🎣 Tailwaters (trout) · below Bull Shoals Dam
White River (Bull Shoals Tailwater): Flow, Generation Schedule & Trout Report
Right now: Not generating now (1,040 cfs at 11:00 AM CT, USACE); White River Near Norfork, AR (USGS, 11:30 AM CT, Sun Nov 8): 6,270 cfs.
Updated
The lake above Bull Shoals Dam: Bull Shoals Lake level and bass report →The White River from Bull Shoals Dam down past Cotter and Calico Rock.
Wading? Water below the dam can rise several feet fast when generation starts. Check the schedule below before you go in, and get out when the water starts rising. Wading safety →
Dam release (actual)
cfs = cubic feet of water per second (about 7.5 gallons each).
Last 12 hours
| Sun 11 AM | 1,040 cfs |
| Sun 10 AM | 1,040 cfs |
| Sun 9 AM | 1,040 cfs |
| Sun 8 AM | 1,040 cfs |
| Sun 7 AM | 1,040 cfs |
| Sun 6 AM | 1,040 cfs |
| Sun 5 AM | 1,040 cfs |
| Sun 4 AM | 1,040 cfs |
| Sun 3 AM | 1,064 cfs |
| Sun 2 AM | 1,064 cfs |
| Sun 1 AM | 1,124 cfs |
| Sun 12 AM | 5,504 cfs |
Bull Shoals Dam release schedule
Planned: Today, Sunday November 08, 2026
Generation scheduled 24 of 24 hours, peak 205 MW (≈13,841 cfs).
Hourly plan
Planned: Tomorrow, Monday November 09, 2026
Generation scheduled 24 of 24 hours, peak 40 MW (≈2,701 cfs).
Hourly plan
Actual release, last 24 hours
Hourly releases
MW = megawatts of power the dam plans to make. More MW means more water released. What these terms mean
8 turbines, 391 MW, about 26,400 cfs at full generation. SWPA plans are in megawatts and can change without notice; cfs figures are estimates. Official SWPA schedules.
River gauge
White River Near Norfork, AR (USGS 07057370): 6,270 cfs · stage 6.51 ft
Reading 11:30 AM CT, Sun Nov 8 · USGS gauge page
White River At Calico Rock, AR (USGS 07060500): 4,540 cfs · stage 3.83 ft
Reading 11:15 AM CT, Sun Nov 8 · USGS gauge page
Gauges downstream rise later than the dam release. The farther you are from the dam, the longer it takes generation water to reach you.
USGS gauges on this water
- USGS 07054501: White River at Bull Shoals Dam (release water temperature)
- USGS 07054502: White River below Bull Shoals Dam at Bull Shoals (water temperature)
- USGS 07054527: White River below Bull Shoals Dam near Fairview (water temperature)
- USGS 07057370: White River near Norfork, AR (flow and stage)
- USGS 07060500: White River at Calico Rock, AR (flow, stage, temperature)
Water temperature & clarity
🌡️ Water temperature
💧 Clarity
No clarity reading this week (no USGS turbidity gauge here and no guide note on clarity in the AGFC report).
USGS readings below the dams are the temperature of water released from deep in the lake, which is what keeps the river cold enough for trout. They are not the lake surface temperature. Turbidity: under 5 FNU is generally clear water. Guide observations are quoted from the AGFC weekly report.
Wading and boating safety below Bull Shoals Dam
- Check the plan before you go in. Look at today's schedule above. Plans change without notice, so keep watching the water too.
- Water rises fast when generation starts. It can come up several feet in a short time, and the current gets much stronger. The rise reaches you later the farther downstream you are.
- Know the warning signs. Water creeping up the bank, rocks going under, more floating leaves and sticks, or a faster current mean it's time to get out. Don't wait to be sure.
- Horns or sirens mean leave the water. Some dams sound them before generation starts. Get off low gravel bars and islands right away.
- Wade with a partner, use a wading staff and good soles, and wear a life jacket in a boat. The water is cold all year, so dress for a fall in.
- In a boat, anchor only from the front, and never in fast current.
Not sure? Call the SWPA generation line at (866) 494-1993 and enter lake number 13, or the Corps' Bull Shoals and Norfork release recording at (870) 431-5311.
This week's trout fishing report
White River
NOTE: Trout limits for the White River below Bull Shoals Dam were changed in February by the AGFC and effective until further notice. From the dam to the Norfork Access boat ramp, anglers may keep two rainbow trout daily; all trout 14 inches or longer must be released immediately. From the Norfork Access boat ramp to Arkansas Highway 58 (at Guion), anglers may keep two trout of any species; only one may be longer than 14 inches. Brook trout must be 14 inches or longer to keep; brown, cutthroat and tiger trout must be 24 inches or longer to keep.
Cotter Area
(updated 11-5-2026) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “What a great week in the Arkansas Ozarks! The fall colors are just coming out this autumn — you’ll see a pop of bright reds or orange once in a while and the fishing has been outstanding. Be prepared for cool mornings because we’re getting some fall temperatures (at last and then often only in the morning hours), but we still have some nice warm afternoons to enjoy. “Releases from Bull Shoals Dam have been minimum flows, followed by a quick rise to almost three units (9,000 cfs) later in the evening on some days. Bull Shoals Lake at this writing is sitting at 652.66 feet msl and still dropping. “The rainbows are loving the shrimp/orange PowerBait mashups and the colors on them have been fantastic. You might draw the attention of some browns (we have seen a fair number this week) with a sculpin, but never underestimate a frustrated brown if you tease him enough with a gold Cleo, an orange or mossy green jig or a peach/orange/yellow egg pattern fly. They are moving into their annual spawning grounds, too, so keep watch as they travel toward Rim Shoals and/or the dam. “It will take a lot of time and varying baits to catch the browns’ attention at this time so remain patient, stay on the river and keep it fun. The holiday season is coming up and weekend getaways are being scheduled. Keep angling, and we’ll see you on the river.”
Calico Rock Area
(updated 11-5-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “ We continue to see lower water conditions. We are seeing low water in the morning with the water rising late in the morning. A week ago, the water levels were between 2-3 for two days, then returned to low in the morning and rising late morning later in the week.
“With the rising water we are seeing “trashy” water with a lot of moss and leaves. We continue to have success throwing quarter-ounce Thomas Colorado Spoons, Rapala Countdowns CD5 and CD7 in brown trout and rainbow trout colors, and Dynamic HD Trout in ghost brown. Drift-fishing continues to work well with Uncommon Bait UV eggs and shrimp. Neo pink and blue eggs seemed to work the best.
“Take advantage of nice weather.”
From the AGFC Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report, 2026-11-05. Quoted as published; AGFC's separate lake and tailwater entries decide which page each part appears on.
Researchers recommend keeping air exposure to about 15–20 seconds by unhooking in the water and taking photos quickly.
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Official sources for this water
- Southwestern Power Administration generation schedules (Bull Shoals Dam is lake number 13)
- USACE water data (actual dam outflow, hourly) and the USACE Little Rock District water management page
- USGS 07054501: White River at Bull Shoals Dam (release water temperature)
- USGS 07054502: White River below Bull Shoals Dam at Bull Shoals (water temperature)
- USGS 07054527: White River below Bull Shoals Dam near Fairview (water temperature)
- USGS 07057370: White River near Norfork, AR (flow and stage)
- USGS 07060500: White River at Calico Rock, AR (flow, stage, temperature)
- AGFC trout fishing and tailwater rules
- AGFC regulations
- AGFC weekly fishing report
Latest videos
November 4, 2026 Arkansas Trout Fishing ReportCotter Trout Dock · Uploaded 
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