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The White River below Bull Shoals Dam is one of the most prolific trout streams in the world. With 92 consecutive miles of trout water, and about 5000 trout in each of those miles, the White River matches up well against the best of the Western trout fisheries. Add on to that the fact that the White River has produced brown trout up to 30 pounds, and you really have something special going on.The trout fishing begins 400 feet below Bull Shoals Dam. The short stretch from the "no fishing line" below the dam to the upper limit of the White River State Park, is catch and release only with single hooked artificial lures. This stretch of water is easily accessible (and wadeable at low water), and home to some of the largest brown trout on the river, as well as very high concentrations of rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout. A thirty fish day is considered average here. The great fishing continues while the river runs through the White River State Park, which itself provides access to the river. The river within the state park is open under statewide regulations, and all methods can be used. This results in a few less trophy trout, but the fish concentrations are almost as high. The river continues on, under general regulations for another 14 miles to Rim Shoals. This water is still full of rainbows and browns, although the cutthroat and brook trout tend to thin out the further downstream you get. There are several access points available, including White Hole, Wildcat Shoal, and Cotter.

The next catch and release area is at Rim Shoals, 17 miles below the dam. The regulations are the same as the catch and release area just below the dam, and this is a particularly good place to find large rainbow and brown trout. It is also wadeable when the water is low. Below Rim Shoals, the river reverts back to general regulations, but the fishing stays very good. With the influx several important tributaries including Crooked Creek and Big Spring, the river is now much larger and deeper. Still, the water remains quite cold, and the trout fishing is nothing short of world class. This stretch ends 40 miles below Bull Shoals Dam, at the mouth of the Buffalo River. You can find bank access (and a boat ramp) at Rim Shoals, Ranchette, and Buffalo City.

The next area of the river is from the mouth of the Buffalo to the mouth of the North Fork River. The Buffalo is a large, warm river, and nearly doubles the size of the White. The ten miles between the mouth of the Buffalo and the Norfork is the deepest, slowest, and warmest water in the river that hold's trout. Don't let that fool you though. There are some big trout in the river here, as well as plenty of stocking size rainbows to keep most fisherman entertained. Also, there is a good population of smallmouth bass. Anglers can get on this interesting stretch of water at the Cartney and Shipp's Ferry Accesses.

The river changes yet again at the mouth of the North Fork River 50 miles below Bull Shoals Dam. As opposed to the Buffalo, which is a warm, free flowing river, the North Fork is dam controlled, and very cold. The North Fork provides an excellent, but short trout fishery in itself, but its real benefit is its infusion of cold water that allows trout to thrive in the White River for 50 miles below it's mouth. You can access both famous trout streams at the Norfork access, which is located at the river's junction. Other good fishing accesses below the Norfork's mouth include Red's Landing, Calico Rock, Mount Olive, Sylamore, and Roundbottum. All of these accesses provide bank and boat fisherman with opportunities to catch rainbow and brown trout, some provide wading opportunities when dam releases are minimal, and tributaries are running low. The last place to get on the trout water is at the Guion City Access, 92 miles below the dam. Trout fishing can be good right at the access for stocked rainbows, but the further downstream you go, trout numbers will decline rapidly. Below Guion, anglers focus their attention on largemouth and Kentucky bass, although an occasional trout is caught.

The White River is not terribly difficult to fish for the most part. Almost any anglers who knows the ins and and outs of trout fishing can catch at least a few stocking size rainbows. Still, local advice is extremely helpful if you want to see this river's full potential. It's a good idea to hire a guide for a day. There are dozens of guide services on the river. They will take you down the stream in a flat bottomed jon boat, telling you where to fish and keeping you safe from the river's variable flows. Besides guaranteeing at least one extremely productive day of fishing, you can learn the river's patterns, so you can catch more fish for the rest of your stay. We do understand, however, that hiring a guide is not financially possible for some people. In that case, it's pretty much a necessity to go to one of the area fly and tackle shops (they're seemingly everywhere along the White). Ask the owner what the fish are biting on, and which access areas or floats are producing the most fish. You should also ask what the water release pattern has been over the last couple of days. There is no guarantee the pattern will hold, but it does at least give you an idea. When asking these questions, you should be specific. Do you want to catch good numbers of smaller trout, or are you holding out for a trophy brown? You're techniques will depend on the answer to that question. If the water has been high (meaning the dam is generating a lot of water), you should seriously consider renting some sort of a boat. If that's not possible, good success can be had from the bank at access points, so long as you are willing to fish deep. If the waters is lower, your best bet will be wade fishing.

Sudden, and unannounced dam releases make the White River somewhat dangerous to fish. There are sirens that will signal rising water just below the dam, but you'll have to rely on your own intuition further downstream. If you see the water rising, get out quickly, or you are risking your life. Also, never wade somewhere that doesn't have an easy escape route if the water begins to rise. Remember never to anchor in fast or rising water.

The White River is a true treasure. With one of the strongest trout populations in the country, this is a true destination river. It can be intimidating to fish, but the results are usually more than worth it.