Where Can You Wade Fish on the White River Near Cotter?
The White River below Bull Shoals Dam is one of the best wader-friendly tailwaters in the country. Cold, steady dam releases keep the river fishable year-round, and a string of public walk-in access points between the dam and Cotter give anglers on foot real room to work. Here is a rundown of the specific spots worth knowing, roughly in order from the dam downstream to Cotter.
What Access Points Are Closest to Bull Shoals Dam?
Bull Shoals-White River State Park sits right below the dam and offers excellent walk-in wading access to the famous tailwater. It is one of the easiest spots to reach if you want to be fishing minutes after you park.
Forrest & Nina Wood Ramp offers excellent access to the upper river as well. Even with a few generators running, there are safe areas to wade out into the grass here and enjoy productive fishing, which makes it a solid backup when generation picks up elsewhere.
Where Is the Trophy Water on the White River?
Rim Shoals walk-in access is about 21 miles downstream from Bull Shoals Dam and offers a nearly mile-long, scenic riverside trail that leads directly to prime wade-fishing water. This is a designated trophy area, which means artificial lures and barbless hooks only. It is worth the drive if you are chasing a big fish under quality-water regulations.
Bronie Yurkonis is another walk-in access point on the Bull Shoals tailwater, located in Marion County. It is a good option to keep in your rotation alongside Rim Shoals when you are fishing the lower stretch of this run.
Can You Wade Fish Right in Cotter?
Roundhouse Shoals is a premier walk-in fishing access located right in Cotter, Arkansas. It features 17 paved parking spaces on Highway 345, just a mile past Big Spring Park, which makes it one of the easiest spots on the river to park and walk straight down to the water.
Is There Private Wading Access at Ember Shoals?
Ember Shoals Walk-in Access is an excellent spot for guests staying with us and provides some of the best wade fishing on the White River, just a few steps from the banks of the resort. No drive, no parking lot, just walk out and start fishing.
Are There Wading Spots for Kids or Anglers with Disabilities?
Yes, and both are excellent options.
The Big Spring Catch-and-Release Area in Cotter is strictly limited to youth under age 16 and adults who are 100 percent permanently and totally disabled.
The Larry Rider Dry Run Creek Access, often just called Dry Run Creek, is a world-class, three-quarter-mile, spring-fed stream located just below Norfork Dam next to the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is a bit of a drive from Cotter, but it is one of the best places in the state to introduce a young angler to trout fishing.
Fishing at these spots are limited to youth under 16 and mobility-impaired anglers, all fish must be released immediately, and only artificial lures with a single barbless hook per pole are allowed. Natural or scented baits and chumming are prohibited.
How Do Bull Shoals Dam Releases Affect Wading?
Generation schedules make or break a wading trip on the White River. When the dam is running low water, wading access opens up across most of these spots. When generation starts, water levels can rise quickly, so it pays to check the current release schedule before you wade out, especially at access points farther from the dam like Rim Shoals or the Narrows.
Where to Get Local Advice Before You Wade
Conditions change fast on the White River. Guides like Diamond State Fly Co. and Rising River Guides know the water day to day, including which access points are fishing well and what the dam is doing that morning. Also, you can always check out our White River Water Conditions app — it’s a great resource for real-time water conditions and recommendations.
Disclaimer: Access points, regulations, and permit requirements listed above are subject to change and may not reflect the most current rules. Always check current Arkansas Game & Fish Commission regulations and local signage before fishing, and confirm license and permit requirements for your specific situation.