From Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said zero to three generators are running. Rainbow trout fishing is good on shrimp and Power Bait. Brown trout are slow.

Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said fishing has been good using corn and worms fished upriver from the Norfork Tailwater. Rainbows are biting real good with some nice browns in the 2 to 4 pound range, too.

Guide Davy Wotton said generation levels have been erratic, which has related to the bite being up and down depending on rising or falling water. Also at this time of the year, oxygen levels close to the dam may cause the fish to stop feeding during generation. If generation is taking place, the best option will be to fish below the upper limit of the trophy zone. Bull Shoals dam zone continues to produce trophy brown and rainbow trout. From the state park downstream to Calico, fishing has been good provided you are fishing settled and clean water. This time of year, bottom vegetation dies off and leaves fall into the river, resulting in very trashy colored water; the best bet is to move because the bite will be very slow. Many brown trout are staged at spawning beds while others are still on the move upstream. Please leave the trout on the beds to spawn and continue our excellent fishery. If fishing low flow, use a small midge, sow bug, scud or PTN. If fishing shoals and water with flow, use soft hackles and small dry fly patterns. If water the water is stained, use a two-fly rig (where legal), one brightly colored fly, such as a Prism, Dynamite or San Juan worm and the other a size 14 to 16 scud or sow bug. Streamer fish may be productive if drift fishing with good flow rates or when fishing good shoal water.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing continues to be good. Two to three generators running at Bull Shoals each day has kept the White River level fairly constant. Anglers are catching more brown trout than normal, but not many large ones. Rainbows are hitting the White River Zig Jig in ginger or olive exceptionally well. In the deeper holes, the Rapala is easier and tends to catch larger fish.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides said all sections of the river are very low, and no floating opportunities are available in the upper ¾ of the river. Wade fishing is good if you don’t mind walking. Fish are biting well on Clouser minnows and crawdad patterns. Spin fishermen are using soft plastics and crankbaits in brown and green shades.

Crooked Creek

Just Fishing Guides said the water is low and floating is difficult. Wade fishing at public access points is very good. Smallmouth are excellent on Clouser minnows, Shenk’s white streamers, crazy dads and sneaky Petes. Spin fishermen are catching plenty of smallmouth on tubes, brush hogs and lizards in watermelon, green pumpkin and black. Smallmouth are also being caught on small jerkbaits and crankbaits.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 652.41 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said black bass are biting spinnerbaits and crankbaits on windy banks halfway back in the creek arms. Walleyes are biting in areas with shad, some days on the main channel points and other days back in the creek arms. Trolling crankbaits on leadcore line in 36-42 feet of water is catching some nice fish of all species. Jigging spoons are working well in 30-60 feet of water, catching a mixed bag of fish. Catfish are biting well on bluff ends and in coves. Crappie are biting jigs worked though standing timber along bluffs about 10 feet deep.

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said generation is around the clock with one generator. Brown trout are staging for their spawn. Drift fishing with large streamers early and late in the day has worked well. Hopper/dropper combos and soft hackles are also working later in the day. During the day try sow bugs, scuds, copper johns and Whitlock’s squirrel tail nymph.