July 16, 2012

MEDIA ADVISORY

MacArthur Park Pond To Be Stocked With 1,500 Catfish In Preparation For

27^th Annual Little Rock Parks & Recreation Fishing Derby

The City of Little Rock Parks & Recreation is hosting its 27^th Annual Fishing Derby on Thursday, July 19 at MacArthur Park.

On Wednesday, July 18 at 10:00 a.m., the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission will be stocking the pond at MacArthur Park with 1,500 catchable channel catfish.

Little Rock Parks & Recreation will also be on hand with selected children who are participants in the LRPR Summer Playground Program.

The Derby, which is also sponsored by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, is open to children ages 6-15 and will take place from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. More than 1,000 children from Central Arkansas are expected to participate.

Participants will only be allowed to use cane poles during the derby. There will be no rods and reels allowed during the derby. The public is encouraged to bring its own equipment and bait, as only a limited number of cane poles will be available.

The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, which will be stocking the pond, will tag a limited number of “prize fish”. Any child who catches a “tagged” fish will be eligible to win one of the prizes provided by Parks & Recreation and Game & Fish. The first boy and girl to catch a “prize fish” will each win a bike.

For more information, please contact Mike Garrity, Assistant Recreation Supervisor, at 501-371-6858