The Little Red River for Arkansas Trout Fishing
Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat Trout Thrive in Cold Water
Oct 8, 2009
The Little Red River begins in the Ozark Mountains. The South Fork, Middle Fork, and Devil's Fork combine into Greers Ferry Lake near the town of Heber Springs. The lake is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with associated generation of hydroelectric power at the dam.
Rainbow Trout Thrive on Cold Water in The Little Red River
The cold water released from the bottom of the lake at the dam site supports the rainbow trout fishery managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Service maintains a national fish hatchery at the dam site and releases mature and fingerling trout at several sites along the upper portion of the river. The cool water temperatures are maintained for approximately 30 river miles from the dam to just below the town of Pangburn, downriver of Rainbow Island. In addition to rainbow trout, fishermen will also find brown and cutthroat trout. The LIttle Red River holds the brown trout world record at 40 lbs, 4 oz, with 5 to 8 lbs as the common catch. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is also managing the reintroduction of walleye and smallmouth bass in the river below Pangburn in areas where the water temperature begins to naturally increase.
The Game and Fish Commission maintains several access points along the river suitable for both boat launching and walk-in fishing, including Barnett, Lobo, Dripping Springs, and Ramsey. There is also a public ramp maintained by the Corps just below the dam. Although the local weather supports fishing year-round, the best months for trout are October through February, with October and November the spawning months for brown trout. Because the river is fed through a hydroelectric dam, water levels vary daily, often dramatically, rather than seasonally, due to the controlled release. The typical release time is mid-morning on weekdays. Walk-in fishing at riffles and shoals is usually available early morning and on weekends. There is plenty of fly fishing on the river, but reel fishing is also productive. In fact, most anglers report that natural bait such as corn, redworms, night crawlers, salmon eggs and cheese seem to provide the best results.
Trout fishing permits are required and there are specific requirements for both the size and quantity of trout that can be taken. Some areas of the river are catch and release only. Be sure to check the Arkansas Game and Fish website for the regulations.
Wildlife, Hiking, and Tourist Attractions Add To The Area's Charm
Development is relatively limited along the river, with primarily private residences and boat docks dotting the shoreline. Floating lazily in the river currents at low flow allows time to view the rocky bluffs and hardwood forest. Prime trout season luckily coincides with the Fall colors. Bird watchers will be rewarded with close-up encounters with Canada Geese, Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, Kingfishers, and Pileated Woodpeckers. In January and February, it is not unusual to see migrating Bald Eagles perched high in the tree trops and the call of the Barred Owl can be heard throughout the early evening.
There are several hiking trails to visit when its time to take a break from fishing. The Mossy Bluff and Buckeye Trails are located at the William Carl Garner U.S. Corps of Engineers Visitor Center at the Greers Ferry Dam. The Sugarloaf Mountain Trail is just outside Heber Springs. All three offer great views of the river.
Heber Springs also offers a quaint shopping area, an old-time town square complete with county courthouse and bed&breakfast and cabin rentals. The town of Mountain View is a 2-hour scenic drive away and home to the Ozark Mountain Folk Center and Blanchard Springs Caverns.
Travel and Accommodations in North-Central Arkansas
Accommodations are readily available with lodging and restaurants in both Heber Springs around Greers Ferry Lake and in Searcy, about 20 miles south of Pangburn. There are also local campgrounds and fishing resorts with boat rentals and guide services. The area is approximately 2 hours northeast of the Little Rock International Airport. Searcy and Heber Springs also have small airports available to private planes.
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