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White River Trout Fishing

TROUT FISHING on the White River - GENERAL INFORMATION

The White River is world-renowned for some of the finest trout fishing anywhere… It is home to 4 species of trout; Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Brook Trout, which were introduced in the late 1950's by AGFC after construction of the dams.

The White River is stocked with trout by the AGFC Commission, putting nearly 1.5 million Rainbow trout in the river each year, in addition to fingerling stockings of Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout and Brook trout. Even our newly stocked Rainbow trout are larger than fully grown trout you'd find in many other areas, ranging from 11 - 12 inches and 1 to 1.5 lb. in weight. Trophy Brown trout often range in size from 5 to 20 lbs., with the largest Brown Trout caught by one of our guests weighing in at 36 inches, 24 in. girth, and and estimated weight of 32 lbs – we call her Big Bertha. Another guest came in a close second, with a weight of 29 lb (although we believe the scale was, regrettably, weighing low) and we call her Kynar.

Reasons to consider His Place Resort for your White River trout fishing vacation:

  • Location on the White River
  • His Place Resort is located 15 miles down from the Bull Shoals Dam, 3 miles above the Cotter access, boasting private access on a very productive stretch of the White River. Trophy Brown Trout are frequently caught right here by the resort, so you don't have to go anywhere to be right in the middle of some of the best Arkansas trout fishing the White River has to offer.
  • Better River Conditions
  • Being on the White River closer to the Bull Shoals Dam has distinct advantages for trout fishing, too. Since we are 11 miles up river from Crooked Creek, and 17 miles up river from the Buffalo River, (larger, un-dammed warm water streams that enter the White River) our water typically stays cleaner and colder, providing a superior overall environment for trout fishing.
  • Great Wade Access for Trout Fishing on the White River, and we keep it PRIVATE for you.
  • We also have one of the best wade access spots on the White River when dam generation is low. On low water, our area is difficult to access from public ramps, keeping the traffic down. Additionally, river access by land through the resort is not granted to the public. Unlike public access areas, or places close to them, you are far more less likely to have fisherman trampling all over you, providing a better trout fishing experience.
  • Great Trout Fishing throughout the Year
  • Now, everyone wants to know… “When is the best time to come trout fishing on the White River?” So, let me give some insights on the issue… The first thing to note here is that the White River has the advantage of being a tail water system; simply put, we are on a river whose levels are controlled by dams. Therefore, the White River is not like a natural stream that flows well in the spring and can be all dried up by fall; overall, we have much more consistent flows than un-dammed rivers, even though the water levels change often based on flood control or power generation issues. (More on that topic on the River Info page…) Since minimum flow (designed to eliminate extremely low water conditions) was initiated in 2009, things have been even better for the White River. Further, trout fishing on the White River is less affected by seasonal changes, weather, or even the time of day. For example, trout fishing is likely to be as good in the morning as in the afternoon. Storm fronts/changes in barometric pressure, sunlight, clouds, etc., do not adversely affect trout fishing as much, especially when compared to warm-water fishing in lakes. Bottom line, trout have to fight current to a greater or lesser degree 24/7/365. Trout expend energy regardless of changing conditions, and they’re not going to go too long without eating!
  • No Closed Seasons for White River Trout Fishing
  • We have no closed seasons for trout fishing except on very small stretches up by the dam during spawning time in the winter. The White River typically stays between 48 – 52 degrees as it is fed from the bottom of Bull Shoals Lake, where it's cold. Our seasons in the Ozark mountains are considered mild, especially when compared to northern states.
  • Some people like to visit in the winter, when there is much less traffic. Late winter is when we often have a “Shad Kill”, which tends to really get the trout feeding. Threadfin shad in Bull Shoals Lake swim deeper in search of warm water as the lake grows colder, and are eventually sucked through the turbines at Bull Shoals Dam and enter the White River, providing a feast for the trout.
  • Many folks prefer to do their trout fishing in the spring time, as it’s still typically a little less crowded, but the weather is nicer. The trout are still biting really well, and the stocking programs are in full force, either stocking trout by raft or right here at the resort’s stocking tube, on a 2-week cycle.
  • Summer is, of course, the most popular time for folks to do their trout fishin'. Larger family groups are drawn together for vacation activities while the kids are out of school, and yes, we still have great fishing…
  • And others like the fall the best… The kids are back in school, the weather’s cooler, the crowds are getting a little smaller, you can witness the beautiful Ozarks fall foliage, and once again the trout fishing is still great! We’re very spoiled here!
  • If you look in our photo gallery, you’ll see people with great trout dressed in everything from T-shirts & shorts to full winter gear… To sum it up, White River trout fishing is good all year ‘round, so it’s really up to you to decide what suits you best.

Trout Fishing the White River on your own

  • Folks ask, "Do I really need to take a guided trout fishing trip to go trout fishing, or not?" The answer depends on your experience, river conditions, how you trout fish, your expectations, and how pampered you want to be... :-)
  • Many of our guests do prefer to trout fish on their own. Some wade fish when the White River is low. Some go trout fishing out of canoes or kayaks, and many take john boats. Additionally, because of our central location, many of our guests venture out to the Buffalo River, Crooked Creek, Bull Shoals Lake, Lake Norfork and the North Fork River.
  • If you've never been trout fishing on the White River before, you'd benefit from at least one 1/2 day guided fishing trip before going out on your own. Just talk to us about your experience and expectations, and we'll help you decide what's best for you.
  • For wade fishing, we have one of the best wade access spots on the White River when dam generation is low, so however you want to trout fish, we can offer you suggestions on what to use and where those trout are...
  • For our john boat rental customers, in addition to tips & tricks on how to get the most out of your day, we also provide a thorough safety check out to make sure your trout fishing experience is as safe as it is productive. (For info on john boat & canoe/kayak rentals, be sure to visit those pages.)
  • His Place Resort has a fully stocked fly & tackle shop. For live bait, we carry red worms, night crawlers, and some seasonal bait such as frozen shrimp, frozen shad, and all different kinds of power bait, hooks, sinkers, line, spoons, lures, nets, etc. We have rods and reels for sale as well as for daily rental. Other items include T-shirts, smokes, soda, candy and other novelty items. For fly fishing, we carry a good selection of flies, leaders, tippet, strike indicators, weights, nippers, fly boxes, etc.

AGFC Fishing Licenses & Trout Stamps, and Boater Safety Education

  • You will need both an Arkansas Fishing License AND a Trout Stamp to fish here. The fastest, easiest, most hassle-free way to do this is online at
    https://ar-web.s3licensing.com/
    or you can call AGFC at 800-364-4263 MON-FRI, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
  • If you were born on or after January 1, 1986, you need either a Boater's Safety Education card from Arkansas or your home state to operate a john boat on the White River.  For more information -
    https://www.agfc.com/en/get-involved/first-steps-outdoors/boatered/

Whenever you decide to visit, whether you spin fish or fly fish, wade fish or boat fish, want a guide or prefer to do your trout fishing on your own, we are ready to help you get the most out of your visit! Just come on in to our fully stocked Fly & Tackle Shop, and we can give you information on current flow patterns and advice on what they’re hittin’ on! We also have rods & reels, spin & fly, for rent or for sale, waders, lures, live bait – you name it – we’re here to make sure you catch some trout!