Lake Dardanelle is a reservoir fed by the Arkansas River and is located in northwest Arkansas near Russellville and Dardanelle. The lake is clean with little pollution and ample habitat for fish, invertebrates, birds, plants, and more. The Dardanelle Wildlife Management Area surrounds the lake, simultaneously providing hunting opportunities for deer, turkeys, and small mammals while protecting the native wildlife and the environment. There are also four state parks near the lake: Mount Nebo, Mount Magazine, Petit Jean, and Lake Dardanelle State Park.
Per state regulations, it is unlawful to possess fish filets missing their head or fins while fishing at Lake Dardanelle. Additionally, there are a few other local regulations for Lake Dardanelle. Specifically, largemouth bass must be at least 14 inches (36 cm), and crappies must be at least 10 inches (25 cm). All other crappies and largemouth bass must be returned to the water. In this region, sunfishes are also commonly referred to as bream. Updated fishing guidelines can be found here.
Lake Dardanelle Fish Species
1) Blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus)
The blue catfish is the largest member of the family Ictaluridae and can grow up to an astounding 100 pounds (45.4 kg)! A catch that enormous is relatively rare, though, as adults more commonly weigh between 3 – 40 pounds (1.4 – 18.1 kg). The Latin word furcatus means “forked”, describing this species’ characteristic forked tail.
Blue catfish reside in open, turbid water bodies. These generalist omnivores usually rummage for mussels, snails, crayfish, aquatic insects, and smaller fish like shad near the bottom of the lake. While explosions of blue catfish pose threats to areas where they’ve been introduced, blue catfish in Lake Dardanelle do the opposite – aiding in the control of populations of invasive zebra mussels, Dreissena polymorpha, that they feed on in the summer. Blue catfish are migratory, with seasonal movements in response to water temperatures.
2) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Like the blue catfish, channel catfish are opportunistic generalists and are one of the easiest species to catch in Lake Dardanelle. Aside from their smaller build (average weight of 2 to 4 pounds or 0.9 to 1.8 kg), channel catfish can be identified by the presence of dark dots scattered along their backs and sides and a convex anal fin with only 24 – 29 rays (whereas blue catfish have a straight anal fin with 30 – 35 rays). Though rare, some channel catfish have albinism and appear a peculiar light-peach color.
Channel catfish spawn between April and July, when they will excavate holes in the lake bed in which eggs are laid. Males demonstrate brood care, whereby they guard eggs until the larvae hatch. Catfish are a highly sought-after game fish throughout Arkansas and are one of the prioritized fish stocked in Lake Dardanelle from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s multiple hatcheries.
3) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris)
The flathead catfish, more commonly known as the yellow cat, is a large, yellow-brown catfish characterized by its broad flat head and protruding lower jaw. They can be differentiated from blue and channel catfish by their tail, which lacks the deep fork present in other species. They also stand apart from their scavenger relatives in that they almost exclusively feed on live fish, ambushing unsuspecting prey in the dead of night.
Flathead catfish prefer deep waters with low turbidity, and can even tolerate brackish systems, increasing their potential range. The most common method of catching flathead catfish is the use of a trotline, which is known to yield larger fish.
If you’re looking for a good catch that also makes a good feast, the yellow cat is considered by many to be one of the most mouth-watering catfish species, with a unique flavor that far outclasses the channel and blue catfish. In addition, they are nutrient-rich and serve as a good source of vitamin B. Some catfish fans recommend eating smaller, younger fish for a fresher taste and to limit the potential dietary intake of heavy metals due to bioaccumulation.
4) White bass (Morone chrysops)
The white bass is a popular game fish found widely across the United States, native to Lake Dardanelle. They have a preference for large open areas of water, so you can usually find them swimming in schools in the limnetic zone of the lake. They are strangely attracted to shiny objects like silver spoons and spinners.
White bass are commonly mistaken for the white perch (Morone americana) and the striped bass (Morone saxatilis), but can be discerned from their sister species by the dark markings running in stripes anteroposteriorly along the fish’s body, as well as the presence of only one sharp point on each gill cover.
