Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

April 24, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

This angler, Matt (no last name provided) went fishing with guide Tom Reynolds out of Tracy Ferry Marina on Norfork Lake this past weekend and caught a 30-pound striper with live bait. It was measured, photographed and immediately released, Reynolds said. Limits of stripers are now being caught daily on Norfork, he added. Read more of Reynolds’ report and other updates from around the state below.

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 4-24-2025) AGFC staff reported that fishing is still going well at the Lake Conway Nursery Pond. Staffers ran into a family catching harvestable bream this past week. The overall catch rate this past month, they reported, appeared high. 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 4-24-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said the Southwestern Power Administration has been pretty consistent this week — running one unit round-the-clock daily. On April 23, the Army Corps of Engineers opened up one floodgate around noon, adding about 800 cfs of water over the top of the dam. “So now, we’ve got one unit running plus the floodgate open. We’ll have to see how things shake out — there’s a chance they may open up more floodgates or bump up to two units to help lower Greers Ferry Lake.
“Also, keep an eye on the weather. There’s another round of rain in the forecast this weekend, and it could bring a few inches, which might change the generation schedule again.”
Mike says that despite the higher water, the fishing has been solid.

“I’ve been having success with a deep-water nymph rig, fishing right in the center of the river. Running about 8-12 feet deep with split shot to get the flies down where the fish are holding. I’m using high-vis attractor patterns like eggs or San Juan Worms, and then dropping a caddis, another egg, or a larger midge pattern below that.

“I’ve also been fishing another nymph rig closer to the bank, set at about 6 feet deep. That one’s been working well with caddis patterns and — you guessed it — more San Juan Worms.
“If streamers are your thing, now’s a great time to get after it. The streamer bite has been excellent with the current flow. Grab your sink line, tie on a big bug and start pounding the banks.

“That’s it for now. Stay safe out there, and as always, if you’re looking to get on the water, give me a shout!”

(updated 4-17-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said trout fishing is really good on one generator at the dam. Early mornings are the best time to be out, and anglers are throwing a bigger jerkbait right now. Gold and rainbow trout have been the best colors. Also, a ⅛-ounce Marabou jig has been doing really well; use olive or black color. And, Rooster Tails or a Trout Magnet in pink or white have their fans right now for catching the trout.

Make sure to check the links above of the Corps and SWPA for generation schedules and any changes at Greers Ferry Lake with it 9 feet high as of Thursday, with more rain in the forecast over the weekend.

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 4-24-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 470.53 feet msl, which puts it is 8.49 feet above normal pool 462.04 feet msl) and falling with generation (SWPA has been running water round-the-clock from one unit to lower the lake). Fish are scattered all over. Crappie are up on bank, but there are other crappie still floating around in deeper water. Jigs and minnows are working best at all depths and crankbaits are best for trolling 12-18 feet, mid-depth fish and the deep fish at 40 feet. Walleyes are in all stages of spawn — some are back to the lake, while others are headed up rivers and creeks and all in-between. And, of course, the lake fish are staying put on points, humps, etc. in 10-40 feet. Try to drag a jig tipped with minnow or crawler and or drop-shot for those, and big minnow-style plugs are working trolled.

Catfish are eating all over lake and rivers. A lot of blues are coming in. Lines and jugs are working best with a variety of baits. Bream are showing up more now — try crawlers, crickets, small cranks and inline spinners. A lot of white bass and hybrid bass are up rivers; some are done with spawning and others are in between, with a lot still deep in lake up to 50 feet. Use Road Runners and grubs for shallow fish, spoons and inline spinners for the rest in 25-40 feet. 

Black bass are scattered as well. Some are spawning, some have spawned, with a lot more to come. A lot are in 12-20 feet and some are still out in 50 feet. Just about any baits are working at this time. 

Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 4-24-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said that with all this runoff of water from the recent rains, anglers should focus on the mouths of tributaries with flow into the lake and throw Chatterbaits and jigs for black bass. Also, out on the main lake and around buckbrush, try a weightless methiolate Zoom Trick Worm.
For crappie, either minnows or Monkey Milk color crappie jigs are working well in about 8-10 feet of water.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 4-10-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the lake went down a lot and is back to normal level now. The clarity is muddy.

One angler reported catching six nice-sized crappie on minnows. Another caught catfish using nightcrawlers on the west side of the lake. Another angler caught an 18-pound gar.

