Guide To The Best Fishing Lakes In Arkansas

Top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in AR.

Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Ouachita, Millwood Lake and Norfork Lake are the most popular places for fishing in Arkansas, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species.

Bass Lakes
Catfish Lakes
Crappie Lakes
Sunfish & Perch Lakes
Walleye Lakes
Trout Lakes
Striped Bass Lakes

Arkansas is home to a variety of fishing lakes, offering anglers diverse opportunities to target different fish species in both warm water and cold water lakes.

Warm water lakes in Arkansas provide excellent fishing for a range of species. One notable warm water lake is Lake Hamilton, known for its largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish populations. Anglers can also target species such as bluegill, redear sunfish, and striped bass in warm water lakes. Lake Ouachita is another popular warm water lake, offering exceptional bass fishing and opportunities to catch bream, catfish, and other warm water species.

Cold water lakes in Arkansas are known for their excellent trout fishing. One prominent cold water lake is the Bull Shoals Lake, where anglers can target rainbow trout, brown trout, and cutthroat trout. The lake is regularly stocked with trout, providing ample opportunities for anglers to reel in these prized fish. Other cold water lakes in Arkansas, such as Norfork Lake and Greers Ferry Lake, also offer quality trout fishing.

In addition to trout, cold water lakes in Arkansas are home to species such as walleye, white bass, and crappie. Anglers can enjoy challenging fishing experiences while targeting these cold water species in lakes like Beaver Lake and Lake Dardanelle.

Whether fishing in warm water lakes for bass, catfish, and panfish, or exploring cold water lakes for trout and other species, Arkansas's fishing lakes provide a diverse range of angling opportunities. The state's varied lakes and their abundant fish populations make Arkansas a sought-after destination for anglers of all preferences and skill levels.

Trout

Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake and Lake Ouachita are the favorite lakes for rainbow, cutthroat, brook, brown and lake trout. More...

Striped Bass & Wipers

The Arkansas River, Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, DeGray Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Hamilton and Lake Ouachita are the best options for striped bass and hybrid striped bass. More...

Visit the Arkansas fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Arkansas map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in AR at many of the most popular destinations in the state.