UTERSmallmouth bass fishing in Arkansas freshwater
In Arkansas freshwater, smallmouth bass peak February–April and September–November and are around year-round, spawning in April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Ozark stream smallmouth on the beds — Buffalo, Crooked Creek, Kings River.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Smallmouth bass in Arkansas freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchPeak
- AprilSpawningOzark stream smallmouth on the beds — Buffalo, Crooked Creek, Kings River.
- MayAround
- JuneAroundWet-wading the Buffalo for smallmouth.
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish smallmouth bass near White River, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Ouachita
Ozark highland reservoirs and their world-famous cold tailwaters — the White, the Norfork, the Little Red — the free-flowing Buffalo, the Ouachita lakes, and the Arkansas River backwaters.
What to use for smallmouth bass
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- LeechesHooked once through the sucker end on a #8 to #4 hook under a slip bobber or on a live-bait rig — walleye and smallmouth can't leave them alone.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–82°F water, best at 60–74°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch smallmouth bass in Arkansas freshwater?
Peak season is February–April and September–November, with fish spawning in April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Smallmouth bass are here year-round. April: Ozark stream smallmouth on the beds — Buffalo, Crooked Creek, Kings River.
Where do smallmouth bass hold in Arkansas freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake, reservoir, bridge, dock / pilings — around White River, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Ouachita, Greers Ferry, Beaver Lake, Buffalo River.
What is the best bait for smallmouth bass in Arkansas freshwater?
Live bait: crayfish, minnows (fatheads, shiners), leeches, nightcrawlers. Crayfish: Hooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for smallmouth bass in Arkansas freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) and change — read the current rule at https://www.agfc.com/regulations/general-fishing-regulations/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.agfc.com/resources/licensing/.
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All about smallmouth bass · Arkansas fresh water, the whole year