Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's Page
Rivers & StreamsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
White River (Bull Shoals Dam) Fishing Guide
Arkansas
The Bull Shoals tailwater of the White River, managed for trout from Bull Shoals Dam to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion, with rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.
Part of the White River.
Photo: Luhsteesay via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the White River (Bull Shoals Dam) for rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and cutthroat trout. No agency season found for the species here.
There are 10 shops nearby (6 fly, 4 bait and tackle), including Natural State Fly Shop in Cotter. Also nearby: the Norfork River.
Season at a Glance
No agency season found for these fish here.
Season Rules & Licenses
- Bull Shoals tailwater, 100 yards below Bull Shoals Dam to the Norfork Access boat ramp (2026-27, until further notice): keep 2 rainbow trout a day, both under 14 inches; all trout 14 inches and longer and every other trout species must be released. Trout permit required; one rod, attended; bait only on a single hook; no fishing within 100 yards of the dam; from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise only rainbow trout may be kept. AGFC 2026-27
- Catch-and-release areas (2026-27): from 100 yards below Bull Shoals Dam to the upstream boundary of Bull Shoals-White River State Park, catch and release Feb. 1 to Oct. 31 and closed to all fishing Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 (the closure reaches down to the wing dike at the state park trout dock); through the state park below that dike, brown trout catch and release Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 with no fishing at night; and the Rim Shoals area near Cotter, catch and release all year. In these areas only artificial lures or flies, barbless hooks, no bait. AGFC 2026-27
- Bull Shoals tailwater below the Norfork Access boat ramp to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion (2026-27): 2 trout a day, only 1 over 14 inches: either 2 rainbow trout under 14 inches, or 1 rainbow under 14 inches and 1 rainbow or brook trout 14 inches or longer, or 1 cutthroat, brown or tiger trout 24 inches or longer. Only rainbow trout may be kept from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. AGFC 2026-27
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need an Arkansas fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
License Sellers Nearby
White River Trout Club
458 Marion County 7004, FlippinRainbow Drive Resort INC
669 Rainbow Landing Drive, CotterHurst Fishing Service
926 Denton Ferry Rd, CotterDiamond State Fly Company
10413 US 62, FlippinCotter Trout Dock
321 Big Spring Pkwy, CotterWildcat Shoals Resort
1063 Mc 7019, FlippinSource: AGFC's license agent list, Oct 2026. Call ahead.
Parts of the White River
- Main PageWhite RiverThe White River in Arkansas, a trout tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam and, far downstream at Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge, water with crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass.
- Rivers & Streams · Arkansas · You're HereWhite River (Bull Shoals Dam)The Bull Shoals tailwater of the White River, managed for trout from Bull Shoals Dam to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion, with rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout.
- Rivers & Streams · ArkansasWhite River (St. Charles)The lower White River at Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge, whose 300 or so bodies of water include oxbow lakes, bayous and the river itself, with crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish.
White River (Bull Shoals Dam) Species
Species per AGFC: Rainbow Trout; Brown Trout, Brook Trout and Cutthroat Trout. Catch by month from AGFC creel survey data.
Images: Duane Raver and Timothy Knepp, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Rainbow Trout
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 5 wt rod, weight-forward floating line, 9 ft 4X to 5X leader. Add a sink-tip and 3X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 5wt floatingCheck Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #6-10Egg Pattern · Umpqua Egg✓ Named by AGFCCheck Price
- Fly for November · #16-22Zebra MidgeTailwaters.See Options
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
- Fly for November · #4-12Woolly Bugger · Umpqua Wooly BuggerCheck Price
Spin / Cast
6 to 7 ft ultralight or light spinning rod, 1000 to 2500 reel, 4 to 6 lb mono or fluorocarbon.
Rod, Reel and Line
- Rod & ReelUgly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo · 7 ft ultralight rod, size 25 reel, 2 pieceCheck Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 4 or 6 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Bait for November · KernelsSweet Corn✓ Named by AGFCBait Shops
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline Spinner · Mepps Aglia Inline SpinnerCheck Price
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting Spoon · Acme Kastmaster SpoonSmall sizes for trout.Check Price
Named by AGFC: the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission names this kind of fly, lure or bait for this fish here; tap the name for its page. It names the type, not the product we link, and does not endorse this site.
Other Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near White River (Bull Shoals Dam):
- Natural State Fly Shop, CotterWebsite
- The Fly Fishing Store, Bull ShoalsWebsite
- Legacy Tackle Company, HarrisonWebsite
Map of White River (Bull Shoals Dam)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
No agency season found for the species here.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
59°F high, 38°F low
About 3.7 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 6 mi away.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Dec to Jan
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Dec to Jan
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Apr to May
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Apr to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Apr to Oct
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on White River (Bull Shoals Dam)
Source: Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Boat and Kayak Access. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near White River (Bull Shoals Dam)
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near White River (Bull Shoals Dam)
GuideFly Fishing
Riffletrip Outfitters
Flippin, Arkansas
458 Marion County 7004 214-738-2035
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
Guide
Hurst Fishing Service
Cotter, Arkansas
926 Denton Ferry Rd 870-435-6414
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
GuideFly Fishing
Dally's Ozark Fly Fisher
Cotter, Arkansas
1200 W Main St No.7 870-435-6166
Per their website: Smallmouth Bass, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, Float Trips
Guide
Papa Bills guide service
Bull Shoals, Arkansas
706 Betty Jean Ave 479-477-0335
Per their website: Brown Trout, Brook Trout
Guide
White River Family Fishing
Flippin, Arkansas
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, River Trips
Guide
Joe's Guide Service
Cotter, Arkansas
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips, River Trips
Guide
Del Colvin Fishing
Bull Shoals, Arkansas
513 Mockingbird Dr 815-592-4302
Per their website: Lake Trips
