Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

March 27, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Ron Ward of Missouri is a longtime two-times-a-year customer of guide Mike Siefert’s on Millwood Lake, and Ron’s early springtime haul went very well with some nice largemouths, including this one. A couple of his pre-spawn bass ranged 3.75-4 pounds, Siefert said. Millwood has been turning out some monster largemouth bass in late winter/early spring, particularly in tournaments, but the biggest news this week is the white bass run starting up Little River. Read more in Mike’s Millwood Lake report below; but why that Millwood white bass run is important for anglers elsewhere is that it typically forecasts the beginning of the white bass run on the Maumelle River off Lake Maumelle in 1-2 weeks. You’ll want to visit Sleepy Hollow Access soon, and bring your rod, reel and spoons.

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

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

(updated 3-27-2025) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) had no reports.

While Lake Conway is drawn down for renovation, the Lake Conway Nursery Pond is open for fishing in the immediate area, with bream and trout being reported among catches of late. The 70-acre pond has been stocked by the AGFC with mature bass, crappie, catfish and bream as well as rainbow trout for the cold weather months.

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 3-27-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said the Little Red “has springtime caddis action!”

He said, “We’ve been dealing with a bit of an unpredictable generation schedule from (the Southwestern Power Administration) this week. They’ve been running water in the mornings from around 6 a.m. to noon, then again in the evenings from 6-9 p.m. It’s not been super consistent, so we’re still waiting for a solid pattern to settle in. As for the weekend, if last week was any indication, we might see little to no generation — though with SWPA, you never know for sure!
“Greers Ferry Lake is at power pool, and with the nice spring weather, power demand is down. This has opened up a lot of opportunities on the river, letting anglers switch up their tactics throughout the day.
“If you’re into streamer fishing and chasing brown trout, the higher water in the mornings is a great time to throw big streamers toward the banks and look for an aggressive take. As the water starts to drop, switching to a nymph rig will keep you in the action. You can also start your day farther downstream and get right into nymphing.
“The caddis hatch is in full swing, and the fish are locked in on them! The bite has been fantastic, so if you’re heading out, I’d highly recommend running Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears, Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Sunday Specials or any buggy caddis pattern under an indicator. As soon as the temps warm up, you’ll see the bugs flying all over the river, and the trout are loving them.
“It’s a great time to be on the water—get out there and enjoy it!”

(updated 3-20-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that with Greers Ferry Lake back down to normal pool, there hasn’t been the need for generation for the past couple of days. And that, along with this weather, ought to be perfect for trout fishing. “You can go out there and throw just about anything. The fishing ought to be dang-good, they’ve been in high water for so long.”

Try something like a gold Rapala or some gold jerkbait for brown trout, focusing on little deeper stretches of the river. Along some shallower shoals, both rainbows and browns should be interested in Rooster Tails or a Little Cleo.

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 3-27-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at normal pool of 462.04 feet msl and rising or falling one way or the other each day. There is a great stain to water — pretty much good catching color all over the lake and rivers. Most species have been on the move with water rising recently. The AGFC’s Greers Ferry Lake 2024 Fisheries Survey Summary Report is a very good read: Greers Ferry Lake_popular_2024.pdf.
Several days ago you probably saw some mid-50s temps with wind really mixing it up. A lot has cooled back off, especially after these cold nights coming and for sure will cause fish confusion, as a lot have backed off now! 

Crappie should be super shallow out to 30 feet. They have been biting jigs, minnows or crankbaits. Fishing for them straight up and down in pole timber or a brushpile has been working great. 

A lot of walleye have moved upriver or close to it after the last big lake rise; there is a lot more staging and some prestaging. They have not even come out of deep water; they are scattered all over the lake and rivers. Look on any corner facing upstream and drag a minnow or crankbaits 45-65 feet. For walleye that are shallow, fish a jighead minnow, jerkbait or big minnow-type deep-diving bait. Some are following under big schools of whites and hybrids; use spoons for those. For the ones just roaming, a spoon is best for vertical fishing them in 10-50 feet.
Hybrid bass and white bass are set up in the main lake and some are roaming, schooling on top. For the ones set, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swimbaits in 25-80 feet. They want to settle in about 43 feet, which is magic water depth where they are comfortable here many months out of the year. It has the right temperature and oxygen.

