Fishing in Yell County, Arkansas
County seats: Dardanelle and Danville. Population 20,263 (2020).
- 15lake pages
- 34launches
- 3river pages
Pick for catfishPiscifun LumiCat II catfish rod48% OFFSale $114.99 Photo of Nimrod Lake: Daniel X. O'Neil, CC BY 2.0
Fishing Yell County at a glance
Two towns, Dardanelle and Danville, share the county seat role in Yell County, which had 20,263 people in 2020. Of 15 lakes in the county with a page, Lake Dardanelle covers the most water.
The access layers show 34 boat or paddle launches and 10 pier or bank sites for the county. River anglers can start with Arkansas River, Petit Jean River and Chickalah Creek. Lock-and-dam water reaches the county at Pool 9.
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.
Where the AGFC points fall across Yell County
AGFC boat-and-kayak and fishing access layers and AGFC fishing-area lake points, checked November 8, 2026.
Choosing a lake in Yell County
| Lake | Size | Ramps | Kind | AGFC target fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Dardanelle | about 34,067 acres of mapped outline | 27 | Corps lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Nimrod Lake | 3,550 acres | 7 | Corps lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Blue Mountain Lake | about 2,974 acres of mapped outline | 6 | Corps lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Pullen Pond | about 278 acres of mapped outline | 2 | mapped pond | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Cedar-Piney Lake | about 171 acres of mapped outline | 1 | lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Kingfisher Lake | about 63 acres of mapped outline | 1 | lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Ola City Lake | about 60 acres of mapped outline | 2 | lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Spring Lake – Yell | about 55 acres of mapped outline | 1 | lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Keeland Lake | about 36 acres of mapped outline | 1 | lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Cedar Piney Forest Service Lake | about 13 acres of mapped outline | 1 | lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Dardanelle City Park Ponds | about 5 acres of mapped outline | 0 | mapped pond | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Clubhouse Pond | about 5 acres of mapped outline | 1 | mapped pond | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Moss Creek Pond | about 4 acres of mapped outline | 0 | mapped pond | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Yell Co. Wildlife Federation Pond | not stated | 0 | mapped pond | bream, catfish |
| Club House Lake | not stated | 0 | 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.
For the catfish herePiscifun Chaos XS round baitcaster36% OFFSale $57.99 Target species on lake pages around Yell County
Out to 50 miles from Dardanelle, AGFC names catfish 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 Yell County waiting on more AGFC facts
3 more lakes in Yell County have a name on the maps but few published facts.
| Water | Size | Kind | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luther Lake | about 33 acres of mapped outline | lake | Centerville |
| Blockers Lease Pond | about 4 acres of mapped outline | mapped pond | Plainview |
| Merritt Park Lake – Yell County | not stated | lake | Dardanelle |
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 Yell County
- Arkansas River43 AGFC accesses, 9 USGS gauges
- Petit Jean River13 AGFC accesses, 3 USGS gauges
- Chickalah Creek1 AGFC access
Unpaged streams across Yell County (2)
- Gwin Riverstream
- Little Petit Jean Riverstream
River stages across Yell County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Fourche Lafave River Near Gravelly, Ar | 20 cfs, 1.09 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:45 pm |
| Petit Jean River At Danville, Ar | 0 cfs, 9.65 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:45 pm |
| Petit Jean River Near Centerville, Ar | 0.81 ft gage height | Nov 13 6:30 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 7:33 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.
Lock-and-dam pools that reach Yell County
- Arkansas River Pool 9lock-and-dam pool
AGFC public fishing areas map (agfc.com), read November 8, 2026.
