White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and low with up to three generators running in the evening. Trout fishing is excellent, especially with PowerBait. Lots of rainbows have been caught. Seven- to 9-pound browns have been caught with small spoons, small spinners and Lit’l Fishies. Fly-fishermen are having good results with midges and woolly buggers.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185) had this report for Buffalo City to Red’s Landing: The river has been as low as most have ever seen it. That presents some challenges but also offers opportunities. Be innovative; make one-way trips and shuttle your vehicle accordingly. Take your time and fish the obvious holes that are created by the drastically low water. The fish will congregate in these holes and success will be yours. Light jigs, PowerBaits and your favorite spinner will work very well. Hire a guide who is familiar with the situation and enjoy the outcome.

Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is clear and low. Bream are fair on crickets. No report on crappie. Bass are fair with crankbaits and spinners. Catfish are fair with stinkbait. Walley are fair with crankbaits.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides said as of Wednesday, Ponca was very low at 1.6 feet, Pruitt was very low at 3.6 feet, Tyler Bend was low at 3.6 feet and Buffalo Point was low at 2.8 feet. Water temperature was averaging in the upper 70s. The river level is extremely low for floating; the water is clear. Floating is OK below Buffalo Point; not too much dragging.

Crooked Creek

Just Fishing Guides said the gauge at Kelley’s Slab was reading 9.9 feet Wednesday, a good level for wade fishing.

Bull Shoals Lake

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

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the water temperature is 80 degrees. Walleye and bass are biting night crawlers fished on bottom bouncers about 15 feet deep. Crankbaits are working at that depth, too. White bass are biting anything that looks like a shad. Catfish are in shallow water (5-20 feet) and are biting cut bait and night crawlers. Night fishing is good for walleyes by casting crankbaits on main lake points and bass, using jigs and plastic worms.

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said trout tailwaters have been experiencing low, wadeable water each and every day. Good fish have been caught on the White, Norfork and Little Red. If you are not up to a daylong wade trip and want to go for some good trout, contact a guide with a drift boat; we don’t need a lot of water to get to those spots far from the accesses and crowds.