Cotter Trout Dock Weekly Fishing Report

  December 4, 2024

More reports and other videos are on the Cotter Trout Dock Youtube Channel Page.
Below is the Arkansas Game and Fish Fishing Report December 4, 2024.

White River

(updated 12-5-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Now is the time to enjoy real peace on the river. There’s a lot to distract us between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so some anglers are delaying their fishing outings. That means less traffic on the river providing quiet and solitude for those who are able to put aside the

holiday hubbub. The lake level has returned to targeted pool levels so generation from Bull Shoals Dam has decreased, averaging a little less than one unit (about 2,400 cfs) with some pulses in late afternoon. Cold temperatures can change power demands so output could increase without much warning. Stay alert.
“You have room to move and take your time on the river right now so bring a lot of bait options, but keep your spoons and stick baits on the light side unless you hear of a big rise on the way. Rainbow Rapalas are a great choice, and live redworms have been calling out to those rainbows for a sure catch. Remember the spawn is on, meaning the browns are finicky.  They’ll assert their ownership of spawning grounds with

aggression toward pesky baits. So keep laying it near them and they’ll hit like the fighters that they are.
“Christmas season is a the time to set aside hurry and worry, to carve out a little time for you.  Maybe that’s on the river.  The Arkansas Ozarks and our White River are the best place I know for sharing time with family and friends.  We hope it’s a wonderful season for all our anglers. Merry Christmas.”

(updated 12-5-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We continue to see dirty water coming out of Norfork Dam, although it does seem to be less muddy. Guides are reporting some success fishing near the mouths of the creeks where there is some cleaner water. We are also seeing some success using white jigs. Hopefully by the next report we can say there is clean water and fishing has returned to normal.”

 

Bull Shoals Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Bull Shoals Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 12-5-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said the lake level on Wednesday was 658 feet msl and the water temperature was about 58 degrees. There are bass that moved up shallow and you can powerfish by cranking a Rock Crawler or Wiggle Wart. That bite seems better with wind and clouds. Most of the creeks have a little color. Target steeper 45-degree banks or ledges. Cover water and you will run into them. Some of the glide baits are working on the right days.
The fish seem to be bouncing from shad ball to shad ball. In the creeks and way off the end of points leading into pockets, the shad are starting to group better. Most are out over the old creek channel while some are getting pushed onto the flats. There are shad sitting high on the surface down to 60 feet. For the guys chasing shad, a Jewel Scuba Spoon or Rapala Jigging Rap will work. If the shad are on the bottom, a Tater shad or small minnow bait on the suspended ones, that will fool a few. Loons are showing up. You better be good at the front looker because having to hit ’em on the move isn’t easy.
Overall, smaller baits have helped. As the lake cools off we will get more fish moving up shallow. A Megabass Plus 1 jerkbait is working on those schooling fish. There are fish to be had on the main lake. Fish the conditions.

Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.

(updated 12-5-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the walleye fishing patterns have shifted into their wintertime positions. The fish are following the shad. Searching for baitfish and good water clarity will be key to locating them. Channel swings midway back in creeks are a good place to start looking, as well as long points with trees at the end of channel swings will also be a good place to find a few walleye. The best fishing methods right now are going to be fishing deep in 50-70 feet of water using three-quarter-ounce or 1-ounce spoons or Ice jigs. 

(updated 12-5-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are mainly on brushpiles ranging in that 20-30 feet area mainly in the creeks. The bite seems to be picking up some and we’re catching fish on a Tater Shad Jr. and, of course, minnows. They aren’t everywhere, but we’re catching good mixed bags the last few days.