Fishing in Marion County, Arkansas
County seat: Yellville. Population 16,826 (2020).
- 1lake pages
- 30launches
- 3river pages
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Bull Shoals Lake: Semipaw, CC BY 3.0
Fishing Marion County at a glance
The 2020 count put Marion County at 16,826 residents, with Yellville as its seat. Of 1 lake in the county with a page, Bull Shoals Lake covers the most water. Bull Shoals Tailwater gives the county a trout fishery fed by the dam.
The access layers show 30 boat or paddle launches and 6 pier or bank sites for the county. River anglers can start with White River, Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek.
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.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Where the AGFC points fall across Marion County
AGFC boat-and-kayak and fishing access layers and AGFC fishing-area lake points, checked November 8, 2026.
Choosing a lake in Marion County
| Lake | Size | Ramps | Kind | AGFC target fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bull Shoals Lake | 48,225 acres | 22 | Corps lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
Lakes just over the Marion County boundary, nearest to Yellville first.
| Lake | From Yellville | Size | Ramps | Kind | AGFC target fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCabe Park | 17 miles east | about 3 acres of mapped outline | 0 | mapped pond | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Amon’s Lake | 20 miles east | about 1 acres of mapped outline | 1 | mapped pond | bream, catfish, trout (seasonal stocking) |
| Harrison City Lake | 24 miles west | about 7 acres of mapped outline | 0 | lake | black bass, bream |
| Norfork Lake | 28 miles northeast | about 18,811 acres of mapped outline | 24 | Corps lake | black bass, bream, crappie |
| Mirror Lake | 34 miles southeast | about 2 acres of mapped outline | 0 | lake | trout |
| Table Rock Lake | 41 miles northwest | about 33,821 acres of mapped outline | 1 | Corps 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.
Target species on lake pages around Marion County
Out to 50 miles from Yellville, AGFC names bream on more lake pages than any other fish.
AGFC public fishing area target species, counted per lake page within 50 miles; a listing, not a catch survey.
Lakes in Marion County waiting on more AGFC facts
2 more lakes in Marion County have a name on the maps but few published facts.
| Water | Size | Kind | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Berry Catfish Pond | not stated | mapped pond | Yellville |
| Fred Berry Wildlife Pond | not stated | mapped pond | Yellville |
Outline area from the AGFC lake or pond 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.
Creeks running through Marion County
- White RiverAGFC trout water, 53 AGFC accesses, 15 USGS gauges
- Buffalo National RiverBuffalo National River, 25 AGFC accesses, 5 USGS gauges
- Crooked CreekAGFC water trail, 10 AGFC accesses, 1 USGS gauge
Unpaged streams across Marion County (1)
- Little North Fork White Riverstream
River stages across Marion County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Buffalo River Near Harriet, Ar | 149 cfs, 3.39 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
| Crooked Creek At Kelly Crossing At Yellville, Ar | 46 cfs, 9.25 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 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.
Tailwater trout fishing reached from Marion County
- Bull Shoals TailwaterWhite River
AGFC public fishing areas map (agfc.com), read November 8, 2026. AGFC trout waters page, read November 8, 2026.
