While much of the Trout fishing in the US is focused on the West and East, Arkansas is one of the best Trout states out there. In fact, if I had to choose a state to chase big Brown Trout, it’d be Arkansas.
The state hosts giant reservoirs, spring-fed waters, and amazing rivers to pursue larger-than-average Trout. They have a mix of stocked and wild fish, which, although not native, makes the state a Trout fishing mecca with some of the best opportunities in the country.
Read on to learn all about Trout fishing in Arkansas. I’ll talk you through the basics and some specifics to get you familiar with the topic. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll not only agree with me that Trout fishing in the “Natural State” is awesome, but you’ll also be ready to hit the water! Let’s dive in…
Why Go Trout Fishing in Arkansas
Trout live in beautiful places, and many famous rivers are backdropped by giant mountain peaks in places like Montana and Idaho. However, in the Midwest, anglers can expect more opportunities for Bass, Catfish, and warm water species in lakes and slow-moving rivers.
Arkansas is an exception, as it has amazing Trout fishing. Big, deep reservoirs host massive Trout, while the tailwater fisheries below the dams are also world-class. Some of these rivers produce Brown Trout over 24 inches with surprising regularity!
The chance at a once-in-a-lifetime Trout draws anglers to Arkansas. But it’s not just the fishing that’s appealing! Towns like Fort Smith are charming, with a strong fishing culture too. Arkansas also stays true to its nickname, with beautiful landscapes featuring rolling hills and dense forests. This really is an amazing place to explore, and the Trout fishing is the cherry on the cake.
Top Trout Species in Arkansas
Stocking efforts add more than a million fish to Arkansas’s local waters each year. That means you’ll find an abundance of Trout species and plenty of fish to chase. And, while many waters are loaded with stockers, there are also numerous wild populations across the state.
Brown Trout
If there’s one Trout species that grabs anglers’ attention in Arkansas, it’s Brown Trout. The state record weighed over 40 pounds, coming from the Little Red River!
Arkansas is a truly unique place where the chance at giant Brown Trout exists for gear and fly anglers alike. Cold rivers and prolific forage fish, along with insects and crayfish, make it possible to grow quickly. The predatory nature of Brown Trout and the food available is the perfect combination for growth.
Rainbow Trout
While Brownies steal the headlines, the vast majority of Trout in Arkansas are Rainbow Trout. They’re stocked in large numbers, offering abundant populations, while wild populations also exist. As with every species, trophy potential is high, but anglers can also stay busy with limits of 12–18-inch class fish. You won’t be bored in Arkansas with the high opportunity for Rainbow Trout.
Brook Trout
Measured in pounds rather than inches, Brook Trout live in the tailwaters and spring-fed fisheries of Arkansas. The Little Red River, specifically, has produced state-record fish and is a great place to search for big Brookies, along with big Browns.
Tiger Trout
Ever heard about a cross between a Brown and Brook Trout? Enter Tiger Trout. This hybrid, sterile offspring is loved by every angler who comes into contact with its tiger stripes. They don’t make up a significant population of the fish within Arkansas’s Trout fisheries, so catching one is a rare and special occurrence!
Cutthroat Trout
You wouldn’t expect Cutthroat Trout in this part of the country, but Arkansas has stocked them in various waterways. Cutthroats actually thrive in the cold waters here, and a few anglers have caught massive specimens! The White River is one of the best places to search for a Cutthroat Trout over the 24-inch mark.
Golden Rainbow Trout
Don’t confuse these fish with the Golden Trout that are native to the High Sierras of California! This is actually a genetic play on the Rainbow Trout that creates a gold color variation. Arkansas rears these fish in hatcheries, and they’re part of the greater stocking program. Catching a Golden Rainbow Trout is a special experience that you won’t find in many other places.
How to Go Trout Fishing in Arkansas
Accessibility is one of the greatest things going for Arkansas Trout fishing. The state has a ton of water to explore and plenty of public sites to shore fish, wade fish, or launch boats from. Fishing from drift boats and motor boats is popular in the state, but there are tons of streams and bank spots that are excellent as well.