While young fish routinely feed on aquatic insects and small crustaceans, adult white bass utilize teamwork in what anglers refer to as a “feeding frenzy”. In this gregarious feeding strategy, schools of white bass aggressively swarm shad and minnows, forcing them to the surface of the water where they cannot escape. You can catch this noisy ritual in the early morning or late evening, when small fish throw themselves from the surface of the water in a futile attempt to escape their ravenous attackers.
The fishing of white bass is minimally restricted across the United States, with some states enforcing no limit on catching them. Arkansas enforces a very liberal 25 fish per day limit, with no length or size restrictions. White bass are not currently considered a species of conservation concern, though one study found that introducing a minimum length limit would allow for more white bass in the Arkansas population to grow to a larger size.
5) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)
One of the most sought-after fish for anglers at Lake Dardanelle, the largemouth bass is the largest species of the genus Micropterus, more commonly known as the black basses. They are aggressive predators with an acute sense of vision that leaves no prey safe from their assault, even in murky waters. Largemouth bass are one of the most exhilarating catches in Lake Dardanelle because of their willingness to violently snatch bait. The same trick won’t work twice though – these highly intelligent fish will avoid a lure or bait that they’ve been caught with before!
Largemouth bass predominantly reside in areas with vegetative cover and debris that can conceal their presence as they stalk prey. They have an astoundingly broad diet, even including terrestrial animals like small mammals, birds, and frogs. Largemouth bass may even cannibalize each other if enough prey isn’t available!
Largemouth bass are vulnerable to the Largemouth Bass Virus (LMBV) – a fatal illness discovered in South Carolina in 1995. LMBV is capable of annihilating an immense portion of largemouth populations in the span of a few months. Despite its name, the virus can also infect other fish species, including other members of the sunfish family and several crappie species. Though LMBV has rarely been recorded in Lake Dardanelle, largemouth bass populations have fluctuated significantly over the years. Currently, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulates largemouth bass catch, requiring fish to be at least 14 inches long to be retained by anglers.
6) Hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis x Morone chrysops)
Hybrid striped bass, also known as whiterock bass or wipers, are a peculiar cross between two species; the white bass and the striped bass. They are frequently stocked in lakes where striped bass are unable to thrive because they have a higher tolerance for warmer waters thanks to their white bass genes. They congregate in schools, so if you manage to catch one, there are probably many more awaiting nearby! Be careful though – Lake Dardanelle has a catch limit of 6 fish per day.
The most shocking fact about this fish is that, unlike many hybrid species, wipers are fertile, though spawning is rare. For the most part, hybrid striped bass are produced in fisheries and stocked into water bodies. As expected, hybrid striped bass are phenotypically similar to both parent species. They sport lateral stripes and two dorsal fins, with one fin possessing 8 – 9 spines. Unlike the striped bass, the lateral stripes on a wiper are broken above the body’s lateral line, however, they are more conspicuous than those of white bass. The body depth is also longer than striped bass, but not as long as the white bass. Another fascinating detail about hybrid striped bass is that although they are a freshwater species, they can tolerate high salinities reaching that of seawater!
7) Sauger (Sander canadensis)
Saugers are a lesser-known game species in Lake Dardanelle and are mainly targeted during the winter from December to February. They are narrow, elongated fish with large, irregular black patches along the sides of their bodies and small dark spots dotting the dorsal fin. Saugers have large, sharp teeth for tearing into prey. They are closely related to walleye, and can even mate with them to create the saugeye hybrid!
Though saugers are regarded as an easy catch in Lake Dardanelle due to their predictable aggregate schooling, fishers should be wary that saugers are a target of conservation concern. They traditionally prefer turbid, fast-flowing waters, however, reservoirs like Lake Dardanelle interrupt their migration through the Arkansas River. Consequently, schools of saugers accumulate at the base of the lake, susceptible to overfishing. This, coupled with population fragmentation and subsequent lack of genetic variation, threatens local sauger populations.
