The Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas are one of the most productive trout fishing locales in America, and trout fishers from around the world make the trio of fertile tailwaters, the White, Little Red, and North Fork Rivers, one of their favorite destinations.

Rivers full of monster trout

The Ozarks provide the trout angler the opportunity to maneuver johnboats on wide rivers in search of world-record brown trout as well as the legitimate chance to land 20 to 50 plump trout in a day.

While many fishermen believe the best time to fish the Ozarks is during the mild months of fall and winter, the warm days of spring and summer also offer excellent trout fishing and without the seasonal crowds.

These three cold-water rivers are strikingly similar fisheries, each subject to high water flows, defiant to the heavy angling pressure, and loaded with big trout. The state stocks plenty of 12-inch rainbows (bigger than the nine-inchers most states stock), while the wild browns grow to gargantuan sizes in these tailwaters.

In each of these tailraces, be careful and aware of your surroundings when wading due to sudden water releases.