North Little Rock, AR Fishing: Relaxing Fishing Experience

North Little Rock has been known by multiple names for hundreds of years. It was called DeCantillon, Hunterville, Barling Cross, and Argenta. It was only in 1917 that it was officially called what it is today.

Located in Pulaski County, Arkansas, North Little Rock is a city across Little Rock in the central part of the state. What separates the two is the Arkansas River. With over 65,000 people, North Little Rock is Arkansas's seventh most populous city.

North Little Rock used to be "opposite Little Rock" when the railroad companies in Pulaski County spurred the growth of mills, stockyards, and small businesses. Not many people lived there due to the chronic flooding therein. The subsequent construction of ferry and riverboat terminals led to its prosperity. The area served as an interconnecting terminal for routes between St. Louis, Missouri, Memphis, Tennessee, Texas, and Oklahoma.

Following its positive economic growth, part of the area known as "opposite Little Rock" became Argenta. The community applied for its incorporation, but it was thwarted when Little Rock passed legislation to have it annexed to their land area. Years later, William Faucette introduced a bill to allow Argenta and North Little Rock to merge. The Court ruled in favor of such a merger, and North Little Rock renamed itself, Argenta. However, 11 years later, it changed its name to North Little Rock.

Today, North Little Rock houses plenty of avenues for outdoor activity, natural beauty, and delicious local cuisine. It has no shortage of fishing spots all year round because of its proximity to the Arkansas River.

North Little Rock Fishing

North Little Rock may be small, but it is home to different water bodies where aquatic life thrives. From ponds, lakes, state parks, and rivers, North Little Rock's proximity to neighboring cities makes it a great place for anglers and offers people that lively city energy.

With a surface area of nearly 7,000 acres, Lake Conway is the largest man-made reservoir created to date by a state wildlife commission in all of North America. It is surrounded by several boat ramps, all free of charge, so that you can bring your boat with you. Located only 25 minutes from North Little Rock, this huge lake boasts a vast array of species and has been a popular fishing destination since its construction in 1948. It is well-stocked with largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, bullhead, chain pickerel, drum, and hybrid bream.

In Lake Conway, bullhead, crappie, bluegill, and catfish are at peak numbers in March, April, and May. Bullheads and bluegills are caught using common live baits, such as angle worms and nightcrawlers. Meanwhile, the most common techniques to catch crappie are using a minnow beneath a bobber and casting a small jig with a soft plastic body, a beetle-spin lure, or small hard plastic lures. As for catfish, the most common techniques include using fishing rigs, which come in different forms, such as drift, slip float, slip, and poly-ball.

Smallmouth bass are at their most abundant numbers during May’s second and third weeks. They can be caught using popular techniques like casting hard plastic baits, spinners, jigs, plastic worms, or plastic crayfish. The months of May, June, and July see many redear sunfish, drum, hybrid bream, and largemouth bass in these areas. Chain pickerel peak from June through November.

Redear sunfish are often found in deeper parts of water and are caught using small baited hooks near or on the bottom of the waterbody or by jigging the bait up and down off the bottom. As for drums, they are rarely caught using artificial lures. The most effective way to catch them is through conventional bottom rigs with sinkers or one or more drops with single hooks and no sinker. On the other hand, hybrid bream are caught using common live baits, including crickets, red worms, wigglers, and fiddle.

The Pinnacle Mountain State Park is about 20 minutes from North Little Rock. This park is a great spot for families and solo anglers alike. It has plenty of picnic tables, a playground, and launching docks, so it is okay for you to bring a canoe. The two main spots within the Pinnacle Mountain State Park are the state park pond stocked with catfish and the Little Maumelle River, which houses an excellent bass fishery. The daily limit for catfish is three per angler. Other fish species caught here are largemouth bass, brown trout, and redear sunfish. The months of March, April, and May see a great number of brown trout usually caught through various ways, such as natural baits, spinners, wobblers, artificial flies that include nymph, wet fly, feathered lure, and dry fly.

Meanwhile, the winding Arkansas River traverses both Little Rock and North Little Rock. Boat ramps near the Verizon Arena and the Two River Park may be found. As a major waterway, the Arkansas River contains large populations of largemouth bass and white bass, crappie, channel catfish, and blue catfish.

White bass are most abundant during April and May. They are caught using common baits like floating jigs tipped with a minnow or 1/8 and 1/4 oz lead-head jigs tipped with white, yellow, or fluorescent-colored twisted plastic tails or minnows. Meanwhile, channel catfish are available all year round, but the best time to catch them is in June, July, and August. Blue catfish, on the other hand, are often caught from March through May.

Other fishing spots near North Little Rock are Lake Willastein Park, Two Boyle Park Pond, and Dupree Park and Lake.

Top 10 Fish Species in North Little Rock, AR

The top ten fish species caught in the North Little Rock, AR, are largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, spotted bass, white crappie, black crappie, blue catfish, rainbow trout, pumpkinseed, and smallmouth bass.

Seasonal Fishing

While anglers can visit North Little Rock anytime during the year and expect a good catch, the best months are March, April, May, June, July, and August, when the weather is warm enough, and most fish species in the area are spawning. These peak months are especially for anglers who want to catch largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and drum. Anglers who want to go to North Little Rock in September, October, and November can expect to catch chain pickerel.

Relax in North Little Rock

1. Book a Fishing Charter

Give yourself a hassle-free fishing trip by hiring a licensed guide who knows the ins and outs of the various waterways within the North Little Rock area. A charter captain would be able to give you the best assistance you'll need when navigating the city.

2. Visit the Old Mill

Located in T.R. Pugh Memorial Park, the Old Mill is an amazing reproduction of an old water-powered mill featured in the opening scene of the 1939 classic movie "Gone with the Wind." It is free and open to the public. It is one of the most beautiful places in all of Arkansas, and visitors will be treated to the breathtaking colors of cherry blossoms and tulips, particularly during the spring.

3. Experience the Public Art Scavenger Hunt

The North Little Rock convention and visitor’s bureau have created a scavenger hunt with 30 murals and sculptures scattered around the city. All the pieces are compiled on a sheet with their addresses so you can find them while strolling around.