You will start running into small groups of five to eight black bass up shallow. Most, though, are out or roaming shallow and schooling. Use Carolina rigs, Wiggle Warts and any flat-sided crankbait, drop-shots, spinner baits and Rat-L-Traps super shallow out to 80 feet. The spinnerbait will shine right now shallow or in the guts. Also be mindful of certain trees they will get on in the pole timber! Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 3-20-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Greers Ferry has been fishing really well lately. Bass are being caught anywhere from 25 feet of water to 5 feet, and a lot of different baits are working. Anglers might want to try a crankbait, particularly a mid-diving crank focusing on 10-12 feet depth, such as a Wiggle Wart or Rock Crawler. Up shallower, you can catch bass on a Chatterbait, a spinnerbait, a jerkbait, targeting 5-10 feet of water.

You could also try a jig to fish any depth. Look for such jig colors as PB&J, or a green pumpkin with a little orange — that’s been a winner of late.

In the deeper water, go with a Damiki rig or maybe a single swimbait.

Crappie will be found now in standing timber. Minnows are a good bet, as well as a pink/chartreuse crappie jig, which will get the crappies’ attention because of the stain in the upper portion of the lake.
The lake level is about normal now. The water temperature is ranging from the low 50s to the high 50s.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 3-27-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the fish are starting to spawn, and there is very good fishing for catfish, crappie, bass and everything other fish from the lake. Crappie are biting on spinner jigs and minnows, with some of the crappie being large. Males are making the beds and waiting on the females for spawn, and there is quite a bit of shallow water catching going on.

White bass, some largemouth bass and spotted bass are all being caught around the lake. Jigs, crankbaits and “all kinds of stuff” seem to be working for bass. Some are decent-size catches. Bass are also being caught from the shoreline as well as boats.

Catfish are biting chicken liver and minnows. Crappie anglers fishing with minnows are finding catfish eager to bite their bait. It appears channel cats are the main ones biting. Some appear to be as much as 3 pounds, she says.

The water is normal level but is “muddy a little and has lots of pollen from the trees.” She says the temperature is right for the fish to spawn, particularly the crappie, with reports of 55 degrees and higher for the surface temp. She reports that spring break has brought out “a lot of kids to fish this week.” Also, last weekend was good in terms of turnout of anglers on Harris Brake Lake.

Also follow more from Harris Brake Lake Resort on its Facebook page.

Lake Overcup
(updated 3-27-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said water level is about 1 foot high and clarity is good. Water temperature is around 67 degrees.
Black bass are doing well on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish are going crazy all over. Bream haven’t started yet but should pick up. Crappie are doing well on yo-yos and jugs. Anglers report starting to catch some males that are turning black from the warm shallow water. 

“Come see us for all your fishing adventures at Overcup Bait Shop off Highway 9.”

Brewer Lake
(update 3-27-2025) Brewer Lake has a new regulation for 2025: The 13- to 16-inch black bass slot limit on Brewer (as well as Lake Barnett in White County) has been replaced; now, anglers may keep up to 10 largemouth bass, but only one of those may exceed 16 inches. —

Lake Maumelle
(update 3-20-2025) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) said, “We had a phenomenal week of fishing last week through the weekend! Unfortunately, high winds have made it tough to get out this week.
“Lake Maumelle water level has reached the “critical” point in my opinion. I do not plan to launch my boat there again until the lake refills.” Lake Maumelle is nearly 10 feet below full pool because Central Arkansas Water has targeted a 10-foot drawdown to allow for repair of the dam.
“That said, I’ll be exploring some of our other awesome crappie fishing locations across Central Arkansas over the next few weeks. I’ll let you know how that goes!”

Schedule your next fishing adventure at www.nsfguide.com

(updated 3-20-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) had no report this week, noting that they had not had anyone fishing because of the wind. The lake is 9.5 feet low (Central Arkansas Water has lowered the lake to as much as 10 feet for work on the dam).
The front ramps are not accessible but WestRock’s back launch ramp is available. “We recommend having 4-wheel drive because it is steep and has a drop-off.”

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 3-27-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is clear and normal level and great for fishing, with excellent reports on crappie and bass and some activity seen out of the bream.

Crappie are biting anywhere from a depth of 6 feet all the way up to 2 feet. They are biting minnows and jigs — best colors of jigs would be anything with chartreuse in it. There is no spawning activity being noticed yet, but Ray says the water is warm enough for it. “I figure maybe 2 or 3 more days. They are catching a lot of male crappie, little bucks have come up first. The bigger ones, the females, are a little deeper.”

The bass are doing really well, he said. Try crankbaits and spinnerbaits. The best bet on spinners was mainly a white one. Or use a crankbait that looks similar to a bream: chartreuse and black, chartreuse with orange belly, etc.

Bream are biting on crickets and worms now. He’s heard nothing on the catfish.

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 3-20-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said crappie are still behind the jetties and in cuts in the jetties. Anglers report catching crappie on a white/chartreuse crappie jig, minnows, and other similar baits. White/chartreuse, black/chartreuse and red/chartreuse have been the most popular crappie jigs to use.

