Cotter, Arkansas -- Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “The Arkansas Ozarks haven’t missed out on the heat wave that’s moving across the country, but we have the gem of the White River to cool us down. The trout love that cold water and the anglers love that cool mist, which lowers the air temperature by at least 10 degrees. The pattern from the dam continues with lower flows in the morning around one unit (3,000 cfs) and large flows (15,000 or more cfs) during the late afternoon. The lake level is 664.12 feet msl, 2.5 feet above seasonal pool.
“Catching rainbows has seldom been easier than it’s been the last few weeks. Silver blades and orange/brown skirts on a Rooster Tail, or a silver Vibrax Blue Fox with a silver, orange or bubblegum pink bell, will bring in a good share of trout. A nickel/gold Colorado Spoon, one-sixth ounce, is always a good choice in lower water.
“The bigger browns have been looking for sculpins or even a fat, floating nightcrawler during rising water. Keep your eye on the tip of your rod for a little tremor and watch that brown snatch your bait; play it slowly and carefully, no rapid movements, and you’ll be able to net it for a picture.
“Come on over and join us as we stay cool angling for a fat, energetic rainbow on the White.”
Calico Rock Area
(updated 6-18-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “Before the rains on Saturday, fishing was consistent using silver inline spinners, Uncommon Bait UV eggs and shrimp. Some guides have reported limited success using artificial lures, but the fish that were caught were nicer 18-inch-plus rainbows and browns.
“The rains on Saturday caused flash floods on the Buffalo River and Crooked Creek, resulting in the muddy water arriving Sunday afternoon. By this Wednesday the river was dingy but fishable. The weather forecast has chances of rain throughout the remainder of this week into next week. Hopefully we don’t get too much at any one time.
“Both Bulls Shoals and Norfork Lake levels are above the power pool, and we have seen increased water releases from both dams. We have seen kayakers make what is normally a 6-to-7-hour float into a 4-hour float. If you are on the river in a kayak or canoe, remember to never approach a dock from the upriver side, we’ve seen and heard of too many kayaks and kayakers getting pushed under a dock. With both Beaver Lake Dam and Table Rock Lake Dam opening their floodgates, Bull Shoals Lake will continue to rise.
“On Thursday the AFGC stocking raft stocked from Norfork down to Calico Rock.”
