Little Red River
Below Greers Ferry Dam · Heber Springs
N Arkansas, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown and Rainbow.
Stream gauge: 07075300. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
The Little Red is running a manageable 189 cfs — ideal for wading the world-record section near Heber Springs. With water temps holding in the low 50s despite summer heat, this cold tailwater remains Arkansas's premier trout refuge. Sulphurs are hitting their peak emergence window, making midday fishing productive when air temps climb into the 80s. Focus on the classic PMD and caddis patterns that define summer on the Red, with scuds always effective in the deeper runs.
- Flow: 189 cfs — perfect wading conditions for the world-record section. Cold tailwater flow stable from Greers Ferry releases.
- Hatches: Peak Sulphur emergence (#14-18) during warm midday hours. PMDs and caddis also active in this thermal window.
- Water Temp: Cold tailwater holding 50-56°F — thermal oasis during Arkansas summer heat. Browns active all day.
- Best Window: 11am-3pm when air temps hit 80s+ and trigger emergence. Early morning for subsurface before hatch activity.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Tailwater
- Best months: Year-round; best Jan–Apr, Sept–Nov. Summer is also productive due to cold tailwater
The Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam is home to the world record brown trout — a 40 lb 4 oz fish caught by Howard 'Rip' Collins in 1992 that still stands as the IGFA all-tackle world record. The deep, cold releases from Greers Ferry Reservoir maintain 46-52°F water year-round in the Ozark foothills of central Arkansas, supporting an extraordinary brown trout fishery. The Little Red's scud and midge-based food chain produces the metabolic conditions necessary for record-size fish. This is serious large trout water.
The Little Red River produced the IGFA all-tackle world record brown trout — 40 lbs 4 oz — caught in 1992, a record that has stood for over 30 years and may never be broken. The trophy brown trout population remains extraordinary.
January Outlook
January on the Little Red River — Arkansas's world-record brown trout tailwater. The Greers Ferry Dam release maintains 46–52°F water year-round. Scud and midge nymphing in the Rim Shoals section produces fish in a world-class fishery that never fully sleeps.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- Scud
- Sowbug
- RS2
Tips
The Little Red is excellent in January. The extraordinary scud and sowbug populations that produced the world-record 40 lb 4 oz brown trout keep fish active and well-fed year-round. The Rim Shoals C&R section holds the highest density of trophy fish. Float trips with Heber Springs guides are the standard approach.
Water Notes
Regulated by Army Corps. Variable 100–1,200 cfs. Water 46–52°F year-round. Check generation schedule before planning wading trips.
February Outlook
February on the Little Red. Year-round tailwater conditions continue with excellent scud and midge fishing. The world-record section near Heber Springs is quiet in February — guide availability is excellent and the fish are healthy from constant scud feeding.
Productive Patterns
- Scud (tan, olive)
- Zebra Midge
- Sowbug
- RS2
Tips
February is an excellent time to visit the Little Red without the summer crowds. Float trips from Heber Springs cover the most productive water. The scud and sowbug concentration in this tailwater is among the highest in the US — it's what grew the world-record brown trout. Check Army Corps generation schedule.
Water Notes
100–1,000 cfs. Water 46–52°F. Year-round tailwater. February guide availability is excellent.
March Outlook
The Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam is one of Arkansas's finest tailwaters and the source of the world-record brown trout (40 lbs 4 oz). Winter fishing remains productive with midges and scuds.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- Scud
- Sowbug
- RS2
Tips
The Little Red's scud and sow bug populations are extraordinary — the source of its world-record brown trout productivity. The Rim Shoals section is the most famous catch-and-release water.
Water Notes
Regulated by Army Corps. Variable 100–1,500 cfs. Water 46–52°F year-round. Check generation schedules.
April Outlook
April on the Little Red brings spring to the Arkansas Ozarks. Caddis and BWO hatches begin on mild afternoons. The combination of emerging dry fly hatches and the year-round scud base makes April one of the best months on this world-class tailwater.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Blue Winged Olive
- Scud
- PMD Sparkle Dun
Tips
April is excellent on the Little Red. The first reliable Caddis and BWO hatches begin. The Rim Shoals section is beautiful in Arkansas spring. Float trips with Heber Springs guides are recommended — this is a large river best covered from a johnboat. The no-kill section holds the best concentration of trophy fish.
Water Notes
200–1,200 cfs. Water 48–54°F. Spring building. First reliable hatches emerging on the Little Red.
May Outlook
Spring on the Little Red brings Sulphur and Caddis hatches to the famous Rim Shoals and Upper Reach sections.
Productive Patterns
- Sulphur Dry
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Scud
- PMD Sparkle Dun
Tips
The Little Red's combination of extraordinary scud populations and emerging dry fly hatches makes May exceptional. The Rim Shoals catch-and-release section holds the highest density of quality fish.
Water Notes
200–1,200 cfs. Water 50–58°F. Excellent spring tailwater conditions.
