🎣 Fishing Reports
Bull Shoals • Table Rock • Norfork Lake • Taneycomo • White River • and more
Reports updated nightly — pulling the most current conditions from AGFC, MDC, and local guides so you wake up knowing what the fish are doing.
🎣 Fishing Summary
Bull Shoals Lake • Norfork • Table Rock • White River • and more
Bull Shoals Lake is running big water right now—the Corps is pushing three to four generators, and we're climbing back toward that power pool elevation. Water temp is holding at a comfortable 84°F, but here's the real talk: once generation throttles back, that thermocline is going to set up and change the game. For now, bass and stripers are still accessible on the main lake points and near structure; focus your efforts on 3/8 oz chartreuse spinnerbaits worked shallow to mid-depth, or throw Rapalas along the bluffs when the water slows down. Down the chain, the Norfork Tailwater is running gin-clear at 206 CFS—tough conditions but a legitimate opportunity if you're willing to downsize and be patient early. The White River around Calico Rock continues to produce solid drift-fishing action with silver inline spinners, and Lake Taneycomo's consistent generation flows have trout dialed in at 53°F with good structure holding.
The mood across the region is transitional: summer heat is fading, generation patterns are stabilizing, and the fish are repositioning. If you're hitting Bull Shoals this weekend, get out before that mid-afternoon generation ramp-up if you want to fish shallower; if you're chasing trout on the tailwaters, dawn is your window before sun pressure sends them deep.
🏹 What's Working — Baits & Lures
- 3/8 oz chartreuse spinnerbait (Bull Shoals Lake, main lake points dawn to mid-morning)
- #0 and #1 Mepps spinners (Norfork Tailwater, upper section before sun)
- 1/16 oz Blue Fox spoon (Norfork Tailwater, deeper pockets low-generation mornings)
- Silver inline spinner (White River Calico Rock area, drift-fishing all day)
- Black leech pattern (Spring River, after high water clears).
🎮 How They're Fishing
- Spinner casting on main lake structure (Bull Shoals Lake, early morning before four-unit generation)
- Float fishing #0 Mepps spinners in seams (Norfork Tailwater, first light with light tippet)
- Drift-fishing silver spinners (White River Calico Rock, dropping water conditions)
- Tight-line nymphing with small midges (Norfork Tailwater catch-and-release section, low-light windows).
💡 Guide's Insider Tip
Del Colvin warns that once Bull Shoals generation slows this summer, a thermocline will form and dramatically shift where fish hold—get familiar with structure now while they're still shallow.
🏆 Top Picks Right Now
The Norfork Tailwater's upper section below the dam is your best bet during low-generation days like today; Otter Creek access offers better structure and less spooky fish than the main channel when you're dealing with gin-clear water and 206 CFS flows.
Bull Shoals Lake
Bull Shoals Lake measured 662.01 feet msl Wednesday, fast approaching desired power pool elevation, with generation continuing with three units (9,000 cfs) in the morning, rising a little earlier than it has been, to almost 12,000 cfs (four generators) by midafternoon. (updated 7-9-2026) Local reports indicate the water temperature is around 84 degrees. “Feels great to jump in for a swim if you get hot. The Corps of Engineers have been running big water. Not looking forward to the summer squeeze. Once generation slows down, the lake typically will form a thermocline. The lake level is down to …
Table Rock Lake
Fishing for black bass should be excellent in 2026. Largemouth bass are plentiful throughout the lake as a result of the high lake levels in past years. Fall 2025 electrofishing surveys revealed good numbers of largemouth bass in the 15”-18” range. These surveys also revealed an abundance of spotted bass in the 11”-14” range, with just three percent of the spotted bass captured in the fall 2025 surveys exceeding 15”. Due to the high abundance and slow growth rates of spotted bass in Table Rock Lake, the minimum length limit is planned to be reduced to 12” in 2026. Anglers are encouraged to har…
White River
Cotter Area (updated 7-9-2026) Local reports indicate “Change is hard for some folks, so we hang on to the best of our world: Trout fishing on the White River here in the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks continues to produce great catches and tons of action. The beauty, peace and hospitality you’ll find in Cotter, Trout Capital USA, and the whole of north-central Arkansas will keep you coming back for more.” Calico Rock Area (updated 7-9-2026) Local reports indicate “Last week we saw the river crest in the morning around 10 feet, dropping throughout the day to about 8 feet. We continue to have succes…
Norfork River
[USACE Norfork Dam — 206 CFS total release] # Norfork Tailwater Fishing Report – September 10, 2026 We're running lean this morning at 206 CFS—gin-clear water and tough conditions for the trout. Fish are spooky, so downsize everything. Stick to the upper tailwater below the dam with #0 and #1 Mepps spinners or 1/16 oz Blue Fox spoons. Work the slower seams and deeper pockets; the trout are holding tight. Early morning is your window before the sun pushes them deeper. Light tippet and stealth are critical today. If you're willing to be patient, the catch-and-release section and Otter Creek acce…
Norfork Lake
No report available at this time. Check back after float season begins.
Lake Taneycomo
September 1, 2026 Fishing Report Post author: Phil Lilley Post published: September 1, 2026 Post category: Uncategorized We have had fairly consistent generation flows here on Lake Taneycomo for most of August, which makes trout fishing pretty good. They have been running minimum flow starting around 7 a.m. into the afternoon, then increasing it up to 135 megawatts (2.5 units) from mid-afternoon into the evening. Our water temperature has gone up to about 53 degrees, which is normal for this time of year. Dissolved oxygen levels have dropped, so dam operators are injecting liquid oxygen into t…
🚴 Float Rivers
Live gauge readings — Buffalo, Crooked Creek, Spring & Kings
| Type | Period | Time (CDT) | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor | Moonrise | 6:14 AM | 1 hr | Past |
- Minor periods carry more weight: Crescent moons produce moderate solunar pull -- do not ignore the minor windows, they can surprise you.
- Conditions override: During weak lunar phases, water temperature, wind, and cloud cover drive bass behavior more than moon position.
- Cover and current: Target current seams, laydowns, and dock shade -- bass stack in ambush spots when solunar activity is light.