8) Spotted sunfish (Lepomis punctatus)
Spotted sunfish love hiding in submerged vegetation and logs where they feed on terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates like insects, snails, and crayfish, earning them the humorous nickname “stumpknockers”. One of the smaller sunfish species, the spotted sunfish averages only 3.1 – 3.5 inches (7.9 – 8.9 cm) in length. Its most standout features are the rows of small, dark speckles running horizontally along the fish’s body, and a lustrous, light blue disc at the bottom of the eye.
Spotted sunfish are a nest-building species. During spawning season, industrious males excavate a disc-shaped depression in the lake’s substrate which, despite their unpresuming size, they guard ferociously. Unlike other species of sunfish that tend to nest in colonies, spotted sunfish prefer solitary nests. When attracting a female, males will grunt loudly from their nest, before furiously rushing back and forth between the female and the nest in an attempt to persuade her to stop by.
9) Bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)
The name “bluegill” is derived from this fish’s striking dark blue gill covers, which contrast with its pale, bluish-green body. Bluegill sunfish are another beloved sportfish and are one of the many species raised at the Lake Dardanelle Nursery Pond, with over 19,000 fish stocked in the lake in 2018. Aside from serving as a popular sportfish, bluegills are a major component in the diets of largemouth bass and catfish.
Bluegills prefer warmer temperatures ranging from 60° to 85°F (15.6° to 29°C). Though typically active between depths of 1 – 10 feet (0.3 – 3 m), they may also skulk at depths of 35 feet (10.7 m) depending on weather conditions. Bluegill sunfish spawn between May and July, when temperatures are warmer. They make their nests in colonies (sometimes as many as 50 males nest in one area), where, as with other sunfish species, the male protects the eggs. Females can lay up to a whopping 81,000 eggs per spawn!
Bluefish are a great target for angling beginners because they’re usually eager to bite on any bait that resembles their natural food, except for when they’re preoccupied with guarding their nests. Since bluegills are small fish (rarely reaching over 12 inches or 30.5 cm in length) with tiny mouths, small bait like live insects is the best choice for hooking one.
10) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus)
One of the most beautiful fish to look out for at Lake Dardanelle, black crappies are striking, large-mouthed fish with deep, darkly bespeckled bodies. Black crappies are one of many species called “panfish”- a colloquial term describing edible fish that don’t grow larger than a frying pan. Crappies are a preferred game catch because of their mild taste and gregarious early morning feeding periods, making it easy to catch many at once.
Because of their high catch rate, crappie populations are closely monitored in Lake Dardanelle. In 2018, 800 crappies in the lake were tagged by biologists to monitor the effects of fishing on the local population, and over 27,000 fingerlings (juveniles that have scales and can feed themselves) were released in the lake. All crappies caught in Lake Dardanelle that measure less than 10 inches (25.4 cm) long must be released immediately.
11) Redear sunfish (Lepomis microlophus)
Redear sunfish are deep-bodied fish with olive-green bodies, pale abdomens, and unmistakable red-rimmed operculum (gill flaps). They are bottom-dwelling fish that reside around soft lake bottoms with ample vegetation to find prey in.
Redears are also called “shellcrackers” because of their ravenous appetite for snails, whose shells they violently crack open with their blunt teeth. Thanks to this dietary preference, redear sunfish have been suspected to be a potential biological control agent for parasitic trematodes that often infect freshwater game fish, including trematode species common to Arkansas like Uvulifer ambloplitis and Neascus spp. that cause the formation of dark spots on fishes’ skin, in addition to Clinostomum marginatum (yellow grub) that forms cysts in a fish’s body. It is theorized that when redear sunfish eat snails – a crucial intermediate host for freshwater trematodes – they disrupt the trematodes’ lifecycle and their ability to infect other fish. On the other hand, due to this relationship with snails, redears themselves may also be more susceptible to parasitic infection.
12) Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus)
The warmouth, also known as the bigmouth or red-eye bream, is a solitary sunfish species that inhabits low-turbidity freshwater areas with dense vegetation and plant debris. Warmouths have larger mouths than other sunfish species, allowing them to consume a wider range of prey. Typical prey species include aquatic insects, crayfish, mussels, and other fish. They are highly aggressive predators and use their massive mouths to suck in food. The last thing a warmouth’s unsuspecting prey will see is a pair of bright red irises stalking it from behind a log. In nature, it’s eat or be eaten – and these predacious hunters can also fall victim to other lake fauna, including aquatic snakes, turtles, and herons.
Warmouths are deep-bodied fish featuring sides mottled with dark brown spots. The distinguishing trait of this fish is the red or dark brown bands running laterally from the eye to the operculum. During spawning season, the body of male warmouths transforms from their usual olive color to yellow, and the eyes become a gleaming bright red. Warmouths are highly intelligent fish. In a laboratory experiment, they were quickly able to learn how to differentiate free worms from those on a hook.
13) White crappie (Pomoxis annularis)
New fish enthusiasts may have a hard time differentiating white crappies from black crappies. As their name suggests, the vertically arranged spots on white crappies are significantly paler when compared to their darker relatives. Because water conditions can affect crappie color, a more reliable way to differentiate the two is by counting the spines on the dorsal fin. White crappies have only five to six spines on their dorsal fin, whereas black crappies have seven to eight. Unfortunately, white crappies can hybridize with black crappies, making identification even more difficult!
While black crappies tend to hide within shallow areas amidst patches of vegetation, white crappies are prone to deeper, open waters, though they have also been spotted in aquatic riparian areas throughout the Arkansas River System. During spring spawning season, white crappies advance to the banks of the lake, where females lay up to 15,000 eggs per spawn. Some females spawn with several different males. Males demonstrate brood care and protect eggs and fry until they leave the nest.
14) Spotted gar (Lepisosteus oculatus)
Spotted gar in Lake Dardanelle will have you asking one question – is it a log or a fish? The spotted gar is an elongated fish that can grow from 1.5 to 3 ft (46 – 91 cm) in length. It belongs to the Lepisosteidae family, a group of primitive bony fishes with only 7 extant (living) species. Spotted gar have olive-brown backs that fade dorsoventrally to a pale white. Like most gars, they have an extended, snout-like mouth and diamond-shaped (ganoid) scales that give them an armored appearance. You can tell a spotted gar apart from other common species by the dark spots littering the top of the head, body, and fins.
Spotted gar are slow-moving and like to bask in dense vegetation, leading them to be easily mistaken for logs. While spotted gar is edible, gar is not a common game fish due to the toxicity of its eggs, which contain the poisonous protein ichthyotoxin, and the abundance of parasitic species that they host. If experimenting with gar recipes, be sure to remove any eggs and the meat surrounding the eggs before consumption!
15) Shortnose gar (Lepisosteus platostomus)
One of the smaller gar species, shortnose gar are considered a beginner-friendly fish for new gar fishers, as their bill, which is much broader than relative species, can be hooked more easily. Lake Dardanelle is a great spot to go searching for a good shortnose catch – as it currently holds the Arkansas state record, with a 5 lb 13 oz (2.6 kg) catch in 2011!
Shortnose gar spawn between May and July. Sticky, yellow eggs are deposited on submerged vegetation and lake debris. They are non-migratory. When oxygen levels are low in the water, you can spot shortnose gar rising to the surface and taking a “gulp” of air, in which they fill their swim bladder with oxygen. For this reason, gars are considered air-breathing fish or facultative air breathers.
16) Alligator gar (Atractosteus spatula)
This behemoth species is the largest freshwater fish in Arkansas, a massive specimen that easily grows to be 6 ft (1.8 m) long, fitting for a fish that’s been around since prehistoric times! The alligator gar gets its name from its enormous body, brown, scaly skin, broad snout, and intimidating, sharp teeth. If an alligator gar happens to bask at the water’s surface near your boat, you can even hear a loud snapping sound when it opens and closes its mouth! Despite their name and appearance, alligator gar are pretty timid and only pose a threat if mishandled by fishermen, who may accidentally scrape their skin on the fish’s razor-like scales or teeth.
