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Arkansas fisherman pulls 165-pound paddlefish onto shore: ‘Fish of a lifetime’

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Arkansas fisherman pulls 165-pound paddlefish onto shore: ‘Fish of a lifetime’


An Arkansas fisherman brought ashore a large, 165-pound fish from Beaver Lake — but not with his rod and reel.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) shared news of the catch on its Facebook page describing the fisherman’s heroic efforts to save the fish.

The AGFC’s Facebook read that the “paddlefish was hit by a boat prop and had its soft spinal cord severed.”

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The fisherman, Bo Johnson, notified the AGFC of his discovery and revealed how he found “a large paddlefish that was hit by a boat on Beaver Lake,” Jon Stein, district fisheries supervisor at the AGFC, told Fox News Digital. 

Even though it was not officially “caught,” the AGFC still considers this catch to be “a fish of a lifetime.” (Bo Johnson)

The Arkansas native swam out to recover the fish after he found it floating in the water, the AGFC shared on Facebook. 

Once brought onto shore, the paddlefish weighed 165 pounds and measured 75 inches long from the tip of its paddle-shaped rostrum to the end its tail, according to Fox 24 KFTA in Arkansas.

While this size could constitute for a state record, the fish does not fit the qualifications because it was hit by a boat and not caught with a fishing rod, Stein commented.

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Even though it was not officially “caught,” the AGFC still considers this catch to be “a fish of a lifetime,” the news station reported.

paddlefish mouth

An Arkansas fisherman saw a large fish floating in Beaver Lake and swam out only to discover a 165-pound paddlefish that had been hit by a boat, severing its spinal cord. (Bo Johnson)

The current state record in Arkansas for the largest paddlefish ever caught was certified in 2020 at Beaver Lake. The catch weighed 118 pounds.

“Paddlefish are native to the Mississippi River drainage and that includes hundreds of tributaries to the river,” Stein shared.

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“There is a good naturally reproducing population in the Arkansas River as well,” he added.

Paddlefish were stocked in Beaver Lake from 1990-2000 by the AGFC, Stein continued.

paddlefish length

Paddlefish are considered to be “prehistoric” because they are predominately made up of cartilage instead of a hard structure.  (Bo Johnson)

Paddlefish have very few bones and are predominately made up of cartilage like sharks, instead of a hard structure, making them “prehistoric,” Fox 24 stated.

Paddlefish are heavily stocked in lakes because biologists and anglers have noted how quickly these species can grow in reservoirs, Stein added.

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The current world record for the largest paddlefish caught with a hook and line was in an Oklahoma reservoir in 2021. The fish weighed 164 pounds, Fox News Digital reported at the time.

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“Beaver Lake has a small population of very large Paddlefish, and AGFC is looking into allowing a snagging season in the future,” the AGFC stated.



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Arkansas

VIDEO: Calipari, Aidoo postgame – Florida 71, Arkansas 63

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VIDEO: Calipari, Aidoo postgame – Florida 71, Arkansas 63


Watch the postgame press conference from Arkansas head coach John Calipari and center Jonas Aidoo after the 71-63 loss to Florida on Saturday afternoon at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

Visit our homepage for complete coverage of Arkansas basketball, including everything you need to know from the Hoop Hogs’ game.



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2025 Small Works on Paper tour opens Monday at UALR | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

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2025 Small Works on Paper tour opens Monday at UALR | Arkansas Democrat Gazette


The Arkansas Arts Council’s 2025 Small Works on Paper touring exhibition debuts Monday and remains on display through Feb. 16 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Windgate Center of Art + Design, 2801 S. University Ave., Little Rock.

A reception, 5-7 p.m. Jan. 30, will feature presentations by the 35 Arkansas artists whose 40 pieces, no larger than 18-by-24 inches, are part of the exhibition. Refreshments will be served.

Admission to the reception and the gallery is free. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Sunday.

The visual art exhibition is in its 38th year, spotlighting Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online gallery maintained by the Arkansas Arts Council. Most works will be available for sale with all proceeds benefiting the artists. The exhibition will tour nine venues statewide.

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This year’s juror, New Jersey-based artist Mario A. Robinson, reviewed more than 200 entries and chose the work of three artists — Jennifer Barnett and Derek Slagle, both of Little Rock, and Richard Stephens of Hot Springs — for purchase awards that will become part of the Small Works on Paper permanent collection. The artists receive cash awards that are equivalent to the value of their artwork.

    “Weird Weather,” acrylic painting by Susan Chambers of Little Rock; “Good Days,” acrylic on newspaper by Alexia Lams of Pine Bluff; “Offerings,” watercolor and thread on paper by Rhaelene Lowther of Magnolia; “Hillside Hives,” pastel and graphite on brown paper by David Mudrinich of Russellville; and “The Old Neighborhood,” pastel by Dennis McCann of Maumelle, are part of the Arkansas Arts Council’s 2025 Small Works on Paper touring exhibition, debuting Monday and on display through Feb. 16 at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Windgate Center of Art + Design. (Special to the Democrat-Gazette)
 
 

The exhibition will be on display:

◼️ March 3-26 at the River Valley Arts Center, 1001 E. St., Russellville (rivervalleyartscenter.org)

◼️ April 3-30 at the Walton Arts Center’s Community Creative Center, 505 W. Spring St., Fayetteville (communitycreativecenter.org)

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◼️ May 5-28 at the Ouachita Center, University of Arkansas Rich Mountain, 1100 College Drive, Mena (uarichmountain.edu/index.html)

◼️ June 6-28 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., Pine Bluff (artx3.org/home)

◼️ July 11-Aug. 22 at the Delta Cultural Center, 141 Cherry St., Helena (arkansasheritage.com/delta-cultural-center)

◼️ Sept. 4-29 at Southern Arkansas University’s Brinson Art Gallery, 100 E. University St., Magnolia (saumag.edu)

◼️ Oct. 6-28 at the Glassblock Gallery, Taylor Library, University of Arkansas at Monticello, 346 University Ave., Monticello (uamont.edu)

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◼️ Nov. 4-22 at Harding University’s Stevens Art Center, 915 E. Market Ave., Searcy (harding.edu).

For more information, call (501) 324-9767, email at cheri.leffew@arkansas.gov or visit ArkansasArts.org.



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DoorDash activates severe weather protocol, suspending service in parts of Arkansas

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DoorDash activates severe weather protocol, suspending service in parts of Arkansas


LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Due to the ongoing winter storm sweeping through the Natural State, DoorDash has activated its Severe Weather Protocol and temporarily suspended operations in Little Rock and various parts of the Natural State.

According to a release Friday night, the precautionary measure comes as the winter storms deliver hazardous conditions across the city, including heavy snowfall and strong winds.

Cities with suspended operations include Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Pine Bluff, Jacksonville, Cabot, Searcy, Malvern, Lonoke, Heber Springs, Star City, Clinton, Rison and Sheridan.

“With heavy snowfall and low visibility, the snowstorm is a serious threat to our community, and we’ve taken decisive action by activating our Severe Weather Protocol,” DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley said. “We deeply appreciate the patience and understanding of Dashers, merchants and consumers, and will resume operations as soon as it’s safe to do so.”

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Officials said they will continue to monitor conditions on the ground and will communicate additional changes to their operations as needed. 



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