Fishing Season: January 1 - December 31

Little Red River - AR

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

60

Rouse Fly Fishing's Tip of the Week

This may seem like a no brainer, but with higher water conditions in our future, I feel like it’s time to address it again. Get your fly down! The biggest mistake I see amateur anglers do, is not getting their fly down.

Directions open in app

Map of Little Red River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Rouse Fly Fishing

5-Day Outlook as of 7/14/25

The lake is full with having several rain events this spring and early summer. The generation schedule has been 12 on 12 off. That is now starting to shift with less time off. Last night, June 30, the Corp shifted to 6 hours off. I would assume as soon as the Corp can fit more water in the White River system, they will continue to increase more water down the Little Red. Currently, the Little Red has been fishing excellent!

Techniques & Tips as of 7/14/25

I would have to say that the best technique would be nymphing. But there’s something for everyone. Streamer fishing has been good. And we’re slipping into terrestrial season.

Local Species Available January 1 - December 31

  • Fish Icon

    Brown trout

  • Fish Icon

    rainbow trout

Rouse Fly Fishing's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Rouse's J-Dub Sow Bug tan 14-16
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig N/A 12-16
TH Zebra Midge N/A 16-18
Tunghead Prince N/A 12-16
midges variety 18
BWOs variety 12-16
Hawkins' Hat Trick white,olive,black 4
Bead Head Hare's Ear Nymph tan 14
egg patterns variety
San Juan worms variety 12-14

Rouse's J-Dub Sow Bug

One of the hot flies on Arkansas' White River, this sowbug imitation is sure to perform.

2.49

Item #3R7T

Buy Now

Rouse Fly Fishing's Recommended Gear

Description: About Little Red River

The Little Red River runs through the gateway of the Ozarks near Heber Springs, Arkansas. It is a tailwater. The dam creates a massive lake, Greers Ferry. Below Greers Ferry Dam you will find some of the country’s best trout fishing. The Little Red rolls along 82 miles before it meets up with the White River. Roughly 45 miles of this are considered quality trout water. The river is full of a healthy population of rainbow trout. Some are wild, but most are stocked. The jewels of the famed Little Red are the brown trout. Our browns are an all wild population. Recently, the Little Red River was the home of the world record brown trout. Part of the Little Red’s success is the abundant aquatic life. Most of these fish are getting fat on crustaceans, sow bugs, scuds, and crawfish. And of course, the larger browns enjoy a rainbow snack. We have a few hatches consisting of march browns and caddis that can deliver some dry fly fishing. Nymphing ends up being the standard for most. For those that are looking for large browns the Red is a streamer fisherman’s delight. Come anytime of year. With constant water temperatures, the Little Red is a TRUE year round fishery.

Nearest Airport:

Heber Springs, AR (small aircraft) Little Rock, AR (commercial)

Hatches:

Slow water drakes Terrestrials

Best Time to Fish:

Depends on water level and generation.

Best Stretch:

Check with dam 501-362-5150 to see when releases have started and ended. This will be a deciding factor on what the best stretch will be.

Best Access:

See above. JFK Park, Cow Shoals, Winkley Shoals, Libby Shoals, Pangburn Bridge.