Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

Aug. 17, 2023

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

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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: Crappie were on the menu in the past few weeks on Millwood Lake, as Mackey Harvin, a guide for Millwood Lake Guide Service, took a few clients to his favorite holes for some action. Bass have slowed down lately at what is one of the state’s best bass fishing location, with the lake in a 2-foot ordered drawdown and the heat keeping most anglers off the water during the hottest parts of the day, but crappie provide a nice target, too.

 

Quick links to regions:

Central Arkansas

North Arkansas

Northwest Arkansas

Northeast Arkansas

Southeast Arkansas

Southwest Arkansas

South-Central Arkansas

West-Central Arkansas

East Arkansas

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

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

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

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

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NOTICE: The AGFC reminds landowners adjacent to Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir and Lake Overcup to not irrigate for lawns or gardens with water from these lakes until October. Both lakes were treated in early June with herbicides to control the invasive aquatic vegetation. Multiple applications per year are necessary for effective control of alligatorweed, and being unable to irrigate during this time is another unfortunate effect of this nonnative invasive aquatic plant species. Without controlling it, alligatorweed can infest lakes, restricting access to boathouses, boat ramps and fishing locations, and choke out native vegetation and fish populations. For more information, call the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at 833-338-3636.

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

(updated 8-17-2023) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said catfish are biting excellent. “They’re tearing the catfish up, daytime and nighttime both. The odd thing is, they’re catching in the middle of the day, too,” they tell us. Channel catfish are making up most of the catches but anglers are pulling in some good flatheads, too. Flatheads are favoring the goldfish or bream, while channels have been enjoying shrimp, cut bait, nightcrawlers and the usual catfish bait for Lake Conway.
They also report that the second $500 tagged catfish by AGFC was brought in Thursday; it was caught on a nightcrawler.

Anglers are catching lots of bream but most of them are small. Redworms and crickets will work. Black bass have been “kinda slow. They are catching them on tournament days, but other than that, no one has caught much of anything as far as bass,” they report. Crappie has been slow, too. “You would have thought it would have picked up with these three days of nicer weather, but not really.”

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

(updated 8-17-2023) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-250-0730) said the Little Red River continues to receive a summertime water release pattern from the Greers Ferry Dam. Daily afternoon generation provides wade and drift-fishing opportunities on all sections of the river. If you plan to fish the Trout Magnet, consider using pink and white-colored bodies on chartreuse jigheads. For fly-fishing, consider San Juan Worm, Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail and Midge. Always check generation schedule and be aware of unexpected water release. Check before heading to the Little Red River for Greers Ferry Dam water release by downloading the USACE Little Rock app, 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.

(updated 8-17-2023) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips/Little Red River Fly Guides (501-507-3688) said the Southwestern Power Administration has been running two units usually starting at 3 p.m. and running till 7-9 p.m. A consistent generation schedule is good for the fish and the early morning bite has been great fishing the falling water. Always check the USACE Little Rock app before heading out.
The current generation schedule has opened up the entire river for wade fishing. Start on the upper portion by JFK or Swinging Bridge in the morning, then head downriver in the evening as the water falls out.
“I’ve been fishing out of the boat and hitting the deep water around the moss beds with small Pheasant Tail soft hackles and Guide Choice Hare’s Ears. Midges have been working good as well,” Mike said.
Also try fishing anywhere there’s moving water as the water falls out.

(updated 8-17-2023) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said trout anglers are mostly catching fish on a small Rooster Tail or maribou jig and Trout Magnet above and below the shoals. Early morning has been better fishing when the water is falling out.

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

(updated 8-17-2023) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 457.09 feet msl; that’s 5.45 feet below normal pool of 462.54 feet, and with evaporation and generation it will continue to come down. Black bass for the most part are super shallow, suspended or out sitting on structure. Use baits that cover all three different locations and you’ve got it covered and however you like to target them — 1-60 feet, and sometimes a few coming up on top as well. Crappie are still being hauled it more regularly now with anglers using those fish finder inventions for a highland reservoir. Whether you have one or not, fish with jigs, beetle spins, hair jigs, live bait, etc. in 10-50 feet. Bream catching is at its best now. Crickets, crawlers and inline spinners are working super shallow out to 20 feet. Catfish are eating live and cut bait, dog food, soap and prepared baits as well as artificial baits like spoons under shad, shallow to deep. Hybrid bass and white bass are eating live bait, spoons, inline spinners and hair jigs fished right on structure; some schooling activity is going on. With walleye, some are floating around with shad suspended, some are on structure, some are roaming. Drag a crawler on jighead or a drop-shot in 20-40 feet for best results. Some crankbaits are working as well as spoons.

