Sports
White River fishing report
By Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Jul 19, 2026
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Cotter, Arkansas -- Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the White River watershed has seen some rain this week, usually less than predicted in the Cotter area and mostly much appreciated. River clarity has remained very good and trout catching has been as usual — excellent and satisfying. Water level has continued to fluctuate, as it has over the last month, with lower water level in the morning hours and much higher generation in the late afternoon. Bull Shoals Lake has dropped slightly below power pool at 660.91 feet msl. When the channels narrow due to limited generation, please share the space with the rest of the family of trout-loving anglers.

“The rainbow catches were lured in mainly with sunrise or orange PowerBait; or even better: slide on half of a yellow power egg and half of an egg of orange and you’ve got yourself a lot of action. It’s a good idea to use bronze hooks to reduce harm to the trout. Rebel Craw Babies were another favorite this week, unless you’re lucky enough to locate fresh soft-shell crawdads. Drift either mid-depth and chances are good you’ll increase your catch count. Play a redworm or a nightcrawler near the bank during rises in the water level to ensure a good catch, too. Then return to tying on a heavier spoon or a favorite jerkbait when the rise levels off.

“The river provides more of an escape now than at any other time. Cooling, refreshing, calming, calling. The natural life is good; come share it with us.”

Calico Rock Area

(updated 7-916-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We continue to see the river cresting in the morning around 9.5 feet and dropping throughout the day. In the last few days, the river has dropped to a level between 6-8 feet. Bull Shoals Lake level is very close to the power pool level (about 660 feet msl) and the water releases are based on electrical demands. Norfork Lake is a couple of feet above the power pool with the dam spilling some water through the spillway gates in addition to the electrical generation.

“Fishing remains consistent and we’re seeing some better-than-average-sized rainbows being caught. With the current limit on our stretch of the river being two trout with one over 14 inches allowed, we are having some days where it has been difficult to catch the one trout under 14 inches. We continue to have success drift-fishing using silver inline spinners with a No. 2 hook with two Uncommon Bait Neo Pink UV eggs and tipped with shrimp. Put a size 7 split-shot sinker about 8-12 inches above the hook. The key is to get the bait to the bottom; if needed, add an additional size 7 sinker. You want to feel the sinker bouncing on the bottom.

“Rapala CD7 brown trout and Dynamic HD Trout in ghost brown continue to provide results with some 16-inch-plus rainbows and 20-inch-plus brown trout being caught. In the higher water, Rapala Shad Rap size 7 in shad colors is working well.

“This week the AGFC used the stocking raft to stock 2,000 rainbow trout between Calico Rock and Mt. Olive, with an additional 1,000 stocked in the Sylamore Creek area. On Thursday, the raft will be used to stock rainbows between Norfork and Calico Rock.”