The Arkansas River is one of the most diverse and productive fisheries in the United States, flowing approximately 1,469 miles from its headwaters in the Colorado Rockies through Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas before joining the Mississippi River. This remarkable waterway descends nearly 10,000 feet in elevation throughout its journey, creating a variety of fishing environments from mountain freestone sections to warm-water flatland fisheries. The river offers tremendous fishing opportunities year-round, with sections designated as Gold Medal water in Colorado and productive fisheries throughout its course in the other states. Whether you're a fly angler seeking trout in the upper reaches or targeting catfish and bass in the lower sections, the Arkansas River provides exceptional angling experiences across its diverse ecosystems.
Learn what type of fish are at Arkansas River and what's needed to catch them.
Micropterus salmoides
Micropterus dolomieu
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Salmo trutta
Salvelinus fontinalis
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Esox lucius
Sander vitreus
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Atractosteus spatula
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Ictiobus niger
Ameiurus melas
Ictalurus furcatus
Cycleptus elongatus
Oreochromis aureus
Lepomis macrochirus
Ictalurus punctatus
Cyprinus carpio
Pylodictis olivaris
Aplodinotus grunniens
Moxostoma erythrurum
Lepomis cyanellus
Carpiodes velifer
Salvelinus namaycush
Lepomis megalotis
Lepisosteus osseus
Prosopium williamsoni
Lepomis humilis
Polyodon spathula
Carpiodes cyprinus
Lepomis auritus
Lepomis microlophus
Carpiodes carpio
Moxostoma carinatum
Sander canadensis
Moxostoma macrolepidotum
Lepisosteus platostomus
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Learn how to get on Arkansas 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anglers age 16 through 74, who have been bona fide residents of the state for 60 days immediately prior to buying a license, must have a resident license in possession while fishing in Kansas. All nonresidents 16 and older must have a valid nonresident license to fish in Kansas (unless fishing on a private pond not leased for public fishing). All licenses expire 365 days from the date of purchase, except for multi-year, five-day, lifetime, and one-day fishing licenses.
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.
Download the map around Arkansas River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Arkansas River to find where and when fish are biting for you.
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See the best times to fish Arkansas River and check the forecast before you go.
All Flow Stations
Scheduled releases and generation forecasts from the dams on Arkansas River.
Arkansas River · Below Dardanelle Lock and Dam · Southwestern Power Administration
Generating today 6:00 AM CST to 9:00 AM CST, up to 105 MW
Forecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 4:23 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
Arkansas River · Below Keystone Dam · Southwestern Power Administration
Generating today 4:00 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST, up to 35 MW
Forecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 4:23 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
Arkansas River · Below Ozark-Jeta Taylor Lock and Dam · Southwestern Power Administration
Generating today 6:00 AM CST to 10:00 AM CST, up to 60 MW
Forecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 4:23 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
Arkansas River · Below Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam · Southwestern Power Administration
Generating today 4:00 AM CST to 8:00 PM CST, up to 72 MW
Forecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 4:23 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
Arkansas River · Below Webbers Falls Lock and Dam · Southwestern Power Administration
Generating today 5:00 AM CST to 11:00 AM CST, up to 40 MW
Forecast updated Fri, Nov 13 at 4:23 PM CST. Schedules can change, so check the operator's page before you go.
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