Wade76/100
Wading is in play only where your chosen access has clear footing, legal entry, and no forced crossings.
All Arkansas reports
Fly fishing report · Southeast
Little Red River
Is Little Red River worth the trip today? Check flow, weather, hatches, access, and rules for Arkansas before you go.
See the flow chart ↓Photo: Brandonrush Opens in a new tab. · CC0
Good day to fish?Latest river check
Great
Yes. This is a strong time to fish.
86
Best option: Float. A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.
See update time and confidence
Live data checkHighHow much of the live flow, weather, and alert data came back.
Today's callHighCurrent flow, weather, alerts, and trip-critical signals support this decision.
Score calculated Aug 23, 2026, 12:21 PM CDTUsually checks again about every 45 minutes
Best access methodFloat
These scores compare the risks of wading, bank fishing, and floating.
Bank / edgeNot recommended
This report does not recommend bank fishing on this reach.
Float · Best fit78/100
A float is in play where this report supports boat access and wind, releases, and shuttle logistics are manageable.
Your plan
Today's Little Red River plan.
The Little Red is a classic Arkansas tailwater below Greers Ferry Dam. Low water can create wading windows, while generation can quickly turn the same reach into boat water.
- Check first
- Check USACE Greers Ferry release data before choosing a wading access.
- Try
- Read generation data before driving and again before stepping into the river.
- Leave when
- Skip or reset the Little Red plan when generation is rising, the intended bank access is private or unclear, current AGFC trout limits are not confirmed, or the day depends on yesterday's release pattern repeating.
Live river check
What the river is doing
Check the latest flow and weather before you go. A quick change can make the river harder or less safe to fish.
Showing the latest stored river check while current readings load.
- Flow
- 5.49 ft
- From the latest stored river check. Open the official source for the newest reading.Water 65.1°F · 24h high 65.8°F · USGS provisional
- Air now
- 83°F
Current NWS forecast period
- Next 24h high
- 92.0°F
NWS air forecast near
- Rain chance
- 0%
For this forecast period
Latest stored weather check
Partly Sunny
Partly Sunny
- Wind
- 0 mph
- Weather checked
Recent flow chart is loading
The latest stored reading is shown above. Check the official source below if you need the newest value now.
More forecast and source details
National Weather Service
Little Red River forecast point
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
Live data
Where these readings come from
RiverReports gauge: Little Red River near Dewey
Water 65.1°F · provisional · 24h high 65.8°F provisionalWater observed · high observed
How to fish it
How to fish Little Red River today.
Fish the Little Red like a dam-controlled trout river: match your access and rig to generation first, then adjust flies to water clarity, depth, and the amount of angling pressure.
No generation
Look for shoals, slots, and low-water lanes. Use lighter rigs and watch for rising water.
One-unit style release
Edges, seams, and boat drifts become more important. Do not rely on a wade plan if water is rising.
High generation
Treat the river as float water unless you have a safe, local, confirmed bank plan.
Clear pressured water
Lengthen leaders, reduce split shot, and fish small natural patterns close to the bottom.
Fishing words used on this page
- U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gauge
- A USGS gauge is an official river station that measures flow or water height.
- Cubic feet per second (cfs)
- Cubic feet per second, or cfs, shows how much water passes the gauge each second.
- Nymph
- A nymph is a young water insect. Anglers also use the word for a fly that copies it.
- Seam
- A seam is the line where fast and slow water meet.
- Caddis
- Caddis are small water insects. The adults look a little like tiny moths.
- Emerger
- An emerger copies an insect as it rises from below the water toward the surface.
- Midge
- Midges are tiny flies and a common trout food, especially in cold water.
- Scud or cressbug
- Scuds look like tiny freshwater shrimp. Cressbugs are small bugs that crawl along the river bottom.
- Soft hackle
- A soft-hackle fly has moving fibers that can look like an insect rising through the water.
- Streamer
- A streamer is a fly that looks like a small fish, leech, or other swimming food.
Why this call
Why this score
FlowHelps
USGS shows 1,020 cfs. The flow has been rising about 128% over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1997-2025, 29 readings) show a typical middle range of 604 cfs to 1,530 cfs. Flow is within the typical range for this date, so weather, temperature, and access become the next checks.