Public ramps in Marion County
- Buffalo Point Access Buffalo River on Buffalo National RiverBuffalo National River, boat ramp
- Buffalo Point Access on Buffalo National RiverBuffalo National River, boat ramp, dirt surface
- Buffalo Point Boat Ramp on Buffalo National RiverBuffalo National River, boat ramp, dirt surface
- Bull Shoals Lake Dock Boat RampBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, fishing pier, picnic tables, recreational area
- CCC Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Camp Galilee Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Dillards Access on Buffalo National RiverBuffalo National River, boat ramp, dirt surface, restrooms
- Fairview Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Forrest & Nina Wood Rivercliff Boat Ramp on White RiverWhite River, boat ramp, concrete surface, fishing pier, restrooms
- John Eastwold Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Kelly's Slab Boat Ramp on Crooked CreekCrooked Creek, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Lower Crooked Creek Boat RampCrooked Creek, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Marina Courtesy Dock on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Mark Oliver Crooked Creek AccessCrooked Creek, boat ramp, paved surface
- Oakland Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Pyatt #1 Boat Ramp on Crooked CreekCrooked Creek, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Pyatt #2 Boat Ramp on Crooked CreekCrooked Creek, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Ranchette Boat Ramp on White RiverWhite River, boat ramp, concrete surface, restrooms
- Rush Landing on Buffalo National RiverBuffalo National River, boat ramp, dirt surface
- Snow Boat Ramp on Crooked CreekCrooked Creek, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Welcome Ridge Access Dock on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Welcome Ridge Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- White Hole Boat RampWhite River, boat ramp, concrete surface, restrooms
- Yellville Boat Ramp on Crooked CreekCrooked Creek, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Buck Creek Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Dam Site Boat Ramp Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Frost Point Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Highway 125 Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Point Return Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Promise Land Boat Ramp on Bull Shoals LakeBull Shoals Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
Where to fish from the bank in Marion County
- Brooksher Float Camp Fishing Access on Crooked CreekCrooked Creek, bank fishing, camping
- Crooked Creek Gravel Bar Camping Site Fishing AccessCrooked Creek, bank fishing, camping
- Fred Berry Conservation Center Fishing Access on Crooked CreekCrooked Creek, bank fishing, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Rush Landing Campground Fishing Access on Buffalo National RiverBuffalo National River, bank fishing, camping
- Public fishing access on Crooked Creek (east)Crooked Creek, bank fishing
- Public fishing access on Crooked Creek (west)Crooked Creek, fishing pier
AGFC access layer (ArcGIS service), read November 8, 2026. Lanes, fees and hours are not fields in the AGFC layers.
Reservoir levels across Marion County
Bull Shoals Lake
USACE Little Rock District Bull Shoals Dam reading for Bull Shoals Lake, November 8, 2026.
USACE Little Rock District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 8, 2026. Provisional.
What Marion County anglers may keep
For most Marion County water the statewide Code limits below are the ones to follow. A resident angler spends $10.50 and a nonresident $60 on the yearly AGFC license.
| 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) |
Water-specific limits across Marion County
- Buffalo National RiverBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Daily limit of 1 Smallmouth Bass 15-inch minimum.
- Bull Shoals LakeBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Daily limit of 6, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass 15-inch minimum and Spotted Bass 12-inch minimum.
- Crooked CreekBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Daily limit of 1 Smallmouth Bass 15-inch minimum; Smallmouth Bass must be immediately returned to the water along boundary of Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation property near Kelley’s Slab Access
- White RiverBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Daily limit of 1 Smallmouth Bass 15-inch minimum.
Every Arkansas water-specific limit
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.
Arkansas record list entries close to Marion County
| Species | Weight | Division | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smallmouth Bass | 7 lbs., 5 oz. | rod and reel | Bull Shoals Lake | April 1, 1969 |
| Spotted Bass | 7 lbs., 15 oz. | rod and reel | Bull Shoals Lake | March 26, 1983 |
| 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 |
| Quillback Carpsucker | 8 lbs., 0 oz. | unrestricted tackle | Bull Shoals Lake | March 2, 2024 |
| American Eel | 5 lbs., 5 oz. | unrestricted tackle | Bull Shoals Lake | June 24, 2018 |
Arkansas state record fish as listed by AGFC (record list), read November 8, 2026.
