White River Cotter Area

“Trout harvest levels are changing: Feb. 1 marks the date we are able to keep two rainbows (under 14 inches each) from Bull Shoals and Norfork dams to the confluence of the White and Norfork rivers.

“Orange egg patterns work well, as do orange beads, during the winter spawn of the browns. We’re still having success with the black and gold spinners (one-sixteenth-ounce to quarter-ounce, depending on water levels). Satisfy their post-spawn hunger with a minnow, shad or sculpin. White jigs or pearly white streamers are a lure for an oversized brown, as is a shad replica. Work them slowly, and you may be rewarded with an opportunity for a photo shoot.

“Expect the daytime temperatures to be as fickle as the water level, with expected highs from 30 to 50 degrees. Nighttime temps will be very cold. Traffic on the river is slower in January than any other time of the year, so you go ahead and brave the weather; you’ll have the river to yourself for a few hours. Come on in, warm up and share your fishing stories; we look forward to seeing you.”

Calico Rock Area

(updated 1-22-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “There haven’t been many people fishing, but those who fished are catching some nice rainbows and browns. Due to the colder weather, both dams are generating more electricity, resulting in increased water releases. The last few days, we are seeing water depths between 4-7 feet with some increased dinginess. With the increased flow, drift-fishing with silver inline spinners, Uncommon Baits UV eggs and shrimp worked well.

“The brown trout bite is great using Rapala Countdowns in rainbow trout, brown trout or silver colors. Additionally, Dynamic J-Spec lures in Ghost Rainbow and Glimmer Trout worked well for both bigger rainbows and browns.
“Last week the AGFC relooked at the temporary trout regs on the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters. The relaxed the regs between Bull Shoals Dam and Norfork Dam to the confluence of the White and Norfork rivers (at Norfork Access) as of Feb. 1 will allow anglers to keep two rainbow trout under 14 inches and all other trout must be released. There were no changes from the confluence down to the Arkansas Highway 58 bridge in Guion, where the limit remained two trout with only one trout over 14 inches (posted size limits for brook, cutthroat, brown and tiger trout remain what they’ve been). The good news is both the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Hatchery and Norfork National Fish Hatchery are recovering and are stocking trout. We just received a stocking from Jim Hinkle Hatchery of 1,000 rainbows at Calico Rock, with another 1,000 each going to Chessmond Ferry, Mt. Olive and Sylamore.

“The weather forecast for this weekend is showing winter storms. Stay safe and keep warm.”