Bull Shoals Tailwater - Calico Rock Access
UTM 15 577183E 3997163N (NAD83/WGS84)
(Sixty-two miles below Bull Shoals Dam on the east side of the river in Izard County. Take Hwy 5 to Calico Rock. Turn off is on the north end of the White River Bridge. Narrow road goes under the train track and makes a sharp turn into the Calico Rock park.)
As is the case with all the accesses below Norfork tailwater, the river here is subject to rises and flows from generation from both Bull Shoals and Norfork powerhouses. If both powerhouses are operating at full capacity, which is often the case in the winter, spring, during summer peak power demand or during flood events, flows can exceed 30,000 cfs. Low water fishing is only possible when the powerhouses have been shut for extended periods as sometimes happens in dry years during the spring and fall or on some weekends. Only experienced boaters should attempt to float the river at higher stages. Some areas are very isolated, cell phone coverage poor, and no help available for long stretches.
Calico Rock is an historic settlement town on the White River. It has survived several floods and fires. Upstream is the Calico Rock bluff and Racetrack Shoal. It can be waded at low water using a boat to get upstream to the shoal. Be sure to try Don Quixote's Restaurant in downtown Calico Rock. It offers good food and service.