(updated 8-17-2023) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said early morning sees a good topwater bite around the main river banks and the bluff walls, especially throwing a Zara Spoon around the bluff walls and catching fish out of the dapper water. During the day, for bass, anglers have been successfully drop-shotting a 4.5-inch finesse worm in 20-25 feet around brush piles or drop-offs. They are also getting good responses from a Carolina rig.
Also, for a multispecies bite around the lake, anglers and throwing crankbaits in 20-25 feet of water all around and catching white bass, black bass, walleye – a little bit of everything, they report.
Walleye are also taking to the nightcrawler on a drop-shot in 30-40 feet of water. Early morning is probably best for that.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 8-3-2023) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says one angler has been fishing in a boat in the deeper area, about 10 feet of depth, and catching a few crappie – anywhere from three or four at one outing to eight. Crappie being caught are in the neighborhood of 13 inches. Minnows are working best.
Catfish are biting at night, with cats in the 5- to 7-pound range being caught. Use stink bait. Black bass are being caught off the shoreline. One gentleman reported catching a 3-pound bass using a spinnerbait. Bream are doing well. Crickets and redworms are being used.
The water clarity looks a little bit muddy, while the level is normal.

Lake Overcup
(updated 8-17-2023) Lacey Williams at Lakeview Landing on Arkansas Highway 95 (501-252-1437) said the catfish “are biting real good! They’re better caught with yo-yos or trotlines, but you can still reel them in with a pole. They were night fishing. Use bass minnows or trotline minnows. We had a father-son duo go home with 14 keepers the other day.”
Bream are biting but mostly on the small side. No report for crappie or bass.

Brewer Lake
(update 8-17-2023) David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-289-2210), a 24/7 self-serve bait shop at the lake, had no new reports.

Lake Maumelle
(updated 8-17-2023) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) says water temperature is ranging 85-87 degrees. The largemouth bass bite is good. Reports of the bass being found in a wide range of depths. The bass are biting best in the mornings and evenings. They can be found shallow, some starting to hit topwater as well as 16-20 feet. Try using crankbaits, flukes and wacky rig shallow, and Texas rig deep. Spotted bass (Kentucky bass) are fair, with reports of them being found deep in 16-20 feet depth. Use shaky heads and crawdad colors.
In the last Tuesday night black bass tournament until WestRock’s September fish-off, Cameron Nesterenko and Andrew Wooley, who were the Anglers of the Year with 214.63 pounds total caught over 19 tournaments this summer, won with a 5-bass stringer Tuesday totaling 15.33 pounds. They shared Big Bass (4.12 pounds) with Mark Brown and Jack Whitbeck.
White bass are slow and scattered, with anglers catching a few here and there. Crappie are fair, with fish reported hanging around the brush at around 18-22 feet of water on top of brush. Use minnows. Bream are great. Reports have them still on beds and biting. Catches are coming anywhere from 8-15 feet deep as well as in shallow water (3-5 feet). Crickets and redworms are best to use. No reports on catfish.

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

Little Maumelle River
(updated 8-17-2023) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said water is normal and pretty. Not a whole lot of people have been. One anglers has been catching a lot of bream this week.

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

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

(updated 8-17-2023) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports early and late bass fishing on the Little Rock pool is what most anglers are going for. The topwater bite has been getting a little better; it’s picked up because of the cooler mornings. Anglers can fish a little longer, at least until noon before it gets too hot this week. Zara Spooks and Whopper Ploppers are good baits to try in white or bone colors. The morning topwater bite is focused around the grass, wood and sand.
During the day, around noon, there is still a good bite below the water surface. Use something mimicking a baitfish like a small spinnerbait, a fluke or a quarter-ounce Rat-L-Trap concentrating around the sandbars, jetty tips. This will last through midday.
The river flow these days is hit or miss; the Corps of Engineers tries to run some water a midday but it hasn’t been a lot.