Here’s how I suggest you tackle the waters:
- Fly fishing. Arkansas’s rivers are some of the best in the country for fly anglers. Try fishing streamers to target the larger-than-average Brown Trout here. You can also fish nymphs and dry flies with success throughout the year.
- Casting lures. It’s hard to go wrong with a good spinner or Rapala-style lure. With the number of bait fish and forage fish in the rivers and lakes, lures can play on the strike instincts of larger fish.
- Bait fishing. Some Trout waters don’t allow bait, so make sure to check the regulations before heading out. Many of the lakes are great candidates for fishing worms and minnows, though.
- Trolling. This is best in Arkansas’s lakes, but you can also troll rivers where motors are allowed. Cutting the boat into a deep bank while dropping lures down deep can be a great strategy to entice the bite.
Where to Go Trout Fishing in Arkansas
Most of the rivers where Trout live in Arkansas are created below dams on the many big reservoirs in the center of the state. Some of the reservoirs themselves also offer Trout fishing, but the dams release cold water that makes perfect river habitats. Despite this, there are also spring-fed rivers and creeks in the state, so let’s take a closer look at the best spots to fish:
- White River. This is the premier river for Trout fishing in Arkansas, and it’s popular with both fly and conventional anglers. A drift boat or motor boat is a major asset, but you can do well from the shore below the dam and from various access points.
- Little Red River. This tailwater stream flows below a dam on Greers Ferry Reservoir. It’s smaller and more intimate than the larger White River and produces some very large Brown Trout.
- Norfork. Flowing from Norfork Reservoir, this is a great wade fishery that flows into the White River. It’s a fantastic place to target big Trout on foot.
- Ouachita River. This is really a series of tailwaters with great access for boat and shore fishing. It’s heavily stocked and is a favorite for anglers in the winter months.
- Beaver Dam Tailwater. Be careful wading here, as the power turbines create sudden rises and drops in flow. Otherwise, this is a great little river that’s loaded with scuds as a rich food source.
- Crooked Creek. Looking for an intimate creek with strong Brook Trout populations? This is an excellent stream to cast dry flies and catch quality Brookies throughout the year.
Keep in mind, this is just a sample of the waters open to Trout fishing in Arkansas. The reservoir systems offer a ton of dam-fed tailwaters to explore, and there’s a lifetime of opportunity for dedicated anglers!
Trout Fishing Seasons in Arkansas
Arkansas is a year-round Trout fishing destination. You can chase fish 12 months out of the year on many of the Trout-specific waters. A few places do have temporary closures for specific reasons, however, where protecting spawning Trout leads to short-term closures. But, in general, the majority of Trout waters are open throughout the year.
Arkansas Trout Fishing Regulations
The biggest thing to understand about Trout in Arkansas is the desire to protect wild Brown Trout. In most rivers, it’s mandatory catch and release for Brown Trout to protect viable populations in the Trout Specific Waters. You’ll also find mandatory artificial fly- or lure-only restrictions with barbless hooks on many of the state’s prime waters, like the White and Little Red Rivers.
For general catch and keep, anglers can take five fish daily with 10 in possession, with only one exceeding 20 inches. On Trout waters that are not “specific”, you can keep up to two Brown Trout, two Cutthroat Trout, and two Rainbow Trout.
The regulations are always subject to change, and they often vary by specific water categories. Always carry a regulation booklet and read the rules before going fishing. One thing you’ll almost always need, though, is an Arkansas fishing license and Trout permit!
Arkansas Trout Fishing FAQs
Arkansas: A Trophy Trout State
After all that, it’s now time to get excited about an Arkansas road trip. I fished many of these waters while attending college in Missouri and absolutely love the region. It’s the perfect place for a fishing road trip or you can target a few rivers in a smaller area. However you go fishing in Arkansas, there’s always the chance of catching a monster Trout. It’s time for you to get out there!
Are you an Arkansas Trout fanatic? We’d love to hear your favorite fish tales from the state. Share your story in the comments below!
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