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Brown Trout

Brown Trout

Brown trout in Arkansas are not native to the state but have become the centerpiece of Arkansas's world-renowned trout fisheries.

These introduced salmonids now thrive in Arkansas's cold-water tailwaters below Corps of Engineers dams, creating some of the most productive brown trout waters in North America.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • These fish prefer structure and velocity shelters created by varied rock sizes rather than high-velocity currents, often positioning in pocket water along shorelines and behind boulders.

Key Locations

  • Arkansas's main brown trout waters include 168 miles of tailwater streams: the White River system (Bull Shoals Tailwater, Norfork Tailwater), Little Red River (Greers Ferry Tailwater), North Fork River, and Beaver Tailwater.
  • Key Arkansas locations include the White River system with excellent access every 5 miles (Jim Griffin Access, Bull Shoals State Park, Gaston's, The Narrows, Wildcat Shoals, Rim Shoals), the Little Red River near Heber Springs, and the Norfork Tailwater.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on structure rather than open water, pocket water along shorelines and behind boulders, riffles and shoals, beneath warm cliff faces during early afternoons in cold months.

Brown Trout FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Brown Trout in Arkansas?

Effective winter lures include Rapala Countdown #6 in Rainbow Trout, Rapala X-Rap in Brown or Rainbow Trout colors, live shad and river shiners drifted along the bottom with split shot, custom-painted beads to match trout e.g.gs, small stickbaits.

What flies work for Brown Trout in Arkansas?

Large streamers, dry fly and nymph fishing, hopper-dropper rigs, sulfur hatches, terrestrial patterns, blue wing olive patterns during mayfly hatches, Royal Wulff, nymphs in riffles and shoals.

When is the best time to fish for Brown Trout in Arkansas?

Winter (November-February) offers the best opportunity for trophy brown trout, coinciding with spawning season and the annual 'shad kill' phenomenon. Spring (March-May) brings excellent dry fly and nymph fishing when caddis hatches explode, particularly in late March.

How do you catch Brown Trout in Arkansas?

During winter, fish large streamers against shorelines, cast jerk baits along banks, or use live shad and river shiners drifted along the bottom with split shot. Bead fishing is particularly deadly during spawning season using custom-painted beads to match trout e.g.gs.

What do Brown Trout eat?

Browns are highly predatory and piscivorous, feeding on aquatic insects (mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, midges), crustaceans (scuds, sowbugs, crayfish), small baitfish including sculpins and other trout, fish e.g.gs during spawning season, and terrestrial insects.

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