Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

March 3, 2022

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for March 3, 2022. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news. Note: msl = mean sea level; cfs = cubic feet per second. All Corps of Engineers lake and river readings were taken at 11 a.m. the day of publication (March 3).
****Buy an Arkansas Fishing License by clicking here. Your purchase of a Fishing License helps support the AGFC’s work in maintaining the fishing resources throughout the state.

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

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TOP AND LEFT: Brad Sherrill and Scotty Smith caught an amazing 5-fish stringer of black bass totaling 28.84 pounds on Sunday at the Central Arkansas Bass League tournament on Lake Maumelle. Their catch included the Big Bass of 7.3 pounds. They were fishing deep with Alabama rigs. Sounds like the big bass are on. Check out more from Lake Maumelle below from both WestRock Landing, who provided this photo, and from the anglers at Fish ‘N Stuff, who also found the bass biting the A-rigs and crankbaits deep.
 

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Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
(updated 3-3-2022) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) reported that the lake maintains its normal Lake Conway stain, while the water is low. No surface temperature was reported. The warming weather has the bream active. Anglers are finding a good bite on redworms and crickets. Crappie are good using minnows (small, medium or pink) and jigs. Black bass are good; try a spinnerbait, worms, jigs, swimbaits and anything with a trailer. Catfish are good using stink bait, dough bait, trotline minnows, baitfish or nightcrawlers.

Little Red River
(updated 2-17-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said trout are good on Rooster Tails and Marabou Jigs.

(updated 3-3-2022) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-230-0730) said always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Corps of Engineers website (swl-wc.usace.army.mil) for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecasted generation schedule.

Greers Ferry Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 463.15 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.04 feet msl, top flood elevation 487.0 msl).

(updated 3-3-2022) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said Thursday that the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 463.18 feet msl and rising (at this writing it’s 1.14 feet above normal pool of 462.04 feet msl). “We are having some very beautiful chamber of commerce days at present – beautiful days, but lots of misconceptions about catching fish with conditions as these, fish do not respond as quick as they say 5G does, and second, the major run off of nitrogen in the water after snow or ice throws another shock to them as well. So with that said, after rain that’s expected over the weekend and back to kind of normal conditions for this time of year in about seven days, catching should be off the charts.”
Look for crappie suspended in and around timber or points 12-40 feet deep; jigs and or minnows working as well as beetle spins. Bream will bite crawlers and crickets in 15-20 feet. Catfish are eating around the shad all over lake and rivers. Walleye are ready – some are finished and some are coming and some have not even started yet. It’s all over the place at present, you just have to stay with program: crankbaits, live bait, grubs, jerkbaits, spoons, etc. are working super shallow out to 50 feet all over lake and rivers.
Black bass are scattered all over as well from on the shoreline out to 80 feet; lots and lots of baits working. Hybrid and white bass: Same thing with those scattered all over from 3-4 feet out to 80 all over lake and rivers. Grubs, Alabama rigs, hair jigs, spoons and inline spinners are working as well as trolling different crankbaits.

(updated 3-3-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said bass are good on the bluffs using Rock Crawlers.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 3-3-2022) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the water is muddy and low. Crappie are good. They slowed down a little with the temperature change, but they’re good in the early mornings and early evenings. Minnows are working, as well as jigs in Shiney Honey and pearl white colors). Some 11- to 12-inch crappie are being caught on the shoreline. Both black bass and white bass are doing well. The action in on the shoreline. Use the typical bass lures. No reports on bream or catfish.

Lake Overcup
(updated 2-24-2022) Johnny “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) said Water is up about foot and a half. Surface temperature is around 44 degrees and clarity is muddy. “Other than that there’s nothing else I can tell anyone, because no one is fishing,” Johnny said. Last week, with warming weather, he said anglers were catching a few bream on worms while bass were being caught with a white spinnerbait and black plastic worms. Crappie were slow but anglers were catching some good size – 2.92-, 2.75- and 2.62-pounders in 10-12 feet of water. Catfish were slow but it should pick up with warmer weather. “Come see me, Johnny Banks, at Overcup Bait Shop off Arkansas Highway 9.”

Brewer Lake
(update 3-3-2022) David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-289-2210) had no report. Dad’s is a 24/7 self-serve bait shop.

Lake Maumelle
(updated 3-3-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said black bass are good on Alabama rigs and deep-diving crankbaits in 20-30 feet of water.

(updated 3-3-2022) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) said the water temperature is in the low 50s. The lake is still low (1-2 feet) so be cautious. The largemouth bass bite is good. Some reports of the bass being found inside the grass 4-12 feet early in the morning and going deep after the sun comes out (scattered at all depths). Alabama rigs are working great with swimbaits. Kentucky bass (spots) are fair. Some reports of them being found near drop offs around 16-20 feet and off rocky banks and other reports of them being found on brushpiles. Try using Texas rig on brush or jigs. Brad Sherrill and Scotty Smith caught an amazing 5-fish stringer of black bass totaling 28.84 on Sunday at the Central Arkansas Bass League tournament. Their catch included the Big Bass of 7.3 pounds. They were fishing deep with Alabama rigs. Sounds like the big bass are on.
No reports on white bass, but that should be just around the corner. Try using swimbaits. Crappie are fair. Reports this week of the crappie being found in the channels around 20 feet deep. They’re chasing shad, so if you find the shad they’re there. Try using jigs or minnows. No reports on bream or catfish this week. If you seek bream, throw worms. Catfish should take to chicken liver, worms and crayfish.

