Atkins, AR Fishing: The Home of the Big Bass

Known as a charming and historic city, Atkins is well-known for being a great place to raise a family because of its temperate climate and beautiful surroundings. For many years, Atkins was considered the pickle capital of Arkansas, even though the pickle business is now a small portion of the town's legacy and history. Railroad employees created the village in the middle of the 1880s. Thus, it has also acted as a hub for river trade. Now, it is connected to the rest of the country by an important expressway.

If you wish to travel to nearby states, the driving time from Atkins to Russellville and Morrilton is almost the same. A wide range of reasonably priced lodging alternatives and high-quality eating outlets may be found in the city for those who travel along the route. What makes Atkins better as a fishing location is providing fishing piers for the disabled. With a population of over 3,079, it's a great area to call home and one of the top places in the state for anglers.

Atkins Fishing

Waterways abound in Arkansas, totaling approximately 9,000 miles of navigable channels. There's sure to be some excellent fishing with much water. Anglers around the country are familiar with Arkansas's various waterways, including the renowned Lake Atkins, Petit Jean State Park, and Lake Dardanelle State Park near the city of Atkins.

In Atkins, Arkansas, Lake Atkins is one of the few places where the hype around fishing destinations in Arkansas. In fact, because of the Dingell-Johnson Act, revenues from federal excise fees on fishing equipment were used to support Lake Atkins partly, the first Arkansas lake to get this treatment. The lake's dense vegetation and plenty of stumps, bushes, and logs make it an ideal place for fish to thrive. Boaters should watch for submerged logs and stumps in the water. The lake's four fishing jetties provide bank anglers easy access to the best fishing places on the water's edge. 

In 2002, Lake Atkins was emptied to rebuild the water-control system and minimize the number of rough-fishing fish. The drawdown tower was rebuilt, boat channels were rerouted, and brush piles were erected. At Lucky Landing, a new boat ramp was constructed, and a courtesy pier was reconstructed at Bell Chapel Access. Although trout fishing is not famous in the area, largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, white bass, black bass, and channel catfish were added to the lake. The Florida Bass or black bass strain has adapted to the renovation, and the lake is now famed for trophy-class fish. One of West Arkansas' premier fishing spots is a lake treated yearly to boost the size and quantity of fish it produces.

Recently, an end-of-the-year competition for kayak anglers from around the state was held in Lake Atkins, Arkansas. Flats ranging from 5 to 12 feet deep cover most of the lake, with a 20-25-foot deep edge surrounding the dam. Invisible and submerged trees cover the lake's surface, forming a network of underwater support. Cypress trees, tiny coves, and cuts border most of the coastline, giving good cover for bass. 

Many kayak anglers flocked to Atkins on Saturdays to discover the lake's mysteries. On that day, fishing was a "one-of-a-kind" experience for every angler. A cold front may roll in on tournament day, altering the fishing dynamics and making bass fishing more challenging. A kayak angler from the previous tournament managed to reel in a 24.5-inch behemoth. Much excellent fish was being taken on various unfamiliar baits on a post-frontal day before. However, you should watch for submerged stumps while out on the lake. 

With 170-acre Lake Bailey on the park site, you are not too far from a quiet day of fishing for some of Arkansas' best. Although green sunfish and trout are not known in the area, the flowing water of Petit Jean River is filled year-round with largemouth bass, bluegill, and warmouth. Fishing along the coast or from a boat is widespread, and the park also includes an ADA-accessible fishing pier. It is also essential to note that when you're on a largemouth bass fishing, it must be immediately released if you caught a largemouth bass less than 15 inches, as per the regulations. 

A few miles from Petit Jean River is the 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River, the Lake Dardanelle State Park. The lake, stocked with crappie and largemouth bass, is a great place to go bream fishing. With no fishing season and mild winters, you may catch fish all year long in this area. The lake offers one of the most constant bass habitats in the Arkansas River system. It's widely accepted that Lake Dardanelle is the best site to catch a monster largemouth. It is also a great place to fish for stripers up to 20 pounds and bass up to 6 pounds. Lower Dardanelle's main river channel and the mouths of major tributaries and streams are good spots to look for striped bass. Striped bass abounds in the Arkansas River impoundments, but some anglers aren't aware that hybrids may be found in a few reservoirs and the Dardanelle pool. The daily hybrid limit at Dardanelle is six per angler.

While fishing for largemouth bass in the waters of Atkins, one of the most important things to remember as an angler is that they like to gather near to cover. So, keep an eye out for submerged trees, foliage, docks, and bridges while fishing either from the shore or in a boat. As with any other fishing, selecting places with cover or structure is a smart first step. Anglers may mimic shad, shiners, or other baitfish using spoons and crankbaits as bait. To catch bass in murky or foggy water, consider using a crankbait with a rattle to produce vibrations in the water. It is possible to catch more bass when the water visibility is poor because fish can detect vibrations from rattling lures or baits using their lateral line. But, there are also a few regulations that Atkins has imposed when you fish in its waters. Crappie under 10 inches in length must be promptly released, and anglers are forbidden from using common carp as bait.

Top 10 Species in Atkins, AR

The top ten fish species found in Atkins, AR, are largemouth bass, bluegill, redear sunfish, crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, bowfin, common carp, grass carp, and warmouth.

Seasonal Fishing

The best season to fish in Atkins is during the spring, especially if you're in it for the bass. Although bass may be caught year-round, spring is the finest time to start fishing for them, making it ideal for anglers in the sport. Having spent the winter sulking in their dens, the bass move in the spring as they fatten up for the yearly spawn and go towards the shorelines to deposit their eggs. Immediately after spawning, the fish spend a brief time resting and refueling before beginning their long journey to the open ocean, where they will spend the rest of the summer.

Experience Life in Atkins

1. Book a Fishing Trip

Atkins has some of the most incredible fishing in the country for anglers. Fishing is an ideal way to boost your self-esteem through learning about the environment, developing your outdoor abilities, and reaching personal objectives. Personal and social growth may also be aided by fishing. 

There are a variety of fishing charters and boat rentals in the Atkins region to help anglers with their fishing needs. There is also 101 Grocery and Bait, which carries fishing gear, live bait, and even groceries, in addition to Lucky Landing. Snacks, RV supplies, and more are all available from this shop. The 2 Friends Bait Shop, which offers fishing gear repair and replacement components close to Atkins Lake, is another option for anglers.

2. Discover the Culture of Atkins

Atkins is home to a plethora of world-class art galleries and museums. You may be interested in the history of the nation you are visiting or wish to know more about its culture and appreciate art. In addition to meeting new people and learning about the lives of your Atkins ancestors, museums may also broaden one's perspective. When you're done fishing, take some time to explore the city's creative side.

3. Explore Nature by Hiking

When visiting Atkins, hiking is one of the best ways to appreciate the area's unique natural beauty. Some trails wind their way through the mountains and along the banks of rivers. They pass through wildlife-rich bottomlands and historic sites that illustrate the state's rich past. The Cedar Falls Trail starts and descends into Cedar Creek Canyon, a spectacular CCC rustic mountain lodge. The trailside is littered with stones and trees of all shapes and sizes. There is a 95-foot waterfall known as "Cedar Falls" on this path, which follows Cedar Creek for the rest of the way. Seven Hollows Trail, Petit Jean State Park, and several others are nearby.