Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

Aug. 11, 2022

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

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 for current news for the lake or stream you plan to fish.

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TOP AND LEFT: Dawson Pounders of Cabot went fishing with his Pop-e (Ed Colvard) and clearly did not leave disappointed. This largemouth bass was caught on the Dale Bumpers White River Refuge weighing in at 4.5 pounds. Ed says that Dawson is “my little fishing buddy.” We hope to see many more great catches from this duo.

 

 

 

 

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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Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

(updated 8-11-2022) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) reported that the lake has the normal stain and is slightly low. No surface temperature was recorded. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie are good in the deeper end of the lake on minnows and small jigs. Black bass reports are still good. Buzzbaits, curly tail worms, frogs and spinnerbaits have all been good. Catfish are good on trotline minnows, goldfish, skipjack, shad, dough bait, stink bait, cut bait, nightcrawlers and chicken liver.

Little Red River

The Army Corps of Engineers reports the outflow at Greers Ferry Dam to be 20 cfs (turbine) as of 9 a.m. Thursday, August 11. Generation on Wednesday was 3-7 p.m. and averaged 6,300 cfs. Greers Ferry Lake is 3.9 feet below normal conservation pool. Check with the Corps website for real-time release data or by calling (501) 362-5150). Also check the Southwestern Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecast generation schedule.

(updated 8-11-2022) Mike Winkler of Little River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said always check the Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock app for the generation schedule before heading out; it is subject to change. The Southwestern Power Administration (www.swpa.org) has been running a consistent generation schedule for several weeks now – two units of generation usually starting around 2 p.m. and running until 7 p.m. “I’d expect the same generation schedule to continue as long as the temperatures remain the same. The current schedule has opened up the entire river for wade fishing.” The best bite has been early morning before it gets hot. Try fishing the deep holes and oxygenated riffles and along the moss beds. Drift-fishing the falling water from the boat has been good. Pheasant tails, guide’s choice hare’s ears and midges have been producing. Try fishing a slump-buster or a conehead woolly bugger.

(updated 8-11-2022) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-230-0730) said, “We continue to see an afternoon and early evening generation pattern from the Greers Ferry Dam of 4-6 hours on weekdays with less generation on weekends on the Little Red River. This pattern provides good wading opportunities on the upper river in the mornings and down on the lower river in the afternoons. During hot temperatures, try to limit the time a trout is out of the water to reduce potential stress. We suggest small pheasant tails, hare’s ears, frenchies and midges for fly fishing. For Trout Magnet fishing, use hot pink bodies on chartreuse or gold jig heads.

(updated 8-11-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said that trout are good when the water is generating on olive marabou jigs in the grass and on ⅛-oz. white rooster tails in deeper areas.

Greers Ferry Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 458.61 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.54 feet msl, top flood elevation 487.0 msl).

(updated 8-11-2022) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said, The water level is 3.89 feet below normal pool. The water temperature is hot, but fish have to eat. Crappie are good day or night all over the lake and rivers at various depths. Some are shallow, some are 50 feet deep. Try jigs, minnows and live bait. Catfish are good, day or night, on jugs and trotlines with many different baits. Black bass are good on topwater lures in the morning or something dragged on the bottom during the heat of the day. No report on walleye. Bream are chewing and guarding fry. They are biting on crawlers, crickets and small moving baits from shallow water out to 25 feet deep. Hybrid and white bass are 25-60 feet deep chewing at will all over the lake on in-line spinners, swimbaits, spoons and live bait.

(updated 8-4-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood checked out Greers Ferry Lake again and found crappie biting well in 35-45 feet of water on ⅛-ounce jigs  in white-and-chartreuse or monkey milk colors.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 8-11-2022) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said Tuesday afternoon that the water is low and very muddy. Bream are good on worms around the shoreline. Catfish are fair on hotdogs. Crappie and bass are slow right now.

Lake Overcup

(updated 8-4-2022) Johnny “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) off Arkansas Highway 9 said the water is about one and a half feet low; clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 90 degrees. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and plastic worms. Crappie are still being caught in 12 to 14 feet of water using jigs tipped with minnows. Catfish are doing good at night on limb lines and jugs baited with nightcrawlers and large minnows. Bream are slow, but they should pick up on the next full moon. Johnny says, “Come see us for all of your fishing needs, we have perch again.”

