Arkansas Access Rights

[flytyer57]

I was just wondering if anybody knows what the access rights are here in Arkansas.

Back in Wisconsin, I could pull up to a bridge, park the car on the shouilder of the road and legally access the creek, river, whatever from the road right of way. There was usually enough room to pull the car over safely and do that. Here in Arkansas, and Missouri is just as bad, there really is no sholder on the roads. Some places do have grass right up to the road, but no real shoulder.

Is there a road right of way or easment along the highways down here that people can access fishing spots?

But then again, property owners own the streambed so we probably can't legally fish anyway.

Any input on this would be appreciated.

[exiledguide]

I lived in Saline county from Memorial Day 1999 till Christmass 2007 fished the Ouchita River above and below the lakes and the Saline river all three forks down to Benton Arkansas both floating and wading and only had one problem with an idiot deputy and got that taken care of by talking to his boss. However I did see at a few bridges where fences had been built ileagly on public right of way but there were so many places to access the rivers that it never became a problem for me. You might want to talk to the folks at Fish and Game in Little Rock or Bryan Hendricks at the Arkansas Democrat Gazzete in Little Rock.

[flytyer57]

I lived in Saline county from Memorial Day 1999 till Christmass 2007 fished the Ouchita River above and below the lakes and the Saline river all three forks down to Benton Arkansas both floating and wading and only had one problem with an idiot deputy and got that taken care of by talking to his boss. However I did see at a few bridges where fences had been built ileagly on public right of way but there were so many places to access the rivers that it never became a problem for me. You might want to talk to the folks at Fish and Game in Little Rock or Bryan Hendricks at the Arkansas Democrat Gazzete in Little Rock.

Thanks for the info.

I was over to the Norfork Wildlife Management Area Bennett Bayou east of Mountain Home earlier today. This is supposed to be public property, but the fences go right up to the bridges. There is private property along the Bennett Creek area, and I can see people not wanting their animals to get out on the highway, but running up to the bridge? Does not the AGFC care if these people are stealing state land?

I guess I'm gonna have to take your advice and call the AGFC to find out what's what.

[Liv2flyfish]

I would also like to know more about stream rights in Arkansas. I have a pdf file about stream rights in Mo. posted on my website www.liv2flyfish.com . It is the last Mo. Supreme Court ruling on this matter. It took place in Dent County on the Merimac River in 1959. Elder vs. Delcour. It explains past rulings all the way back to the 1800's when logging rights on stream were the concern. The rivers and streams in Mo. are concidered public highways in most cases.

There are more and more land owners in our state that feel the own the streams when in fact they do not. I know it is because of people who have no respect for for any kind of conservation. People who party and litter and who knows what else on our streams. Regardless of these people we have to know our rights or they will erode before our eyes.

Please take the time to read this ruling and understand our rights in Mo. Also if anyone know about stream right in Ar. please post them so we can be sure of these very important rights. Thank you for bringing up this subject.

Rick Coffman

Liv2flyfish Radio

www.liv2flyfish.com