fishing pulling up the big ones left and right but unbeknownst to them may be releasing those fish back into the water to only go and die. With the AGFC stocking over half a million striped bass each year in Arkansas waters anglers are encouraged to take some home and enjoy a fresh fish dinner