Fishing in Van Buren County, Arkansas
County seat: Clinton. Population 15,796 (2020).
- 4lake pages
- 11launches
- 2river pages
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Van Buren County: first things first
Van Buren County runs its county government from Clinton, and the 2020 Census found 15,796 residents. 4 lakes with a page fall in the county, the biggest being Greers Ferry Lake.
AGFC maps 11 boat or paddle launches and 3 pier or bank sites across the county. Streams with their own guide here include Middle Fork Little Red River and South Fork Little Red River.
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.
A map of launch and lake points in Van Buren County
AGFC boat-and-kayak and fishing access layers and AGFC fishing-area lake points, checked November 8, 2026.
Lakes and ponds in Van Buren County
| Lake | Size | Ramps | Kind | AGFC target fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greers Ferry Lake | 32,000 acres | 18 | Corps lake | black bass, bream, crappie |
| Driver Creek Lake | about 28 acres of mapped outline | 1 | lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Brock Creek Upper | about 17 acres of mapped outline | 1 | lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Archey Fork Park Pond | not stated | 0 | mapped pond | 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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Within 50 miles of Clinton, bream heads the AGFC target lists.
AGFC public fishing area target species, counted per lake page within 50 miles; a listing, not a catch survey.
Named lakes in Van Buren County that are listed only here
AGFC and the national hydrography maps name 2 more lakes in Van Buren County that are too thin on facts for a page of their own.
| Water | Size | Kind | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fork Point Remove Creek Site One Reservoir | about 103 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Center Ridge |
| Clinton City pond | not stated | mapped pond | Clinton |
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.
Rivers and creeks in Van Buren County
- Middle Fork Little Red River1 AGFC access, 1 USGS gauge
- South Fork Little Red River1 AGFC access, 2 USGS gauges
Live river readings for Van Buren County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| South Fork Of Little Red River At Clinton, Ar | 40 cfs, 4.22 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 pm |
| South Fork Of Little Red River Near Scotland, Ar | 24 cfs, 1.79 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:15 pm |
| Middle Fork Of Little Red River At Shirley, Ar | 11 cfs, 5.54 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:00 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.
Boat ramps in Van Buren County
- Brock Creel Boat Ramp on Brock Creek UpperBrock Creek Upper, boat ramp, dirt surface, recreational area
- Driver's Creek Boat Ramp on Driver Creek LakeDriver Creek Lake, boat ramp, dirt surface
- Fairfield Bay Marina on Greers Ferry LakeGreers Ferry Lake, boat ramp, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Shirley Boat Ramp on Middle Fork Little Red RiverMiddle Fork Little Red River, boat ramp, dirt surface
- Sugar Loaf Boat Ramp on Greers Ferry LakeGreers Ferry Lake, boat ramp, concrete plank surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Sugar Loaf Highwater Boat Ramp on Greers Ferry LakeGreers Ferry Lake, boat ramp, concrete plank surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Fairfield Bay Boating Access on Greers Ferry LakeGreers Ferry Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Johnson Hole Boat Ramp on South Fork Little Red RiverSouth Fork Little Red River, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Public boat ramp on Greers Ferry Lake (west)Greers Ferry Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- South Fork Boat Ramp on Greers Ferry LakeGreers Ferry Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Upper Train Bridge Boat Ramp on Middle Fork Little Red RiverMiddle Fork Little Red River, boat ramp, dirt surface
Piers and bank areas across Van Buren County
- Archey Fork Park PondArchey Fork Park Pond, fishing pier, picnic tables, recreational area
- Clinton City pondClinton City pond, fishing area
- South Fork Little Red River Fishing AccessSouth Fork Little Red River, fishing area
AGFC access layer (ArcGIS service), read November 8, 2026. Lanes, fees and hours are not fields in the AGFC layers.
Corps dam readings for Van Buren County lakes
Greers Ferry Lake
USACE Little Rock District Greers Ferry Dam reading for Greers Ferry Lake, November 8, 2026.