 

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White River
(updated 8-17-2023) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the White River watershed has seen some rain this week, usually less than predicted in the Cotter area and mostly much appreciated. The last couple of days have been heaven-sent perfect: very mild temperatures, low humidity, mostly sunny but with just the right amount of overcast skies to keep the angling action up to speed.
River clarity remained very good and trout catching has been fairly phenomenal. Water levels continue to fluctuate as they have over the last month with very low water levels in the morning hours, much higher generation in the late afternoon. Bull Shoals Lake has risen just a little, sitting slightly below power pool at 660.04 feet msl.
“Please be thoughtful of other fishers and boaters when the main channel narrows due to low water. Regardless of experience or technique, we all love the allure of catching trout, so share the space.” 
The rainbow catches were mostly made with sunrise or pink PowerBait tipped with shrimp on a size 8 bronze Aberdeen or bait holder hook. (Bronze hooks decrease harm to the trout.) Another favored bait for a great catch has been fresh soft-shell crawdads — when drifted mid-depth you’ll likely increase your catch count. Not surprising, dangling a redworm or a nightcrawler near the bank during rises in the water level will bring success, too. Tie on a heavier spoon or a favorite jerkbait when the rise levels off. Seems like this low water is pretty good for some jig fishing. Find a White River Zig Jig or a Trout Magnet D2 jig, salmon colored or tri-olive, ⅛- to 1/16-ounce and use some of that wrist action for a few good fights.
Reminder: It’s late summer, so hopper season is upon us; keep watch for the time to pull out your hopper flies and make your way to the river. The river provides even more of an escape now than at any other time. First-day-of-school prep is behind us, summer is winding down and life is good. Come share it with us.

(updated 8-17-2023) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said river conditions have been mixed this week with all the rain and different water releases. The rain last week muddied the river Thursday, clearing enough to be fishable Friday. The rain Sunday morning briefly muddied the river but cleared up by the afternoon. This Wednesday Norfork Dam opened three floodgates, causing the river to be muddy and rise over 7 feet Wednesday morning. When the river wasn’t muddy, fishing was good. Using Uncommon Baits UV glow eggs (orange or green firefly) and shrimp with or without an inline spinner worked best. With the dirty water, artificial lures have not been very effective. The cooler weather has been nice but by this weekend the temperatures will be back up in the 90s. This week the Jim Hinkle Spring River Hatchery stocked over 700 rainbow trout at the Calico Rock boat ramp; some of the stocked trout looked to be fat and over 15 inches.

(updated 8-17-2023) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service at Cotter said that during the past week they have had numerous rain events that combined for 4.5 inches in Cotter, hot temperatures (to include heat advisories) and moderate winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals rose 1.6 feet to rest at 1 foot below power pool of 661 feet msl. This is 35 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose 1.2 feet to rest at 2.7 feet below power pool and 16.7 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell 0.1 foot to rest at 3.9 feet below power pool and 12.5 feet below the top of flood pool. The White has had wadable water every day with moderate flows in the afternoon during peak power demand. Norfork Lake rose 0.9 foot to rest at 2.3 feet over power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 23 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork Tailwater has had wadable water. All the lakes in the White River system are very near power pool. Expect lower flows in the coming days. On the Norfork, all turbines are inoperable for the foreseeable future. Minimum release is being made through the siphon at continuous flows of 185 cfs and additional flows are made through the flood gates.
John said, “On the White, the hot spot has been The Narrows. We have had lower flows that have fished well. 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. My favorite has been a Pheasant Tail (size 14) with a ruby Midge Dropper (size 18).
Remember that the White and North Fork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber-soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

