002.00.17 Ark. Code R. 013

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Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 10, October, 2024

Rule 002.00.17-013 - Trout Fishing Regulations

CHAPTER N1.00 - GAME FISH RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITS N1.01 Game Fish Daily Limits

N1.01 GAME FISH DAILY LIMITS

Alligator Gar 1

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 6

White Bass 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. All crappie on Lower White Oak Lake must be released immediately. There is no daily limit for harvest of game fish from Lake Poinsett and Mercer Bayou (Sulphur River WMA).

(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.

(C)Black Bass (all species combined):

Beaver, Bull Shoals, DeGray, DeQueen, Norfork, Table Rock lakes, Lake Jack Nolen, Ouachita,

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); Lower White Oak Lake (Ouachita 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.

(C) In addition to daily limit, 10 channel catfish under 16 inches may be taken on the Arkansas River.

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

(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 and on Horseshoe Lake (Crittenden County).

(C) Crappie daily limit - 20 in Lake Chicot and Lake Monticello.

(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).

(C) In compliance with Addendum N1.02 and Code Chapter 28.00.

(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; lakes Maumelle and 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 (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), North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater) - minimum length 24 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 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).

(C)Brook trout:

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.

N1.03 SPECIFIC TROUT WATER REGULATIONS

(A)Beaver Tailwater (White River from 100 yards below Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access).

(1) No fishing, boating or wading within 100 yards of Beaver Dam.

(2) An angler shall use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish other than as specified for the paddlefish-snagging season.

(3) Bait fishing allowed only with a single, hooking point.

(4) From April 15-June 15, snagging game fish is legal only from 100 yards below Beaver Dam from the Corps of Engineers "No Fishing Beyond This Point" sign downstream to the first Corps of Engineers boat ramp on the left descending bank to the first boat-launching ramp. Snagging must cease after half the daily limit of any game fish has been snagged. Snagged fish of any species shall not be released.

(5) Special Regulation Area:

Artificial Lures Only Area/No Bait Zone from approximately 0.5 mile below Beaver Dam to approximately 100 yards upstream of Parker Bend Access, as indicated by signs.

(a) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(b) Chumming is prohibited.

(B)Bull Shoals Tailwater (White River from 100 yards below Bull Shoals Dam to Arkansas Highway 58 Bridge at Guion).

(1) No fishing, boating or wading within 100 yards of Bull Shoals Dam.

(2) An angler shall use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish. Only a single hooking point per pole may be used for bait fishing.

(3) Special Regulation Areas:

(a) Bull Shoals Dam Catch-and-Release Area - Open to fishing from Feb. 1-Oct. 31 from 100 yards below Bull Shoals Dam to the upstream boundary of Bull Shoals/White River State Park, as indicated by signs.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(b) Bull Shoals Dam Closed Area - the area 100 yards below Bull Shoals Dam to the wing dike at the Bull Shoals/White River State Park Trout Dock. This area is closed to fishing or wading Nov. 1-Jan. 31.

(c) Bull Shoals Dam Seasonal Brown Trout Catch-and-Release Area, Nov. 1-Jan. 31. From the wing dike at Bull Shoals/White River State Park Trout Dock to the downstream boundary of the Bull Shoals/White River State Park.

(1) All brown trout must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(4) No fishing 30 minutes after sunset-30 minutes before sunrise.

(d) Rim Shoals Catch-and-Release Area (near Cotter). From sign immediately above mouth of Jenkins Creek to the first electric power line downstream, as indicated by signs.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(C)Norfork Tailwater (North Fork of the White River from 100 yards below Norfork Dam to the confluence of the White River).

(1) No fishing, boating or wading within 100 yards below Norfork Dam.

(3) Chain dragging is prohibited. It is unlawful to drag chains or other objects from boats, capable of destroying aquatic vegetation.

(4) Special Regulation Areas:

(a) Norfork Catch-and-Release Area - from the downstream end of Long Hole to the Bill Ackerman River Ridge Walk-in Access (about 1-2 miles), as indicated by signs.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(D)Greers Ferry Tailwater (Little Red River from 100 yards below Greers Ferry Dam to the Arkansas Highway 305 Bridge).

(1) No fishing, boating or wading within 100 yards of Greers Ferry Dam.

(3) Special Regulation Areas:

(a) JFK Catch-and-Release Area (at John F. Kennedy Park below Greers Ferry Dam) - from 100 yards downstream from Greers Ferry Dam to approximately 0.5 miles downstream to the last Greer's Ferry National Fish Hatchery effluent outfall in John F. Kennedy Park, as indicated by signs.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(b) Cow Shoals Catch-and-Release Area - from the head of Cow Shoals to the mouth of Canoe Creek, as indicated by signs.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point per pole shall be used. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(4) Closed to night fishing from October 1 - December 31 (No fishing one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise).

(c) Mossy Shoals Catch-and-Release Area - from the head of Dunham Shoals downstream to the end of Mossy Shoals, as indicated by signs.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(E)Collins Creek (from its source in John F. Kennedy Park below Greers Ferry Dam to the confluence of the Little Red River).

(1) An angler shall use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish.

(2) Catch-and-Release Stream. All trout caught must be immediately released.

(3) Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(4) Chumming is prohibited.

(5) Fishing is limited to youths upstream of the wooden vehicle bridge in John F. Kennedy Park.

