Fishing Regs And Trip Questions

[Mark]

We' re planning a trip to the Little Red River in spring. It will be our first trip to the Little Red RIver but have heard wonderful things about it. I am asssuming it is not a huge river across like the White RIver. What are the fishing regulations as far as artificial lures only sections? We are strictly bait chuckers! HA Power eggs, minnows, worms, corn, and cheese are our modus operandi. I have a canoe with a 2.5 Mercury propellor motor. Would that be functional or would it be wise to rent a riverboat? Is it possible to get out at gravel bars and shallow shoals to do some wade fishing? I am not sure how much current my motor can take going upstream and wouldn't want to get caught downstream during generation and not be able to get back upstream. What size crowds can we expect on a March or April weekend?

Thanks in advance for replies.

[LittleRedFisherman]

Oh you will love the Little Red, it's my favorite Tailwaters to fish. Compared to the white, it's less than half the size, compared to the White at Calico Rock where I fished last weekend, it's probably 1/3 the size. I think there's 3 catch and release sections, one just above JFK park at Heber springs, and another stretch at Durham Shoals down from Lobo Landing, not sure about the 3rd one. I think you should be fine with your boat, it can get some stout current when there running 2 units, but nothing like the White. As far as Bait fishing goes, I like putting in at Lobo Landing just upriver from Pangburn Ar, that's a good place to fish, it has a 3 mile deep run in the river. Dripping springs is another good one, it has a deep stretch, and some shoals nearby to fish as well. There's alot of talk about Cow Shaols being one of the best places to wade fish, I have yet to try that area, but it's a great place to flyfish, which I'm wanting to try. IMO, as much as I love the white, the Little Red is one of the premiere rivers in the country for Brown Trout, and I mean some good ones. Hope this helps, and good luck. Bret

[Mark]

Thanks Little Red Fisherman for some specifics. So what you are saying, other than the catch and release areas, powerbait can be used in all other sections? There isn't any artificial lures only regulations on any stretches of water besides catch and release areas? Are there gravel bars where a fella can pull over and roast a hot dog for lunch? Is it private property all along the river?

[LittleRedFisherman]

As far as I know, other than the catch and release zone, you can use powerbait type stuff. There are some gravel bars, but if there generating, they will be hard to find. If you put in at JFK park at Heber, you can get out there and eat in the park where the boat ramp is. If you fish at Lobo Landing, there's a resteraunt where the the Marina is there, and probabably a place to park your boat. If the river is low, there is gravel bars. When the water if high, I like to drift an inline spinner with a single hook, and a worm of somekind behind the spinner. Seems like this attracts the brown trout more than just power eggs. Crawdad Crankbaits work good in the river as well, basically just drift and cast like your bass fishing. I'd say most of the property around the river is Private. Bret

[cmcclu]

Mark,

Like Bret said the LRR is a much different stream than the White in that it is much narrower with no where near the gravel and much of the land is private (or treated as such). At low water it has many long deep pools full of moss beds separated by short rocky shoal sections. Typically the spring time levels will depend on rains and the lake level. As your trip approaches you can monitor the releases at GFD and that should give you an idea on what to expect and how to plan accordingly. Your canoe set up should be fine on lower water but I would not recommend it for high water unless you make it a one way float and take out downstream. Crowds will depend on the weather and water levels and having a boat will be a good tool to find some solitude. Besides the restricted zones there is also a slot limit in effect for the browns. There are several resorts and trout docks up and down the river that offer lodging, boat rentals, and bait and tackle that would be able to give you good last minute advice. Good luck and remember to let us know how you do.

[Lawman60]

One thing to do is to get the Trout Fishing Guide the state publishes because there are different regulations for the different rivers in Arkansas. It can be real confusing but if you read the regs for each river you can figure it out fairly easy. Good luck and have a good time. If they are not generating there is a long stretch below Kennedy park campgrounds that can be walked and parts of it can be waded.

[Mark]

So is there pretty much no floating and camping on the river - by that I mean can you pull over on a gravel bar in the evening and pitch a tent. Camping in a campground 100 feet from the water with 50 other people is not my idea of fun. I like to be right on the river back with a campfire. Is that possible?