From Arkansas Fish and Game Commission

White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and two generators are running. Rainbow trout fishing is good on Power Bait Trout Worms. Brown trout are biting well on Rogues and Rapalas.

Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said low generation made fishing on the bottom with corn, redworms and nightcrawlers in deep holes the way to go. The water was clear, and no large browns were seen moving toward the dam yet.

Guide Davy Wotton said fishing continues to be very good with low and moderate water levels. Bull shoals dam continues to produce way better than average rainbow trout, and larger brown trout are beginning to move into the State Park area. There have been some very good reports of high-number days below Calico, which is always a good bet if water levels are low. Trophy Browns are now also moving into the Norfork River from the confluence. Recent reports are that an 18 lb Rainbow was caught at the Wildcat shoals area, this is indeed a very special fish, not far behind the current river record of 19lb. Fishing has been good dead drifting nymphs, swinging soft hackles, and using dry nymph combinations and streamers. Low water levels will require small midge pupa and emergers, micro dry and at times fish will take soft hackles fished slowly across and downstream. Small sow bugs and scuds are also a good bet. High water flows provide the best drift fishing for all methods. Flies that have done well include shimmer, white tail and prism midges in sizes 14 to 16, sow bugs/scuds, prince nymph, and copper Johns.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the lower water levels have made fly fishing a very viable way to catch a lot of fish. Fish every place you can find a “run” or “shoot” made possible by water running around islands, gravel bars or root wads with woolly buggers and let it swing through the area that would naturally hold fish. In between those wading places just cast 90 degrees to the boat and strip it back in. Sinking line works the best. Also try White River Zig Jigs in the same places as they will produce as well.

Buffalo River

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. (Updated 9/22/2010)

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 653.71 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said walleyes are biting on crawler rigs and crankbaits in 30-40 feet on the main lake and creek channel points. Main lake brush piles also are holding fish that will bite on jigging spoons. White bass are biting jigging spoons 30-70 feet deep. Spotted bass are biting split-shotted nightcrawlers 30-70 feet deep. Largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are biting plastics, crankbaits and spinner baits.

Bull Shoals Tailwater

No report.