White Bass

Marianna, Arkansas, might not be the first place that springs to mind for white bass, but the St. Francis River offers a surprisingly good fishery. These schooling fish provide fast-paced action, especially during their spring spawning runs. Look for them in the main river channel and around the mouths of creeks as they migrate upstream. The best time to target them is typically from late February through April. Small jigs, spinners, and crankbaits are all effective lures. A local tactic is to watch for bird activity; often, flocks of birds diving on baitfish indicate a school of white bass feeding below. The St. Francis River is accessible by boat from several public ramps. While the white bass here may not reach trophy sizes, their abundance makes for a fun and productive day on the water.