Brewer Lake
(update 8-11-2022) David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-289-2210) says the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are good on redworms and crickets around brushpiles. Crappie are good. Anglers are still finding them by spider-rigging chartreuse/white jigs and minnows in the channel. Black bass are good in deep cover; try slow-rolling a white spinnerbait. Catfish are good on goldfish and black salties.
Dad’s is a 24/7 self-serve bait shop.

Lake Maumelle
(updated 8-11-2022) Hatchet Jack’s Sports Shop at Crystal Hill (501-758-4958) reports that fishing is better in the downtown Little Rock area than other areas. Bream are good on redworms and crickets.

(updated 8-11-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that bass are good in 3-6 feet of water in the grassy areas on Texas-rigged Senkos or black spinnerbaits, mainly at night.

(updated 8-11-2022) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported that the water temperature is in the mid to low 80s. Largemouth bass have been fair and are being found shallow along the grass lines. Some of them are chasing shad. Some are reporting that they are in deeper water. They are biting best at dawn and dusk. Try using Carolina rig lizards, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Trap or drop shots. Kentucky bass have also been fair. Some reports of them being found near drop offs around 16-20 feet and off rocky banks. They are also being found around brush piles and rocky points. Try using a Texas rig on brush or jigs, crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps. White bass have been slow. Try swimbaits and spoons if you find them schooling. Crappie are also slow being found 20-23 feet deep making it a tough bite. Try using jigs and minnows. Bream are fair, catching many small in size. Most are caught 10-15 feet deep on crickets, worms and jigs. Catfish are good mostly on trotlines with 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 6,033 cfs. Flow further upriver at Dardanelle Lock and Dam there was no flow.

Little Maumelle River

(updated 8-11-2022) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) says the river is clear and at normal level. Crappie are good on minnows fished 6 feet deep. Black bass are really good on soft plastics and frogs. Catfish are good on chicken liver, mainly in the evenings and at night. No reports on bream.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam was 5,104 cfs.

Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools)

On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam was 28,277 cfs. The elevation is 249.19 feet msl and the tailwater is at 231.07 feet msl. Flow at the Terry Lock and Dam was 2,314 cfs.

(updated 8-11-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) says black bass are good in 5-10 feet of water on medium-diving crankbaits, the best being a solid black Bandit 200.

(updated 8-4-2022) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) said they hear bream are biting well on the river in the backwaters; use redworms and crickets. Catfishing is good below the dams. Bass are biting in the early morning on topwater. Crappie are 15-20 feet deep off the ends of jetties on minnows and jigs.

(updated 7-28-2022) Hatchet Jack’s Sports Shop at Crystal Hill (501-758-4958) says catfish continue to be a good target in the pool. According to anglers, they are good on skipjack and live bait.

Clear Lake (off Arkansas River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 8-11-2022) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said Wednesday morning that catfish have been fair on skipjack and shad, but all other species have been pretty slow.

Peckerwood Lake

(update 8-11-2022) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (870-626-6899) said the lake remains clear and low, but she’s seeing no stumps showing. Bream are fair on redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair for anglers trolling minnows or jigs. Catfish are fair using typical catfish baits. No reports have come in lately on black bass.

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White River

(updated 8-11-2022) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said The White River water clarity flowing from Bull Shoals Lake past Cotter on its way south toward the Mississippi River is exceptional. The clear, cold water released through Bull Shoals Dam keeps the river habitat perfect for the trout provided by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission trout program all year long. We are continuing to see a fair amount of fluctuation in releases from the dam as it completes its work supplying electrical power and continuing to lower the lake to the desired power pool. Bull Shoals Lake is currently just five feet above the power pool, sitting at 666.30.

One way we’ve lured those trout away from their perfect habitat this week was with the peach-and-brown or olive, moss green jigs (1/8 ounce) played over the shoals. They provided a rapid and steady interest from the rainbows. The sculpin made a comeback when the water dropped and uncovered so many. It’s good to see the prevailing food source, especially since the brown trout and larger rainbows love to make a meal of sculpins.  As we mentioned last week, the grasshopper is back for the season. A hopper fly for late afternoons on these hot, dry summer days should provide action to last until dark.

(updated 8-11-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Monday that during the past week, we have had a minor rain event (just a bit over a quarter inch here in Cotter), brutally hot temperatures (to include heat advisories) and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals fell one and one tenth feet to rest at five and nine tenths feet above power pool of 661 feet. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell six-tenths of a foot. We have had a few hours of wadable water on the White and a little more than that on the Norfork Tailwater. On the White, the hot spot has been Rim Shoals during the mornings’ low flows. 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 a cerise San Juan worm with a ruby midge.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water.