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

(updated 8-17-2023) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said Tuesday that the lake level is steady at 660 feet msl. “We needed that rain,” he said. “Water temp cooled to 83 degrees, give or take. Get up early, especially when it’s hot, and hopefully you’ll get a chance at a little topwater action. Topwater has slowed this week, but don’t rule it out. Look for surface activity along shallow areas close to deep water. The shad are starting the transition. Graph time pays off. The bass are schooled up still. If you’re around them they will show themselves. Spots are deeper. I’m still hanging in that 20-30 feet range and up and covering water.
“If they are busting, try a small walk-the-dog like a Lucky Craft Gunfish or Sammy if you can get it in there while they’re up. The main lake and mouths of large creeks are holding fish. Also halfway back into the creeks early if you’re planning to fish runoff or stained water in the back, make sure the conditions are right after a rain cloud, etc. You can catch them on a shad square bill, buzzbait or Plopper on the flats and remaining bushes. Pick up a Jewel Jig Bass Whacker in green pumpkin orange or a big red worm or green pumpkin shaky head in any of the laydowns, brush piles and drop-offs, and cover water. Look at temps back there before you start. Be sure to fish the conditions. Sunny and clear, stay out and use finesse in natural colors and small profile baits. Look at ledges, keep your boat off the fish. These fish have been pressured. A drop-shot has been my go-to bait matched with a Robo Worm on brush piles, bluffs, standing timber, off ledges and points, especially if they are generating. Fish in 35-40 feet. You’re gonna have to cat-and-mouse ’em most days. Tater Shad or Scuba Spoon in shad colors will also work on the deeper suspenders. Most action will happen if you are around the shad.
“Them danged walleyes are eating the drop-shot again in the deeper piles, around 32-40 feet. It’s always a pleasant surprise bass fishing. Crappie guys are saying it’s pretty random. Lots of running and gunning piles. Here today, gone tomorrow.”
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
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Norfork Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 8-17-2023) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at Blackburn’s Resort said the lake level was 556.77 feet msl as of 5 p.m. Wednesday and had dropped 3 inches in the last 24 hours with sluice gates open to an equivalent of 1¼ generators for two days. Both generators remain inoperable and have been for several weeks. The surface water temperature is 84 degrees and dropping slowly with the cooler temperatures and shorter days. The thermocline is at 27 feet with clear water down to 25 feet and a small mudline down to the cold water at 30 feet. “I have seen no evidence of an algae bloom,” he said.
Several fish of different species are in the 27-32 feet range and suspended at different depths, mostly on main lake points in and around brush piles, with bluegill being the shallowest followed by crappie and then bass, with catfish and walleye being near the bottom. A jigging spoon is working the best dropped vertical, tapping bottom and snapping the lure up 5-6 feet and allowing it to drop on slack line. Some small hybrids and white bass are together also and can be caught the same way. Trollers are catching a few fish but are traveling a long way to get them.
Catfishing has slowed with the dropping water, but some are still being caught on jugs and trotlines with live bait. Some crappie have moved to the brush, but not a lot. Most are still in open water on shad. A live minnow on a slip float, set about 5-6 feet below where you can see your bait, is working the best. Some larger stripers and walleye are still deep in 50-60 feet of water and can also be caught on the spoon.
School started Tuesday and boat traffic is way down and the lake is in good condition for fishing. Bass are still biting on the Gene Larew Salt Craw after dark on the black light, but this is also winding down. After Labor Day when the lake clears again, fishing should improve greatly, especially crappie.
Visit blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve’s blog for a daily report.

