Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 002 - Game and Fish Commission
Rule 002.00.18-003 - 2019 Fishing Regulations

Universal Citation: AR Admin Rules 002.00.18-003

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 2, February 2024

26.08 WATERS RESTRICTED TO CERTAIN FISHING TACKLE

It is unlawful to fish with any device other than rod or pole in:

(A) Arkansas County - DeWitt City Park Lake

Benton County - Lake Atalanta and Lake Bentonville

Clark County - Big Timber Lake

Carroll County - Hidden Lake

Clark County - Gurdon Lake

Clay County - Lake Hubble

Conway County - Lake Bailey, Lake Roosevelt in Petit Jean State Park

Craighead County - Craighead Forest Lake

Crawford County - Lake Cambadelle and Lake Lou Emma

Crittenden County - West Memphis City Parks Lake and Marion City

Park Lake

Cross County - All lakes in Village Creek State Park

Faulkner County - Lake Bennett

Fulton County - Spring River and tributaries from 100 yards below Dam

No. 1 to the mouth of Myatt Creek; Spring River Lake

Greene County - Crowley Ridge State Park Lake and Reynolds Park Lake

Hempstead County - Lakes 1 and 2 on the Rick Evans Grandview WMA

Izard County (2 pole maximum limit) - Horseshoe Bend Pool on

Strawberry River

Lafayette County - Lake June

Montgomery County - North Fork Lake

Lonoke County - Tommy L. Sproles Lake Pickthorne and Ward City Park

Lake, all ponds on Cypress Bayou WMA

Madison County - Hindsville Lake

Monroe County -Donald Branch Fishing Pond

Perry County - Lake Sylvia

Polk County - Shady Lake

Poinsett County - Upper Lake Hogue

Randolph County - Old Davidsonville State Park Lake

Scott County - Truman Baker Lake

Sebastian County - Carol Cross Lake

St. Francis County - All lakes in Village Creek State Park; Forrest City

Park Lake, all ponds on U of A Pine Tree Experimental Station WDA

Stone County - Gunner Pool and Hayden Bend Pond

Yell County - Lake Kingfisher

Washington County - Devil's Den State Park Lake and posted U.S. Forest

Service ponds and lakes.

Woodruff County- all ponds on Rex Hancock Black Swamp WMA

Prairie County - Mike Freeze Wattensaw WMA ponds and lakes, except oxbow lakes

(B) Arkansas River from 100 yards below Dardanelle Dam to Arkansas Highway 7 bridge and 100 yards below Dam No. 2 to the mouth of Morgan Cut-Off; Fourche La Fave River from 100 yards below Nimrod Dam to Arkansas Highway 7 bridge.

EXCEPTIONS:

1) Gigging or bowfishing for rough fish is permitted in compliance with Code 26.06, in waters listed in Section B and in other unrestricted state waters.

2) Catching bait is allowed in compliance with Code Chapter 32.00.

PENALTY: Class 1

26.19 BAITING WITH COMMON CARP ON CERTAIN WATERS PROHIBITED

It is unlawful to use common carp as bait in the following waters: Benton County - Crystal Lake Calhoun County - Tri-County Lake Carroll County - Lake Leatherwood Clark County -- Gurdon Lake Columbia County -- Lake Columbia Conway County -- Lake Cargile, Lake Overcup Drew County -- Lake Monticello Faulkner County -- Craig Campbell D. Lake Conway Reservoir Grant County -- Cox Creek Lake Hempstead County -- Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d'Arc Lake, South Fork Lake, Lake Terre Noire, Mike and Janet Huckabee Lake Howard County -- Gillham Lake Lincoln County -- Cane Creek Lake Madison County -- Lake Hindsville Ouachita County -- Upper and Lower White Oak Lakes Perry County -- Harris Brake Lake Polk County -- Lake Wilhelmina, Irons Fork Lake Pope County -- Lake Atkins Scott County -- Truman Baker Lake, Lake Hinkle Sebastian County -- Sugarloaf Lake Washington County -- Bob Kidd Lake, Devil's Den State Park Lake, Lake Elmdale, Lake Fayetteville, Wilson Lake White County -- Lake Barnett and Tom's Lake

PENALTY: Class 1

26.25 FAMILY AND COMMUNITY FISHING PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS

(A) FAMILY FISHING PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS

The restrictions in this subsection shall apply to the following waters:

Chicot County - Lake Village Community Fishing Pond

Clay County - Mom's Lake

Columbia County - Armory Pond

Craighead County - Craighead Forest Park Youth Fishing Pond

Drew County - Monticello High School Pond

Fulton County - Salem City Lake

Hempstead County - Mike and Janet Huckabee Youth Fishing Pond

Jefferson County - Pine Bluff Regional Park Youth Fishing Pond

Lawrence County - Walnut Ridge City Lake

Pulaski County - War Memorial Park Pond

Union County - Mattocks Park Lake

RESTRICTIONS:

(1) Fishing is open only to youths or persons 65 years of age or older. All other properly licensed persons may fish if accompanied by a youth who is actively fishing. Fishing is also open to holders of a disabled fishing license (either a three-year or combination disability license). One licensed person may assist and fish with an actively fishing disabled fishing license holder.

