From Arkansas Fish and Game Commission

White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is very clear and there’s been little generation. Trout are biting well on pink Power Worms and Power Bait drifted in the current. Some large browns and plenty of rainbows have been caught by fly-fishermen.

Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said no generation in the mornings has the fish bunched up were the Norfork meets the White. Corn is the go-to bait. Fish on the bottom in the deep area in front of boat ramp near the Old Ferry Ramp.

Guide Davy Wotton said fishing has been great, and water levels have provided both good wade fishing a drift fishing options. The dry fly bite is still good and well worth fishing at this time. Fish may be a little picky, so hoppers of different sizes and color, ants both black and red, stimulators, elk hair caddis and Wulf wing dries have all done well. Low water levels then options will be dry fly, midge, soft hackles, wet fly or combinations of two or more. Flies to consider include sow bugs, scuds, midge patterns such as white tails, prisms, shimmer, and zebra in sizes 14 to 22. During higher flows, fish prism midges and San Juan worms in red, tan, orange and pink. Soft hackles have been producing well fished in riffles and moving water. If fishing low water levels both at Bull shoals dam and Norfork, then midges in sizes 18 to 22, sow bugs and micro soft hackles are good bets. Browns are moving well upstream at this time, so location is the key as it will change day to day.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the rain muddied things up from the confluence of the Buffalo and the White River. It never got very muddy but muddy enough that it slowed things down for about a week. As of today, the White is relatively clear and the fish are biting fine. The fly rod with egg patterns, San Juan worms or any bottom bait that is bright will produce. Rapalas on a spinning rod are working well.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides had no report.

Crooked Creek

Just Fishing Guides said the river level is 12.75 feet, which is perfect for floating and fishing. With cooler temperatures and autumn approaching, smallmouth are feeding aggressively. Minnow patterns should be your primary choice for fishing. Clouser Minnow, Shenk’s White Streamer, Murdich Minnow and KC’s Slider along with various topwater flies and large hopper patterns are some good patterns to try.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 654.51 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said white bass are working the surface during the day and are biting well on shad-imitating lures. The bluff ends are holding fish 30 feet deep, and jigging spoons are working well. Walleye can be found on the ends of main lake points on jigging spoons and nightcrawlers.

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides had no report.