Black bass are biting off the shoreline in fair numbers, and better out in the lake from boats. Try by the “big island” or just past it. Crappie jigs and minnows were working for the bass as well, along with crankbaits in various colors (all have gotten some action). A few bream were biting.

Follow more from Harris Brake Lake Resort on its Facebook page.

Lake Overcup
(updated 4-10-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said the water level is up by 2.5 feet and murky but is going down. Surface temperature is around 63 degrees. 

Bream are starting to bite a little bit on crickets and redworms. Black bass are doing well on crankbaits and soft plastic worms. Catfish are feeding on the worms that washed into the lake. 

Crappie have slowed down, but with warmer temperatures they should crank back up. “Really hasn’t been a lot of people fishing these past few days.
“Come see me at Overcup Bait Shop off Highway 9. We have all your fishing needs.”

Brewer Lake
(update 4-25-2025) AGFC staff visited Brewer Lake recently. Surface water temperature is low- to mid-60s and the water level is at full pool. The pollen has put a green tinge to the surface, but other than that, the water is fairly clear with about 2 feet of visibility. Crappie were beginning to move shallow to the flooded brush and should be spawning now. Focus on coves in the northern portion of the lake. Largemouth bass were biting fairly well on secondary points and isolated brush in 7-11 feet of water. Slow-rolled spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and Carolina-rigged lizards were working well. Fishing the brushline with a wacky-rigged Senko or Texas-rigged lizard will also pick up a few smaller bass. Most of the large fish were still a cast-and-a-half offshore waiting to move up, and may be up now. 

No report on catfish or bream. 

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
NOTE: Bryan Rupar, the watershed protection manager for Central Arkansas Water, said March 31 that repairs to the Lake Maumelle Dam, initiated in early March, are progressing steadily. The contractor is now restoring the dam’s outer shell, a major undertaking that could take up to two more months to complete, depending on weather conditions. To facilitate repairs, CAW aims to keep the lake level around 5 feet below normal pool elevation; however, this will depend on rainfall and the progress of the work. 

(updated 4-24-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports water temp 68 degrees. Black bass are doing great. Anglers report catching a lot of them, but all are small or decent size. They’ve heard no reports on crappie or  bream — it’s been a tough bite.

(update 4-10-2025) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) said that with the water low on Lake Maumelle for the repair of the dam, he had not fished there of late, but was fishing other crappie locations in Central Arkansas. Give him a holler for a trip or for updates on his excursions; his information is linked above.

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 4-17-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is normal. “I wouldn’t call it clear-clear, but it is very fishable.” He also believes the black bass are beginning to spawn. Their being caught at about 3½-4 feet; definitely in shallow water, with spinnerbaits and mostly crankbaits working best. For the crank, you’ll want more of a bream color, such as with chartreuse and orange belly. Best spinnerbaits now will be white or a green and white. Some bass also are being caught on a soft-plastic worm or swimbait. “They are biting pretty much anything,” said Ray, who added that he and his son caught around 20 last Sunday, including his son hauling in a 7-pound female ready to spawn and releasing her immediately. “We caught several that were 2½ or 3 pounds. It’s been good.”

Crappie are definitely into the spawning, he noted, and are in about 3 feet or less of water. There have also been reports of pretty good catches of bream, he added. Crappie will be biting on the usual minnows and jigs. Redear have been going for worms and bluegill will bite worms and crickets.

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 4-24-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) says that the river flow is dangerously high as of Thursday and they advise anglers to stay off for a while. The flow has been running 160,000-170,000, which would be double the flow that creates a small craft advisory on the river.

When it comes down, anglers can fish for black bass with success by using a wacky-rigged Senko and fish in backwaters around the grass. Also, buzzbaits in either black or white will work around entrances to the backwater.

Crappie on the river are reacting well to black and chartreuse Crappie Magnets fished around wood of the rock piles in the backwater areas.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 4-24-2025) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said Peckerwood got quite a bit of water from the rains earlier in the month but the lake is back to level full and the color has been dingy.

Anglers are catching decent amounts of crappie and a few bream and catfish. “I don’t know about the bass. They don’t fish for bass on this (south) end of the lake, but I’m sure they are catching them (in other areas).”

