Arkansas Trout Waters

Ken Richards is seen here wading an island on the White River system.

Ken Richards is seen here wading an island on the White River system.

The trout waters located in the Ozarks (generally defined as the mountainous region of Missouri and Arkansas) are routinely overlooked as a trout fishing destination. Fly fishermen from across the country have dreams of chasing trophy trout, and often think they have to travel to another country for the chance at a trout over 20lbs. The trout waters of the Arkansas Ozarks offer some of the best trophy trout fishing in the world (and was once home to the world record brown trout; a fish that weighed over 40lbs).

While the Arkansas Ozarks continue to be overlooked as a true fly fishing destination, you won’t hear the locals complaining. Arkansas is home to monster brown trout as well as a chance to complete the Arkansas Grand Slam (Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, and Rainbow Trout all in the same day on the same river) on the White River tailwater system. Add the spring fed Spring River in Arkansas to the list of water and Arkansas offers an incredible adventure in fly fishing for trout.