"Rip" Collins proved that this is a premier trout stream in 1992, when he reeled in a world-record 40-pound, four-ounce brown trout on the Little Red River.

The Little Red River attracts anglers from all over the world to fish its clear, frigid waters for trophy Rainbow, Cutthroat, Brook, and German Brown Trout. Extending for over 30 miles from the base of the Greers Ferry Lake Dam, these tailwaters offer some of the best fly and bait fishing to be found anywhere. The water temperature of the Little Red River remains icy cold in the mid-40s year-around. A federal trout hatchery below the Dam raises thousands of trout, many of which are stocked in the river. As the River reaches Lobo Landing, 17 miles downstream, anglers have four miles of navigable low water which can accommodate the smaller bass boats (up to 60 hp), and pontoon boats.

The state of Arkansas stocks the River with both rainbow trout (as nine-inch and twelve-inch plantings) and cutthroats. Hatchery cutthroat were introduced in the early 1990s, and preliminary results indicate that these planted trout are thriving. Amazingly, browns are not stocked in the river and reproduce in great numbers naturally. Brook trout are now part of the regular catch, too. The river has islands, swift shoals, and big boulders, making for a variety of trout habitats. Click here to learn more about Fishing at the Little Red River.

Brook Trout

Brook trout are a rare catch in Arkansas, with only a few sporadic stockings over the last few decades. "Brookies" are short-lived, and a one-pounder is considered large. They have a dark body with white and / or red spots circled by blue. The pectoral, pelvic and anal fins are often orange with a distinct white edge. The dorsal fin, tail and back have mottled, wormlike streaks on a black background.

Brown Trout

Brown trout are common in the Little Red River. Populations are maintained by natural reproduction, stocking and regulations. Browns up to 5 pounds are not uncommon, and world-record fish have been caught in the North Fork River (38 pounds, 9 ounces) and White River (33-1/2) pounds). The back and sides are dark olive-brown and have black spots and orange or red spots with blue halos. Unlike rainbows and cutthroats, the tail is usually unspotted and unforked, and here is no reddish side stripe.

Cutthroat Trout

Cutthroat trout were first stocked in Arkansas in 1983. They weigh up to 10 pounds and closely resemble rainbow trout. The cutthroat is distinguished by the reddish-orange slash (cutthroat mark) on each side of the throat on live fish and by the minute teeth present on the midline of the tongue behind large teeth on the tip of the tongue. Rainbows have teeth on the tip of the tongue, but lack the midline teeth. The black spots on cutthroats are typically much finer than on rainbows.

Lake Trout

Lake trout were first stocked in 1986 in hopes they would provide trophy trout fishing opportunities in deep, cold, well-oxygenated lakes like Bull Shoals and Greers Ferry. Twenty-five pounders are common in their native northern habitats, but their growth potential in Arkansas is unknown. The head, fins and dark body are completely covered with irregular white spotting. The tail is deeply forked unlike other Arkansas trout.

Rainbow Trout

Rainbow trout are the most common trout in Arkansas and are found in all state trout waters. Natural reproduction is limited, and populations are maintained through stocking programs. Rainbows up to 1 pound are common, with some exceeding 15 pounds. This trout is usually thickly speckled with black spots on the head, sides and slightly notched tail. A broad pink to reddish stripe runs lengthwise along the side, although hatchery fish may lack the side stripe until they've been in a river or lake for several weeks.

Although trout get most of the attention on the River, you should not overlook opportunities to pull in: chain pickerel, spotted and smallmouth bass, green and longear sunfish, rock bass and bluegills.

Source: 2004 Arkansas Fishing Guidebook, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Illustrations by Joe Tomerelli

Trophy Fishing

The International Game Fish Association and the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame have certified many world fishing records yielded by the Little Red River and Greers Ferry Lake of North Central Arkansas. They include:

• The Brown Trout "All Tackle" and 41 lb. "Line Class" World Record, caught by H Rip Collin in May of 1992, and weighing an amazing 40 lb. 4 oz.
• A Lake Trout was caught along Greers Ferry Lake by Clark Stevenson of Greenbrier, weighing in at 11lb 5oz on December 15, 1997.
• On August 20, 1983, Dee Warren added emphasis to the Little Red’s lunker fish history when he caught a 20 lb. "Line Class" Brown weighing 28 lb. 14 oz.
• The first "Catch and Release" World Record in the area was posted by a 29" Brown Trout taken from the Little Red on November 25, 1993 with fly rod using 6 lb. Tippet.
• This record was followed by Bill Combs of Heber Springs with fly rod entries of 31" Brown on 8 lb. Tippet, and a 27" Brown on fly rod with 14 lb. Tippet.
• In October of 1994, Leon Payton of Lobo Landing, Heber Springs, Arkansas, set a "Catch and Release" rod and reel World Record on 15 lb. Line with a female Brown Trout of 34". His fish was caught on a single hook and a night crawler.

We apologize for any records that have been overlooked. Thankfully, records change every year.