Sports
White River fishing report
By Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Jul 8, 2026
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Cotter, Arkansas -- Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “A day on the river offers the opportunity to spend some quiet, one-on-one time with your kids. Enjoy the early-morning river mist with temperatures in the 60s, add some great trout-catching action and you’ll make memories that will last a lifetime. When the afternoons warm up, you can dip your cap in the river or wet a hand towel in the cold clear water, lay it across your shoulders and keep angling.

“Bull Shoals Lake elevation measured 664.63 feet msl Wednesday with morning releases continuing at around three units (9,000 cfs) before rising to 12,000 cfs or more in afternoon. Releases will likely remain higher for power generation during this heat streak. The lake is about 3feet over power pool level.  Stay hydrated (low caffeinated, high electrolyte drinks).

“Browns have been hiding in the deep holes, coming out to the scent of a sculpin or the call of a crawdad tail. Rainbows are less picky; they’re always attracted to the pink and white PowerBait mouse tail worms, and they’ll nibble at shrimp and live red worms when the water is rising. It’s fun to drop a D2 Trout Magnet peachy jig, eighth-ounce is best, and see what comes up.

“Stop in and say ‘hey’ when you’re in town. Enjoy the day. “It’s fun to watch the rainbows follow the spinners — try a three-sixteenth-ounce Blue Fox Spinner with a red bell or the bleeding frog Rooster Tail. We found that bleeding frog pattern in a Thomas Buoyant Spoon and worked it for several catches. Yellow and sunrise PowerBait are bringing in the rainbows with or without a morsel of shrimp added to the mix.

“Come on over, get out of the house and enjoy the cool of the river in the beautiful Natural State and the Arkansas Ozarks.”

Calico Rock Area

(updated 7-2-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “This week we continue to see water depths between 7.5 to 9.5 feet. We continue to have success drift-fishing using silver inline spinners with a No. 2 hook with two Uncommon Bait UV eggs and tipped with shrimp. The key is to get the bait to the bottom. If needed, add an additional size 7 split shot 8-12 inches above the hook.

“Rapala Countdowns in CD5 or CD7 in brown trout and rainbow trout colors have worked well when fishing near the bank. The guides are reporting having to move around to find the fish and then catching a few before the bite dies, and they move again.

“Even with Norfork Dam opening some of the spillway gates, the water is in good condition. Enjoy your Fourth of July Holiday and be safe on the water.”