Lake Catherine Bluegill Brings $1,000 Prize in $110,000 Hot Springs Fishing Challenge, but Winner Admits He Ate the Evidence
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Frank Kratz of Hot Springs caught a $1,000 bluegill Monday in the 2024 $110,000 Hot Springs Fishing Challenge but admits he ate the prize-winner before remembering to call the Visit Hot Springs Fish Patrol to document his good luck.
Kratz was fishing off his dock in the Diamond Head subdivision on Lake Catherine when he pulled in the $1,000 bluegill using a spinner bait and reel retriever.
The fish was among a bunch of crappie he caught and he cleaned and ate the fish before he remembered to call the Fish Patrol and show them Tag No. 72 as evidence of his catch. Krantz, who said he has been fishing since he was 5 years old, moved to Hot Springs from Malvern in 2017.
Kratz’s bluegill was the third fish caught thus far in the Fishing Challenge,
which began May 1 and runs until 5 p.m. July 31.
Lucky fishing fans have a shot at $110,000 in prizes — including $20,000 for anyone who lands Big Al, the grand prize fish named after Al Capone, who frequented Hot Springs in the days when the city was a haven for gangsters.
“We’re expecting more anglers to have big fun looking to land Big Al or one of the other 62 remaining prize fish that were tagged and released into Hamilton and Catherine by our partners at the Game and Fish Commission’s Andrew Hulsey Hatchery,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said. “We have Big Al worth $20,000, one fish worth $10,000, four worth $5,000, 38 remaining worth $1,000 and 20 worth $500.
“The $500 fish will double to $1,000 each during the Game and Fish Commission’s statewide Free Fishing Weekend June 7 through June 9. During that weekend everyone is invited to go fishing in Arkansas even if they don't have a fishing license.”
Arrison said the tagged fish are largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish. Each prize fish has 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 on the tag.
The Fine Print
The Hot Springs Fishing Challenge began at 6 a.m. May 1, 2024, and ends on July 31, 2024, at 5 p.m. Central Time. The Challenge provides anglers the opportunity to catch tagged fish that can be redeemed for cash prizes.
Eligibility: The contest is open to anyone with a valid Arkansas fishing license. (This requirement is waived the weekend of June 7 – 9.) 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.
How It Works: Sixty-six tagged fish (total) were released in Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. The fish released are largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish and channel catfish. The 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.
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
No cash prizes will be awarded to any participant who does not comply with state and local laws, codes, rules and regulations.
Publicity Release: Each angler who catches a prize fish grants Visit Hot Springs the rights to use their name, likeness, biographical information, and photographs, without compensation, in any and all media without limitation for advertising and promotional purposes.
General Prize Conditions: Prize winners shall be solely responsible for all federal, state and/or local taxes associated with their prize.
Prize Distribution: The tagged fish will each be assigned a number. Prize money will be divided among the remaining fish as follows:
1 fish — $20,000
1 fish — $10,000
4 fish — $5,000
37 fish —$1,000
20 fish —$500 ($1,000 during Free Fishing Weekend)
Total possible prize money if all fish are caught during the contest period is $110,000.
For additional information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.