At one time, it was possible to bank-fish for whites below the 12 dams scattered across the state on the Arkansas River. Since the World Trade Center tragedy, however, access areas immediately below each dam have been closed for security reasons. You can still fish the portions of the tailwaters where white bass congregate, but you'll have to reach them by boat. This means launching at a ramp downstream, then motoring up to the tailwater.

No matter which tailwater you're fishing, the biggest white bass schools are likely to be found in those portions of the tailwater I like to call the whitewater reach (the uppermost portion of the tailwater near the dam and adjacent structures) and the middle reach (that stretch where churning water from the dam starts smoothing out and slowing down).

During the spring runs, most whites will stack up in the whitewater run. Current velocity and oxygen content reach their highest levels here - conditions that big whites find much to their liking. Best of all, these areas harbor lots of shad, the white bass' favorite food. As upstream spawning migrations progress, whites crowd into the food-rich water below the dam in ever-increasing numbers. Motor as close to the dam as regulations allow and cast around rip rapped banks, lock wall edges, wing dikes and other structures until you find a school.

Moving downstream from the whitewater reach, you'll soon enter the middle reach, a stretch of calmer water where artificial structure such as wing dikes and riprap is still prevalent. White bass tend to be plentiful in these areas, too, especially when water flows through the dam are reduced. If one or several gates are closed, white bass feeding in the whitewater reach often move to middle-reach structure that attracts schools of shad and other baitfish. They continue feeding here until water flow is restored to higher levels, drawing them away.

Wing dikes are the predominant white bass structure in this part of the tailwater. These long, narrow rock structures direct current into the main channel to lessen shoreline erosion. Work each one thoroughly, fishing both sides and from one end to the other. Deep scour holes near the end of each dike are especially attractive to schools of white bass.

Humps and boulders in the middle reach also merit attention. Those with shallow crowns may be visible or at least apparent, thanks to the boil-line above them. Sonar may be needed to find those in deeper water. All are likely to harbor schools of feeding whites.

Three of the best tailwater fishing locales on the Arkansas are those at the Ozark/Jeta Taylor Lock and Dam (L&D) at Ozark, the Dardanelle L&D at Russellville and L&D Number 9 near Morrilton. These areas offer exceptional fishing for spring whites.

Ozark/Jeta Taylor L&D is in Franklin County, just south of Interstate 40 at Ozark. White-bass fishing is very good here, both in Ozark Lake, above the dam, and in the tailwater area below the dam.

Normally, there's a good bit of water flow below the dam in spring, and whites are up against the rocks along the banks. If the water is moderately but not excessively high, cast around riprap, wing dikes, and other rock structure to find fish. On the rare occasions when spring water releases are low, try locating fish in the deeper water of the spillway.

Moving downstream, we come to Dardanelle L&D. Because it's situated on the outskirts of the Russellville metropolitan area, this is perhaps the most popular and heavily used of our three hotspots.

Big boulders, shoreline riprap and old pilings in this area all attract white bass at times. But some of the best fishing is around drops along the main river channel.

Lock and Dam 9 near Morrilton is the next hotspot downstream. The tailwater below this structure is also popular with white bass anglers, but not as much so as the Dardanelle and Ozark tailwaters. Consequently, you're not as likely to encounter heavy angler traffic here during peak fishing times.

Bank stabilization structures like wing dikes and riprap are where whites often hold. Here, as anywhere on the Arkansas River, you should carry plenty of lures and terminal tackle. Breakoffs are common when you're working rigs across the rocky river bottom.

In my experience, you'll rarely go wrong using live minnows, leadhead jigs or a combination of the two when fishing for the Arkansas River's abundant white bass. For minnows, use a heavy sinker tied to the end of the line to drag the bait to the bottom where whites often hold in spring. The minnow is lip-hooked on a small single hook attached to a dropper line tied a few inches above the weight.

Leadhead jigs must also have enough weight to carry them to or near the bottom. For shallow water, lighter jigs (1/16- to 1/8-ounce) work well; in deeper or more turbulent water, some anglers go as heavy as an ounce.

Allow your bait to bounce along the bottom with current. If you're bank-fishing, an upstream cast will let you keep your rig in the water longer. Keep a tight line so you can feel striking fish, but be sure the bait remains on or near the bottom.

Watch the water conditions, too. I've never done much good when the river was high and muddy, as it will be following a heavy rain. The water needs to be fairly clear, and low-water conditions typically prove best for catching loads of spring whites.

(Editor's Note: Keith Sutton is the author of Fishing Arkansas: A Year-round Guide to Angling Adventures in the Natural State. To order an autographed copy, send a check or money order for $28.25 to C & C Outdoors, 15601 Mountain Dr., Alexander, AR 72002. For credit card orders, log on to www.ccoutdoors.com.)