You’re having a mix of warm days followed by cooler days, and the depth of the fish will vary from around 5 feet on those warmer days to them moving back out to 10-15 feet (like Thursday).
Black bass are being caught mostly in the backwaters. A Texas-rigged creature bait is a great call, fishing it around wood or grass. Also, bass are biting on a white/chartreuse spinnerbait and a black/blue Chatterbait.
The water is stained to muddy and will remain that way for a few weeks.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 3-13-2025) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) is back to being a fishing destination after being a waterfowl rest area during duck season, and anglers have been visiting regularly the past few weeks. She says they’ve been catching quite a few catfish, with minnows and hot dogs the primary baits. Crappie, she added, are still “all over the place with this crazy weather.” Use minnows or jigs for crappie. She hasn’t heard anything on the bass so far. The lake water level is at normal pool.

White River Cotter
(updated 3-27-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Spring break has ushered in some very nice days for the visiting families; our fishing community has welcomed many to the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks for terrific trout fishing on the White. Bull Shoals Lake is now below desired power pool level, at 658.45 feet msl. 

Generation from Bull Shoals Dam has been variable from minimum flow (700 cfs) to over five units (17,000 cfs).
“It’s brown trout season on the White River and our anglers pulled in more browns than rainbows this past week as the guides go all out to continue the catching fever. No secret to what has been tempting the browns: sculpins and redfin minnows. Get a quick picture before the release to serve as bragging rights and re-bait for your next catch. Handle with care.
“Red, gold and silver spoons are favored by the rainbows this week — Cleos and Buoyants. Try pink or orange PowerBait or pink/white Berkley mousetail worms if throwing spoons isn’t your style. If the fish seem finicky, move on until you find a deeper hole where the trout are resting from fast water and you’ll feel the tug.
“Come visit the Arkansas Ozarks and enjoy a spring day in our Natural State, enjoying and employing God’s great outdoors.”

Calico Rock
(updated 3-27-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “The weather has been nice with cooler mornings and warm days. Water conditions have been great with lower water averaging 4-5 feet in the mornings and rising to around 7 feet later in the day. With the low and clear water we have seen a lot of success throwing artificial lures such as Rapala Countdowns CD5 and CD7 in rainbow trout color, Thompson Colorado quarter-ounce spoons in nickel/gold, or quarter-ounce Rooster Tails in white or rainbow trout colors. Drift-fishing with a No. 7 split shot 8-12 inches up the line with a hook that has two Uncommon Bait UV eggs (Neo Pink and Bright Orange seem to work best) with shrimp has also worked well. After the water rises, the bite can slow down, and I recommend trying different combinations of egg colors with shrimp or worms. This week we have seen success with blue eggs working. We’ve seen some nice trout caught this week to include a 22-inch 4-pound-plus rainbow trout and several brown trout over 20 inches. 

“This week the Calico Rock boat ramp received one stocking of over 1,000 rainbow trout from the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery with other stockings upriver at Chessmond Ferry and downriver at Mount Olive. There were some nice fat 13-inch-plus rainbows in the stocking at Calico Rock.” 

Allison/Mountain View Area
(updated 3-27-2025) AGFC staff fished the White River in the Allison/Mountain View area out of Jack’s White River Fishing Resort last weekend and had lot of success with rainbows, mostly catching them up to 6 miles or so north of the resort and drifting downstream rapidly with a pretty strong current. The AGFC had stocked the river with rainbows at Mount Olive and at the Sylamore Access several days earlier, and the stockers were hungry. Best success was by spin-fishing with inline spinners, eggs (like X Factor or something similar) and pieces of shrimp. Make sure to use only about a third of a whole shrimp; anything more is too much for the trout to swallow. We caught some more mature rainbows as well as the stockers, too.

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 3-27-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) reports that lake level is nearly full pool at 658 feet msl, while water temps are anywhere from 50-56 degrees depending on where you are. Bass fishing is picking up. There are more fish moving up into pre-spawn areas. Powerfishing shallow has been favorable with high winds blowing square on the bank. Some fish are up roaming shallow at 5-15 feet. A spinnerbait, Chatterbait, Alabama rig and a jerkbait will catch a few in natural shad patterns. Target windblown transition banks — yep, not easy with the winds, but that’s where they are at. Chunk rock, steeper banks, small ledges close to deep water. A SPRO Crawler, Wiggle Wart, Red Craw or green variations are catching them. You can go bright in stained water, natural in the clear. The crank bite will slow without wind. There are always fish to be caught on a jig — a Peewee seems to be getting a little more action. Try areas near shad. Once again, warm and a little wind, sunny, fish points, drop-offs or ledges and piles — you’re looking anywhere from 20-40 feet. Fish way shallower (5-10 feet) in stain or with cloud cover.