(updated 8-11-2022) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said even with the rain, river conditions have been good. We continue to see water levels crest between 9 and 10 feet in the mornings and drop throughout the day to as low as 5 feet by the evening. The dropping water levels have made for some great fishing this week. Guides are reporting catching up to 70 to 90 fish during a full day guide trip. Silver in-line spinners with Berkley Power Eggs and topped with shrimp continue to be the bait of choice for the rainbow trout. Fishing with sculpins has produced a few nice rainbows and brown trout. When the water gets lower later in the day, ¼-oz. copper and gold Colorado spoons or Rapala Countdowns on the gravel bars have been productive.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 666.07 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 661.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 695.00 feet msl). Total outflow from the dam at 9 a.m. Thursday was 8,285 cfs. The reported lake elevation at Table Rock Lake was 913.63 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 917.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 931.0 feet msl), with outflow of 1,840 cfs.

(updated 8-11-2022) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said on Tuesday the water temperature is 87 degrees, give or take. Typical summer patterns are working. There are always shallow fish, especially with the recent rains. Target channel swings and ledges close to deep water. Use a topwater Lucky Craft Gunfish in the early morning. When topwater slows, a ½-oz. flutter spoon in a shad pattern or a small swimbait would be best. Then, move to a mooneye Tater Shad, drop-shot rig or Jewel spoon to target schooling fish. A lot of fish have moved deep with the warm temperature. Brush piles also are coming into play with lower water levels. If you are a power fisherman, get in the backs of feeder creeks that have shad. The creek fish have pulled back with the water coming down. Topwater will slow when the sun starts getting high. Move out and switch to a Jewel Special Ops Football Jig in green pumpkin/orange or a green pumpkin Ned rig. Fishing around channel swings, standing timber ledges and lay downs with beavers and Zoom Ol’ Monster worms in green pumpkin/red, red shad and plum are all working.

Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his 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 558.69 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 553.75 feet msl; April-Sept. 556.25 feet msl; top flood elevation 580.0 feet msl). Total outflow from Norfork Dam at 9 a.m. Thursday was 205 cfs, but got up to 6,233 cfs on Wednesday.

(updated 8-11-2022) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at Blackburn’s Resort said the lake level is 558.91 feet msl and has dropped 2 inches in the last 24 hours with generation a little less than half the time. The surface water temperature is 88 degrees and the water is clear down to about 20 feet. The creeks are stained. Many fish are still in the 27- to 35-foot range, just off the bottom around main lake points and hitting spoons. Smaller bass and bream are shallower in the 20-foot range in the warm water. Largemouth bass are coming to the shore to feed on crayfish at dark. Other fish are in open water, chasing shad over 30 feet of water. The larger stripers and walleye are in deep water on the river channel, which is normal for this time of year. The best bite is from 6-8 a.m. and then again starting at dark. That is expanded a bit in cloudy weather. Some crappie are starting to show up on brush piles on Bobby Garland Baby Shad and live minnows as the brush piles come into play with the dropping water. Look for brush that is about 40 feet deep at the bottom and 25 feet deep at the top. Catfishing is still fair on jugs and trotlines baited with small bluegill at night, but the approaching full moon and dropping water is not helping things. Norfork has dropped 14 feet since its high of 573 on June 6, but is still about 7 feet high from a normal mid-August. The lake is in excellent condition for boating, swimming and fishing.  Parking and day use areas are all back in service as are most campgrounds.

For a daily fishing report and lake condition go to www.blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve’s Blog.
 

Norfork Tailwater

(updated 8-11-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake has been more wadable in the morning. 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 18 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.
 

Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek

(updated 8-11-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are up. With hot temperatures, the smallmouths are less active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

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Beaver Lake

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,121.54 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.43 feet msl; top flood elevation is 1,130.0 feet msl). The Corps released about 3,800 cfs between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Wednesday.

