Cotter Trout Dock Weekly Fishing Report
May 14, 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 14, 2025.
White River
Cotter Area
(updated 5-15-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the lakes in the White River watershed are pretty full and are being attentively managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. Bull Shoals Lake is hovering at 681.91 feet msl. “Soon we’ll begin the slow and steady release of lake waters into the White River below Bull Shoals Dam, so get out your weighted line, heavier sinkers and big, gutsy stick baits because they’ll be your ticket to successful trout catching. At this time however, releases from the dam remain low for most of the day, averaging one unit (3,300 cfs) with large spurts in the late afternoon for a few hours. That means the White River below Bull Shoals is relatively shallow and may be wadable in some spots during morning hours.“This week we continued trolling with the blue and silver spoons (Cleos or the hammered Thomas Buoyants); the rainbows haven’t turned away from them yet. They’re also biting at just about any worm, especially when a bubblegum pink worm is used in conjunction with shrimp. Don’t discount the live ones — red wigglers and Canadian nightcrawlers — for catching great rainbows. Jiggin’ jigs is a great fun way to catch a bundle — they tell me it’s the D2s with orange heads, any color skirt.
“The best brown bite here in the Cotter area has been with slimy sculpins. The best ones are the blue gummers, as the old-timers call them — turquoise-colored bellies. Look for them under rocks while the water is low and generation slow.
“School will be out soon. Bring your kids or grandkids to the river and let them learn about The Natural State of things. We can help; come see us or visit here for more information. See you at the river.”
Calico Rock Area
(updated 5-15-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “Water conditions have been great this last week with water levels as low as just under 5 feet to about 6.5 feet with mostly clear water. I believe we will continue to see similar water conditions until the lower White River water drops to a sufficient level. Once that happens, I expect we will see a return of higher water, but fishing should remain good.“Drift fishing with Uncommon Boat UV eggs tipped with shrimp or worms is good, and with the lower water, artificial lures have been very effective. We are seeing success with Thompson Colorado quarter-ounce spoons in nickel/gold and Rapala Countdown CD7s in both rainbow trout and brown trout colors along with Dynamic J Spec lures in Glimmer Trout, Brown Trout and Holofoil Silver.
This week, the AGFC stocking raft stocked about 4,800 rainbow trout between Calico Rock and Sylamore Creek. Additionally, there was a stocking of rainbow trout at the Mt. Olive boat ramp.
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 5-15-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake said Wednesday the lake level is still on the rise at 681 feet msl. Water temperature is 70 degrees, give or take. 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 become an issue as boat ramps and parking areas are now underwater. The marinas are trying their best to accommodate everyone. Toward the main lake and the dam the water is gin clear, while there is color still in the creeks.
Bass are still in spawn and post-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 and 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, 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. Del likes the Lucky Craft Gunfish or a small white Pop-R or Zara Spook Jr.-type bait.
“Good luck, have fun, be safe and ‘Fish the conditions.’”
Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Fishing Report.)
(updated 5-15-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service said fishing walleye this week has been good with the fish being caught over buckbrush with spinnerbaits or a ⅛-ounce jighead with a small swimbait, or 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 shoreline. Fish are scattered along chuck 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 the old shoreline in 18-20 feet of water with spinner and crawlers has picked up this week. A jig and crawler slowly worked is also catching. Jig and plastics or Ice jigs worked slowly back to the boat on points with deep water on at least one side will produce 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 snap weights 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 5-15-2025) 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 Tater Baits 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.”