Arkansas River at Morrilton
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam was 37,934 cfs with a pool elevation of 284.88 feet msl. Flow further upriver at Dardanelle Lock and Dam was 39,778 cfs.

Little Maumelle River
(updated 3-3-2022) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the river is clear now and at a normal level. Bream have been biting well. Anglers are getting their lines down to the bottom at 8-10 feet and using redworms or crickets. Crappie are deep but are biting well on minnows and jigs. Black bass and white bass both are starting to bite, and anglers report good results. Ray didn’t have any bait suggestions. He’s heard no report on catfish.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam was 47,468 cfs with a pool elevation of 264.92 feet msl. The stage is 11.83 feet.

Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam was 56,059 cfs, and the stream gauge stage was at 7.63 feet. Pool elevation is 248.89 feet msl. Flow at the Terry Lock and Dam was 56,629 cfs.

(updated 3-3-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said bass are good on mid-diving crankbaits in dark colors and on shaky heads with finesse or Trick worms.

(updated 3-3-2022) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) said white bass are good on the river on white grubs and Rooster Tails. Crappie are still deep and biting there on minnows and jigs. Catfish have been reported fair below the Murray and Terry locks and dams.

(updated 2-24-2022) Hatchet Jack’s Sports Shop at Crystal Hill (501-758-4958) said crappie are good on the river in the sloughs on minnows and jigs.

Clear Lake (off Arkansas River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 2-24-2022) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is normal and muddy with the weather, and not much fishing activity is going on. Before this latest temperature drop, anglers had been catching some good-sized crappie on minnows.

Peckerwood Lake
(update 2-24-2022) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said that scheduled maintenance is still ongoing on the spillway. The water is a little dingy and the level is low (a few stumps are showing). The only fishing reports to come her way were for crappie. Results were good on minnows and jigs.

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White River
(updated 3-3-2022) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Whether this is a ‘teaser’ spring or an actual early, here-to-stay spring season, let’s take advantage of it. Cotter, 18 river miles from Bull Shoals Dam, is enjoying very mild daytime temperatures for the next couple of weeks; however, the cool nights still make for some chilly mornings. The releases from Bull Shoals Dam have been maintained at a near steady four units (12,000 cfs) over the last week while the lake sits at, or near, the normal power pool of 659 feet mls.
“The recent ample brown trout bite proves once again that February and March are great months to visit the White River; rainbows aren’t ignoring the bait, either. Rumor is that there has been a shad kill at the lake, which causes pandemonium among the brown trout as they vie for the shad crossing the dam. If you’re lucky enough to learn of it early on, you’ll likely net lots of great browns, but all too soon the trout are full to overflowing and may be slow to take any bait whatsoever.
“Now, a week or two after the supposed shad kill, browns are again turning to minnows or sculpins. Keep some egg pattern baits (light yellow peach colored with an orange leading bead), or lemon lime-colored PowerBait on hand to drift at mid-depth and you’ll be cranking that reel and bringing in trout.
“Drift-fishing will be the preferred technique when angling from a boat during the high releases, and now is the time to get out the heavy hitters: No. 5, 7 or 9 Rapala Countdowns, especially silver and black, diving to 5-7 feet. Under overcast skies, pull out your gold and black Rapalas. Keep an orange-bellied black or blue back Rogue tied on and ready to cast, too.
“Keep anglin’ and we’ll see you at the river.”

(updated 3-3-2022) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said the rain and winter weather last week, combined with both Bull Shoals and Norfork dams generating water, kept the river levels high this last week. Drift-fishing with Power Eggs and shrimp have worked the best during the high water. Anglers are reporting minimal success with jigs, spoons or other artificial bait. Fishing should improve as the river conditions stabilize.                                                                                                       

(updated 3-3-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said that during the past week they had freezing rain and sleet combining for a half-inch in Cotter, frigid temperatures and heavy winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals fell 0.1 foot to rest at 0.3 foot below power pool of 659 feet msl. This is 35.7 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose 0.2 foot to rest at 0.9 foot above power pool and 15.1 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell 0.1 foot to rest at 0.1 foot below power pool or 9.5 feet below the top of flood pool. The White has had no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell 0.6 foot to rest at 0.5 foot above power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 25.7 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork tailwater has had no wadable water.
There has been a shad kill on the White River at Bull Shoals Dam and on the Norfork tailwater at Norfork Dam. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs occasionally during cold weather and high generation. Use white flies like marabou jigs or mop flies.
“Streamer season fishing is upon us,” Berry said. “Now that the brown trout spawn is over, they are moving back to their regular locations. It is a good time to target them. Fishing is best with heavy generation. Bang the bank with big streamers on sink-tip lines. White is my current favorite color.
“On the White, the hot spot has been the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam. After opening day, there have been some big browns caught. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold ribbed hare’s ears and sowbugs. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try an orange egg with a size 18 purple zebra midge.”

Bull Shoals Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 659.22 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 659.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 695.00 feet msl). Total outflow from the dam is 11,517 cfs. The reported lake elevation at Table Rock Lake was 915.85 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 915.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 931.0 feet msl).