(updated 8-11-2022) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver lake is close to normal levels. The surface temperature measured in the 80s. There have been some nice stripers being caught. Look from Rocky Branch down to the dam. Trolling shad, brooder minnows and bream has worked. Look for bait schools and fish should be in the area. Walleye have been picked up using crawler harnesses trolled on flats and points in and around 25 to 30 feet of water. Crappie are still suspended near the thermocline. Trolling cranks, such as Bandits and Arkie cranks, will work. We have been doing well on anything with pink in it. This bite will continue until water drops into the lower 70s. Catfish are good and will continue to get better into September. Bream are good as well. Check out Jon’s Facebook page for latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

(updated 8-4-2022) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said fishing on Beaver is pretty good. The best fishing now is mainly night fishing. Black bass are fair on a hodgepodge of baits, including spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Crappie are fair trolling on minnows and shad. Stripers are being caught in fair amounts in the deep water on the lower end of the lake. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Catfish also are good. Walleye are fair in deep water on jigs, spoons and bottom bouncers. The lake is clear and at a normal level. No surface temperature was reported.

Beaver Tailwater

(updated 8-11-2022) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said this week has been good on the tailwater and nothing drastically has changed since the last report. The Army Corps of Engineers have been generating pretty much starting at 10 a.m., but that has not stopped the bite. In fact, it increases the bite in most cases. Most fish were caught using light terminal tackle and Pautzke Fire Bait. When the sun moved higher in the sky, we would switch it over to ¼-oz. spoons coated with Pautzke Fire Gel. Try letting the spoon sink a bit before retrieving due to the water still being a little deep. The water levels are still low and continue to fall. This week’s hot spot for trout has been above Spider Creek. Try hitting the deeper holes and looking for slack water during generation. White bass and walleye are still up toward Holiday Island, but you need to look for them. Jigging live minnows off points and humps has done the trick. Follow Austin’s Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) for daily updates.

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 8-11-2022) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said Tuesday that the lake continues to have a stained clarity and is at normal level. Bream are “on fire” using redworms and are bedded up. Crappie are good on jigs. Black bass are fair on topwaters. Catfish are also good.

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Lake Charles

(updated 8-11-2022) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said black bass are fair on crankbaits, worms and topwaters. Bream are also fair on worms, crickets and jigs. There is no report on crappie and catfish. Monday afternoon’s water temperature was 80 degrees. The water level is high and the clarity is the usual murky.

Lake Poinsett

(updated 8-11-2022) Seth Boone, the superintendent at Lake Poinsett State Park, reported that bream have been biting well on crickets and worms. Catfish are biting on nightcrawlers and other smelly things. Bass are biting on spinnerbaits, but are still catch and release. Crappie are catch and release as well.

Crown Lake

(updated 8-11-2022) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) had no report.

Spring River

(updated 7-28-2022) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said the river has been flowing at 350 cfs and water clarity has been clear. Fish early for trout before it gets too hot. The river is nice and cold all day, but with this heat, the trout still will find the deeper holes. Lots of bugs are hatching early in the morning and late in the evening. On sunny days, nymphing has been hot with bead-headed pheasant tails, copper Johns or prince nymphs. On cloudy days, which have been few, you might get some streamer action. “Olive, brown or black woollies have been my go-to on cloudy days. Those are the days to get the brown trout moving.”

The smallmouth bass have been hitting well in the hotter weather. “The areas we have been chasing smallies has deeper water, and some Woollies tied on jigheads have been hot in black, olive and brown. Weight-forward line with a long leader works great. A sink tip would work, too, but it’s a lot more work to use a sink tip. Rain over the weekend may change conditions. Stay tuned to springriverfliesandguides.com and look at our blog page (springriverfliesandguides.com/blog).

(updated 8-11-2022) 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 in full swing and the boats and rafts are here. 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 steady at 8.58 feet, more than 6 feet below the flood stage of 15.0 feet. The Newport stage was steady at 13.92 feet (flood stage was 26.00 feet). The stage at Augusta is falling slightly at 24.60 feet, which is slightly below the flood stage of 26.00 feet.

(updated 8-11-2022) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) in Batesville had no recent fishing reports.

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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 89 cfs. The stage at Pine Bluff is steady at 31.22 feet (flood stage is 42 feet).

(updated 7-28-2022) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no report this week.

Cane Creek Lake

No new reports in this area.

Lake Monticello

No new reports in this area.

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Millwood Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 259.39 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl; top flood elevation is 287.0 feet msl). Total outflow at the dam is 860 cfs, an amount being steadily released this week and for the past couple of weeks.

