Rainbow Trout Fishing in Arkansas
Check regulations
Check regulations
Year-round
Overview
The White River system below Bull Shoals and Norfork dams is world-renowned trout water.
Cold-water releases from deep dams create year-round trout habitat in otherwise warm-water country.
Generation schedules dictate fishing conditions—low water means wade fishing, high water means boat fishing.
Arkansas grows truly trophy rainbow trout; double-digit fish are caught annually.
Best Waters in Arkansas
- White River (below Bull Shoals Dam) — World-class tailwater producing trophy rainbow and brown trout with exceptional year-round fishing.
- Norfork River — Short tailwater below Norfork Dam with incredible trout density and trophy potential.
- Little Red River — Tailwater that produced the former world-record brown trout. Outstanding rainbow trout fishing.
- Spring River — Spring-fed stream with naturally cold water and quality rainbow trout.
Local Techniques & Baits
Techniques
- Fly fishing
- Drift boat fishing
- Bait fishing with PowerBait
- Spin fishing with trout dough
- Nymphing
Baits & Lures
- Sowbugs (gray and pink)
- Scud patterns
- Woolly Bugger
- Berkley PowerBait
- Sculpin streamers
Seasonal Guide for Arkansas
SpringSpring Fishing
Excellent trout fishing year-round, but spring hatches of sowbugs and midges are particularly good.
SummerSummer Fishing
Cold tailwater stays fishable all summer while surrounding streams are too warm. Generation schedules affect access.
FallFall Fishing
Brown trout spawn in November, making them aggressive. Rainbow fishing remains excellent.
WinterWinter Fishing
Some of the best fishing of the year. Low water levels allow wading and trout feed actively on sowbugs and midges.
Regulations
Regulations change frequently. Always verify current regulations with Arkansas Fish & Wildlife. Information shown was last updated 2025-01-01.
Specific regulations for rainbow trout in Arkansas are not listed in our database. Please check the official Arkansas regulations for current rules.