Arkansas’ Biggest Fishing Event With $110,000 in Prize Money

Anglers it's about that time to cast your line in the water for $110,000 in prize money including the biggest tagged fish worth a whopping $20,000. Have I got your attention?

Hot Springs Fishing Challenge

It's back! After a 3 year hiatus due to COVID, one of the biggest premier fishing events in the state begins May 1st and goes until July 31, 2024, at Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine in beautiful Hot Springs, Arkansas. Each prize fish will have a distinctive tag, and those who catch them are reminded not to remove the tag and to call the Visit Hot Springs fish phone at the phone number found on the tag. All fish tags must be attached to claim your cash prize.

Fishing License

Participants must have a valid Arkansas fishing license except on "Free Fishing Weekend" which falls on June 7 - 9 this year. During this weekend anyone is allowed to fish in Arkansas without a fishing license.

Note: The $500 fish will double its payout to $1,000 during the statewide free fishing weekend June 7-9. During that weekend everyone is invited to go fishing in Arkansas even if they don't have a fishing license.

Tagged Fish Worth

• Big Al - $20,000
• One Fish - $10,000
• Four Fish - $5,000
• 40 Fish - $1000
• 20 Fish - $500

Some of the tagged fish will include largemouth bass, bluegill, red-ear sunfish, and channel catfish. Who knows you might catch Big Al he's a monster fish!

Thanks to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the website Visit Hot Springs, and Andrew Hulsey Fish Hatchery 65 prize fish have been tagged and released into the lakes at undisclosed locations.

The Hot Springs Fishing Challenge starts at 6 AM on May 1 and runs until 5 PM on July 31, 2024.