Trout in Arkansas
Although Arkansas is known as the “Natural State,” it has not always been a “natural” for trout. Arkansas has no native trout and prior to the construction of numerous dams by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, no trout fishing existed in the state. Today, numerous trout fishing opportunities exist in the state.
Arkansas tailwaters first gained fame for producing lunker rainbow trout in the 1950s and '60s. During that period, 5- to 10-pound rainbows were commonly caught. In recent years, though, monster brown trout have stolen the limelight and made Arkansas world-famous as a trout-fishing hot spot.
The all-tackle, world record brown (40 pounds, 4 ounces) was caught in May 1992 from the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Lake by H. “Rip” Collins. This and other tailwater trout fisheries produce significant numbers of brown trout topping 30 pounds.
Arkansas Trout Plan
-
Maps, water level information, management plans, and reports for creeks, rivers and tailwaters around the state.
-
General permit and regulation information for trout fishing.
-
Trout stocking schedules, monthly stocking report and hatchery information.
-
Trout identification, trout fishing techniques and tips for releasing trout.
-
Introduction to the trout management program, projects and the trout management staff.
-
A new program created specifically to rehabilitate physical habitat in trout waters.
-
Find out when, where and how many trout have been stocked in Arkansas waters.