Thinking about going fishing in Arkansas?
Arkansas is a beautiful part of the world. To add to that, there are a large number of fishing opportunities within the state. Trout aren’t native to Arkansas, but since their release in 1960, the population has exploded.
In this article, we teamed up with the people at Fly Fisher Pro to bring to you some of the best spots they have uncovered to go fishing in Arkansas. So pack up your fly rod and get ready to land a lunker!
Lake Ouachita
Lake Ouachita is the perfect place to take the kids on a day out. It has absolutely stunning views and crystal-clear water that will leave a lasting impression.
But that’s not all, of course. Lake Ouachita is stocked with sports fish, and there’s a large population of rainbow trout there.
Bull Shoals Lake
Bull Shoals Lake is the place to go for that monster you’ve dreamed of. Our top tip here is to head to the area just downstream of the lake itself, near the outlet.
This spot is a closely guarded secret among avid fly fishers. The majority of the trout are in the region of 15-20 inches here. Brown and rainbow trout are regularly stocked in the Bull Shoals Lake. There are also crappie, bass and walleye, too.
Beaver Lake
Beaver Lake near Rogers is another great spot if you prefer catching trout over chasing that elusive lunker. It’s popular with locals who prefer the pace of lake fishing.
Since the dam was built, a large number of warm water species died as the water temperature fell. The AGFC began to experiment with introducing trout and they took off. The trout continue to grow in number and in size very rapidly.
Greers Ferry Lake
Greers Ferry Lake is a large, deep lake, not far from the Ozark foothills. There was a dam constructed here in 1964, which when fed by the Little Red River, created this beautiful lake. The fishing here has always been regarded as excellent with trophy trout caught regularly.
The 40,000-acre lake a favoured tourist destination, but it never gets too busy and bustling. Here you’ll find both rainbow and maybe even a brown trout (if you’re lucky).
The White River
The White River in northern Arkansas is the premier trout fishery in the state. With over 100 miles of fishable water for you to take advantage of, it’s a great place to start!
There are a large number of access points along the river with plenty of easy-going locals to help get you off to a good start. For some of the best local knowledge, it’s always good practice to stop off at one of the local fly shops.
Norfork River
Despite only having around five miles of fishable water, the Norfork River is some home to some fantastic fish. Back in 1988, there was a 39-pound monster caught here, which held the world record at the time.
If you’re looking to land yourself a whopper, then this river is for you. Norfork River is a tailwater running from Norfork Lake and is home to four species of trout. The river from Long Hole to the River Ridge is catch and release, but if you’re looking to take home dinner you can find spots to do so too.
Spring River
If you’re looking for a place to go fly fishing for trout in northern Arkansas (close to Missouri), then check out Spring River.
There are around 10 miles of pristine trout fishing, with several access points. The fish are responsive to fly fishing. We recommend you try fishing the section between Mammoth Spring and Dam 3 as we’ve had amazing success here.
Wrap Up
So there you have it, some of the finest spots for fishing in Arkansas. For a full guide including licenses and regulations, fly recommendations and Arkansas fishing tips check out their full guide at flyfisherpro.com.
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