Cotter Trout Dock Weekly Fishing Report

February 4, 2026

Below is the Fishing Report from Arkansas Game and Fish.

White River

Cotter Area
(updated 2-5-2026) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “There’s nothing average about the weather we’ve been experiencing this new year, and there are no average days on the White River: All are memory-makers!
“Whether you’re busy counting rainbows, watching for a colorful cutthroat

or taking time to hook into a sensational brown trout, there are no ordinary days on the river. Water levels have been a little erratic — starting out low, rising in early afternoon, then dropping a couple of hours later as they adjust for power demands.”

Releases from Bull Shoals Dam have been variable, from minimum flow (700 cfs) to nearly three units (9,000 cfs) regularly over the last week. The lake is almost 7 feet below its normal power pool of 659 feet msl. Expect cold (to very cold) early mornings followed by a decent rise in the temperature.  “Too nice to stay home,” they say.  “With the spawn officially at an end, we’re anticipating some nice catches with the brown bite alternating between sculpins and minnows. Nightcrawlers proved their worth for bank fishermen, and dragging a scented white worm worked well angling from the john boats in medium or higher water levels.

“The rainbows are responding really nicely to ⅛-ounce jigs — white, olive/ginger, or olive/black — during lower water events, but several large rainbows have snapped at sculpins, too.

The higher water has allowed some fun streamer action; try white/gray streamers first. “Be especially cautious if you are casting from the bank or if you are able to wade into the main channel — the water level can change very quickly. Don’t be caught unawares.  Regardless of water level, remember: Big fish like big bait.”

NOTE: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has changed limits for the Bull Shoals Tailwater between the Bull Shoals Dam and the Norfork Access, effective Feb. 1: Now, anglers may keep two rainbow trout daily, no longer than 14 inches; all other trout caught must be released immediately. Below Norfork Access to Arkansas Highway 58 (at Guion), anglers may keep two trout of any species, only one may be longer than 14 inches. Brook trout must be at least 14 inches to keep; brown, cutthroat and tiger trout must be 23 inches long to keep.

 Calico Rock Area
(updated 2-5-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We hope everyone survived the winter storm in good condition. Due to electrical demand, we have seen varied generation from the dams, resulting in varied water depths. Recently the depths have varied between 4 and 7 feet. Fishing has been good for both rainbow trout and brown trout. Drift-fishing with a silver inline spinner with eggs and tipped with shrimp resulted in good days of fishing for rainbow trout with numerous 14-inch-plus rainbows being caught. Brown trout fishing has been hot using Rapala Countdown CD7 in brown trout or silver/black colors. Additionally, Dynamic J-Spec lures in brown trout and ghost rainbow colors worked well.  

“Since our last report, we received one stocking from Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery of 1,000 rainbows at the Calico Rock boat ramp, with an additional 1,000 each at the Chessmond Ferry boat ramp and Sylamore Creek boat ramp. It is nice to see we are going to get some nicer weather over the next week, perfect for getting out on the river.”

 

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 2-5-2026) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake said Wednesday that the lake level is down to 651 feet msl, about 8 feet below normal pool. Water temperature is in the 45- to 46-degree range. Bass fishing has been fair overall. Looks like winter weather is holding on, but the forecast looks great. Be safe out there.

For powerfishing, a Wiggle Wart and SPRO Rock Crawler are patterns working. Red Craw variants, like the Mo Craw, will work. Fish the stone cold steeper, 45-degree, nasty rock, ledges and transition banks, especially the chunk rock ledges. Try covering water with wind and clouds. That’s ideal. Try a Megabass Jerkbait along bluff ends and points that have deep water nearby. The cold has some shad dying off high in the water. If the conditions are flat and sunny, get off the bank. There are always fish to be caught on a  jig, like a half-ounce Jewel. 

It’s winter, so looking at them has been the predominant pattern working for me. There are shad in the creeks, but a lot of them are breaking up and moving out deep over deep water. Graph time will pay off this time of year. Find the shad, find the fish. Most of the shad seem to suspend down in 60-80 feet over deeper water. Most of the fish seem to be holding at 50 feet or less, suspended over trees or up roaming relatively shallow. 

Try a smaller 2.8 Tater Shad dead-sticked or shake a Rapala Mooch Minnow if they are up active. A Rapala-style ice jig will get down fast if they are moving fast. Day to day they will prefer one over the other  Each day is a little different. The shad are definitely on the move and the post front days are always going to be rough. Remember: “Fish the conditions.”

(updated 2-5-2026) Southernwalleye Guide Service said walleye winter fishing patterns are still holding for the most part, but change should be coming soon with the spawning season just around the corner. Smaller male walleye are starting to show up, indicating spawning is not far off. Start looking on windblown spawning points early mornings or late evenings or on cloudy days. 

If we get warm rain, look on the points close to deep water in the backs of coves with the most runoff. If there is no rain to pull them back into the coves, fish points that the sun warms up the most throughout the day on the main lake and secondary points. Fish shallow early, 2-6 feet and deeper, then after the sun comes up in 8-15 feet of water.

Jigs (1/8 to 3/8 ounces)and minnows or jigs and plastic work well after the sun comes up. Jerkbaits such as the 110 and 110+1 style in black and silver or clown colors are also good at this time.

If trolling, try stick baits like Rattlin’ Rogues in purple/chartreuse or black and gold. Troll in 8-15 feet of water at slow speeds — 0.8 to 1.0 mph seems to work best this early in the season. If you’re into night fishing, 2 hours before light and up to 2-3 hours after dark seem to be the best times. Fishing slow is the key. 

(updated 2-5-2026) Crappie 101 Guide Service says they’re still finding crappie on timber in places, and also finding them in the creeks on brushpiles mainly in 15-25 feet of water. The bite has been pretty good overall with minnows; jigs have been working some, too. They’ve been throwing a 1/16-ounce jig with a Small Fry bait.