On a fishing trip with Trout Magnet owner Jeff Smith (right), Carlton Wing reels in a brown trout on the Little Red River, where cold water from Greers Ferry Dam keeps trout fishing productive throughout the summer.
Category: Arkansas' Great Outdoors

Hot Arkansas summers. Those three words fit together so routinely they are almost cliche. Some heat-averse types avoid anything outside until October. Very late October, like Halloween. But those opposite-temperature hibernators need not fear. Arkansas has a secret summer weapon to beat the heat: Tailwaters are nature’s air conditioner.

Those same rivers located immediately downstream from hydroelectric dams host some amazing trout, and also host smart anglers who beat the heat with great fishing. Trout are cold-water fish, but thanks to several dams along Arkansas waterways, you can fish for trout all year long. Those last three words should be capitalized because trout fishing in the summer in the South should not be a thing, but it is!

Here’s why: Trout need cold water, but how is any water cold during a “hot Arkansas summer?” Answer: The beauties of science make the water at the bottom of the lake cold. The dams pull their flows from the bottom of the lake, meaning the river that flows from that dam is as cool as a Darius Acuff three-pointer. This is the kind of science that makes trout happy … and hot anglers happy. Everybody wins!

Several lakes in Arkansas feature this temperature inversion therapy: Greers Ferry, Beaver Lake, Lake Greeson, Lake Catherine, Lake Ouachita, Norfork Lake and Bull Shoals Lake offer temptingly temperate fishing. (The tailwaters along the Ouachita River chain are only stocked with trout from November through April.)

We should add that the Spring River is also a coldwater fishery, but its coolness isn’t from a dam, its naturally fed spring water is 58 degrees. Trout love that.

Cold water, released from Arkansas’ tailwater dams creates ideal trout habitat — and memorable catches like this brown trout. Photo by Carlton Wing

Important safety tip! Some of our tailwaters rise and fall dramatically depending on the power generation schedule at the dam. This is huge when it comes to your safety. Strong current will turn a peaceful trout stream into a raging trout river and will sweep you away. Fortunately, the generation schedule is published ahead of time.

Before fishing tailwaters, always check conditions. A good place to start for each lake is agfc.com/tag/arkansas-wildlife-fishing-report/.

It’s also a good idea to keep your eye on the water level by finding a spot just above the waterline close to the shore. When the waterline rises, it’s time to get out.

Cool tailwaters keep your tail cool Freon-free! It’s a great way to enjoy a hot summer day in Arkansas’ Great Outdoors!

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