(2) Only hand-held rod or pole allowed.

(3) Largemouth bass: catch and release only.

(4) Catfish daily limit: 3

(5) Bream daily limit: 25

(6) Trout daily limit: 5

(7) Hybrid striped bass: 3

(8) Lakes open to electric trolling motors only.

(9) All other sportfishing daily limit: same as statewide.

(B) COMMUNITY FISHING PROGRAM RESTRICTIONS

The restrictions in this subsection shall apply to the following waters:

Baxter County - Amon's Lake

Benton County - Lake Springdale, Lake Bentonville, Lake Keith

Clark County - Clear Lake

Craighead County - Arkansas State University Pond

Crawford County - Van Buren Municipal Park Pond

Crittenden County - Tilden Rodgers Park Pond

Faulkner County - Conway Station Park Pond and Dr. James E. Moore Jr.

Camp Robinson Firing Range

Garland County - Family Park Pond, Entergy Park Pond

Jefferson County - Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pond in Pine Bluff, White

Hall Community Pond

Lonoke County - Cabot Community Pond, Mike Freeze England

Community Pond

Miller County - Lake Dieffenbacher

Pike County - John Benjamin Glenwood Community Pond

Pope County - Pleasant View Park Pond

Pulaski County - all lakes, ponds and streams managed by the City of

Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department within the city limits of

Little Rock, Community Center Pond, Cherrywood Lake, Lake Valencia,

Little Rock Air Force Base Pond, North Little Rock City Park waters,

Paradise Lake, Pinnacle Mountain State Park Pond, Sherwood

Municipal City Pond, Willow Beach Park Pond

White County - Bald Knob Community Pond, Searcy City Lake

Saline County - Sunset Lake

Sebastian County - Carol Ann Cross Pond

Sebastian County - Wells Lake, Fort Chaffee

Yell County - Dardanelle City Park Ponds, Yell County Wildlife

Federation Pond

Washington County - Murphy Park Pond

RESTRICTIONS:

(1) Only hand held rod or pole allowed.

(2) Largemouth bass: catch and release only.

(3) Catfish daily limit: 3

(4) Bream daily limit: 25

(5) Trout daily limit: 5

(6) Hybrid striped bass: 3

(7) Lakes open to electric trolling motors only.

(8) All other sportfish daily limit: same as statewide.

PENALTY:Class 1

26.30 POSSESSION OF CERTAIN LIVE CARP PROHIBITED

It is illegal to possess live Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), Bighead Carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), or Black Carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus). These fish must be euthanized immediately after capture when possessed.

PENALTY: Class 1

30.15 COMMERCIAL FISHING SEASON RESTRICTIONS

(A) The following waters are open year-round to legal commercial tackle as defined in Code 30.05:

ARKANSAS RIVER from its mouth to the Arkansas/Oklahoma state line including that part of the Arkansas River from the Ozark Dam to the Arkansas/Oklahoma state line, bounded on the north by the Union Pacific Railroad and on the south by Arkansas Highway 22 in compliance with Codes 30.24-25;

ARKANSAS WATERS between the main levees of the Mississippi River.

BLACK RIVER from its mouth to the Missouri state line; CACHE RIVER and lakes accessible by boat from the river; FOURCHE La FAVE RIVER from its mouth to the Arkansas Highway 7 bridge in Perry County;

LITTLE RIVER from its mouth in Hempstead and Little River counties upstream to the Corps of Engineers boat ramp on west bank of river below Millwood Lake Dam;

OUACHITA RIVER from the Louisiana state line to U.S. Highway 79B bridge (Camden);

PETIT JEAN RIVER from its mouth to the Arkansas Highway 10 bridge in Yell County;

RED RIVER in Hempstead, Lafayette, Little River and Miller counties; ST. FRANCIS RIVER upstream to the mouth of the Left Hand Chute of Little River in Poinsett County;

SALINE RIVER from its confluence with the Ouachita River upstream to the Stillion railroad bridge in Ashley and Bradley Counties; SULPHUR RIVER from its mouth to the Texas state line; WHITE RIVER upstream from its mouth to 100 yards below Dam No. 1 at Batesville in Independence County; All lakes, bays or other bodies of water, other than tributary streams, connected to waters as specified above, when accessible by boat, from the main channel except as limited by Addendum Chapter H1.00;

EXCEPTIONS:

(1) Emergency Closures listed in Chapter 38.00.

(2) Flathead catfish, bowfin, drum, and gar may not be taken or possessed by commercial fishermen on the Ouachita River from Smackover Creek to the northern boundary of Felsenthal NWR.

(3) Blue catfish, flathead catfish, bowfin, drum and gar may not be taken or possessed by commercial fishermen on the Ouachita River from the northern boundary of Felsenthal NWR to the Louisiana state line, all waters within Felsenthal NWR, and from the Saline River from its mouth within Felsenthal NWR upstream to the Stillion railroad bridge.

