
Discover Events

Petit Jean State Parks
Arkansas State Parks Calendar of Events
In-seine Adventure
Tuesday, August 05, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the fishing pier for your chance to pull a seine in Lake Bennet! Once we have seined, we will identify what we catch. Please wear appropriate clothes and shoes for…
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What's the Catch?
Thursday, August 07, 2025
/ 3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Do fish have a sixth sense? Meet a park interpreter at the Lake Center to discover how fish use their senses to navigate their underwater world. We will make a paper fish craft, all while…
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Fishing 101
Friday, August 08, 2025
/ 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Have you ever wanted to go fishing but didn’t know where to start? Look no further! Join the park interpreter to learn the basics of fishing, what gear you need to get started, and how to get in on…
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Fly Fishing 101
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Think fly fishing can only be done in world-class trout rivers? Think again! Fly fishing can be done anywhere that conventional tackle is used, but with special considerations for certain types of…
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Intro to Fishing Lake Bailey - Bluegill
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn how to catch one of Lake Bailey's most common fish species, the bluegill sunfish. We will learn how to set up your rod, tie on your hook and look for bait. At the end,…
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What's for Lunch
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
We have 8,000 gallons of aquariums, filled with many of the fish species found in Lake Dardanelle. Join park staff in the visitor center as they feed the fish live food. See for yourself, what’s for…
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In-seine Adventure
Saturday, August 09, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Join a park interpreter at the fishing pier for your chance to pull a seine in Lake Bennet! Once we have seined, we will identify what we catch. Please wear appropriate clothes and shoes for…
Read more
Diversity Discovery
Sunday, August 10, 2025
/ 11 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.
Join a park interpreter to learn more about freshwater diversity. Get the opportunity to “fish” for common species in Lake Bennet, as well as learn how to better protect the health of our lake.…
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What's for Lunch
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
We have 8,000 gallons of aquariums, filled with many of the fish species found in Lake Dardanelle. Join park staff in the visitor center as they feed the fish live food. See for yourself, what’s for…
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Historic Angling Workshop
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
People have been fishing at Lake Chicot for hundreds of years. Join a park interpreter to learn about the different methods used throughout time for recreation and survival. Then test your skills by…
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Backyard Bass
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Backyard Bass is the perfect game for beginning anglers of all ages. Join a park interpreter to learn more about fishing and practicing your casting skills while staying high and dry in this fun game!…
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Cast Away!
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
You can cast away your worries and reel in the fun at Lake Frierson State Park. Join the park interpreter to test out your casting skills, see what is in Lake Frierson, and reel in fun opportunities…
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Fish Cleaning Demonstration
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Would you like to begin utilizing the fish you catch as food to feed your family? Join a park employee and learn how to clean a fish and use the Lake Chicot State Park fish cleaning station.…
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What's for Lunch
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
We have 8,000 gallons of aquariums, filled with many of the fish species found in Lake Dardanelle. Join park staff in the visitor center as they feed the fish live food. See for yourself, what’s for…
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Fish Prints
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Lake Dardanelle’s fishery is healthy and diverse. We’ll be using the fishery as inspiration to make some beautiful creations. Meet a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the visitor center…
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Backyard Bass
Saturday, August 16, 2025
/ 2:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Backyard Bass is the perfect game for beginning anglers of all ages. Join a park interpreter to learn more about fishing and practicing your casting skills while staying high and dry in this fun…
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Tools of Survival
Sunday, August 17, 2025
/ 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
How did early Arkansans survive without
modern tools? Join a park interpreter in the grassy area across from the
visitor center to explore the traditional tools and weapons used for hunting,
fishing,…
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Fashion a Fish
Sunday, August 17, 2025
/ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Learn about the wide variety of shapes and sizes of fish that live in Lake Dardanelle due to its health and diversity. After you discover the reasons for their shapes, you can create a fish of your…
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Night Sky Fishing
Sunday, August 17, 2025
/ 8:15 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Curious about what kinds of insects call Petit Jean Mountain home? Join a park interpreter at the amphitheater to learn about moths, beetles, and other interesting insects. We will use a unique method…
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Think Like a Fish
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
/ 9 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Want to catch more fish? Want to know more about what fish eat and where they live? Meet a park interpreter to think like a fish and discover more about the fish that live in Lake Fort Smith.
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