(6) Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset.

(7) Downstream of the wooden vehicle road bridge in John F. Kennedy Park, fishing is limited to youths under age 16, anglers with a fishing license and a trout permit who are accompanying a youth under age 16 in the act of fishing, and mobility impaired anglers.

(8) Mobility impaired anglers shall fish from the mobility impaired access piers only.

(9) Mobility impaired card is required for mobility-impaired anglers in compliance with Addendum C1.11.

(F)Dry Run Creek (from its source on the east side of Norfork National Fish Hatchery below Norfork Dam to the confluence with the North Fork of the White River).

(1) An angler shall use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish.

(2) Catch-and-Release Stream. All trout caught must be immediately released.

(3) Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(4) Chumming is prohibited.

(5) Fishing is limited to youths and mobility impaired anglers.

(6) Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset.

(7) Mobility impaired anglers shall fish from the mobility impaired access pier or boardwalk only.

(8) Mobility-impaired card is required for mobility-impaired anglers in compliance with Addendum C1.11.

(G)Blanchard Spring Mirror Lake (in Ozark National Forest Blanchard Spring, from its source to the confluence with North Sylamore Creek, including Mirror Lake).

(1) An angler shall use no more than two fishing rods or poles and must attend them at all times.

No other devices shall be used to catch fish.

(H)Spring River, from 100 yards below Dam No. 1 at Mammoth Spring State Park to the mouth of Myatt Creek.

(1) An angler shall use no more than two fishing rods or poles and must attend them at all times.

No other devices shall be used to catch fish.

(I)Spavinaw Creek (Benton County), from its source downstream to the Arkansas Highway 59 bridge.

(1) An angler shall use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish.

(2) Catch and Release Stream. All trout caught must be immediately released.

(3) Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(4) Chumming is prohibited.

(J)Narrows Tailwater - Little Missouri River from 100 yards below Narrows Dam (Lake Greeson) downstream to the low-water bridge (Arkansas Highway 27 Bridge).

(1) An angler shall use no more than two fishing rods or poles and must attend them at all times. No other devices shall be used to catch fish.

(2) Special Regulation Areas:

(a) Narrows Catch-and-Release Area - from 100 yards below Narrows Dam downstream to the upstream boundary of Riverside Park Access.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point per pole shall be used. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(b) Narrows Summer Catch-and-Release Area - May 1-Oct. 15. Downstream from the upstream boundary of the Riverside Park Access to the gas line crossing above River Ridge Pool.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point per pole shall be used. Natural or scented baits are not allowed.

(3) Chumming is not allowed.

(c) Narrows Winter Catch-and-Release Area - Oct. 16-April 30. From approximately 300 yards downstream of Hinds Bluff Access to approximately 300 yards upstream of Old Factory Site (Weir 2), as indicated by signs.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point per pole shall be used. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(K)Big Spring (at Cotter) from its source to the confluence with the White River.

(1) Fishing is limited to youths and disabled anglers. Youths must be accompanied by an adult when fishing. Adult disabled anglers must carry proof they are 100 percent permanently and totally disabled (Code 01.00-C Disabled) and possess a sport fishing, lifetime fishing, or combination hunting and fishing license, plus a trout permit.

(2) An angler may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish.

(3) All fish caught must be released.

(4) Only artificial lures with barbless hook(s) may be used. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(5) Chumming is prohibited.

(6) Fishing is allowed from sunrise to sunset.

(7) No fishing in the swimming hole at the upstream end of Big Spring, as indicated by signs.

(8) No motorized boats allowed in Big Spring.

(9) Fishing derbies must be requested, and permitted in writing by AGFC District 2 fisheries biologist, and can include fishing with natural or scented baits, and harvest of trout.

N1.01 GAME FISH DAILY LIMITS

Alligator Gar 1

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 6

White Bass 25

EXCEPTIONS:

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

(A)Brown trout:

(B)Cutthroat trout:

(C)Brook trout:

(D)Rainbow trout:

N1.03 SPECIFIC TROUT WATER REGULATIONS

(B)Bull Shoals Tailwater (White River from 100 yards below Bull Shoals Dam to Arkansas Highway 58 Bridge at Guion).

(1) No fishing, boating or wading within 100 yards of Bull Shoals Dam.

(3) Special Regulation Areas:

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(1) All brown trout must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(4) No fishing 30 minutes after sunset-30 minutes before sunrise.

(d) Rim Shoals Catch-and-Release Area (near Cotter). From sign immediately above mouth of Jenkins Creek to mouth of Dry Creek, as indicated by signs.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

(C)Norfork Tailwater (North Fork of the White River from 100 yards below Norfork Dam to the confluence of the White River).

(1) No fishing, boating or wading within 100 yards below Norfork Dam.

(3) Chain dragging is prohibited. It is unlawful to drag chains or other objects from boats, capable of destroying aquatic vegetation.

(4) Special Regulation Areas:

(a) Norfork Catch-and-Release Area - from the downstream end of Long Hole to the Bill Ackerman River Ridge Walk-in Access (about 1-2 miles), as indicated by signs.

(1) All trout caught must be immediately released.

(2) Only artificial lures or flies shall be used. All hooking points must be barbless. Natural or scented baits are prohibited.

(3) Chumming is prohibited.

002.00.17 Ark. Code R. 013

11/27/2017