 Show Trout are not native to Arkansas. Arkansas's trout fisheries are the result of cold-water discharge downstream from many U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams. Before these dams, the White River was full of smallmouth bass and other warmwater fish. The coldwater discharge wiped out the smallmouth fisheries. The federal government mitigated the damage through the annual stocking of trout, which can handle much colder water temperatures. Brown trout can reproduce successfully in Arkansas, but rainbow trout populations require annual stockings.
Tailwater Management Plan Meeting Notes
Trout are not native to The Natural State, yet Arkansas is famous beyond its borders for its outstanding trout fisheries. The fish were introduced starting in the late 40s when U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dams were built on several Arkansas rivers for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. To mitigate the loss of warm water fisheries, trout were stocked in the newly created and cold tailwaters. Today, more than 1.5 million trout are stocked annually in Arkansas. You can cast a line in Arkansas trout waters for rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat, golden rainbow, and tiger trout. While browns can reproduce and there is some evidence that a couple of the other trout species may be able to as well, the trout fisheries are sustained by stocking. Trout Waters Trout fishing action is found in the tailwaters of Beaver, Bull Shoals, Norfork, Greers Ferry, and Greeson lakes and the Ouachita River. Additionally, the Spring River, originating from Mammoth Spring with a flow of 9 million gallons of water hourly, is cold enough for trout at a constant 58 degrees Fahrenheit. The White River is one of the most popular trout streams, particularly below Bull Shoals Dam and on the North Fork of the White River below Norfork Dam. The Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam is another hot spot. Anglers hit the waters with fly rods or spinning rods, wading or fishing from a boat. Many people rent boats or guide services. Maps with marked public access walk-in points can be found on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website — AGFC.com. These maps also show boat access, catch and release areas, shoals, handicap access, and more. Phone numbers to call for water generation information at each fishery are also on the map. When fishing cold trout waters below Arkansas dams be aware of water generation. Water flows are driven by hydro-electric demand and flood control. Listen for a horn to blow when generation starts. However, always be aware of water depth and move to the bank if you see the water is rising. It rises quickly and you don’t want to get caught in a swift current on the wrong side of the river. Flies/Baits/Lures Poplar baits for spin rods include live worms, marshmallows and corn, power bait, and zig jigs. For fly anglers, the nearest fly shops to the river you are fishing is the best place to find out what flies the fish are biting on as it can change with the seasons and from day to day.
Spawning brown trout on the White River in Arkansas can be caught throughout the year. Giant Winter Trout. Winter trout fishing at its finest! James landed this beautiful big brown trout on the White River in Arkansas
Here’s a visitors guide to some of the best times to fish, and the best rivers for Arkansas’s Trophy Brown Trout, Rainbow, Brook Trout, and Cutthroats. This listing should help anglers plan guided fishing trips in Arkanasa’s White & Norfork River. When to trout fish in Arkansas? When to fish White River TroutTruly the best time to fish White River Trout, and land a trophy brown trout of a lifetime is during the winter months. Late Fall – Early winter has giant brown trout in spawning mode. When to fish Arkansas? Spawning trout equals bead fishing for trout. No other guide service is more dialed in on bead fishing than we are. We’ve spent thousands of hours painting custom beads to match trout eggs. We have mastered bead fishing for trout. Bead fishing can be used while fly fishing or light spinning tackle under a float while side drifting, (Boon-Doogling) in a jet boat , or drift boat, whichever you prefer. (231) 519-7348 When to fish White River Trout? Aside from bead fishing, the second major deal during then winter is the “Shad Kill”. The annual shad die off is the “Easy Button” for huge trout. Shad flushed through the turbines are easy prey. Our favorite technique during this time is ripping huge streamers against the shoreline, or casting jerk baits along the bank. These methods are energetic and face paced and produce fish big time! If there is tough bite, our ace in the hole is fishing live shad or river shiners drifted along the bottom with a couple small split shot. This rig is simple but, can get them to bite when not much else will. It takes patience to wait for the big take, but he’s there when you set! Fish on! Best Lures for White River Trout in Arkansas. Rapala Count down #6 Rainbow Trout. Rapala X-Rap Brown Trout or Rainbow Trout color. Panther Martin Spinners. Gold Blade / Black Body, white rooster tail spinners, Berkley Fenzy body baits. Deep Junior Thunder stick. Rainbow Trout or Brown Trout Color. Power Bait Hot Pink. Berkley Power Bait Shrimp. Power Bait Marshmallows. King Salmon eggs. Egg Flies. Streamer Flies. (231) 519-7348 What months are best for trout fishing?June and July are very productive months for catching good quantities of large rainbow trout. At this particular time of year, large, mature fish are congregating around stream mouths and spawning areas in the lakes. The trout are preparing to swim with a mate up the streams and rivers to spawn.
What season do trout come out?Conventional wisdom suggests that late spring is the best time to catch trout, especially if you're looking for larger fish. The warmer it gets, the more fishing pressure from other anglers, the thicker the grass and brush surrounding their habitats and the lower the water levels.
Can you trout fish in Arkansas?You can cast a line in Arkansas trout waters for rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat, golden rainbow, and tiger trout. While browns can reproduce and there is some evidence that a couple of the other trout species may be able to as well, the trout fisheries are sustained by stocking.
Do I need a trout permit in Arkansas?Fishing: If you are 16 or older, you must carry a valid Arkansas fishing license to take or attempt to take fish and frogs in Arkansas, unless you are fishing in a licensed "put-and-take" pay lake. Anglers 16 and older also must have a valid trout permit to keep trout or fish in certain waters.
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When can you trout fish in Arkansas?
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