Top 10 Freshwater Fish to Catch in Arkansas
Top 10 Species
These are the fish that get noticed by FishyAF anglers. Click any species to deep dive and learn more.
1
Largemouth Bass
Verified
World Record
22 lb 4 oz
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Manabu Kurita / 2009
Lake Biwa, Japan
Signature Fact
High-speed videos show they snap their mouth fully open in about 30 milliseconds, vacuuming prey from 3 inches.
2
Black Crappie
Verified
World Record
11 lb 5 oz
Stanley P. Lopus / 1998
Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania
Stanley P. Lopus / 1998
Susquehanna River, Pennsylvania
Signature Fact
During spawn, males can shift from silvery speckles to almost jet-black while fanning and ferociously guarding saucer nests.
3
Channel Catfish
Verified
World Record
58 lb 0 oz
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Charles Ashley / 1964
Santee-Cooper Reservoir, South Carolina
Signature Fact
With over 100,000 taste buds, its whole skin acts like a tongue hunting through muddy darkness.
4
Blue Catfish
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
143 lb 0 oz
Richard Nicholas Anderson / 2011
Buggs Island Lake, Virginia
Richard Nicholas Anderson / 2011
Buggs Island Lake, Virginia
Signature Fact
World record: 143 pounds-hook one and the first surge can shove a jon boat sideways.
5
Striped Bass (Striper)
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
81 lb 14 oz
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Gregory Myerson / 2011
Long Island Sound, Connecticut
Signature Fact
Their eggs must stay drifting for about 48 hours-sink once, and the entire spawn suffocates.
6
Shoal Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
8 lb 12 oz
Lee T. Sisson / 1993
Flint River, Georgia
Lee T. Sisson / 1993
Flint River, Georgia
Signature Fact
Shoal bass is the only black bass built for whitewater, holding in frothing rapids that would sweep others.
7
Chain Pickerel
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
9 lb 6 oz
R. A. Copeland / 1961
Homerville, Georgia
R. A. Copeland / 1961
Homerville, Georgia
Signature Fact
Newly hatched pickerel have a built‑in "Velcro" forehead pad that glues them to plants until the yolk's gone.
8
Flathead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
123 lb 0 oz
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas
Ken Paulie / 1998
Elk City Reservoir, Kansas
Signature Fact
The IGFA all-tackle record flathead weighed 123 lb 9 oz-basically a kindergarten kid with whiskers.
9
Northern Snakehead
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
19 lb 5 oz
Brandon Palaniuk / 2012
Potomac River, Virginia
Brandon Palaniuk / 2012
Potomac River, Virginia
Signature Fact
This air-breathing predator can wriggle over land and stay alive for days if kept moist.
10
Spotted Bass
Learn More Here Verified Catch
World Record
11 lb 4 oz
Randy Capps / 2014
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
Randy Capps / 2014
New Bullards Bar Reservoir, California
Signature Fact
Spotted bass hunt like saltwater wolves, schooling to push bait into balls, then blitzing the surface together.
FAQs
What fish can you catch in Arkansas?
You can catch largemouth bass, black crappie, channel catfish, blue catfish, striped bass, and more in Arkansas’s freshwater.
What is the best time of year to fish in Arkansas?
Spring and fall are prime in Arkansas, with bass and crappie fired up and plenty of action from catfish and stripers.
Where are the best places to fish in Arkansas?
Arkansas has top-tier freshwater across the state. Rivers and reservoirs hold big numbers of bass, crappie, and catfish.
What gear do you need for fishing in Arkansas?
Bring sturdy spinning or baitcasting setups for bass, crappie, and catfish. Mix up your tackle depending on what you’re hunting.
What are the easiest fish to catch in Arkansas?
Black crappie, channel catfish, and blue catfish are some of the most reliable and accessible catches in Arkansas freshwater.