The offshore videogamers are going to have to work. The shad are still spread out throughout the water column and spread through the creeks. Target larger bait balls or any bait you can find up high near the surface and closer to the shore. Some fish are still hovering wanting to move. Every day is different and every creek will be a little different. 

If you are targeting shad-eaters, it’s been work! A smaller 2.8 swimbait or a regular Tater Shad has been working, and use a jerkbait around those high-swimming shad or shad balls early or late in the day when shad are up in the water column. They are being finicky if they aren’t actively feeding.

“Good luck. Have fun, be safe, ‘Fish the conditions.’ For those of you who chase white bass, now is the time!”

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

(updated 3-27-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says walleye fishing on the lower end of the lake has still been slow in the daytime this week. Best fishing this past week has still been late evenings. Some fish are still in the spawning cycle and are coming to the shallows at night and are scattered along chunk rock points with deep water close by and along steeper creek channel swings that have shad. Best to fish lowlight periods now. Cloudy and windy days help the daytime fishing a lot.

Fishing methods are still the same: fishing 4-15 feet of water with jerkbaits or fishing 4 feet out to 30 feet of water with jig and minnow, jig and plastics, or Ice Jigs worked slowly back to the boat on points with deep water on at least one side will produce fish. Fishing the same structure right before and after dark with 110-style jerkbaits or 5-inch floating stick baits and retrieved at extremely slow speeds will get some bites.

We have not seen much up early along the shoreline before daylight, but as the water in the creeks starts to warm a little bit more, right before daylight, will also be another opportunity to catch some using the same methods.
If trolling, try to fish lowlight periods. Trolling 5-inch stick baits at slow speeds as low as .85 mph in 7-14 feet along windblown banks will also work.

(updated 3-27-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says to look for crappie in the creeks — you’re looking at brushpiles close to 20-ish feet and found closer to baitfish. Dead-sticking jigs with a small fry bait or minnows under a bobber has been decent, but it seems it changes back and forth from day to day. 

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

(updated 3-20-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) says the lake is at normal pool, 573 feet msl, with clear clarity and a water temperature in the 50s. The warm weather has improved fishing for Norfork Lake stripers. They are moving closer to shore as the water warms, bringing the shad into the creeks. The stripers have moved from the main lake to the mid-section of the creeks.
“I have seen stripers in the creeks that drop off into the channel. The bigger stripers have started showing up and are activity feedings on mid-size gizzard shad and threadfin shad. Fish the creeks that have long flats and stained water; Steward Point, Pigeon Creek, Bennetts Bayou, Big Creek and Brushy Creek are areas with the best conditions to hold active stripers.”
Tom Reynolds guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina.

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

(updated 3-27-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake remained in the 1,120-feet-msl range. That’s a tad lower than normal pool (1,121 feet msl). Water temps are in the lower to mid-50s. The lake is in really good shape right now, and if we do not have any huge rains, this looks to shape up for a good spawn. 

Stripers have been very good as the fish migrate south for the spawn. Look for flats in 10-25 feet of water. Shad is king, as always, on this lake.

Crappie are in their full spawning colors and moving up to the banks. This will only get better. The War Eagle arm was on fire last week. 

The walleye have mostly finished spawning. You now can catch them from Twin Bridges heading back toward Blue Springs.

White bass are up in the river and have been good at Twin Bridges. Black bass are pre-spawn and doing well. Look for areas close to spawning flats and look for them to commit to the banks. 

“Fishing pressure will increase, so be good and patient while launching and fishing. It gets a little crazy this time of the year. Be safe and good luck!”
Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 3-27-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said, “The fishing this past week has been a little off and on with all the fronts that moved through. As I sit here to write this report, I can’t help but think I am ready for warmer temperatures. Water temperature has been around 45 degrees in the morning to 50 in the evening, and the water level has dropped a little. Trout have been really responsive to Pautzke Fire Worms and Fire Baits fished with light terminal tackle. The Fire Worms have done best with drifting.
“The walleye bite has been up and down as well, but it is improving. Trolling has produced nice numbers downstream from Houseman Access. Pulling mid-diving crankbaits coated in Pautzke Fire Gel has been the preferred method.
“Hopefully, some of this cool weather will move out soon and raise the water temperature. The white bass have not come up, and we are definitely waiting on them! 

“Remember to follow my Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) for day-to-day updates between reports. Have fun, stay safe and catch some fish!”