(updated 8-11-2022) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday afternoon that water clarity is stained along Little River and oxbows. Millwood Lake tailwater elevation is near 225 feet msl with gate discharge at the dam around 860 cfs in Little River, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Watch for random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on Little River and Millwood Lake. Surface temps are stable this week, ranging in 85-90 degrees depending on location and the time of day. River clarity ranges 3-6 inches depending on location. Clarity of the oxbows is about 20-30 inches depending on location. Largemouth bass remain very good this week. Bass continue to relate horizontally and move out to deeper drops and vertical structures during the heat of the afternoons. They are shallow around stumps and vegetation at dawn. Bass have been very good on topwater lures around emerging lily pad stands and vegetation at daylight. Chunky 2-3 pound bass, have been striking various topwater lures on shallow flats near stumps and laydowns. They will randomly bust a buzzbait, Bass Assassin Shad or topwater frog in the pads early. Big, 7″-10′ bulky brush hogs, Bass Assassin Bang RSB 7.25-inch worms and XX Fat Job trick worms in candy bug, gooseberry, junebug/red or redbug have been working as well. Stuttersteps, Chug Bugs, Heddon Dying Flutters and Jitterbugs all continue drawing good, random, reactions on topwater at daybreak. Salt and Pepper Silver Phantom, Grey Ghost and Bad To the Bone are the best Bass Assassin Shad colors. The best locations for working the bulky worms range from 5-10 feet deep in Little River around grass mats after the morning topwater bite subsides. Move deeper in the creek channels or to the points of Little River where the creek junctions the river with a Bomber Fat Free Shad as the sun rises and begins to heat up the flats adjacent to creek channels. Sallower-diving squarebill crankbaits like the Rat-L-Trap/Echo 1.75 and MR-6 squarebills continue working in Millwood Magic and Ghost colors around deeper drops across points extending into Little River from White Cliffs Campgrounds to Cemetery Slough. Nice size bass also continue biting on magnum sized, 4″ salty tubes with Smokey/black/red flake, Purple Smoke/purple fleck and black/blue tail colors. White bass continue roaming the Little River and oxbows and have been caught on jigging spoons, Rat-L-Traps, Fat Free Shad crankbaits, Little Georges, Beetle Spins, Rooster Tails and Rocket Shads in 7-12 feet of water behind points where a little bit of current remains. A few Kentucky bass might be mixed in where washouts, ditches or creek dumps in 12-16 feet of water. White Cliffs campground area the entrance to Snake Creek, Jack’s Isle and Hurricane Creek had a few white bass as well. Crappie continue to improve over the past week. Crappie have been suspended in and over planted brush piles in 12-15 feet depth in the oxbows and along Little River. The best bite is from daylight to around 9 a.m. Best colors working over the past couple weeks for jigs have been monkey milk, smokey shad gray colors or on the Southern Pro Crappie Stingers and Lit’l Hustlers have been black/chartreuse, Money, blue/silk/chartreuse swirl and black/orange. Blue, flathead and channel catfish were fair on trotlines and yo-yos set along outer bends of the river in stump rows of old river timber from 12-17 feet deep with chicken liver, hearts, gizzards, cut buffalo and blood bait. The best bite has been at night.

Lake Columbia

No new reports in this area.

Lake Erling

(updated 8-11-2022) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) reported Wednesday that the water clarity is good, but the lake is about one foot low. Crappie are starting to show up around wood cover 6 feet deep and biting on natural-colored hair jigs. Bream are good on crickets and redworms. Bass are good on black spinnerbaits, mainly at night. Catfish are also good.

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 543.50 feet msl (full pool: 548.00 feet msl).

DeGray Lake

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 401.20 feet msl (full pool: 408.00 feet msl).

(updated 8-11-2022) Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) reported that bass fishing has picked up significantly with the cooler, partly cloudy weather. Bass have been schooling early in the morning and can be caught on topwater walking baits. When the fish are not schooling on the surface, try throwing rooster tails, small jerkbaits or a small lipless crankbait. When the bass go deep, fish vertically over them with a small spoon or a drop-shot rig. White bass and hybrids can be found in the creeks and caught with topwater walking baits as well. Crappie and bream are around brush piles in 15-25 ft of water. Crappie can be caught on minnows. Bream can be caught on crickets.

De Queen Lake

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 432.77 feet msl (full pool: 437.00 feet msl).

Dierks Lake

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 524.30 feet msl (full pool: 526.00 feet msl).

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White Oak Lake Area

(update 8-11-2022) Curtis Willingham at River Rat Bait in Camden (870-231-3831) had no reports this week.

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Lake Atkins
(updated 8-11-2022) Donald Ramirez at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) had no report this week.

Lake Catherine
No new reports in this area.

Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam)

For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro

(updated 7-28-2022) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reported water temperature below the dam is 64 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Rainbow trout fishing remains strong, as good numbers of fish are present and feeding consistently from the bridge to the dam. Normally, rainbow trout fishing is over in July, but earlier flooding has kept large numbers of fish in the area that are healthy. Live bait presentations such as waxworms and mealworms or redworms fished just off the bottom are working best during generation. Little success has been seen using artificial lures as thousands of threadfin shad are in the tailrace. White bass are in and out of the tailrace feeding on shad. Small gray or white ⅛-oz. jigs have accounted for good catches while generators are running. No striper activity has been observed. Flow schedules are available at the Entergy Hydro-Operations website; search for real-time lake levels.

 

Lake Dardanelle

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s flow at Dardanelle Lock and Dam as 0 cfs. Elevation was 337.92 feet msl. (Top navigation pool is 338.2 and bottom pool is 336.0.)

No new reports in this area.

Lake Hamilton

(updated 7-28-2022) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred Xpress, all-welded, aluminum fishing boats in Hot Springs reports Lake Hamilton lake levels are normal. Water clarity is more than 5 feet everywhere and surface temperatures remain in the high 80s. All species have slowed due to heat and lower water oxygen levels. Bass are fair in the early mornings and at night. Topwater presentations are the best opportunity during the morning, with many fish “breaking” off main lake points and shaded deeper areas near current. It is very important to find current in these dog days of summer. Water current provides oxygen, cooler temperatures and food. Target breaking fish with small Zara Spooks in pearl, silver or clear colors. At night the buzzbait is still king. Black and blue buzzbaits fished in the shallows near current are still producing good fish, but not in the numbers we saw last month.

The real targets of late for sport fisherman have got to be the walleye and striped bass. Whether jigging a spoon vertically or trolling a spoon, look to the deeper areas on the southern end of the lake. “We have put walleye in the boat at deeper than 70 feet and striped bass at depths of 40-50. Both of these species tend to move around all the time, and it’s important to find the baitfish before locating the sport fish. Bream are good everywhere in 10-12 feet of water and preferably in the shade. Use crickets or worms.”
 

Lake Nimrod

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was at 343.69 feet msl (normal pool: 344.51 feet msl; top flood elevation is 373.0 feet msl).

(updated 8-4-2022) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said Thursday morning that the lake level is a little low, but the water has good clarity. The surface temperature was 89 degrees. Crappie are good 7-15 ft deep on spider rigs or trolled Bandit crankbaits. Catfish are good on noodles, black salties and small perch. Bass are biting with reports from several people. Bream are good on redworms and crickets.

Lake Ouachita

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Blakely Dam was 572.00 feet msl (full pool: 578.00 feet msl).

(updated 8-11-2022) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said water temperature is ranging a consistent 84-88 degrees. Water clarity is stained. Lake level Tuesday was still dropping at 572.14 feet msl. Black bass are still fair using a drop-shot with a finesse worm. Walleye are good. A 3/4-oz CC Spoon vertically jigged near structure or a nightcrawler fished on a drop-shot should produce some of these fish. Stripers are good. Live bait and trolled hair jigs on the eastern part of the lake are working best. Bream are good on crickets or worms 15-25 feet deep on structure. Crappie are fair on small jigs or minnows. Try brush 20-30 feet deep. Catfish are fair on rod-and-reel with hot dogs or nightcrawlers. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

Blue Mountain Lake

As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 385.63 feet msl (full pool: 387.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 419.0 feet msl).
 

No new reports in this area.

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White River/Clarendon Area
The Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday reported the Clarendon gauge is falling at 22.09 feet, almost 4 feet below the flood stage of 26.00 feet.

Cook’s Lake

(updated 8-11-2022) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Potlatch Cook’s Lake Nature Center (870-241-3373) says Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers, and up to two helpers (who may also fish). 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. Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. Please call ahead at least a day in advance to register to fish. 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 870-241-3373. The lake continues to rise after recent rains and the action is slowing down. Bass anglers are having the most luck flipping green pumpkin or black-and-blue jigs to cypress trees. Some bass are being caught in deeper water using forward-facing sonar. A few have been reported to be taken on white spinnerbaits in running water. The bream bite has slowed a bit, but some are still being caught in about 2 feet of water on crickets and redworms. The bite should pick up this week with the peak full moon. Crappie are being caught here and there while bass fishing.
 

Horseshoe Lake
No new reports in this area.

 

Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake

No new reports in this area.

 

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