Public ramps in Yell County
- Cedar Piney Forest Service AccessCedar Piney Forest Service Lake, boat ramp, dirt surface
- Cedar Piney Lake AccessCedar-Piney Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Clubhouse Lake Boat RampClubhouse Pond, boat ramp, gravel surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Cornwall Boating Access on Arkansas River Pool 9Arkansas River Pool 9, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Dale Bend Boat Ramp on Petit Jean RiverPetit Jean River, boat ramp, concrete plank surface
- Dardanelle State Park Boat RampLake Dardanelle, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Green Tree Reservoir Boat Ramp on Nimrod LakeNimrod Lake, boat ramp, gravel surface, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Holla Bend West Boat Ramp on Holla Bend NWR – Long LakeHolla Bend NWR – Long Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Keeland Lake Boat RampKeeland Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Kingfisher Lake Boat RampKingfisher Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Lake Dardanelle State Park Marina at DardanelleLake Dardanelle, boat ramp, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Lick Creek Boat Ramp on Blue Mountain LakeBlue Mountain Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Lily Pad Lake Boat Rampwater not named, boat ramp, dirt surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Mickles Switch Boat Ramp on Petit Jean RiverPetit Jean River, boat ramp, dirt surface
- Mt. George Boat Ramp on Petit Jean RiverPetit Jean River, boat ramp, concrete surface, rv
- Petit Jean River Highway 7 Boat RampPetit Jean River, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Pond Creek GTR Boat Ramp on Pullen PondPullen Pond, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Pullen Pond #1 Boat Ramp on Petit Jean RiverPetit Jean River, boat ramp, concrete surface, rv
- Santa Fe GTR Boat Ramp on Petit Jean RiverPetit Jean River, boat ramp, gravel surface
- Slaty Crossing Boat Ramp on Petit Jean RiverPetit Jean River, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Sping Lake West Boat Ramp on Spring Lake – YellSpring Lake – Yell, boat ramp, gravel surface, fishing pier, recreational area, restrooms
- Spring Lake East Accesswater not named, boat ramp, paved surface, fishing pier, recreational area, restrooms
- Anderson Branch Boat Ramp on Nimrod LakeNimrod Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Carter Cove Boat Ramp on Nimrod LakeNimrod Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- City Lake Access on Ola City LakeOla City Lake, boat ramp
- County Line Boat Ramp on Nimrod LakeNimrod Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Ola City Lake AccessOla City Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Public boat ramp (north), Yell Countywater not named, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Pullen Pond #2 Boat RampPullen Pond, boat ramp
- Steel Bridge Access on Fourche LaFave RiverFourche LaFave River, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Sunlight Bay Boat Ramp on Nimrod LakeNimrod Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Waveland North Access on Blue Mountain LakeBlue Mountain Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Waveland South Access on Blue Mountain LakeBlue Mountain Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Waveland Swim Beach Ramp on Blue Mountain LakeBlue Mountain Lake, boat ramp, concrete surface
Where to fish from the bank in Yell County
- Camping Area Fishing Access on Chickalah CreekChickalah Creek, bank fishing, camping, rv
- Slaty Parking Area Fishing Access on Petit Jean RiverPetit Jean River, bank fishing, rv
- Bill Potter Trail Shelter Fishing AccessOuachita National Forest (near Irons Fork), fishing area, camping
- Dardanelle City Park PondsDardanelle City Park Ponds, bank fishing
- Mickles Switch Parking Area Fishing Access on Petit Jean RiverPetit Jean River, fishing area
- Moss Creek PondMoss Creek Pond, bank fishing
- Petit Jean River Camping Area Fishing AccessPetit Jean River, fishing area, rv
- Petit Jean River WMA Parking Area #11 Fishing AccessPetit Jean River, fishing area
- Petit Jean River WMA Parking Area #21 Fishing AccessPetit Jean River, bank fishing
- Yell Co. Wildlife Federation PondYell Co. Wildlife Federation Pond, bank fishing
AGFC access layer (ArcGIS service), read November 8, 2026. Lanes, fees and hours are not fields in the AGFC layers.
Reservoir levels across Yell County
Lake Dardanelle
USACE Little Rock District Dardanelle Lock & Dam 10 reading for Lake Dardanelle, November 8, 2026.
USACE Little Rock District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 8, 2026. Provisional.
Nimrod Lake
USACE Little Rock District Nimrod Dam reading for Nimrod Lake, November 8, 2026.
USACE Little Rock District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 8, 2026. Provisional.
Blue Mountain Lake
USACE Little Rock District Blue Mountain Dam reading for Blue Mountain Lake, November 7, 2026.
USACE Little Rock District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 8, 2026. Provisional.
What Yell County anglers may keep
For most Yell 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 Yell County
- Arkansas RiverBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Largemouth Bass 14-inch minimum.
