In October 2025, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) approved an emergency order creating temporary trout regulations for several of The Natural State’s coldwater tailwaters. The decision was made after severe losses at Arkansas trout hatcheries that supply millions of fish each year. These rules are intended to protect the existing trout populations until production can recover.
What the New Rules Say
- In the White River below Bull Shoals Dam, stretching about 45 miles downstream to the Norfork access, all trout must be released. Harvest is temporarily suspended in this section.
- On the Norfork Tailwater, the rule is the same. All trout caught must be immediately released.
- In the White River downstream of the Norfork confluence to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion, anglers may keep up to two trout per day, with only one allowed to measure over 14 inches.
- Other tailwaters such as Beaver and the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam also have tighter restrictions that limit anglers to two trout, and all trout over 14 inches must be released.
- In all catch-and-release areas, only artificial lures and barbless hooks are allowed. These emergency rules override previous limits for the duration of the order.
Why the Change Was Needed
The emergency measures were prompted by major fish losses at two key trout hatcheries. The Norfork National Fish Hatchery, which normally produces between three and three and a half million trout each year, has experienced significant losses caused by water quality problems. The AGFC’s Jim Hinkle State Fish Hatchery on the Spring River was heavily damaged by flooding earlier in 2025 and is currently operating at about half of its normal capacity.
Together, these setbacks have reduced Arkansas trout production by millions of fish. Without intervention, tailwaters that depend on regular stockings could have far fewer trout available for anglers in the coming months. The new regulations are designed to protect the fish that are already in the rivers and to keep the fisheries healthy until hatchery production returns to normal levels.
Trout fishing contributes significantly to local economies through tourism, guiding services, lodging, and license sales. AGFC leaders explained that the short-term restrictions are meant to prevent a long-term collapse that could harm these communities and the state’s outdoor recreation industry.
Background on the Tailwaters and Trout Fisheries
Trout are not native to Arkansas. They thrive in the state’s tailwaters because of the cold water released from the bottom of large U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoirs. The Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters, located on the White River system, are two of the most popular trout fisheries in the southern United States. The White River below Bull Shoals is famous for producing large brown trout, and the Norfork Tailwater, though shorter, consistently ranks among the most productive in the region.
When the Decision Will Be Revisited
The emergency order is effective for 120 days. After that, the AGFC will review hatchery recovery progress and trout population data to decide whether to lift, modify, or extend the rules for another 120 days. Long-term management will be guided by the state’s Trout Management Plan, which is reviewed every few years to adjust goals and regulations as needed.
These changes are temporary and precautionary, intended to protect Arkansas’s renowned trout fisheries until the hatcheries and river systems stabilize once again.