LegendaryNativeVulnerable
6
Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula · Polyodontidae
Spoonbill. Living fossil. Filter-feeding ghost of the river.
Common
36–54 in
Max
72 in
Weight
Up to 100+ lbs
Best Bite Windows
When paddlefish feeds · time-of-day read
Right now · 12:00 PM · MIDD window
GOOD78%feeding activity
First & last light · no bait — snagging only (regulated season)
24-hour bite curvetaller = more feeding · scrub the clock
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DAWN
53
MORN
67
MIDD
77
AFTE
65
DUSK
37
NIGH
30
Plankton filter-feeder · midday cruiser
Solar + LunarLOW lunar pull
Major feeds7:59p – 9:59p5:10a – 7:10a
Minor feeds5:30a – 6:30a8:07p – 9:07p
Solunar window 8:14p – 9:44p
Day · Filter-feeders targeting zooplankton; some plankton migration is lunar-correlated. Snag fishing in deep, slow river bends.
Night · Minimal night-specific advantage. Snag fishing depends on fish congregation, not active feeding.
Habitat
RiversReservoirs
Range
Beaver tailwater, Arkansas River, big-river main channels.
Diet
Zooplankton — filter-feeds with comb-like gill rakers. Eats no bait.
Best baits & lures
No bait — snagging only (regulated season)
Gear up locallyPartner
Tale Waters & Tides
The home water for Arkansas anglers
Pocket Fishing Guide is powered by Tale Waters & Tides — gear, guides, and the stories behind the water. Plan your next trip with us.
How to fish it · techniques
Snagging season + permit only
Find the school via electronics
Long, slow sweeps
Book a guidePartner
Rileys White & Buffalo Outfitter
Your White & Buffalo River outfitter
Guided float trips, canoe & kayak rentals, and riverside cabins on the White and Buffalo rivers.
Fun fact
Paddlefish use the electroreceptors in their rostrum to find clouds of zooplankton — the same sensory trick sharks use to find prey. They've been doing it unchanged for 75 million years.
Status
Vulnerable
Native · Polyodontidae