Best Times & Seasons to Fish in Arkansas (Complete Guide)

Arkansas offers some of the best fishing in the United States. Understanding the best seasons and times to fish can greatly impact your success.

The best times to fish in Arkansas are early morning and late evening. Summer and fall are the best months for most species in Arkansas.

Month	Arkansas Fishing Location
January	White River – Look for trout near Bull Shoals Dam where water releases create favorable fishing conditions.
February	Little Red River – Target trout near the dam and in deep pools where they seek refuge from the cold water.
March	Spring River – Focus on the upper section around Mammoth Spring State Park for excellent trout fishing opportunities.
April	North Fork River – Head to the catch-and-release area near Norfork Dam for prime trout fishing action.
May	White River – Explore the area around Cotter, known for its productive trout waters and scenic beauty.
June	Norfork Lake – Fish for bass, crappie, and catfish in the lake’s submerged timber and brush piles.
July	Buffalo National River – Enjoy float fishing for smallmouth bass and trout in this stunning and remote river.
August	Greers Ferry Lake – Target bass, crappie, and catfish around submerged structure and drop-offs.
September	Ouachita River – Cast for catfish, bass, and sunfish in the river’s slower-moving stretches.
October	Little Red River – Witness the annual brown trout spawning run near the dam, offering exceptional angling opportunities.
November	White River – Experience world-class trout fishing near Bull Shoals Dam as fish feed voraciously before winter.
December	Beaver Lake – Seek out striped bass and walleye in deep waters and near submerged humps and points.

In this article, we will discuss the best times and seasons to fish in Arkansas. We will also talk about where some of the best fishing in the state is on a month-by-month basis.

Best Sections of Creeks/Rivers to Fly Fish in Arkansas

Little Red River – October to April, known for brown trout.

White River – Year-round, famous for rainbow trout.

Buffalo National River – Spring and fall, home to smallmouth bass.

Spring River – Year-round, popular for rainbow trout and smallmouth bass.

Ouachita River – Spring and fall, offers excellent opportunities for largemouth bass.

Little Missouri River – April to June, known for its abundance of trout.

Caddo River – Year-round, offers a variety of fish species, including smallmouth bass.

Kings River – Spring and fall, popular for smallmouth bass and rainbow trout.

Mulberry River – Spring and fall, renowned for smallmouth bass fishing.

Eleven Point River – Year-round, known for its trophy brown trout.

Saline River – Spring and fall, offers opportunities to catch smallmouth bass and catfish.

South Fourche La Fave River – Spring and fall, known for its healthy population of largemouth bass.

Little Red River (Greers Ferry Tailwater) – Year-round, a hot spot for trophy brown and rainbow trout.

North Fork River – Spring and fall, known for its superb trout fishing.

Little Maumelle River – Spring and fall, a great spot for largemouth bass and catfish.

Fourche La Fave River – Spring and fall, offers good fishing for bass and catfish.

Illinois Bayou – Spring and fall, known for its bass and crappie fishing.

Black River – Year-round, famous for its catfish and smallmouth bass.

Cache River – Spring and fall, offers fantastic fishing for crappie and largemouth bass.

Sylamore Creek – Year-round, known for its beautiful scenery and fishing opportunities for trout and smallmouth bass.

Best Sections of Lakes to Fish in Arkansas

Bull Shoals Lake – Spring and fall, known for its abundance of bass and crappie.

Greers Ferry Lake – Year-round, offers excellent fishing opportunities for bass and walleye.

Lake Ouachita – Spring and fall, popular for trophy striped bass and black bass.

Norfork Lake – Year-round, known for its great fishing for crappie and largemouth bass.

Lake Dardanelle – Spring and fall, a prime spot for bass and catfish.

Lake Hamilton – Year-round, offers diverse fishing opportunities for bass and panfish.

Lake Greeson – Spring and fall, known for its bass and crappie fishing.

DeGray Lake – Year-round, offers fantastic fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish.

Millwood Lake – Spring and fall, famous for its bass and crappie fishing.

Lake Catherine – Year-round, popular for trout and bass fishing.

Beaver Lake – Spring and fall, a great spot for bass, crappie, and catfish.

Lake Maumelle – Year-round, known for its bass and crappie fishing.

Lake Chicot – Spring and fall, offers excellent opportunities for bass and catfish.

Lake Atkins – Year-round, popular for its bass and crappie fishing.

Lake Overcup – Spring and fall, known for its bass and crappie fishing.

Lake Bob Sandlin – Year-round, offers diverse fishing opportunities for bass and catfish.

Lake Erling – Spring and fall, a prime spot for bass and crappie.

Lake Columbia – Year-round, known for its bass and crappie fishing.

Lake Dunn – Spring and fall, famous for its bass and catfish fishing.

Lake Monticello – Year-round, popular for its bass and crappie fishing.

Recommended Fishing Guides in Arkansas

These Arkansas-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.

Recommended Fishing Charters	Location
JL Guide Service	Mount Ida, AR
Three Rivers Trout Guides	Cotter, AR
Fisher Davis’ Guide Service	Mount Ida, AR
Eric’s Elite Guide Service	Lead Hill, AR

Species Seasonal Breakdown

Striped Bass

When fishing for striped bass in Arkansas, the best months are generally April through June and September through November. Striped bass are most active during the early morning or late evening hours. Some recommended locations for striped bass fishing in Arkansas are Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Dardanelle, Bull Shoals Lake, and Beaver Lake.

Brown Trout

The best months are typically from October to March when the water is cooler. Early morning or late afternoon is the ideal time to fish for them. Some recommended locations for brown trout fishing in Arkansas are the White River, Little Red River, Norfork Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, and Dry Run Creek.

