Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

October 24, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Jimmy Hesslinger from Nebraska was chasing white bass on Millwood Lake with guide Mike Siefert when he landed this nice catch. The Army Corps of Engineers’ 2-foot drawdown of Millwood these past few weeks has bought white bass closer to the largemouths and spotted bass in the lake and made for good fishing, Siefert reports (see more below). The drawdown there concludes Nov. 1. Also, the Millwood State Park access to the lake is reopened after the AGFC and other partners treated Cuban bulrush recently discovered there and elsewhere in the lake.

Reports are updated weekly, although some reports may be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.

Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk

For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt

For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality

Download the Fish Brain app and follow AGFC at: https://join.fishbrain.com/agfc-page

Quick links to regions:

• Central Arkansas
• North Arkansas
• Northwest Arkansas
• Northeast Arkansas
• Southeast Arkansas
• Southwest Arkansas
• South-Central Arkansas
• West-Central Arkansas
• East Arkansas

NOTE: For anglers using the privately owned Beaverfork Lake in Faulkner County, especially with Lake Conway being drawn down for renovation, according to the Conway Parks and Recreation Dept. They began their every-five-year winter drawdown of Beaverfork last week. This routine maintenance is done to allow landowners to do maintenance to their piers, boathouses and shorelines. Although the ramps will eventually be unusable, a primitive ramp at the end of Volleyball Point provides a way to launch smaller boats. They will resume refilling the lake Jan. 1. 

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
For the most up-to-date lake level, visit the U.S. Geological Survey’s Lake Conway water level site.

(updated 10-24-2024) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said there are a few fish left in the pools if you can get to them, but not many. The pools are steadily drying up. “We need some rain bad.”

“I caught 16 crappie and kept 16 crappie,” they report of one pool excursion this week. Anglers will need to walk to the holes that remain. It’s suggested you pick a dry area to walk there; it is still pretty mucky in many places.

“If you find a hole with water in it, I guarantee you it has fish in it. We found a hole and caught fish six days in a row and caught crappie in them every day. There is still fish in all of them.”

Nearby Lake Beaverfork is being drawn down by the city, and anglers report they are catching a lot of crappie around the shoreline, as well as other species. 

Also, anglers reported catching about every species of fish by going to the AGFC-stocked Lake Conway Nursery Pond, they report.

While fishing is still possible on the main lake, there are no creel or length limits during its drawdown phase as part of the AGFC’s planned renovation project. Regular limits exist elsewhere, including the Nursery Pond.

Little Red River
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website or by calling (501) 362-5150). Also check the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecast generation schedule.

(updated 10-17-2024) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said Thursday that this week marks the true arrival of fall, with cooler temperatures settling in and a noticeable drop in power demand. As of today, it seems the Southwestern Power Administration has shifted the consistent generation schedule we’ve seen over the past month. It’ll be interesting to see how the generation schedule plays out in the coming weeks as this fall weather continues.
The trout bite has been most productive in the early mornings, particularly while fishing the falling water from the previous night’s generation. Drift-fishing from the boat has been the way to go, with a setup about 5 feet deep under an indicator. A two-fly rig is working best, with a size 14 Hillbilly Hare’s Ear on top and a 14-inch dropper to a size 18 Root Beer Midge below. The hot flies right now? Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears and various Midges have been solid producers. For those into streamer fishing, the falling water from the previous generation schedule has provided the morning opportunity to throw something like Double Deceivers and Peanut Envy flies, which have been productive, then we’re switching over to a nymph rig as the water drops later in the day.

(updated 10-10-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that trout anglers are catching fishing on one-eighth-ounce Rooster Tails in a shad pattern, and they are also catching some throwing a black and brown Woolly Bugger. The folks who like the Trout Magnet are floating a pink Trout Magnet worm about a foot and a half off the bottom and having a lot of success, too.

Greers Ferry Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website. 

(updated 10-24-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 454.28 feet msl; that’s 7.76 feet below normal pool of 462.04 feet msl. “Same old deal all over until weather changes it someway! Does not look like much has changed but some has, other than more and more fish coming up on top schooling in different parts of the lake and rivers basically all over every bit of it now. Power generation has somewhat remained steady now other than some weekends with them generating two or three hours in afternoons, but some days there is no generation at all and some days one hour, which will help oxygenation in the lake and river below. We are seeing somewhat of a turnover in the lower end of lake, so stay away from the tainted water. Also with the cooling off, some fish will move shallower, but a lot of years I’ve seen that some will go deeper for a while until it really gets cooler and we get some rain,” Tommy says.

