What special fishing regulations apply at White River main stem?

White River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Arkansas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook). One of them reads: "AGFC Trout Permit required. Bull Shoals Tailwater (Bull Shoals Dam to Norfork access): daily limit 2 trout, none over 14 in kept; below 30 min after sunset only rainbow trout may be harvested. Lower reach (Norfork access to Guion / Hwy 58 bridge): 2 trout, only 1 over 14 in — brown / cutthroat / tiger trout 24 in min + 1 / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT, brook trout 14 in min + 1 / day. Upper White (Ozark Zone Stream, above Beaver Lake): smallmouth 12 in min; paddlefish snagging Apr 15 – Jun 15 (34-in eye-to-fork, Trophy Tag, 2 / season). Catch-and-release zones: Bull Shoals C&R (Feb 1 – Oct 31, closed Nov 1 – Jan 31), Rim Shoals C&R near Cotter, Bull Shoals Seasonal Brown Trout C&R Nov 1 – Jan 31 — artificial lures / flies, barbless, no scented bait. Produced more 30+ lb brown trout than any other US fishery." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish White River main stem?

Yes. White River main stem 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 White River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Arkansas rules.

Do White River main stem's special rules replace Arkansas' statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Arkansas' statewide 2026 regulations apply on White River main stem 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 White River main stem?

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

2026 regulation year

White River main stem 2026 — Arkansas Fishing Regulations

Arkansas statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 8, 2026

White River main stem 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

AGFC Trout Permit required. Bull Shoals Tailwater (Bull Shoals Dam to Norfork access): daily limit 2 trout, none over 14 in kept; below 30 min after sunset only rainbow trout may be harvested. Lower reach (Norfork access to Guion / Hwy 58 bridge): 2 trout, only 1 over 14 in — brown / cutthroat / tiger trout 24 in min + 1 / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT, brook trout 14 in min + 1 / day. Upper White (Ozark Zone Stream, above Beaver Lake): smallmouth 12 in min; paddlefish snagging Apr 15 – Jun 15 (34-in eye-to-fork, Trophy Tag, 2 / season). Catch-and-release zones: Bull Shoals C&R (Feb 1 – Oct 31, closed Nov 1 – Jan 31), Rim Shoals C&R near Cotter, Bull Shoals Seasonal Brown Trout C&R Nov 1 – Jan 31 — artificial lures / flies, barbless, no scented bait. Produced more 30+ lb brown trout than any other US fishery
Source: Arkansas special-water list

Per-species rules on White River main stem

Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook) regulations →
AGFC Trout Permit required; 2 trout (upper, none over 14 in); lower reach (Norfork – Guion) brown / cutthroat / tiger 24 in min 1 / day, brook 14 in min 1 / day; C&R zones (Bull Shoals, Rim Shoals)

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

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at White River main stem?: White River main stem carries 2 special-regulation overlays that override Arkansas' statewide 2026 rules, covering Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook). One of them reads: "AGFC Trout Permit required. Bull Shoals Tailwater (Bull Shoals Dam to Norfork access): daily limit 2 trout, none over 14 in kept; below 30 min after sunset only rainbow trout may be harvested. Lower reach (Norfork access to Guion / Hwy 58 bridge): 2 trout, only 1 over 14 in — brown / cutthroat / tiger trout 24 in min + 1 / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT, brook trout 14 in min + 1 / day. Upper White (Ozark Zone Stream, above Beaver Lake): smallmouth 12 in min; paddlefish snagging Apr 15 – Jun 15 (34-in eye-to-fork, Trophy Tag, 2 / season). Catch-and-release zones: Bull Shoals C&R (Feb 1 – Oct 31, closed Nov 1 – Jan 31), Rim Shoals C&R near Cotter, Bull Shoals Seasonal Brown Trout C&R Nov 1 – Jan 31 — artificial lures / flies, barbless, no scented bait. Produced more 30+ lb brown trout than any other US fishery." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish White River main stem?: Yes. White River main stem 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 White River main stem; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Arkansas rules.
Do White River main stem's special rules replace Arkansas' statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Arkansas' statewide 2026 regulations apply on White River main stem 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 White River main stem?: Trout (rainbow + brown + cutthroat + brook) has a water-body-specific rule on White River main stem, each linking to its full Arkansas regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Arkansas limits.

← Back to Arkansas regulations overview