“The rainbow catch has been pretty fabulous: They’re snapping at spinners with silver or rainbow-colored blades, and eating up the shrimp and egg combo. We continue to see success with bubblegum pink worms and mouse tails. Good sizes among the catch, too; many are 16 inches or above. Artificial bait recommendations: spoons and spinners for this low water. Gold Cleos are a staple on the White, and a gold or silver Blue Fox is a good choice. Low flows always prove to be a great time for jig fishing, too. Olive or crawdad-olive/orange jigs are on order this week.

“Keep a variety of live bait on board for the browns. Sculpins, redfin minnows and crawdad tails deliver well. Baits should be kept close to the bottom and to the sides of the main channel, or a deep hole for the browns.

“Cooler temperatures surprised us this week; but prepare for warm afternoons. Thanks for sharing our love of the north Arkansas Ozarks in The Natural State. Drop in when you visit Cotter." 

Calico Rock Area

(updated 9-24-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We have seen varied river levels Thursday through Tuesday with levels as 7.5 feet and dropping to under 4 feet. On Wednesday morning we saw water as low as 3 feet and rising to 5 feet before cresting late in the morning. I believe with the cooler temperatures, Norfork and Bull Shoal dams won’t need to generate as much electricity, which should result in more consistent water levels between 3-5 feet.

“With the lower water levels, quarter-ounce Thompson Colorado Spoons in nickel/gold, Rapala Countdown CD5 in brown trout or rainbow trout colors, Panther Martin with a black body, yellow dots and gold blade, and jigs should work well.”