Fishing

Smallmouth Bass

R. Stokes

Buffalo National River is not just an ordinary river. It serves as a habitat to seventy-four species of fish (see list below). Among these, twelve species are game fish, and ten are endemic (exclusive) to the Ozark Plateau. Anglers who enjoy catching smallmouth bass can find them in the Buffalo River as well. Additionally, for those seeking a winter fishing experience, brown and rainbow trout can be found at the cold tailwaters of the White River near its confluence of the Buffalo River. Fishing activities at Buffalo National River must adhere to state fishing regulations, and individuals aged sixteen years or older are required to possess a valid Arkansas fishing license.

Fishing is permitted at Buffalo National River within the regulations established by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. For fishing information visit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission website.


The Arkansas Fishing Guidebook is available online and at the Tyler Bend Visitor Center and Buffalo Point Ranger Station. Please refer to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Regulations for Flowing Waters (page 73 in the Arkansas Fishing Guidebook) for detailed rules pertaining to Buffalo National River.

 

Fisherman having a good day on the Buffalo River.

L. Stoops

According to the Superintendent's Compendium (36 CFR §7.35 Buffalo National River SPECIAL REGULATIONS) only fishing by hook and line, with rod or line being closely attended, is allowed throughout Buffalo National River.

• Gigging, bowfishing, and snagging are permitted.
• The possession or use of live or dead minnows or other bait fish is not permitted, unless the bait is harvested from the Buffalo River or its tributaries.
• Bait purchased from a licensed dealer is permitted.

Fly Fishing

When most people think of fly fishing, they think of a small, cold stream full of trout. On your stay at Buffalo National River, don't forget your fly rod because if you have never felt the pull of a smallmouth bass on the end of your fly line, you are missing out!

Warm water fly fishing is an exciting challenge for any angler. There are many species of fish in the Buffalo that just love to hit a fly. Early in the morning or late in the afternoon, break out your popper bugs or any other top water fly and hang on for the explosion! Hand sized pan fish, goggle eye and smallmouth bass all crash the surface for a tasty bug treat. Try your luck with a bead head woolly worm or crawfish fly near the big rocks along the banks and you could lure out a nice size smallmouth.

Whether you are a dry or wet fly fisherman, pack your rod and enjoy the fishing opportunities available here on the Buffalo National River.

 

Habitat Key:
The following symbols have been used to indicate the type of river habitat where fish are typically found:

S	Slow Moving Water/Pools
R	Riffles/Moderate to Swift Current
V	Variety
G	Game Fish
E	Endemic

 

Partial List of Fish Species Within the Buffalo National River Boundary
Family Common Name	Family Scientific Name	Species Common Name	Species Scientific Name	Habitat
Gar	Lepisosteidae	Longnose Gar	Lepisosteus osseus	S
Minnows	Cyprinidae	Plains Stoneroller	Campostoma plumbeum	S
		Largescale Stoneroller	Campostoma oligolepis	R
		Southern Redbelly Dace	Phoxinus erythrogaster	S
		Whitetail Shiner	Cyprinella galactura	R
		Ozark Chub	Erimystax harryi	R,E
		Gravel Chub	Erimystax x-punctatus	R
		Bigeye Chub	Hybopsis amblops	R
		Striped Shiner	Luxilus chrysocephalus	R
		Duskystripe Shiner	Luxilus pilsbryi	R,E
		Hornyhead Chub	Nocomis biguttatus	R
		Bigeye shiner	Notropis boops	S
		Wedgespot Shiner	Notropis greenei	R
		Ozark Minnow	Notropis nubilus	S
		Ozark Shiner	Notropis ozarcanus	R,E
		Carmine Shiner	Notropis percobromus	R
		Telescope Shiner	Notropis telescopus	R
		Creek Chub	Semotilus atromaculatus	S
		Bluntnose Minnow	Pimephales notatus	S
Suckers	Castostomidae	Northern Hog Sucker	Hypentelium nigricans	R,G
		Black Redhorse	Moxostoma duquesnei	R,G
		Golden Redhorse	Moxostoma erythrurum	S,G
		River Redhorse	Moxostoma carinatum	R,G
		Highfin Carpsucker	Carpiodes velifer	R
Catfish	Ictaluridae	Yellow Bullhead	Ameiurus natalis	S,G
		Channel Catfish	Ictalurus punctatus	V,G
		Flathead Catfish	Pylodictis olivaris	V,G
		Checkered Madtom	Noturus miurus	S
		Ozark Madtom	Noturus albater	R
		Slender Madtom	Noturus exilis	R
Trout	Salmonidae	Brown Trout	Salmo trutta	G
		Rainbow Trout	Oncorhynchus mykiss	G
Silversides	Atherinidae	Brook Silverside	Labidesthes sicculus	S
Killifishes
Topminnows	Fundulidae	Northern Studfish	Fundulus catenatus	S
		Blackspotted Topminnow	Fundulus olivaceus	S
Livebearers	Poeciliidae	Western Mosquitofish	Gambusia affinis	V
Scuplins	Cottidae	Banded Sculpin	Uranidea carolinae	R
		Knobfin Sculpin	Uranidea immaculata	R,E
Sunfish	Centrarchidae	Ozark Bass	Ambloplites constellatus	S,G,E
		Green Sunfish	Lepomis cyanellus	V,G
		Bluegill	Lepomis macrochirus	S,G
		Longear Sunfish	Lepomis megalotis	S,G
		Smallmouth Bass	Micropterus dolomieu	R,G
		Largemouth Bass	Micropterus salmoides	S,G
Perch	Percidae	Autumn Darter	Etheostoma autumnale	S,E
		Greenside Darter	Etheostoma blennioides	R,E
		Rainbow Darter	Etheostoma caeruleum	R
		Arkansas Saddled Darter	Etheostoma euzonum	R,E
		Ozark Darter	Etheostoma sp. cf. spectabile	R
		Speckled Darter	Etheostoma stigmaeum	V
		Banded Darter	Etheostoma zonale	R
		Yoke Darter	Nothonotus juliae	R,E
		Logperch	Percina caprodes	V
		Gilt Darter	Percina evides	R