🎣 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 hot right now with water temps at a comfortable 84°F and the lake climbing back toward full pool at 662 feet msl. Del Colvin's crew is working the transition as generation ramps up during the day—we're talking three units in the morning pushing to four by midafternoon, which means fish will be active on main lake structure and current breaks. The real action is on the White River tailwater where silver inline spinners and small spoons are connecting with trout in the drift, and over on Norfork tailwater at that lean 206 CFS you've got gin-clear, spooky conditions that reward early-morning presentations with ultralight gear. Lake Taneycomo is steady at 53°F with consistent minimum flows into the afternoon—perfect for targeting trout on small spinners and live crawdads. Spring River just cleared up after heavy rains and black leeches and Woollies are producing solid rainbows.
The mood across the region is solid: lakes are stable, tailwaters are fishable, and if you time the generation windows right on Bull Shoals you'll find aggressive fish staging on points and current-driven structure.
🏹 What's Working — Baits & Lures
- Silver inline spinner (White River, drift-fishing on generation)
- Mepps #0 spinner (Norfork tailwater, early morning low-flow)
- 1/16 oz Blue Fox spoon in silver (Norfork tailwater, deeper slots and structure)
- Black leech pattern (Spring River, post-rain clearing)
- Live crawdad on slip-float rig (Lake Taneycomo, afternoon minimum flows)
🎮 How They're Fishing
- Drift-fishing silver spinners (White River, midday generation)
- Early-morning ultralight spinning (Norfork tailwater, before light spooks trout)
- Float-fishing live crawdads (Lake Taneycomo, afternoon transitions)
- Working small spoons deep on structure (Norfork tailwater, gin-clear conditions)
💡 Guide's Insider Tip
Del Colvin warns: once summer generation slows, Bull Shoals will form a thermocline. Fish it hard now before the squeeze hits—target structure during peak generation windows.
🏆 Top Picks Right Now
The upper Norfork tailwater near the dam is your sanctuary at low flows—trout cluster there where water stays oxygenated and structure concentrates baitfish. Approach downstream, work deliberately, and save your energy for early light.
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 Report – October 9, 2026 We're running a lean 206 CFS this morning—gin-clear conditions with excellent wading. At these low flows, trout are spooky and holding tight to structure. Stick with small stuff: Mepps #0 spinners and 1/16 oz Blue Fox spoons in silver or gold. Work the deeper slots and behind rocks methodically. Early morning is prime time before light spooks these fish further. The upper tailwater near the dam is your best bet right now. If you're drifting, go ultralight—a slip-float rig with live crawdads or sculpins wor…
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | Moon Overhead | 12:07 PM | 2 hrs | Upcoming |
| Major | Moon Underfoot | 12:07 AM | 2 hrs | Past |
| Minor | Moonrise | 6:11 AM | 1 hr | 🟢 NOW |
| Minor | Moonset | 6:03 PM | 1 hr | Upcoming |
- 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.