(4) Island 40 Chute in Crittenden County is closed to commercial fishing except noon, Nov. 1-noon, March 30, or when accessible by boat from the Mississippi River.

(B) The following waters are closed year-round to commercial fishing and possession of commercial fishing tackle is prohibited while on these waters: Lake Erling, including all tributaries upstream from 100 yards below Lake Erling Dam to Arkansas Highway 313 in Lafayette County; All lakes owned and/or operated by Arkansas State Parks, USDA Forest Service, AGFC; Columbia County Lake in Columbia County; Dorcheat Bayou from its headwaters in Nevada County to the Arkansas/Louisiana state line; Horseshoe Lake in Crittenden County; Saline River above the Arkansas Highway 278 in Bradley County; Lake Wallace in Drew and Chicot counties; Hensley Lake in Jefferson County; Lake Maumelle in Pulaski County; White Oak Bay (Ozark Lake/Arkansas River); Little Missouri River, White River above the mouth of the Black River, Grand Lake in Chicot County, and all lakes in the Hot Springs Village Area of Saline County.

(C) The following counties or other parts are open year-round to legal commercial fishing unless noted closed in Section B or other Chapter 30 Commission Codes. Legal gill and trammel nets may be fished in the following counties only from noon, Sept. 30 to noon, May 1: Arkansas (Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Ashley (Emergency Closure Codes 38.04-06), Bradley (Emergency Closure Codes 38.03; 38.06), Calhoun (Emergency Closure Codes 38.03-04; 38.06), Chicot, Clay, Columbia (Dorcheat Bayou closed in (B) above; also see Emergency Closure Code 38.02), Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Desha, Drew (see Emergency Closure Codes 38.04-05), Greene, Hempstead, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson (see Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Lafayette, Lawrence, Lee, Lincoln, Little River, Lonoke (see Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Miller, Mississippi, Monroe, Nevada (Dorcheat Bayou closed in (B) above), Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie (see Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Pulaski (see Emergency Closure Code 38.01), Randolph, St. Francis, White, Woodruff and Union (see Emergency Closure Code 38.06) counties.

EXCEPTIONS:

(1) For waters in the above counties located within the Dale Bumpers White River NWR below Arkansas Highway 1, gill and trammel net season is from noon, Sept. 30-noon, Nov. 30 and from noon, March 1-noon, Sept. 30 when accessible by boat from the White River and the White River is above 23.5 feet on the St. Charles gauge. All commercial fishermen must obtain a special use permit from the Dale Bumpers White River NWR manager prior to fishing refuge waters.

(2) Saline River and backwaters from Stillion Railroad Bridge in Ashley and Bradley Counties to the Arkansas Highway 278 bridge in Bradley County are closed all year to gill and trammel nets.

(3) Open waters in Independence County include White River, Black River and oxbow lakes that are north of Arkansas Highway 14 and east of Arkansas Highway 122 and Arkansas Highway 25. Landowner permission will be required for oxbow lakes that are not accessible from the Black River.

(4) The Little Red river in White County is closed year-round to commercial fishing upstream of the Arkansas Highway 367 Bridge at Searcy.

(D) The following counties are closed year-round to commercial fishing unless open in Section A or other 3 Commission Codes: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clark, Cleburne, Cleveland, Conway, Crawford, Dallas, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Howard, Izard, Logan, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Montgomery, Newton, Ouachita, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, Saline, Scott, Searcy, Sebastian, Sevier, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, Washington and Yell counties. When a river or stream forms the boundary between opened and closed counties, that boundary segment shall be open to tackle legal in the open county, unless closed in other Codes.

EXCEPTION:

That part of Saline River south of Arkansas Highway 371 (old Arkansas Highway 24) in Howard and Sevier counties is open year around to hoop nets.

PENALTY: Class 2

30.25 COMMERCIAL FISHING RESTRICTIONS IN CERTAIN WATERS

(A) Corning Lake or Long Lake in Clay County: trotlines, throw line, limblines or snag lines are prohibited.

(B) Lake Dardanelle: Commercial tackle of any type prohibited from noon, March 1-noon, Nov. 30 in the waters of Dardanelle Lake north of the Missouri Pacific Railroad in Pope, Johnson and Franklin counties, Dardanelle Bay in Yell County, and south of signs posted on Shoal Bay, Cane Creek Bay, Six Mile Creek at O-Kane Island Access, and south of Arkansas Highway 22 in Delaware Bay in Logan County.

(C) Lake Dardanelle: Gill and trammel nets must be anchored so they are not within 3 feet of the water surface except noon, Dec. 1-noon, April 1.

(D) Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge: March 1-Oct. 31 with 3 inch or larger square bar mesh gill and trammel nets.