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 3-21-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports that crappie and bass are both coming up into shallower water to bite now that the water temperature is in the 50s. The clarity is “a little dirty, but we like it a little dirty. With the water temp in the 50s, the fish are ready.”
Crappie are biting in jigs and coming up to about 4 feet depth. Black bass are chasing crankbaits. No reports on catfish.

Lake Charles
(updated 3-27-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said angler Cameron Morris caught a nice 13-pound, 7-ounce flathead catfish on the bluegill on Monday. Catfish overall are biting well on live bait (mainly bluegill and worms). Bream are good and have moved shallow. Baits used are worms as well as jigs of all colors. Crappie are also shallow and are biting well. Worms, jigs and minnows are all working. Green/white and red/white jigs are best. Black bass are good but no baits were mentioned.

Clarity is the usual murky and the lake remains above normal level. Water temperature Monday at 1 p.m. was 59.7 degrees. Shelly noted best fishing days based on “moon times” are forecast to run through April 1.

Lake Charles will hold a Fly Fishing 101 class from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Saturday (March 29) at the Snapp Fishing Pier. Admission is free. The state park says, “Fly-fishing can be done anywhere that conventional tackle is used, but with special considerations for certain types of bodies of water. Starting on lakes is a great introduction to this wonderful sport. Come learn the basic equipment needed to get started and get a chance to practice casting a fly rod.”

Lake Poinsett
(updated 3-21-2025) Lake Poinsett State Park reports that anglers are still catching limits of crappie. Also, they are buying lots of minnows as well as worms, but the crappie appear best on minnows. On a nice day, you can see 15-30 boats on the lake. 

Most anglers are targeting crappie, but a couple of anglers reported that they caught black bass on minnows as well as jigs.

The lake limit on crappie is 15 fish (all sizes encouraged to be harvested to help prevent stunting), and for black bass you can keep 10 fish with one being larger than 16 inches. 

As always, the State Park Visitor Center sells live bait (currently nightcrawlers, redworms and minnows) and is now open every day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Spring River
(updated 3-13-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels have maintained about 400-450 cfs all winter, with 350 average flow. That’s up about a foot above normal flow, making for a little tougher wading conditions. Wading staffs are very helpful with current flow. Water clarity is clear with storms moving through, murking up the water at times. Looking great this week.

“Catching plenty of really nice rainbows thanks to Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery,” he said. “Stocking should increase over the next few months, getting ready for summertime fishing pressure. Big Woollies, with extra weight to get down, have been excellent — olive is the hot color, as always. On the high-pressure days, we have done well with Hopper droppers, with Y2Ks and nymphs as droppers. 

“The smallies have been biting great on good days. Using sculpin and baitfish patterns on long leaders or sink tips. Got to get down to them! The best fighting fish we have, except maybe a carp. One of the great things about fishing for smallies is that the brown trout like the same baits. Work the banks more for the browns.
“Tis the time to chase walleye on the nasty, overcast days. There are a lot of walleye in the Spring River. Big crankbaits work; my fav is Trout Magnets, Trout Crank, in rainbow and brown trout colors. 

“April and May are great months to fish the Spring River with lower fishing pressure and perfect weather. The canoe hatch kicks off at the end of May. Then look out.”

Visit Mark’s blog (springriverfliesandguides.com) for the latest conditions on the Spring River.

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 3-27-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reported that water temperature is in the upper 50s, some protected backwaters are up to mid-60s. Visibility is around 12 inches in most places, some tributaries are muddier, some backwaters are clearer. Black bass are phasing into the spawn. The best fishing is in protected shallows with woody cover using dark- colored soft-plastic creatures and jigs. Spinnerbaits and bladed jigs are effective on windy days. 

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 3-27-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said spring break started with several visitors on hand Saturday to fish for crappie. On Sunday, an angler reported catching two bass but overall thought it was too windy to continue. Crickets have been purchased at the visitor center for crappie by boat anglers and shoreline anglers recently. Also, minnows have been fished for crappie as well.

