Arkansas is home to some incredible Trout fishing, and the White River might be the most well-known and best of the fisheries in the state. It has the perfect blend of access, size, habitat, and opportunity for numbers and big Trout.
If I had to choose one river to fish in Arkansas, it’d be the White – with the Little Red River coming in a close second. Read on to learn why this is such a special river for anglers, as I take you through everything you need to know about Trout fishing in the White River.
Why Go White River Trout Fishing
There’s no shortage of Trout rivers and lakes in North America, so why would an angler choose the White River? When assessed against any Trout fishery with trophy potential, the White River holds its own as a world-class destination.
The chance at a trophy Brown Trout is always present in this river system and big fish are caught with plenty of regularity. While we all dream of the big Browns, there are also powerful Rainbow Trout and the occasional giant Cutthroat.
Even on days when you don’t break a personal size record, there are strong numbers of quality fish and good catch rates. Moreover, the fishing is good throughout the year and access to quality waters is excellent for boat and bank anglers.
Top Trout Species in the White River
The river receives regular stocking efforts, so anglers may encounter unexpected species like Brook Trout. You may even run into a rare Tiger Trout if a few get mixed into the stocking trucks! That said, I already mentioned the most common catches above – but let’s take a closer look:
- Brown Trout. These Trout grow to large sizes here, especially where they reproduce naturally. These kinds are the most desired by anglers who visit here, with experienced fishers pulling out their lures and streamers in the Bull Shoals tailwater zone.
- Rainbow Trout. While many anglers come with dreams of a big Brown Trout, Rainbows top 10 pounds with enough regularity to make them an underrated quarry in the river. Abundant stocked Rainbows will also keep your rod bent throughout the river system.
- Cutthroat Trout. While these are the least abundant in most stretches of the river, they can be some of the most exciting fish. It’s rare to catch Cutthroats over 6–8 pounds anywhere, but they get bigger than that in the White River system.
How to Go White River Trout Fishing
All of the popular Trout fishing techniques apply on the White River. There are sections with special restrictions on fishing styles, so pay attention to the regulations (more on that below). Most importantly, though, single hooks and safely releasing any Trout that are not legal to be kept is part of the culture on this river. Anyway, here are the best ways to attract a bite:
- Bait fishing. The usual worms and eggs get the job done, but native baits also do well. Look to shad for a dead bait option that fish love in the winter months.
- Fly fishing. Catching a big Trout on the fly is an everyday possibility here. Streamer fishing is popular as it’s a productive means of targeting the largest fish. Drifting nymphs and targeting specific hatches like spring caddis is also fun.
- Lures and jigs. Big lures can work, but many anglers get technical with more success. Smaller jigs and lures that can bounce the bottom and target specific holding areas can hook some of the largest Trout in the river.
Top White River Trout Fishing Spots
Considering that more than 100 miles of quality water support Trout in the White River, there’s no shortage of places to explore. Some of the river banks are private and you’ll need a boat for access, while other areas have parks, boat launches, and official access points with great shore fishing.
Bull Shoals Dam
The reason for the cold water in the White River is a direct result of Bull Shoals Dam. Fishing just below the dam is a great option – and the state park offers easy access. It’s a popular place to launch boats and fish from shore. It’s also one of the best places to find big Trout. Shad and other food sources spill through the dam and there are some serious monsters lurking in the area.
Norfork Confluence
The farther you travel away from the dam, the warmer the water becomes – gradually. Trout numbers fluctuate but become slightly fewer as you migrate downriver. The lower-density sections of the river do offer chances at some huge fish, however. The Trout fishery would be shorter but the Norfork enters, offering a resupply of ice-cold water. This is a short, 4-mile tailwater fishery, and the confluence is an excellent place to Trout fish.
Mid-River Access
While the Bull Shoals Dam offers amazing fishing, it’s also prone to crowding. The mid-river access points have great drift and wade fishing, with excellent numbers of fish and fewer people. Rim Shoals and Buffalo Shoals are a few of the great places to fish throughout the year. These spots are especially productive when the air cools, boasting good water temperatures in these conditions.
When to Go Trout Fishing in the White River
As a year-round fishery, each season offers a different look. The food available, conditions, and general methods shift alongside the weather. Knowing what to expect for the timing of your trip is useful, but you’ll be able to catch Trout whenever you visit.
For wading specifically, fall is the best time to come, as the dam’s releases are more consistent. Spring and summer bring higher flows and more variability with power generation. Here’s a more in-depth breakdown:
- Spring. Some of the best hatches occur during spring, and fly fishermen love the caddis hatches. It brings Trout to the surface where you can search with a dry fly or sight fish to feeders.
- Summer. The heat of summer means fish seek the coldest water. Staying close to the dam or Norfork confluence is a great idea during this time of year. Fish concentrate in these areas, and running deep lures or flies is a good way to find them.
- Fall. This is a favorite time of year for wade fishing. Flows have less variability and the cooler weather means the entire river has feeding Trout. If you want to get away from the dam, consider a fall trip.
- Winter. The big winter event involves shad as a food source close to the dam. Fishing dead shad is a great way to target trophy Trout during the dead of winter on the White River.
White River Trout Fishing Regulations
As a world-class destination, the White River has a few specific regulations to follow. They’re easy to understand for the most part, and it’s not hard for anglers to get on the water.
First of all, anglers must carry an Arkansas fishing license and a Trout permit for the White River. This applies to all anglers aged 16 and over. Luckily, it’s easy to purchase a license online or from a local tackle shop.
After that, you’ll need to consider the bag and size limits. General regulations allow for five Trout per day and 10 in possession. There are species and size specific requirements within that limit number, however. You can take five Rainbow Trout per day, but they all must be under 14 inches in size. Or, you can keep four Rainbow Trout under 14 inches and one of the following:
- Brown Trout over 24 inches
- Cutthroat over 16 inches
- Rainbow Trout greater than 14 inches
- Brook Trout greater than 14 inches
Many anglers will catch and keep four Rainbow Trout under 14 inches, as this is the easiest thing to accomplish. They will then leave the fifth fish open just in case they then catch a trophy.
Finally, anglers should also be aware of the legal fishing methods. Not every section of the river has the same set of rules. The Bull Shoals tailwater (the area just below the dam) is catch-and-release only for the first mile, while there are other catch-and-release zones in different areas of the river system.
All of the rules are subject to change, however, so this information is meant to offer a general idea of what’s possible. Always reference the official regulations before casting your line to ensure you’re fishing legally.
White River Trout Fishing FAQs
When will you visit the White River?
As you now know, there’s never a bad time to go Trout fishing in the White River in Arkansas. As a tailwater, it always has ice-cold water and big, hungry Trout. For my money, the fall and winter months are ideal as a fly fisherman. Bait and lure anglers who can hit bottom in the deeper runs have an excellent chance of finding a big fish during summer as well. If you want to find a trophy Trout, consider a trip to the White River!
Are you a White River fishing fanatic? We’d love to hear your tips and favorite techniques for this iconic fishery. Share a few hints in the comments below!
The post How to Go White River Trout Fishing: An Angler’s Guide for 2025 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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