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2010 Trout Regulations
Trout anglers must abide by special regulations in addition to general fishing regulations. These added restrictions ensure healthy trout fisheries for everyone to enjoy.
- A trout permit is required to keep trout from any state waters or to fish in the tailwaters below Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Norfork, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Greeson or east of Highway 59 on Spavinaw Creek. Anglers under 16 or holders of the $1,000 Lifetime Resident Hunting and Fishing Sportsman’s Permit do not need a trout permit. License requirements are on Page 6.
- Trout may not be driven, harassed or pursued with noise, objects, boats or by wading to concentrate them.
- A guide may not give away his or her fish if it causes the recipient to exceed his or her daily limit.
- Trout that are filleted or have head or tail removed may not be in possession while fishing from the shore, boat or transporting fish by boat on trout waters.
- Anglers may not cull rainbow trout. Once an angler has retained a rainbow trout on a stringer, in a livewell or in a fish basket, the rainbow trout may not be subsequently released. The only exception is that a rainbow trout longer than 16 inches may be temporarily retained in a livewell for measuring, weighing and photographing before being released when fishing Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters (except in catch-and-release areas).
- Trout may not be used as bait.
- Chumming is not allowed in trout waters designated with special regulations such as catchand- release areas, artificial lures only areas and areas where natural or scented baits are prohibited. Chumming is allowed in all waters except those listed above. Chumming is defined as dislodging or depositing any substance not attached to a hook which may attract fish. Chumming in catch-andrelease areas is prohibited because normal trout feeding behavior can be disrupted and the stream environment can be damaged. One common example of chumming is tossing canned corn into the water to stimulate feeding. The technique of dislodging material from the streambed to attract trout, known as the “San Juan Shuffle,” is also considered chumming.
Beaver Lake Tailwater
White River
- Beaver Tailwater: White River from 100 yards below Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access. A trout permit is required. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish other than as specified for the paddlefish-snagging season.
- Beaver Tailwater Slot Limit: From Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access. Trout from 13 to 16 inches in length must be released immediately and may not be in possession in this area. Only one fish exceeding 16 inches long may be kept. Bait fishing allowed only with a single, barbless hooking point (barbed-shaft baitholder hooks allowed).
- Beaver Tailwater Special Regulation Area: Artificial lures only area/no bait zone. Approximately 0.5 miles below Beaver Dam to approximately 100 yards upstream of Parker Bend Access as indicated by signs. Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used. Natural or scented baits are not allowed. Chumming is not allowed.
- Paddlefish Snagging Season: From Beaver Lake Dam, (from the Corps of Engineers “No Fishing Beyond This Point” sign downstream) to the first Corps boat ramp on the left descending bank: From April 15 to June 15, snagging game fish is legal. Snagging must be discontinued once two trout have been taken. Snagged fish may not be released.
Bull Shoals Lake Tailwater
A fishing license and a trout permit are required to retain trout from any state waters or to fish in the White River from Bull Shoals Dam to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion. Licenses or permits are not required for children under 16. There is a daily limit of five trout. Only two brook trout, 14 inches or longer may be retained. Only one brown trout, 24 inches or longer may be retained. Only two cutthroat trout, 16 inches or longer may be retained.
White River
- Bull Shoals Tailwater: From 100 yards below Bulls Shoals Dam to Highway 58 Bridge at Guion: A trout permit is required. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish.
Bull Shoals Catch-and-Release Areas
In the following areas, all trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures or flies may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). All hooking points must be barbless. Chumming is not allowed:
- Bull Shoals Catch-and-Release Area: From 100 yards below Bull Shoals Dam to the upstream boundary of Bull Shoals White River State Park, as indicated by signs: Catch-and-release Feb. 1-Oct. 31. Closed to fishing Nov. 1-Jan. 31 downstream to the wing dike at the Bull Shoals White River State Park Trout Dock;
- Bull Shoals Seasonal Brown Trout Catch-and-Release Area: From the wing dike at the Bull Shoals White River State Park trout dock to the downstream boundary of the park: Seasonal catch-and-release area for brown trout Nov. 1-Jan. 31. Brown trout must be released immediately. No fishing from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise.
In the following areas, all trout must be released immediately. All hooking points must be barbless (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed.
- Rim Shoals Catch-and-Release Area (near Cotter): From sign immediately above mouth of Jenkins Creek to the first electric power line downstream, as indicated by signs;
Big Spring (In Cotter, at the AGFC access to the White River)
From its source to the confluence with the White River, unless otherwise specified. Only anglers under age 16, accompanied by an adult, and anglers with a valid disability license and trout permit may fish Big Spring. Catch-and-release area. Trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole, and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish. Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset.
- No fishing in the “swimming hole” at the upstream end of Big Spring.
