Fishing in
Arkansas
8,475 named waters · 0 stocked in the last 30 days
The White River tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam is one of the best trout fisheries in the country, cold enough year-round to have produced world-record brown trout. Norfork and Beaver Lake add more trophy trout water, while the state's reservoirs and rivers carry strong largemouth bass and crappie fisheries outside the tailwaters.
Arkansas holds 8,475 fishable waters on the books. AGFC has logged 85 stockings in the last year, led by rainbow trout. The biggest water in the state is Bull Shoals Lake at 44,979 acres.
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When does Arkansas stock?
Stocking peaks in December, going by every record on the books.
What you'll catch here
- Rainbow Trout5 waters
- Channel Catfish4 waters
Freshest stockings
Full report →- Lake ValenciaChannel CatfishJun 25, 2026
- Lake BentonvilleChannel CatfishJun 19, 2026
- Wells LakeChannel CatfishJun 11, 2026
- South LakeChannel CatfishApr 17, 2026
- South LakeChannel CatfishApr 1, 2026
Most-stocked waters, last 12 months
- South Lake3× stocked
- Lake Valencia2× stocked
- Lake Bentonville2× stocked
- Wells Lake2× stocked
- Lake Atalanta1× stocked
- Western Hills Lake1× stocked
Biggest waters
- Bull Shoals Lake44,979 ac
- Lake Ouachita38,214 ac
- Lake Dardanelle34,068 ac
- Greers Ferry Lake31,054 ac
- Beaver Lake28,026 ac
- Norfork Lake18,811 ac
- De Gray Lake11,530 ac
- Ozark Lake9,422 ac
Major rivers
- Arkansas Riverorder 10 · ~51,238 cfs
- White Riverorder 9 · ~33,003 cfs
- Black Riverorder 9 · ~10,198 cfs
- Essex Bayouorder 9 · ~97 cfs
- Saint Francis Riverorder 8 · ~9,528 cfs
- Spring Riverorder 8 · ~2,832 cfs
- Allen Bayouorder 8 · ~8 cfs
- Wright Cutofforder 8
Waters by county
All counties →Arkansas (296) · Mississippi (251) · White (250) · Pulaski (220) · Jefferson (197) · Yell (195) · Desha (179) · Crittenden (174) · Poinsett (171) · Independence (169) · Randolph (161) · Prairie (155) · Scott (153) · Monroe (148) · Union (145) · Saline (136) · Newton (135) · Craighead (132) · Faulkner (125) · Bradley (122) · Polk (118) · Logan (118) · Sharp (116) · Perry (114) · Clark (113) · Marion (112) · Jackson (110) · Miller (109) · Montgomery (109) · Cleburne (108)
Seasons, limits, and rules are Arkansas's call — read the official regulations and buy your license from the state, not a middleman. We link the source; we never restate the rules.
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Arkansas fishing — FAQ
Where does Arkansas stock fish?+
AGFC logged 85 stockings across Arkansas in the last year, led by rainbow trout and channel catfish. Browse the map and most-stocked waters above for exact locations.
When does Arkansas stock fish?+
Stocking in Arkansas peaks in December, going by every record on the books. See each water's page for its own seasonality.
Do I need a license to fish in Arkansas?+
Yes — Arkansas requires a fishing license for most anglers. Buy one from the state agency and check current seasons and limits before you go.
How many fishable waters are in Arkansas?+
Arkansas has 8,475 named fishable waters mapped on FishableWaters, from stocked reservoirs to wild streams.