$500 Largemouth Bass Caught on Arkansas’ Lake Hamilton

A Bismarck woman awoke Tuesday morning and told her husband they were going to catch a “money fish” out of Lake Hamilton in the 2013 $60,000 Hot Springs Fishing Challenge.

And she did it.

Cracker Barrel server Jennifer Jones, who lives in Bismarck but works at the Hot Springs restaurant, has only fished on Lake Hamilton twice, including Tuesday’s prize-winning visit. She and her husband, Chris, usually fish on DeGray Lake, which is closer to their home.

She caught the $500 largemouth bass on a No. 5 Shad Rap about a half-mile from the Andrew H. Hulsey State Fish Hatchery boat ramps.

The $500 fish, tag No. 293, follows the last two fish caught Friday and Saturday in widely separated parts of the lake, No. 294 and No. 295.

Five of 53 fish have now been caught in the Challenge in the first 14 days of the contest.

Jones’ catch leaves 48 fish remaining in the contest. Big Al the Second, the $10,000 grand prize fish, is still on the loose in either Lake Hamilton or Lake Catherine along with the other tagged money fish.

The Challenge runs through July 31. The Second Hot Springs Fishing Challenge, which began May 1, provides anglers the opportunity to catch tagged fish that can be redeemed for cash prizes.

Fifty-three tagged fish were released in Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. The fish are largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, white bass, crappie and walleye. The tags have a phone number and a prize number on them. If a fish is caught the angler must call the number and present the fish with the tag attached.

No cash prize will be awarded to any participant presenting a tagged fish that has been caught other than during the fishing period. Tags must be presented during the fishing period to be redeemed. All tagged fish must be caught in accordance with all state and local laws, codes, rules and regulations. Rules and regulations can be found at: http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/FishingRegulations.aspx.

For additional information, call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission plays an important role in keeping The Natural State true to its name. During the last 100 years, the agency has overseen the protection, conservation and preservation of various species of fish and wildlife in Arkansas. This is done through habitat management, fish stocking, hunting and fishing regulations, and a host of other programs.