Crappie will bite minnows and jigs, though she didn’t have any hints from anglers on color. The dingy conditions would probably favor a chartreuse in there, though. Catfish are biting “about anything, but definitely hot dogs and minnows.”

The bream are being picked up on yo-yos, but they’ll bite minnows too.

White River

Cotter Area
(updated 4-17-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Bull Shoals Lake is sitting well above normal power pool, currently at 672.61 feet msl and leveling out as the Army Corps Of Engineers begins to lower the lake level. Bull Shoals Dam is running between 12,000-18,000 cfs (four to six units) all day. 

Drift-fishing is the name of the game on high water and has provided for some good-sized rainbows and a fair share of browns. Be prepared for a challenge and come with an arsenal of baits as the trout have a lot of room to escape the lure. “The brown bite has been slower this past week — not unexpected — as the trout acclimate to the swifter water. That being said, we’ve still seen a decent number in the 19- to 22-inch range mostly caught with sculpins.

“Stock up on red wrigglers and nightcrawlers — they’re doing very well for us right now, ensuring a good catch of the fatter rainbows. Try, too, some brighter baits in this high water, casting some orange or chartreuse PowerBait toward the bank a little out of the current. Jerkbaits will attract the larger fish: 4½-inch rainbow-hued lures that can stay mid-depth in high water.
“Drifting the White is a great way to spend a gorgeous Ozarks day. Stay safe and come in to share your success stories.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 4-24-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, sai the river this week remains high, dingy and with water flow above 30,000 cfs at Calico Rock. Fishing is very tough but not impossible. Uncommon Bait UV eggs tipped with shrimp have worked well, but because of the depth an extra weight might be needed to reach the bottom. 

“With the fast current the river is dangerous. Both Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes are several feet above their respective conservation pool levels. I expect it may be some time before we see more ‘normal’ water levels. Be aware of your surroundings and DO NOT throw out an anchor while in the river. If the anchor gets hung up it will pull down the front of the boat.”

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 4-24-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday that lake level was on the rise at 672 feet msl. Water temps vary in the low to mid-60s. The bigger creeks have some debris; be careful with floaters as the wind changes direction and the lake rises. Take debris precautions on launch ramps and courtesy docks. 

There is more precipitation in the forecast. The water toward the main lake is gin clear toward the dam, with color still in the creeks. Some fish have moved up to spawn. Lots of fish are cruising the outside bush line still. Powerfishing shallow has been favorable with clouds, rain, wind and stained water. Some fish are up there roaming shallow. Try a spinnerbait, Chatterbait or a square bill in bright colors. Target windblown points and flats near spawning coves/pockets. I’ve been checking the flooded buckbrush. There are always fish to be caught on a jig, a half-ounce Jewel in green pumpking or some variant. 

Once again, warm with little wind and sunny, look at points, drop-offs or lefges, piles, swings — your looking anywhere from 1 foot to 20 feet. Use a Carolina-rigged lizard, and a shaky head, wobble or a Ned rig is coming into play. 

The offshore videogamers have to work now; the shad are still spread out, while some are congregating in the drains. Target larger bait balls or any bait you can find up high near the surface and closer to the shore. If you are targeting shad eaters  it’s been work. A smaller 2.8 swimbait or a regular Tater Shad has been working. They are being finicky if they aren’t actively feeding. 

“Good luck, have fun, be safe and ‘Fish the conditions.’

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 4-24-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the change in lake level has the fis, and the wind direction, changing positions on a daily basis. The lake has come up over the buckbrush in a lot of areas and is still rising. Fishing in the backs of creeks with stained water has been producing a few fish. Fish over buckbrush with spinnerbaits or a ⅛-ounce jighead with a small swimbait, or a shallow-running jerkbait, such as a Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue will get some bites.

Walleye seemed to be starting to feed a bit better this week. Fish are scattered along chunk rock points with deep water close by and along steeper creek channel swings that have shad. Some walleye are being caught in open water over the flooded trees. Fishing methods are still about 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 back at extremely slow speeds will get some fish.

If trolling shallow, try to fish low-light periods. Trolling size 7 Flicker Shads at speeds between 1.5-1.7 mph in 7-14 feet along windblown banks will also work. If trolling deep, try deep-diving crank baits with snap weights to get your baits down 40-50 feet and fish over the flooded trees in 80-plus-feet of water at 1.2 to 1.7 mph. 

