What special fishing regulations apply at Spring River?

Spring River carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Arkansas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook). One of them reads: "Ozark Zone Quality Stream (Fulton County — spring-fed cold-water river, the only naturally cold-water trout river in Arkansas). Below Mammoth Spring Dam No. 1 to Myatt Creek: trout 5 / day, only 1 over 14 in (cutthroat 2 / day) — Trout Permit required. Smallmouth bass 2 / day, 14 in min. AGFC Mammoth Spring State Fish Hatchery + Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery stock rainbow trout." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Spring River?

Yes. Spring River is in Arkansas, so a valid Arkansas fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Spring River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Arkansas rules.

Do Spring River's special rules replace Arkansas' statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Arkansas' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Spring River by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Spring River?

Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook) has a water-body-specific rule on Spring River, each linking to its full Arkansas regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Arkansas limits.

2026 regulation year

Spring River 2026 — Arkansas Fishing Regulations

Arkansas statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

Spring River carries 2 special-regulation overlays on top of Arkansas's 2026 fishing rules — covering Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook). Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Ozark Zone Quality Stream (Fulton County — spring-fed cold-water river, the only naturally cold-water trout river in Arkansas). Below Mammoth Spring Dam No. 1 to Myatt Creek: trout 5 / day, only 1 over 14 in (cutthroat 2 / day) — Trout Permit required. Smallmouth bass 2 / day, 14 in min. AGFC Mammoth Spring State Fish Hatchery + Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery stock rainbow trout
Source: Arkansas special-water list

Per-species rules on Spring River

Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook) regulations →
AGFC Trout Permit required; 5 trout, only 1 over 14 in (cutthroat 2 / day); only naturally cold-water trout river in Arkansas

Official source

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) publishes the authoritative 2026 Arkansas fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Arkansas fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's emergency-order feed — check it before any Arkansas trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Arkansas

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Spring River?: Spring River carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Arkansas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook). One of them reads: "Ozark Zone Quality Stream (Fulton County — spring-fed cold-water river, the only naturally cold-water trout river in Arkansas). Below Mammoth Spring Dam No. 1 to Myatt Creek: trout 5 / day, only 1 over 14 in (cutthroat 2 / day) — Trout Permit required. Smallmouth bass 2 / day, 14 in min. AGFC Mammoth Spring State Fish Hatchery + Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery stock rainbow trout." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Spring River?: Yes. Spring River is in Arkansas, so a valid Arkansas fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Spring River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Arkansas rules.
Do Spring River's special rules replace Arkansas' statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Arkansas' statewide 2026 regulations apply on Spring River by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Spring River?: Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook) has a water-body-specific rule on Spring River, each linking to its full Arkansas regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Arkansas limits.

← Back to Arkansas regulations overview