(updated 3-3-2022) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said the lake level is still about 659 feet msl and the temperature is 48 and rising. Bass fishing has been fair. Generation has been moving the shad around. The deep bite continues to dissipate. If you are going to look for the deep ones, graph to look for shad and look for loons. Active diving loons will trigger feeding. Damiki on a Moon Eye and Rapala jigging Rap. As more fish move up and leave the shad, crawfish are on the menu. Try dragging a jig, shaky head or Ned rig in 10-20 feet around secondary points. Over the next couple of weeks, key in on areas outside of regular spawning areas. Jerkbait has started catching a few on points and bluff ends in shallower water around brushpiles, and a little wind helps. As the temps rise, fish are seeing red. Rock Crawlers, Wiggle Warts on steeper ledge transitions, and cover water.
See Del’s YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.

Norfork Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 554.23 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 553.75 feet msl; April-Sept. 555.75 feet msl; top flood elevation 580.0 feet msl). Total outflow from Norfork Dam is 6,432 cfs.

(updated 3-3-2022) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said striped bass, largemouth and spotted bass, and crappie continue to be the best bites on the lake.
For stripers, over the last week there has been a definite change in where to find the bait and then the fish. The bait had been concentrated out on the main lake in the deep-water channels, but they have recently made the move back into the major creeks and some of the smaller coves. With this movement of the bait the striped bass has been following. Some of the bait is also starting to move close to the shoreline.
“The bait movement has created two totally different areas to fish. I have found bait near the creek channel in 40-60 feet of water. The stripers have been very close to the bait, either above it or below it. Several methods of fishing have worked for me so far. I have had luck vertical-jigging a 1-ounce spoon or vertical jigging a 3-inch soft plastic jig. I’ve been using a mini version of a fluke called a Tater Shad, which is made locally, with a three-eighth-ounce jighead. Both the spoon and the Tater Shad need to be worked slowly with just slight twitches for the deeper water fish. The most important tip is to get your bait at the same depth as the fish to get the most bites. Another method is trolling A-rigs, crankbaits or 5-inch swimbaits. Here again, get your bait very close to where you are seeing the fish. Fish have also been found tight on the banks, especially at sunrise and at sunset. Some of the bait has moved very close to the shoreline or the fish have started to push the bait tight to the bank. Yesterday (March 1) I found feeding striper right on the bank. I cast out a Kastmaster (blade bait) and worked it back to the boat very slowly with a jerking motion. I replace the treble hook with a feathered treble hook, which seems to attract more fish. You should also be able to use long minnow-type crankbaits and swimbaits.
For black bass fishing, the largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass have moved up tight to the bank, especially early in the morning and late afternoon. Other times they move off a little and will be 10-20 feet down. Various lures are working, such as swimbaits, crankbaits (Rock Crawlers and Wiggle Warts). On windy days don’t hesitate to cast a spinner or Chatterbait. You will find them in both the clear water as well as the stained water.
“I found some nice ones the other day that had corralled some bait on the bank and I was getting hits on my Kastmaster 3-5 feet from the shore. We have some rain coming up this weekend, so after the rain head toward the running water coming into the creeks.”
Crappie are starting to school up and roam out in deeper water. They are still 10-25 deep. “I have found this to be true with the white crappie. The black crappie still appear to be holding a little tighter to the brush. Trolling crankbaits have started to work and will get better as the water warms a little more. Plastic jigs, spoons and live bait are producing some nice fish.
Norfork Lake surface water temperature is rising very slowly and is ranging 45-48 degrees. The lake level has been stable with a slight drop with intermittent power generation and sits at 554.19 feet msl. The lake is clear to stained depending on where you are at in the lake. “I post almost daily on Facebook. If you want more frequent information, please visit and like Hummingbird Hideaway Resort’s Facebook page. Happy Fishing and enjoy Norfork Lake.”

(updated 3-3-2022) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at Blackburn’s Resort says the lake level is 554.29 and is the same as this time yesterday with generation about half the time. The White River at Newport is at 22 feet and they are letting out as much water as they can. The level drops when they generate and rises when they quit. We have had a little less than 2 inches above normal of precipitation for the first two months of the year, counting both snow and sleet. The lake is approaching the power pool of 553.75 feet msl. The surface water temperature is about 50 degrees back in the creeks in shallower water and 47-48 on the main lake and the main lake is stained with less visibility than last week. It is warming quickly with the ambient temperature in the 70s and the longer days and more direct sunlight. Some fish are moving back into the warmer water with the shad and shallow, and that should continue until just before the full moon, which is March 18, and will be prime-time for the after-dark bite for stripers on the stick bait. That is when they normally simulate their spawn.
Fish for walleye on shadowy banks with a soft plastic and then switch to the stick bait just before dark. Make sure your lure is running true when worked slowly. If it pulls off to the side you will not catch anything. They can be released without much harm when caught out of the shallow water. The crappie bite has slowed. “But the ones that I am catching are still in the same brush at 25 feet but very shallow, and just out of sight down about 5-6 feet. Do not park your boat right over the brush as they are very spooky and use your trolling motor sparingly and cast past the brush and let the jig sink into it.
“Some Kentucky bass are on the same brush but deeper. Several of the bigger black bass are on shad and are looking for the warmest water. We are in a transition period and fishing is changing daily and will change again when the weather gets cooler, and it will with the variable March weather.”
For a daily fishing report and lake condition go to www.blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve’s Blog.

