Sports
White River fishing report
By Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
May 30, 2026
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Cotter, Arkansas -- Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “The bite is on, and the anglers on the White River in the Arkansas Ozarks are catching trout from morning until evening with a whole lot of catches in between. The action is downriver from Bull Shoals Dam in the Cotter neighborhood where the water is cold, clear and refreshing. Not only is the cold water essential for trout, but it also provides a cool updraft when you’re moving in a john boat (essential on some summer days!).”

Bull Shoals Dam continues its minimum releases: 700 cfs all day, has been the norm. The lake is at 656.42 feet msl, 6 feet below the adjusted seasonal power pool, and continuing to rise slightly from the recent rains.
“Pink has been the color this week: pink PowerBait (eggs and dough), pink worms, pink Rooster Tails. But counter that with a gold Cleo, one-sixth to quarter-ounce, and you’ll keep them interested. Begin with the tried-and-true shrimp and egg pattern (pink) for a swift catch of rainbows, move to worms or to drifting a pink or orange 2-inch worm in the deeper holes.

“The best brown bite here in the Cotter area has been with slimy sculpins, even better if they have a bluish tint to their bellies and average 2˝ to 3 inches in length. Shad is still king upriver from Wild Cat Shoals.

“A family fishing adventure offers time together in an outdoor arena, sharing quiet moments and watching nature ‘happen’ in real time, in a digital-free environment (or as much as you desire it to be.) Go catching and enjoy Arkansas’s natural resources.”

Calico Rock Area

(updated 5-28-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said at midweek, “Last Wednesday we saw dingy water from the rains last Tuesday. Even with the rain Friday we continue to see very low water levels through Tuesday. On Wednesday we saw some higher and dingy water from Tuesday evening’s power generation at Bulls Shoals Dam. Over the next week the weather forecast is calling for more rain. Based on the predictions, the rain will be spread out, so we may see some dirty water from the creeks and the Buffalo River.

“For the bulk of the week, we continue to see great fishing. Quarter-ounce Thompson Colorado nickel/gold spoons remain our go-to lure, but we also see a lot of people drift-fishing with eggs and shrimp. Additionally, CD5 Rapala Countdowns in rainbow trout or brown trout colors, Dynamic J-Spec or HD lures in ghost brown or rainbow trout continue to work well. The Rapala and Dynamic lures are good when the water is dingy, and the brown trout bite seems better.