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More than big trout on the upper
White River tailrace in NW Arkansas
White River tailrace in NW Arkansas
TOP: Lisa Mullins, a
White River trout
guide, shows off a
rainbow trout she
caught in the river
near Eureka Springs,
Ark. BOTTOM: White
bass hit a variety of
small lures that
resemble fish.
White River trout
guide, shows off a
rainbow trout she
caught in the river
near Eureka Springs,
Ark. BOTTOM: White
bass hit a variety of
small lures that
resemble fish.
Most people know the White River of northern Arkansas for producing
massive trout including browns exceeding 30 pounds and double-digit
rainbows.
Leon Waggoner caught a 33.5-pound White River brown, which held
the world record for a while. Currently, H. “Rip” Collins of Heber Springs,
Ark., holds the world record with a 40.25-pounder he caught in the Little
Red River in 1992. Anglers catch browns in the 10- to 20-pound range
each year.
According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the White
River probably produces more rainbow trout than any other stream in North
America. In 1981, Jim Miller set the state record rainbow record with a 19-
pound, 1-ounce lunker. The river produces some trout in the 10-pound
range with quite a few fish in the 2- to 6-pound range.
“We catch some brown trout in the 3- to 10-pound range, but fish that
big are not common in this part of the White River,” said Lisa Mullins, a river
guide who operates out of Beaver Dam Store near Spider Creek. “We also
get some rainbows in the 3- to 4-pound range, but I’ve seen some 10-
pounders.”
However, the 14-mile White River tailrace between Table Rock Lake
and the Beaver Lake Dam near Eureka Springs, Ark., also produces
excellent catches of walleyes and white bass each spring. In late March
and April, both species swim up the river from Table Rock Lake to spawn in
the swift, clear waters of the upper White River.
For walleyes, Mullins mostly fishes at night, typically from about 9 p.m.
until midnight. With big eyes sensitive to light, walleyes hide under rocks or
fallen trees during the day. At night, they become more active, moving into
shallow riffles to spawn. People search the river with floodlights trying to
spot the glowing white eyes of walleyes to determine where fish
concentrate. When they locate fish, anglers tempt them with a variety of
lures and baits.
“For walleyes, I fish mostly at night, but people sometimes catch them
during the day,” Mullins explained. “I mostly fish crankbaits, but some
people use jigging minnows or nightcrawlers. Live or plastic crawfish also
work well. In March 2007, we caught four walleyes that ranged from 8
pounds to 10 pounds one night. A friend caught one almost up to 14
pounds. We limited out nearly every night during late March. Walleyes
move every night so we have to stay up with them.”
During a recent trip with Lisa, my son, Daniel, hooked about a 12-
pound walleye. The fish hit a white Mepps spinner, but the line broke.
Later that same day, Mullins and her son caught two walleyes, each with
lures dangling from their mouths including Daniel’s white Mepps spinner.
The other fish had a white Husky Jerk in its mouth.
“When they finish spawning, walleyes head back to Table Rock Lake,”
Mullins said. “They feed more and become more active after they spawn.
About the time the walleyes head back to Table Rock Lake, the white bass
move up the river to spawn. For a few days at the right time, they overlap
and we can catch both. One day, the whole river is covered in white bass
and then they disappear. We don’t know where they go. Then, we’ll find
them somewhere else a few days later.”
White bass can grow larger than 5 pounds, but more commonly range
from 1 to 2 pounds. They provide excellent sport on light tackle. Eating
mostly fish, white bass herd shad or other baitfish into tight clusters to
attack them. When schooling, white bass might hit a variety of “fishy” baits
such as small white crankbaits, spoons, spinners, jerkbaits and similar lures.
“When they school, we throw white, chartreuse or red roostertails,”
Mullins said. “They also hit jigs and swimming minnows. I like a clear bait
with some glitter on it. They also hit small Rat-L-Traps and small floating
Rapalas or minnows hooked to jigs.”
After the whites and walleyes leave the river in late April, fishing returns
to normal. Then, Mullins and others concentrate on chasing brown and
rainbow trout again with roostertail spinners, silver and gold spoons and
Rapala jerkbaits. People also catch them on various baits including Berkley
Power Baits tipped with wax worms.
For booking trips, call Mullins at (479) 253-6154. On line, see www.
beaverdamstore.com or send an e-mail to beaverdamstore@ipa.net.