Norfork Tailwater
(updated 3-3-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake fell 0.6 foot to rest at 0.5 foot above power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 25.7 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork tailwater has had no wadable water.
There has been a shad kill on the White River at Bull Shoals Dam and on the Norfork tailwater at Norfork Dam. This is a natural phenomenon that occurs occasionally during cold weather and high generation. Use white flies like marabou jigs or mop flies.
“Streamer season fishing is upon us,” Berry said. “Now that the brown trout spawn is over, they are moving back to their regular locations. It is a good time to target them. Fishing is best with heavy generation. Bang the bank with big streamers on sink-tip lines. White is my current favorite color.
There has been no wadable water on the Norfork and it fished well some days and poorly on others. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Grasshoppers have produced fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.
Dry Run Creek has fished particularly well. School is back in session and now is a great time to fish it, particularly during the week. Weekends can get a bit crowded. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. Carry a large net, as most fish are lost at the net.
John also said, “I was pleased to get a call from Amanda to guide her son William on Dry Run Creek. My last few trips on Dry Run had been canceled due to inclement weather. William is 15 1/2 and was stoked to fish the creek. He is an avid fly-fisher and spent most of the previous summer in Montana fly-fishing.
“We met at 7:30 a.m. at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery parking lot. It was sunny and clear with a starting temperature of 31 degrees but a promise of a warmer afternoon with a high of over 60 degrees. William is about 6 feet tall and weighs around 200 pounds. If I had been an Arkansas Game and Fish Commission wildlife officer, I would have checked his ID to make sure he was less than 16 years old. I loaned him a pair of wool fingerless gloves and we walked to Dry Run Creek.
“He was a natural. He could cast, mend, set the hook and effectively fight trout. We were into trout immediately. He caught trout after trout, including a couple of trophy rainbows. Around noon, we broke for lunch. William took off his waders and toured the hatchery. After that, we returned to the creek and continued fishing. We hooked a huge trout but lost it.
“An hour later, William hooked another big trout. This one took off like a scalded dog. I looked closely and realized he had hooked it in the tail. Foul hooked trout are much more difficult to land than fish hooked in the mouth. It made a long run of several hundred yards. It went over several small waterfalls and was headed south. William and I took off following the big fish in hopes of landing it.
“I managed to trip during the process and it took me a minute to get back on my feet. Amanda was worried that I had hurt myself, but I was fine. The fish finally stopped for a rest and I was able to scoop it into the net. It was one of the best fights I have been a part of in years.
“It was a stout 26-inch male rainbow with a huge kype. We stopped for a photo and the carefully released the big fish. It was our best fish of the day. We went back to the spot where we had hooked the trout and continued fishing. Around 4 p.m., I told William it was about quitting time and he needed to cast one last time. He hooked and landed a fat 21-inch rainbow. It was the perfect way to end the day.
“We landed over 60 trout, including four trophy trout (over 24 inches long). It had been a very good day.”

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Beaver Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,120.42 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,120.43 feet msl; top flood elevation is 1,130.0 feet msl). Total outflow from Beaver Dam is 3,879 cfs.

(updated 3-3-2022) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is getting ready to break loose. Water is warming nicely and warm rain is expected this weekend. Prespawn is on with crappie and bass. Walleye are showing up in river arms and the water is clearing up the White quicker than War Eagle. Stripers still fair at best with fish moving daily. Check Monte Ne area for stripers. White bass, strangely, are hard to find and are not staged up in usual areas, such as Neil’s Bluff and Natural Walk. “When lake gets close to 50 degrees, you better hang on! Good luck be safe and good luck!”
Visit Jon’s Facebook page for latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

(updated 3-3-2022) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) reported Thursday morning that Beaver Lake is dingy at their locale and the water level is high. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie are excellent; use minnows or small crappie jigs, as well as grubs. Black bass are good on jerkbaits, jigs and spoons. Catfish reports have been fair.

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 2-24-2022) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said fishing this week in the tailwater has been great, with mixed bag results. The trout bite has been active through all parts of the day. You may, however, need to change up the tactics a bit. The most productive has been various PowerBait fished with light terminal tackle. The spoon bite has slowed a bit, but if you pull size-appropriate crankbaits, those have picked up the slack. This week’s hot spot has been between Houseman and U.S. Highway 62 Bridge.
With that, the walleye bite has been good as well. “Jig raps, crawler harnesses with nightcrawlers and jigging with live minnows have produced some nice numbers! You can find these fish from Holiday Island, all the way up to Houseman. Most of my focus has been in the Beaver town area, fishing some deeper water. Hope you able to get out and catch some fish!”
Visit Austin’s fishing Facebook Page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) for fishing videos and tips on the tailwater.

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 3-3-2022) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the lake clarity remains murky and the water level is normal. No temperature was reported. Crappie are back to biting well, as they were before the bad weather. Minnows and jigs will work. Black bass are good, with best success reported using crankbaits. No reports on bream or catfish.

