Baxter County, AR · Inland River
White River (Bull Shoals tailwater)
The cold tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam in the Arkansas Ozarks — one of the great trophy trout rivers in America, holding state-record-class brown trout and dense rainbow populations in its long, generation-driven flows. Drift-boated and waded from Bull Shoals down through Cotter and Calico Rock.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Rainbow Trout & Brown Trout — tied at the top (23/100)
2 species tied for best of 2 tracked at White River (Bull Shoals tailwater).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at White River (Bull Shoals tailwater)
2 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 2 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Rainbow Trout Skip the Rainbow Trout trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — The most heavily stocked trout in Maryland. Put-and-take fisheries across the state plus holdover/wild fish in Western MD streams (Savage, Youghiogheny tailwater, Gunpowder). Takes PowerBait, small spinners, and standard dry/nymph patterns.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 2
Arkansas (2026, post-hatchery-crisis reduction): 2 trout/day on the White and North Fork tailwaters — on the White below Bull Shoals and the Norfork below Norfork Dam only rainbows under 14" may be kept; from the Norfork confluence down, 2 trout with 1 over 14". Confirm the reach.
Source: Arkansas regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Brown Trout Skip the Brown Trout trip today. In season 23/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Salmo trutta — Naturally reproduces in the Gunpowder River tailwater (Loch Raven below Prettyboy) and several Western MD streams; also heavily stocked. Typically more wary than rainbows. Classic mayfly hatches on the Gunpowder — sulphurs, BWOs, caddis. Streamer-eaters after dark.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Daily creel
- 2
Arkansas: brown trout share the 2-fish tailwater limit; trophy brown-trout slot/size rules apply on the White and Norfork — confirm the reach.
Source: Arkansas regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Inland River
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Arkansas
Coordinates
Notes
AR (2026): reduced 2-trout limit; only rainbows under 14" may be kept on the upper tailwater. Flows swing fast with dam generation — watch the horn.
Local reports & rules for White River (Bull Shoals tailwater): Arkansas Game & Fish fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at White River (Bull Shoals tailwater)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at White River (Bull Shoals tailwater) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at White River (Bull Shoals tailwater)?
White River (Bull Shoals tailwater) is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at White River (Bull Shoals tailwater)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at White River (Bull Shoals tailwater) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does White River (Bull Shoals tailwater) have?
White River (Bull Shoals tailwater) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. AR (2026): reduced 2-trout limit; only rainbows under 14" may be kept on the upper tailwater. Flows swing fast with dam generation — watch the horn.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at White River (Bull Shoals tailwater)?
state agency regulations apply at White River (Bull Shoals tailwater). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is White River (Bull Shoals tailwater) tidal water?
No. White River (Bull Shoals tailwater) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.