In the world of the economy, fishing is big business. The American Sportfishing Association calculates the total economic impact of fishing in Arkansas alone to have exceeded $1.5 billion in 2003. So it only makes sense for state game and fish agencies to attempt to maximize fishing opportunities, as practically everyone feels the effects: Anglers enjoy more productive fishing; the businesses along the lakes receive income from visitors and local guides line up client after client.

And at the point at which fishing and economics intersect, the largemouth bass is king, accounting for far more revenue than any other fish species. Why? Simple: The largemouth is the most popular fish in the country.

The extreme popularity of largemouth bass and all the resulting consequences -- including economic impact -- have led many states to implement extensive largemouth bass management programs. Every bass angler wants the local lake to offer the best angling possible, but if it doesn't have topnotch fishing, traveling to another lake to experience a great day on the water isn't a problem.

One trend in largemouth bass management is the stocking of Florida-strain largemouth bass. When conditions are appropriate, Florida bass grow larger and faster than do northern-strain bass. Years ago, the only place in which pure Florida-strain bass were found was, obviously, Florida. According to some scientists, "Florida bass" (as they're commonly called) are a separate species, but their appearance is so similar to that of the northern-strain bass is so close, as is their genetic relation, that the International Game Fish Association and many biologists choose to keep both in one category.

With the appearance in the 1970s of bass approaching and exceeding 20 pounds, California proved what Florida bass stocking can do under the proper conditions. The state soon started stocking Florida bass in lakes and rivers all over California.

Texas soon followed suit. Lake Fork was impounded in 1980 and stocked with Florida bass. The lake had completely filled in 1985, and by the late '80s was one of the hottest largemouth fisheries on the planet, with double-digit largemouths being caught on a daily basis and anglers from around the world flocking to the lake with the expectation of catching the fish of a lifetime. Texas officials then started stocking Florida bass around their state.

Now all the Gulf Coast states have stocked Florida bass to some degree, and other states, from Arizona to Oklahoma to South Carolina to Arkansas, also have active Florida bass stocking programs.

"Historical stocking records show that Florida largemouths were stocked in some Arkansas lakes in the '70s," said Kevin Hopkins, assistant black-bass biologist with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. "However, it was not until the early '90s that the Andrew Hulsey Hatchery in Hot Springs began maintaining and producing genetically pure Florida largemouth bass for stocking into public waters."

ARKANSAS FLORIDA BASS PROGRAM
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has set aside a handful of lakes for regular stockings of Florida bass. These waters tend to be in the southern and lowland parts of the state, because they lie amid a climate slightly warmer than that typical of the highlands of the Ozarks and Ouachitas. With the exception of Lake Millwood, all of the lakes receiving regular stockings of Florida bass also tend to be relatively small, so each gets more of a boost from the injection of Florida genes.