Black River
Black River
- Boat Ramps
- 18
- Access Points
- 26
- Species
- 50
The Black River is a diverse and productive waterway that flows through both Missouri and Arkansas. Formed by the junction of West, Middle, and East Forks near Lesterville, Missouri, the Black River features exceptionally clear water in its upper reaches with numerous springs contributing to consistent flow. The river begins with a steeper gradient in the Ozark Highlands of southeastern Missouri, characterized by clear water, rubble-strewn riffles, and deep pools. As it moves downstream, the gradient decreases, and the river transforms into a slower, deeper, and more turbid waterway as it enters the Mississippi Lowlands. Below Clearwater Lake, which was formed in 1948 by the damming of the river, the Black River continues its journey through Arkansas, providing excellent fishing opportunities across varied environments from swift mountain sections to lazy lowland flows.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Black River and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Walleye
Sander vitreus
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Alligator Gar
Atractosteus spatula
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Black Buffalo
Ictiobus niger
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Black Redhorse
Moxostoma duquesnei
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Blue Sucker
Cycleptus elongatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Brown Bullhead
Ameiurus nebulosus
Chain Pickerel
Esox niger
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Dollar Sunfish
Lepomis marginatus
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Golden Redhorse
Moxostoma erythrurum
Grass Carp
Grass Pickerel
Esox americanus
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Highfin Carpsucker
Carpiodes velifer
Longear Sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
Northern Hogsucker
Hypentelium nigricans
Orangespotted Sunfish
Lepomis humilis
Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
Redspotted Sunfish
Lepomis miniatus
River Redhorse
Moxostoma carinatum
Rock Bass
Ambloplites rupestris
Sauger
Sander canadensis
Shadow Bass
Ambloplites ariommus
Shorthead Redhorse Sucker
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Shortnose Gar
Lepisosteus platostomus
Silver Carp
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Silver Redhorse
Moxostoma anisurum
Skipjack Herring
Alosa chrysochloris
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Black River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area Access
Hammer (Bradley A) Mem Conservation Area Access
Dan River Access
Hilliard Access
Brookings Parking Access
Coon Island Conservation Area Access
Dixie Lee Access
Black Rock Spring River Access Parking Area
Know where you can legally fish on Black River
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Arkansas licenses and regulations
Arkansas Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Arkansas Fishing License
If you are 16 or older, you must carry a valid fishing license to take or attempt to take aquatic wildlife in Arkansas, unless you are fishing in a licensed “put-and-take” pay lake. A trout permit is required to fish for trout in certain waters (tailwaters below Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Greeson or east of Highway 59 on Spavinaw Creek) or to keep trout from any Arkansas waters.
Arkansas Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Arkansas Stream Access Laws
If a waterway can carry a small boat for six months out of the year, it is considered navigable and available for public use. This includes streambed access up to the high water mark. However, access to the waterway through private land is not guaranteed.
Take Black River with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Black River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Black River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Black River and check the forecast before you go.
Black River near Corning, AR
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Fish species
Fishing spots
- Dan River Access Boat Ramp
- Brookings Boat Ramp
- Hilliard Access Boat Ramp
- Sportsman's Park Access (Poplar Bluff) Boat Ramp
- Coon Island Conservation Area Boat Ramp
- Bradley A. Hammer Memorial Conservation Area Boat Ramp
- Schaeffer's Eddy Boat Ramp
- Riverside Park Boat Ramp
- Pocahontas Boat Ramp
- Dixie Boat Ramp
- Coffey Access Boat Ramp
- Elgin Ferry Boat Ramp
- All 259 spots
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