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Shoal Creek

Fishing spots, fishing reports, and regulations in

Arkansas, United States

5.0·5 catches

Top fish species at Shoal Creek

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Shoal Creek fishing reports

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Largemouth bass

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Largemouth bass

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Brown trout

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Smallmouth bass

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General info

Shoal Creek is a stream located in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. It is most popular for fishing Largemouth bass, Brown trout, and Smallmouth bass.

Location

36°16′50.2″N 92°16′11.8″W
Directions

Amenities

When are Largemouth Bass biting on Shoal Creek?

Learn what time of year and day to go fishing at Shoal Creek. Download Fishbrain today to look for new fishing spots, scout new fishing access, or prep for your next trip.

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Fishing regulations at Shoal Creek, AR

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Arkansas can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Regulations for top species

Season open: year-round
Largemouth bass

Largemouth bass

Regulation boundaryAR Norfork Lake
Bag limit6

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size15" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit6

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

RequirementKeep intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep Intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Additional information
No closed season.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms
Micropterus nigricans
Location regulation notes
Norfork LakeCrappie, black and white, combined daily limit is 15. Crappie shorter than 10 inches must be released immediately. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 13 inches or longer to keep. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass combined daily limit is 6 (up to 6 may be smallmouth bass). Striped bass must be 20 inches or longer to keep. Striped and hybrid bass combined daily limit is 3. Walleye must be at least 18 inches long to keep. Walleye daily limit is 4. Legal to take game fish (except largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) with speargun in season. Spearfishing season for game fish is open June 15 - March 15, sunrise to sunset.The White River Border Lakes License entitles the holder to fish in the Missouri portion of Norfork Lake without buying a Missouri nonresident license. Handicapped-accessible fishing pier is available at the Cranfield Recreation Area. 
Location specific information
Norfork LakeCrappie, black and white, combined daily limit is 15. Crappie shorter than 10 inches must be released immediately. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 13 inches or longer to keep. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass combined daily limit is 6 (up to 6 may be smallmouth bass). Striped bass must be 20 inches or longer to keep. Striped and hybrid bass combined daily limit is 3. Walleye must be at least 18 inches long to keep. Walleye daily limit is 4. Legal to take game fish (except largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) with speargun in season. Spearfishing season for game fish is open June 15 - March 15, sunrise to sunset.The White River Border Lakes License entitles the holder to fish in the Missouri portion of Norfork Lake without buying a Missouri nonresident license. Handicapped-accessible fishing pier is available at the Cranfield Recreation Area. 
Season open: year-round
Brown trout

Brown trout

Regulation boundaryArkansas State Waters
Bag limit2

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Aggregate limit5

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

Required licenses
A trout permit is required to fish for trout in certain waters (tailwaters below Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Greeson or east of Highway 59 on Spavinaw Creek) or to keep trout from any Arkansas waters.
Additional information
No size limit. No closed season. For area-specific regulations, see Arkansas special area-specific regulations.
Edibility
Excellent
Synonyms
Salmo trutta
Location specific information
Norfork LakeCrappie, black and white, combined daily limit is 15. Crappie shorter than 10 inches must be released immediately. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 13 inches or longer to keep. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass combined daily limit is 6 (up to 6 may be smallmouth bass). Striped bass must be 20 inches or longer to keep. Striped and hybrid bass combined daily limit is 3. Walleye must be at least 18 inches long to keep. Walleye daily limit is 4. Legal to take game fish (except largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) with speargun in season. Spearfishing season for game fish is open June 15 - March 15, sunrise to sunset.The White River Border Lakes License entitles the holder to fish in the Missouri portion of Norfork Lake without buying a Missouri nonresident license. Handicapped-accessible fishing pier is available at the Cranfield Recreation Area. 
Season open: year-round
Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass

Regulation boundaryAR Norfork Lake
Bag limit6

The maximum number of individual fish legally harvested per harvester per day. Bag limits are only for properly licensed anglers actively harvesting the species. People who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for the purpose of bag limits.

