FishDatabase

Locations

Fish species in Arkansas

268 species have two or more US observation records in Arkansas. Explore their habitats, families, and local records.

268 species have two or more US observation records in Arkansas. ITIS calls 137 of them native to the United States, 122 native to part of the country and introduced elsewhere, and 9 introduced.

Species
268
Freshwater
259
Saltwater
18
Survey list
169
Arkansas in the United States.
0
1
Arkansas in the United States.

Two counts, two questions. 268 is the number of species observed in Arkansas and filed with GBIF, which includes lakes, the coast, and museum records. 169 is the number the USGS stream survey caught, which samples flowing fresh water only. Neither is the other, so the site never adds them.

The statute

The official state fish of Arkansas

Alligator gar (primitive)

Atractosteus spatula · named 2019

thv11.com

A state fish is a statute, not a survey. It says which fish the legislature chose, not which fish is most common. The list above links each row to the state's own record.

Record fish

Arkansas state records

The heaviest fish of each species certified by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, freshwater; rod-and-reel and other legal means in two tables, and each row names its method. Heaviest first. Every figure is the agency’s own.

SpeciesWeightWaterDateAnglerTackle
Gar, Alligator215 lbs., 0 oz.Arkansas River07/31/1964Alvin Bonds, Clarksville, ARrod and reel
Paddlefish127 lbs., 6 oz.Beaver Lake06/18/2024Mike Schleeper, Garfield, ARrod and reel
Catfish, Blue116 lbs., 12 oz.Mississippi River08/03/2001Charles Ashley Jr., Marion, ARrod and reel
Buffalo, Black105 lbs., 0 oz.Harris Brake Lake03/14/1994Kenneth Harvey, Perryville, ARother legal means
Buffalo, Black92 lbs., 8 oz.Lake Maumelle02/26/2001Kenny DeLuca, Paron, ARrod and reel
Catfish, Flathead85 lbs., 6 oz.Blackfish Lake06/10/2019Preston Gracey, Forrest City, ARother legal means
Catfish, Flathead80 lbs., 0 oz.Arkansas River10/28/1989Wesley White, Hartford, ARrod and reel
Buffalo, Smallmouth74 lbs., 0 oz.Millwood Lake04/15/2007Zane Barrett, Murfreesboro, ARother legal means
Buffalo, Smallmouth68 lbs., 8 oz.Lake Hamilton05/15/1984Jerry Dolezal, Berwyn, ILrod and reel
Bass, Striped64 lbs., 8 oz.Beaver Lake Tailwater04/28/2000Jeff Fletcher, Golden, MOrod and reel
Buffalo, Bigmouth56 lbs., 4 oz.Calion Lake04/03/2000Benny Alexander, El Dorado, ARother legal means
Gar, Longnose54 lbs., 0 oz.Arkansas River08/04/2011Torry Cook, Warren, ARother legal means
Buffalo, Bigmouth50 lbs., 0 oz.Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir09/10/2007Tony Worm, Conway, ARrod and reel
Drum, Freshwater45 lbs., 7 oz.Lake Wilson07/11/2004Chuck Piker, Hamburg, ARrod and reel
Trout, Brown40 lbs., 4 oz.Little Red River05/09/1992Howard “Rip” Collins, Heber Springs, ARrod and reel
