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Fishing

Mountain View's scenic streams and rivers are primarily located north of town, where the White River and Sylamore Creek come together for four seasons of natural beauty. Most fishermen catch primarily rainbow trout, however cutthroat and brown trout are frequently caught. In the fall and spring, fishermen may also find smallmouth bass a challenge.

Trout fishing was virtually unknown in Arkansas until U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects created Norfork and Bull Shoals lakes after World War II. The cold tailwaters from the massive dams created ideal habitat for trout. The Norfork National Fish Hatchery was completed in 1957, and one of the state's most successful industries was soon underway.

Browns are cousins to the rainbow, brook, cutthroat and lake trout…and all are abundant in Mountain View's cold mountain waters. While browns are the largest, rainbows remain the number-one catch. The state-record rainbow was caught from the White River, near Mountain View, on March 14, 1981. It tipped the scales at 19 pounds, one ounce.

Streamside resorts and fishing guide services are common along the White River and Sylamore Creek. They know all the best fishing holes, best tackle to use, and take care of your every need; from baiting your hooks to landing your catch, helping you catch your limit!

Water Sports

Trout fishing is only one part of the White River picture. There's the scenery itself, featuring some of the most beautiful bluffs in all of the Ozarks. Others remember the river by the thin layer of fog suspended delicately above the stream each morning around sunrise.

There are numerous ways to get to know the White River. One option--and the choice of thousands of vacationers every year--is to hire a guide and a johnboat, relax in a deck chair, and head for a fishing hole. Another is to emulate the annual Boy Scout pilgrimage by putting a canoe in at Bull Shoals State Park and paddling like crazy all the way to Batesville--a distance of 120 miles. Canoeing, rafting and kayaking are popular on the river and creeks and allow a relaxed way to explore the nooks and crannies of the river as you float downstream.

No matter how they get on the river, visitors need to remember that the stream is subject to sudden fluctuations because of power generation at the dam. When all the turbines are in operation, the White River can become bank-full and very swift.

Swimming holes abound in this Ozark Mountain area and one of the finest is in the recreation area of Blanchard Springs Caverns. Located near the overnight campground, the swimming area features crystal clear water, towering rock bluffs, and a rock beach to catch a bit of sun.