Lake Sequoyah
(updated 3-3-2022) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) reports that the lake is clear and the surface water temperature is 48 degrees. Water level is normal. The improving weather has restarted the fishing the last few days. Bream are good on redworms and crickets; try fishing off the old bridge for best results. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs, and try that old bridge also for the good crappie bite. Black bass and catfish, however, provided no reports

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Lake Charles
(updated 3-3-2022) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the weather is really looking good and the water will be warming up. Stop by the Visitor Center at the state park; “we have a great selection of catfish bait, panfish and bass jigs and lures, and nightcrawlers,” she said. Water as of Tuesday was murky and the left was high. Water temperature was 51.4 degrees. She had no fishing reports from the past week. Best fishing days based on moon times will run through March 7, she said.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 3-3-2022) Lake Poinsett is in the process of refilling, but is rainfall dependent and the region hasn’t had a lot of rainfall lately. The fishing now is predominantly catch-and-release for bream. They seem to be biting on crickets and worms. Small boats, kayaks or canoes are the only watercraft that can launch at this time.
The gate at the dam at Lake Poinsett was closed a year ago, following the completion of a three-year renovation projection, and the lake began to refilling. The lake has been undergoing an extensive renovation with a new water control structure, more than 10,000 linear feet of shoreline work, more than 100 habitat structures placed on the lakebed, and nearly 100 trees anchored for fish habitat.
Other forage species that were stocked this spring include fathead minnows, golden shiners and threadfin shad have been added in huge numbers to the lake to build up the food supply for the predators, which will be stocked this year.

Crown Lake
(updated 3-3-2022) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) has been closed for the season but is looking to open soon as the weather improves.

Spring River
(updated 3-3-2022) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels have been running at 490 cfs on Tuesday, that is up about a foot above average flow (350 cfs). Ice and rain last week has the river up and clarity has been poor. The area needs to dry up for a while.
We are still catching fish with the White Lightning being the hot fly this week. Y2Ks, olive and brown Woollies have also worked well other days. It does take extra work to get the fly down. Plenty of blue-wing olives are hatching, but we need better clarity for nymphs.
For spin-fishing, gold and silver spoons or spinners are best in off clarity water.
“Be very careful wading with the river up. The river is slick on good days, so be safe and go slow. Wading staffs are a must lately.
“Stocking should ramp up in March getting ready for the springtime anglers. In April all of the campgrounds will open for the season. That gives us all many more places to fish.”
Visit Mark’s blog at springriverfliesandguides.com/blog for the latest updates.

(updated 3-3-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and North Fork rivers. Canoe season is over and the canoes are mostly gone. Fish the upper river at the Lassiter Access to avoid them or fish Dam 3 late in the afternoon, after they have left the area. Wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff – there is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive Woolly Buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

White River
The Army Corps of Engineers reported Thursday that the White River stage at Batesville was at 10.29 feet, down a couple of feet from this time last week and almost 5 feet below the flood stage of 15.0 feet. The Newport stage stayed up at 22 feet, or 4 feet below the flood stage of 26.0 feet. The stage at Augusta continued to rise, but has dropped slightly overnight to 31.57 feet, which is about 5.5 feet above the flood stage of 26.00 feet.

(updated 3-3-2022) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) in Batesville reported that anglers are catching a few walleye. That’s the only species reported.

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Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam at Pine Bluff was 53,197 cfs. The pool elevation is 195.59 feet msl and the stage at Pine Bluff is 31.23 feet (flood stage is 42 feet). Further upriver at the C.D. Maynard Lock and Dam near Redfield, the flow was 54,700 cfs. The pool elevation is 212.62 feet msl.

(updated 2-17-2022) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports that water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 40s with shallow protected areas in the low 50s. Water visibility is about 12 inches overall. Expect temperatures to warm some this week, especially in shallow protected areas. The main channel and Lake Langhofer typically warm very slowly. Black bass are slow but can be caught along steeper rock banks using shad-colored crankbaits and dark-colored jigs crawled very slowly along the bottom.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 3-3-2022) Jeff Shell, the superintendent at Cane Creek State Park, said Cane Creek Lake water temperatures are running in the mid-50s and should be expected to rise. Water clarity is about 1 foot. Crappie are in a prespawn pattern. “We have continued to received reports that Electric Chicken pattern jigs are producing results,” Shell said.
Bass remain in a winter pattern and your best chance is fishing suspended structure. No reports on catfish. “Historically for this time of year they can be found fishing in the lake’s deeper areas on trotlines,” he said.

Lake Monticello
(updated 3-3-2022) Dam repair work has been completed by the city of Monticello’s contractor, while the AGFC has been rebuilding the lake bottom and areas near where the shoreline will be for fish habitat when the lake is refilled, which will mostly be done by rainfall collection. The gates on the dam are now closed and the lake refilling is underway. Many artificial fish habitat structures have been created and put in place, and the AGFC has pumped several of the small ponds and has added rotenone to those areas for the elimination of unwanted species (i.e. grass carp, yellow bass), before the refilling of the lake began.

Millwood Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 259.65 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl; top flood elevation is 287.0 feet msl).

(updated 3-3-2022) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said that on Tuesday, Millwood Lake was 13 inches above conservation pool. It was at 260.3 feet msl and falling, and clarity was good to fair stain in a few areas. Millwood Lake tailwater elevation was near 235 feet msl with gate discharge at the dam around 9,700 cfs in Little River, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake the guide service’s website linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. Surface temps stable this week, ranging 48-54 degrees, depending on location and the day. Lots of Little River buoy markers along the main lake channel MAY HAVE MOVED with recent gate changes at the Millwood Dam and high wind. Use caution in navigation on main lake river channels where river buoys may be out of channel from recent high winds. Current along Little River is stained this week with discharge release at the dam, and river clarity ranging 4-8 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows at 10-20 inches depending on location. Further up Little River near White Cliffs and Wilton Landing has heavier stain conditions. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms.

The Millwood State Park MARINA reopened Tuesday for boat rentals, camping supplies/food, fishing baits /lures, no-ethanol gasoline, and boat docking. Minnows are back in stock this week, Mike reports.