Norfork Tailwater
(updated 8-17-2023) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake rose 0.9 foot to rest at 2.3 feet over power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 23 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork Tailwater has had wadable water. All the lakes in the White River system are very near power pool. Expect lower flows in the coming days. On the Norfork, all turbines are inoperable for the foreseeable future. Minimum release is being made through the siphon at continuous flows of 185 cfs and additional flows are made through the flood gates.
The most productive flies on the Norfork Tailwater have been small midge patterns like Zebra Midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead-head nymph (Zebra Midge, Copper John or Pheasant Tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan Worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). John says his favorite rig has been a cerise San Juan Worm and a ruby Midge. The fishing is better in the morning and late afternoon while tapering off at midday.
Dry Run Creek has fished a bit better despite a lot of fishing pressure. School is out and it can get a quite crowded, particularly on weekends. The hot flies have been Sowbugs, various colored San Juan Worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and white Mop Flies. Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. Carry a large net, as most fish are lost at the net.
Remember that the White and North Fork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber-soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
Remember that the White and Norfork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
John added, “Last weekend was my last as a working guide. I retired this Wednesday after 30 years on the river. As luck would have it, I ended up with two great clients, Carmon Heilman and his son, Rudi. We spent the first day on Dry Run Creek. It was a Saturday and school would begin soon. I knew that there would be a bunch of young anglers. We got there early and wadered up. I always prefer that my clients wear waders so that we can go to a few spots that cannot be effectively fished without them.
Rudi was pretty new to fly-fishing, so I was doing a bit of teaching. He was a quick learner, was totally committed to fishing and he was a natural. We caught a few nice trout around 21 inches long — very nice fish, but my goal for the day was to land a trophy. At lunch, we had three fish. I determined we had to switch up our tactics. I began searching for trout. I found some nice spots that held some good fish.
“At this time, I looked around and saw a lot of kids fishing with spinning tackle. There was a lot of fishing pressure. I went as far away as I could and found a great spot that required that we wade. I saw some big rainbows. We cast my usual flies’ worms, eggs, Sowbugs and Mop Flies. I started to think that these guys have seen all of this stuff.
“I pulled out my late brother Dan’s fly box with its impressive selection of his flies. This is the box I go to when stumped. The fishing was slow and I needed to find something these picky monsters would take. I tried a gold ribbed Hare’s Ear. It produced a nice 20-inch rainbow. Several minutes passed and we changed to a size 10 Red Fox Squirrel Nymph (a Dave Whitlock pattern). The first cast resulted in a 20-incher followed by a 21 on the next cast. We were finally onto something.
“Rudi was catching quality trout after trout. Then he hooked a big one. This was the trout we had waited for. It was a thick, brightly colored 24-inch rainbow. By this time, Rudi had become comfortable fighting big fish. He took his time and fought the ’bow flawlessly. It finally surrendered to the net. I breathed a sigh of relief. I had met my goal. Throughout this fisherama Carmon was coaching, cheering on and recording the action on video and photos. He took some great shots and then we lovingly released the big rainbow that brought us a great memory. I cut off the fly and put it in Rudy’s hat. It was time to retire that fly. It had done its job.
“We fished our way out and picked up another two spectacular trout. We ended the day with 18 trout. The largest was 24 inches and the smallest was 17. Rudy had honed his skills and was now ready to join the ranks of fly-fishers.
“Life is good!”

Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 8-17-2023) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are fishing well. With warmer temperatures, the smallmouths are more 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
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Beaver Lake Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 8-17-2023) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is hovering at 1117.40 feet msl, which is about 4 feet lower than normal pool. Water temperature dipped a bit to the lower 80s in most spots. This cool front the last couple of days shut down the bite a bit. It is a taste of what is to come in a month or so, with cooling temps and an uptick in the fishing. Stripers have been fair/good with fish being caught early/late, as this is the pattern. Fish are moving daily as stripers do. Look from Point 5 to the dam site campgrounds. Just trust your graphs and locate the bait and fish will be there. Walleye were being caught on bottom bouncers last week. Look for flats and points that are in close proximity to deeper water. Fish have been caught from Horseshoe down to the dam. Crappie are still hitting trolled cranks. Again, flats in 30 feet of water are places to look. Troll under 2 mph to draw strikes. Bandit 300s are a good bait to start with. Anything with pink on it will work. Catfish are also biting well on trolled bottom bouncers with crawlers.
“The lake has some obstructions that you need to pay attention to. Be safe when running waters you’re not familiar with. Good luck!”
Visit Jon’s Facebook page for latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

(updated 8-17-2023) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the lake is nice and pretty and the water level is good, clear and normal. But the fishing is pretty slow and results are fair. “They’re not doing much. Some are trolling for crappie. Pressure on the fish is very light right now. The activity we’re getting is scattered. We’re selling some crappie bait. These days, they’ll just get out and throw something and you never know what you’ll get: crappie, bass.”
Bass fishing has been mainly at night because of the heat and an early morning bite with topwater lures. At night, they’re using jigs, spinnerbaits and worms but it’s still only fair results. Catfishing is fair. Bream are fair.
The exception would be walleye, at least for “the ones who know how to do it. They’re doing great.” These successful walleye anglers are looking at 20-25 feet, getting something down to the thermocline, and dragging worms and spoons, using bottom bouncers. “That’s (walleye fishing) one of the brighter spots, there are just not a lot of people around here who do it. The ones that do have done well all summer.”

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 8-17-2023) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) reported that this week has been good on the tailwater and nothing drastically has changed since his last report. The Army Corps of Engineers still has been generating pretty much starting at 1 p.m., but that has not stopped the bite. In fact, it increases the bite in most cases. Most of our 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 quarter-ounce spoons and coat the spoons using 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, seems like each day. If we can get some overcast or rainy days, the bite should pick up a lot!
This week’s hot spot for trout has been above Spider Creek. Try hitting the deeper holes and looking for slackwater during generation. The walleye are still up toward Holiday Island, but you need to look for them. Jigging live minnows off of points and humps have done the trick. There are still quite a few males in the river, so get after them. “Remember, for additional tips, visit my fishing Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service). Hope you all are able to get out and catch some fish.”