Catfish, Channel38 lbs., 0 oz.Lake Ouachita06/03/1989Joe Holleman, Waldron, ARrod and reel
Gar, Longnose35 lbs., 12 oz.Taylor Old River Lake06/28/2005Tommy Cantrell, Dumas, ARrod and reel
Bass, Hybrid Striped27 lbs., 5 oz.Greers Ferry Lake04/24/1997Jerald C. Shaum, Shirley, ARrod and reel
Muskie, Tiger23 lbs., 12 oz.Spring River06/27/1995Randy Wyatt, Thayer, MOrod and reel
Walleye22 lbs., 11 oz.Greers Ferry Lake03/12/1982Al Nelson, Higden, ARrod and reel
Trout, Rainbow19 lbs., 1 oz.White River03/14/1981Jim Miller, Memphis, TNrod and reel
Bowfin17 lbs., 5 oz.Desha County02/21/1977Doug Smith, McGehee, ARrod and reel
Bass, Largemouth16 lbs., 4 oz.Mallard Lake03/02/1976Aaron Mardis, Memphis, TNrod and reel
Pike, Northern16 lbs., 1 oz.DeGray Lake12/27/1973Dick Cooley, Arkadelphia, ARrod and reel
Gar, Spotted12 lbs., 5 oz.Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir03/18/2017Jerrime Tucker, Conway, ARother legal means
Gar, Shortnose11 lbs., 12 oz.Cypress Bayou11/02/2016Bryson Harpole, Ward, ARother legal means
Trout, Lake11 lbs., 5 oz.Greers Ferry Lake12/15/1997Clark Stevenson, Greenbrier, ARrod and reel
Trout, Cutthroat10 lbs., 2 oz.North Fork River09/29/2018Mike Bowers, Abilene, KSrod and reel
Redhorse, River9 lbs., 3 oz.Osage Creek12/20/2022Levi Wright, Bentonville, ARrod and reel
Redhorse, River9 lbs. 0 oz.Lake Ouachita03/17/2013Asher Kight, Hot Springs, ARother legal means
Saugeye9 lbs., 0 oz.Lake Frierson01/30/2012Chris Owen, Alicia, ARrod and reel
Carpsucker, Quillback8 lbs., 0 oz.Bull Shoals03/02/2024Chance Williams, Harrison, ARother legal means
Bass, Spotted7 lbs., 15 oz.Bull Shoals Lake03/26/1983Mike Heilich, St. Louis, MOrod and reel
Gar, Spotted7 lbs., 15 oz.Little Red River03/29/2018Tim Welch, Bono, ARrod and reel
Pickerel, Chain7 lbs., 10 oz.Little Red River01/06/1979Abe Vogel, Heber Springs, ARrod and reel
Bass, Smallmouth7 lbs., 5 oz.Bull Shoals Lake04/01/1969Acie Dickerson, Lakeview, ARrod and reel
Sauger6 lbs., 12 oz.Arkansas River12/15/1976Claude Eubanks, Fort Smith, ARrod and reel
Redhorse, Silver6 lbs., 9 oz.Eleven Point River12/12/2020Russell “Rusty” Gibson, Marmaduke, ARrod and reel
Gar, Shortnose5 lbs., 13 oz.Lake Dardanelle09/23/2011Thomas Kremers, Clarksville,ARrod and reel
Bass, White5 lbs., 6 oz.Mississippi River10/27/2005Bill Nelson, Memphis, TNrod and reel
Mullet, Striped5 lb., 6 oz.Morgan Point Bendway Lake03/27/2020Samuel Yarberry, Bryant, ARother legal means
Eel, American5 lbs., 5 oz.Bull Shoals Lake06/24/2018Wilson Bowling, Bull Shoals, ARother legal means
Eel, American5 lbs., 4.4 oz.Spring River07/15/2015Cory Beeson, Jonesboro, ARrod and reel
Eel, American5 lbs., 4 oz.Spring River07/12/2015Cory Beeson, Jonesboro, ARrod and reel
Crappie, Black5 lbs., 0 oz.Lake Wilhelmina06/06/2011Donivan Echols, Mena, ARrod and reel