Continue to try super shallow and out to 30 feet for crappie with jigs, minnows or crankbaits. A lot of fish migrated to cooler areas in timber during the summer where a lot of bait stay, so fishing straight up and down is a must when fishing for these. Walleye are eating in the main lake with few being up rivers and scattered throughout the lake. Drag a crawler or crankbait 45-65 feet. Some will follow under big schools of whites and hybrids, so use spoon for those. Just like crappie, they head to the timber and hang out when it’s hot and stay into fall with the water a little cooler and more baitfish around them. A spoon is best for that vertical fishing at 10-50 feet.
Hybrid and white basses set up in main lake in the warming months, along with a few roaming and schooling on top. For those fish that are set, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swimbaits in 25-60 feet. Catfish are biting all over lake with the usual stuff working in lake and rivers. Some bream can be found shallow but most are still around 8-30 feet crickets; crawlers are working fine as well as inline spinners. 

Some black bass are swimming alone shallow, but most are out in the lake roaming shallowing and schooling. C-rigs, topwaters, wake baits, drop-shots, crankbaits and spinnerbaits have provided the best action from super shallow out to 60 feet.
Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 10-10-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that anglers out early in the morning are picking up black bass by using a bone-color or clear walk-the-dog style bait.

Crappie are in about 15-20 feet of water on tops of brushpiles, and they can be caught using a 1/16-ounce jighead with a white minnow-style bait.

Smallmouth bass are mainly chasing shad in 15-20 feet of water, and they seem to be very interesting in Alabama rigs with a 3.3-inch swimbait.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 10-17-2024) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says anglers can catch crappie but they have to plan on arriving early (“before 7:30,” they say) or plan to fish in the evening when the temperature drops. Anglers are catching crappie off the shoreline, though the size of the fish is not very big — about 11-12 inches at best. Bobby Garland artificial minnows in pearl white and Monkey Milk are working very well.

Some anglers have been catching a few black bass off the bank but they too are not very large.
For the last couple of weeks, catfish have been doing pretty well. One man reported catching 15 blue catfish at night on his trotline. Bass minnows and baby bream are being used for bait. Bream are kind of slow; the only ones being caught now are the small or baby bream for bait.

The water temperature is around 70 degrees still; “it will get going when it gets to around 64,” they say. Also, the water is “really, really low,” and they say the AGFC has not begun to take water from the lake to put water on the nearby Harris Brake WMA for waterfowl season.

With Lake Conway now almost too low for many to fish it, especially with a boat, they are noticing more anglers showing up at Harris Brake Lake but the anglers appear unaware of the crappie size restriction of the lake. They urge anglers to note that crappie must be at least 10 inches long to keep. 

Lake Overcup
(updated 10-17-2024) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 had no new reports, but said that recently that bream were starting to slow down but are being caught on crickets and redworms. Black bass were doing well, feeding on shad early morning and late evening.
Catfish were doing well on trotlines and jugs. Crappie were doing well in 12-14 feet of water using jigs and minnows. 

Lake Maumelle
(update 10-24-2024) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) says Lake Maumelle is clearing up with the fall turnover nearly complete. Central Arkansas Water began a planned 8-feet draw down to eradicate hydrilla on Oct. 16. As of now the lake is about 4 feet below normal pool. The lake is still fully accessible via WestRock Landing marina. Beware of underwater obstructions and shallow areas across the lake!
Water temperature ranges 66-71 degrees. Crappie can be found anywhere from 12-28 feet of water. The bite is improving. Cover water! Fish are roaming and on brush. Avoid getting stuck on one group of fish. Tie on a bait you’re confident in and put it on as many fish as you find.
“Two of my personal favorites right now are the Bobby Garland Live Roam’R in live minnow color and the Crappie Magnet Slab Magnet in percy.”
Now is the time to be on the lake! Visit www.nsfguide.com to schedule your trip today!

(updated 10-17-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported Thursday that water temperature has continued to drop and is ranging 68-71 degrees.

Largemouth bass remain fair. They can be found shallow in the mornings and evenings in 1-5 feet with some breaking but not staying up long. Others are being found deeper and scattered around brush anywhere from 10-20 feet. Try points and drop-offs. Try using drop-shots, Texas-rigged worms, topwater lures, jigs and crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) also are fair. Reports have them being found scattered on drop-offs in 10-20 feet. Try using drop-shots and jigs.
White bass were briefly heard from a week ago, but they’re not biting again. Try using twister tails and crankbaits.

Crappie are fair. They are reportedly being found suspended around brush from 18-25 feet as well as some being found 12-15 feet off drop-offs. Use jigs and minnows. Small baits have worked best for crappie lately.

Bream are slow. They can be found around brush piles at 10-15 feet depth. Try using crickets, worms and drop-shots. Catfish also are slow. One report said they could be found around 12 feet deep. Try using bream, liver and worms.