As for the fishing specifics, Mike says:
* Largemouth bass began a slow improvement this week with the warmer conditions, depending on location. The largemouth prime activity and cycles have been best midday and afternoon. Several male bass have been found roaming flats from 2-6 feet deep where bedding areas exist, apparently searching out new bedding sites. As of late, those roaming male largemouths have been eager to strike on 1-knocker Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Gold, Toledo Gold and Goldfire Craw. The three-quarter-ounce Rat-L-Traps that work a little deeper near drop structures, in Red Chrome, Burnt Orange Crawdad, and Red Shad flavors, have been one of our go-to colors over the past couple weeks. The 1-Knocker Rat-L-Traps seem to have the best responses over the past couple weeks.
The male largemouth bass we found roaming shallow over the last week were around 2-2.5 pounds, and moving in and out of 3- to 6-feet deep flats with stumps present near creek channel drops from 4-9 feet deep, near vertical structure. They’ve been eager to hit a Chatterbait, a Brazalo Spinnerbait in Spot Remover or Chartreuse/white, or a 1-Knocker Rat-L-Trap.
Warmer days with bright skies continue to be best daily conditions. The best locations are near vertical structure and deeper drops with 3-8 feet deep flats in close proximity. Over the past couple weeks, bass were fair on swim jigs with thumper-tail trailers, Chatterbaits, jigs and heavy thumping 1-Knocker Rat-L-Traps. Most bass we are finding continue randomly roaming shallow on full sun and bright skies into the 6-10 foot depths of flats adjacent to deeper drops into 9-15 feet depth ranges. The largemouths have continued randomly turning on during the heat of the day, better on bright, sunny, clear days when water temps will rise a few degrees by mid-day.
Square-bill crankbaits, Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits will randomly connect with the shallow-roaming bass. Bill Lewis MR-6, Echo 1.75 and SB-57 crankbaits in Sneaky Shad, Tennessee Shad, Millwood Magic and Rayburn Red Craw will draw a few random reactions. Anywhere a creek channel runs into the deeper creek bends or vertical structure and drops into the oxbows, where stumps and creek mouths drop, have held some decent-sized bass over the past week. The best bite continues during heat of the day from noon to 3 p.m.
Cordell or Kastmaster Spoons are finding vertical suspended bass from 10-15 feet on ledges or deep creek, outside bends with stumps present.
When fishing the points dumping into Little River, the Rat-L-Trap 1-Knockers in three-quarter-ounce size, or Custom Painted Little John crankbaits, will get down deeper on the points with stumps present, and drop off into the river with a different vibration and presentation than the smaller Rat-L-Traps, and connect with larger schools. One point may hold all largemouth bass, the next point may hold all white bass. The largemouths all along Little River are staging on the points, with some of the largemouth bass pulling into the creek channels where deep access to the river, stumps,and points are nearby. These largemouths are beginning to stage and move into the creek channels from the river for the spawn in the back of the flats and on stumps.
In addition, a Southern Pro Flipping Tube or Tournament Tube in black/bue tail, Smoke/black/red flake with chartreuse dipped tail, and Smoke Purple flake with chartreuse dip tail will connect with 2- to 4-pound male bass. This has gone on over the past several weeks near dead pad stems, and near stumps from 8-10 feet deep in Little River’s oxbow lakes and creek channels, upriver, near where creek junctions, and on tapering points where they will eventually pull into the creek channels to spawn. Berkley Power Worms (10-12 inches) caught a couple decent bass last week with black, blue fleck or black grape working best.
Real Deal Custom Jigs caught a few largemouth up Little River in McGuire Oxbow last week around 2-3 pounds. Best colors were Texas Craw, black/blue/purple, or pumpkinseed/chartreuse with a Gene Larew Hog Craw as a trailer.
* White bass continue roaming and staging all along Little River, and have been 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 all the way up to U.S. Highway 71 bridge, and where the Cossatot River intersects and dumps into Little River. Hammered Cordell Chrome Spoons with a red bucktail, Rocket Shads, Fat Free Shads in Tennessee Shad and Citrus Shad, half-ounce Rat-L-Traps, Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits, and Spin Traps in chrome/blue, Millwood Magic, Tennessee Shad and Threadfin Shad colors all have been working catching whites over the past several weeks. We have not yet found the whites all the way up Little River near Patterson Shoals yet; we think the river is not warm enough yet for their spawning run, but it’s getting close.
* Crappie began to improve this past week with the warmer temperatures, and stacked up in planted brush piles from 8-13 feet deep. A few nice 2.5-pound crappie have been hitting jigs and minnows over the past week.
* Catfish are fair some days, great on other days with the increase of river current. Best on limblines over the past week set from 8-12 feet deep, biting good with redworms, cut buffalo, chicken hearts and livers. Yo-yos and limblines have been improving for cats from 4-8 pounds over the past few weeks.

Lake Erling
(updated 3-3-2022) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) reports that the lake is “pretty clear” and slowly on the rise; it’s about 5 feet below normal now. Crappie are good. They continue to move out of deeper water and into shallow water. Use minnows, jigs and hand-tied jigs. Catfish continue to be excellent on any kind of bait. Catches have been in the 2- to 7-pound range.

Lake Columbia
No reports.

Lake Greeson Tailwater
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.

Lake Greeson
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Narrows Dam was 538.20 feet msl (full pool: 548.00 feet msl).

DeGray Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 401.73 feet msl (full pool: 408.00 feet msl).

