Fishing the White River

People enjoy spin fishing and fly fishing the White River. The upper White River is better known for the assortment of bass (smallmouth, largemouth, rock, and Kentucky), catfish (channel, blue, and flathead), and even sunfish. Often, fishermen have luck with spinnerbaits, crawfish imitators, and skirted jigs, as well as minnows or other natural bait.  

Below the Bull Shoals Dam, and near F5 Cabins, it's trout fishing heaven! This stretch of the White River is famous and known world-wide for the trophy rainbow and brown trout. The area is stocked with thousands of trout by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The third largest brown trout ever caught in Arkansas was landed February 27, 2015 just down the river from F5 Cabins. The "hog" weighed in at 37.5 pounds!  hat doesn't happen every day, but you will have a good chance of landing a "trophy" fish while fishing our beautiful waters!

There are also cutthroat and brook trout on the White River, more rare, but still a possibility. 

Bull Shoals to Cotter is the most popular stretch of water for trout fishing, with many fishermen preferring night fishing because brown trout are nocturnal feeders. Fly fishing is also more popular during low water periods. Some of the best fishing below the Bull Shoals Dam is done during the winter months...this stretch of the White River is open to year-round fishing.

Fishermen on the White River must always remember...the stream is subject to sudden fluctuations because of power generation at the dam. The White River can become very swift, and dangerous, especially for waders.  Always check water levels and dam generation schedules before going out on the river.