Lake Monticello
(updated 3-27-2025) 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 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 3-27-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said one of his “numerous, 15- to 20-year repeat clients showed out somewhat this week on Millwood. Ron Ward, from Missouri, has fished with me over 15-20 years for 2-3 days in spring and 2-3 days in fall. Two of his best largemouth bass were around 3.75 to 4 pounds each; he caught them while fighting the 35-mph high wind and lake wind advisories with me this past Monday. They appear to be females still in pre-spawn condition with pooching bellies of eggs.”
Millwood Lake elevation is about 4 inches above normal pool and falling as of Wednesday at 259.5 feet msl. Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 860 cfs and tailwater is near 225 feet and falling. Siefert urges caution navigating the lake due to many missing buoys on Little River from Yarborough to Bee Lake to Big Bayou Boat Lane to Paraloma Trail, and all the way to mile marker 1 and the open water. The Army Corps of Engineers is trying to replace them ASAP.
Surface temps continue fluctuating this week ranging 60 degrees early to 68 degrees later in the day along Little River depending on location and the time of day. Clarity along Little River improved from reduced discharge at Millwood Dam. Moderate stain is found in most locations, and muddy in some areas further up Little River with heaviest stain. With river clarity ranges 8-12 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows will vary widely from heavy stained to fair visibility from 15-20 inches, and we observed around fair visibility in a few wind and current protected areas like McGuire Oxbow up to 24 inches clarity.

Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or at the US Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. 

NOTE: The Yarborough Landing Boat Ramp has broken concrete on the east side of ramp; use extreme caution backing in trailers at that location. A rail was recently put up to watch for, Siefert said.
Siefert had this fishing specifics from the past week:
* Largemouth bass are on again, off again on Millwood. There are still good bass coming to scales in tournaments over the past few weeks — fat and sassy, ranging consistently week to week from 8-9 pounds. The bass activity has improved over the past three weeks with the warmer conditions, depending on location, but can seem random on high barometric days. Male bass continue cruising shallow bays and protected flats near grass and cypress trees searching bedding areas, and a few have already been making a few beds.
We think the dropping lake elevation is the reason we are seeing more bass moving than sitting still. The largemouths are best late morning through midday. Several male bass have been found roaming flats from 1-5 feet deep near old bedding areas, apparently sunning in shallow water for temperature or searching out new bedding sites. A few of those roaming males have been random to fair on red chrome three-quarter-ounce Rat-L-Traps. The smaller quarter-ounce Spinner Tail Rat-L-Traps will get a random reaction near flats through dead lily pads with deep creek bends. Throwing brown/orange or red chrome crawfish, red shad/gold back or natural craw colors will connect in the smaller to mid-size Trap when you need to work shallow. Spin Traps with a gold tail spinner will also work through the dead lily pad stems flawlessly and will connect with roaming bass.
Brazalo Strutter Chatterbaits in Millwood Mayhem Bream, black/blue and Texas Craw or green pumpkin/Fire Craw have been catching nice 4-5 pound bass over the last couple of weeks, and they will draw very good reactions in 5- to 9-feet depths near grass lines, stumps, cypress trees, and timber. Brazalo Spinnerbaits in Arkansas River Shad, Peachy, Spot Remover and Hot Mouse are all good choices in the stained to clear water areas in the oxbow lakes up Little River.
The male bass we found roaming shallow over the last week were around 2-4 pounds and moving in and out of 3-6 feet deep flats with stumps present near creek channel drops from 4-9 feet deep, near vertical structure. They were slow to fair on a red or chartreuse/white Chatterbait, a Brazalo Spinnerbait in Spot Remover or chartreuse/white, or a 6- to 8-inch and magnum-sized lizard. We have been observing a few of what appeared to be female largemouth bass cruising grass lines and dead lily pad stems in the 5- to 7-pound class. They were on a mission, but not glued down to a bed yet. Our estimation is the big girls are still staging and getting ready.
Warmer days have the best daily conditions. Southern Pro Flipping Tubes, Tournament Tube and 6- to 8-inch lizards in black/blue tail or pumpkinseed/black flake with chartreuse dip tail will randomly connect with 3- to 4-pound males near dead pad stems and stumps from 8-10 feet deep in Little River’s oxbow lakes and creek channels upriver, near creek junctions and on tapering points. Little River still has too much current this week to be effective for largemouths. We are beginning to observe a few bass making beds but the water clarity is just now really improving enough for good visibility. Berkley 7-inch Power Worms and lizards in blue fleck, black grape or June bug have been the best colors for a plastic worm bite reaction.