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 8-17-2023) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said bream and bass have been biting well. Bream are even biting Rooster Tails, along with the usual worms. Bass are going after topwater lures. Crappie are slow and anglers have to work for them. A few catfish are being caught but nothing major. Liver, worms and usual catfish bait are working.
The water is looking good, they report. The level rose quite a bit due to rains late last week but is back down to normal level. Visibility is always murky.

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Lake Charles
(updated 8-17-2023) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) says fishing has picked up in the last week. Water temperature are down a little. Reports of bream, crappie, bass and catfish being caught. One guest at the lake caught a 23-pound flathead on a jug.
Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are fair on minnows, jigs and worms. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and topwater lures. Catfish will bite worms, and results have been good.
Shelly says that good “moon times” for fishing are coming up Aug. 27-31 and Sept. 1. Best days in September are forecast for Sept. 11-17.
Surface water temperature Sunday was 78.8 degrees. Water clarity is the usual murky and the level is high.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 8-17-2023) Seth Boone, the superintendent at Lake Poinsett State Park, said Lake Poinsett has fish hopping in the cooler times of the day. Bream are biting on crickets and worms, though the bigger bream are in deeper waters, it seems. Minnows and shad seem to be schooling in early morning, noon, and early evening, which causes great opportunities for anglers to catch bass on topwater or spoons. Just remember, bass and crappie are catch-and-release only under current Lake Poinsett guidelines following its major renovation!
Crappie are biting on minnows and light-colored jigs intermittently. The catfish are biting in the evening on chicken livers and live bait across the old creek beds.

Spring River
(updated 8-3-2023) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels at the Spring have been at 350 cfs and water clarity is mostly clear. Storms moving through the area can change conditions quickly; always be safe and keep an eye on the forecast. The overcast days are excellent for chasing fish with Streamers. On the hot sunny days, fish early and take the afternoon off. It’s easier on the fish and you.
On the overcast days, Streamers or Woollies can work great. Working the bank or swinging them out downstream – always a fun way to catch. Olive and brown Woollies are hard to beat with silver eyelash Streamers working when the bite is on baitfish. The sunny hot days have Hopper Droppers working great, with an occasional Hopper hit. For Droppers, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Y2Ks, Nymphs or Soft Hackles. Fun, fun, fun!
Smallmouth are hitting Streamers, you’ve just got to fish them deep. Look for the deeper pools and work it slowly. Skullhead sculpins, barbell crawfish and Clousers can all work well. Fish them deep and slow. You may catch a walleye that way, also – maybe.
“It has been very hot out, be safe and hydrate, and don’t forget the Spring River is ice cold. Wet wading season.”
Mark has a blog on his website linked above with the most recent conditions and updates from the Spring.

(updated 8-17-2023) 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 here. Fish early or late to avoid the boats. 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
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time gauge level and flow from the White River stages at Batesville, Newport and Augusta and all other sites within the White River basin in Arkansas, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

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

(updated 8-17-2023) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reported that water temperature is around 90 degrees, and there is little to no flow on the main channel. Black bass are biting best in the morning and late evening on shad-colored bladed jigs, spinnerbaits and shallow crankbaits around rock points, brush piles near drop-offs and submerged woody cover. Dark-colored jigs, creatures and finesse worms around the same cover worked more slowly during midday can get an occasional bite. Focus on wind-blown banks/cover when available, and target shaded areas after the sun is up.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 8-17-2023) Stephanie Clingenpeel, seasonal park interpreter at Cane Creek State Park, said that this week she ran into very few anglers. “They either were out extremely early or late. The weather has been in the high 90s again with very little cloud cover.” On Saturday she spoke with some campers near the docks who said the only fish they were able to catch were gar. Nothing else seemed to be biting. On Sunday, an angler was buying some minnows and said he had not been having much luck at all the past few days probably due to the weather.
Recently, anglers had been catching lots of redear sunfish just off the bank around the right side of the lake as you first see the property. The weather had been cooler at that time with cloudy to rainy skies. And crappie were biting around Aug. 6 for a woman angler who was fishing on the back left half of the lake near the lily pads. The nest day, a few anglers were finding a bit near the trees, catching sunfish, catfish, at least one crappie and some gar a well. That first week of August, Cane Creek sold out of crickets again and sold lots of minnows.