Brook Trout

When fishing for brook trout in Arkansas, the best months are generally from October to April, as they prefer cooler water temperatures. Early morning or late afternoon can be productive for catching brook trout. Some recommended locations for brook trout fishing in Arkansas are the White River, Little Red River, Spring River, North Fork River, Dry Run Creek, and Sylamore Creek.

Rainbow Trout

The best months for fishing rainbow trout in Arkansas are typically from October to April, as they thrive in cooler waters. Early morning or late afternoon is often the most productive time of day to fish for rainbow trout. Some recommended locations for rainbow trout fishing in Arkansas include the White River, Little Red River, Spring River, North Fork River, Norfork Lake, and the Greers Ferry Lake tailwaters.

Largemouth Bass

The best months are usually March through May and September through November. Largemouth bass are more active during the early morning or late afternoon hours. Some recommended locations for largemouth bass fishing in Arkansas are Lake Ouachita, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Hamilton, Bull Shoals Lake, and Millwood Lake.

Smallmouth Bass

When fishing for smallmouth bass in Arkansas, the best months are typically April through June and September to November. They are often more active during early morning or late afternoon. Some recommended locations for smallmouth bass fishing in Arkansas are the Buffalo National River, Kings River, Crooked Creek, White River, Norfork Lake, and Bull Shoals Lake.

Spotted Bass

If you’re looking to catch spotted bass in Arkansas, the best months are generally April through June and September to November. They tend to be more active during the early morning or late afternoon hours. Some recommended locations for fishing spotted bass in Arkansas are the Arkansas River, Lake Ouachita, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Hamilton, and Bull Shoals Lake.

White Bass

When fishing for white bass in Arkansas, the best months are typically March through May and September to November. They are most active during early morning or late afternoon. Some recommended locations for white bass fishing in Arkansas are the Arkansas River, Lake Ouachita, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Dardanelle, Bull Shoals Lake, and Lake Hamilton.

Carp

If you’re interested in fishing for carp in Arkansas, the best months are typically April through October. Carp tend to be more active during warmer months. As for the time of day, early morning or late evening can be productive. Some recommended locations for carp fishing in Arkansas are the Arkansas River, Lake Conway, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Ouachita, Bull Shoals Lake, and Greers Ferry Lake.

Musky

If you’re looking to catch musky in Arkansas, the best months are usually November through March. Musky are often more active during cooler months. As for the time of day, they tend to bite better during early morning or late afternoon. Some top locations for musky fishing in Arkansas are Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Norfork, Beaver Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Ouachita, and Lake Dardanelle.

Yellow Perch

When fishing for yellow perch in Arkansas, the best months are generally March through May and September to November. They tend to bite better during the early morning or late afternoon. Some top spots for perch fishin’ in Arkansas are Lake Ouachita, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Hamilton, Lake Conway, Bull Shoals Lake, and Greers Ferry Lake.

Catfish

If you’re looking to catch catfish in Arkansas, the best months are typically April through October. Catfish are often more active at night or early morning and in deeper waters during the hot summer months. Some great locations for catfishing in Arkansas are the Arkansas River, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Ouachita, Lake Conway, Greers Ferry Lake, and Lake Hamilton.

Crappie

When fishing for crappie in Arkansas, the best months are usually March to May and September to November. They tend to bite better during the early morning or late afternoon. Some top spots for crappie fishin’ in Arkansas are Lake Ouachita, Lake Dardanelle, Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Hamilton, and Beaver Lake.

Walleye

The best months to catch walleye in Arkansas are typically March to May and October to November. They’re often most active during the early morning and late evening hours. Three great locations for walleye fishing in Arkansas are Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, and Lake Ouachita.

Gar

If you’re lookin’ to catch gar in Arkansas, the best months are usually May through July. They’re often most active during the early morning or late afternoon. Arkansas’s Three top gar fishing locations are the Arkansas River, Lake Conway, and Lake Dardanelle.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Louisiana. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Missouri. Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Tennessee.

Best Fishing in Arkansas on Seasonal Basis

Winter

Lake Ouachita: In the winter months, you can try catching crappie, catfish, and striped bass in this beautiful lake.
Greers Ferry Lake: Bundle up and head to this lake to reel some walleye, crappie, and bass during winter.
Bull Shoals Lake: Despite the chilly weather, you can still catch some nice-sized crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish in this lake during winter.
Arkansas River: During the winter months, you can try catching sauger, catfish, and even some striped bass in this mighty river.

Spring

Lake Dardanelle: In the springtime, you can cast your line and catch some feisty largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish in this lake.
Little Red River: This river is perfect for trout fishing, especially during spring when you can hook some rainbow and brown trout.
Greers Ferry Lake: Head to this lake to reel in bass, crappie, and walleye, which are active and biting in the spring.
White River: During the springtime, this river is a great spot to catch brown trout, known for their fighting spirit.

Summer

Lake Hamilton: In the summer, you can hook largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish in this lake.
Buffalo National River: This scenic river is perfect for catching smallmouth bass and sunfish in summer.
Millwood Lake: Head to this lake to reel in largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish, which are plentiful in the summer.
Greers Ferry Lake: During the summer season, you can catch striped bass, hybrid bass, and even walleye in this beautiful lake.

Fall

Greers Ferry Lake: Largemouth bass, crappie, and walleye are here in the fall.
Little Red River: This spot is famous for its rainbow trout; fall is a great time to catch them.
Lake Ouachita: In the autumn, you can reel in striped bass, black bass, and even some catfish in this lake.
White River: Head here during the fall season for an opportunity to catch some beautiful brown trout.

Check out this guide for a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Kentucky. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Lake of the Ozarks, check out this guide.