Cotter, Arkansas -- Looking for a happy face from an Arkansas fishery in all this summer heat? Look no further than Cotter Trout Dock on the White River (Bull Shoals tailwater). This proud young angler was fishing with his granddad (and guide) Eric Beecher when he caught this impressive brown trout. When you're fishing below Bull Shoals Dam and you catch a fighter like this, you hardly know it's mid-July.

Surely needless to say, though, it's very hot and humid throughout Arkansas, and a lot of those bass and crappie we like to target in Arkansas lakes are looking for the "thermocline," that border of the water where they can find the cooler temps and yet plenty of dissolved oxygen to handle these summer climes.

Bream are being reported as active in quite a few spots this past week. On the big lakes, we're hearing good reports of walleye.

Our Fishing Report contributors concede that summertime patterns are in full swing, though. Beat the heat (if you can) and get out early, or come back later when the sun has set (and bring the bug spray). Or head to a chilly trout stream. The forecast calls for more of this through the weekend.