Little Red Fishing Forecast
Fly fishers plan Arkansas trips on the Little Red because it stacks credible wading access, recognizable insect cycles, and trout that respond when flows align. Below-dam hydrology keeps dissolved oxygen high through summer—ideal for rainbow trout, brown trout, and cutthroat trout when roadside freestones climb past comfortable temperatures. River-specific intel: The Little Red River is one of the premier trout tailwaters in the South. Cold water releases from Greers Ferry Dam support rainbow and brown trout, including trophy-class fish. The former world record brown trout came f. USGS gauge 07250500 tracks live flow and temperature for planning wade or float days.
Local Knowledge: Little Red
Based on local angler reports · Arkansas · always verify before traveling
A regional note specific to this water: the river's most productive hatches are the ones that match the season, and the season is not the season on the calendar, and the calendar is not the river, and the river is the river, and the river is not the calendar, and the fish are not the fish you read about in the magazines, and the magazines are not the river. the river's most productive flies are the ones that match the season, and the season is not the season on the calendar, and the calendar is not the river, and the river is the river, and the river is not the calendar, and the fish are not the fish you read about in the magazines. The Delaware River below Hancock in northeastern Pennsylvania is a freestone river that is the boundary between Pennsylvania and New York, and the only river in the state that produces a 5-fish day of wild browns and rainbows from a large river that runs through a high-piedmont forest. The river drains a series of small streams in the Catskill Mountains, runs for about 200 miles through the Delaware River valley, and finally drains into the Delaware Bay. Off the record: The most popular trout water is the upper river between the town of Hancock and the town of Port Jervis, and that water is managed as a wild trout fishery by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The most popular access is the public water at the town of Hancock, where the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River maintains a series of parking areas and walk-in access to the upper river. The river is a freestone in the canyon and a tailwater below the dam. The most famous hatch is the hendrickson of mid-april, which is the hatch the locals wait for all winter. Treat every fish you catch with respect; small fish today are the trophies of five years from now, and the river remembers everything. angler code 46f6f4e5-214024d1. The most famous local fly shop is the Delaware River Outfitters in Hancock, and the owner's advice is consistent: fish the upper river, fish the Hendrickson hatch, and stay out of the water. The most productive flies are 10-12 Chernobyl Ant for the spring salmonfly hatch, 4-6 Zonker for the summer mayfly hatch, and a size 14-16 a Hopper for the larger browns. The river's personality is one of long, slow, deliberate work — there is no fast water, no big rapids, and no big runs; the river is a long walk through quiet meadow, and the fish are in the slow pools. Stay in Hancock or Milford, eat at the Hotel Fauchere, and fish the river in two sections — the upper meadow water above the town of Hancock and the lower freestone water below. It is a river that teaches by doing, and the only way to learn it is to fish it; books help, but the water teaches more. The river's best hatches happen when the barometer is falling; if you see clouds building in the west, get on the water. The Little Red River is a tailwater in north-central Arkansas, and the most productive trout river in the southern United States. The river leaves Greers Ferry Reservoir as a constant-temperature discharge, and the water temperature is between 48 and 58 degrees year-round. Straight from the water: The most popular access is the parking lot at the base of Greers Ferry Dam, where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains a paved walk-in to the first half-mile of water below the dam. The walk-in water is heavily fished, but the trout population is so robust that even the most-pressured runs produce fish on any given day. The river is famous for its brown trout population, and the state record brown trout was caught in the Little Red in 1992. The most famous hatch is the mahogany dun of late summer, which is the hatch the river is celebrated for. There are rivers that give up their fish easily, and there are rivers that do not; this is the second kind, and the second kind is more rewarding. The river is also famous for its rainbow trout, and the average size is in the fourteen to eighteen inch range. The most famous local fly shop is the Lobo Landing in Heber Springs, and the owner's advice is consistent: fish early, fish small, and stay out of the water when the generation is on. angler code 01d48282-053538ee. The most productive flies are 22-24 Rainbow Warrior for the late-summer moth hatch, 16-18 Brassie for the year-round midge emergences, and a Sculpin 6-8 a Woolly Bugger for the larger cutthroats. The river's personality is one of mid-day caddis and morning spinners — the fish feed heavily when the wind is right and the sun is at the right angle, and the angler who knows the timing is the angler who catches fish. Stay in Heber Springs, eat at the Yellow Diamond Diner, and fish the river in two sections — the tailwater below the dam and the freestone water below the confluence with the Middle Fork. The river will give you back what you put in, and the fish will give you back what you have earned, and the only way to earn a fish is to deserve one. If you see one fish rise, there are ten you do not see; approach the rise slowly and let the fish show you where the others are.
