Currently, the best available production statistics suggest that the total aquaculture acreage in Arkansas has grown from 55,649 in 1989 to 65,919 in 1995. The aquaculture industry in Arkansas is very diverse, including production in hybrid striped bass, bass, bream, crappie, tilapia, Chinese carps, ornamental fish and trout. However, the leading aquaculture industries in Arkansas are the baitfish and catfish industries. The industry is concentrated in central Arkansas with approximately 23,000 acres of baitfish production in Lonoke and Prairie counties.
Catfish production continues to grow at a rapid pace in Arkansas.
The catfish industry is primarily concentrated in southeast Arkansas with nearly 10,000 acres in Chicot county alone. However, other areas of the state have tremendous potential for catfish production with significant growth already occurring in northeast Arkansas.