Arkansas Fishing Areas

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.