Arkansas Fish Identification Chart

Did you know that Arkansas has over 250 types of fish? That's more than all but five states! It's one of the great perks of living and fishing in the Natural State.

While the differences between common fish such as a bass and catfish might be obvious, the discrepancies between other types of fish in Arkansas can be subtle. Do you know the difference between a Bluegill and a Hybrid Bream? How about a Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout, or a Kentucky/Spotted Bass and a Largemouth?

The Arkansas Fish Identification Chart will help you I.D. fish that you're most likely to reel in from the many rivers and lakes around the state.

How many types of fish in Arkansas can you accurately identify?

Bass 

Largemouth Bass - One of the most coveted types of fish in Arkansas, the largemouth is often confused with the spotted bass (below.) However, a largemouth's jaw will extend beyond the back of the eyeball when the fish's mouth is closed. On a spotted bass, the mouth ends at the eyeball. Also, check the fish's tongue. If you feel a smooth patch, it's a largemouth. If not, it's a spotted. Many lakes in Arkansas are great for bass fishing. Take your pick. Some to hit if you can include Millwood Lake, Lake Monticello and Lake Columbia for trophy bass. State Record: 16 lbs., 4 oz., Mallard Lake

Spotted Bass (often called a Kentucky Bass) - Jaw does not extend beyond the eyeball. Also, the horizontal dark strip will not be as defined as it would be on a largemouth; it is probably irregular or broken. Spots on scales form "rows" on the whitish belly area. It prefers warmer water temperatures from 70 to 78 degrees. Pick whatever lake you like in Arkansas for great spotted bass fishing including Norfork and Bull Shoals. The Caddo and Buffalo Rivers also hold spotted bass. State Record: 7 lbs., 15 oz., Bull Shoals Lake

Smallmouth Bass - Easier to differentiate because of its overall size as well as "bronze" color, the smallmouth's jaw, like the spotted bass, does not extend beyond the eyeball. The dorsal fins on a smallmouth's back are also clearly connected, as compared to the nearly separated fins of a largemouth. Smallmouth bass are fun to catch because they put up a good fight relative to their weight. Rivers with great smallmouth bass fishing in Arkansas include Ouachita River, Crooked Creek, Kings River, Cossatot River and Caddo River, just to name a few. State Record: 7 lbs., 5 oz., Bull Shoals Lake

White Bass - White bass are silvery fish featuring dark-gray or black on the back, and white on the belly. Several incomplete stripes run horizontally on each side of the body. Adults resemble young striped bass, and the two are often confused. Striped bass, however, feature two tooth patches on the back of the tongue, and white bass have one tooth patch. Striped bass have two sharp points on each gill cover, as opposed to white bass which have one, and the second spine on the anal fin is about half the length of the third spine in striped bass, whereas it is about two-thirds the length of the third spine in white bass. Try Lake Hamilton, Lake Norfork, Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals, Greers Ferry and many other lakes in Arkansas for white bass. State Record: 5 lbs., 6 oz., Mississippi River

Yellow Bass - Though sometimes confused with white bass or a small striped bass, the yellow bass is distinctly characterized by its yellowish-gold body and dorsal fins. On yellow bass, the fins are slightly connected by a thin membrane; the fins are separate on whites. Populations of this schooling species occur more frequently in large lakes, tributaries and backwater areas of reservoirs, as well as warm-water rivers in Arkansas' eastern and southern lowlands. Yellow bass rarely weigh more than a single pound. But for their size, they are scrappy fighters. Try Lake Enterprise in Ashley County, or any Arkansas River drainages. State Record - 2 lbs.,2 oz., Gillham Lake

Striped Bass- Also known as "stripers," striped bass are the largest of the bass family, and feature two tooth patches on the back of the tongue, as well as two sharp points on each gill cover. The second spine on the anal fin is about half the length of the third spine in striped bass. Fishing for striped bass is about the closest thing you'll find to deep sea fishing in Arkansas. Large lures in deep open water, with long, tiring fights and a lot of line stripping is the name of the game for Arkansas striped bass fishing. Lake Ouachita, Norfork, Beaver, Greers Ferry, Bull Shoals are all lakes known for their Arkansas striped bass fishing. State Record: 64 lbs., 8oz., Beaver Lake tailwaters

