Cotter Trout Dock Weekly Fishing Report

  May 13, 2026

More reports and other videos are on the Cotter Trout Dock Youtube Channel Page.
Below is the Arkansas Game and Fish Fishing Report May 13, 2026.

White River

Cotter Area

(updated 5-14-2026) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Our mild May temperatures have added to the fun and perfected the dynamic trout fishing on the White River near Cotter; the quality and quantity of trout are keeping anglers of all ages satisfied.”

Bull Shoals Dam is holding steady at minimum flow most of the day, maintaining the river at a constant water level. Late afternoon releases increase the flow 5,000-9,000 cfs to supply rising power demand. Bull Shoals Lake is at 655.83 feet msl and continuing to drop slowly despite the recent rains.

“The water level is right for some jig fishing if you’re floating in a john boat: Olive and brown/orange jigs were the most productive, but the black D2 jig caught some attention, too. The shrimp/PowerBait combo is always a great fallback bait when others aren’t attracting attention. Add a little salt to your shrimp supply to better keep your bait on the hook between bites. 

“The brown trout bite has been exceptional for late spring, with catches in the double-digits some days. Sculpin and shad have been the ticket this week with several good ‘keeper’ browns reeled in.
“Have fun in the chase. Come to the river and catch a trout or two with us.”

 

Calico Rock Area
(updated 5-14-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We continue to see low water levels. Fishing remains great with plenty of fish being caught.  Quarter-ounce Thompson Colorado nickel/gold spoons remain our go-to lure, but we also see a lot of people drift-fishing with eggs and shrimp. Additionally, CD5 Rapala Countdowns in rainbow trout or brown trout colors, Dynamic J-Spec or HD lures in ghost brown or rainbow trout continue to work well.  

 

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 5-14-2026) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake said Wednesday that the lake level is still holding at 655 feet msl (4 or so feet below normal pool) and water temperature is up slightly to about 68 degrees. “Most of the fish are post-spawn. The ‘power fishermen’ are doing fine on the right day (wind/clouds/rain/stain) deep-cranking in 10- to 15-foot drains. Try spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits in the stained water. 

“There are signs of a shad spawn, so get up early. Topwater has started in the early mornings, and I’m covering water with a Spook or popper-style lures. Once that bite slows, try a small Tater Swimbait, or Mayor 2.5 is working in natural shad-imitation colors. I’ve been using the Jewel Shad Spoon or traditional fluke if they are busting the surface, or try your favorite minnow to shake around the shad.
“If the conditions are cold fronts, flat water, high-pressure bluebird and sunny, it will get tough. I will slow down, downsize and get way off the bank and look at deep ledges and brushpiles and bomb-cast with lighter fluorocarbon line. Try a finesse Jewel Pee-Wee Jig in green pumpkin orange, while a Bass Whacker, a green pumpkin shaky head Neko rig and a Ned rig are also working. They’re headed to summer areas, so looking at long points, ledges, brushpiles, bluff ends and deeper water close by. While some bass will be moving in on the sunfish spawn, most seem to be heading out with the shad.
“The tube wobble heads are still in play but have slowed down. The post-spawn fish have a tendency to be finicky, and some move deep to recover, especially if there is shad around. Graph time pays off as usual. The wolf-packing or grouping up has been going. Remember: ‘Fish the conditions!’” 

(updated 5-14-2026) Southernwalleye Guide Service said the fishing this past week has been fair to good. Summer fishing patterns are starting to set up. Some fish are still moving with the shad in the old river channel and creek channels, and more seem to be holding on flatter points with deep water on one side than they did last week. Look for fish on long points close to the channel swings. Main lake and secondary points have been producing a few fish during the day.

Fish shallow in the early morings and on cloudy days in 22-25 feet of water and deeper in 35-45 feet of water if there is little or no cloud cover. Casting jigging spoons and jigging raps in the half-ounce size into 15 feet of water and working it back out into 35 feet has been working. Bottom Bouncing spinner rigs and crawlers around points close to the channel are producing a few fish and should get better soon.

If trolling, try shad-style and small banana-style baits like No. 7 Flicker Shads or No. 9 Flicker Minnow in natural colors. Trolling in 25-35 feet of water at speeds of 1.7to 2.0 mph seems to work best.

The open-water trolling bite has been fair this week. Deep-diving crankbaits like Bandits, Rapala Tail Dancers size 11 and Reef Runners trolled over the flooded forest along the old river channel will get some nice fish. 

(updated 5-14-2026) Crappie 101 Guide Service says crappie are all mixed up sitting in brush in creeks in that 20-foot range, from what we’re seeing. Try a ⅛-ounce jig with Tater Baits’ Crown Royale as well as minnows.