This is one of the few places in the country to fish for largemouth bass, white bass hybrids, walleye and trout, all in the same day. And, not just anyfish. . . .you could catch the next World Record here!
The Little Red River consists of 32 miles of World Class trout fishing. It is possible to catch German Brown, Rainbow, Cuttthroat and Brook Trout all in one day. Not only is there an abundance of trout, these are quality catches. Currently the Little Red River boasts the World Record German Brown Trout, weighing it at 40 lbs., 4 ozs! The tailwater of the Little Red River starts at the Greers Ferry Dam, just outside the city limits of Heber Springs
But, lets not stop there. Greers Ferry Lake is 40,000 acres of fishing fun. Quality largemouth bass, white bass hybrids, catfish and other sportfish abound. Greers Ferry Lake hold the World Record Walleye at 22 lbs., 11 ozs., AND the World Record Hybrid Stripped Bass at 27 lbs., 5 ozs.
Splash and swim in sun-kissed Greers Ferry Lake. There is more than enough room to ski and make waves. Boaters, sail boaters, water-skiers, house boaters, scuba divers and the party barge folks all get along because they seldom cross paths in this sparkling clear aqua-playground. And, all around the lake are resorts, bed-and-breakfast inns, marinas, shopping and woodsy green spaces for camping and hiking.
The fun doesn't stop there. There is hiking , golfing, museums, art galleries and on and on and on!
A good first stop for travelers is the Corps of Engineers Visitor Center, along Ark. 25 at the western end of dam. The 6,000-square-foot stone and redwood structure houses an information center, exhibit hall and public restrooms. And a 96-seat theater at the center features a 20-minute presentation, "The Saga of the Little Red River: A Tale of Two Centuries," which relates the history of the region prior to and through the construction of the dam. It also chronicles President Kennedy's dedication of the $46.5 million project on Oct. 3, 1963.
The center is open daily April through October, plus Saturdays and Sundays in March and November. It is closed December through February. All programs and exhibits at the center are free and open to the public.
Hikers can enjoy two award-winning national nature trails located near the welcome center. Mossy Bluff extends along a tree-covered bluff overlooking the Little Red River, immediately below the dam. It ends almost one mile away at a rustic shelter, which offers a panoramic view of the river and dam. Nearby is Buckeye Trail, a short barrier-free, paved pathway designed for the physically challenged. Guide maps for both trails are available at the center.
While at Greers Ferry, hikers can also trek the Sugar Loaf Mountain National Recreational Trail, near Fairfield Bay, which climbs a 1,000-ft. rocky summit on an uninhabited island in the upper section of the lake. Sugar Loaf rewards those that make the trip with some of the best views in the Ozarks. (Because it's on an island, the Sugar Loaf Trail must be accessed by boat.)
Great golfing abounds including Lost Creek Golf Club, Mountain Ranch Golf Club, Tannenbaum Golf Course, Red Apple Inn and Golf Clun, Riverland Golf Club and Indian Hills COuntry Club.
The Greers Ferry National Fish Hatchery, in Heber Springs, located below the dam, offers free tours. Built in 1965, the hatchery produces about one million rainbow trout yearly for restocking the Little Red and other Arkansas streams. The visitor center contains exhibits on the life cycle of trout and a brief history of the hatchery. Nearby, cold water raceways hold thousands of fish in various growing stages, including some monster-sized lunkers. The hatchery is open from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.
Heber Springs is home to many unique Festivals and Events that are sure to entertain the entire family. The Annual World Championship Cardboard Boat Race and Springfest Celebration has grown into one of the most popular events in the Natural State. The Annual Heber Springs Fourth of July Celebration held on Greers Ferry Lake and coordinated by the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce is one of the largest in the state and attracts thousands of onlookers, from both land and on water. During Springfest, vendors and crafters setup their stands in Spring Park located in the heart of Heber Springs and sell to thousands of visitors each year who come to see the entertainment provided by world class performers on the main stage.