Bulky 6- to 8-inch lizards are still drawing reactions in 5-8 feet depth near grass, stumps, cypress knees and cover. If you want to fish the 1- to 3-feet depths, turn off your electronics and raise your trolling motor to keep from spooking the fish. In the cleaner water back in the pockets and oxbows away from current in Little River, throw the 6- to 8-inch lizard in Cotton Candy, Watermelon Magic or June bug/red. In the heavier stained or dingy and muddy areas, throw a black/blue, blackberry, pumpkinseed/chartreuse tail or a chartreuse pumpkin color. Bass Assassin 5-inch Shad Assassins in Houdini, Salt & Pepper Silver Phantom and Smoke Wagon will draw reactions in the fresh, blooming lily pad stands.
* The white bass? IT’S ON, and they are running. They have moved further up along Little River and have heavily schooled up at various creek dumps into Little River for several weeks now. A few nice-sized schools of whites were found from White Cliffs campground up Little River to Cemetery Slough over the past two weeks.
We ran up Little River to Cossatot inflow ditch and Patterson Shoals above U.S. Highway 71 at Wilton. The water temps we saw were in the low to mid-60 degrees, and the whites were hitting our crankbaits and spoons. We were throwing Hammered Cordell Chrome Spoons, Rocket Shads, Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits, Tennessee Shad color Bomber Fat Free Fingerlings and the Fat Free Guppy. We caught around 25-30 white bass this week at several locations, and the hard-charging whites were eager to bite up to 3 pounds. We also saw four or five other fishermen in the same locations, and they were also catching good numbers of FAT white Bass between Wilton Landing and Patterson Shoals. Anglers in one boat we stopped and talked to caught around 50 in the afternoon. What a great time to take a kid fishing!

* Crappie continue to be on again, off again especially with the high wind we have had over the past couple of weeks, but with the warmer temperatures, they continue improving in brushpiles from 8-12 feet deep. A few nice 2-pound crappie have been hitting jigs and minnows over the past couple weeks. We would expect the pre-spawn crappie to begin their spawning runs near cypress trees in another week or so. I caught a 2.5-pound crappie last week on a black 6-inch lizard, while I was bass fishing. They’re hungry.
* No reports on bream or catfish.

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.

No reports.

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

(updated 3-27-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Hello, everyone, for another year of fishing. Here we go: The lake level is 407.32 feet msl with a slight rise. As of Tuesday, the surface water temperature was in the low 60s. That means the males should be starting to build the nests. The water color is pollen greenish yellow. A couple of days ago, I was finding fish above brush piles about 12 feet deep. You could cast jigs to them, minnows on slip bobber or single pole them. The best jig color for my last trip was bluegrass or black and chartreuse.
“With the water warming up they should be on the move to shallower water. The open water fish numbers have declined with the water temperature increase also.

“If history is to repeat itself, the first big spawn bite takes place far upriver and will move downriver with the water temperatures to mid-lake. That means starting above Point Cedar and moving toward Shouse Ford for the first bite. It is time to begin searching the shallows for the males. Slip cork and minnows work great, but tight-lining with jigs is a real producer. Your problem is that the places that you normally catch the fish are quite a bit deeper.
“Spring break time is upon us. So expect company on the water.
“The best report on the largemouth is about a week old. I talked to a couple of guys who were catching them around State Park Marina. They said they were throwing deep-diving crankbaits. They stated they were catching lots of bass and running 3 pounds or better. No color or brand of bait given.”

(updated 3-27-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continues to do most of his fishing at and reporting from lakes Ouachita and DeGray, and says, “The crappie are in their spawn. We have been catching ample numbers of crappie on staging tops near spawning coves 8-12 feet deep and in the buckbrush fished 3 feet deep.” 

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 3-27-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 48 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Lake Catherine and Lake Hamilton are at normal summertime pool and will remain at this level until early November. The final day of refilling the lakes was March 15 so stained conditions were the norm. Big numbers of rainbow trout have been stocked into Lake Catherine the last few months but few fish caught due to weather and swift water conditions. This situation was made worse by the lake refilling, which kills the trout bite for days and sometimes weeks. Stained and rising water are two of the most detrimental factors faced by anglers attempting to catch rainbows and can only be overcome by allowing the lake to refill and conditions settle into the new norm. Cold fronts add to the difficulty of a consistent trout bite, and the springtime in Arkansas brings a weekly barrage of such conditions.
While every angler is faced with these problems — regardless of which species they fish for — it should be noted that rainbow trout are especially affected in a negative way with the only cure being time for conditions to normalize. 

The walleye spawn has been underway since late February, and only in the last week have anglers been able to access the lake and target these fish. Some current flow is normally necessary for a successful bite, and little to no flow has been the norm in recent days on Lake Catherine. However, quality walleye have been taken by trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate shad or crawfish against the current in the late evening before dark. 

The larger female walleye are weighing over 3 pounds on average with the smaller males at 1.5 to 2 pounds. These fish will be in the tailrace until mid-May and can be caught on jigs and live bait, such as nightcrawlers and live minnows fished just off the bottom. 

Crappie will begin migrating toward the dam at the end of this month and should be in full spawning mode by early April. These fish stage themselves from the bridge to the dam and offer anglers some wonderful table fare during the spring spawning run. The white bass migration starts later on Lake Catherine than in other river systems with the average time in mid-May and lasts throughout the month of June. 

