Fishing Regulations in Arkansas
Last updated: 2025-01-01
Regulations shown are approximate and may be outdated. Always check the official Arkansas fish and game agency for current regulations.
Visit Official AgencyFishing License
Arkansas requires a fishing license for residents and non-residents 16 and older. A trout permit is additionally required when fishing in trout waters. Non-resident options include annual, 14-day, and 3-day trip licenses.
Get Your LicenseSpecies Regulations
| Species | Bag Limit | Size Limit | Season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 6 per day | 12 inches minimum (varies by water body) | Year-round | Check the current Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations for water-body-specific rules. Some lakes have special slot limits. |
| spotted-bass | 6 per day (combined with largemouth) | 12 inches minimum | Year-round | |
| crappie | 30 per day | No minimum (some waters have 10-inch minimum) | Year-round | |
| rainbow-trout | 5 per day | No minimum (catch-and-release only in special regulation areas) | Year-round in tailwaters | Trout permit required in addition to fishing license. |
| channel-catfish | 10 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| blue-catfish | 10 per day | No minimum | Year-round | |
| striped-bass | 4 per day | 20 inches minimum | Year-round |
Bag Limit: 6 per day
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum (varies by water body)
Season: Year-round
Notes: Check the current Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations for water-body-specific rules. Some lakes have special slot limits.
Bag Limit: 6 per day (combined with largemouth)
Size Limit: 12 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 30 per day
Size Limit: No minimum (some waters have 10-inch minimum)
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 5 per day
Size Limit: No minimum (catch-and-release only in special regulation areas)
Season: Year-round in tailwaters
Notes: Trout permit required in addition to fishing license.
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 10 per day
Size Limit: No minimum
Season: Year-round
Bag Limit: 4 per day
Size Limit: 20 inches minimum
Season: Year-round
Top Fishing Waters
Bull Shoals Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, spotted-bass, crappie, channel-catfish, striped-bass
Greers Ferry Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, spotted-bass, crappie, channel-catfish, striped-bass
Beaver Lake
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, spotted-bass, striped-bass, crappie, bluegill
White River
riverSpecies: rainbow-trout, largemouth-bass, crappie
Lake Ouachita
reservoirSpecies: largemouth-bass, spotted-bass, crappie, bluegill, striped-bass
State Records
| Species | Weight | Year | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| largemouth-bass | 16 lbs 8 oz | 1985 | Mallard Lake |
| spotted-bass | 7 lbs 15 oz | 2010 | Bull Shoals Lake |
| rainbow-trout | 40 lbs 4 oz | 1992 | Greers Ferry Lake |
| blue-catfish | 116 lbs 12 oz | 2001 | Mississippi River |
| channel-catfish | 38 lbs | 1989 | Lake Ashbaugh |
| striped-bass | 64 lbs 8 oz | 2000 | Greers Ferry Lake |
| crappie | 5 lbs 1 oz | 2019 | Lake Poinsett |
| gar | 240 lbs | 2011 | Lake Conway |