Fishing the Buffalo National River is a favorite with anglers. Long pools and shallow riffles provide excellent opportunities for fishing. The Buffalo National River and its tributaries comprise one of the Nation's richest areas in total number of fish species.
Game fish of choice are the smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass, catfish, Ozark bass, and a variety of panfish. Favored traditional methods of fishing the Buffalo River are bank fishing and float fishing in flat-bottomed john boats. Float fishing is most common on the lower (eastern) half of the river. The upper areas are fished by canoe or bank fishing.
State and National Park Service regulations govern fishing. An Arkansas fishing license is required. Catch and release of smallmouth bass is encouraged (with artificial lures, barbless hooks, and careful handling). Smallmouth bass kept must be at least 14 inches in length with a limit of two per day.