(E) Lake Millwood: with legal gill and trammel nets open noon, Sept. 30-noon, May 1, and slat traps open noon, Sept. 30-noon, June 1. Lake Millwood is open year-round to other legal commercial fishing. Commercial fishermen must register prior to fishing with the local district fisheries biologist at the Hope Regional Office and must submit monthly catch records to the local district fisheries biologist by the 15th of the following month.

(F) Nimrod Lake, Blue Mountain Lake and Morgan Point Bendway Lake: Open noon, Oct. 1-noon, March 1. All species of carp caught must be removed from these lakes. Commercial fishermen must register prior to fishing with the local district fisheries biologist and must submit monthly catch records to the local district fisheries biologist by the 15th of the following month. Only legal-sized gill and trammel nets or larger.

(G) Entergy Nuclear Power Plant: No commercial fishing in the discharge bay Nov. 1-March 1.

(H) Cadron Creek and Point Remove Creek: Legal commercial tackle during the commercial fishing season noon, Sept. 30-noon, May 1 on Cadron Creek -- from its mouth to Arkansas Highway 287 on its east fork in Faulkner County, North Cadron Creek -- from its mouth to Arkansas Highway 285 in Faulkner County; Point Remove Creek -- from its mouth up the east fork to Arkansas Highway 95 and the Kissire Bridge on the west fork in Conway County.

(I) Sheffield Nelson Dagmar WMA: Open noon, Jan. 1 until the last day of February.

(J) First Old River Lake (Miller County): Open noon, Nov. 1 until noon the last day of February, with legal gill and trammel nets. Commercial fishermen must obtain, and have in their possession while fishing, a commercial permit from the district biologist at the Hope Regional Office and report their catch to the Hope Regional Office by March 15.

(L) Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d'Arc Lake (Hempstead County): Open noon, November 1 until noon February 28, with legal gill and trammel nets. Commercial fishermen must obtain, and have in their possession while fishing, a commercial permit from the district biologist at the Hope Regional Office and report their catch to the Hope Regional Office by March 15.

(M) Calion Lake (Union County): Open noon, February 1, until noon, March 15, with legal gill and trammel nets. Commercial fishermen must obtain and have in their possession while fishing, a commercial permit from the district biologist at the Camden Regional Office and report their catch to the Camden Regional Office by March 31. All rough fish caught in the nets must be retained.

(N) Lake Chicot (Chicot County): Open noon, November 1, until noon December 31. Commercial fishermen must register prior to fishing with the local district fisheries biologist and must submit monthly catch records to the local district fisheries biologist by the 15th of the following month. All species of carp and all rough fish, excluding alligator gar, caught must be removed from the lake. Alligator gar must be released back into the lake. The 16-inch minimum length limit on buffalo is waived. Only legal-sized or larger gill and trammel nets may be used.

(O) Old River Lake (Pulaski County): Open noon, December 1until noon February 28. Commercial fishermen must register prior to fishing with the local district fisheries biologist at the Brinkley Regional Office and must submit monthly catch records to the local fisheries biologist by the 15th of the following month. All species of carp and all rough fish, excluding alligator gar, caught must be removed from the lake. Alligator gar must be released back into the lake. The 16 inch minimum length limit on buffalo is waived.

(P) Horseshoe Lake (Crittenden County): Open noon, November 1until noon February 28. Commercial fishermen must register prior to fishing with the local district fisheries biologist at the Brinkley Regional Office and must submit monthly catch records to the local fisheries biologist by the 15th of the following month. All species of carp and all rough fish, excluding alligator gar, caught must be removed from the lake. Alligator gar must be released back into the lake. The 16 inch minimum length limit on buffalo is waived.

PENALTY: Class 2

J1.01 APPROVED AQUACULTURE SPECIES LIST

Class Crustacea

Family Cambaridae

Procambarus acutus (White River Crayfish)

Procambarus clarkii (Red Swamp Crayfish)

Family Palaemonidae

*Macrobrachium rosenbergii (Malaysian Prawn) - certified disease-free (certification must be posted on-site)

Class Osteichthyes

Family Polyodontidae

Polyodon spathula (Paddlefish)

Family Lepisosteidae

Lepisosteus oculatus (Spotted Gar) Lepisosteus osseus (Longnose Gar) Lepisosteus platostomus (Shortnose Gar)

Family Amiidae

Amia calva (Bowfin)

Family Anguillidae

Anguilla rostrata (American Eel)

Family Clupeidae

Alosa chrysochloris (Skipjack Herring) Dorosoma cepedianum (Gizzard Shad) Dorosoma petenense (Threadfin Shad)

Family Salmonidae

* Oncorhynchus clarki (Cutthroat Trout)

* Oncorhynchus mykiss (Rainbow Trout)

* Salmo trutta (Brown Trout)

* Salvelinus fontinalis (Brook Trout)

* Salvelinus namaycush (Lake Trout)

Family Esocidae

Esox americanus (Grass Pickerel) Esox niger (Chain Pickerel)

Family Cyprinidae

* Carassius auratus (Goldfish, including ornamentals)

* Ctenopharyngodon idella (Grass Carp)

