Cotter, Arkansas -- The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Fisheries Division urges anglers: Get out and fish the Bull Shoals tailwater in November! Anglers can enjoy the nice, cool fall and catch some trout.

Ample wade and boat access opportunities now exist, depending on water releases from the Bull Shoals Dam, which keeps White River water within the lake and provides releases downstream. If you're unsure what to fish with, here's a summary of what anglers reported having excellent trout fishing experiences in 2017-2026 Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Reports on the Bull Shoals tailwater to help you decide what to use!

This recent fishing excursion with a Cotter Trout Dock guide is illustrative of what the folks at Cotter Trout Dock are seeing in a lot of their rainbow trout catches. It's beautiful, colorful and healthy.

Artificial lures mentioned during excellent trips in November included Rapala Crankbaits and jerkbaits, Little Cleo spoons, Blue Fox, Panther Martin and Rooster Tail Spinnerbaits, and soft plastics (worm and shad patterns).

Folks primarily used PowerBait, shrimp, nightcrawlers and shad when bait fishing.

Fly anglers used a variety of flies, including San Juan Worm, midge, nymph, egg and streamer patterns. The most referenced tackle colors included black, blue, chartreuse, copper, orange, pink, red, silver, yellow and white.

The photo above, from Amber Burden's Nov. 3 fishing excursion with Cotter Trout Dock guide Paul (no last name provided), is illustrative of what the folks at Cotter Trout Dock are seeing in a lot of their rainbow trout catches. It's beautiful, colorful and healthy.