Cotter Trout Dock Weekly Fishing Report

  February 26, 2025

More reports and other videos are on the Cotter Trout Dock Youtube Channel Page.
Below is the Arkansas Game and Fish Fishing Report February 26, 2025.

White River

(updated 2-27-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “It feels like spring; warmer weather is here at least for a while and the fishing is strong on our rivers here in the Arkansas Ozarks.

“Bull Shoals Lake has just about reached the desired power pool level, sitting at 658.5 feet msl on Wednesday. The Army Corps of Engineers and the Southwestern Power Administration have been varying outflows fairly significantly over the past week, from about one unit (3,000 cfs) to over four units (12,000 cfs) at times, so be very careful and pay attention to the river conditions. Trout can adjust to water level changes without too much trouble, although it might take a little time, so come with an arsenal.

“The brown trout have been biting mid-sized to oversized sculpins and minnows, and love chasing No. 5 or No. 7 Rapala Countdowns. The gold/black has been very successful on this water. Late winter sees a great catch of browns — some even biting on a wriggling redworm.

“The rainbows are responding really well to jigs: one-eighth-ounce white, olive/ginger or peachy, but several large rainbows have snatched on sculpins, too. Also, there’s a new Rooster Tail in town. A “Super” Rooster … Tail. Waiting for some feedback.

“Be prepared for low to very low temperatures in the morning and, more often than not, sun-warmed afternoons. The trout are calling! Come over to the White River for some great fishing.”

(updated 2-27-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said the mild weather this week and good river conditions have made for pleasant fishing. With low and clear water, quarter-ounce Thompson Colorado Spoons in nickel/gold and Little Cleo Spoons in gold, gold/fire stripe (and, on cloudy days, silver) worked well, resulting in some nice limits of rainbows. When the water has some dinginess, silver inline spinners with Uncommon Baits Neo Pink ultraviolet eggs tipped with shrimp worked best for rainbow trout. Other effective methods for both rainbow trout and brown trout are jigs (try different ones until finding what the trout like that day), Rapala Countdowns (CD5 or CD7 in rainbow trout or black/silver) and Little Cleo Spoons in gold, gold/fire stripe and (on cloudy days, silver) worked well.
Dave says, “We will be at the Hot Springs Boat, Tackle and RV show from Feb. 28 through March 2. If you are in the area, stop by and say, ‘Hi.’

 

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 2-27-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said the bass, walleye, and crappie guys have gone from snow and negative temps to 70s — unbelievable. It has had a negative effect on the fishing. “Ain’t gonna lie, lots of guys have been struggling. Oh, it’s that magical transition time. Moss is starting to float up in the backs of some creeks.

Lake level on Wednesday was 658 feet msl. The water temperature dropped to 44 degrees last week “and today I marked some 50s even in the clear water. I expect that you are going to have to continue to hit them on the head until it stabilizes.
“There was a noticeable shad kill up the lake and pockets of dying shad up high in the column. Even down around the dam area. A lot of the shad went deep, 60-80 feet, while some are spread out throughout the column. Powerfishing shallow should pop; the smallmouth are definitely up there roaming shallow. The red crawfish spawn typically occurs during this time frame. We could use a warm rain and stained creeks. Wishful thinking.
“A jerkbait will catch a few in the clear water. Target transition banks, chunk rock, steeper banks and small ledges close to deep water. In the wind! A SPRO Crawler, Wiggle Wart, Red Craw or green variations seem to be a bit better for me if we get some wind. The crank bite will slow without it. There are always fish to be caught on a jig. Try a little slower presentation. Once again, warm, little wind, sunny look around points, drop-offs or ledges, piles — you’re looking anywhere from 20-40 feet, and look way shallower (5-10 feet) in stain or cloud cover.
“The video game has changed. Target any bait you can find up high near the surface and closer to the shore. I have seen some large schools capitalizing on these if you can find this scenario and be there at the right time.
“It’s still winter; most fish are still hovering wanting to move up. They are moving around and every day is different and every creek will be a little different. Shouldn’t be long. As always, graph time can pay off this time of year. If you are targeting shad eaters, a regular Tater Shad has been working and a jerkbait around those high swimming shad or dying shad balls early or late in the day when shad are up in the water column. They are being finicky if they aren’t actively feeding. It’s changing by the minute, so have fun, be safe and ‘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 2-27-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says walleye are scattered along the creek channels following the shad. “I am catching some around trees in 40-70 feet of water where the creek passes close to a steep banks or a point halfway to two-thirds back of creeks. Mostly fishing the longer creek arms. Staying close to trees with spoons and jigging Raps. I have also been catching a few on Rapala Rippin’ Raps, jerkbaits and jig-and-minnow pitched up in 8 feet and jigged slowly back out to the boat in 35 feet. Lure colors have been white or shad pattern. This second pattern seems to be working best at low light periods.”

(updated 2-27-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are definitely in the creeks moving in and out from this crazy weather. The bite has gotten tougher in certain areas the last few days due to some shad dying. Deeper brush seems to work a little better when you can find them around 25-30 feet range. An eighth-ounce jig with Small Fry Baits like the one I use from Tater Baits in Purple Monkey color and the new Aurora Blue is working. Patience is key as long as they show interest. If they don’t, move on to the next!”