Arkansas River at Morrilton
For the real-time water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam and Morrilton stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website. 

Little Maumelle River
(update 10-10-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said fishing is picking up and the crappie news from the last few days has been very encouraging. One crappie angler has been doing very well in 3 feet of water around lily pads, using minnows and picking up “some nice ones,” Ray said. 

Two bass anglers have been out every afternoon this week catching several bass on topwater baits, crankbaits and soft plastic worms. A couple of catfish anglers have been putting out their trotlines and catching lots of catfish using live bream and cut bait.

“I haven’t heard much on the bream, but they bite all the time around here,” Ray added. “It may be beginning to pick up with these cool nights and the water cooling down.”

Water is clear and at a normal level and in good shape, he reports.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
For the real-time water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website. 

Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools)
For the real-time water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam and David D. Terry Lock and Dam, as well as the Little Rock pool stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 10-10-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that bass are back up in the creeks, and they’ve been very receptive to a Strike King 1.5 square bill, mainly in a shad pattern. You can catch fish in the mouths of creeks on a Strike King 3XD, or if there is rock you should try a half-ounce football jig.

Early in the morning, the most successful approach seems to be throwing a topwater walking bait, either in bone color or clear, to pick up some nice bass.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 10-17-2024) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said the water level is back to normal pool and no stumps are showing, but the fishing has been “a little slow.” Anglers have been catching a lot of catfish, though, with hot dogs and liver working best. A few crappie are being caught if the anglers have LiveScope, she said. Jigs seem to be the best approach though she did not hear of any specific brands. The crappie are deep around the stumps, and with those stumps not showing now, they’re basically in the channel.

Peckerwood Lake will close on Oct. 31 for the season so that the privately owned lake can serve as a waterfowl rest area. It will reopen Feb. 10, the Monday following Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt weekend.

White River
(updated 10-24-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the White River below Bull Shoals Dam has seen minimum flows for most of each day for the last month and longer; higher releases usually occur late in the afternoon and evening, dropping again by early morning. Bull Shoals Lake is over 9 feet below power pool, sitting at 650.93 feet msl, so we expect the releases to remain low. Mother Nature is blessing us with nicely moderate temperatures, but early mornings are chilly enough to require a couple of layers.

The rainbow fishing continues to be successful with PowerBait luring in lots of trout for both the wade/bank anglers as well as the boaters. It’s autumn – time to switch to yellow and sunrise for your egg pattern flies or PowerBait. Moss green jigs with a little peach thrown in are worth a shot to change up your fishing technique and keep the curious trout interested. D2s, Zig Jigs or Marabou jigs will all cause a stir.

The annual spawn is heating up, so be gentle when returning the females to the river. Stock up on shiny, flashy baits and lots of jiggle for use during the spawning months. We have seen fewer browns and cutthroats this past week, but those we’ve been able to bring to the boat have taken sculpins rather than stick baits. They’re preserving

energy and beefing up for the spawn.

“Fall colors are a little muted this year, but when the sugar maples begin to change they really pop! Come on over to the White River and see for yourself. Welcome to the Ozarks.”

(updated 10-24-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “Based on energy demand, we have seen inconsistent water levels throughout the week. Late last week we saw depths as high as over 6 feet to some days never getting over 4 feet during the night. One day we saw water at 2 feet and never got over 3 feet. This Wednesday was our first day where we received enough water to reach 5 feet, but it also caused us to receive dingy water. For the bulk of the week, using ⅙- or quarter-ounce Thompson Colorado spoons in nickel/gold worked well. We also had success with Rapala Countdowns CD5 in both brown trout and rainbow trout colors. Drift-fishing with Uncommon Bait UV eggs with shrimp produced some nice limits of rainbows. 

“For the next week, we are going to see cool mornings and some beautiful days. Great time to take advantage of the weather before cooler weather arrives.”

On Tuesday the AGFC stocked 1,000 rainbow trout at the Calico Rock boat ramp and another 1,000 at the Chessmond Ferry boat ramp. The next day, the AGFC used the pontoon raft to stock 3,100 rainbow between Calico Rock and Guion.

Bull Shoals Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Bull Shoals Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 10-24-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said lake level is at 650 feet msl. The water temperature is hovering around 69 degrees, give or take. Fall junk fishing for black bass is underway. “You’re going to have to work for them and keep moving; don’t get hung up on one thing. Water seems to be turning over still. Fishing can be better when they move up during the lowlight or the Army Corps of Engineers starts generating or a front is moving in. We need some rain.

