November is a great time to fish for trout, particularly on the White River below Bull Shoals and Norfork dams, where brown trout make their spawning runs. By the time you finish with this quick guide, youll have a pretty good map of where and how to find some real river monsters the next time you go out for trout. It does cost a little more, but for me its worth it. They change everyday. Those that want to fish the White River Border Lakes are going to have to pay extra for permits to access that water, too. Spring yields good rainbow opportunities, while fall is your best bet for the bigger browns. Best Time For Trout Fishing In Arkansas - All About Fishing. Just dont expect to catch fish at the same rate as you would at White River. I have gotten into the habit of FedExing my gear. This is a fitting choice, and tells you just exactly how much the land has to offer to a fly fisherman. Dam tailwaters require that you be alert to changes in the water level when the generators are active, the water rise can rise quickly so if you notice any changes make sure youre able to move to the bank quickly. The lake is fairly large when you compare it to other lakes in the area. He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. There wasnt a lot of action, there werent a lot of nonresidents fishing it, and because it is smaller than both the Norfolk and the White rivers there wasnt really a lot of reason for outsiders to consider fishing it, too. Or, look for blue catfish on the Mississippi River. This is why its sort of flies under the radar when people think about big trout fishing states, especially out in the western part of the country. November sixth tends to be the day that most trout fishermen start heading out to their favorite lakes. major Time: 07:19 am - 09:19 am. What is the best time to trout fish in Arkansas? Three-day and seven-day fishing permits are available as well, costing $16 and $25 respectively. Stick to the spots we highlight below (at least at first) and youll give yourself the best chance of landing some real whoppers. Years ago, some buddies from work who knew I enjoyed fly fishing invited me to travel to Arkansas with them for 4 days. The breathtaking natural beauty of the mountainous countryside combines with clear pools, rushing whitewaters, and a variety of fish to create an idyllic fly fishermans paradise. Among the 9700 miles of streams and rivers, and 600,000 acres of lakes, here are a few great places to start. But if youre after big browns with butter bellies this is the spot to be! The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". The best spots here are just below the dam on the Mammoth Springs area (over by the RV Park) with plenty of access along Riverview Drive. Its about seven and a half miles long, and some sections are shallow enough for fly fishermen to wade. The generators pump fresh water into the river and oxygenate it frequently. If needed contact info -, https://www.agfc.com/en/fishing/state-records/, https://swpa.gov/generationschedules.aspx, Mammoth Spring State Park Spring River Fishing, https://www.agfc.com/en/fishing/where-fish/public-fishing-areas/, https://www.agfc.com/en/fishing/where-fish/family-and-community/stocking/, The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing for Brown Trout, The Complete Guide to Fly Fishing for Rainbow Trout, Sowbugs in size 14, dead drifted close to the bottom, Sowbugs with a light grey translucent size 12, Dark Midges, I like going small like size 16 tied on behind a bead head san juan worm. Winter crappie fishingbegins in mid-February. What is the best time to trout fish in Arkansas? Similar in size and stature to the White River, this tailwater is the definition of a trout fishermans paradise. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. The March brown hatch happens from February to May, while light cahills make late summer through October ideal for a dry fly. The fishing here has always been regarded as excellent with trophy trout caught regularly. Dont forget those nymphs like a pheasant tail and a March Brown Nymph in size 12. In early summer youll find that nymph fishing is lucrative and the water depth is usually amenable for drifting. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Clear shorelines help your back cast and the deep water can yield a surprise if you can present your fly appropriately. Top Locations for Trout Fishing in Arkansas (AR) 1. You'll start to catch less of them towards the middle of December. In Arkansas, the best time to start targeting trout is in autumn. Beaver Tailwater this fishery is created by the Beaver Dam near Eureka Springs. White River is a somewhat special location due to the eight water generators that are in it. Because this is just a general list it will be important to check with the local fly shops for more up-to-date information. It wasnt until the 1960s that the Department of Fisheries in Arkansas decided to release stocked rainbow trout in rivers and lakes across the state. The North Fork River injects freshly cooled and oxygenated water into the White about 35 or 40 miles downstream enabling trout to survive well below these great dams. The truth is these are the worst times of day on most days to catch trout. