Drift-fishing is the name of the game on high water and has provided for some good-sized rainbows and a fair share of browns. Be prepared for a challenge and come with an arsenal of baits as the trout have a lot of room to escape the lure. The brown bite has been slower this past week — not unexpected — as the trout acclimate to the swifter water. That being said, we’ve still seen a decent number in the 19- to 22-inch range mostly caught with sculpins.

Stock up on red wrigglers and nightcrawlers — they’re doing very well for us right now, ensuring a good catch of the fatter rainbows. Try, too, some brighter baits in this high water, casting some orange or chartreuse PowerBait toward the bank a little out of the current. Jerkbaits will attract the larger fish: 4½-inch rainbow-hued lures that can stay mid-depth in high water.
“Drifting the White is a great way to spend a gorgeous Ozarks day. Stay safe and come in to share your success stories.

Calico Rock Area

(updated 4-24-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, sai the river this week remains high, dingy and with water flow above 30,000 cfs at Calico Rock. Fishing is very tough but not impossible. Uncommon Bait UV eggs tipped with shrimp have worked well, but because of the depth an extra weight might be needed to reach the bottom.

“With the fast current the river is dangerous. Both Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes are several feet above their respective conservation pool levels. I expect it may be some time before we see more ‘normal’ water levels. Be aware of your surroundings and DO NOT throw out an anchor while in the river. If the anchor gets hung up it will pull down the front of the boat.”