North Arkansas Fishing Report

White River: Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and running low with 3 to 4 generators running. Trout are biting well on rainbow-colored PowerBait, brown/white marabou jigs and stick baits.

Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said Bull Shoals is running around the clock with five units. Drift fishing from a boat with San Juan worms (pink, red, worm brown), Prince nymphs (sizes 12-14), Fox Squirrel nymphs (sizes 12-14), R&R Caddis (sizes 12-14) is producing many of fish. Streamer fishing with fast-sinking lines and large flies is producing larger fish.

Guide Davy Wotton said the expected shad kill has not materialized, but there have been a few good days of shad coming through the dam. It is possible that we will see further shad kills for both the White and Norfork rivers during March. Water temperature in the lakes is still in the low 40s. Lake levels are more or less at pool which hopefully will indicate lower water flows and very likely no generation for extended periods of time providing plenty of opportunity for the wade fishermen. This is the time of the year fly fisherman look forward to – the caddis fly hatches are the first sign of major insect activity on Arkansas’s rivers, followed by the sulphur mayfly. Midge hatches do take place every day, and until we see low water flows, we will not see daytime feeding activity. The Bull Shoals Dam Catch-and-Release Zone holds many fish once the generation period ceases. Overall general fly fishing techniques should include dead drift indicator fishing with flies such as Dynamite and San Juan worms in red, pink, tan and orange. Chironomids, hook sizes 12 to 16 for generated water levels, in black, red, claret; both prism and whitetail midge patterns are doing well at this time. Streamer fishing can be on and off. The past weeks warmer weather saw many anglers on the water fishing the shorelines, fish do wise up to seeing the same thing over and over. Do not expect a high numbers day, you may well nail a few trophy Browns, you never know. Typical streamers should include those in the color combinations of olive, brown olive, yellow and rust orange, the hot fly at this time being the Sex Dungeon, and large olive woolly buggers. Color of fly used may make a great deal of difference, so it pays to change until you find the best combination. The recent change in regulations has caused much more angling pressure with anglers fishing with Rogues, stick baits and other spin-cast baits, such as Buoyant Spoons and Rooster Tails. Low water temps are as a rule not conducive for fish to chase lures. Here again it pays to change baits until a favored one is found. Many trophy brown trout have been caught on dead shad. Bottom-fishing with nightcrawlers and red, pink or white scented baits have been producing well for the rainbows.

White River (From Buffalo City to Red’s Landing): Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the fishing has really picked up the last few days. The water levels are coming down slightly, but there is still plenty of water. A few shad are coming through the dam once in awhile but it’s not significant. Cast Rapalas and Zig Jigs near the bank for the best action.

Buffalo River: Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said water levels are still a little high in the mid and lower sections for fishing. Water temperatures are hitting the high 40s in the afternoon. Fish slowly on the bottom to pick up a few smallmouths.

Crooked Creek: Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said water levels are very good just below the bridge at Kelly’s Slab. The water temperature is in the mid-40s.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 653.98 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 551.95 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).

101 Grocery and Bait had no new report.

Norfork Tailwater: Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said periods of no generation has allowed for some wade fishing. Nymphing, swinging soft hackles and stripping small streamers are all producing fish. Fly selection includes: zebra midges (gray, black), beadhead simple sow (sizes 14-16), humpback scuds (gray, sizes 12-16), partridge/peacock (sizes 14-18) and sparrows (gray, sizes 8-12).

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said generation is up and down by the day, which does not help fishing. A few shad are coming through Norfork Dam, but it’s relatively insignificant. Zig Jigs have been steadily producing as well as Rapalas with a single, barbless hook in the Catch-and-Release zone.

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