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, anyone may fish in Arkansas without a fishing license or trout stamp from noon Friday, June 9, through midnight Sunday night, June 11.AGFC Director Austin Booth read the proclamation at the May 18 meeting of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, thanking Gov. Its not as well-known as much of a trout hotspot the way that Montana, Idaho, Colorado, or even Vermont are, but those in-the-know love and appreciate all the trout fishing in Arkansas that goes overlooked. Just west of Hot Springs canoes can be rented at one of the many liveries from Caddo Gap to Glenwood. What is the best time to fish today in Arkansas? Always use barbless hooks for trout unless you plan to eat what you catch. This natural treasure stands out among the crowd of Arkansas trout fisheries due to the fact that its water comes from Mother Nature rather than from a manmade lake. You also cant use real baits. The White River is world-renowned for some of the finest trout fishing anywhere It is home to 4 species of trout; Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Brook Trout, which were introduced in the late 1950s by AGFC after construction of the dams. Fantastic access through out the cold water area. The world record was broken at Norfork River, and there are plenty of massive trout for you to catch to this day. When trout anglers refer to the White River, most often they are referring to the Bull Shoals Tailwater, which supports more fishing resorts and fishing guides than all the other Ozark tailwaters combined. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission can provide you with permit information and additional resources. November is a great time to fish for trout, particularly on the White River below Bull Shoals and Norfork dams, where brown trout make their spawning runs. Go just a bit southwest of Little Rock and youll find Lake Catherine one of five waters known as the Diamond Lakes. And as an Amazon Associate, we earn a commission on qualifying purchases after clicking on those links, at no additional cost to you. Dead drifting streamers work the best all throughout the year, as it helps to perfectly emulate the amount of threadfin shad that trout feast on throughout these runs. Read my review Here and watch my on-water review of the Foundation HERE ON YOUTUBE. But if you want to get to some really exclusive spots and weed out the competition its not a bad idea to grab a canoe, a drift boat, or a Jon boat especially if youre going to be fly fishing. We've had a great week on the river catching trout with spoons, spinners, jigs, stick baits and PowerBait, so it's been easy to keep them occupied." Ive got a FREE video workshop teaching how to dry fly fish at this link How 2 Fly Fish, Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | About | Contact | The Team | Advertise with Guide Recommended, Disclosure: "This site is owned and operated by River Traditions LLC, a limited liability company headquartered in Michigan, USA. If youve been thinking about making a trip to fish any of the more than 9000 miles of water across the state youre probably hoping for some tips and tricks. As the experts of this popular waterway will tell you, any time of year is good, it is only your method that will change. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has accepted five new changes to trout fishing regulations, after a year of discussion. Website, Dallys Ozark Fly Fisher has an amazing website with timely fishing reports and insider information. If youre a senior citizen, you qualify for a license and permit that lasts the rest of your lifetime. If you were to ask me where I could GUARANTEE catching trout on a fly rod I would send you to Arkansas. Bull Shoals Lake is a great spot if you want to consistently catch massive trout. Not only will you find a robust trout population, but while youre casting your line youll be surrounding by incredible scenery. Cold water rushes through this tailwater on a regular basis, hovering between 47F and 54F practically all year round. White River Trout Fishing Information. Bull Shoals-White River State Park has become a very popular fishing destination since it was established in 1955, following the completion of Bull Shoals Dam. It can be tough to catch the spawning run but if you hit it right, Hang On!! Boat access is available through Dam Site Park and at Houseman Access just east of Busch, and wading accesses are available at Dam Site Park and Parker Bend. Flathead fishing peaks in October and November when they go on feeding frenzies to fatten up for the winter. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Its not a spot that is designed for advanced fishermen to target record-breaking fish. Guides are a little bit pricey at first blush (ranging anywhere between $100 a day and $300 a day or so in Arkansas) but the information they can give you is invaluable. Trout generally are more active when water temperatures are in their comfort range: 45 to 65 degrees. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Remember, these are people that spend almost every single day on the exact same Arkansas waters year-end and year out. A lot of people are surprised to learn that trout fishing in Arkansas offers some of the best trout fishing, not just in the country, but anywhere in the world. Below the Narrows Dam is another tailwater fisher worth noting. Its not uncommon to hook a 16-20-inch trout, and you can keep up to five per day including no more than one brown (24 or inches or longer), two cutthroat (16+ inches), and two brook (14+ inches). Those fish are the foundation of today's thriving population, and the heaviest spawning activity still occurs here each fall. The property has a decent restaurant and rents boats. But netting a huge trout and having your child pose with a huge grin is the reward. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". You can find access at to the north side of the river at Dam Site Park a nice gravely bank allows streamers to be swung through a picture-perfect run downstream to Riverview Campground. The sowbug, or freshwater shrimp some anglers call them. These permits cost the same whether you are a resident or a nonresident, coming in at $10 per year. These waters offer three catch and release areas, and an abundance of pools, pockets, and runs. The Foundation is a fast fly rod and I like overlining it to a 6 weight forward floating line. Arkansas Trout Season Anglers of all skill levels come from around the world to try their hand at catching some of the record-size trout found in the White River. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. In May, bluegills are on their beds.
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