If you’re looking to fish for alligator gar in Lake Dardanelle, you’ll need a considerable amount of patience. Alligator gar are apex predators, meaning that their populations are maintained in relatively low numbers when compared to other species in the lake. Additionally, many fishermen see them as a pest because they compete with more desirable game fish, and may kill them if caught. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is currently enacting a management plan to conserve alligator gar and promote it as a valuable sport fish. Fishermen are permitted to keep only one alligator gar under 36 inches (91 cm) per day. To keep alligator gar greater than 36 inches, fishermen must apply for an Alligator Gar Trophy Tag, which allows one trophy alligator gar to be taken per year, except between May 1 and July 1.
17) Skipjack herring (Alosa chrysochloris)
Also known as the skipjack shad and hickory shad, this small, flat, silver fish can be easily identified by its severe underbite- a protruding lower jaw that juts out far beyond the snout. Another record-breaking fish to look out for, the largest skipjack documented in Arkansas was caught in Lake Dardanelle in 2004 at 2 lbs and 10 oz (1.19 kg).
Skipjacks eat small prey like plankton and insect larvae. If you visit Lake Dardanelle, be on the lookout for skipjack feeding frenzies from dusk onwards – where giant schools of fish will swarm prey, jumping out of the water as they feed.
Skipjacks make a spectacular catch as they begin “skipping” along the surface of the water when hooked. They also make great bait for catfish. They are not a preferred game fish, though, as they are bony and have a dry texture.
18) Threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense)
The threadfin shad is a small, temperature-sensitive herring species that prefers warm, open waters. It was introduced to Lake Dardanelle in 1965 as a forage species to sustain populations of sport fish like bass and crappie. Since then, threadfins have continuously been stocked in the lake, as they are a preferred prey species by lake managers. Their body length averages 2 – 5 inches (5 – 13 cm) long, with a blue-silver back that fades to white towards the belly. A dark purple spot decorates the body directly behind the operculum, and a thread-like filament projects posteriorly from the dorsal fin.
Threadfin shad are neritic, meaning that they inhabit shallow, open waters near the shore of the lake, but not as far inland as the riparian. They require light to feed, and schools of these filter-feeding fish can usually be seen grazing near the surface of the water. They are also anadromous, meaning that they migrate up rivers to spawn. During their turbulent mating process, female and male threadfins swim rapidly near the shore and release eggs and sperm simultaneously. They often jump out of the water and strand themselves onshore in the process. Threadfin shad in Lake Dardanelle tend to face profuse population die-off during the winter due to their sensitivity to cold temperatures.
19) Gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum)
Gizzard shad are native to Lake Dardanelle. Unlike threadfin shad, which primarily feed in open waters, gizzard shad are a bottom-feeding species, using their gill rakers to strain plankton from the surrounding water. Young gizzard shad feed on phytoplankton, while adults feed on larger zooplankton.
Like other herring species, gizzard shad are silvery fish with a rough row of scutes running along their undersides and scaleless heads. They are larger than threadfin shad at an average of 9 – 14 inches (23 – 36 cm) in length and can be differentiated by the number of rays on the anal fin, which are more numerous (usually 29 – 35) than the threadfin’s (20 – 25 rays). All fins of a live gizzard shad are dark or silvery, whereas the caudal (tail) fin of the threadfin shad is a striking yellow. Gizzard shad also have an abrupt, flat snout. Although shads are a primary source of food for many popular sport fish, they make poor bait because they die easily in unfavorable temperatures.
20) White perch (Morone americana)
Despite its common name, the white perch is not a perch at all; but a bass belonging to the Moronidae family. It is an alien species that has invaded all the Great Lakes. The white perch is a small, silver fish that usually measures between 7 – 10 inches (17.8 – 25.4 cm) long. They can be identified by their dark gray dorsum, silver sides, and pale white underside. White perch also have 3 spines on the anal fin, and a deep notch separating the dorsal fin.
White perch are detrimental to other popular fish in Lake Dardanelle, as they eat the eggs of species like the white bass. White perch have tender, meaty bodies that make them a preferred game fish.
21) Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
The grass carp belongs to the minnow family, the Cyprinidae. It was imported to Arkansas from Malaysia in the 1960s for its ability to control unwanted vegetation in aquaculture ponds. However, many of the ponds grass carp were introduced to were in open water systems, from which they escaped and are now considered an invasive species.
The spread of grass carp is difficult to control, as one female can produce up to one million eggs per season. The grass carp, a generalist which feeds on a wide variety of aquatic vegetation, can significantly alter the habitat structure within lakes. They feed voraciously on aquatic plants, and one fish is capable of eating up to three times its body weight in one sitting. This can present cascading effects that lead to increased competition for food resources amongst other fish, and an ultimate decline in populations of significant sport fish like crappies and largemouth bass.
Though the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission acknowledges grass carp as a pest species, they have also stocked Lake Dardanelle with moderate amounts of grass carp in 2011 and 2012, perhaps as a method of biologically controlling the invasive alligator weed.
22) Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)
This carp is notoriously known as one of the most destructive species on Earth, currently holding the place as the 30th most invasive species in the world. It has an extensive history as a resource for humans, having been cultured as a food for over two thousand years.
Common carp, also called Eurasian carp, can have a disproportionately negative impact on freshwater habitats where they are introduced. They greedily feast on benthic plants, demolishing important lake vegetation while simultaneously disturbing sediments on the lake bed, creating cloudy water unsuitable for clear-water native species. Common carp may also feed on the eggs of desirable sport fish, thinning out their populations. The invasion of carp has been so detrimental to Arkansas waters that the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently formed an invasive carp removal team to control their populations in Lake Dardanelle and other freshwater systems.
Surprisingly, though common carp are a massive pest species around the world, they are classified as vulnerable in their native ranges, meaning that they face a high risk of extinction in these areas.
23) Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)
Lepomis cyanellus is another small, green sunfish with an iridescent blue speckled pattern and an ear spot just above its pectoral fin. In addition, they have yellow to white edging along their pelvic and anal fins. An average green sunfish will be around 7.9 inches (20 cm). Although they rarely grow large enough to make a decent catch, like the redear sunfish, they are considered delicious panfish.
To catch a green sunfish, an angler should try to fish in areas with abundant aquatic vegetation and refugia in the form of sunken wooden debris. One source suggests placing live bait on a bobber rig, such as a worm or crickets.
They are nest spawners, a trait that is characteristic of sunfish. The green sunfish diet mainly consists of aquatic invertebrates, although they sometimes predate upon smaller fish. When introduced, green sunfish compete with other invertivores and have been responsible for several local extirpations of native species.
There is no limit on green sunfish less than 4 in (10 cm) in Arkansas. Anglers may harvest a maximum of 50 combined sunfish over 4 in (10 cm) per day in Arkansas.
24) Longear sunfish (Lepomis megalotis)
Longear sunfish belong to the genus of true sunfish. Their common name is derived from their extended opercular flap or “ear.” This black flap extends from the bony structure covering the gill and is the longest of any true sunfish. Males and females are iridescent with blue and orange patterns. Breeding males are incredibly vibrant with an orange body and striking blue iridescent patterns on the face and fins. They are, on average, 6 to 7 (15 to 18 cm) in length.
Clear water is a must for longear sunfish. They will tolerate some turbidity but avoid it if they can. They are most likely found amongst submerged aquatic vegetation in deeper areas of rivers, lakes, or impoundments. They are known to take advantage of other hunters. For example, they follow scavenging turtles and ambush aquatic insects or small fish fleeing the larger predator.
Longear sunfish nest in colonies along shorelines. Males will dig a nest in the substrate and attract females to their nests. Since they are colony nesters, if you find a single, vibrantly colored male, you are likely to find more. There is no limit on longear sunfish less than 4 in (10 cm) in Arkansas. Anglers may harvest a maximum of 50 combined sunfish over 4 in (10 cm) per day in Arkansas.
25) Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus)
At the top of the food chain in many small river habitats is the spotted bass. It is similar in appearance to other black basses, like the largemouth, with its light belly, dark sides, and spotting. An angler should look for a series of spots following the lateral line to distinguish a spotted bass from largemouth basses. Spotted bass have small mouths compared to the other two as well. Hybrid black bass may be present at the lake, making some species determinations challenging.
Typically, spotted bass inhabit faster-flowing rivers with warmer water than other black basses. Like the other black basses, spotted bass have a generalist diet and consume various aquatic insects, fish, and crayfish. They typically come in at around a foot (30 cm) in length and have the same nest-building spawning habits as other sunfish species.
Anglers may harvest up to 10 black basses per day in Arkansas.
26) Slender madtom (Noturus exilis)
Small rivers or creeks with swift currents make the perfect home for the slender madtom. This species also loves rocky substrates and clear, cool water. Slender madtoms are larger than other madtoms at around 4 inches (10 cm). It is abundant throughout its range, centered around Missouri and Arkansas, with some isolated populations in nearby states. Sometimes they are used as aquarium fish but typically they are caught on accident and tossed back into the water or used as bait.
Slender madtoms are lightly colored with black edging on the margins of their dorsal, caudal, and anal fins. The barbels on the top of their noses are darkly colored, whereas the rest are lighter.
Spawning occurs in spring, when adult males construct nests for females. These nests are typically located underneath large rocks. After mating, males protect their nests until the young have absorbed their yolks and leave the nest.
Madtoms are not considered sportfish in Arkansas.
27) Blackspotted topminnow (Fundulus olivaceus)
Blackspotted topminnows belong to the family Cyrinodoniformes. Despite being called minnows, they do not belong to the carp family, Cyprinidae. The dorsal surface of this species is olive with tiny black spots, whereas the belly is white. A thick lateral stripe separates the two surfaces. Like most other Fundulus species, blackspotted topminnows are small, with an average length of 3 in (7.6 cm).
The top of the blackspotted topminnow’s body is flat, an adaptation that coincides with their surface-dwelling behavior. Here, they hunt for terrestrial insects at the top of the water. In addition, this species will consume small aquatic invertebrates and algae. Blackspotted topminnows are often found near shorelines amongst plants that stick out of the water. They are not as common in reservoirs and prefer clear streams.
Blackspotted topminnows are not considered game fish in Arkansas.
28) Redfin darter (Etheostoma whipplei)
Redfin darters are one of many species in the genus Etheostoma, which contains some vibrantly and some not-so-vibrantly colored fish. In the case of the redfin darter, the body is adorned with orange speckles while the fins are patterned with orange and blue that runs along the fin margins. Breeding males are the most striking, whereas females are duller. These are by no means the only darter species in Lake Dardanelle. Redfin darters are usually around 2.16 in (5.5 cm) in length.
Redfin darters are most likely found in streams feeding the reservoir or small, rocky pools with few predators. They hang around vegetated areas with moderate currents and rocky or gravel substrates. As with other Etheostoma species, the male finds a nesting location that females visit to lay their eggs. Males then guard the eggs until they hatch.
Redfin darters are considered a non-game species, although amateur ichthyologists may enjoy spotting one.
29) Red shiner (Cyprinella lutrensis)
Ubiquitous throughout much of the United States, the red shiner is highly tolerant of changes in water quality, particularly turbidity, and can be found in most rivers and streams. Unfortunately, due to their tolerant nature, they effectively invade novel ecosystems and sometimes compete with native fish species.
The red shiner is small, silvery blue fish with red fins. A typical red shiner will be about 2 inches (5cm) long. They primarily feed on insects and algae and are prey items for many larger fish species. Interestingly, because sunfish predate heavily upon small fish, in this case, red shiner juveniles, the presence of sunfish, be they native or non-native, may reduce the overall threat of invasive red shiners in novel ecosystems.
Red shiners are a non-game species in Arkansas.