Organizer events held in Marion County
The calendar holds 13 entries on Marion County water, with 5 to come.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 27, 2027 | BULL SHOALS | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| March 6, 2027 | BULL SHOALS (open) | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| April 11, 2027 | April 11 – Bull Shoals Lake, Harrison, Ark. | Bull Shoals Lake | B.A.S.S. |
| May 15, 2027 | BULL SHOALS | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| May 29, 2027 | BULL SHOALS (open) | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| June 6, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Northwest Classic, Bull Shoals Lake 2026-06 | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| March 14, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Northwest Classic, Bull Shoals Lake 2026-03 | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| June 7, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Northwest Classic, Bull Shoals Lake 2025-06 | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| April 19, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Bull Shoals Lake 2025-04 | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| April 12, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Northwest Classic, Bull Shoals Lake 2025-04 | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| March 22, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Northwest Classic, Bull Shoals Lake 2025-03 | Bull Shoals Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| not printed | Phoenix BFL Arkie Division final, Bull Shoals Lake 2026 | Bull Shoals Lake | Major League Fishing |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Shops and guides in Marion County
Stores selling tackle in Marion County
- Crooked Creek Tackle Cobait and tackle shop, Bull Shoals
- Diamond State Fly Cofly shop, Flippin
- OZARK FISHING ADVENTURESbait and tackle shop, Flippin
- Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dockmarina, Bull Shoals
- Oakland Marinamarina, Oakland
Northwest Arkansas tackle shops
Guides based around Marion County
- All About Troutfishing guide, Bull Shoals, (870) 445-4420
- Blue Heron Campground & Resortfishing guide, Flippin, (870) 453-4678
- Jeff's White River Guide Servicefishing guide, Bull Shoals, (870) 405-4983
- Papa Bill's White River Trout Guide Servicefishing guide, Bull Shoals, (479) 477-0334
- Roberts Fishing Servicefishing guide, Flippin, (870) 453-2917
- White Hole Resort Incfishing guide, Flippin, (870) 453-2913
- beardsguideservicefishing guide, Mountain Home, (877) 510-8065
Yellow Pages and tourism guide listings (city of business), read November 8, 2026.
Around the Marion County area
Bases for a trip in Marion County
- Bull Shoalspop. 1,952
- Flippinpop. 1,345
- Yellvillepop. 1,178
Counties beside Marion County
- Baxter County19 miles east
- Boone County22 miles west
- Searcy County26 miles south
- Newton County39 miles southwest
What Piscifun sells that suits a trip to Marion County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Telling the Marion County fish apart at a glance
Photo: Deskana, CC BY-SA 3.0
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Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
What Arkansas anglers ask about Marion County water
Can I put a johnboat in somewhere in Marion County?
30 launches on the AGFC layers, with directions links above.
Which Marion County lake tops the size list?
That is Bull Shoals Lake, 48,225 acres.
Which fish lead AGFC lists near Marion County?
AGFC lists bream on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then black bass, catfish and walleye.
Does Marion County have a bait and tackle counter?
5, beginning with Crooked Creek Tackle Co.
Which Arkansas town is seat of Marion County?
The seat is Yellville.
What will a license cost me in Marion County?
AGFC sells the Resident Fisheries Conservation License for $10.50; a visitor buys the nonresident annual at $60.
Which other Arkansas county pages lie near Marion County?
Closest by centre point: Baxter County, Boone County and Searcy County.
Is there a crappie limit in Marion County?
Statewide: daily limit of 30 crappie (all species combined) with no length restrictions. Waters with their own Code line differ.
Where do limits change in Marion County?
4 waters with a page here carry their own Code line, starting with Buffalo National River.
Is an Arkansas tournament coming up in Marion County?
13 organizer entries on file; next is BULL SHOALS on Bull Shoals Lake, Feb. 27, 2027.
Has Marion County produced a record fish?
Smallmouth Bass, 7 lbs., 5 oz. (rod and reel), from Bull Shoals Lake.
Can I fish a trout tailwater in Marion County?
Bull Shoals Tailwater, with its own trout rules and permit. Keeping trout, or fishing the tailwaters and Spring River reach listed in Code 27.01, adds a trout permit ($10 resident, $20 nonresident).
Pick an AGFC lake or river in Marion County
Each AGFC launch page opens with a map link for directions.