Sturgeon, Shovelnose5 lbs., 0 oz.Spring River10/10/2008D. Victor Waits, Holts Summit, MOrod and reel
Trout, Brook5 lbs., 0 oz.North Fork River06/03/2002Billy J. Meeks, Wylie, TXrod and reel
Bullhead, Black4 lbs., 12 oz.Point Remove Creek04/11/1986Janet Story, Morrilton, ARrod and reel
Bullhead, Yellow4 lbs., 9 oz.Blue Bayou05/22/2005Joshua Rosenbaum, Nashville, ARother legal means
Crappie, White4 lbs., 7 oz.Mingo Creek04/12/1993Shelby D. Cooper, Bald Knob, ARrod and reel
Sucker, Spotted4 lbs., 6 oz.Big Hill Creek03/19/2018Ransum Mullens, Camden, ARother legal means
Bullhead, Brown3 lbs., 9 oz.Lower White Oak Lake02/09/2024Angela Dixon, Chidester, ARrod and reel
Shad, Gizzard3 lbs. 7 oz.DeGray Lake06/15/2013Ross Wooldridge, Malvern, ARother legal means
Bluegill3 lbs., 4 oz.Fulton County08/07/1998Albert Sharp, Elizabeth, ARrod and reel
Carpsucker, River3 lbs., 2 oz.Arkansas River06/19/2017Jimmy Ruple, Greenbrier, ARother legal means
Herring, Skipjack2 lbs., 14.6 oz.Ozark Dam04/08/2026Jeared Barnett, Ozark, ARrod and reel
Shad, Gizzard2 lbs., 14 oz.White River05/09/1992Charles Jordan, Mountain View, ARrod and reel
Sunfish, Redear2 lbs., 14 oz.Bois d’Arc Lake05/04/1985Glenda Tatom, Stamps, ARrod and reel
Shad, Alabama2 lbs., 13 oz.Ouachita River04/04/1997Monte Pascoe, Hot Springs, ARrod and reel
Goldeye2 lb., 12 oz.Cache River03/22/2020Tommy Medler, Judsonia, ARother legal means
Bullhead, Yellow2 lbs., 7 oz.Private lake09/21/2014Jackie R. Mullins, Texarkana, ARrod and reel
Bass, Yellow2 lbs., 4 oz.Lake Ouachita01/26/2022Craig Viscardis, Hot Springs, ARrod and reel
Goldeye2 lbs., 3 oz.State Line Outlet Ditch04/02/2021Jamie Wilhoite, Manila, ARrod and reel
Sucker, Spotted2 lb., 3 oz.Twin Creek03/20/2023John Carter, Little Rock, ARrod and reel
Sucker, White1 lb., 14 oz.White River06/16/2025Daniel Bridgmon, Midway, ARrod and reel
Bass, Shadow1 lb., 12 oz.Spring River07/05/1999James E. Baker, W. Monroe, LArod and reel
Carpsucker, Highfin1 lbs., 12 oz.Arkansas River06/19/2017Jimmy Ruple, Greenbrier, ARother legal means
Sunfish, Green1 lb., 11 oz.pond, Dierks04/12/1976Keith McCullough, Dierks, ARrod and reel
Bass, Rock1 lb., 8 oz.Norfork Lake (Clear Creek)08/02/1982Jerry Heard, Everton, ARrod and reel
Warmouth1 lb., 8 oz.Black Dog Bayou05/28/1998Michael Curtis, Pine Bluff, ARrod and reel
Sucker, Northern Hog1 lb., 6 oz.Eleven Point River04/10/2021Rusty Gibson, Marmaduke, ARrod and reel
Redhorse, Golden1 lb., 2 oz.Spring River05/27/2011D. Victor Waits, Holts Summit, MOrod and reel
Sunfish, Longear1 lb., 2 oz.Table Rock Lake04/22/1991Carl Bohannan, Eureka Springs, ARrod and reel
Bass, Ozark1 lb., 1 oz.Norfork Lake05/12/2014Dan Biery, Clinton, ARrod and reel
Flier0 lbs., 14 oz.Saline River07/10/1985Harvey Jones, Warren, ARrod and reel
Mooneye0 lbs., 11 oz.Current River08/27/2022Shawn Clark, Poplar Bluff, MOrod and reel

