Hot Springs fishing challenge underway, $86,000 in prize money on the line

The 5th Annual Hot Springs Fishing Challenge from Lakes Catherine and Hamilton is underway from now through July 31 with a number of cash prizes available, including a cash reward for the capture of “Big Al.”

That particular challenge has gone unfulfilled for the last four years, with $10,000 in prize money at stake. “Big Al,” according to an official press release, is the name given to a fish that bears the 2016 white tag. The fish could be one of six species.

The Visit Hot Springs Facebook page will post updates through the end of the contest, and will be partnering with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Andrew Hulsey Fish Hatchery, who together select and tag the prize fish as well as supervise the release of the fish into the lakes.

The Hot Springs Fishing Challenge will end at 5 p.m. on July 31. The contest is open to anyone with a valid Arkansas fishing license. Employees of the Hot Springs Advertising and Promotion Commission, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at the Andrew H. Hulsey Fish Hatchery, and their immediate family members, and/or those living in the same household of each are ineligible to win a cash prize.

A total of 60 tagged fish are in both lakes. Fish species include largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish, white bass, crappie, and walleye. Tags will 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. The release of 11 “bonus fish” began on May 12 and will continue through July 21.

Prize money will be divided as follows: 1 fish, with a $10,000 tag; 4 fish with $5,000 tags; 35 fish with $1,000 tags; 11 bonus fish worth $1,000; and 20 fish worth $500. Total possible prize money if all fish are caught during the contest period is $86,000.