Greers Ferry Tailwater (Little Red River)
Background
Greers Ferry Dam is on the Little Red River in Cleburne County. The dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. Commercial power generation began in July 1964. The resulting trout waters of Greers Ferry tailwater flow about 30 miles through central Arkansas. Coldwater discharge from Greers Ferry Dam created coldwater habitat that was less suitable for native sportfish species. The AGFC began stocking trout into Greers Ferry Tailwater in 1966 to mitigate the loss. Rainbow trout were first stocked into the system in 1966. Brown trout were introduced in 1977 and have established a self-sustaining wild population. The Little Red River is home to the current 4-pound test line class world record brown trout of 40 pounds, 4 ounces caught in 1992.
Management Plan
In 2006, the AGFC Trout Management Program began developing a comprehensive management plan for the tailwater. The purpose of this plan is to establish specific goals and objectives, which will guide future management of this fishery. Central to the plan development process was an intensive public involvement effort used to help ensure the desires and expectations of the angling public were embodied goals. In 2017, this plan was revisited to determine if management objectives were met and to ensure that plan goals are still in line with public values and interests.
