“The Cache River is also generally good for bass fishing when the White is productive, usually in late summer or early fall,” Farwick said. “During late summer and fall, the river is generally fairly low. Neither river gets as much pressure as some of the other major lakes in Arkansas because the population in that part of the state is low. There are a lot of swampy areas with plenty of cypress and tupelo gum trees, so some of it is pretty remote.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains a 250-mile long navigation channel on the lower White River. The COE maintains the channel to a minimum of eight feet deep to Augusta and about 4.5 feet deep to Newport. The COE wants to lengthen and deepen the navigation channel along the lower White River.

Near Newport, area residents reported seeing “Whitey,” a 30-foot long spiny snake-like creature that allegedly pops up from time to time. First reported in 1915, “Whitey” makes loud bellowing noises and frightens fishermen and campers along the river. In 1973, the Arkansas State Legislature actually passed a resolution creating the White River Monster Refuge adjacent to Jacksonport State Park as a home for the legendary creature. The resolution officially made it illegal to “molest, kill, trample or harm the White River Monster while he is in the retreat.”

Whether “Whitey” exists or not, no one really knows. However, the lower White River can produce finny “monsters” of a different kind. Known for its giant catfish, the White River also provides outstanding largemouth bass fishing at times from Augusta south to its mouth.

“The river probably has about as many catfishermen as bass fishermen,” Farwick said. “Traditionally, August through November is probably the best time to fish for bass on the White River. It produces good numbers of bass with a lot in the 3- to 5-pound range. A couple of good bass anglers can catch 20 to 30 fish a day with the biggest weighing about 6 pounds. It can produce some fish in the 7-pound range.”

In late summer through fall, the White River drops to its lowest and clearest level, offering its best fishing conditions for the year. During late summer low water conditions, anglers might not reach some favorite tributaries or oxbow lakes. However, in waters they can reach, anglers should find some of the best action all year.

“Fishing on the river is greatly influenced by water levels,” Farwick said. “It has a lot of fishable waters with many oxbows, but navigation largely depends upon water levels. When the water is fairly high, some sloughs and bays offer slack water good for fishing. When the river is up, boaters can access more oxbow lakes that are particularly conducive for largemouth bass fishing. If the river drops too low, people can”’t get into some of the oxbows and backwaters. At low water, access is limited to a few chutes that run back into oxbows.”

Drought conditions in the fall of 2005 and early 2006 made the river lower than usual. By mid-winter, some lakes dropped to as much as five feet below normal. Some rains came in the late winter and spring, but the low water could affect the spawn, Farwick said.