* Mylopharyngodon piceus (Black Carp) - TRIPLOIDS ONLY Cyprinella venusta (Blacktail Shiner)

* Cyprinus carpio (Common Carp, including koi) Hybognathus nuchalis (Miss. Silvery Minnow) Luxilus chrysocephalus (Striped Shiner) Lythrurus umbratilis (Redfin Shiner) Notemigonus crysoleucas (Golden Shiner) Notropis atherinoides (Emerald Shiner) Notropis boops (Bigeye Shiner)

Notropis buchanani (Ghost Shiner) Notropis volucellus (Mimic Shiner) Opsopoeodus emiliae (Pugnose Minnow) Pimephales notatus (Bluntnose Minnow) Pimephales promelas (Fathead Minnow) Pimephales vigilax (Bullhead Minnow) Semotilus atromaculatus (Creek Chub)

Family Catostomidae

Erimyzon oblongus (Creek Chubsucker) Erimyzon sucetta (Lake Chubsucker) Hypentelium nigricans (Northern Hogsucker)

Ictiobus bubalus (Smallmouth Buffalo) Ictiobus cyprinellus (Bigmouth Buffalo) Ictiobus niger (Black Buffalo) Minytrema melanops (Spotted Sucker) Moxostoma erythrurum (Golden Redhorse) Catostomus commersoni (White Sucker)

Family Ictaluridae

Ictalurus furcatus (Blue Catfish) Ameiurus melas (Black Bullhead) Ameiurus natalis (Yellow Bullhead) Ameiurus nebulosus (Brown Bullhead) Ictalurus punctatus (Channel Catfish) Noturus gyrinus (Tadpole Madtom) Noturus nocturnus (Freckled Madtom) Pylodictis olivaris (Flathead Catfish)

Family Aphredoderidae

Aphredoderus sayanus (Pirate Perch)

Family Cyprinidontidae

Fundulus notatus (Blackstripe Topminnow) Fundulus olivaceus (Blackspotted Topminnow)

Family Poeciliidae

Gambusia affinis (Mosquitofish)

Family Atherinidae

Labidesthes sicculus (Brook Silverside)

Family Percichthyidae

Morone chrysops (White Bass) Morone mississippiensis (Yellow Bass) * Morone saxatilis (Striped Bass)

Family Centrarchidae

Centrarchus macropterus (Flier) Lepomis cyanellus (Green Sunfish) Lepomis gulosus (Warmouth) Lepomis humilis (Orangespotted Sunfish) Lepomis macrochirus (Bluegill) Lepomis marginatus (Dollar Sunfish) Lepomis megalotis (Longear Sunfish) Lepomis microlophus (Redear Sunfish) Lepomis punctatus (Spotted Sunfish) Micropterus dolomieui (Smallmouth Bass) Micropterus punctulatus (Spotted Bass) Micropterus salmoides (Largemouth Bass) Pomoxis annularis (White Crappie) - < 6 inches Pomoxis nigromaculatus (Black Crappie) Elassoma zonatum (Banded Pygmy Sunfish)

Family Percidae

Percina caprodes (Logperch) Stizostedion canadense (Sauger) Stizostedion vitreum (Walleye)

Family Sciaenidae

Aplodinotus grunniens (Freshwater Drum)

Family Cichlidae

* Oreochromis aureus (Blue Tilapia)

* Oreochromis mossambicus (Mozambique Tilapia)

* Oreochromis niloticus (Nile Tilapia)

Class Amphibia

Family Ranidae

Rana catesbeiana (Bullfrog)

Rana sphenocephala (Southern Leopard Frog)

Class Bivalvia

Family Unionidae

Pygandon grandis (Giant Floater)

* Denotes nonnative species

CHAPTER N1.00 - GAME FISH RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITS

N1.01 Game Fish Daily Limits

N1.02 Length and Protected Length Limits on Certain Lakes and Rivers

N1.03 Specific Trout Water Regulations

*****

N1.01 GAME FISH DAILY LIMITS

Alligator Gar	1 Over 36 Inches Annually
1 Under 36 Inches
Black Basses (including not more than four Smallmouth)	10
Bream (over 4 inches length)	50
Catfish (except Bullhead)	10
Crappie	30
Rock Bass	10
Muskellunge	6
Paddlefish	2
Pickerel	6
Sauger	6
Saugeye	6
Shovelnose Sturgeon	No Limit
Striped Bass or Hybrid (Combination)	6
Trout (including not more than:
2 brown trout, 2 cutthroat trout, 2 brook trout)	5
Walleye White Bass	6 25

EXCEPTIONS:

(1) The following bodies of water are restricted to half the daily limit for all sportfish: Horseshoe Bend Pool of the Strawberry River in Izard County. There is no daily limit for harvest of game fish from Lake Poinsett and Mercer Bayou (Sulphur River WMA). Daily Limit for all sportfish on Lake Chicot half the Lake Chicot daily limit (no limit on channel catfish) during lake drawdown (July 9 - December 31, 2019). All black bass, crappie, and bream on Lake June must be released immediately.

