THE ARKANSAS WHITE RIVER



Why is Trout Fishing so Good in the Arkansas White River?

Bull Shoals Dam was completed in July of 1951 and is located approximately 7 miles north of Cotter, Arkansas at White River Mile 418.6. It has a maximum height above the river bed of 256 feet, is 2,256 feet in length, has 17 Spillway Crest Gates, and is the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States. Bull Shoals Lake has a surface area of approximately 45,440 surface acres, 740 miles of shoreline and a lake elevation above "mean sea level" of 654 feet at the top of the Conservation Pool. It has 71,240 surface acres, 1,050 miles of shoreline, and a lake elevation above "mean sea level" of 695 feet at the top of the Flood Control Pool. On the average the lake will be at or below the figures used for the Conservation Pool because that is what is used as the guide level for the generation of hydroelectric power. Both the Dam and Lake are controlled by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and general information can be obtained through the Resident Engineer, Mountain Home Project Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mountain Home Arkansas, 72653. The telephone number is 501-425-2700.

The White River and the Norfork River offer what is arguably the best trout fishing in the world. These rivers have certainly produced the world record fish to back this claim. In addition these rivers hold several line-class world records. Since trout are not native to the Arkansas Ozarks, the fact that they have done so well here is surprising.Water temperatures that exceed 70° F for any length of time will begin to stress and eventually kill trout. What makes it possible for trout to exist in our state are the cold tailwaters below the large, deep reservoirs of Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Norfork. The White River, and the Norfork of the White River were dammed in the 1940's by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and hydropower generation. The water used to generate power comes from deep in the lakes and is always cold. This makes for excellent trout fishing all year. The release of the cold water into the rivers below the dams eventually eliminated most of our warm water species such as Smallmouth, Crappie, Bluegill, and Catfish by interfering with their highly temperature-dependant reproductive cycles. In an effort to mitigate the lost fisheries resources, rainbow trout were stocked experimentally in the late 1940's. They thrived, growing over an inch a month initially, in the cool, productive waters and the long southern growing season. The success of these early stockings eventually led to the construction of the Norfork National Trout Hatchery just below Norfork dam.


Are There Any Catch & Release Areas On The Arkansas White River?

Still, until 1995, virtually all rainbows were caught within a few days of stocking and trophy fish were virtually unknown since the days when hatchery brood stock were occasionally replaced and released (now eggs are purchased from elsewhere). Then, the AG&FC established two catch and release areas where no harvest is allowed. Located in the first 1/2 mile below Bull Shoals Dam, and on a 1-mile section at Rim Shoals, rainbows there now survive to trophy size which they attain quickly due to their rapid growth. A fine example is a 13 pound rainbow that was taken in the catch and release area just below Bull Shoals Dam. Some trophy rainbow are now taken outside these areas when they leave for a spawning migration or just wander. An occasional ten-pounder gets caught, and lately there have been many 5 to 7-pound fish taken. The current state record of 19 pounds, 1 ounce was caught on the White. Cutthroat trout are also plentiful. The White produced the current state record cutthroat as well (9 pounds 9 ounces). The designated trout waters extend from Bull Shoals Dam to the town of Guion, a distance of about 80 miles. Below Gulon (including two reaches between three locks and dams), the White contains excellent cool and warm water fish populations. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass are the most important sport fisheries. Channel catfish are stocked annually into that portion of the river. American eels can be caught there at night during low flow and this section is especially popular with sucker giggers (which is legal in season). There are three AG&FC access areas in the lower reaches of the tailwaters.


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For more information about guided trout fishing trips and guided sight-seeing tours
on the White River in Arkansas, call Chuck's Fishing Service or email us today.
Thanks for browsing our Web site and good luck! - Chuck McCarney

Chuck's Fishing Service
PO Box 287
Gassville, Arkansas 72635
Phone: 870-321-3679
Email: Chuck's Fishing Service
Owner/Operator Chuck McCarney