🎣 Fishing Reports
Bull Shoals • Table Rock • Norfork Lake • Taneycomo • White River • Norfork River • Buffalo River • Crooked Creek
| Type | Period | Time (CDT) | Duration | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Major | Moon Overhead | 5:59 PM | 2 hrs | Upcoming |
| Major | Moon Underfoot | 5:59 AM | 2 hrs | Past |
| Minor | Moonrise | 10:43 AM | 1 hr | Upcoming |
| Minor | Moonset | 1:16 AM | 1 hr | Past |
Right now on Bull Shoals Lake, we're dealing with some new regulations that you'll want to have locked in before you head out. The tailwater below the dam is catch-and-release only for trout up to the Norfork Access, but once you get below that confluence down to Highway 58, you can keep two trout with some slot restrictions — just one over 14 inches. It's a bit different than what we've been used to, so definitely brush up on those rules. Over at Table Rock Lake, things are looking really promising for bass fishing in 2026 thanks to those high water levels we've had. The electrofishing surveys from last fall showed solid numbers of keeper-sized largemouths in the 15-18 inch range, which means this could be an excellent spring and early summer for topwater action. Down on the Spring River, we're still dry — water's running about 290 cfs versus the normal 350 — but conditions are fishable with clear water and easy wading if you don't mind a bit of wind.
🏆 Top 3 Right Now
1. Table Rock Lake — Largemouth Bass — Fall surveys confirmed excellent populations of 15-18 inch fish; high lake levels have created ideal spawning conditions and this is prime season for quality bass. 2. Bull Shoals Tailwater (White River below dam to Norfork Access) — Rainbow Trout — Clear, consistent flows with catch-and-release opportunity; excellent trout habitat and you're literally fishing our home water. 3. Spring River — Smallmouth Bass and Panfish — Clear water and easy wading despite low flows; less pressure than other options and the clarity should help you sight-fish in shallower areas.
Bull Shoals Lake
The proclamation calls for catch-and-release of all trout in the 45 miles of tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam to the White River’s confluence with the North Fork River (specifically to the boat ramp at Norfork Access), as well as catch-and-release only on the entirety of the Norfork Dam tailwater. The trout waters below the White River-North Fork River confluence, from the Norfork Access boat ramp to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion, will have a two-trout-only limit with normal length and daily limits (only one trout over 14 inches). Tackle restrictions for the regular Bull Shoals and Rim Shoals …
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 t…
Norfork Lake
Norfork Lake For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Norfork Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .
Lake Taneycomo
April 1, 2026 Fishing Report Post author: Phil Lilley Post published: April 1, 2026 Post category: Uncategorized Post comments: 0 Comments This has not been a typical spring start for Lake Taneycomo. Our area is still in a drought; although we’ve had some rain this winter, it has not been enough to keep our lakes above power pool levels. And it’s been very warm, except for a couple of very cold spells in January and February. So we haven’t seen the flows we’re used to in late winter or early spring. Our generation patterns have been fairly consistent lately with no generation at night or in …
White River
White River NOTE: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has changed limits for the Bull Shoals Tailwater between the Bull Shoals Dam and the Norfork Access, effective Feb. 1: Now, anglers may keep two rainbow trout daily, no longer than 14 inches; all other trout caught must be released immediately. Below Norfork Access to Arkansas Highway 58 (at Guion), anglers may keep two trout of any species, only one may be longer than 14 inches. Brook trout must be at least 14 inches to keep; brown, cutthroat and tiger trout must be 23 inches long to keep. Cotter Area (updated 4-16-2026) Cotter Trout Doc…
Norfork River
The proclamation calls for catch-and-release of all trout in the 45 miles of tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam to the White River’s confluence with the North Fork River (specifically to the boat ramp at Norfork Access), as well as catch-and-release only on the entirety of the Norfork Dam tailwater. The trout waters below the White River-North Fork River confluence, from the Norfork Access boat ramp to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion, will have a two-trout-only limit with normal length and daily limits (only one trout over 14 inches). Tackle restrictions for the regular Bull Shoals and Rim Shoals …
Buffalo River
No report available at this time. Check back after float season begins.
Crooked Creek
No report available at this time. Check back after float season begins.
Spring River
Spring River ( updated 4-9-2026) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are at 290 cfs (350 is average for the Spring River) and water clarity has been clear. “A bit of much-needed rainfall has fallen lately, but mostly we have had strong winds — making for a tough day on the water; just put the wind to your back for effortless casting. “But seriously, the area is still in need of rain. Easy wading conditions, but not as easy to float a drift-boat currently. Rafts, canoes and kayaks are the ticket for floating the river, and with all the campgrounds o…