(updated 3-3-2022) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said crappie at DeGray are slowly moving up out of the deep water channels. Warm nights will work in anglers’ favor. White bass and hybrid bass are following the food up the creek arms. Casting spoons or trolling crankbaits and Alabama rigs have produced.

(updated 2-24-2022) Angler Charles Abernathy said, “I’ve been out to DeGray a few times over the last couple of weeks. Last week, I found myself up in shallower water just looking around. I found crappie roaming around in the middle of a popular spawning pocket and was able to catch one as shallow as 6 feet. It’s early yet for that magical time of year, but their eggs are getting plump. It’s on their mind. The weather had been pretty fair and the surface temperature was around 50 degrees, so with those conditions it’s not uncommon to catch them in shallow water. This time of year, you can’t go wrong cruising the deeper main channels as well as in the middle of popular shallower spawning pockets. You also can’t go wrong picking a major creek channel and side scanning it looking for schools as well as just roamers.
“I spent Monday morning of this week in a major creek channel and went down it until it started narrowing down. It was full of eater-size crappie. They were on shallow brush as well as just cruising around. There were also tons of hybrids there, too, which sometimes makes it hard to focus just on the crappie. It was also full of bait. By midday we had a pretty good mess of crappie as well as a mixed bag. Most of them were caught on a Mr. Crappie Slab Slanger in Monkey Milk paired with an orange head worked slow, slow, slow. The water was a little dirty, too, but that is what they seemed to want.
“If you haven’t done so already, you really need to get a map of the lake. I use Navionics, and they do have a free viewer online. I’m always looking for new places on the map, even on my home lake DeGray. If you see something of interest, take some time to check it out. Any amount of pre-study that you do at home will just help you get more familiar with the lake and help you identify deep to shallow water transitions that they are starting to make. Also, keep a lookout for those diving ducks, as I call them. If you see them in deeper water or in a main channel you know bait is close by. If bait is close by, so will the schools of fish be. I also always try to set some time aside just for scanning around from the console.
“The water is down a bunch on this lake. Be careful out there. When traveling, I’m following channels on my map and paying very close attention to hidden humps from map contours that aren’t necessarily marked as hazards since the levels are so low.
“I appreciate you all reaching out and feedback you provide. It makes my day for you to call me out at the ramp or on the water. I know it’s been a while since I’ve given a report. I appreciate your patience. As always, feel free to ping me at c.abernathy32@gmail.com for more info. I have a YouTube channel where I share some fishing content and have already posted this last trip from this week (a little creek channel action). Be safe … I look forward to seeing you on the water.”

De Queen Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 437.70 feet msl (full pool: 437.00 feet msl).

Dierks Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 526.09 feet msl (full pool: 526.00 feet msl).

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White Oak Lake Area
(update 2-24-2022) Curtis Willingham at River Rat Bait in Camden (870-231-3831) said crappie were doing well last weekend at White Oak on minnows and jigs.

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Lake Atkins
(updated 3-3-2022) Donald Ramirez at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said that the lake is clear and the level is high. No temperature was recorded. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs (last month, the choice was Bobby Garland Jigs in a chartreuse color). Bass are fair on jigs. No reports on bream or catfish.

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

(updated 3-3-2022) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below the dam is 48 degrees with stained conditions in the tailrace. Entergy is planning on beginning the refill of Lakes Hamilton and Catherine on Saturday, March 5. This process was originally slated to begin on March 1. Each lake will be refilled at 6 inches per day until the 5-foot drawdown has been returned to normal summertime pool. Barring complications, both lakes will be completed by March 15. The Carpenter Dam tailrace is very dangerous to navigate now with numerous underway obstructions exposed. Wade fisherman and boaters alike must use extreme caution when attempting to use the area. Flow from the dam hides many of the shallow water dangers so boating becomes increasingly more treacherous as anglers approach the dam from the Arkansas Highway 128 bridge. Extremely slick rock structure all of over the tailrace further complicates matters.
Rainbow trout are everywhere in the Carpenter Dam tailrace and thriving in the nutrient-rich waters of Lake Catherine. It is important to remember that while trout numbers are in the many thousands, the bite can be unpredictable and always subject to rapid change due to weather and lake conditions. A very good bite pattern can disappear in a matter of hours, so anglers should be aware of this potential problem and have an alternative plan of action. Bank fishermen should stick to basic patterns of live bait such as waxworms or mealworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. Nightcrawlers will also work when cut into 2-inch sections presented in the same manner. PowerBait can save a fishing trip due to the fact that this presentation is designed to capitalize on a trout’s inborn instinct to feed on fish eggs. Fly-fishermen casting egg patterns in white or yellow under a strike indicator have caught and released scores of rainbow trout in the tailrace where current is present. Micro-jigs and Woolly Buggers have taken trout over 14 inches, although there has been a huge influx of smaller trout. The San Juan worm in hot pink has accounted for nice catches of trout, especially when the fish are in a slower bite pattern.
White bass have been observed breaking in the early morning hours chasing threadfin shad below the bridge. Casting spinnerbaits and jigs in one-eighth-ounce weights has been the best presentation to catch these fish. Hybrid bass often school alongside white bass and can be caught on the same techniques. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits against the current has been productive catching white bass and hybrids, as well as walleye in the 2-pound class. Walleye thrive in the tailrace in the summer and early winter months as these fish prefer colder water temperatures than other area game fish. The walleye spawn below Carpenter Dam is now underway with smaller males being caught in the 1½-pound range. Some larger females have also been taken in the 3- to 4-pound class. The best action has taken place during times of generation.
Sleet and snow melt has heavily stained many areas of Lake Catherine creating very difficult fishing conditions. Entergy will be generating below all area dams to control the lake levels, so caution on waterways must be used during this time. Finally, it cannot be stressed enough that anglers will experience dramatic changes in bite patterns as cold fronts move in and out of our area. Temperatures can change as much as 30 degrees or more in less than a day. Rapid temperature change shuts down many fish species until consistent weather resumes. Rising and stained water spells the death sentence for quality rainbow trout fishing. Trout despise muddy conditions and often refuse to feed for days and sometimes weeks.
Always wear a life jacket when on the water and continue to follow park rules and regulations. The daily possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish per person. Don’t make the mistake of attempting to keep more than the legal limit of any fish species from Arkansas waters. Always have your fishing license up-to-date and be ready to cooperate with our game officials when asked.