Source: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. A row with no link is a name the site holds no species page for, which is usually a hybrid.

Most recorded

The fish of Arkansas

The species with the most observation records in the state. It is the closest the open data comes to naming the fish people meet.

Largemouth Bass1,980 records
Micropterus salmoidesCentrarchidaeNative and introducedFresh
Green Sunfish1,708 records
Lepomis cyanellusCentrarchidaeNative and introducedFresh
Bigeye Shiner1,670 records
Notropis boopsLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
Longear Sunfish1,631 records
Lepomis megalotisCentrarchidaeNative and introducedFresh
Blackspotted Topminnow1,628 records
Fundulus olivaceusFundulidaeNativeFresh
Bluegill1,554 records
Lepomis macrochirusCentrarchidaeNative and introducedFresh
Central Stoneroller1,325 records
Campostoma anomalumLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
Bluntnose Minnow1,325 records
Pimephales notatusLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
Greenside Darter1,286 records
Etheostoma blennioidesPercidaeNative and introducedFresh
Rainbow Darter1,270 records
Etheostoma caeruleumPercidaeNative and introducedFresh
Smallmouth Bass1,178 records
Micropterus dolomieuCentrarchidaeNative and introducedFresh
Northern Studfish1,124 records
Fundulus catenatusFundulidaeNative and introducedFresh

Groups

Types of fish in Arkansas

Species

All 268 species, A–Z

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

W

Y

One record only

33 more with a single record

One observation can be a stray, an aquarium release, or a mis-keyed locality, so these are kept out of the count above and listed here instead. The first 33 are shown.

American Shad25 states
Alosa sapidissimaClupeidaeNative and introducedFreshSaltBrackish
Bandfin Shiner5 states
Luxilus zonistiusLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
Blackchin Shiner13 states
Notropis heterodonLeuciscidaeNativeFresh
Blue Tilapia16 states
Oreochromis aureusCichlidaeIntroducedFreshBrackish
Bluehead Chub12 states
Nocomis leptocephalusLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
Bluestripe Darter4 states
Percina cymatotaeniaPercidaeNativeFresh
Brook Stickleback28 states
Culaea inconstansGasterosteidaeNative and introducedFresh
Central Mudminnow27 states
Umbra limiUmbridaeNative and introducedFresh
Chihuahua Chub5 states
Gila nigrescensLeuciscidaeNativeFresh
Clown Goby7 states
Microgobius gulosusGobiidaeNativeFreshSaltBrackish
Comely Shiner11 states
Notropis amoenusLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
Common Snook8 states
Centropomus undecimalisCentropomidaeNativeFreshSaltBrackish
Desert Sucker9 states
Pantosteus clarkiiCatostomidaeNativeFresh
Greenthroat Darter5 states
Etheostoma lepidumPercidaeNativeFresh
Gulf Logperch4 states
Percina suttkusiPercidaeNativeFreshBrackish
Ide8 states
Leuciscus idusLeuciscidaeIntroducedFreshBrackish
Longfin Dace6 states
Agosia chrysogasterLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
New River Shiner4 states
Notropis scabricepsLeuciscidaeNativeFresh
Oscar17 states
Astronotus ocellatusCichlidaeIntroducedFresh
Pugnose Shiner13 states
Notropis anogenusLeuciscidaeNativeFresh
Red River Pupfish5 states
Cyprinodon rubrofluviatilisCyprinodontidaeNative and introducedFresh
Redside Dace16 states
Clinostomus elongatusLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
River Chub22 states
Nocomis micropogonLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
San Marcos Gambusia3 states
Gambusia georgeiPoeciliidaeNativeFresh
Scarlet Shiner13 states
Lythrurus fasciolarisLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
Sicklefin Chub10 states
Macrhybopsis meekiLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
Silverjaw Minnow19 states
Ericymba buccataLeuciscidaeNative and introducedFresh
Sockeye Salmon23 states
Oncorhynchus nerkaSalmonidaeNative and introducedFreshSaltBrackish
Sonora Sucker5 states
Catostomus insignisCatostomidaeNativeFresh
Spotted Darter17 states
Nothonotus maculatusPercidaeNativeFresh
Tench17 states
Tinca tincaCyprinidaeIntroducedFreshBrackish
Tessellated Darter28 states
Etheostoma olmstediPercidaeNative and introducedFresh
Texas Logperch6 states
Percina carbonariaPercidaeNativeFresh

Nearby

Other states