2026 regulation year
Arkansas Fishing Regulations 2026 — License Fees, Seasons, Bag Limits
Last updated
Arkansas annual fishing licences run for 365 days from purchase. Trout fishing requires an additional Trout Permit — the White, Little Red, Norfork, and Spring rivers are the tailwater fisheries where it matters. AGFC publishes a single statewide booklet plus per-lake special-regulation summaries.
License fees
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident annual | $11.00 | |
| Resident trout permit (add-on) | $5.00 | |
| Resident 3-day | $7.00 | |
| Resident senior (65+) lifetime | $11.00 | One-time fee |
| Resident disabled veteran lifetime | Free | Free — eligibility required |
| Licence | Price (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Non-resident annual | $50.00 | |
| Non-resident trout permit (add-on) | $25.00 | |
| Non-resident 7-day | $25.00 | |
| Non-resident 3-day | $16.00 | |
| Non-resident 1-day | $11.00 |
Buy directly from Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Fees may include processing surcharges at point of sale.
Top species — season, bag, size
| Species | Season | Daily bag | Size / slot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass | Open year-round | 6 / day (statewide) | 12–16 in slot limit on listed trophy lakes |
| Smallmouth bass | Open year-round | 4 / day (separate from largemouth) | 12 in minimum statewide; 14 in on listed Ozark streams |
| Crappie | Open year-round | 30 / day | 10 in minimum on listed lakes; no statewide minimum elsewhere |
| White bass | Open year-round | 25 / day | No statewide minimum; per-lake rules may apply |
| Trout | Open year-round on tailwaters; stocked stream seasons vary | 5 / day combined (rainbow + brown + cutthroat) | Rainbow: no statewide min; brown trout 16 in min on White River system |
Notable water-body special regulations
Largemouth: 12–16 in slot, 1 over 16 in; striped bass: 4 / day
Largemouth: 14–18 in slot, 1 over 18 in; trophy walleye fishery
White River (below Bull Shoals)
Trout permit required; brown trout 16 in min; catch-and-release sections marked
Little Red River (below Greers Ferry)
Trout permit required; world-record brown trout water
Trout permit required; slot + size rules on brown trout
Official source
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is the authoritative source for Arkansas fishing regulations. Always verify rules before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override published booklets.