Lake Dardanelle
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s flow at Dardanelle Lock and Dam as 32,867 cfs. Elevation was 337.60 feet msl, with the tailwater at 287.04 feet msl. (Top navigation pool is 338.2 and bottom pool is 336.0.) The stage is falling at 7.02 feet (flood stage is 32 feet).

No report.

Lake Hamilton
(updated 2-17-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood ventured over to Garland County to check out Lake Hamilton and reported that bass are good on half-counce Rat-L-Traps.

(updated 3-3-2022) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred Xpress, all-welded aluminum fishing boats in Hot Springs, had no new reports.

Lake Nimrod
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 344.37 feet msl (normal pool: 342.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 373.0 feet msl).

(updated 3-3-2022) Masterbaiters Bait and Tackle (501-209-6538) on Arkansas Highway 7 outside Hot Springs Village says fishing is turning up on Nimrod. Crappie, crappie, crappie! Both above and below the dam. Jigs and minnows will both get some in the boat. For bass, cranking time has started. Use Rock Crawlers, Rat-L-Traps.

(updated 2-17-2022) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said Thursday morning that the lake is clear and at a normal level. Surface water temperature was a cool 42 degrees. Crappie fishing remains good, with minnows and jigs working. Black bass are active in 5-6 feet of water. The bite is good; try worms or black/blue jigs. Catfishing is fair on cut shad. Bream have not started up yet.

Lake Ouachita
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Blakely Dam was 573.38 feet msl (full pool: 578.00 feet msl).

(updated 3-3-2022) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) said black bass are fair to good. Try a lipless crankbait or jerkbait over main lake points for these fish. Walleye are moving up the river channels to spawn. A swim jig or Shad Rap should work to find and catch these fish. Stripers are good and should be staging to make their runs up the river channels. Live bait or trolling an Alabama rig should be the best options for catching these fish. Crappie are good on small jigs or minnows. Try brushpiles in the 18-30 foot depth range. No reports on catfish or bream. Water temperature is ranging 48-52 degrees. The clarity is clearing. Lake level is at 572.36 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 3-3-2022) Masterbaiters Bait and Tackle (501-209-6538) on Arkansas Highway 7 outside Hot Springs Village says the crappie on Lake Ouachita are still deep. The bass are biting jerkbaits, A-rigs, Rat-L-traps. “Get them kids out fishing,” John says.

(updated 3-3-2022) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said that like at DeGray Lake, the crappie at Lake Ouachita are slowly moving up out of the deep water channels. Warm nights will work in the anglers’ favor. The white and hybrid bass are following the food up the creek arms. Casting spoons or trolling crankbaits and A-rigs have produced.

Blue Mountain Lake
As of Wednesday at 5 p.m., the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 388.47 feet msl (full pool: 384.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 419.0 feet msl).

No fishing reports.

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White River/Clarendon Area
The Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday reported the Clarendon gauge was well up from last week to 25.52 feet, about a half-foot below the flood stage of 26.00 feet.

Horseshoe Lake
(updated 3-3-2022) Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) said that with a break in the weather and temperatures rising, the fish have responded well. The water temperature on Wednesday afternoon was up to 53 degrees (surface temperature). The water is still a little dingy from the runoff of last week’s rains.
Crappie are holding between 12-18 feet deep. A variety of methods such as spider rigging, long lining or casting will work. Fish are biting minnows as well as jigs or a combination of both. The fish are somewhat scattered as they move from a winter to prespawn pattern. Look for the bite to get better with the warmer weather.
No reports on bass, bream or catfish.

Cook’s Lake
(updated 3-3-2022) Wil Hafner, education specialist at Cook’s Lake Conservation Education Center (870-241-3373), said the situation at Cook’s Lake is the same as it was last week; they are still in minor flood stage, which keeps them from opening up fishing. “We are looking forward to the water getting right and lines getting tight!,” Hafner said.
Cook’s Lake is a 2-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. This fertile oxbow receives very little fishing pressure due to being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing. The scenic lake is full of slab crappie, giant bluegills, largemouth bass, and catfish of all species. Under current guidelines, Cook’s Lake will be open to fishing during normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., water level pending. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers and up to two helpers (who may also fish). Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. To comply with current guidelines, please call ahead at least a day in advance to register to fish. Before launching, please check in at the Conservation Education Center, and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, call the center at 870-241-3373.

Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake
(updated 3-3-2022) Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040) had no new reports.

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