June Outlook
Caddis and PMD season on the Little Red. The tailwater's cold flow provides the only quality trout fishing in a wide area of the Ozarks during summer heat.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- PMD
- Sulphur
- Scud
Tips
Summer on the Little Red is excellent — the cold tailwater is a thermal oasis. Guide float trips are the classic approach. The world-record section near Heber Springs is a must-fish.
Water Notes
Variable 200–1,500 cfs. Water 50–56°F. Cold tailwater conditions despite summer heat.
July Outlook
July on the Little Red tailwater. The Greers Ferry Dam release maintains cold water while the Arkansas Ozarks bake in summer heat. Scud and sowbug fishing all day, evening Caddis hatches. A world-class tailwater fishery that doesn't take July off.
Productive Patterns
- Scud
- Sowbug
- Zebra Midge
- Elk Hair Caddis (evening)
Tips
July fishing on the Little Red requires float trips — the river is large and boat-oriented. Heber Springs guides operate year-round. The cold tailwater produces consistent fishing in Arkansas's 95–100°F July heat. The Rim Shoals section is at its least crowded of the year — most tourists avoid the summer heat.
Water Notes
Variable 150–1,500 cfs. Water 48–54°F. Air temps 95–100°F. Float trips recommended. World-record fishery active year-round.
August Outlook
August on the Little Red. The extraordinary scud and sowbug population that produced the world record brown trout continues sustaining exceptional fish through Arkansas's hottest month. Float trips produce consistent results in year-round tailwater conditions.
Productive Patterns
- Scud
- Sowbug
- Zebra Midge
- San Juan Worm
Tips
August on the Little Red is productive despite the heat. Float trips from Heber Springs cover the most water efficiently. The no-kill section holds the trophy brown trout. Dawn sessions from a johnboat with scud and sowbug nymphs are the most effective August approach. Check Army Corps generation schedule.
Water Notes
Variable 150–1,500 cfs. Water 48–54°F. Year-round tailwater conditions continue. Float trips recommended.
September Outlook
September on the Little Red as Arkansas summer begins breaking. Fishing becomes more comfortable all-day as temperatures moderate from August peaks. Caddis and midge dry fly activity increases. Pre-spawn brown trout begin moving aggressively.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Scud
- Zebra Midge
- BWO Sparkle Dun
Tips
September is the transition to the Little Red's best season. As Ozark temperatures drop from 100°F to 80°F, fishing comfort and fish activity both improve dramatically. Guide float trips from Heber Springs are excellent in September. Start planning October streamer trips for the trophy browns.
Water Notes
150–1,200 cfs. Cooling 48–54°F. Improving fall conditions. Pre-spawn brown trout activity building.
October Outlook
Excellent fall fishing on the Little Red. Brown trout become highly aggressive before spawning season — the best time for a trophy-class fish.
Productive Patterns
- Streamer
- Egg Pattern
- Scud
- Blue Winged Olive
Tips
October is the Little Red's finest month for large brown trout. Fish that rival the world record can be encountered in the Rim Shoals section. Streamers and egg patterns for the largest fish.
Water Notes
150–1,000 cfs. Cooling 48–56°F. Outstanding fall trophy brown trout conditions.
November Outlook
November on the Little Red tailwater. Post-spawn brown trout feed aggressively and the year-round scud and midge fishery continues. The world-record tailwater near Heber Springs fishes consistently all the way through winter.
Productive Patterns
- Scud
- Zebra Midge
- Sowbug
- Soft Hackle Wet
Tips
November is excellent on the Little Red. Post-spawn fish are hungry and feeding aggressively. Guide float trips continue through November with good availability. The Rim Shoals no-kill section holds the highest fish density year-round. Check Army Corps generation schedule for the week.
Water Notes
100–1,000 cfs. Cooling 46–54°F. Year-round tailwater. Excellent November brown trout fishing.
December Outlook
December on the Little Red completes the year-round cycle on Arkansas's world-record tailwater. The scud and sowbug fishery that grows trophy brown trout continues all winter. Cold Ozark December above, cold Greers Ferry release below — consistent trout fishing twelve months a year.
Productive Patterns
- Zebra Midge
- Scud
- Sowbug
- RS2
Tips
December fishing on the Little Red is excellent for those who brave the Ozark winter. Float trips are the safest approach on this large tailwater. The guides at Heber Springs operate year-round. The extraordinary scud and sowbug population here makes even winter fish fat and healthy — trophy potential exists twelve months a year.
Water Notes
100–1,000 cfs. Water 46–52°F year-round. Year-round tailwater. The world-record fishery that never sleeps.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midge Chironomidae |
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec | #20–26 |
|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. |
Mar, Nov | Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec | #18–22 |
|
| Sulphur Ephemerella invaria |
May, Jun | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–18 |
|
Access & Approach
Heber Springs, AR (1.5 hours north of Little Rock). Multiple guide services and lodges in Heber Springs. Check USACE release schedule for Greers Ferry Dam. The river fishes 12 months a year. Arkansas fishing license + trout permit required.
Regulations & License
Fishing in Arkansas requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Arkansas fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Little Red River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
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