- Blue Mountain LakeBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Largemouth Bass 15-inch minimum.
- Kingfisher LakeBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Largemouth Bass 15-inch minimum.
- Lake DardanelleCrappie: 10-inch minimum.
Every Arkansas water-specific limit
Tackle-restricted water in Yell County
Lake Kingfisher in Yell County are rod-or-pole water under Code 26.08.
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.
Arkansas record list entries close to Yell County
| 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 |
| Shortnose Gar | 5 lbs., 13 oz. | rod and reel | Lake Dardanelle | Sept. 23, 2011 |
| Sauger | 6 lbs., 12 oz. | rod and reel | Arkansas River | Dec. 15, 1976 |
| 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 |
| Longnose Gar | 54 lbs., 0 oz. | unrestricted tackle | Arkansas River | Aug. 4, 2011 |
Arkansas state record fish as listed by AGFC (record list), read November 8, 2026.
Organizer events held in Yell County
The calendar holds 17 entries on Yell County water, with 4 to come.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 12, 2027 | Dardanelle | Lake Dardanelle | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| June 17, 2027 | Lake Dardanelle, Russellville, Ark. | Lake Dardanelle | Major League Fishing |
| Sept. 30, 2027 | Southwestern All-American at Lake Dardanelle | Lake Dardanelle | Major League Fishing |
| Oct. 9, 2027 | AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open, Lake Dardanelle – Russellville, AR | Lake Dardanelle | Association of Collegiate Anglers |
| June 20, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Arkansas River 2026-06 | Arkansas River | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| May 30, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Lake Dardanelle 2026-05 | Lake Dardanelle | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| Feb. 21, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Lake Dardanelle 2026-02 | Lake Dardanelle | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| Feb. 21, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Northwest Classic, Lake Dardanelle 2026-02 | Lake Dardanelle | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| June 7, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Lake Dardanelle 2025-06 | Lake Dardanelle | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| May 31, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Lake Dardanelle 2025-05 | Lake Dardanelle | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| March 1, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Northwest Classic, Lake Dardanelle 2025-03 | Lake Dardanelle | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| not printed | NPFL Stop 6 Season Finale, Lake Dardanelle 2026 | Lake Dardanelle | National Professional Fishing League |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Shops and guides in Yell County
Stores selling tackle in Yell County
- Lefty's Gun & Pawnbait and tackle shop, Dardanelle
Yellow Pages and tourism guide listings (city of business), read November 8, 2026.
Around the Yell County area
Bases for a trip in Yell County
- Dardanellepop. 4,517
- Danvillepop. 2,028
Counties beside Yell County
- Logan County23 miles northwest
- Perry County27 miles east
- Garland County33 miles southeast
- Montgomery County34 miles southwest
What Piscifun sells that suits a trip to Yell County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Natural State water near Yell County, on camera
Photo: Nicolas Henderson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: DronePhotographer, CC0 1.0
Photo: ksblack99, Public domain
Photo: National Trails Office ( US National Park Service ), Public domain
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What Arkansas anglers ask about Yell County water
Can I put a johnboat in somewhere in Yell County?
34 launches on the AGFC layers, with directions links above.
Which Yell County lake tops the size list?
That is Lake Dardanelle, about 34,067 acres of mapped outline.
Which fish lead AGFC lists near Yell County?
AGFC lists catfish on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then bream, black bass and crappie.
Does Yell County have a bait and tackle counter?
1, beginning with Lefty's Gun & Pawn.
Which Arkansas town is seat of Yell County?
Two towns share it: Dardanelle and Danville.
What will a license cost me in Yell 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 Yell County?
Closest by centre point: Logan County, Perry County and Garland County.
Is there a crappie limit in Yell 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 Yell County?
4 waters with a page here carry their own Code line, starting with Arkansas River.
Is an Arkansas tournament coming up in Yell County?
17 organizer entries on file; next is Dardanelle on Lake Dardanelle, June 12, 2027.
Has Yell County produced a record fish?
Flathead Catfish, 80 lbs., 0 oz. (rod and reel), from Arkansas River.
Pick an AGFC lake or river in Yell County
Each AGFC launch page opens with a map link for directions.