Fishing in Arkansas County, Arkansas
County seats: Stuttgart and DeWitt. Population 17,149 (2020).
- 9lake pages
- 20launches
- 5river pages
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Arkansas County water in figures
Arkansas County keeps two seats, Stuttgart and DeWitt; its 2020 Census population was 17,149. The county holds 9 lakes with their own guide; Merrisach Lake leads on size.
AGFC layers put 20 boat or paddle launches and 8 pier or bank sites in the county. Float or wade White River, Arkansas River and Bayou Meto, each with a page. The Arkansas River runs by the county as Pool 2.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 8, 2026. AGFC access layer (ArcGIS service), read November 8, 2026.
Pins for Arkansas County lakes, rivers and launches
AGFC boat-and-kayak and fishing access layers and AGFC fishing-area lake points, checked November 8, 2026.
Reservoirs to fish in Arkansas County
| Lake | Size | Ramps | Kind | AGFC target fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrisach Lake | about 867 acres of mapped outline | 1 | lake | alligator gar, black bass, bream |
| Grand Cypress Lake | about 304 acres of mapped outline | 0 | oxbow or natural lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Cox Cypress Lake | about 138 acres of mapped outline | 2 | oxbow or natural lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Cooks Lake | about 113 acres of mapped outline | 1 | reservoir | black bass, bream, catfish |
| H Lake | about 62 acres of mapped outline | 1 | lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Dewitt City Park Pond | about 13 acres of mapped outline | 0 | mapped pond | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Post Lake | not stated | 0 | lake | alligator gar, black bass, bream |
| Salt Ditch | not stated | 1 | oxbow or natural lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Wrape WRA Lake | not stated | 0 | oxbow or natural lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
Acreage and depth as AGFC states them in its description of this water (AGFC page), read November 8, 2026. Sizes AGFC does not state print as mapped outline area. Target fish as AGFC lists them.
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The bars tally 50 miles of lake pages around Stuttgart; bream is named most.
AGFC public fishing area target species, counted per lake page within 50 miles; a listing, not a catch survey.
More still water on the books in Arkansas County
The maps show 32 more named lakes and ponds in Arkansas County, sorted by outline size.
| Water | Size | Kind | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pecan Lake | about 921 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Gillett |
| Wilson Reservoir | about 815 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Humphrey |
| Hamptons Reservoir | about 682 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Almyra |
| Brother Reservoir | about 632 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Ulm |
| Lumsdens Reservoir | about 608 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Gillett |
| Halowell Reservoir | about 572 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Humphrey |
| Rodgers Reservoir | about 562 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Gillett |
| Tindall Reservoir | about 469 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Stuttgart |
| Flag Lake | about 435 acres of mapped outline | lake | Gillett |
| Ward Reservoir | about 317 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Gillett |
| Fridenburg Reservoir | about 316 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Ulm |
| Walworth Reservoir | about 297 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Almyra |
| Daugherty Reservoir | about 254 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Stuttgart |
| Cox Reservoir | about 222 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Almyra |
| Wegert Reservoir | about 216 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Gillett |
| McKinley Reservoir | about 172 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Gillett |
| Loyd Rodgers Reservoir | about 161 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | DeWitt |
| Hillman Reservoir Number Two | about 157 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Almyra |
| Haller Lake | about 156 acres of mapped outline | lake | Gillett |
| Bennett Reservoir | about 146 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Almyra |
| Layne Arkansas Reservoir | about 126 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Ulm |
| Red Fork Lake | about 119 acres of mapped outline | lake | Watson |
| Moody Old River | about 107 acres of mapped outline | lake | Gillett |
| Escronges Lake | about 56 acres of mapped outline | lake | Mellwood |
| Garland Lake | about 52 acres of mapped outline | lake | Watson |
| John Smith Lake | about 48 acres of mapped outline | lake | Watson |
| Lake Dumond | about 39 acres of mapped outline | lake | Watson |
| Owens Lake | about 31 acres of mapped outline | lake | Watson |
| US Fish & Wildlife Service Pond 4 | about 8 acres of mapped outline | mapped pond | St. Charles |
| Riceland Foods Headquarters Pond | about 2 acres of mapped outline | mapped pond | Stuttgart |
| Bear Pond | about 2 acres of mapped outline | mapped pond | Watson |
| Arkansas Post National Memorial Pond | not stated | mapped pond | Gillett |
Outline area from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (GIS polygon area, not an AGFC surface-acre figure), read November 8, 2026. AGFC public fishing areas map (agfc.com), read November 8, 2026.
