HEBER SPRINGS, Ark. — The Natural State is home to some of the best fishing in the country, especially trout fishing. However recently, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reports the Little Red River has seen temperatures exceed the comfort level for rainbow and brown trout.
Trey Reid with Arkansas Game and Fish (AGFC) said that it’s not just the heat — other factors could affect trout during the hot summer months.
“When it’s 95-100 degrees the water can get to a temperature where in some cases it can be lethal to trout,” Reid said.
He also emphasized that AGFC keeps an eye on dissolved oxygen, which could have an even bigger influence on trout than the heat itself.
"We’re monitoring dissolved oxygen which is probably a bigger issue than heat itself as well as water temperature," Reid said. "Everyday working with the Southwest Power Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to try and maintain flows and pulses of water where applicable and possible to keep those water temperatures down."
AGFC recommends carrying a small pocket thermometer and to make periodic checks of the water while fishing, along with some other tips before hitting the water.
“Focus more early in the morning before those water temperatures begin to warm up in the heat of the day," he said. "Fish up closer to the dams where the water is cooler and reduce the amount of time you’re fighting the fish. If you’re going to handle them to release maybe in the water in a nice net and then release the fish healthy.”