(updated 4-24-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are starting to get on the banks making beds where the water temperatures are more stable. Recent rain and muddy rising water definitely have slowed things down but should really improve this week. Small jigs and minnows have been working.

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

(updated 4-24-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina and reports that the lake went up to almost 570 feet msl this past week due to heavy rain north of us. It is beginning to drop again and is 568 feet and dropping. The creeks remain stained, the main lake is clean and clear. Strong south winds this

past week have turned on the stripers. Stripers have moved to the flats and are feeding heavy, live bait guides are catching some big stripers, my biggest this past Saturday was 30 pounds. The striper was measured, photographed and released. Limits of stripers are now being caught daily.
“The north winds had moved the bait out of the creeks, but the south wind has warmed the creek water and the bait and fish are back. Concentrate on stained water midway back in the creeks, and stay in water depths below 40 feet. 

“The male crappie have moved shallow, 3 feet or less, and are getting ready to spawn.

“Night fishing is doing very well. They are staying 10 feet of water and casting parallel to the bank. The best times have been sunset to 10 p.m., focusing on the lake’s north and east banks. South and west winds warm these banks during the day, attracting stripers looking for bait. The best lures for night fishing are Rogues and swimbaits.

Visit Tom’s website or his Facebook page linked above for more information or to schedule a trip.

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

(updated 4-24-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is full to the top as of this week. “My calculations are that we have had close to 15 inches of rain in the last few weeks. The Army Corps of Engineers had opened floodgates, and we trying to drain off some water. There really isn’t anything to report except debris and high water. This should produce a good spawn. Just hope they don’t draw it down too fast, but I am pretty sure that isn’t going to happen in the next few weeks, and that will get us through the spawn. 

“So all I have is: It’s high and full of obstacles, so be careful and wear your life jackets. Hopefully next week I will have some better news! Be safe and good luck!”

Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 4-24-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said that with the higher water levels, fishing has been pretty good this past week. However, with the latest rains, that is going to make things difficult. As of April 20, Army Corps of Engineers has the floodgates open 1 foot. This, with additional inflow, will cause the water to move rapidly and become stained. 

The trout have been spread out throughout the tailwaters. They are responding well to various dough baits, Fire Eggs and minnows. The walleye bite is still pretty slow — talking with folks who fished this past weekend, a lot of short males have been caught, but that is about it. Trolling has been the preferred method, along with jigging soft plastics. The spoonbill have come up to spawn as well.
“Speaking of spoonbill, have you heard that you can apply for a Arkansas Paddlefish Permit? The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will open the new paddlefish snagging season from April 15-June 15 from the Arkansas Highway 45 bridge, also known as the Twin Bridges Access, upstream to Lake Sequoyah Dam.” 

Remember, for additional updates follow my Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service); I’m pretty much on the water every week. Feel free to message me if you have any questions. Take care, get out and catch some fish!”

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 4-17-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports that they’re mainly hearing about crappie being shallow and biting well on minnows and crappie jigs, like hair jigs. It’s very likely bass are being caught but they aren’t being talked about by anglers. It’s been busy. 

After the cold front, anglers were doing some deep catching last week of crappie, but it warmed up and the fish are now staying shallow.

Lake Charles
(updated 4-24-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said Lake Charles is doing very well for anglers, and catfish showed up this week to join the good bite being seen for crappie, bream and black bass this month

Bream were excellent this past week. Redworms were working great with anglers finding bream along the shoreline. Crappie are good but appeared to be moving into deeper water. Worms, plastic jigs and Arkie Jigs were working well. 

Black bass are good and have moved closer to the shoreline and in shallow water. Try a Texas-rigged watermelon seed Baby Brush Hog for best success.

Catfish are beginning minnows in good numbers. There were no reports on white bass.

The best days based on “moon times” for April are NOW: April 24-30. Fishing should be good based on the moon forecast May 9-15, with the best May days being May 24-30. That should be perfect time for catfish and bream.

The water level remains high and the clarity is the usual murky. Surface temperature Sunday was 66.7 degrees.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 4-10-2025) Lake Poinsett State Park reports, “The weather barely slowed anglers here at Lake Poinsett — even with wind, rain and tornadoes incoming, we had anglers trying their luck this past week. According to regulars, the crappie have moved up from the deep water and have been near the shoreline. Minnows are still the favorite choice for bait, though nightcrawlers, redworms and various jigs are also selling regularly. This month, Lake Poinsett will also start carrying crickets as a bait option. As always, we recommend calling the visitor center at 870-578-2064 to see what live bait we have in stock because you never know when we’ll sell out these days.”