“Lots of bass are starting to move in on the shad. We did get a few more move up shallow with the cooler temps. Shad are spread out from the back off the creeks out to the mouths of the main lake. There are shad sitting high on the surface down to 50 feet; however, topwater fishing has been hit or miss. A smaller popper or smaller walk-the-dog early is best early. Try a Plopper-style bait in black or white covering water black or white. A lot of the dirty backs have shad but are just starting to clump up. If we get the right powerfishing conditions, those fish will eat a Chatterbait, white spinnerbait, etc., in shad colors. If its sunny and flat, I’m going to check the mouths of creeks and pockets, and on long points, ledges, piles, drop-offs and bluff ends as well as treetops that are close to deep water and with shad nearby.
“There are very large schools of bass chasing larger shad balls if you can stumble into them, but they are cruising fast. For this a small Flutter Spoon, Tater Shad or small, heavy swimbait will fool a few. You better be a good front-looker — having to hit them on the move isn’t easy. Overall, smaller baits have helped. It’s fall, the fish can be stubborn. For me a drop-shot has been good when it’s tough conditions. So, if you find them and get one or two to bite you might as well go to next spot. You can still catch them off points and piles with a big worm or small Jewel Jig in green pumpkin orange, or a shaky head. 

“So, welcome to fall fishing. Catch one on the surface down to 50 feet. Fish the conditions.”

Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.

(updated 10-24-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the walleye fishing has been slow this week. Fish have been reluctant to chase a bait and fishing slow has been the key to catching a few walleye. Fish are scattered from 20 feet down to 60 feet. 

“The best luck I have had has still been a drop-shot rig and nightcrawler around points with brush or trees close by. Walleye seem to be moving in and out of different water depths depending on wind and cloud cover. If they are shallow, stay out in deeper water and cast into them with a jig and crawler or drop-shot rig and work them back to the boat very slowly. If they are deep, go vertical with spoons, Ice Jig or drop-shot rig. Scan points, both sides and tips, by zigzagging in and out of 20-70 feet of water to find fish. You can also use a Carolina rig with ½-ounce egg sinker and No. 2 Aberdeen hook and nightcrawler worked slowly around groups of fish on the deeper sides of deep brushpiles. 

(updated 10-24-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are still mainly pretty scattered on brush in creeks. We’re Finding a few on the main lake but it’s tough going. Catching a few on jigs depending on the day, but still mainly minnows.

Norfork Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Norfork Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website. 

No reports.

Beaver Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Beaver Lake Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 10-24-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is hovering right at 1,112 feet msl. “It’s the same ol’ story as the last five reports. The lake is stuck in turnover with this record heat. Sure wish I could say more. We need fall to show and some rain. You can catch fish, but it is tough. Stick with it and downsize on baits, especially if you’re targeting crappie.
“Crappie are scattered from here to there — some on brush and some roaming as if it were summer. Look anywhere from 12-35 feet deep. Electronics are your best friend. Trust what you are seeing and move if nothing is happening.
“Stripers are probably the most consistent, although the size is on the smaller spectrum for this trophy lake. Focus on Prairie Creek down to Point 6. These fish will eventually make a run to Point 12 area as water cools. We have a long way to go, though.
“Bass and everything else are a fair bite. Enjoy the warm weather as we all know it will change soon (??). Arkansas weather — you gotta love it! Stay safe and good luck.”
Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

(updated 10-17-2024) Hooked on Fishing Guide Service (479-225-4849) reports the striper bite has been good to great most days. Morning bite is good to excellent. Evening bite is a little tougher but not impossible with some persistence. Trolling live shad and minnows is very productive. Artificial is still slow but expected to pick up soon as the water temps drop. Depth isn’t consistent, as some are catching fish on shallow flats and others are catching fish in the channel at 150-feet-plus. Topwater is present but sporadic and not predictable. Water temp is 67 degrees in the rivers and 72 degrees at the dam. Annual migration should start soon as the lake temp drops. Best areas to focus are Coppermine to the dam. “The walleye are still scattered about. Try fishing for them in 30 feet of water. Look for them around humps and flats. Also, the flats around islands are good areas to troll crawler harnesses and crankbaits.” 

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 10-24-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said Thursday that “this weather sure has been nice for fishing! With the days getting shorter, this is providing a nice opportunity to catch some really nice fish. We are seeing better walleye and brown trout numbers as fall presses on.
“Fishing has been pretty good this week. We have been getting great results using Pautzke Fire Bait, Fire Eggs and Fire Minnows fished with light terminal tackle. A pink or white Fire Egg, floating a nightcrawler, has done great. Fire Bait, fished on bottom, is producing nice numbers. With the Fire Minnow, you want to use a 1/16-ounce jighead with a slow action. This method is also great during generation. With this method, you can also pull a few fall walleye as well.
“Casting quarter-ounce spoons, along with pulling Flicker Shads, are producing nice numbers as well. We are losing a little water in the system, with most of the generation happening in the evening hours. The water temperature has been pretty consistent, from Houseman Access to the dam, with slightly higher temperatures downstream toward Table Rock.” 