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

(updated 8-17-2023) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday that other projects have kept him off the lake this week. He is told by his guides and other anglers that nothing else much changed. Surface temperature on Millwood is ranging a hot 86-92 degrees. The lake is still in its Army Corps of Engineers-ordered 2-feet drawdown, which will be in place until next month.
Mackey Harvin, the “crappie guru” for the guide service, is still doing a limited few crappie trips — only half-days with this heat of late.
Bass have are slow, while crappie are still biting between 10-16 feet deep in Little River planted brush, with minnows working best.
Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or at the Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. Use extreme caution during the drawdown, as stumps and obstacles will be at or near the water surface in many locations. Some boat lanes on the main lake will be inaccessible during the drawdown with shallow flats and stumps preventing navigation.
Mike offered these specifics of how the fishing has gone in the last few weeks on Millwood:
* Largemouth bass are fair, biting randomly. They are best from daybreak until up around 9 a.m. along the river from the mouth of Warrior Trail all the way upriver to White Cliffs Creek dump. It is best early and late on plastic frogs, Bass Assassin Shads and Brush Hogs, or Bang 3.5-inch Skunk Apes in the pads along grass lines. They are ranging from 2-4 pounds, and activity slows in midday heat. “We connected with some largemouth and Kentucky bass and whites on Cordell Jigging Spoons all in various groups following shad schools along the river. During the drawdown, the current and falling lake level is pulling most bass to the creek mouths, primary and secondary points where channel dumps, and into Little River.”
The best action along Little River is near washouts from 6-15 feet of depth off the bank near vegetation mats, and along primary and secondary points and creek dumps into the river. Also good action in the back in the oxbows, in 3-8 feet of water on flats near cypress trees, until the sun gets above the trees. Once the sun reaches overhead, they are pulling out off the flats into 9-10 feet deep creek channels where grass and reeds and fresh lily pad shoots are emerging. Best colors of Shad Assassins with current water clarity are Salt & Pepper Silver Phantom, Chico’s Red Ear and Pumpkinseed. Best colors of Brush Hogs are Watermelon Candy and June Bug Red, while Skunk Apes are best in black/blue tail, Hematoma Shad or Blank Check.
Buzzbaits, Heddon Dying Flutters, Cordell Crazy Shads, plastic frogs, Bass Assassin Shads, Bill Lewis Lures StutterSteps and Ken Pops are all working randomly at daylight at various locations. Once the sun gets above the trees, many of the better quality fish are pulling out to the creek’s deeper sections. After about 9-10 a.m., bass will randomly respond to a Bill Lewis ATV Square Bill, Echo 1.75 Crankbaits, and 10-inch Power Worms or a Brush Hog. Over the past couple of weeks, largemouths have been randomly feeding in creek channels dumping into Little River. The oxbows continue providing best water clarity in many locations. Flats next to deep creeks and secondary points with any fresh grass growth, new lily pad blooms and vegetation will coax an ambush bite on a BLL ATV Square Bill or Echo 1.75 after the topwater bite subsides on Buzzbaits near late morning. Best colors of Power Worms have been Blue Fleck and Black Grape; the best Brush Hog is Watermelon Candy with a chartreuse tail.
Senkos, Yum Dingers and trick worms like the Barlow’s Salty Rat Tails, as well as finesse worms are still getting reactions wacky-rigged. South African Special, June Bug Red, Blackberry and Watermelon Seed have been randomly working all along Little River and in the back of McGuire and Horseshoe oxbows.
* Some very large schools of white bass were spotted schooling and surface-breaking in Little River between Jack’s Isle and the mouth of Snake Creek along the edges near grass mats on threadfin shad earlier this month. “These whites were hitting jigging spoons when we saw them surface schooling last week. Several different schools of whites were feeding along Little River breaking on shad at the surface and down to 8-12 feet of depth near the burnt tree at Pugh Slough, while we were vertical-jigging chrome Cordell or Kastmaster Spoons, and ranged from 2-3 pounds each. We didn’t see the white bass surface-breaking over the past week.”
* Crappie are still biting between 10-16 feet deep in Little River planted brush, with minnows working best. Some catches in recent weeks have reached 2.25 pounds.
* Bream were biting well above Jack’s Isle earlier in the month. Those bream were biting best on crickets, redworms and sweet corn.
* No reports on catfish.  

