2026 regulation year
Arkansas Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Oncorhynchus mykiss / Salmo trutta / Oncorhynchus clarkii
Last updated
Arkansas's trout fishery exists entirely below the cold-water releases from Bull Shoals, Norfork, and Greers Ferry dams. The White River tailwater is the world's top brown-trout destination — multiple world records have come from this water. A separate Trout Permit is required everywhere trout are stocked.
Season
Open year-round Open year-round on tailwaters. Stocked-stream seasons vary; check AGFC schedule.
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 5 / day combined (rainbow + brown + cutthroat)
- Possession
- 10 in possession
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- Rainbow: no statewide minimum. Brown trout: 16 in min on White / Little Red / Norfork.
- Slot
- Brown trout protected slot on listed reaches of the White River system
- Trophy rule
- Catch-and-release sections marked on White (Bull Shoals tailwater) and Little Red rivers
Gear restrictions
- Trout Permit required to fish for trout
- Catch-and-release zones: artificial-only, barbless single hook
- Live bait permitted outside C&R zones
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Arkansas waters:
White River (below Bull Shoals)
Brown trout 16 in min; C&R zones marked; trout permit required
Little Red River (below Greers Ferry)
World-record brown water; C&R zones; 16 in min on browns
Norfork Tailwater
Brown trout 16 in min; slot + size rules apply
Spring River
Stocked rainbows; statewide 5 / day; permit required
Beaver Tailwater (below Beaver Dam)
Cold-water releases; trout permit required
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.