Fishing the Twin Lakes & White River
Three world-class fisheries within 30 minutes of one parking lot. Trout in the river, stripers in the lakes, bass everywhere.
Trout — White & North Fork tailwaters
Cold dam-release water keeps rainbows, browns, brook, and cutthroat trout active all year. Fly fish on foot when generation is off; jon-boat drift with a guide when it's on. The current state-record brown trout came out of these waters.
Striped bass — Norfork & Bull Shoals
June through August, live shad in deep water near the thermocline. Locals troll umbrella rigs at night for 30-pounders. Don't have a boat? Several guides specialize in stripers and run morning trips for under $400 for two people.
Bass, walleye, crappie
Spring crappie spawn in 4–8 ft of brush is legendary on both lakes. Smallmouth on rocky bluff walls in early summer. Walleye trolling at first light October–November.
Licenses
Arkansas Game & Fish 3-day non-resident license: under $25. Add a trout stamp for the tailwaters. Buy online before you arrive.
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