Check out Austin’s Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) for weekly updates.

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 10-17-2024) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says fishing has been pretty good this week, especially the crappie. Anglers are using crankbaits and jigs, and the bite is good. Bass are starting to pick up and they are getting a little size on them as well. Soft plastic worms, bigger jigs and topwater lures are the most successful approaches to bass.

They’ve heard nothing on the catfish but they also figure the full moon should be bringing folks out for them; they just haven’t heard any reports. Bream are biting “a little bit,” but they’re scattered and bass seem to be coming up to feed on them more than anglers are catching them.

The water is 68 degrees and is cooling off “pretty quick.”

Lake Charles
(updated 10-17-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said Sunday brought a cool morning to the lake with the surface temperature reading 62.6 degrees. Water level is normal and the clarity is the usual murky.

Catfishing was good. Anglers were catching channel cats on cut bait and flatheads using nightcrawlers or chicken liver. They were also baiting lines with cut bait or hot dog, and blood bait was also used.

Bream are good on worms, crickets, jigs and waxies. Looks around brushpiles and rocky poins. Crappie a good on waxies and Gulp Alive. They were being fished like the bream around brushpiles and rocky points.

Black bass are fair on soft plastic worms, crankbaits and topwater lures as well as spinnerbaits and square bills.

If you believe in the “moon times” or solunar table, the good Sunday fishing ran exactly with the good fishing predicted for days up to Sunday. The full moon picked last Thursday and was still up and bright Friday. If you’re looking for the expected best days, she said, they will be Oct. 29-Nov. 4 based on those moon times. October is a great month to take in Lake Charles and visit the State Park. The lake will drop some when water is used next month to flood Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA for waterfowl hunting.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 10-24-2024) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park said had no new reports. Bass and crappie continue to be catch-and-release at Lake Poinsett.

Spring River
(updated 10-24-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water level is flowing at 220 cfs (350 is average) and water clarity is clear. The river is very low and needs some rain. The river has been fishing great with the low, clear conditions, making for great nymphing and some dry fly action. Hopper droppers have been working great, with big hoppers, and eggs, pink worms or nymphs as droppers. Lots of blue olives, caddis and other bugs hatching in the morning as the sun rises. Great action on the fly, with a lighter tippet working well with clear water clarity. Or throw Woollies for bigger trout as well as bass. Smallies are hitting, with an occasional largemouth attacking the fly.

For spin-fishing, a Trout Magnet in pink, white or red can work well. You’ve got to get it just off the bottom. “With the low water, take plenty of flies and tackle. Really easy to hang up on the bottom. But, hey, that’s where the fish are! 

“The river is very quiet this time of year. You might get the whole river to yourself. The river is still very slick; be safe wading!”

Refer to Mark’s blog for the latest river conditions on the Spring River on his website linked above when heading out.

White River
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time gauge level and flow from the White River stages at Batesville, Newport and Augusta and all other sites within the White River basin in Arkansas, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
For the real-time water flow at the Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam and Maynard Lock and Dam, as well as the Pine Bluff pool stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 10-24-2024) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no new reports. Most recently, though, they reported that black bass had slid out to the outer edges and points of jetties, especially if wind was pushing on or across those points. Anglers should expect to find freshwater drum, white bass, striped bass, catfish and both spotted and largemouth bass hanging out on the same productive jetty points; so, if you get a bite on a jetty, keep casting to the same spot and nearby a few more times at least, as that fish likely was not alone. 

Brushpiles on sand drops and shady cover have been producing in Lake Langhofer, though these fish are more pressured and you must present lures to them several times to get bites in many cases. Buzzbaits and walking topwaters in shad colors are producing first thing in the morning, moving to swimming and finesse jigs in bluegill to craw patterns during the middle of the day when working water willows, jetties and brushpiles/woody cover. 

Small swimbaits in shad patterns are also producing near schooling areas. Always have a small topwater popper/walking bait, a weightless fluke or small swimbait on deck ready to take advantage of sudden schooling activity that could erupt anywhere at any time.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 10-24-2024) Teresa Atchley at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said that last Saturday, several fishermen fishing with redworms were fishing the lake for anything, while another was using minnows, targeting all species. Some female anglers were out Sunday using redworms for anything that would bite, and an angler used minnows to catch crappie. Monday, several anglers were using minnows and redworms fishing both from their boat and the inside pier.