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. 

The State Park Visitor Center is now open every day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Spring River
(updated 4-24-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are running at 510 cfs (350 cfs is average), at the Spring and the river’s water clarity is clearing. Rain over the weekend stirred up the waters but has cleared up very well. River levels are above normal flows, so be extra careful in the river. The flow is strong enough to carry you away in places. Floating or wading the river, be very cautious. With the heavy flooding the river has changed a lot; watch for logs and trees in the water.

“We really need a dry spell. Rainbows are biting great with the river clearing up. They are hitting Woollies and Y2K patterns hard. There is plenty of fish in the river from heavy stocking in March. With the hatchery damaged from floods, stocking will be limited for the near future as AGFC works repairing the hatchery.  The campgrounds should all be open. Accesses to the river should be open now also.
“Normally this is when we start chasing smallmouth. It needs to dry up a lot to get the smallie bite back on.

“The flood was one for the record books, we think. The river was very high overnight, making it hard to tell how high it did get. Most of the upper area from Mammoth Spring down was cleaned out aggressively. A lot of the moss that was a problem should be cleaned out. There are also a lot of new gravel bars on the river. I look forward to relearning the river over the summer.

“Storms can change river conditions as they move through the area.” 

Visit Mark’s blog (springriverfliesandguides.com) for updates and 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 4-24-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no report this week, but before the big rains earlier in April, they reported that black bass are phasing into the spawn. The best fishing at that time was in protected shallows with woody cover using dark- colored soft-plastic creatures and jigs. Spinnerbaits and bladed jigs were effective on windy days. 

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 4-24-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said they had a husband-and-wife team going for crappie, bream and catfish from their boat late last Thursday. On Saturday, a customer bought minnows for crappie fishing and he said he caught several here last week from his boat. They had limits of crappie caught the previous week by various anglers boating on the lake. Anglers have had success this month also fishing from the shoreline for crappie, using minnows.

Lake Monticello
NOTE: The city of Monticello announced recently that it is lowering the water level of Lake Monticello to perform inspections on the dam repairs it coordinated in 2019 as owner of the lake. Anglers will experience lower water levels, but all fishing regulations, including catch-and-release-only fishing for all sport fish, remain in place. 

(updated 4-24-2025) Anglers are reminded that all fish caught must be released immediately. The Hunger Run Access was opened late last year to boat traffic. There have been reports from anglers catching nice black bass.

Lake Chicot
(updated 4-24-2025) AGFC fisheries staff in southeast Arkansas recently joined forces with the Southeast Arkansas Crappie Federation to collect adult crappie for the Lake Chicot Nursery Pond. Roughly 200 mature crappie were collected and released into the nursery pond where they will be allowed to reproduce. This nursery pond creates a safer setting, with relatively few predators, giving the fry a much higher chance of survival and growth.
The nursery pond will be stocked with forage and fertilized to help grow these fish before being released back into Connerly Bayou in November.

Lake Chicot, part of Lake Chicot State Park, is home to bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, redear sunfish and other bream, in addition to crappie. If you fish Lake Chicot, Connerly Bayou downstream of Connerly Dam, or Ditch Bayou from Lake Chicot downstream to Ditch Bayou Dam, be aware that crappie shorter than 10 inches must be immediately released and that the crappie daily limit is 20.

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 4-24-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday that Millwood Lake elevation was about 4 inches above normal pool and falling, sitting at 259.5 feet msl. Millwood Lake Dam was releasing about 13,100 cfs, and the tailwater was near 239 feet and falling. Incoming water upriver from the Tri-Lakes continues arriving downstream and feeding rivers into Millwood this week. 

Always stay vigilant, watching for broken timber, on Millwood. Navigation is nearing normal caution levels this week with reduced discharge volume rate conditions at the dam.  

Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s page linked above, or the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. Surface temps continue fluctuating, ranging 68-76 degrees. Clarity along Little River is heavy stain to muddy with discharge at Millwood Dam. Heavy stain is found in most locations, and muddy in some areas further up Little River. River clarity is ranging 2-4 inches visibility depending on location.  Clarity and visibility of oxbows are heavy stained to muddy visibility from recent flooding lake-wide.