30) Shadow bass (Ambloplites ariommus)
The shadow bass is neither a member of the black basses (genus: Micropterus) nor are they a temperate bass (family: Moronidae). Instead, they belong to the rock basses (genus: Ambloplites). Initially considered a subspecies of the rock bass (A. rupestris), the shadow bass was given a full species title in the late 1970s. This species is olive or brown, with several vertical bars along its sides. Their most striking feature, however, is their vibrant, red eyes. Unfortunately, young individuals are a dull, mottled color with dark eyes.
Shadow bass are not nearly as large as black basses or temperate basses. They have an average length of only around 6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm). They are primarily found in the southeastern United States in rivers, creeks, and small pools. As a result, anglers are unlikely to find shadow bass in the open water of the Lake Dardanelle impoundment, but they may be present in connected pools.
The daily limit on shadow and rock bass in Arkansas is ten fish.
31) American eel (Anguilla rostrata)
With their elongated, snake-like bodies, American eels are easily confused with snakes, but these curious creatures are fish! Adults are dark-colored, juveniles are brighter, and hatchlings are completely clear. On average, an adult eel measures 20 in (51 cm) in length.
American eels are highly migratory. As a catadromous species, they spend most of their young lives developing in freshwater bodies and migrate to the ocean to reproduce. This peculiar reproductive strategy confused naturalists for centuries leading to many interesting theories about how new eels came to be.
Because they are migratory, American eels require stretches of interconnected waterways that can be disrupted by the construction of dams or other barriers that prevent the movement of species. As a result, eel populations declined substantially over the past century as dams became popular methods of controlling water flow and producing power. When barriers are removed from the river, eel populations seem to recover. However, there are other threats that impact the American eel as well.
American eels are an uncommon sight in Arkansas, but should you find one, it is best to return it to the water.
32) Emerald shiner (Notropis atherinoides)
The emerald shiner is abundant throughout its enormous range. This species is common in large rivers, lakes, and impoundments. Emerald shiners prefer open water because they do not like vegetated areas. They will tolerate some turbidity, although they are more likely to be found in clear streams. They are small, usually around 3.3 in (8.4 cm).
Emerald shiners are important prey species for fish-eating mammals, birds, and fish. They are also used as baitfish by humans. In some regions, they were intentionally stocked to provide forage for predatory sportfish. Emerald shiners consume algae, zooplankton, and small aquatic insects. Spawning occurs from July to August but likely varies throughout its range. They are scatter spawners and do not provide any parental care.
The emerald shiner is not considered a game species in Arkansas but might be useful as bait.
33) Western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis)
The western mosquitofish can be found throughout most United States’ waters. It thrives in diverse habitat types and is tolerant to adverse conditions like pollution, low oxygen, and temperature fluctuations. However, they are notoriously aggressive and make fierce competitors in their niche.
That niche includes an omnivorous diet of insects, insect larvae, zooplankton, and algae. They reproduce from April to September, when a male puts on a display for the female. After mating, the embryos develop within the females, and then the females give live birth. They can reproduce multiple times during the breeding season. Western mosquitofish are short-lived, rarely living past 15 months. On average, they are around 2.7 inches (7 cm) in length.
They are used as mosquito control in some areas to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, although their efficacy as biocontrol agents is debated. In some areas of the western United States where they have been intentionally or unintentionally introduced, mosquitofish have contributed to the decline of native species that occupy the same niche, such as the Railroad Valley springfish (Crenichthys nevadae).
Western mosquitofish are not considered a game species in Arkansas.
34) River redhorse (Moxostoma carinatum)
River redhorses, also known as redhorse suckers, are occasional visitors to Lake Dardanelle. With an average length of 19 in (48 cm), these bass-sized catostomids are more common in large rivers. They are predominantly silver in color with reddish-orange fins. Color is most concentrated on the caudal fin.
They prefer clean water with slight turbidity or contaminants. In addition, their diet dictates their preference for clean water: freshwater mussels, snails, and clams are only found in clean water. River redhorses reproduce in the spring and summer. During this breeding season, adults congregate in large shoals and reproduce in nests dug into the substrate.
This species is classified as least concern by the IUCN, but some states have independently listed this species as vulnerable or threatened. In Arkansas, river redhorse populations are secure.
