Sports
White River fishing report
By Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
May 13, 2026
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Cotter, Arkansas -- Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the bite is on, and the anglers on the White River in the Arkansas Ozarks are catching trout on the first cast of the day, the last cast in the afternoon and on a whole lot of casts in between. The river level has been consistently low for the past week, so it’s been a great time to pull up to a favorite brown trout spot and throw out a minnow, sculpin or shad for the sure bite. The rainbow bite has been excellent, too, with many keeper-size rainbows being brought to the boat daily and larger rainbows becoming a lot more common.

Releases from Bull Shoals Dam have been at minimum flow all week with few higher releases. The lake at this writing is sitting at 655.93 feet msl where it has remained for a while now, give or take 1/10 of a foot. If boating, stay in the channel and cast toward the bank; you’ll most often pull in a rainbow in no time. Get their attention with fluorescent, bright baits and flashy silver spoons on these overcast days — black D2 jigs or Rooster Tails with dark bodies otherwise.

“Plenty of sunshine requires plenty of sunscreen. Come prepared but make sure to keep the sunscreen away from your fishing gear and baits. Sunscreen not only repels harmful rays from above, but repels fish as well. Clean your hands of sunscreen before handling rods, reels and baits; no spraying in the boat.

“Join us on the White River for some great fishing”

Calico Rock Area

(updated 5-7-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “For the majority of the week, we have seen lower water levels in the morning and rising water starting late morning until early afternoon. During these low-water times we are seeing a lot of success with several different lures. The lure our guides used the most was the quarter-ounce Thomas Colorado Spoon in nickel/gold. Additionally, they use they CD5 Rapala Countdown in rainbow trout or brown trout colors, Dynamic J-Spec or HD lures in ghost brown or rainbow trout. Drift-fishing with sculpins resulted in some nice rainbows and brown trout.

White River

NOTE: Anglers in the Bull Shoals tailwater from the dam to Norfork boat access may keep two rainbow trout daily, no longer than 14 inches; all other trout caught must be released immediately. Below Norfork Access to Arkansas Highway 58 (at Guion), anglers may keep two trout of any species, only one may be longer than 14 inches. Brook trout must be at least 14 inches to keep; brown, cutthroat and tiger trout must be 23 inches long to keep.