Fort Smith, AR Fishing: Angling in the Old West

Fort Smith is the principal city of the Fort Smith, Arkansas–Oklahoma Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also the third-largest city in Arkansas near the Arkansas–Oklahoma state border. Fort Smith was established as a western frontier military post in 1817 and became well-known as a base for expatriates' settling of the "Wild West" and its law enforcement lineage. Fort Smith hosts active soldiers aside from reservists as an active military base for a limited time. Fort Smith was named after General Thomas A. Smith.

Fort Smith is one of the best tourist destinations for the whole family. There are plenty of museums available for travelers interested in the city's historical past. Fort Smith is active in the performing industry. Local and national jazz, blues, country, and rock bands and dance groups have regular live performances in the downtown area. Fort Smith is famous for its annual fair and festivities. From the Old Fort Days Rodeo to the Fort Smith Airshow, tourists flock to the site to witness and enjoy the celebration. 

There are also historical landmarks found in Fort Smith. The most prominent landmark in the city, the Fort Smith National Historic Site, contains the remains of the original 1817 fort on the Arkansas River. "Hangin' Judge" Isaac C. Parker's courtroom and the Hell on the Border jail are also located on this site. Lake Fort Smith Park is also a must-visit location. Situated at the Arkansas and Poteau Rivers intersection, also known as Belle Point, Fort Smith is undoubtedly the best place to cast your line.

Fort Smith Fishing

Fort Smith's location and adjacency to the Arkansas River make it a suitable place for fishing. Anglers who want to fish in Fort Smith are welcome as the fishing adventure is open year-round. 

The Arkansas River is the prime place to begin your fishing adventure in Arkansas. The river is a major branch of the Mississippi River that flows to the east and southeast as it crosses the states of Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Fish in the Arkansas River are blue catfish, channel catfish, flathead catfish, sauger, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, white bass, spotted sunfish, striped sunfish, bluegill sunfish, crappie, rainbow trout, and redear sunfish. Lake Fort Smith offers fishing boats and motors, boats for bass fishing, kayak, canoe, and pedal boat rentals that can be utilized to explore the lake. There are also bait and tackle shops and other supplies available. Anglers commonly catch crappie, yellow perch, spotted bass, redear sunfish, and white bass in the lake. The 208-acre Jack Nolen Lake in Fort Smith offers various sportfish like bluegill, crappie, redear sunfish, channel catfish, saugeye, and largemouth bass. Fish like green sunfish, warmouth, longear sunfish, bullheads, common carp, grass carp, and blue catfish are also caught here. There are also concrete boat ramps available in the lake. Wells Lake is an artificial lake or impoundment built in the 1940s to collect water needed during the construction of Fort Chaffee.

The most popular species caught in the lake are channel catfish and largemouth bass. Shadow Lake is located near Fort Smith and offers family-friendly picnic areas and a trail for hiking. Fish found here are largemouth bass, crappie, redear sunfish, warmouth, and bluegill. Meanwhile, fishing for crappie, yellow perch, largemouth bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, and bluegill is abundant in the Greenwood Lake area. The lake is accessible for wheelchairs. It also has boat ramps, piers and docks, picnic areas, and a hiking trail. Bass and catfish fishing is also productive in the Frog Bayou. Crappie, bowfin, and alligator gar are commonly caught here. T J House Reservoir is perfect for crappie and sunfish fishing. Largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, blue catfish, and crappie are caught in the Booneville Lake and the Sugar Loaf Lake areas. Anglers can also catch black bullhead and Australian bass in Sugar Loaf Lake. James Fork and Wofford Lake are perfect spots for bass fishing. Hollis Lake is where anglers can cast their line and target bowfin, crappie, yellow and black bullhead.

Vineyard Creek, Vache Grasse Creek, Lee Creek, Adamson Creek, Hester Creek, Heartsill Creek, Williamson Creek, Massard Creek, Cedar Creek, and Mill Creek surround Fort Smith. These creeks are excellent places to catch catfish and bass.

Anglers are reminded to use their best judgment when determining where they can cast their line. It is also vital to use proper equipment and gear when fishing. Fly fishing, bank fishing, baitcasting, and light tackle fishing are the common fishing techniques utilized by anglers when fishing in different locations across Fort Smith.

Top 10 Fish Species in Fort Smith, AR

The top 10 fish species found in Fort Smith, AR, are largemouth bass, white bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, striped bass, rainbow trout, crappie, and yellow perch.

Seasonal Fishing

While bass fishing is open year-round, bass are best caught during the spring season. Around that time, largemouth bass are starting their spawning season. The spawning season for the white and spotted bass occurs every mid-March to late May. Striped bass usually spawn in open freshwater from April to mid-June. Summer is the prime time for catfishing, but anglers can catch them year-round. Blue catfish spawn every late spring or early summer, while channel catfish spawning season occurs from May to July. Flathead catfish love warmer waters, and their spawning season takes place from late May through August. Anglers wanting to catch trophy rainbow trout should cast their line around late spring. The rainbow trout spawning period transpires during the spring season. Crappie can be caught year-round, but the most suitable time to go after them is during the spawning season that occurs every late February and the early weeks of May. The most abundant time to catch yellow perch is spring, early summer, and fall. During these times, perch are typically found in shallow water. Yellow perch are spring spawners.

Uncover the Fantastic Spots Fort Smith

Aside from being a former military base, Fort Smith maintains a good reputation as a perfect tourist spot.

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Fort Smith is just miles away from the Arkansas River, a major tributary of the Mississippi River. Its location near the river and other bodies of water makes it a suitable place for fishing. Book a fishing charter and find the best fishing spots in and around Fort Smith.

2. Relish Fort Smith's Annual Attractions

Various annual events are held in Fort Smith from time to time. The Annual Old Fort Days Rodeo Barrel-Racing Futurity presents about ten days of Wild West activities. The event has been held annually every May since it started in the mid-1930s. Every March or April, the Hanging Judge Border Feud High School Rodeo occurs. This event showcases rodeo events and a spring livestock show. It is a rodeo event open to any high school students who want to compete. Blues lovers will undoubtedly enjoy the annual Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Festival. The Fort Smith Regional Air Show is also a most awaited festival in Fort Smith. The community of Fort Smith annually celebrates the Fort Smith Juneteenth Community Festival. Juneteenth is dubbed the oldest nationally recognized commemoration of ending slavery in the US. Lastly, Fort Smith hosts the annual Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fair, one of the largest bi-state fairs in the US. The state fair ensues over ten days in late September.

3. Delve into Fort Smith’s Past

The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, the Fort Smith Museum of History, the Fort Smith Trolley Museum, the Fort Smith Air Museum, and The Clayton House Museum are open for travelers who want to look into Fort Smith's past. These museums showcase numerous exhibits, displays, and relics that convey the story of Fort Smith's history.