Striped Bass & Hybrid Striper Fishing In Arkansas

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Arkansas is known for its excellent striped bass fishing, with opportunities to catch both purebred striped bass and hybrid stripers. These hard-fighting fish provide anglers with thrilling battles and the chance to reel in trophy-sized catches.

Striper Fishing Video

Learn the basics for catching striped bass.

One popular destination for striped bass fishing in Arkansas is Lake Ouachita. This sprawling reservoir is home to both purebred striped bass and hybrid stripers. Anglers can target these fish by trolling large diving plugs, live bait fishing, or casting topwater lures. Lake Ouachita has produced impressive striped bass catches, with some fish exceeding 40 pounds in weight.

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Fishing for Striped Bass in Arkansas

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow, over the deeper water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. Check Arkansas fishing reports for current striper information. And for the ultimate thrill try large topwater baits if you see any surface feeding action. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes. Striped Bass, known for their strength and spirited fights, provide an exhilarating angling experience.

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Fishing for Hybrid Stripers in Arkansas

Arkansas offers several opportunities for hybrid striped bass fishing, which are popular with local anglers. Hybrid stripers are a crossbreed between striped bass and white bass, combining the best characteristics of both species. They are known for their strength, aggressive nature, and impressive fighting ability, making them a thrilling catch for anglers. These "wipers" tend to school around baitfish and follow river channel edges. Fish finders can help you locate schools of fish as well as schools of baitfish. Look for them on flats and long points that connect with channels. Trolling, or still fishing, with live or cut bait are also great options for catching hybrid stripers.

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Another major lake for striped bass fishing in Arkansas is Lake Hamilton. This smaller but productive lake offers a chance to catch both purebred stripers and hybrid stripers. Anglers can find success targeting these fish near points, deep channels, and other areas where stripers are known to gather. Lake Hamilton has seen its share of impressive catches, with striped bass weighing over 30 pounds.

In addition to Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton, other major lakes in Arkansas, such as Beaver Lake and Greers Ferry Lake, offer opportunities for striped bass fishing. These lakes are stocked with striped bass and hybrid stripers, providing anglers with a chance to test their skills and land impressive catches.

Arkansas's dedication to maintaining healthy populations of striped bass and hybrid stripers, along with its impressive fishing waters, has made the state a top destination for anglers seeking these iconic gamefish. Whether pursuing purebred striped bass or hybrid stripers, anglers in Arkansas have the opportunity to reel in trophy-sized catches and create memorable fishing experiences.

If you want to catch a monster fish in Arkansas, one of your best bets would be a striper or wiper. These brutes can take over a half hour to land and strip 200 yards of line off your reel so fast you may need to cool off the reel with water. The smaller ones run in packs and feed in frenzies. While they are feeding you can catch them till your arms get tired.

Striped Bass Lakes

Choose from Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, DeGray Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Chicot, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Hamilton, Lake Ouachita and Norfork Lake as the best lakes to catch stripers in Arkansas.

Click the images and links above for species details.

Arkansas State Record Striped Bass

The state record striped bass was caught from the White River.

The state record hybrid striped bass came from Greers Ferry Lake.

Fishing for Stripers in Arkansas

When fishing for stripers concentrate on the deeper waters in the lake. If you can locate schools of shad, stripers are often close by. When the baitfish are shallow over the deep water, you can catch stripers on crankbaits or by swimming spoons at appropriate depths. Check Arkansas fishing reports for current striper information. And for the ultimate thrill try large topwater baits if you see any surface feeding action. When the stripers are deep, jigs and jigging spoons work well. Live and cut bait will also take striped bass when they are in medium to deeper water. Fish nearby or in the river channel if it is a defined depth change. Trolling is also an excellent way to fish for stripers. Use flashy lures in bigger sizes.

While stripers are native to salt water, they naturally migrate into fresh water streams to spawn. Their eggs must remain in motion in order to hatch so the fresh water rivers and streams become the ideal spawning grounds for stripers. Landlocked stripers then populate the lakes.

Striped bass fishing information, by state.

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