Siefert had these fishing specifics:

* The largemouth bass activity has been fair to good over the past few weeks and in local tournaments. Most bass seem in post-spawn, roaming shallow in search of bream beds in protected coves near cypress trees, knees and stumps from 1-4 feet deep, in flats and backs of creeks in a few areas in the oxbows up Little River where clarity is somewhat better than the river. Largemouths have been fair to good on on square-bill cranks deflecting off stumps, especially near creeks running through flats with fresh lily pads where a creek bends. Try Bill Lewis Lures SB-57, the ATV and Echo 1.75 crankbaits in bluegill/bream, Guacamole or burnt pumpkinseed patterns when you need to work shallow. The Stumpknocker and Sunrise Perch patterns of the Echo 1.75 size drew some reactions from 2- to -3-pound bass last week near stumps on points of the oxbows. Spin Traps with a gold tail spinner will also flawlessly grab a random reaction through fresh lily pad stems. 

Brazalo Strutter Chatterbaits continue working, and best colors have been Millwood Mayhem Bream, black/blue and pumpkin/Fire Craw. Reactions have been very good, catching healthy bass over the last couple weeks, and the best reactions continue to be in 5-9 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.

They were also reacting fair to 6- to 8-inch magnum-sized lizards. Numerous bass are cruising grass lines and fresh blooming lily pads in the 4- to 5-pound class, and are fair to react to Beavers, Baby Brush Hogs, 7-inch Power Worms and soft-plastic creature baits Texas-rigged. Best colors of late are black, black/blue or blue fleck.

Southern Pro Flipping Tubes, Tournament Tube, and 6- to 8-inch lizards in Blackberry, Pumpkinseed flake with chartreuse dipped tail and Watermelon Candy will randomly connect with 3-to 4-pound bass near the new blooming lily pad stands, as well as stumps, from 8-10 feet deep in Little River’s oxbow lakes and creek channels, upriver near creek junctions and on tapering points. Berkley 7-inch Power Worms and lizards in Blue Fleck, Black Grape or Junebug have been the best colors for the plastic worm bite. Soft-plastic frogs and Bass Assassin 5-inch Shad Assassins were all working the past two weeks in pumpkinseed or green colors. Assassins in Houdini, Pumpkinseed and Smoke Wagon colors will draw reactions in the blooming lily pad stands and behind and in dense grass lines.
* The bulk of white bass are breaking up into smaller schools, according to four anglers we spoke to up Little River this week. Seems like the larger schools have begun to separate into smaller groups and have moved down along Little River for the past week, and are more concentrated downriver at various creek dumps and points extending into Little River. A couple of smaller, broken schools of whites were found back down Little River to the entrance into McGuire Lake this week. 
* Crappie over the past week have been scattered. A couple crappie folks we saw said they caught some shallow around cypress trees. With the muddy conditions, they have been hit or miss on some days recently.  

* Catfish drastically improved on trotlines and limblines this week with the current in Little River. Cut shad, buffalo and chicken livers were all working for channel cats up to 5-6 pounds each in current from 6-9 feet of depth.
* Numerous bream beds are being noted when you can find decent water clarity. In most locations water clarity is less than desirable, but around Millwood State Park, groups of campers said they caught some bream off the bank and around the creek channel boat ramp on crickets and redworms.

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 4-24-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Hello, fisher people. Spring is upon us. The lake is slowly coming back to near normal levels. Currently the lake is at 407.68 feet msl and dropping. Yea! The lake has had quite a bit of debris floating around. Most started around Lenox Marcus and upriver. Sorry to say that very little new information is coming in to me. 

“The water will be in the normal range for crappie this Thursday or Friday. The crappie have been on the bed but very difficult to get to. Water has been so high that you could not get a boat of any size into the shallow areas that people like to fish. 

The crappie spawn should still be going on. So, get your slip bobbers, casting rigs, minnows and lures and work the shoreline as best as you can. Change colors and size often until you get a pattern. Some of the better areas this time of year are Lenox Marcus, Arlie Moore and Point Cedar. Brushy is always good for casting jigs to the shoreline.

“If you are casting jigs, keep them close to the bottom.

“There was a bass tournament on Degray on April 19. The winning weight was almost 16 pounds. I missed the weigh-in so no clue as to what they were caught on.

