Arkansas fishing
Every angling destination Snoflo tracks in Arkansas — with fish species, water conditions, and weather forecast at each spot. Built for anglers planning a trip.
Arkansas fishing map
Find the best Arkansas water today
Every fishing spot and river gauge on one live map:
- Spots — is the river nearby running normal, low or high
- Water temp — prime trout water vs too warm
- Rain coming — 24/48/72-hr forecast, press play
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Arkansas fishing conditions today
River flows, water temperatures and what’s biting — from live USGS gauges and every spot below.
Water temperatures run from 32°F at Cache River At Egypt to 80°F at West Fork White River East Of Fayetteville. 9 of 22 gauges read 68°F or warmer, when trout get stressed — fish early, land fish fast, or head higher to colder water.
The most-listed species across Arkansas’s spots: Largemouth Bass (40), Channel Catfish (37), Bluegill (26), Blue Catfish (26).
Arkansas is a top-notch fishing destination, with its abundant natural beauty offering anglers a variety of fishing spots to choose from. Some of the most popular angling destinations in the state include Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Ouachita, Lake Dardanelle, and the White River. Arkansas is home to a wide variety of fish species, including bass, catfish, crappie, trout, and bream. The best time to fish in Arkansas is from late spring through the summer months, when the waters are warm and fish are in their feeding patterns. The average seasonal temperatures during this time range from the mid-70s to mid-90s.
It is recommended to use bait and lures that are specific to the fish species you are targeting. For example, use live bait or soft plastics for bass, worms or crickets for bream, and minnows or jigs for crappie. Arkansas is also known for its trout fishing, with the White River being a prime location for rainbow and brown trout. Anglers can use artificial lures, such as spinners or plugs, or live bait, such as worms or eggs, to catch these fish.
Interesting fishing facts about Arkansas include that the state record for largemouth bass was caught in 1976 at Millwood Lake and weighed in at 16 pounds, 4 ounces. Arkansas is also home to the world's largest man-made lake, Lake Ouachita, which covers over 40,000 acres. Additionally, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission offers free fishing days two times a year, typically in June and September, where no fishing license is required.
Arkansas fishing report
About Arkansas fishing
Where do the Arkansas fishing areas come from?
Public-access points published by Arkansas's fish & wildlife agency, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges, USDA Forest Service waters, plus a long history of community-submitted spots.
Are the fish species lists accurate?
Species lists are best-effort, drawn from state agency stocking and survey reports plus angler reports. They reflect what's typically caught, not a guarantee. Always check current Arkansas regulations before keeping fish.
How do I know if conditions are good?
Each fishing-area page pulls the nearest USGS streamgauge (for rivers) or NOAA station (for coast), plus a 7-day weather forecast. Cross-reference flow conditions with the species you're targeting — trout fish best at moderate clear-water flows; bass thrive when water warms above 55°F.
Do I still need a license to fish in Arkansas?
Yes. Always carry a valid Arkansas fishing license, observe local seasons and bag limits, and follow catch-and-release best practices. Snoflo is a planning tool — the regulations are between you and your state's wildlife agency.