Cotter Trout Dock Weekly Fishing Report

  January 8, 2025

More reports and other videos are on the Cotter Trout Dock Youtube Channel Page.
Below is the Arkansas Game and Fish Fishing Report January 8, 2025.

White River

(updated 1-9-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “We’re looking to the new year and seeing lots of opportunities for trout anglers, young and old. Increased releases from Bull Shoals Dam are in progress to help us power through this frigid cold snap — 10,000 to 19,000 cfs (three to six units) pretty much around the clock. By the weekend we should return to more manageable levels as the daytime temperatures hit the mid-40s. Bull Shoals Lake is a foot below its normal power pool at 658.03 feet mls.

“We’ve seen some significant weather fluctuations and have turned to a mashup of shrimp and corn for a consistent rainbow bite. The browns have responded well to sculpin and river minnows, especially redfin minnows if you can find them. Tie on fluorescent or translucent orange egg patterns during the spawn season for a sure catch.

“Anglers have the opportunity during the high-water times to cast those big stick baits. Get out your No. 7, No. 9, even No. 11 Rapala Countdowns, gold and black or the rainbow pattern, and the 3-inch and 4-inch Smithwicks. Blue back, orange bellied Smithwicks first. This month has started with frigid nights and chilly days — and steady catches of rainbows with a brown or two (or more) brought in for pictures and a thrill. River traffic is slow in January and you may not see another angler for hours.

“Hope to see you in 2025. Pick a not-too-cold winter day to come over to the White; the coffee’s on and the trout are biting.”

(updated 1-9-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and 2025 has started out well. We have seen varied river levels due to the varied generation schedules from the dams. The colder weather has caused an increase in electrical demand. Although the weather is cold, the fishing has been great. The brown trout are active with many caught using artificial lures such as CD5 Rapala Countdowns in silver and rainbow trout colors. The largest brown we have seen was 31 inches with many more 24-inches-plus. We are also seeing some nice rainbows caught on similar lures similar to Panther Martins with black body with yellow spots and gold blade. Drift-fishing remains good using Uncommon Bait Neo Pink Eggs and tipping the hook with shrimp. 

 

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 1-9-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said the lake level is at 657 feet msl and the water temperature is 48 degrees, give or take. “I haven’t been much with below beautiful weather; looks like next week will be better. If you decide to go this weekend, bundle up and be safe. Fishing will be good especially before the fronts.
“Shallow guys, there are plenty of fish on the bank. If there’s wind and clouds, I’m covering water where the wind hits square on the bank. Check out sides of points, chunk rock, steep bank or ledge rock close to deeper water. A SPRO Crawler, Wiggle Wart, Red Craw or green variations. You’ll have keep moving to find them but when you do there’s usually a few close.
“There are always fish to be caught on a jig. If it’s sunny, fish points with a little wind, or brush or ledges, but you’re looking anywhere from 20-40 feet, and shallower if we get clouds.
“The winter patterns are working. Offshore video gaming. Shad are still spread out with the water generating. Target bigger bait balls and shad becomes the structure. Look in creek hollers in 50-90 feet overall depth; every day every creek will be a little different. Loons and graph time pay off this time of year. Use a single 2.8 white swimbait or jerkbait or Flutter Spoon around those high swimming shad or dying shad balls, early or late in the day when shad are up in the water column. If they are being finicky, hang a Tater Shad over the side. For schooling fish, try a Jewel Scope Spin or a jigging Rap. Use a Jewel Scuba Spoon for those bottom dwellers. Lots of different species showing up out there in the middle. Each day is different so “fish the conditions.” 

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

(updated 1-9-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the walleye are in 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 going to be a good place to start looking, and 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 now are going to be fishing deep in 50-70 feet of water using three-quarter-ounce or 1-ounce spoons or Ice Jigs. Throwing a jerkbait on windblown points in 8-12 feet of water has been producing a few good fish, also. Search out points with deep water close by those depths.

(updated 1-9-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are scattered in the creek brushpiles all the way out to the main lake. Look for structure anywhere from 15-30 feet. The one-eighth-ounce Tater Baits Small Fry have been working well, along with minnows.