Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Eric Watts of Little Rock as the February installment of Faces of Arkansas, a monthly series highlighting residents whose portraits are displayed at the entrance to the Governor’s office.
Watts, owner of Natural State Fishing, operates a guiding service on Lake Maumelle that serves everyone from first-time anglers to experienced fishers. The recognition highlights his work connecting people with Arkansas’ outdoor recreation economy.
“This is my natural state of being,” said Watts. “And I think it’s most people’s natural state of being – when you’re one with nature, connected with the outdoors, connected with God. When you’re on the water, the hustle and bustle of everyday life is gone. You’re just right here in the moment.”
Outdoor recreation has become Arkansas’ second-largest industry behind agriculture. In 2023, outdoor recreation contributed more than $7 billion to the state’s economy and supported nearly 70,000 jobs. Fishing value has increased more than 36 percent over recent years, ranking Arkansas among the top states nationwide.
Watts grew up fishing with his grandfather, father, and uncles in Mississippi and along the Gulf Coast. Before fishing full-time, he worked nearly eight years in furniture manufacturing after briefly attending the University of Arkansas.
“My favorite part is seeing people light up,” Watts said. “A lot of my clients, it’s their first time ever fishing. Watching them catch a fish, but also watching all the cares of the world go away, that’s the experience.”
Lake Maumelle, located just miles from downtown Little Rock, supplies roughly 90 percent of the city’s drinking water while serving as a hub for fishing, boating, and wildlife recreation. It sits within the Maumelle Pinnacles Conservation Area, which encompasses Pinnacle Mountain State Park and nearly 55,000 acres of protected land.
The Faces of Arkansas series was launched to keep the focus of public service rooted in the individuals and communities across the state. Each month features a different Arkansan through a written profile, portrait photography, and a short video, with their framed photo hanging inside the Capitol.
A video interview with Watts is available at https://youtube.com/shorts/7vzZUMrL2fU?feature=share.