(2) BLACK BASS (LARGEMOUTH, SPOTTED, SMALLMOUTH):

(A) Smallmouth bass:

Ozark Zone (Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clay, Cleburne, Fulton, Independence, Izard, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Newton, Randolph, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington counties) - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 12 inches with a daily limit of four, except Bull Shoals, Beaver, Greers Ferry, Table Rock Lakes and Lake Norfork (see Ex. 1(B) below). Greers Ferry Lake - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 12 inches, daily limit six.

Ozark Zone Blue Ribbon Streams - Crooked Creek from Arkansas Highway 101 bridge downstream to the confluence with the White River; between the U.S. Highway 62-412 and U.S. Highway 62 Spur bridges at Pyatt - smallmouth bass minimum length limit 18 inches, daily limit of one. Buffalo River from confluence with Clabber Creek downstream to the confluence with the White River - smallmouth bass minimum length limit 18 inches, daily limit of one. All other water of Crooked Creek and Buffalo River - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 14 inches, daily limit of two.

Ozark Zone Catch-and-Release Area - Crooked Creek, along boundary of Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation property near Kelley's Slab Access.

Ozark Zone Quality Streams - Kings River from Trigger Gap to U.S. Highway 62 bridge smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 18 inches, daily limit of one.

All other water of the Kings, Illinois, Spring, South Fork of the Spring and Eleven Point rivers and War Eagle Creek - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 14 inches, daily limit of two. Ouachita/Boston Zone (all Arkansas counties not included in the Ozark Zone) - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 10 inches, daily limit of four.

Ouachita/Boston Zone Quality Streams - (Mulberry, Caddo above DeGray Lake, DeGray Lake, Cossatot River, Ouachita River upstream from Lake Ouachita, Ouachita River downstream from Remmel Dam, Saline River, including its four headwater forks in Saline, Perry and Garland counties, South Fork/Ouachita, Little Missouri above Lake Greeson) - smallmouth bass minimum length limit of 12 inches, daily limit of two. Ouachita/Boston Zone Catch-and-Release Area - all smallmouth bass caught in Lake Ouachita including the Ouachita River upstream to the River Bluff access and the South Fork of the Ouachita River upstream to Hovel Branch must be immediately returned to the stream.

(B) Largemouth bass:

Lake Terre Noire and Lake Sylvia - daily limit five.

Lake Millwood - daily limit six.

Mallard Lake - daily limit one.

Marion McCollum Lake, Lake Sylvia - Largemouth bass caught must be immediately returned to the water.

Beaver, Bull Shoals, DeGray, DeQueen, Norfork, Table Rock lakes, Lake Jack Nolen, Ouachita, and Ashbaugh - daily limit six. Lake Lou Emma - daily limit five. Lake Atkins - daily limit four. War Eagle Creek - daily limit two.

(3) BREAM:

No limit on bream 4 inches or shorter.

(4) CATFISH:

(A) No limit on catfish on Grand Lake - Chicot County, Lake Chicot (including that portion of Connerly Bayou downstream from Connerly Dam to the bayou's mouth and Ditch Bayou from the inlet on Lake Chicot to Ditch Bayou Dam) and between the main levees of the Mississippi River, from the confluence of the Mississippi/White Rivers upstream to the Benzal Railroad Bridge, and from the confluence of the Mississippi/Arkansas Rivers upstream to the Yancopin Railroad Bridge. No limit on blue and channel catfish from Little River (below Millwood Dam) Red and Sulphur Rivers. No limit on channel catfish on Marion McCollum Lake Greenlee - Monroe County, and on Lake Chicot (including that portion of Connerly Bayou downstream from Connerly Dam to the bayou's mouth and Ditch Bayou from the inlet on Lake Chicot to Ditch Bayou Dam).

(B) Catfish daily limit five on:

DeWitt City Park Lake (Arkansas County); Lake Atalanta (Benton County); Hidden Lake (Carroll County); Big Timber Lake and Gurdon Lake (Clark County); Hubble Lake (Clay County); Lake Bailey (Conway County); Lake Cambadelle and Lake Lou Emma (Crawford County); Marion City Park Lake (Crittenden County); Village Creek State Park Lakes (Cross and St. Francis Counties); Lake Bennett (Faulkner County); Lake Clearfork (Garland County); Crowley Ridge State Park Lake and Reynolds Park Lake (Greene County); Newark City Lake (Independence County); Lake June (Lafayette County); Ward City Park Lake (Lonoke County); Hindsville Lake (Madison County); Blytheville City Park Lake (Mississippi County); Donald Branch Fishing Pond (Monroe County); Lake Sylvia (Perry County); Shady Lake (Polk County); Twin Lakes A and B, Camp Ferncliff (Pulaski County); Old Davidsonville State Park Lake (Randolph County); Forrest City Park Lake (St. Francis County); Truman Baker Lake (Scott County); Cave City's Lakes (Sharp County); Gunner Pool and Hayden Bend Pond (Stone County); Devils Den State Park (Washington County); Spring Lake, Kingfisher, Clubhouse Lakes in

Petit Jean WMA (Yell County) and posted USDA Forest Service ponds and lakes.