Min size15" (Total Length)

No person shall harvest any individual fish less than the minimum size limit.

Total length means the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed, while the fish is lying on its side.

Aggregate limit6

The maximum number of individual fish across an aggregate group of species legally harvested per harvester per day.

RequirementKeep intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Restrictions & requirements

Keep Intact

In waters where minimum-length or slot-size limits apply, game fish may not be filleted, nor their head or tail fin removed until the angler has completed fishing for the day.

Additional information
No closed season.Meanmouth bass (hybrids of smallmouth and other bass) share the same regulations and limits as smallmouth bass.
Synonyms
Micropterus dolomieui
Location regulation notes
Norfork LakeCrappie, black and white, combined daily limit is 15. Crappie shorter than 10 inches must be released immediately. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 13 inches or longer to keep. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass combined daily limit is 6 (up to 6 may be smallmouth bass). Striped bass must be 20 inches or longer to keep. Striped and hybrid bass combined daily limit is 3. Walleye must be at least 18 inches long to keep. Walleye daily limit is 4. Legal to take game fish (except largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) with speargun in season. Spearfishing season for game fish is open June 15 - March 15, sunrise to sunset.The White River Border Lakes License entitles the holder to fish in the Missouri portion of Norfork Lake without buying a Missouri nonresident license. Handicapped-accessible fishing pier is available at the Cranfield Recreation Area. 
Location specific information
Norfork LakeCrappie, black and white, combined daily limit is 15. Crappie shorter than 10 inches must be released immediately. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 13 inches or longer to keep. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass combined daily limit is 6 (up to 6 may be smallmouth bass). Striped bass must be 20 inches or longer to keep. Striped and hybrid bass combined daily limit is 3. Walleye must be at least 18 inches long to keep. Walleye daily limit is 4. Legal to take game fish (except largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) with speargun in season. Spearfishing season for game fish is open June 15 - March 15, sunrise to sunset.The White River Border Lakes License entitles the holder to fish in the Missouri portion of Norfork Lake without buying a Missouri nonresident license. Handicapped-accessible fishing pier is available at the Cranfield Recreation Area. 
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Local laws and licenses

Arkansas fishing license

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Reviews of Shoal Creek

5.0
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2 ratings

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Cities nearby

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0.9 miles away

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Mountain Home

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Gamaliel

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Gassville

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Buffalo City

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Pineville

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Calico Rock

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Midway

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Viola

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Bakersfield

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Bull Shoals

19.0 miles away

Oakland

20.9 miles away

Fifty-Six

22.1 miles away

Summit

23.4 miles away

Gainesville

24.1 miles away

Pontiac

24.7 miles away

Violet Hill

25.5 miles away

Horseshoe Bend

29.8 miles away

Guion

30.6 miles away

Gilbert

32.0 miles away

Pyatt

32.1 miles away

Zinc

35.9 miles away

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FAQ about Shoal Creek fishing

📍 Where is the Shoal Creek located?
the Shoal Creek is a stream located in Baxter County, Arkansas, United States. Its coordinates are:
36°16′50.2″N 92°16′11.8″W
.
🎣 Where on the Shoal Creek is it best to fish?
Find the best fishing spots on the Shoal Creek by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
🐟 What species are in the Shoal Creek?
The most common species in the Shoal Creek are:
📢 What are the latest Shoal Creek fishing reports?
The latest Shoal Creek fishing reports are:
🪪 Do I need a fishing license to fish at the Shoal Creek?

Fishing in Arkansas requires a valid state fishing license for anglers. Licenses include resident, non-resident, short-term, and combination options, available online and at authorized vendors.

In Arkansas, no fishing license is required for anglers under 16 or residents 65 and older. A few other exceptions worth knowing:

  • Free fishing days — most states designate 1–2 weekends a year where anyone can fish without a license

  • Tribal waters — tribal members fishing on tribal land operate under separate tribal regulations

  • Private ponds — landowners fishing their own water typically don't need a license

Non-residents usually pay more for a license than residents. Some species also require an extra stamp or endorsement on top of your base license.

Get license
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