Always wear a lifejacket when on the water and follow all park and lake regulations when visiting Carpenter Dam. A hydroelectric dam is no place for carelessness and could cost you your life if you ignore proper protocol. Trash cans are very limited in Carpenter Dam Park so pick up after yourself and don’t litter. 

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

(updated 3-27-2025) Seth Boone, superintendent at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7474), had no new fishing reports this week, but reported most recently that Lake Dardanelle had been frigid lately. Fish were slow to bite but the bream were biting on live bait, such as worms. Bass had been difficult, but crankbaits and spinnerbaits off rock points were successful. Catfish were more active toward the evening hours on stink bait in deeper waters. Crappie fishermen had success before all the bad weather this month using minnows at tributary confluence points.

Lake Hamilton
(updated 2-27-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said he has been fishing both lakes Ouachita and Hamilton, and says, “Crappie season is upon us. They are in transition from a winter, deep pattern to their normal springtime pattern. (Wednesday) I caught crappie as deep as 24 feet when the morning water temperature was still 45 degrees. As the day warmed, so did the water. By noon the crappie were holding over brushpiles 15-foot deep. 

“Watch your water temperature and keep checking the northwestern, sunny corners of spawning coves.”

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 3-13-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) says the lake is finally back down after being very high following the big rains that passed through recently. Fishing for both bass and crappie are good for some, not as good for others. It’s a wide range. But fishing was tough for everyone first when the lake was drawn down and then recently with the flooding. Now, she says, it’s “OK.” The lake is not nearly as muddy as it was. The Corps of Engineers was dropping the lake 1.5 feet per day until getting to normal level.

Black bass are biting spinnerbaits. They’re not large-size bass now. Crappie might come in large, she says, or some small; some with a limit, and some anglers with 2. She’s selling a lot of minnows, but some regulars will stick with the jig. Some anglers have been requesting crickets for bream, though she says it’s not bream time like it will be. Still, she got those requested crickets in house for sale.

“There’s been a lot of emotion around here, people trying to get out to fish. Everyone is glad to get out on the lake right now.”

Carter Cove has a Facebook page, and the email address is cartercovebaitnmore@gmail.com, with updates and photos. 

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

(updated 3-27-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are still excellent. Carolina-rigged lizards, jerkbaits, hover rigs and a floating worm are all producing quality catches. Walleye are moving back into the main lake from the rivers and major creeks. Try a watermelon-colored soft plastic or small swim jig. Stripers are still very good and biting on topwater C-10 Redfins, live bait and small minnow-like jigs on the western end of the lake. Bream are fair on worms or crickets in 20-30 feet of water, holding near brush. Crappie are good and relating to brush in the 8- to 20-foot range. Catfish should be picking up on trot lines with live and cut bait.
Water temperature is ranging 58-63 degrees, about a 3-degree rise over last week. Water clarity is clearing. Lake level is steady at 577.89 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 3-27-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continues to do most of his fishing at and reporting from lakes Ouachita and DeGray, and says, “The crappie are in their spawn. We have been catching ample numbers of crappie on staging tops near spawning coves 8-12 feet deep and in the buckbrush fished 3 feet deep.” 

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.

(updated 3-13-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) says bait customers who stop in there before heading to Blue Mountain Lake say the fishing at Blue Mountain is going well for crappie. Minnows are being used. “Almost everyone I talk to is saying, ‘Crappie, crappie, crappie’ … Some customers are wanting to catch bream and are requesting crickets, though it’s not time for the bream to be spawning yet. I still got some crickets in, though.”

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.

Cook’s Lake
(updated 3-27-2025) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) said, ”The lake has fallen over 5 feet since this time last week, causing the water to mostly be out of the woods. I do not have anything to report other than the lake is starting to look good. We will be open for youth and mobility-impaired angling and their guests this Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.” 

Cook’s Lake is a 2.5-mile-long oxbow off of the White River, nestled in the heart of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge near Casscoe in Arkansas County, with black bass, crappie, bream and catfish. This fertile oxbow receives very little fishing pressure due to it being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers who must possess the AGFC mobility impaired access permit, and up to two guests (who may also fish), during the specified fishing season. Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. Fishing will be allowed only on Fridays and Saturdays March through August, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., water level pending. Before launching, please check in at the Nature Center classroom and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, please call the center at 501-404-2321.

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 3-27-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports that catfish are starting to bite below the hydroelectric dam when the water is running. This is due to baitfish starting to move up.
Crappie are biting in private reservoirs in the area, and are starting to spawn in most rivers.

The Arkansas River is down, which has crappie and bass biting as well.

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