(D) In addition to daily limit, 10 channel catfish and 10 blue catfish any size may be taken in Lake Erling.

(5) CRAPPIE:

(A) Crappie daily limit - 15 in Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals, Norfork reservoirs, Cane Creek Lake (Lincoln County), and Gurdon Lake (Clark County) and Dr. Lester Sitzes III Bois d'Arc Lake.

(B) Crappie daily limit - 50 between the main levees of the Mississippi River, from the confluence of the Mississippi/White Rivers upstream to the Benzal Railroad Bridge, from the confluence of the Mississippi/Arkansas Rivers upstream to the Yancopin Railroad Bridge.

(D) No Crappie daily limit on Lake Charles.

(6) WALLEYE:

(A) Beaver Lake and its tributaries; Table Rock Lake and its tributaries to Beaver Dam; Bull Shoals Lake, and Norfork Lake - minimum length limit of 18 inches, daily limit four.

(B) Greers Ferry Lake and its tributaries - protected slot limit of 20-28 inches, daily limit of six (only one of which may be longer than 28 inches).

(7) WHITE BASS, STRIPED BASS, HYBRID STRIPED BASS:

(A) White bass:

Between the main levees of the Mississippi river, from the confluence of the Mississippi and White rivers upstream to the Benzal Railroad Bridge, and from the confluence of the Mississippi and Arkansas rivers upstream to the Yancopin Railroad Bridge - daily limit of 50, possession limit of 100. Beaver Lake and its tributaries; lakes Ashbaugh, Sequoyah and Monticello - no limit.

(B) Striped bass and hybrid striped bass (combined): Beaver, Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes; Lake Ouachita - daily limit three. Arkansas River and connecting lakes - daily limit 10. Lake Monticello - no limit.

(8) ALLIGATOR GAR:

Alligator gar longer than 36 inches may not be harvested from noon, May 1-noon, July 1, statewide. Alligator Gar Permit is required to harvest alligator gar up to 36 inches. Alligator Gar Permit and Tag are required to harvest Alligator gar over 36 inches (Code 26.28).

(9) TROUT (BROOK, BROWN, CUTTHROAT, RAINBOW):

(A) Brown trout:

White River from Bull Shoals Dam to Highway 58 Bridge (Bull Shoals Tailwater) and North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater) - minimum length 24 inches, daily limit one; only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 14 inches. Spavinaw Creek (Benton County) west of Arkansas Highway 59 and Spring River - minimum length 16 inches, daily limit two. Little Red River from Greers Ferry Dam to Arkansas Highway 305 Bridge (Greers Ferry

Tailwater) - daily limit of five (only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 16 inches). White River from Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access (Beaver Tailwater) - protected slot limit of 13-16 inches, daily limit of five (only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 16 inches). Little Missouri River from Narrows Dam to Arkansas Highway 27 Bridge (Narrows Tailwater) - all brown trout must be released immediately.

(B) Cutthroat trout:

White River from Bull Shoals Dam to Highway 58 Bridge (Bull Shoals Tailwater) - minimum length 24 inches, daily limit of one; only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 14 inches. North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater), Spavinaw Creek (Benton County) west of Arkansas Highway 59, Spring River - minimum length 16 inches, daily limit of two. Little Red River from Greers Ferry Dam to Arkansas Highway 305 Bridge (Greers Ferry Tailwater) - only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 16 inches. White River from Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access (Beaver Tailwater) - protected slot limit of 13-16 inches (only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 16 inches).

White River from Bull Shoals Dam to Highway 58 Bridge (Bull Shoals Tailwater), North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater) - minimum length 14 inches, daily limit of one; only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 14 inches. Spavinaw Creek (Benton County) west of Arkansas Highway 59, Spring River - minimum length 14 inches, daily limit two. Little Red River from Greers Ferry Dam to Arkansas Highway 305 Bridge (Greers Ferry Tailwater) - only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 16 inches. White River from Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access (Beaver Tailwater) - protected slot limit of 13-16 inches (only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 16 inches).

(D) Rainbow trout:

Lake Atalanta (Benton County) - daily limit of five. White River from Bull Shoals Dam to Highway 58 Bridge (Bull Shoals Tailwater), North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater) - daily limit of five (only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 14 inches). Little Red River from Greers Ferry Dam to Arkansas Highway 305 Bridge (Greers Ferry Tailwater) - daily limit of five (only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 16 inches). White River from Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access (Beaver Tailwater) - protected slot limit of 13-16 inches, daily limit of five (only one of trout daily limit may be longer than 16 inches).

All fish measurements must follow procedures listed in Code 01.00-C Length Limit definition.

N1.02 LENGTH AND PROTECTED LENGTH LIMITS ON CERTAIN LAKES AND RIVERS

(A) BLACK BASS - It is unlawful to possess black bass as follows:

(1) Largemouth bass less than 12 inches on Lake Frierson.