Float streams in Arkansas County
- White RiverAGFC trout water, 53 AGFC accesses, 15 USGS gauges
- Arkansas River43 AGFC accesses, 9 USGS gauges
- Bayou Meto2 AGFC accesses, 1 USGS gauge
- La Grue Bayou1 AGFC access
- Moore Bayou1 AGFC access
How rivers in Arkansas County are flowing
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Bayou Near Humphrey, Ar | 176.45 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:00 pm |
| Government Cypress Hw/tw Near New Gascony, Ar | 174.26 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:30 pm |
| Fish Lake Ditch Near Altheimer, Ar | 0 cfs, 174.92 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:15 pm |
| Upper Vallier Hw/tw Near Lodge Corner, Ar | 171.93 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:45 pm |
| Lower Vallier(litbaymeto)hw/tw Nr Lodge Corner,ar | 170.20 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:00 pm |
| Lwr Vallier(fivefrksbayou)hw/tw Ne New Gascony, Ar | 170.96 ft gage height | Nov 8 3:15 pm Not updated since Nov 8, 2026. |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
AGFC public fishing areas map (agfc.com), read November 8, 2026. USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Arkansas River pools touching Arkansas County
- Arkansas River Pool 2navigation pool
AGFC public fishing areas map (agfc.com), read November 8, 2026.
Launch sites inside Arkansas County
- Cooks Lake Canoe-Kayak AccessCooks Lake, canoe/kayak access, floating access surface, fishing pier, mobility-impaired, picnic tables
- Cox Cypress Boat RampCox Cypress Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Halowell Reservoir Boat RampHalowell Reservoir, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Merrisach Lake Park Boat RampMerrisach Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping
- Moores Bayou Boat RampMoores Bayou, boat ramp, concrete surface, picnic tables
- Mulberry Access Camping Area on Bayou MetoBayou Meto, boat ramp, rv
- Mulberry Boat Ramp on Salt DitchSalt Ditch, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Notrebes Bend Park Boat Ramp on Arkansas River Pool 2Arkansas River Pool 2, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Preston Ferry Boat Ramp on White RiverWhite River, boat ramp, concrete surface
- South Boat Ramp on Cox Cypress LakeCox Cypress Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Upper Vallier Boat Rampwater not named, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Upper Vallier Boat Ramp on Little Bayou MetoLittle Bayou Meto, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Wilbur Botts/St. Charles Boat Ramp on White RiverWhite River, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Wilbur D. Mills Park Boat Ramp on Arkansas River Pool 2Arkansas River Pool 2, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Wild Goose Bayou Park Boat Ramp on White RiverWhite River, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Big Bayou Meto Access Parking AreaArkansas River – Pool 2, boat ramp
- Bill Bridgeforth Long Pond Boat RampLong Slough, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Lower Vallier Boat Rampwater not named, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Public boat ramp on H LakeH Lake, boat ramp, gravel surface, camping
- Tipton Ditch Boat Rampwater not named, boat ramp, concrete surface
Shore spots inside Arkansas County
- Arkansas Post Park Bank Fishing AreaPost Lake, bank fishing, picnic tables, restrooms
- Cox Cypress Access Camping Area (north)Cox Cypress Lake, bank fishing, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Cox Cypress Access Camping Area (south)Cox Cypress Lake, bank fishing, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- DeWitt City Park PierDewitt City Park Pond, fishing pier, mobility-impaired
- Fishing Pier on Cooks LakeCooks Lake, fishing pier, mobility-impaired, picnic tables
- Arkansas Post National Memorial PondArkansas Post National Memorial Pond, fishing area
- LaGrue Bayou Fishing AccessLa Grue Bayou, fishing area
- Wrape WRA Fishing AccessWrape WRA Lake, fishing area
AGFC access layer (ArcGIS service), read November 8, 2026. Lanes, fees and hours are not fields in the AGFC layers.
The AGFC Code limits for Arkansas County
Statewide rows from the AGFC Code cover Arkansas County lakes and streams that have no exception of their own. Licenses run $10.50 for residents and $60 for nonresidents on the AGFC fee page.
| Species | Statewide rule as printed | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | daily limit of 1 with 36-inch maximum length. | N1.01(C) |
| American Eel | daily limit of 2 fish with no length restrictions. | N1.01(D) |
| Black Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth) | daily limit of 10 black bass (all species combined) with no length restrictions. Reservoir Smallmouth Bass, daily limit of 6, 12-inch minimum; Flowing Waters Smallmouth Bass, daily limit of 2, 12-inch minimum. | N1.01(E) |
| Bream | Daily limit is 50 fish over 4 inches, no limit on bream 4 inches or shorter. | N1.01(F) |
| Catfish (Except Bullhead) | daily limit of 10 catfish (all species combined) with no length restrictions. | N1.01(G) |
| Crappie | daily limit of 30 crappie (all species combined) with no length restrictions. | N1.01(H) |
| Paddlefish | daily limit of 2 Paddlefish with no length restrictions. | N1.01(I) |
| Rock Bass | daily limit of 10 Rock Bass with no length restrictions. | N1.01(J) |
| Sauger | daily limit of 6 Sauger with no length restrictions. | N1.01(K) |
| Saugeye | daily limit of 6 Saugeye with no length restrictions. | N1.01(L) |
Special-limit water in Arkansas County
- Arkansas RiverBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Largemouth Bass 14-inch minimum.
