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Fishing White River (Bull Shoals): what the data says
Bull Shoals Dam to Calico Rock. the world-famous Ozark trout tailwater. The river tops out around 12 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Rainbow Trout fishing at White River (Bull Shoals)
Spring rainbow trout on White River (Bull Shoals) hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 12 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 19.3), a current seam in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. A dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 2 to 12 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Brown Trout fishing at White River (Bull Shoals)
Start shallow in spring: brown trout sit in 1 to 12 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 4 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 12 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 19.3), a current seam in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for brown trout in summer. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and early morning. Tie on a spoon at the thermocline or a deep stickbait (night) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Stickbait off planer boards (shallow), Small spoon along mud lines |
| Summer | 4 to 12 ft | night & dawn | Spoon at the thermocline, Deep stickbait (night) |
| Fall | 2 to 12 ft | dusk & dawn | Jerkbait over gravel, Casting spoon |
| Winter | 2 to 12 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Small stickbait (slow) |
Cutthroat Trout fishing at White River (Bull Shoals)
In spring, cutthroat trout run shallow here, mostly 2 to 12 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 12 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 12 ft. Current seam (mile 19.3) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 7 ft, rated prime for spring cutthroat trout. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a trolled spoon (small) or a inline spinner and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver/gold), Small spoon |
| Summer | 3 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Trolled spoon (small), Inline spinner |
| Fall | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 3 to 12 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Marabou jig |
Notable structure
- Bull Shoals tailrace: creek channel, around 10 ft
- Bull Shoals Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 10 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.3): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 12.8): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.9): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.8): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.1): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.3): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.0): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 29.9): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 31.7): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 40.1): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 42.0): creek channel, around 9 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 43.8): creek channel, around 9 ft
Common questions
How deep is White River (Bull Shoals)?
White River (Bull Shoals) is about 12 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in White River (Bull Shoals)?
Anglers target rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout on White River (Bull Shoals).
Where is the best fishing spot on White River (Bull Shoals)?
Current seam (mile 19.3) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish White River (Bull Shoals)?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.