Spider Creek Resort and the Pine Lodge in Eureka Springs provide
lodging. For more information about the Eureka Springs area or assistance
with planning a trip, call (866) WISH EUREKA. On the Internet, see
eurekasprings.org.
massive trout including browns exceeding 30 pounds and double-digit
rainbows.
Leon Waggoner caught a 33.5-pound White River brown, which held
the world record for a while. Currently, H. “Rip” Collins of Heber Springs,
Ark., holds the world record with a 40.25-pounder he caught in the Little
Red River in 1992. Anglers catch browns in the 10- to 20-pound range
each year.
According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the White
River probably produces more rainbow trout than any other stream in North
America. In 1981, Jim Miller set the state record rainbow record with a 19-
pound, 1-ounce lunker. The river produces some trout in the 10-pound
range with quite a few fish in the 2- to 6-pound range.
“We catch some brown trout in the 3- to 10-pound range, but fish that
big are not common in this part of the White River,” said Lisa Mullins, a river
guide who operates out of Beaver Dam Store near Spider Creek. “We also
get some rainbows in the 3- to 4-pound range, but I’ve seen some 10-
pounders.”
However, the 14-mile White River tailrace between Table Rock Lake
and the Beaver Lake Dam near Eureka Springs, Ark., also produces
excellent catches of walleyes and white bass each spring. In late March
and April, both species swim up the river from Table Rock Lake to spawn in
the swift, clear waters of the upper White River.
For walleyes, Mullins mostly fishes at night, typically from about 9 p.m.
until midnight. With big eyes sensitive to light, walleyes hide under rocks or
fallen trees during the day. At night, they become more active, moving into
shallow riffles to spawn. People search the river with floodlights trying to
spot the glowing white eyes of walleyes to determine where fish
concentrate. When they locate fish, anglers tempt them with a variety of
lures and baits.
“For walleyes, I fish mostly at night, but people sometimes catch them
during the day,” Mullins explained. “I mostly fish crankbaits, but some
people use jigging minnows or nightcrawlers. Live or plastic crawfish also
work well. In March 2007, we caught four walleyes that ranged from 8
pounds to 10 pounds one night. A friend caught one almost up to 14
pounds. We limited out nearly every night during late March. Walleyes
move every night so we have to stay up with them.”
During a recent trip with Lisa, my son, Daniel, hooked about a 12-
pound walleye. The fish hit a white Mepps spinner, but the line broke.
Later that same day, Mullins and her son caught two walleyes, each with
lures dangling from their mouths including Daniel’s white Mepps spinner.
The other fish had a white Husky Jerk in its mouth.
“When they finish spawning, walleyes head back to Table Rock Lake,”
Mullins said. “They feed more and become more active after they spawn.
About the time the walleyes head back to Table Rock Lake, the white bass
move up the river to spawn. For a few days at the right time, they overlap
and we can catch both. One day, the whole river is covered in white bass
and then they disappear. We don’t know where they go. Then, we’ll find
them somewhere else a few days later.”
White bass can grow larger than 5 pounds, but more commonly range
from 1 to 2 pounds. They provide excellent sport on light tackle. Eating
mostly fish, white bass herd shad or other baitfish into tight clusters to
attack them. When schooling, white bass might hit a variety of “fishy” baits
such as small white crankbaits, spoons, spinners, jerkbaits and similar lures.
“When they school, we throw white, chartreuse or red roostertails,”
Mullins said. “They also hit jigs and swimming minnows. I like a clear bait
with some glitter on it. They also hit small Rat-L-Traps and small floating
Rapalas or minnows hooked to jigs.”
After the whites and walleyes leave the river in late April, fishing returns
to normal. Then, Mullins and others concentrate on chasing brown and
rainbow trout again with roostertail spinners, silver and gold spoons and
Rapala jerkbaits. People also catch them on various baits including Berkley
Power Baits tipped with wax worms.
For booking trips, call Mullins at (479) 253-6154. On line, see www.
beaverdamstore.com or send an e-mail to beaverdamstore@ipa.net.
Spider Creek Resort and the Pine Lodge in Eureka Springs provide
lodging. For more information about the Eureka Springs area or assistance
with planning a trip, call (866) WISH EUREKA. On the Internet, see
eurekasprings.org.
