“Looks like there has already been a sizable shad kill this year. The browns are responding best to sculpin and shad for now, but the spawn will really kick into high gear in the next month so keep your options open and carry an array of baits to pique their curiosity. Red/gold Thomas Buoyant Spoons, a gold Cleo and one or two stick baits (Smithwicks with orange bellies are a tried-and-true favorite) are tackle box staples on the White River.
“Find an egg pattern or scented egg-like bait that matches the color of trout roe, and you’ll have more trout chasing your line than you can manage. Best bets: PowerBait orange, followed by fluorescent yellow. Red wiggler worms are always an option during the afternoon high-water events, with worm imitators (red, natural or bubblegum pink) just as successful, if not more so. Cast toward the bank as you drift downstream and the rainbows and, occasionally, a brown or two will snap them up.
“Good luck, enjoy the catch, and we’ll see you on the river!”
Calico Rock Area
(updated 9-17-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “This week, we have seen mixed water releases from the dams. Thursday and Friday we saw depths as high as 7 feet during the day and lows around 4 feet overnight. Saturday, Sunday and Monday we saw depths as high as 5 feet during the day and as low at or below 3 feet overnight. Wednesday saw depths as high as 6.5 feet.
During the higher water conditions, we saw a lot of success drifting and using two Uncommon Bait UV eggs tipped with raw shrimp. With the lower water, we are seeing greater success using artificial lures such as Rapala Countdowns (brown trout, silver or rainbow trout colors), Dynamic J-Specs (glimmer trout, brown trout or silver) and quarter-ounce spoons (Thompson Colorado spoons in nickel/gold or Thompson Buoyant spoon in rainbow trout colors).
“We received one stocking this week from the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery of 3,000 rainbow trout. The AGFC stocking raft spread the trout between Calico Rock and Allison/Sylamore Creek. There were additional stockings at Norfork, Reds Landing and Chessmond Ferry.”
