Members Antihousewife Posted March 7, 2015 Members Share Posted March 7, 2015 Hello all, My husband and I are planning on going trout fishing and camping during my spring break (which starts Monday). We are trout fishing fanatics, but we've only ever fished in creeks or lakes in the mountains of New Mexico. It takes way too much time to travel back, so we've decided on going to Arkansas instead. Where would you recommend we try that's not too far from Dallas/Fort Worth? I know I'm looking at a drive of at least a few hours, but that's still nothing compared to the 18 hours we would need to get back to our old haunts. We are planning on camping while we're there, so any recommendations for that would also be great. As long as it's wooded and has some kind of toilet, we are good. We can bring in our own water if necessary. My dad always relied on word of mouth for fishing recommendations, so I figured asking on a forum would be my best bet. Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ham Posted March 7, 2015 Share Posted March 7, 2015 I think I'll have as many questions as I have answers. When you say camping,are you talking RV camping or tent camping? Do you want water and electricity or to really rough it. You want to trout fish. Ok, fly or spin? Artificial or bait? Are you planning on bank fishing, wade, or boat? Solo or with a guide? I'm partial to the White River and the Norfork River, but an hour further north puts you on North Fork of the White which is cool too. A little closer than the White is the Little Red which is a good place to fish, but I have zero experience there. I'd be glad to help you fishing tips if you fish the White near Mountain Home. Antihousewife 1 Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted March 8, 2015 Root Admin Share Posted March 8, 2015 You might want to ask the same question in this forum. This would be closer for you. The guys who frequent the forum fishing there and can tell you more about the fishery. http://forums.ozarkanglers.com/forum/142-upper-and-lower-illinois-river-ok/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Antihousewife Posted March 8, 2015 Author Members Share Posted March 8, 2015 We are tent camping and roughing it is totally ok. I'd say 90% rough- I do want at least some kind of toilet, but it doesn't have to be a flushing kind. Trees aren't exactly an option for me We are bringing in our own water, and other than recharging cell phones on solar we are going with no electricity. We will be driving in, because we aren't set up to hike in. Our truck is solid on almost any terain but not 4x4. As for fishing, we will bank fish with bait. We aren't going to have any lures (our old stuff is at our parents' place in NM so we are rebuilding our tackle). We've got two shiny new reel rods. We aren't interested in a guide, so we'll be out on our own. This is more for relaxation, so if we guess wrong and don't catch it won't be the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ham Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 So if bank fishing with bait, North Fork of the White is out. Bank fishing with bait is fine. Look at Quarry Park on the Norfork River. It isn't all that rough but it would be tent camping. State Park below Bull Shoals is another option. Bank fishing and tent camping. I could tell you about a half dozen bank fishing locations on the White. It is sooooooo much better from a boat though. Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFTMASTER Posted March 8, 2015 Share Posted March 8, 2015 I would look at the mountain fork around Broken Bow in Oklahoma. Probably around a 2 hr. drive? Pretty area, closest to Dallas. Ham 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastic_worm Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 The Little Red River, Heber Springs. Plenty of bank fishing from JFK park, camping also, with water/electricity/trees/plumbing. There are a few other walk in locations that you can bank fish also. Like Ham said the White is also a great fishery...but a couple hours further from Dallas...I drive in from the LA/AR state line. check my blog out for more info...plenty of info for the LRR and camping trip from Jan. http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/ Ham 1 YT -Â https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5T_lKUH3gVkxSraJWUVzoQ FB -Â https://www.facebook.com/looknfishy Blog -Â http://looknfishy.blogspot.com/ IG -Â https://www.instagram.com/looknfishy/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeD Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Camp at Bull Shoals State Park on the White River. Beautiful spot, not too rough, has bathrooms, hook ups etc. Great fishing. After setting up camp, you can use your vehicle to access many different spots along the river to fish from the bank with relative ease. Remember however, the water can rise or fall at any time, given this river is a tailrace of a power generating dam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amery Posted March 9, 2015 Share Posted March 9, 2015 Stay in Texas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnsfolly Posted March 12, 2015 Share Posted March 12, 2015 I can't recommned any better spots in Missouri than those that have been suggested already. I can't imagine going anywhere without some lures, especially without some 1/8, 1/16, or 1/32 oz marabou jigs. Good luck and enjoy the trip. Post those catch pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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