White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and low with light generation in the morning and heavier generation in the afternoons. Trout fishing is good, especially with PowerBait; try yellow or pink. Pink trout worms, Rooster Tails and Little Cleos are working.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185)had this report for Buffalo City to Red’s Landing: The water level remains somewhat low but is beginning to pick up a little bit each day. The fishing is definitely limited to specific areas. When you find an area that is holding fish, be sure to fish it repeatedly. There are many areas that just don’t hold fish. Try Rapalas in the faster water, Zig Jigs everywhere else or Power Baits on the bottom. Do yourself a favor and get out on the water early. The extremely high temperatures are dangerous and should be watched closely. Fish early in the day and quit at noon. You will catch plenty of fish and it will be much safer for you.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides said as of Tuesday, the river was continuing to go down. Ponca was very low at 1.43 feet, Pruitt was very low at 3.18 feet, Tyler Bend was low at 3.28 feet and Buffalo Point was low at 2.57 feet. Water temperature was averaging in the upper 70s. The river level is extremely low for floating; the water is clear. Most of the Ozark streams are about 20 percent of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with good with baitfish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, wooly buggers, Clouser minnows. The top water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, wooly buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up fish with white or gray flukes, four-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crank baits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also.

Crooked Creek

Just Fishing Guides said the gauge at Kelley’s Slab was reading 9.51 feet Tuesday, a good level for wade fishing. Most of the Ozark streams are about 20 percent of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with good with baitfish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, wooly buggers, Clouser minnows. The top water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, wooly buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up fish with white or gray flukes, four-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crank baits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also. Flows are at 140 cfs.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Tuesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 652.59 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said mornings are better than afternoons. Mornings are better than afternoons with late evening coming in second. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hare’s ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or if possible a double nymph rig. Be ready to use various sizes of hopper to find what the trout are keying in on. Doubles are very possible. Water releases have been all day but heaviest in the afternoons for 8 to 10 hours at 6,000 to 12,000 cfs.