Best Places To Fish in Arkansas

By AA-Fishing Staff Writers

Arkansas is a haven for fishing enthusiasts, offering an abundance of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs teeming with a variety of fish species. The purpose of this page is to share basic information about the best fishing opportunities in the state, for a variety of fish species. Several destinations stand out as some of the best places to fish in the state.

One such popular fishing spot is the White River. Known for its world-class trout fishing, particularly for rainbow trout and brown trout, the White River attracts anglers from far and wide. The clear, cold waters of the river provide optimal conditions for trout, making it a prime location for fly fishing or bait fishing. Spring and fall are considered the best seasons to fish on the White River, as the water temperature is cooler and the fish are more active.

Another renowned fishing destination in Arkansas is Greers Ferry Lake. This vast reservoir offers excellent angling opportunities for various species, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, and walleye. Greers Ferry Lake is known for producing trophy-sized bass, attracting avid bass anglers year-round. Spring and early summer are prime times to target bass, while fall offers great crappie fishing as the fish move closer to the shorelines.

For catfish enthusiasts, the Mississippi River in eastern Arkansas is a must-visit location. The river is home to an impressive population of blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Anglers can find success throughout the year, but late spring and early summer are often considered the best seasons for catfish fishing on the Mississippi River. Bottom fishing with live or cut bait is a popular method for targeting these mighty river monsters.

Arkansas is also famous for its abundance of crappie fishing opportunities. Lakes such as Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton, and Lake Dardanelle are known for their excellent crappie populations. Spring is the prime season for crappie fishing in Arkansas when the fish move closer to the shorelines to spawn. Anglers can catch crappie using jigs, minnows, or small crankbaits, either from boats or from the shore.

In summary, Arkansas offers a wealth of fishing opportunities, with some of the best places to fish being the White River for trout, Greers Ferry Lake for bass and walleye, the Mississippi River for catfish, and various lakes for crappie. The best seasons to fish in Arkansas can vary depending on the species, but generally, spring and fall offer excellent fishing conditions. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, Arkansas's diverse fishing destinations promise exciting adventures and the chance to reel in some impressive catches.

Other launching options may be found at marinas, resorts, parks, campgrounds and RV parks, which may, or may not, require a fee to launch and/or park. Some lakes may also have primitive areas available for launching, often dependent on water level. Some lakes may also have a designated launch area for portage of canoes, kayak and other car-top boats. Always seek permission before using private boat launch ramps. Boating allows access for fishing all the lake, much of which may not be available to anglers fishing from the bank.

There are many great places to fish in The Natural State. And the splendor of nature is in full display across the state. Lakes, rivers, streams and ponds are home to a multitude of fish species.

Arkansas's Top-Five, Amazing Fishing Spots

Most of the lakes in the top ten might make this list on a given year. These are angler favorites with long-standing reputations as one of the best places to fish in Arkansas. Learn more...

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Most Popular Fish Species In Arkansas

Anglers can fish for both species of crappie, three species of catfish, three species of bass, about a dozen species of sunfish, striped bass and wipers, five species of trout, walleye and numerous other species. Learn more...

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Top Places To Fish For Crappie In Arkansas

The state record for crappie is 5 pounds (black). In addition to good size, crappie thrive in giant schools in many of the fisheries in the state. The very best place to fish for crappie in AR may vary one year to the next, but these are known as consistent producers. Learn more...

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Best Lakes To Fish For Catfish In Arkansas

Big blue, flathead and channel catfish can be had in Arkansas. River systems and the lakes they flow into create an excellent environment for a healthy catfish fishery. These three are a great place to start, but the list of good places to fish for catfish is a long one. Learn more...

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Best Bass Fishing Lakes In Arkansas

AR is a great place to catch a double-digit bass. It's also a great state for good numbers of quality bass. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass all thrive in fisheries across the state. There is great bass fishing at many lakes in the state, but these are among the top producers - year after year. Learn more...

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Best Lakes For Striped Bass Fishing In Arkansas

Arkansas holds the world record for inland striped bass, and there are plenty of big stripers and hybrids to chase here. Stripers like flowing water so they can be caught in several rivers, and they are stocked in many of lakes. These three lakes produce both numbers and size. Learn more...

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White bass, bluegill, perch and other species of sunfish are distributed all over the state. These three lakes are among the best places to fish for sunfish in the state. Additionally there are many smaller lakes, ponds and rivers with healthy populations of some of these panfish. Learn more...

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Enjoy these top spots to go fishing in Arkansas