Hybrid Striped Bass -A cross between a white bass and a striped bass. Not sure if you're striped bass is a hybrid? Use the tongue test! The back of the tongue of a hybrid has one distinct tooth patch or two close patches very close together. Tailwater areas below dams are good fishing locations when water is flowing either through the spillway gates or turbines of the dam. Also, natural springs and the mouths of feeder creeks after heavy rains can attract hybrids. The fish will usually not be in the fastest water, but off to the side waiting to ambush their prey (or your lure). Greers Ferry, Lake Ouachita, Beaver Lake and even the Arkansas River are good waters for Arkansas Hybrid Striped Bass. State Record (and World Record) - 27 lbs., 5 oz., Greers Ferry Lake

Catfish 

Here are a few of our favorite Arkansas Catfish spots: The Arkansas and Mississippi Rivers, Millwood Lake in Southwest Arkansas, Lake Dardanelle, Lake Conway, Lake Poinsett, Lake Chicot, Lake Ouachita and White Oak Lake.

Channel Catfish - The most fished catfish species in the U.S., "channel cats"  grow as big as 40 or 50 lbs, with the world record being 58 lbs.  Channel catfish are easily distinguished from other catfish by their deep- forked tailfin, except for blue catfish. Their upper jaw projects beyond the lower jaw, unlike flathead catfish. They are olive-brown to bluish on the back and sides, shading to silvery-white on the belly. Typically, numerous black spots are present, but not always. The anal fin has 24-29 soft rays, in contrast to the blue catfish which always has 30 or more rays. 
State Record: 38 lbs., 0 oz., Lake Ouachita

Flathead Catfish - The flathead looks just about like any other catfish, with the exception of its flat head, of course. Flatheads reach a length of 3 to 4 feet and weight upwards of 100 pounds! Also called "yellow cats," flatheads typically hold a yellowish tint, or a richer olive color, except for young fish which can be black. The tail fin is only slightly notched, not deeply forked as is the case with blue and channel catfish. State Record: 80 lbs., 0 oz., Arkansas River

Blue Catfish - These big "river cats" are the big daddy's of the catfish family. The world record is 124 lbs! They are often found in the Mississippi River systems. They feature a forked tailfin, and  look very similar to channel cats sans the dark spots. State Record: 116 lbs., 12 oz., Mississippi River

Trout 

Rainbow Trout - When most people think trout, they think rainbow. A mature rainbow trout has a greenish or sometimes bluish back, and (this is key) black spots down the back, over the dorsal fin and down through the tail. The species is widely known for its rosy-colored gill plates, and broad red flanks, but these attributes are not always present. Spring River, Little Red River, the Norfork and North Fork rivers and others are rainbow havens in Arkansas. State Record : 19 lbs., 1 oz., White River 

Brown Trout - The most distinguishing characteristics of the brown trout include large black and sometimes reddish-orange spots with a pale border on the sides of the fish. The color varies from an olive-green to a dark-brown back, silver-yellowish sides and yellow-whitish belly. The dorsal fin in front of the tail has a reddish hue. There are numerous red and dark brown spots scattered on the head, body and gill cover. The tail is slightly forked in young fish and square in older trout. Prefer water temperature from 55 to 65 F. Browns tolerate warmer water than brook trout. The Little Red River holds the state record brown, but the White River and the Bull Shoals, Norfork and Beaver tailwaters are also great options. State Record (and world record up until 2009): 40 lbs., 1 oz., Little Red River

Cut-throat Trout - The cutthroat trout's name comes from the red to yellow slash marks on each side of the lower jaw. They closely resemble rainbow trout, but can be distinguished from rainbows by heavier spotting toward the tail in addition to the slash marks on the jaw. Arkansas hotspots include the White and North Fork Rivers. Head to the White and North Fork Rivers for cut-throat trout in Arkansas. State Record: 9 lbs., 9 oz.; White River

