2026 regulation year
Arkansas Smallmouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
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Last updated
Arkansas's Ozark streams hold native smallmouth populations — the Buffalo, Kings, Mulberry, and Crooked Creek systems. AGFC sets a 14-inch minimum on flagship Ozark streams; reservoir smallmouth follow the statewide 12-inch minimum and 4-fish bag.
Season
Open year-round Open year-round statewide.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 4 / day (separate from largemouth)
- Possession
- 8 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 12 in minimum statewide; 14 in on listed Ozark streams
Gear restrictions
- Hook-and-line on most waters
- Some Ozark streams: artificial-only or barbless sections marked in regs
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Arkansas waters:
Buffalo National River
NPS water: 14 in min; 4 / day; catch-and-release in some reaches
Kings River
Ozark stream: 14 in min; 4 / day
Crooked Creek
Special blue-ribbon smallmouth water: 14 in min
Mulberry River
Ozark stream: 14 in min; spring float-fishing destination
Beaver Lake
Reservoir: 12 in min; 4 / day
Official source
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission publishes the authoritative 2026 Arkansasfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.