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White Bass

White Bass

White bass in Arkansas are silver-sided members of the temperate bass family, distinguishable by their singular tooth patch on the tongue and horizontal black stripes.

These migratory, open-water fish are widely distributed throughout Arkansas waters, with native presence dating back to the 1800s and strong populations in major reservoirs and river systems statewide.

Scientific Name: Morone chrysops

Physical Characteristics:
  • Arkansas white bass typically average 1-2 pounds, though trophy fish exceeding 5 pounds are possible, with the state record at 5 pounds, 4 ounces from Bull Shoals Lake.
  • Silver-sided with singular tooth patch on the tongue and horizontal black stripes.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • White bass inhabit large reservoirs and the Arkansas River system, as well as tailwaters below dams.
  • They prefer open water during the day and move to shallow areas at dawn and dusk to feed.

Key Locations

  • Lake Ouachita (40,100 acres), Beaver Lake (28,220 acres), Bull Shoals, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Dardanelle (34,300 acres), Arkansas River system, Arkansas River tailwaters below locks and dams, lower White River near its Mississippi confluence, White River forks, War Eagle Creek, Big Maumelle River.

Specific Spots

  • Fish wind-blown points and creek mouths, target tributary confluences where clear water meets main lakes.
  • In tailwaters, focus on riprap, wing dikes, and current breaks.
  • Target deep structure and ledges during summer patterns.

White Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for White Bass in Arkansas?

1/16-1/4 ounce Road Runners, Rooster Tail spinners, 2-3 inch curly tail grubs in white or chartreuse, small lipless crankbaits like Rat-L-Traps in shad colors, Rapala Shad Raps, Norman Little N crankbaits, and small spoons.

What flies work for White Bass in Arkansas?

Size 2-6 Clouser Minnows in olive/white, size 4-10 white Woolly Buggers, Chocklett's Finesse Changer in shad patterns, small white or chartreuse streamers, and bead-head jigs.

When is the best time to fish for White Bass in Arkansas?

Prime fishing occurs from late spring through fall after spawning ends (typically May through October). Spawning occurs from February through May when water temperatures reach 50-60°F, with peak activity around 55-58°F - during this period, avoid targeting fish as they migrate into tributaries.

How do you catch White Bass in Arkansas?

Vertical jigging with spoons and slabs works well over deep structure and ledges during summer patterns. Match lure size to prevalent shad (typically 1-2 inches).

What do White Bass eat?

They're primarily piscivorous, feeding heavily on threadfin and gizzard shad, which comprise the vast majority of their diet, along with various minnows, small sunfish, silversides, and occasionally crustaceans and aquatic insects like diptera, ephemeroptera, and plecoptera larvae.

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