Brook Trout - Native to North America, the Brook Trout can be found in small streams and creeks, clear, cool rivers, ponds and lakes. Typical coloring is olive-green to dark brown on the back with silvery sides and pale spotting. All colors intensify at spawning time. Brook Trout do not grow as big as some other species of trout due to their relatively short life span -- around four years. Hit any of Arkansas's great trout fishing rivers for brookies, especially the North Fork in north central Arkansas. State Record: 5 lbs., 0 oz.; North Fork River

Lake Trout - The lake trout is by far the largest of the trouts. It lives in deep cold lakes and is usually taken on spinning tackle. For lakes, try Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Hamilton (Carpenter Dam), Lake Norfork and Lake Ouachita. State Record: 11 lbs., 5 oz.; Greers Ferry Lake

Crappie

White Crappie - One of the most popular types of fish in Arkansas, crappie are fun to catch, not to mention delicious. White crappie have 5-10 vertical bars rather than randomly scattered spots like the black crappie. The dorsal fin of a white crappie starts further back on the body than that of a black crappie. White crappie are also slightly more elongate than black crappie. To fill a stringer, head to Lake Conway, Lake Greeson, Lake Columbia and Millwood Lake, State Record: 4 lbs., 7 oz.; Mingo Creek

Black Crappie - The black crappie is easily confused with the white crappie. However, it is deeper bodied than the white crappie, and silvery-green in color. There are no distinct vertical bars, rather there are irregular black blotches. The dorsal fin has seven or eight spines. Hotspots for black crappie in Arkansas also include Lake Conway, Lake Greeson, Lake Columbia and Millwood Lake. State Record: 4 lbs., 9 oz.; Oladale Lake

Sunfish

Bluegill - The bluegill can be identified by the blue gill-flap. The males have orange bellies while the females have more yellowish bellies. Bluegills are fun to catch and good eating, and they bite pretty much anything you throw in the water. For such a small fish, they pack a decent punch. You'll find bluegills closer to the shore in calm water, so pretty much any lake or pond in the state of Arkansas. State Record: 3 lbs., 4 oz.; Fulton County Pond in Elizabeth, Ark.

Redear Sunfish - The redear is similar in shape to the bluegill, but lacks the dark spot at the base of the posterior portion of the dorsal fin and has a red or orange border around the "ear" flap. The body coloration is light olive-green to yellow/gold, with a dark olive to white belly, and red or orange flecks on the breast. The spinous dorsal fin, which is anterior to the soft dorsal fin, is normally equipped with 10 spines, although 9 or 11 spines are sometimes observed, and it is broadly connected to the soft dorsal fin. The anal fin has three spines. State Record: 2 lbs., 14 oz.; Bois d' Arc Lake

Green Sunfish - A combination color featuring light green, blues and yellows. Features a l'arger mouth than most sunfish and thicker, longer body, more like a warmouth than other sunfish. Dorsal fins are connected and there is an extended gill cover edged with light red, pink or yellow. Body is brown to olive green with bronze to emerald green sheen, yellow-green on lower sides and yellow or white belly. Bright green or blue spots on the head and often wavey lines of those colors there , too. The mouth is larger than most sunfish, again more like a warmouth, and has small but visible teeth. Sunfish are attracted to light, and they also reproduce quickly, often overpopulating ponds. State Record: 1 lbs., 11 oz.; Pond in Dierks, Ark.

Longear Sunfish - Longear sunfish are common in small to moderate flowing streams, rivers, reservoirs, and oxbow lakes. The name is derived from the fact that longear sunfish have an elongated opercle flap. This flap, always trimmed in white in adults, is unique and makes field identification relatively easy if hybridization has not occurred. Longear sunfish are quite colorful. Males are often bright orange or scarlet, and the head and fins usually have turquoise markings. Dorsal and anal fins, and their associated spines, are similar to those of redear sunfish. State Record: 2 lbs., 14 oz.; Table Rock Lake

Hybrid Bream - The hybrid bream is a hatchery cross between a male bluegill and a female green sunfish. The resulting fish exhibits characteristics of both parents. It's not quite as deep in the body as the bluegill but is deeper bodied than the green sunfish. The mouth is larger than the bluegill but smaller than the green sunfish. The color markings have no distinct patterns as do the parents, and hybrids may appear speckled or mottled. Hybrid bream are only stocked in selected lakes.

