Arkansas
Buffalo River near Boxley
Current River Rating
Excellent · 93
Conditions look favorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Go
Recommended Window
Sunday, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
Why
- Cloud cover is generally suitable for fishing.
- Air temperature is comfortable for fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light to moderate wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 0.64 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.02 ft
- Water Temperature
- 77.7 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 07055646 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
Loading readings from the past 7 days…
Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
Loading advisory…
Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
78°F
Feels like
81°F
Wind
5 mph S
Wind gust
5 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 2:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Clear
Temp 78°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 7 AM
Clear
Temp 77°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 11 AM
Clear
Temp 95°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 3 PM
Overcast
Temp 97°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 7 PM
Clear
Temp 94°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 11 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 85°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 99°F / Low 77°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 13 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 101°F / Low 80°F
Chance 12%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 94°F / Low 69°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 23 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 90°F / Low 73°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 24 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
Loading historical flow…
Fishing Overview
Buffalo National River near Boxley, Arkansas. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065). USGS 07055646 is the upper Boxley reach. St. Joe 07056000 and Harriet 07056700 lack live 00010 and are not substituted. This is not Tennessee's Buffalo River near Flat Woods.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Buffalo River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Buffalo National River is a nationally significant Ozark smallmouth fishery managed by NPS under AGFC flowing-water rules. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 07055646 at Boxley. NPS lists smallmouth as the gamefish draw; trout occur on the White River confluence, not this upper Boxley pin. Flow Context remains default-deny.
Target species
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
NPS Buffalo National River game fish list; AGFC Blue Ribbon Smallmouth Stream. USGS 07055646.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
NPS Buffalo National River game fish list.
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
NPS Buffalo National River game fish list.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Free-flowing Ozark gravel-bed river in Boxley Valley, Newton County, inside Buffalo National River. Distinct from Ponca/Pruitt/St. Joe pins and from the White River trout tailwaters.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Fly fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by NPS Buffalo National River fishing pages. Only hook-and-line with attended rod is allowed throughout the park. Catalog coordinates are USGS 07055646.
Stocking information
NPS/AGFC do not present Boxley as a stocked trout water. Confirm current official notices. White River confluence trout are a different reach.
Official sources
AGFC 2026 Blue Ribbon Smallmouth Stream rules apply on the Buffalo River (one smallmouth per day, longer than 15 inches). NPS Buffalo special regulations prohibit unattended lines and restrict bait fish. A valid Arkansas license is required for anglers 16+. Confirm current official NPS and AGFC regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Popper-style surface flyGeneral warmwater surface family. Not an insect Hatch event.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral warmwater streamer family. Not a baitfish Hatch event.
- Crayfish-style flyGeneral subsurface family. Crayfish forage is not a Hatch insect.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Newton, Arkansas
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Newton
Management Category
NPS free-flowing Ozark smallmouth river
Regulation Scope
Buffalo National River at Boxley
Regulation Summary
Buffalo National River near Boxley: AGFC Blue Ribbon smallmouth rules plus NPS Buffalo fishing restrictions. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish
Access, Parking, and Regulations
Loading access and regulations…