(2) Spotted bass less than 12 inches on, Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock lakes.

(3) All black bass less than 12 inches in Horseshoe Bend Pool on the Strawberry River.

(4) Largemouth less than 13 inches on Lake Ouachita.

(5) Largemouth bass 13-16 inches on lakes Barnett (White County), Brewer, Wilhelmina (Polk County), Bear Creek Lake, Bob Kidd; Lee Creek; and Sugar Loaf Lake.

(6) Largemouth bass less than 13 inches on DeGray Lake and within the boundaries of Felsenthal NWR.

EXCEPTION: No restriction in Woodland Trail Pond - located at the Felsenthal NWR Headquarters on Hwy 82 (Ashley County); Locust Ridge Pond - located at Locust Ridge on Hwy 82 (Union County); Eagle Lake Pond- located north of Eagle Lake on Bradley Road 53 (Bradley County); and Shallow Lake Field Pond located west of Shallow Lake (Union County). Person(s) keeping largemouth bass less than 13 inches from these waters must exit the NWR boundaries immediately upon leaving these ponds and may not enter NWR campgrounds or fish other NWR waters with largemouth bass less than 13 inches from these four ponds in their possession.

(7) Largemouth bass less than 14 inches on the Arkansas River and its tributaries.

(8) Smallmouth bass less than 15 inches on Beaver, Bull Shoals, Norfork and Table Rock lakes.

(9) Largemouth bass less than 15 inches on Beaver Lake, Big Lake NWR, Blue Mountain, Bull Shoals, Georgia Pacific, Greers Ferry, Kingfisher, Norfork, Table Rock lakes; Upper and Lower Lake Chicot (including Connerly Bayou downstream from Connerly Dam to the bayou's mouth and Ditch Bayou from the inlet on Lake Chicot to Ditch Bayou Dam); Lake Greenlee and Moss Creek Pond.

(10) Black bass greater than 16 inches in Lake Winona.

(11) Largemouth bass 16-21 inches on Lake Atkins. Daily limit four (only one of which may be longer than 21 inches).

(12)

(13) Largemouth bass daily limit ten (only one of which may be longer than 20 inches) on Lake Columbia, Lake Austell (Cross County), and Lake Dunn (Cross County).

(14) Largemouth bass daily limit 10 (only one of which may be longer than 18 inches) on Lake SWEPCO.

(15) Smallmouth bass less than 18 inches on the lower Little Missouri River from Narrows Dam to its mouth. Daily limit one.

(16) Largemouth bass 14-17 inches on Mallard Lake. Daily limit 10, only one of which may be larger than 17 inches.

(17) Largemouth bass 19-22 inches on Lake Monticello. Daily limit eight, only one of which may be longer than 22 inches.

(18) Largemouth bass 18-21 inches on Lower White Oak Lake. Daily limit ten (only one of which may be longer than 21 inches).

(B) CRAPPIE: It is unlawful to possess crappie as follows:

(1) Less than 10 inches in Beaver, Table Rock, Bull Shoals and Norfork Reservoirs; Cane Creek Lake in Lincoln County; Lake Chicot (including Connerly Bayou downstream from Connerly Dam to the bayou's mouth and Ditch Bayou from the inlet on Lake Chicot to Ditch Bayou Dam); Lake Charles, Lake Conway (including Gold Creek downstream from the Sturgis Road Bridge, Stone Dam Creek downstream of I-40 Bridge, Caney Creek/Little Creek downstream from the Hwy 286 Bridge, and Palarm Creek downstream from the Hwy 286 Bridge), Lake Monticello, Lake Overcup, Harris Brake Lake and Lake Atkins.

(2) Less than 9 inches on Blue Mountain Lake.

EXCEPTION:

(1) From December-February, the minimum length limit is waived on Lake Monticello and the harvest is regulated by a 20-fish daily limit. The first 20 crappie caught, regardless of size, must be kept. Culling is not permitted. From March-November, harvest is controlled by a 10-inch minimum length, daily limit of 20.

(1) It is unlawful to possess flathead catfish less than 20 inches on the Ouachita River from Sandy Beach Access (Ouachita County) to Remmel Dam.

(D) STRIPED BASS: It is unlawful to possess striped bass less than 20 inches on Lake Norfork and Beaver Lake.

(E) SHOVELNOSE STURGEON: It is unlawful to possess shovelnose sturgeon less than 21 inches. Shovelnose sturgeon may not be taken from the Mississippi River.

EXCEPTION:

(1) Sportfish may be snagged (except in catch-and-release areas) in compliance with Codes 26.05; 26.17 and within the restrictive size limits in this addendum chapter.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arkansas may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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Arkansas Administrative CodeAgency 002 - Game and Fish CommissionRule 002.00.18-003 - 2019 Fishing Regulations

Arkansas Administrative Code
Agency 002 - Game and Fish Commission
Rule 002.00.18-003 - 2019 Fishing Regulations