Walleye

This long, streamlined fish has glassy, marble-like eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth. Adults commonly weigh 4 to 10 pounds and some will grow to around 20 pounds, usually during the peak spawning months of February, March and April. The state's best-known walleye fishing is in Greers Ferry Lake and its headwaters where the annual World Walleye Classic is held. This lake and its tributaries may produce more big walleyes ---fish weighing 15 to 20 pounds --- than any body of water in the United States. Other walleye lakes include Bull Shoals, Greeson, Nimrod, Norfork, Ouachita, Catherine, Hamilton and Table Rock. Stream-running walleyes are found in the Black, Caddo, Current, Eleven Point, Kings, Little Missouri, middle and upper White, North Fork, Spring, upper Ouachita, upper Saline and War Eagle rivers. State Record: 22 lbs., 11 oz.; Greers Ferry Lake

Carp

Common Carp -  Arguably the most fun fish fish to catch in freshwater lakes, the common carp is a heavy-bodied minnow with barbels on either side of the upper jaw. Typically, color varies from brassy green or yellow, to golden brown, or even silvery. The belly is usually yellowish-white.  Individuals 12-25 inches in length and weighing up to 8-10 pounds are common, although they can grow much larger. Common carp may live in excess of 47 years and weigh over 75 pounds. The all-tackle world record was landed in 1987 from Lac de St. Cassien, France, and weighed in at 75 pounds 11 ounces. Carp populate many Arkansas lakes and rivers. Try Lake Hamilton, Ouachita, Dardanelle, Lake Wedington, and pretty much any other freshwater lake.

State Record: 53 lbs., 0oz.; Lake Hamilton

Grass Carp - The grass carp is one of the largest members of the minnow family. The body is oblong with moderately large scales, while the head has no scales. Grass carp are silvery to olive in color, lacking the golden hue of common carp. This species typically reaches sizes of 65 to 80 pounds in its native habitat, but individuals approaching 400 pounds have been reported. Their feeding habits make them ideal as vegetation control agents, as they are capable of consuming 40% to 300% of their body weight per day in plant material. Hard to catch, but great to eat, despite the bones. Lake Hamilton and Ouachita are great places to begin your quest for grass carp, though plenty of other lakes in Arkansas hold this vegetarian. State Record: 80 lbs., 0 oz.; Lake Wedington

Silver Carp -Part of the Asian carp family, the silver carp are known as an unwanted invasive species in many areas. Actually, the fish was first introduced to the U.S. in Arkansas in 1973 by a fish farmer. 

 The head of the silver carp does not have scales. The body is covered in very small scales, however. The eyes are eyes forward on the head in the middle and oddly positioned to look down a little. The mouth is turned up and they have no teeth.The body is thick but somewhat flat side to side and colors usually range from olive-green backs to silver sides, but sometimes have a bronze to red tinge. Silver carp size ranges up to 100 pounds and 40 inches long. The Arkansas and White River systems both hold silver carp.

State Record: 39 lbs., 4 oz.; Arkansas River

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Bowfin vs Snakehead

The snakehead is an invasive Asian fish that has had game and fish commission's around the country on high alert. As an angler, you should also be aware of the snakehead. If you catch one, you should immediately kill the fish, because the snakhead kills everything in it's path and can very quickly take over an entire body of water. Snakeheads are obligate air-breathers, meaning they can live on land for a while. Because of this, they can "slither" hundreds of yards to find water again, so you should de-head the fish to make sure it is dead, not just throw it on shore. One thing you should be aware of, however, is the harmless bowfin. The bowfin very closely resembles the snakehead.

Bowfin

• No scales on head
• Bony plates between lower jaw bones
• Pelvic fins at mid-body
• Anal fin short
• Eyespot (Ocellus) at base of tail, in male specimens only

Snakehead

• Enlarged scales on head
• No bony plates between lower jaw bones
• Pelvic fins closer to head
• Anal fin long, almost as long as dorsal fin
• Eyespot present in some species