Arkansas Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ Check the AGFC guidebook and Code of Regulations for waterbody-specific rules - many lakes/rivers have special limits.
- ⚠ Trout: most waters 5/day, 16-in minimum; tailwaters below dams have special limits (see waterbody_rules).
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted) | 10/day statewide (some waters 6 with slot limits) | Varies by waterbody |
| Crappie | 30/day | Many waters min 10 in |
| Channel & blue catfish | No limit | |
| Flathead catfish | 5/day | |
| Trout (rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat, tiger) | 5/day statewide | Min 16 in most waters |
| Striped bass | 3/day | Many waters min 18 in |
| Walleye & sauger | 6/day | |
| Sunfish/panfish | 50/day | |
| White bass | 30/day |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
White River (Bull Shoals Dam to Norfork Access)
- 2 rainbow trout under 14 in; all other trout species released immediately.
North Fork River (Norfork Dam to Norfork Access)
- 2 rainbow trout under 14 in; all other trout species released immediately.
White River (Norfork Access to AR Hwy 58 bridge)
- 2 rainbow under 14 in, OR 1 rainbow under 14 in + 1 rainbow/brook over 14 in, or 1 brown/cutthroat/tiger over 24 in.
Beaver & Greers Ferry tailwaters
- 2 trout of any species/day; any trout over 14 in must be released immediately.
Lake Ouachita
- Black bass: 13-16 in protected slot (largemouth/spotted), only 2 over 16 in; daily limit 6.
Lake Hamilton
- Black bass: 12-16 in protected slot for largemouth, only 2 over 16 in.
Lake Dardanelle
- Black bass: 12 in minimum.
Bull Shoals Lake
- Black bass: 15 in minimum on some arms (check guidebook).
Norfork Lake
- Black bass: 14 in minimum.
Millwood Lake
- Black bass: 13-16 in protected slot.
DeGray Lake
- Walleye: 18 in minimum (upper lake); black bass slot applies.
Lake Conway
- Black bass: 14 in minimum.
Lake Greeson
- Black bass: 15 in minimum on some areas.
Greers Ferry Lake
- Black bass: 13-16 in protected slot (largemouth), walleye 20 in minimum.
Beaver Lake
- Black bass: 15 in minimum on upper reaches.
Lake Catherine
- Black bass: 13-16 in protected slot.
Carpenter Dam Tailwater
- Trout: check specific tailwater regs.
Little Red River
- Trout: 5/day, 16 in minimum; special regs below Greers Ferry Dam (catch and release section).
Spring River
- Trout: 5/day, 16 in minimum (except certain sections).
White River
- Trout: 5/day statewide, 16 in minimum; special tailwater rules below Bull Shoals (see waterbody_rules).
Seasons
Most species open year-round; trout tailwaters all year.
Licence Fees
Arkansas fishing license required (resident/non-resident); trout permit for trout waters; fees per AGFC.
Edition: AGFC General Fishing Regulations 2026 (guidebook) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Arkansas Game & Fish Commission (agfc.com/regulations)
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