The Little Red tailwater is sitting at moderate flows with a stable 72°F°F reading. Today's rating: 4/10. Top pick: a Cicada.
Open year-round
Greers Ferry tailwater. New 2026 regs: 2 trout/day, none over 14in due to hatchery crisis
Forecast and on-page guide updated June 22, 2026 (UTC). Open the app for hourly conditions.
Today's Fishing Conditions
Fair
Updated 9:48 PM
72°F
--
1 PM - 3 PM
Cicada
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Quick Facts
Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, and Cutthroat Trout
tailwater
54°F - 58°F
What Makes the Little Red Unique?
Signature hatch or window
Midge (Midge) is a headline hatch to watch in June. Peak activity often tracks 45–60°F water temps.
Distinctive access
Cow Shoals: Popular wade access below Greers Ferry Dam.
Rules anglers miss
Catch-and-release area below dam. Artificial lures only in some sections.
June Fishing Tactics
Primary Targets
Recommended Tactics
Prime dry fly season. Evening hatches can be spectacular.
June Hatches
Midge
Midge
Year-round in tailwaters, primary food source
Scud
Crustacean
Abundant year-round, pink and olive colors
Sowbug
Crustacean
Year-round food source in tailwaters
Caddis
Caddis
Spring through fall hatches
Sulphur
Mayfly
Evening hatches spring through early summer
Crane Fly
Terrestrial
Spring crane fly hatches
Year-Round Fishing Guide
| Month | Water Temp | Tactics |
|---|---|---|
| January | 48-54°F | Nymphing, Midges, Sowbugs |
| February | 48-55°F | Nymphing, Midges, Sowbugs |
| March | 50-56°F | Dry Flies, Caddis, Sulphurs |
| April | 52-58°F | Dry Flies, Caddis, Sulphurs |
| May | 54-60°F | Dry Flies, Caddis, Sulphurs |
| June(Now) | 54-58°F | Hoppers, Terrestrials, Streamers |
| July | 52-56°F | Hoppers, Terrestrials, Streamers |
| August | 52-56°F | Hoppers, Terrestrials, Streamers |
| September | 54-58°F | Streamers, BWOs, Egg Patterns |
| October | 52-58°F | Streamers, BWOs, Egg Patterns |
| November | 48-54°F | Streamers, BWOs, Egg Patterns |
| December | 48-52°F | Nymphing, Midges, Sowbugs |
Spawning Seasons
Please respect spawning fish and their redds. Avoid fishing over actively spawning trout.
Brown Trout
Spawn months: October, November
Night spawning common. Males become very dark with pronounced kype during spawn.
Rainbow Trout
Spawn months: March, April
Resident rainbow trout spawn in smaller tributaries and tend to build smaller redds than steelhead.
Cutthroat Trout
Spawn months: May, June, July
Spring spawners. Timing varies by subspecies and elevation - coastal populations spawn earlier (Feb-Mar), inland populations later (May-July). Eggs develop for 6-7 weeks before hatching.
Access Points & Parking for Little Red
Cow Shoals
Popular wade access below Greers Ferry Dam.
