The Buffalo Nation River is a great fishing location for perch, catfish, and bass, thanks to its clear water. Canoe fishing is popular on the river, but wade fishing also gets good results here. Anglers can find catfish all along the river, but smallmouth bass are most common on the upper part of the river above Pruitt, Arkansas. Downstream of Pruitt you’ll find greater numbers of largemouth and spotted bass “Kentuckies.”

driving directions

A fishing license is required for anglers 16 years of age or older. Fifty-nine different species make their homes on the Buffalo River, including 12 game fish. The most popular is the smallmouth bass. The daily limit depends on where the bass is caught on the river and the size of the fish. From Clabber Creek to the White River, the limit is 1 smallmouth bass, and it must be 18 inches long. Elsewhere on the Buffalo River, the daily limit is 2, and they must be at least 14 inches long.

Anglers are permitted to capture baitfish and crayfish caught from the Buffalo River or its tributaries. You can catch these baitfish using traps or seines. Fishing by bait and hook or flyfishing are the primary methods to fish these rivers, but anglers may use attended trotlines, snags for suckers, or gigs for rough fish. If you don’t want to catch your own bait, you must buy it from a licensed dealer.

Bring your boat, but do not use outboard motors upstream from Erbie Ford. From Erbie Ford to White River, outboard motors up to 10 horsepower are permitted.

Buffalo River boat ramps:

The following boat ramps provide access to Buffalo River.