FISHING THE KINGS
ARKANSAS GAME AND FISH COMMISSION
Purchase Fishing License Online or call 1-800-364-4263
FISHING TIPS
"The Kings has countless rock bass and hefty channel cats, but when fishing this stream, first and foremost on the minds of most anglers are the big small mouth bass. Take along heavy tackle. Some people expect bass from this smallish stream to be small, too, and that can cost trophy fish, which commonly reach four to five pounds. A spinning reel, a light-action rod, and 6 pound line, and 1/8 ounce jig head with soft plastics, and anything that looks like a tadpole or a crawdad are appropriate." (Arkansas.com)
Ozark rivers and streams are teeming with over 59 different native species of fish. In the Kings River it is the small mouth bass fishing that keep anglers coming back for more.
Please note that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has designated the Kings River as an Ozark Zone Quality Stream. For most of the Kings River the small mouth bass daily limit is two and each must be at least 14 inches long to keep. The section of the river from Trigger Gap to the Highway 62 Bridge is designated as a trophy section; the small mouth bass daily limit along the trophy section is one and it must be at least 18 inches long.
"Two sport fish often overlooked by Kings River anglers are the walleye and white bass. Both species are common in the portion of the river near Table Rock Lake during the spring spawning runs in March, April and early May. White bass will hit a variety of shad-imitation lures and minnows, while walleyes are usually taken on live baits such as minnows, crayfish and worms or artificial lures, particularly deep-running crank-baits and jigs."(Arkansas.com)
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette / Northwest Arkansas News
October 26, 2006, "Bright and Beautiful," by Buddy Gough
September 28, 2006, "Bass or bust?" by Buddy Gough
September 20, 2006, "SPEAKING OF FISHING: Three local waters in Top 10 list," by Brad Wiegmann
June 1, 2006, "Family Affair," by Buddy Gough
May 25, 2006, "Bright and beautiful," by Buddy Gough
Arkansas Sportsman
January, 2006, "Winter Floats For Natural State Smallmouths" by Keith Sutton (Quote:"You'll have to look long and hard to find a better winter smallmouth hotspot than the Kings River.")
June, 2006, "In Search of a Stream," (Article from Game and Fish Magazine on how to find the best streams in Arkansas to catch smallmouth bass; it mentions Kings River and Osage Creek)
"The Best of Arkansas' Cats", by Keith Sutton (Catfish in the Kings)
"One-Day Floats for Arkansas Smallies: 10 to Try", by Keith Sutton