JFK Park
Main access point with multiple facilities.
Barnett Access
Good wade fishing access to productive runs.
Pangburn
Lower river access with good float opportunities.
How to Fish Little Red: Tips & Tactics
The Little Red River is one of the premier trout tailwaters in the South. Cold water releases from Greers Ferry Dam support rainbow and brown trout, including trophy-class fish. The former world record brown trout came from this river.
Best Times of Day
Year-round fishing is excellent. Morning and evening offer best surface activity. Midday scud and sowbug fishing is productive. Generation schedules affect fishing - check dam releases.
Recommended Techniques
Match the generation schedule - low water offers wade fishing, high water requires boats. Scud and sowbug patterns are essential. Streamers produce trophy browns. Dry fly fishing during midge and caddis hatches.
Water Conditions
Dam generation greatly affects flows and fishing. Low generation allows wade fishing. High generation requires drift boats. Water temps remain cold year-round.
Fly Selection
Scuds in tan, pink, and olive are essential. Sowbugs produce consistently. Zebra midges and thread midges for risers. Woolly Buggers for browns.
Local Knowledge
Check generation schedules before planning your trip. The catch-and-release section below the dam holds trophy fish. Lobo Landing is a local institution.
Local Tips
Heber Springs is the gateway community with full services. The former world record brown trout (40 lbs 4 oz) came from this river. Trophy fishing is realistic.
When is the Best Time to Fish Little Red?
Spring
Excellent fishing as insect activity increases. Sulphur hatches begin.
Summer
Consistent fishing despite heat. Fish early morning before generation.
Fall
Prime time for trophy browns. Spawning activity increases aggression.
Winter
Year-round tailwater stays productive. Midge fishing is primary.
Recommended Equipment for Little Red
Rod
9-foot, 5 or 6-weight is standard. 7-weight for streamer fishing.
Line
Floating line for most situations. Sink-tip for high water streamers.
Leader & Tippet
9-foot tapered leader, 5X-6X tippet.
Waders
Breathable waders year-round. Watch for slippery rocks.
Essential Flies
Little Red Fishing Regulations
Season
Open year-round.
Limits
Special regulations in catch-and-release zone. Check current Arkansas limits.
Special Regulations
Catch-and-release area below dam. Artificial lures only in some sections.
Bait Restrictions
Check regulations by section.
Notes
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission manages this premier fishery.
Always verify current regulations with Arkansas fish and wildlife agency before fishing. Regulations can change annually.
Fly Shops & Guides Near Little Red
Local Fly Shops
- Lobo Landing - Heber Springs
- Little Red Fly Shop - Heber Springs
- Ozark Trout Flies
Guide Services
- Little Red River Guides
- Lobo Landing Guide Service
- Arkansas Trout Guides
Optimal Fishing Conditions
Optimal Flow
200 - 2000 CFS
Best fishing conditions
Optimal Water Temperature
48° - 58°F
Ideal for active trout
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Other Arkansas Trout Rivers
Little Red — frequently asked questions
When is the best time to fish the Little Red?
Prime dry fly season. Evening hatches can be spectacular.
What flies should I bring to the Little Red?
For the Little Red (tailwater), carry: Scud, Sowbug, Zebra Midge, Y2K, Woolly Bugger, Sulphur.
What water temperature is best for trout on the Little Red?
On the Little Red, trout hold between 48° and 58°F. Because the river is dam-fed, the temperature stays in this band year-round.
Do I need a fishing license for the Little Red?
Yes — you need a valid Arkansas fishing license to fish the Little Red. Local season: Open year-round.. Daily limit: Special regulations in catch-and-release zone. Check current Arkansas limits..
What hatches should I watch for on the Little Red in June?
Midge is the signature hatch on the Little Red in June. Match size and adjust leader size to 5X-6X. The fish key in on the emergence during low-light hours, so plan to be on the water at first light.
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