Lake Monticello
(updated 10-24-2024) Anglers are reminded that if they venture out for some fishing on Lake Monticello while the lake continues to refill after being renovated, that all fish caught must be released immediately.
The Hunger Run Access is open to boat traffic. Reports are good of anglers catching nice-sided black bass now.

Millwood Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from Millwood Lake Dam, visit the Corps Little Rock office website.

(updated 10-24-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the 2-foot drawdown by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, which is actually now at 15 inches below normal pool, is scheduled to end next Friday, Nov. 1. The Corps annual draws down Millwood for the planting of millet for migrating ducks, to improve shoreline vegetation and to promote sediment compaction. For more information, contact the Millwood Project Office at 870-898-3343.
Millwood State Park boat ramps have REOPENED after herbicide treatments Containment booms have been placed where Southwest regional office fisheries biologists recently discovered Cuban bulrush, an invasive plant species located within the Millwood State Park cove. It has additionally been found at numerous locations along Little River and oxbows, and reported by us to the AGFC Invasive Species Portal, with photos and locations.
The AGFC, the Millwood U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Millwood State Park are all working collaboratively to reduce the risk of spreading this invasive plant elsewhere within Millwood Lake and other lakes throughout Arkansas. In order to do so, a containment boom has also been placed around the cove which still allows boat traffic away from the aquatic plant to keep parts of it from drifting elsewhere throughout the lake. Herbicide has been twice as of this week where Cuban bulrush is observed. Practice caution while boating around the containment booms.

The biggest changes for anglers the past couple of weeks have been the clarity improving and water temps rising one day, then both falling back the next. With reduced current in Little River, the surface clarity has been slowing improving in visibility. Surface temps continue dropping and this week ranged 69 degrees early to 75 later in the day along Little River. Surface temps continue dropping, ranging in 69º early to 75F later in the day along Little River over the last week. 

Mike had these specifics on the fishing this week: 

* Largemouth bass have been schooling and breaking on shad in random locations for several weeks, and with the warmer temps over the past two weeks the surface feeding and breaking on shad in Little River was greatly subdued. The biggest changes over the past few weeks continue to be the cooler weather one week and warm weather the next. Little River surface temperatures are up and down randomly, and we are beginning to think the lake maybe in, or approaching, fall turnover. 

The best reactions for the schooling bass when they were frenzy feeding recently were had by using Rat-L-Trap Hammer Traps in Millwood Magic or Chrome Blue, Kastmaster Spoons, Pop-R’s, Little John and Bomber Fat Free Guppy crankbaits. Topwater baits like the Bill Lewis StutterStep, the Cordell Crazy Shad, Baby Torpedoes and Heddon Dying Flutters were working very well last week, also.
Along the edges of grass in Little River, good choices are the Cordell Crazy Shads in chrome/blue or black back, and a Clear Baby Torpedo will draw a reaction when you see surface action from these feeding bass near creek channel dumps on primary points into Little River. 

Buzzbait reactions have slowed somewhat, and the largemouth seem to prefer a surface bait that is stopping and starting randomly along Little River, like chrome Cordell Crazy Shads, clear Baby Torpedo or a Smithwick Rogue in clown color. However, the schooling activity can fire up at most any time of day, so keep a Rat-L-Trap, a crankbait, a spoon or a Spook you can throw about 30-40 yards when they fire up on river shad.
Best color of cranks in the oxbows, like the Bill Lewis Echo 1.75 square bills, or the MD-57 and MR-6 for the past couple weeks or so have been the Millwood Magic, Ghost Minnow, Tennessee Shad or Green Gizzard Shad. By increasing size of a Rat-L-Trap up to a three-quarter-ounce Rat-L-Trap, one can fish it much slower and deeper. This technique will draw a few random hits during midday on primary points with stumps present, from creek channels and across points converging with Little River. Best colors of Traps over the past week or so have been Millwood Magic, Tennessee Shad, Ghost Minnow or Olive Shad. In addition, a chrome/blue or Millwood Magic ⅜-ounce Spin Trap will also draw a few reactions from schooling bass in the River.
Our custom-painted Little John Crankbaits continue to draw reactions from feeding largemouth bass in the mouths of the creeks dumping into Little River. The square bills, S-cranks and Echo 1.75 cranks and shallow running crankbaits in bluegill ghost, and Tennessee Shad colors are working near creek mouths and points extending into Little River for the past week or so. The drawdown continues with a lot of fish holding near the mouths of creeks and points extending in the river. Working the cranks in a-stop and-go, slow retrieve will draw a better reaction than fast retrieves. Several groups of juvenile schooling bass have been found in Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows up Little River over the past week around midday. Largemouths, Kentucky bass and white bass have been randomly schooling over the past several weeks in various locations running river shad from late morning throughout the afternoon. Kastmaster spoons, Cordell spoons, Rat-L-Traps and Little Georges all were catching the surface schoolers over the past week. These fish appear to be juvenile and adolescent in age distribution, ranging in size from 2 to 3 pounds each.

