Cotter Trout Dock Weekly Fishing Report

  May 7, 2025

More reports and other videos are on the Cotter Trout Dock Youtube Channel Page.
Below is the Arkansas Game and Fish Fishing Report May 7, 2025.

White River

Cotter Area

(updated 5-8-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “When the early morning mist is on the river, it’s a perfect time to lay a line on the water and wait for that first tug. The water level has returned to a fairly consistent flow of one generator (3,000 cfs) for now, although Bull Shoals Lake is rising and is nearly 18 feet above power pool, sitting at 679.32 feet msl.

“D2 jigs with orange heads (Peaches or the Brown Trout D2) have been the wonder baits on this lower water. Don’t stray too far from any rainbow-patterned baits (Rooster Tails, Rapala Countdowns No. 5 or 7 or red/gold hammered spoons) for a quick bite. A red wiggler or a juicy nightcrawler tied on in the afternoon, if generation flow increases, will always attract some trout.

“Low water levels on some mornings make it easy to catch a sculpin or two to put at the end of your line and lure the larger browns. There have been numerous days with catches of 10 browns or more. Shad or shad-wannabe baits continue to cause a stir, too.

“Visit the White River in Arkansas Ozark country — take time to slow down, catch your breath and relax. Concede to the peace and leave it be for a day or two while you catch a few trout.”

 

Calico Rock Area
(updated 5-8-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “Beginning last Friday, we have seen reduced water releases from both Bull Shoals and Norfork dams. Our water levels have gone from over 14 feet to around 8 feet. The water conditions have improved significantly, and we are seeing great fishing as a result. The water remains dingy but not dirty. Drift-fishing with silver-colored inline spinners with two Uncommon Bait UV eggs and tipped with either shrimp, corn or worms has worked well. On average, we are seeing some nice limits of rainbows with many fish just under 14 inches and one fish over 14 inches. Drift-fishing with sculpins resulted in some bigger rainbows and brown trout being caught. 

“With the lower water, we are seeing more success with Rapala Countdowns or Dynamic J-Spec lures in rainbow trout colors.

“The weather forecast (as of Wednesday) shows days with rain chances, but as of now, most of the rain is late afternoon into the night with not much accumulation. Good for the hay fields without the river rising and becoming muddy. 

“This week, we received one stocking of rainbow trout at the Calico Rock boat ramp. Mother’s Day is this weekend, and we wish all mothers to have a great day.”

 

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 5-8-2025) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake said Wednesday that the lake level is still on the rise at 679 feet, which puts it 20 feet high. Water temperature is about 66 degrees but it will vary in the mid-60s depending on location. The bigger creeks have some debris — be careful with floaters as the wind changes direction and the lake rises. Take debris precautions on flooded launch ramps and courtesy docks. Parking has started to become an issue as parking areas are now underwater. The marinas are trying their best to accommodate everyone. We have more precipitation in the forecast. The water toward the main lake is gin clear headed toward the dam, while there is color still in the creeks. 

Bass are still in all phases of the spawn. Powerfishing shallow has been favorable with clouds, rain, wind and stained water. Use spinnerbaits, Chatterbait and a square bill in bright colors in the stained water. Target windblown points and flats near spawning coves/pockets. Also look around secondary points, checking the flooded buckbrush. We’re flipping bushes with a worm, lizard or a Beaver-style bait. Fry guarders will fall for a 5-inchSenko or a floating worm. There are always fish to be caught on a jig such as a Jewel ½-ounce green pumpkin variant on the old brush line. Also try the shaky head, wobble head or a Ned rig. Del says he’s still using green pumpkin.

The offshore videogamers continue to have to work. The mass of shad is still spread out moving out of the creeks. Target larger bait balls or any bait you can find up high near the surface and closer to the shore. If you are targeting shad eaters, it’s been work. A smaller 2.8 swimbait and or a regular Tater Shad has been working.

Topwater has started with the shad spawn. “I’m a fan of the Lucky Craft Gunfish or a small white Pop-R or Zara Spook Jr. 

“Good luck, have fun, be safe and ‘Fish the conditions.’”

(updated 5-8-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service said fishing in the backs of creeks with stain water has been producing a few fish. Fish over buckbrush with spinnerbaits or a ⅛-ounce jighead with a small swimbait. A shallow-running jerkbait such as a Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue will get some bites. If the sun is high, fish a little deeper along the old shore line. Walleye seemed to have slowed down this past week due to the passing cold front. Fish are still in the same location but just reluctant to bite. Fish are scattered along chunk rock points with deep water close by and along steeper creek channel swings that have shad. Some walleye are being caught in open water over the flooded trees. Fishing 4-15 ft of water with jerkbaits  or fishing the old shore line in 18-20 feet of water with jig and minnow, jig and plastic, or Ice Jigs — worked slowly back to the boat on points with deep water on at least one side — will produce fish. Fishing the same structure right before and after dark with 110-style jerkbaits or 5-inch floating stick baits and retrieved back at extremely slow speeds will get some fish.

If trolling shallow, try to fish low-light periods. Trolling size 7 Flicker Shads at speeds of 1.5 to 1.7 mph in 18-20 feet along windblown banks will also work. If trolling deep, try deep-diving crankbaits with snapweights to get your baits down 60-70 feet and fish over the flooded trees in 80-plus feet of water at 1.5 to 1.7 mph.

(updated 5-8-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service says crappie are mostly spawned out, as females are almost empty, and fish are relating back to structure. Structure has been a little harder to find in the right zones with the lake being up. Cover lots of water and when you do find them, minnows and occasionally 1/16-ounce jigs with small fry baits have been working. “I’ve been using the Electric Monkey from Taterbaits since the water has had a little color to it lately. Lake stability will be key eventually and it will get better. Stay after them.”

 

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

(updated 5-8-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters reports that the lake has risen to 570 feet msl, the White River is swollen and the Norfork Dam release has been cut to

reduce the water released into the White River. The creeks remain stained, but the main lake is clean and clear. 

The stripers are very aggressive as the threadfin shad spawn continues. The topwater bite is slow but should increase as we return to warmer weather. The stripers are biting all over the lake — most lake points and buffs are producing the best bite. 

“What I have found is the stripers are not holding to one area for very long. One day they are in the creeks along the bluffs, the next on a creek flat. If you’re not marking them, move on and come back later, as they move when the wind increases. 

“The full moon is Monday and the warm weather is returning. We should see an explosion of topwater opportunities.

“This week has been some of the best striper fishing of the year. Multiple stripers have been caught over 20 pounds, and (Wednesday) a 37-pounder was caught. All the fish were released to fight another day.

“The crappie bite has picked up, with the lower end creeks producing the best bite. The crappie are spawning in the brush and trees in the back of the creeks. Look for brush and standing timber that are 10 feet deep. Set your bobber at 3 feet with minnows or jigs as bait.”