The fishing is off the charts in the lakes and rivers surrounding River Bend Park.

Lake Norfork and Bull Shoals Lake teem with large mouths, as well as stripers and walleyes. You'll find a number of marinas and boat launch ramps as well as plenty of room to fish from the bank at either lake.

The White River begins at Bull Shoals Dam, a few miles upriver from nearby Cotter. Cold water released into the White River from the bottom of Bull Shoals Lake creates an excellent habitat for rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout, making the river a mecca for trout fisherman from around the globe. Fly fishing the shoals is popular on the White River as is fishing from a flat-bottom johnboat.

Just below the Lake Norfork Dam in the North Fork River, rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout can also be found. Similar to the White River, the North Fork River can be fished from the bank, by wading, or by boat.

Norfork National Fish Hatchery releases approximately 1.5 million trout the into the North Fork River and the White River annually.

Public access areas are plentiful on the North Fork River and the White River featuring full-service trout docks, boat launching ramps, camping and picnic areas.

Arkansas offers those 65 and older, as well as retired military personnel, lifetime licenses for hunting and fishing. For more information on fishing licenses and regulations, visit the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission website.