“Hopefully the water will stabilize and we can get into the shallows to fish the spawning fish.”

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 4-24-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature has risen to 53 degrees with clearing conditions in the tailrace. Entergy has scheduled very high, round-the-clock generations flows for the last week of 9,000 cfs to stabilize area lakes from the last round of storms to hit the state. Very little productive fishing has taken place during this time as the tailrace is dangerous to navigate while this amount of water is being transferred through the system.

In addition to the dangerous flows, extremely muddy conditions accompanied the fast water, which created a no-win situation for fishing and recreation activities. The weekly generation schedule is normally posted on Wednesday at the Entergy/Hydro website (linked above). It is hoped that conditions will soon allow for a much safer generation flow where the public can access the area safely.  

As lake conditions return to normal, good prospects for quality angling will present themselves. April is the last month for rainbow trout stocking for the spring season with 4,320 fish scheduled to be released in the tailrace. Bank anglers can catch limits of trout by using live baits such as redworms and waxworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. PowerBaits are a best bet presented in the same manner. Boat anglers can anchor in and around rock structure or sandbars and have success casting Rooster Tails in brown or white in a ⅛-ounce weight. Spoon presentations such as a Little Cleo or Super Duper’s will also work well in a current situation when rainbows are keying in on injured baitfish. 

Fly-fishermen can still access areas that hold trout even though the lake is now at normal summertime pool. Micro-jigs in black or white cast under a strike indicator strongly resemble river minnows that live in the tailrace. Woolly Buggers in olive and black are a mainstay in the line of artificial lures that trout will feed on. Egg patterns in orange or white will draw strikes when other presentations are ignored. 

Walleye are still in the area finishing up the spawn and are feeding and preparing to migrate downstream to the main body of the lake. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate crawfish and threadfin shad are a proven technique to cover water and tempt walleye into feeding.

White bass will move into the Carpenter Dam tailrace next month for the spawn and will remain in the tailrace until mid-July. June will bring blue and channel catfish into the tailrace to begin their spawning run and will provide anglers some wonderful table fare.  

Remember to always wear a life jacket when on the water and obey all park and lake regulations when visiting Carpenter Dam. Trash cans are limited, so please pick up after yourselves and always cooperate with game wardens when approached.

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

(updated 4-24-2025) Seth Boone, superintendent at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7474), had no new fishing reports.

Lake Hamilton
No reports. Hamilton had areas full of debris after the storms of early April.

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 4-24-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) had no report this week, but most recently had said that fishing for bass and crappie were good for some, not as good for others with the lake returning to a normal level. Black bass were biting spinnerbaits but many were small. Crappie were various sizes and total catches. She reported selling a lot of minnows, but some regulars tend to stick with the jig. 

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

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

(updated 4-24-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are still good. Carolina-rigged lizards, flippin’ jig and a floating worm are still all producing quality catches.  It’s topwater time! Break out your favorite and hit the water! 

Walleye are moving back into the main lake from the rivers and major creeks. Try a watermelon-colored soft plastic, jerkbait or small swim jig. Stripers are good and biting on top water C-10 redfins and live bait. Bream are fair on worms or crickets in 20-30 feet of water, holding near brush.

Crappie are still good and relating to brush in the 8- to 20-foot range. Catfish are still good on trotlines and jugs with live and cut bait.  

Water temperature is gradually rising, ranging  62-68 degrees this week. The water clarity is clearing. The lake level Wednesday was 580.75 feet and falling. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

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 4-24-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) says bait customers who stop in before heading to Blue Mountain Lake say the fishing at Blue Mountain is going well for crappie. Anglers are mostly using minnows.

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 4-10-2025) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) said, ”With the rain and flooding over this last weekend, the lake will once again be closed until the waters recede and allow the ramp and dock to be accessible.

“If the predictions hold true, this is likely to be the highest or second highest I have seen the lake since I started in 2017. Maybe it will help replenish all of the oxbows in the region.” 

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 4-24-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports the Arkansas River is falling, and the catfish are being caught behind the hydroelectric dam, biting on cut bait. They’re also being caught by snagging.

Crappie are biting well on shad-colored jigs and minnows in reservoirs. They are spawning in shallow waters and tributaries. 

“Thanks to our loyal customers for shopping at Webb’s Sporting Goods!”

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