- Dewitt City Park PondCatfish (Except Bullhead): Daily limit of 5.
- White RiverBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Daily limit of 1 Smallmouth Bass 15-inch minimum.
Every Arkansas water-specific limit
Where Arkansas County waters limit gear to a rod or pole
The Code bars every device but a rod or pole on DeWitt City Park Lake (Arkansas County).
Rod-or-pole and border water rules
AGFC Code of Regulations (regulation library), read November 8, 2026. Fishing license prices as printed on the AGFC license descriptions and fees page (agfc.com), matching Code Addendum D1.01, read November 8, 2026.
State-record fish tied to Arkansas County water
| Species | Weight | Division | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flathead Catfish | 80 lbs., 0 oz. | rod and reel | Arkansas River | Oct. 28, 1989 |
| Alligator Gar | 215 lbs., 0 oz. | rod and reel | Arkansas River | July 31, 1964 |
| Sauger | 6 lbs., 12 oz. | rod and reel | Arkansas River | Dec. 15, 1976 |
| Gizzard Shad | 2 lbs., 14 oz. | rod and reel | White River | May 9, 1992 |
| White Sucker | 1 lb., 14 oz. | rod and reel | White River | June 16, 2025 |
| Rainbow Trout | 19 lbs., 1 oz. | rod and reel | White River | March 14, 1981 |
| Highfin Carpsucker | 1 lbs., 12 oz. | unrestricted tackle | Arkansas River | June 19, 2017 |
| River Carpsucker | 3 lbs., 2 oz. | unrestricted tackle | Arkansas River | June 19, 2017 |
Arkansas state record fish as listed by AGFC (record list), read November 8, 2026.
The Arkansas County tournament calendar
1 published events and results fish Arkansas County water, 0 of them upcoming.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 20, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Arkansas River 2026-06 | Arkansas River | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Buying bait inside Arkansas County
Tackle and bait in Arkansas County
- Mack's Prairie Wingsbait and tackle shop, Stuttgart
- Neighbors Quick Stopbait and tackle shop, stuttgart
- The Wild Goosebait and tackle shop, Tichnor
Southeast Arkansas tackle shops
Who guides out of Arkansas County
- Bass Creek Lodgefishing guide, Saint Charles, (870) 282-3222
Yellow Pages and tourism guide listings (city of business), read November 8, 2026.
A little way from Arkansas County
Towns in Arkansas County
- Stuttgartpop. 8,264
- DeWittpop. 3,056
Counties ringing Arkansas County
- Monroe County29 miles north
- Lincoln County31 miles southwest
- Phillips County31 miles east
- Jefferson County32 miles west
Piscifun rods, reels and pliers to grab before Arkansas County
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Natural State fish to know by sight at Arkansas County
Photo: Cliff, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0
Questions that crop up about Arkansas County
Are there public ramps in Arkansas County?
Count 20 launches on AGFC maps.
What is the biggest body of still water in Arkansas County?
Merrisach Lake, at about 867 acres of mapped outline.
Which fish does AGFC list on lakes near Arkansas County?
AGFC lists bream on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then catfish, black bass and crappie.
Which Arkansas County stores keep crappie jigs and line on the shelf?
Mack's Prairie Wings is one of 3 listings here.
What Arkansas town serves as seat for Arkansas County?
It has two seats: Stuttgart and DeWitt.
How much is a fishing license for a Arkansas County trip?
A resident angler spends $10.50 and a nonresident $60 on the yearly AGFC license.
Which county pages are near Arkansas County?
Try Monroe County, Lincoln County and Phillips County.
How many crappie can go in the AGFC creel in Arkansas County?
Statewide: daily limit of 30 crappie (all species combined) with no length restrictions. Waters with their own Code line differ.
Do any Arkansas County waters carry AGFC Code exceptions?
3 waters with a page here carry their own Code line, starting with Arkansas River.
Do bass clubs hold weigh-ins in Arkansas County?
1 organizer entry on file, none with a date still ahead.
Is Arkansas County water on the record list?
Flathead Catfish, 80 lbs., 0 oz. (rod and reel), from Arkansas River.
Fish the ponds and creeks of Arkansas County
Check a water's Code line before you keep fish.