Special Waterbody Regulations

Unless exempt, you need fishing permit as well as a daily trout tag from March 1 to October 31. The daily trout tag is $4 for adults and $3 for youth 15 and younger. Trout tags and permits can be purchased at the park.

During the November through February catch-and-release season the annual trout permit replaces the daily trout tag.

November 10, 2023 - February 12, 2024
Trout fishing is allowed from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm CST, Fridays through Mondays.
Catch-and-release fishing only.  (Fishing permit and annual trout permit required.)
Allowed lures: flies only

March 1 - October 31
Daily limit: 4 of all species combined. You must stop fishing after have 4 trout in your possession.

Allowed lures: Flies, artificial lures, or soft plastic baits, depending on zone. See the Bennett Spring Hatchery area map for details.

Methods:

• Not more than one pole and line may be used by one person at any time.
• Gigging, snaring, snagging, and the taking of live bait are prohibited.
• Some waters are posted as restricted to specific baits or lures.
• The use of any foods to attract fish, except when placed on a hook, is prohibited.

Fishing zones, allowed methods, and regulations vary. Ask for additional information when you purchase your tag.

Bennett Spring State Park is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday through Monday.

Within the wing walls of Clearwater Dam:
No fishing is allowed.

Within 700 feet below the spillway walls of Clearwater Dam:
Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, bowfishing, gigging and atlatls are prohibited.

While on any waters with length limits, all trout you possess must be kept with head, tail, and skin intact.

Mainstem and its tributaries: Walleye and sauger—18 inch minimum length limit

In Oregon County: The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

From Thomasville Access to the Arkansas line:
Goggle-eye—8 inch minimum length limit.
Smallmouth bass—15 inch minimum length limit. The daily limit of 6 black bass may include only 1 smallmouth bass.

Greer Spring Branch junction to Turner Mill Access - 5.5 miles: Blue Ribbon Trout Area

Downstream from Turner Mill Access - 14.2 miles: White Ribbon Trout Area

Upstream from its confluence with the Eleven Point River: No fishing allowed.

This area encompasses the Mississippi River, including

• and the temporary overflow waters east of the mainline and setback levees between Commerce and the Arkansas state line.

Mississippi River, including Pools 20-26
Paddlefish—The open season is March 15 through May 15 and Sept. 15 through Dec. 15.
Nongame fish—Snagging, snaring and grabbing are allowed from March 15 through May 15 and from Sept. 15 through Dec. 15.

Daily limits:
Channel catfish and blue catfish—The daily and possession limit is 20, combined total of these species.
Flathead catfish—The daily and possession limit is 10 fish.
Walleye and sauger—The daily and possession limit is 8, combined total of both species.
White bass, yellow bass, striped bass and their hybrids—The daily and possession limit is 30, combined total of these species.
Nongame fish—The daily and possession limit is 100, combined total of these species, except that bighead carp, common carp, goldfish, grass carp and silver carp may be taken and possessed in any number.

Length limits:
Black bass—minimum 12”
Walleye and sauger—None
White bass, yellow bass, striped bass and their hybrids—None

Allowed methods:
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day in all flowing portions, except in Sand Chute below the mouth of the Salt River in Pike County where they may only be taken by bow from sunrise to midnight.
Limit of 2 poles per licensed angler
Limit of 50 hooks on a trotline

Temporary overflow waters east of the mainline and setback levees between Commerce and the Arkansas state line
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day.

The use of porous-soled waders is prohibited.

While on any waters with length limits, all trout you possess must be kept with head, tail, and skin intact.

From Bennett Spring Branch to Prosperine Access - 11.5 miles of stocked stream: 

White Ribbon Trout Area, see restrictions below.

Above Wappapello Dam, from the lake and its tributaries including the St. Francis River and its tributaries:
Size limit: Walleye and sauger — minimum 18”

Within 225 feet below Wappapello Dam:
No fishing is allowed.

From within 700 feet below the spillway walls of Wappapello Dam:
Trotlines, throwlines, limb lines, bowfishing, gigging and atlatls are prohibited.

Within that part of the river that forms a boundary between Arkansas and Missouri
Nongame fish may be taken by bow and possessed at any hour of the day in the flowing portions.

From Highway B in Carter County to Cane Creek

Length limits: Smallmouth bass—minimum 15”
Daily limit: 6 black bass including only 1 smallmouth bass.

Daily Limit:
Crappie: 30 with no more than 15 fish over nine inches.

On the lake and its tributaries including the St. Francis River and its tributaries above Wappapello Dam
Length limit: Walleye and sauger: minimum 18”