Fish Identification
Trout, Brook
Brook trout are a rare catch in Arkansas, with only a few sporadic stockings over the last few decades."Brookies" are short-lived, and a one-pounder is considered large. They have a dark body with whiteand/or red spots circled by blue. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are often orange with a distinct whiteedge. The dorsal fin, tail and back have mottled, wormlike streaks on a black background.
Trout, Brown
Brown trout are most common in the White, North Fork and Little Red rivers, but the Spring River alsooffers a growing brown trout fishery. Populations are maintained by natural reproduction, stocking andregulations. Browns up to 5 pounds are not uncommon, and world-record fish have been caught in the North Fork River (38 pounds, 9 ounces) and White River (33-1/2) pounds). The back and sides are darkolive-brown and have black spots and orange or red spots with blue halos. Unlike rainbows andcutthroats, the tail is usually unspotted and unforked, and there is no reddish side stripe.
Trout, Cutthroat
Cutthroat trout were first stocked in Arkansas in 1983 and are found primarily in the White and NorthFork rivers. They weigh up to 10 pounds and closely resemble rainbow trout. The cutthroat is distinguished by the reddish-orange slash (cutthroat mark) on each side of the throat on live fish and by the minute teeth present on the midline of the tongue behind large teeth on the tip of the tongue. Rainbows have teeth on the tip of the tongue, but lack the midline teeth. The black spots on cutthroats are typically much finer than on rainbows.
Trout, Lake
Lake trout were first stocked in 1986 in hopes they would provide trophy trout fishing opportunities indeep, cold, well-oxygenated lakes like Bull Shoals and Greers Ferry. Twenty-five pounders are commonin their native northern habitats, but their growth potential in Arkansas is unknown. The head, fins anddark body are completely covered with irregular white spotting. The tail is deeply forked unlike otherArkansas trout.
Trout, Rainbow
Rainbow trout are the most common trout in Arkansas and are found in all state trout waters. Natural reproduction is limited, and populations are maintained through stocking programs. Rainbows up to 1 pound are common, with some exceeding 15 pounds. This trout is usually thickly speckled with black spots on the head, sides and slightly notched tail. A broad pink to reddish stripe runs lengthwise along the side, although hatchery fish may lack the side stripe until they've been in a river or lake for several weeks.
Walleye
The walleye is the largest perch family member in North America. This long, streamlined fish has glassy, marble-like eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Unlike its cousin, the sauger, the spiny dorsal fin has a large black blotch near the bases of the last few spines. Adults commonly weigh 4 to 10 pounds and several fish over 20 pounds, near world-record size, have been caught in Arkansas, usually during the peak spawning months of February, March and April. The state's best-known walleye fishing is in Greers Ferry Lake and its headwaters where the annual World Walleye Classic is held. This lake and its tributaries may produce more big walleyes ---fish weighing 15 to 20 pounds --- than any body of water in the United States. Other walleye lakes include Bull Shoals, Greeson, Nimrod, Norfork, Ouachita,Catherine, Hamilton and Table Rock. Stream-running walleyes are found in the Black, Caddo, Current,Eleven Point, Kings, Little Missouri, middle and upper White, North Fork, Spring, upper Ouachita, upperSaline and War Eagle rivers. Good baits include live minnows and bream, minnow-imitation crankbaitsand jig/minnow combinations.
Warmouth
The warmouth or "goggleye" is seldom sought for its own merits, but many are caught while fishing forother species. It is usually found in quiet lakes with mud bottoms and abundant vegetation where it oftenhides in hollow trees or stumps. Color is typically olive-brown with dark markings, and unlike its lookalike cousins, the rock bass, the warmouth has three anal fin spines and a rough patch of teeth on the tongue.