SeasonHelps
Summer: Cold tailwater keeps trout in play, but recreation traffic and generation timing decide the day.
Water temperatureHelps
USGS water temperature is about 65.1F, and the rolling 24-hour high did not trigger a heat caution. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it.
Public alertsHelps
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Fishing usefulnessHelps
Skip or reset the Little Red plan when generation is rising, the intended bank access is private or unclear, current AGFC trout limits are not confirmed, or the day depends on yesterday's release pattern repeating.
Trip notes
Trip notes
Check these before you choose a reach.
Use RiverReports and USGS 07076517 near Dewey for stage context, then check USACE or AGFC generation guidance before wading. Stable low water is best for walk-in plans. Rising or generated water favors boats or protected bank edges.
Skip or reset the Little Red plan when generation is rising, the intended bank access is private or unclear, current AGFC trout limits are not confirmed, or the day depends on yesterday's release pattern repeating.
Choose the release window first, then pick the access. Start near Greers Ferry and Heber Springs for upper-tailwater context, use public ramps and permission-based access only, and keep Collins Creek as a nearby side stop rather than a substitute.
If Little Red generation, access, or crowding is poor, compare the White River, Norfork Tailwater, or another Arkansas trout water before forcing the same release window.
What to try
Little Red River flies through the year.
Match the time of year, then let rising fish and current speed guide the next change.
SeasonWhat to look forFlies to try
Winter
What to look forMidges and limited surface activity
Spring
What to look forMidges, caddis, sowbugs, scuds
SummerCurrent
What to look forMidges, caddis, terrestrials near banks
Fall
What to look forMidges and low-light baitfish movement
Each fly name opens its matching Fly Box guide.
Access and safety
Little Red River access and rules.
Use these places as starting points. Open the access link below and check posted signs before you park or enter. Check AGFC trout rules before fishing. AGFC announced 2026 limits for the Greers Ferry Tailwater: a daily limit of two trout, and trout longer than 14 inches must be released. These rules can change, so verify the current AGFC page before keeping fish.
Greers Ferry Dam tailwater
The upper tailwater is the water-level decision point. Check generation before assuming a wade route is safe.
Public ramps and shoals near Heber Springs
Use public sites or permission-based access. Many convenient banks are private.
Collins Creek area
A useful nearby trout stop for some anglers, but it is not a substitute for checking Little Red tailwater rules.
Downstream resort corridors
Can be productive for floating or guided plans. Confirm launch, takeout, and private-property rules.
AGFC says many premier Arkansas trout fisheries are below large dams and anglers should check generation conditions before visiting.
Low water can make shoals approachable, but a release from Greers Ferry Dam can make them unsafe quickly.
The 2026 AGFC trout-limit changes are tied to hatchery shortages and can remain in effect until further notice.
Guides, resorts, and local shuttle information can be useful, but the official rules still control your plan.
Do not assume yesterday's generation schedule repeats today.
River sources
Official Little Red River sources.
Official agencies and primary river operators come first. Secondary tools are labeled so you know what carries the most weight.
How this report was checked
How this report was checked
Reviewed byBlueStreamFly River Review Team
Trip guidance checked
What was checked: This report is maintained from current regulation, access, flow, weather, and public planning sources so anglers can make better trip decisions than a raw gauge or generic overview would allow.
Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.
First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
See all 6 checked sources
Rules and closures
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
What this source covers
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Flow and weather
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
What this source covers
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
What this source covers
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Access and land
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
What this source covers
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
More helpful links
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
What this source covers
Open this page for more river information and check when it was last updated.
Quick answers
Quick Little Red River answers.
Can you wade the Little Red River?
Yes, during low-water windows at suitable public access points, but dam generation can make the same water unsafe. Check USACE release data first.
What flies work on the Little Red River?
Start with zebra midges, scuds, sowbugs, pheasant tails, soft hackles, eggs, and small streamers.
What flow source should I use?
Use RiverReports for a quick chart, then verify Greers Ferry Dam release information from USACE before wading.
Are the 2026 trout limits different?
Yes. AGFC announced reduced 2026 trout limits for Greers Ferry Tailwater. Confirm the current AGFC rule before harvesting trout.