Bass Assassin Shads in Grey Ghost, Salt & Pepper Phantom, Violet Moon and Rainbow Shad colors are still working in vegetation and lily pads near flats from 3-5 feet of depth with stumps. 

Vertical-jigging spoons still works with Kentucky (spotted) and white bass and several schools of largemouths in Little River behind points and washouts Schools of Kentuckies and largemouths feeding on river shad will hit vertical-jigged spoons with abandon once the surface schooling subsides late in the morning. We have been using Cotton Cordell Hammered Spoons over the past couple weeks, with added bucktails.
* White bass slowed somewhat after schooling along Little River (with the largemouth bass) the last two weeks at random times during the day, and they continue hitting vertical-jigged half-ounce to 1-ounce Slab Spoons in Little River between Jack’s Isle and the first entrance into Mud Lake, and also in Hurricane Creek from 10-15 feet deep. Little River has clarity has reduced, which improved the clarity on primary and secondary points. White bass are roaming all along Little River, and roaming in and out of creek dumps, too. With the drawdown in effect, many whites are found in close proximity to the Kentucky and largemouth bass, all feeding on threadfin shad.
Heavy ¾-ounce Cordell Hammered Spoons, Kastmaster chrome/blue spoons with white bucktails, or Bomber Fat Free Guppy or Fingerling crankbaits, the Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits both in Citrus Shad, Tennessee Shad and Millwood Magic colors all continue drawing good reactions from white bass. Little George’s, Rocket Shads and red/white Rooster Tails continued working last week. Random and broken schools of white bass are chasing and feeding on the same schools of threadfin shad as the largemouth and Kentucky bass are, at numerous river creek channel intersections, primary points and many creek dumps into Little River where primary or secondary points intersect with creek mouths dumping into the river. Their activity levels continue improving reacting to crankbaits and spoons. 

* Crappie have been fair to good over the past few weeks, improving with reduced current in Little River, and improved water clarity in brush from 12-14 feet deep. In locating planted brush piles 12-14 feet deep, we find they continue holding some nice slabs and action and activity has been improving. Red/white tube jigs and black/chartreuse hair jigs were catching some 1- to 2-pound fish recently. Cordell smoke-colored grubs with a chartreuse tip tail on a light wire jig head will pick up a few extra bites.

* No reports still on bream or catfish.

Lake Columbia
No reports.

Lake Greeson Tailwater
For the most updated Narrows Dam generation schedule from SWEPCO, click here.

Lake Greeson
For the most updated lake level at Lake Greeson, click here.

(updated 10-17-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs said on “The Wild Side” show on KABZ-FM, 103.7, that Greeson, like all the other big area lakes, is still well below its full pool level, down about 5 feet. Of late, it’s been great for topwater, he says. Use something that resembles a small shad; they are chasing tiny shad. A quarter-ounce Rat-L-Trap in chrome and blue back or chrome and black back is a good place to start on this and other similar lakes now. If that doesn’t get their attention, switch to other small topwater baits to get some hits, or a small spoon or rise and pull them up; the fish are all focused on eating on top.

DeGray Lake
For the most updated lake level at DeGray Lake, click here.

(updated 10-17-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said he’s focusing his fishing on lakes Ouachita and DeGray and it’s definitely crappie season. “The crappie are already in a fall pattern and biting great. We are catching them 12-15 feet deep on brushpiles using live bait and jigs. Bass are doing well, also. Ample limits are being caught from topwater baits early in the morning to Damiki rigs with live bait or soft plastic near bottom later in the mornings.
“It’s time to get on the water and enjoy the crisp, cool mornings. Be safe, everybody.”

De Queen Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from De Queen Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

Dierks Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from Dierks Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

White Oak Lake Area
No reports.

Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro

(updated 10-24-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 57 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Drought conditions have prompted Entergy to run minimal flow times below Remmel Dam this week and they’ve greatly reduced generation times from Carpenter Dam. The public is urged to view the weekly flow schedules on area dams by going to the Entergy Hydro Operations page linked above and search for lake and flow news. While no guarantee is made by Entergy that this information is ironclad, it gives everyone reliable information on the day-to-day operations below a hydroelectric dam that is subject to change as water level and incoming weather conditions dictate. 