USACE Little Rock District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 8, 2026. Provisional.
Base limits on Van Buren County lakes and rivers
Van Buren County anglers follow these statewide limits except on waters listed with their own rule. AGFC sells the Resident Fisheries Conservation License for $10.50; a visitor buys the nonresident annual at $60.
| 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) |
Code exceptions for Van Buren County waters
- Greers Ferry LakeBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Only 6 Smallmouth Bass may be included in the daily limit, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass 12-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.
Where Van Buren County shows up on the record list
| Species | Weight | Division | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Striped Bass | 27 lbs., 5 oz. | rod and reel | Greers Ferry Lake | April 24, 1997 |
| Lake Trout | 11 lbs., 5 oz. | rod and reel | Greers Ferry Lake | Dec. 15, 1997 |
| Walleye | 22 lbs., 11 oz. | rod and reel | Greers Ferry Lake | March 12, 1982 |
Arkansas state record fish as listed by AGFC (record list), read November 8, 2026.
Competitive fishing on Van Buren County water
Count 7 organizer entries for Van Buren County water, 1 still on the schedule.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 10, 2027 | Greers Ferry | Greers Ferry Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| April 18, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Northwest Classic, Greers Ferry Lake 2026-04 | Greers Ferry Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| April 11, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Greers Ferry Lake 2026-04 | Greers Ferry Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| May 17, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Northwest Classic, Greers Ferry Lake 2025-05 | Greers Ferry Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| March 8, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Greers Ferry Lake 2025-03 | Greers Ferry Lake | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| not printed | Phoenix BFL Arkie Division, Greers Ferry Lake 2026 | Greers Ferry Lake | Major League Fishing |
| not printed | Phoenix BFL Arkie Division, Greers Ferry Lake 2025 | Greers Ferry Lake | Major League Fishing |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Tackle shops, marinas and guides in Van Buren County
Van Buren County shop listings
- Choctaw Marinamarina, Clinton
- Fairfield Bay Marinamarina, Shirley
- Sugar Loaf Marinamarina, Higden
Yellow Pages and tourism guide listings (city of business), read November 8, 2026.
Next to Van Buren County
Places to stay in Van Buren County
- Clintonpop. 2,509
- Fairfield Baypop. 2,108
Next door to Van Buren County
- Searcy County24 miles northwest
- Conway County24 miles southwest
- Stone County28 miles northeast
- Cleburne County29 miles east
A Piscifun casting setup for the drive to Van Buren County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Natural State water near Van Buren County, on camera
Photo: NPS, Public domain
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Photo: Brandonrush, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Dkbrawley, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Brandonrush, CC0 1.0
Short replies on fishing in Van Buren County
How many boat launches does AGFC map in Van Buren County?
11 launches, listed above by name.
Which still water in Van Buren County holds the most acres?
By size it is Greers Ferry Lake: 32,000 acres.
Which species does AGFC point to near Van Buren County?
AGFC lists bream on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then catfish, black bass and crappie.
Does Van Buren County have a bait shop listed?
3; Choctaw Marina is among them.
Which town runs Van Buren County government?
County offices are in Clinton.
Do I need an AGFC license to fish Van Buren County water?
Licenses run $10.50 for residents and $60 for nonresidents on the AGFC fee page.
Which counties border Van Buren County?
Searcy County, Conway County and Stone County lie closest.
What crappie rule covers Van Buren County water?
Statewide: daily limit of 30 crappie (all species combined) with no length restrictions. Waters with their own Code line differ.
Which Van Buren County waters break from the statewide limits?
1 water with a page here carry their own Code line, starting with Greers Ferry Lake.
Are there bass tournaments in Van Buren County?
7 organizer entries on file; next is Greers Ferry on Greers Ferry Lake, April 10, 2027.
Has an Arkansas record fish come from Van Buren County?
Hybrid Striped Bass, 27 lbs., 5 oz. (rod and reel), from Greers Ferry Lake.
Load the boat for Van Buren County
Open a lake for its launches, limits and dam readings.