- No motorized boats are allowed in Big Spring.
- Fishing derbies must be permitted in writing by the AGFC District 2 fisheries biologist, and can include fishing with natural or scented baits and harvest of trout.
- Adult disabled anglers must carry proof that they are permanently and totally disabled and possess a valid AGFC sport fishing, lifetime fishing or combination hunting and fishing license plus a valid trout permit.
White River
In the following area, trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures or flies may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). All hooking points must be barbless. Chumming is not allowed:
- Monkey Island Catch-and-Release Area: From the upstream end of Monkey Island to Moccasin Creek, as indicated by signs.
Mirror Lake (Blanchard Springs – Stone County)
Open to fishing with rod or pole only. Anglers may use no more than two fishing rods and must attend them at all times. Handicapped-accessible fishing pier is available.
Greers Ferry Lake Tailwater
A fishing license and a trout permit are required to retain trout from any state waters or to fish in the Little Red River, from Greers Ferry Dam to the Highway 305 bridge. Licenses or permits are not required for children under 16.
Little Red River
- Greers Ferry Tailwater: From 100 yards below Greers Ferry Dam to the Highway 305 bridge: A trout permit is required. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish. Only a single hooking point per pole may be used for bait fishing.
- Greers Ferry Tailwater Slot Limit: From 100 yards below Greers Ferry Dam to the Hwy 305 Bridge. Trout from 16 to 24 inches must be released immediately and may not be in possession in this area. Only one trout exceeding 24 inches may be kept.
- Greers Ferry Tailwater Special Regulation Areas: In the following areas, only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed. The same slot limit harvest restrictions for Greers Ferry Tailwater apply in these areas unless otherwise noted.
- JFK Special Regulation Area: 100 yards below Greers Ferry Dam downstream to approximately 0.5 miles downstream to the last Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery effluent outfall in John F. Kennedy Park, as indicated by signs.
- Mossy Shoals Special Regulation Area: Upstream end of Dunham Shoals to downstream end of Mossy Shoals, as indicated by signs.
- Cow Shoals Seasonal Catch-and-Release Area: Oct. 1-Dec. 31. Head of Cow Shoals to mouth of Canoe Creek, as indicated by signs. Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used. Natural or scented baits are prohibited. All trout must be released immediately. Closed to night fishing (one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise).
Collins Creek
Trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole, and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish. Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset. Only youths under 16 may fish on Collins Creek from its source to the wooden vehicle bridge in JFK Park. From the bridge to the Little Red River, fishing is restricted to youths under 16 or anglers over 16 accompanied by an actively fishing youth under 16. Anglers 16 or older must have a valid fishing license and trout permit.
Norfork Lake Tailwater
A fishing license and a trout permit are required to retain trout from any state waters or to fish in the North Fork River below the dam. Licenses or permits are not required for children under 16. There is a daily limit of five trout. Only two brook trout, 14 inches or longer may be retained. Only one brown trout , 24 inches or longer may be retained. Only two cutthroat tout, 16 inches or longer may be retained.
North Fork River
- Norfork Tailwater, from 100 yards below Norfork Dam to White River: Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish. A trout permit is required. Chains or other objects capable of destroying aquatic vegetation may not be dragged.
- Norfork Catch-and-Release Area from downstream end of Long Hole to Bill Ackerman/River Ridge Walk-in Access, as indicated by signs: Catch-and-release area. Trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures or flies may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). All hooking points must be barbless. Chumming is not allowed.
- Bill Ackerman/River Ridge Park Access: Handicapped-accessible fishing pier is available.
Dry Run Creek (Outflow from Norfork National Fish Hatchery)
Catch-and-release area. Trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed). Chumming is not allowed. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole, and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish. Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset. Only youths under 16 and mobility impaired anglers may fish Dry Run Creek (Norfork National Fish Hatchery outflow) from sunrise to sunset. Fishing from the pier is limited to mobility impaired anglers only. Mobility impaired card required for mobility impaired adult anglers.
Ouachita River Tailwater
A fishing license and a trout permit are required to retain trout from any state waters. Licenses or permits are not required for children under 16. Statewide trout regulations apply to the Ouachita River Tailwaters.
Spring River Tailwater
A fishing license and a trout permit are required to retain trout from any state waters. Licenses or permits are not required for children under 16. There is a daily limit of five trout. Only two brown trout, 16 inches or longer, may be retained. Only 2 cutthroat trout, 16 inches or longer, may be retained.
- From 100 yards below Dam No.1 at Mammoth Spring State Park to the mouth of Myatt Creek: Anglers may use no more than two fishing rods and must attend them at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish.
- Cold Springs Access: Handicapped-accessible fishing pier is available.