Mid-November is slated to be the start of the fall trout stocking season with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in charge of this operation. Also, the winter drawdown is scheduled to begin on area lakes in November and will last until next March. Little productive fishing is going on now below Carpenter Dam. This is normal due to the fact that the spawn for walleye, crappie, catfish and white bass has been over by late June and most of these fish migrate away from the dam afterward. The absence of trout creates a huge void in the number of catchable fish in the lake. Some catches of walleye and white bass have been reported, but numbers are small and catches have occurred in the late evening before dark. 

The threadfin shad population moved out of the tailrace in late August, forcing big numbers of game fish away from the dam in search of prey. The influx of rainbow trout in November will kick-start quality fishing on Lake Catherine and provide anglers the opportunity to catch healthy fish and have some wonderful table fare to enjoy.
Remember to always obey all park and lake regulations when visiting Carpenter Dam and cooperate with law enforcement. The number of trash cans are limited in this area, so remember to pick up after yourself after each outing. 

Lake Dardanelle
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ outflow and gauge level reports from Dardanelle, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 10-10-2024) Seth Boone, superintendent at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7474), reported Lake Dardanelle is starting to cool down in this fall weather. The fish have been biting better with the fronts that moved through. The black bass are biting decently on crankbaits. Crappie have tended to be better on the minnows than the jigs lately. Catfish are biting decently on stink bait. Bream are biting on crickets and worms at a fair rate.

Lake Hamilton
(updated 10-17-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) had no new report. He has been focusing on Lake Ouachita and DeGray Lake (see reports above and below).

(updated 10-10-2024) Scott Rook of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted earlier this week on “The Wild Side” on KABZ, 103.7 The Buzz, that area lakes including lakes Hamilton, Ouachita and DeGray and getting close to their fall transition and there is still a lot of to topwater bites going on, and still a few schooling fish. There are a lot of hot baits working now — “anything topwater,” he said — and one bait in particular that anglers are favoring is the Jackall Riser.
“The weather is getting a little cooler, days getting shorter. Fish are starting to feed up,” he said. “It won’t be long till it’s Rat-L-Trap and spinnerbait time. It’s just right around the corner.”

Bass are being caught from the surface down to 25-30 feet, he said. Some anglers are using a drop-shot very deep, but fish should be getting back in the current soon.

For crappie, he adds, the Bobby Garland Itty Bit at an inch and a quarter is good to use on the big area lakes when the sun gets up. Little baits are favored by the crappie now.

Rook explained on the “Wild Side” what to look for when a lake begins a fall transition. “It depends on what the shad do. (The bass) are going to follow that buffet around

wherever the shad go. This time of year, the shad tend to get suspended in the middle of the creek and the mouth of the creek. Then once they work their way back as the water temperature starts to cool, they get shallower and all the fish get up shallow. 

“Typical back-of-the-creek fall patterns are in full force and that will last all the way up to almost January, depending on what the temperatures do.”

Lake Nimrod
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow reports from Nimrod Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 10-17-2024) Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) reports that the fishing has been “exceedingly slow.” The Army Corps of Engineers drawdown of the lake to 337 feet is officially over and “we’re just waiting on some rain to raise the lake back up naturally and bring in some more people, hopefully,” they say. 

With the lake still at 337 feet msl, only two ramps have any real accessibility, and of those, Carden Point is the access most being used. Anderson Access is on the more difficult side to access, they say. Watch for stumps while boating with the lake down.

They report that a few people have been out trying to catch crappie lately, but it’s been really hit-and-miss. Customers are coming in buying live minnows, however.

Carter Cove has a Facebook page, and the email address is cartercovebaitnmore@gmail.com, with updates and photos. Stop in for live bait, tackle, cabin rentals, pizza, burgers, sandwiches and more.

Lake Ouachita
For the current lake level at Blakely Dam, click here.

(updated 10-24-2024) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said the black bass are very good. These fish are schooling up in the mouths of major creek channels. No reports on walleye this week. Stripers are very good and biting on live bait in the central park of the lake. No reports on bream. Crappie are very good and biting over the tops of brush in the 20- to 30-feet range. No new reports on catfish.

Water temperature is ranging 70-76 degrees. The clarity is clear. Lake level on Thursday was 568.68 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 10-24-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said, “Cooler weather really make the crappie active. We’re catching them as shallow as 8 feet in 12-16 feet of water. The warmer weather this week has pushed them deeper, and we’re catching them 14-20 feet deep in 25-30 feet of water — of course, all over brushpiles.”

Blue Mountain Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow reports from Blue Mountain Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

White River/Clarendon Area
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time gauge level and flow from Clarendon, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 10-24-2024) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports that crappie are biting in area rivers around structures. LiveScoping is the best way to locate the fish. 

Note: msl is mean sea level; cfs is cubic feet per second.