Lake Columbia
No reports.

Lake Erling
(updated 8-17-2023) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) had no new reports. The Lake Erling Guide Service store is open daily, 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 p.m. on weekends. Also check out Friends of Lake Erling on Facebook for more information and photos, too.

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

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

No reports.

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

(updated 8-17-2023) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Summer fun is here. Hot water and storms. Water is definitely warm. Fish are warm to the touch. Water temperature is running right at 90 degrees. Water level is at 402.24 feet msl with a slight lowering.
“It’s August and that means schooling fish. They are up everywhere you can find calm water. Look for birds, boats or surfacing fish. They are on the surface from Iron Mountain to Point Cedar. Whopper Ploppers, Devil Horse and Zara Spooks are all good topwaters if they are shad-colored. Crankbaits or spoons after they dive or if it is too rough. If they are not up yet, you can troll Alabama rigs or crankbaits.
“The full moon is just passing so that means to hit the bream beds. Side imaging or perspective view to locate the beds, then drop-shot or slip bobbers work great.
“Crappie are on the move. Check vertical timber and look for roaming big ‘uns. Sniping is the thing for roamers. The bite is slow, so stay with it.
“Good fishing everyone, and please hydrate!”

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

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

White Oak Lake Area
No reports.

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NOTICE: The AGFC reminders landowners adjacent to Lake Atkins and to the Cabin Creek arm of Lake Dardanelle that EPA-approved aquatic herbicides were applied to those bodies of water earlier this month, and while he treatment causes no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life, water irrigated from the lake can harm gardens, flowerbeds and lawns if used on neighboring lands. By federal law these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. Please to not irrigate for lawns or gardens with water from these lakes until October. Multiple applications per year are necessary for effective control of alligatorweed, and being unable to irrigate during this time is another unfortunate effect of this nonnative invasive aquatic plant species. Without controlling it, alligatorweed can infest lakes, restricting access to boathouses, boat ramps and fishing locations, and choke out native vegetation and fish populations. For more information, call the AGFC Fisheries Office in Russellville at 833-356-0879.

Lake Atkins
(updated 8-17-2023) Donald Ramirez at Lucky Landing (479-264-0851) had no new reports

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

(updated 8-17-2023) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below the dam is 63 degrees with slightly stained conditions in the tailrace. Entergy scheduled nine hours of generation each day this past week at 6,300 cfs, which has kept the lake cool and clear of debris. Extreme summer heat causes tailrace temperature to skyrocket, which promotes rapid moss growth, making the area difficult to fish. Long days of high generation is the norm below area dams in the summertime in an effort to provide electricity for the surrounding areas. The public is urged to be aware of the generation schedules below Carpenter Dam before planning a day on the water. Weekly reports are available for viewing on the Entergy website under Hydro-Operations.
The fact that the rainbow trout season was destroyed by flooding has created a void in the tailrace for catchable fish species. This problem occurs every year, but not with the severity of 2023. Trout are normally present below the dam until early August, but the season was essentially over in late May. Anglers have to rely on migrating white bass and hybrid bass that follow yearly spawning patterns and shad schools for a consistent bite. Observing topwater activity is the most effective method for locating feeding bass, which normally occurs in the early morning and late evening hours. Zara Spooks and Puppies in a shad color will draw strikes from feeding bass cast from the bank or boat. Hybrid bass are often mixed in with white bass and will strike the same lures when presented in the proper manner. Jigs in 1/16- and ⅛-ounce weights in a smoke pattern have caught numbers of fish that shy away from a surface strike. Stripers will often move toward the dam in search of prey and cooler temperatures, and have been caught on Alabama rigs when the turbines are running.
Fishing below a hydroelectric dam presents many problems to overcome when attempting to have a safe and effective fishing trip. Being aware of the generation schedules and mindful that game fish are only present in the tailrace for short periods of time will give anglers a fighting chance for success. The key is knowing what species are present and doing everything possible to use lures that match the forage these fish are targeting. Rainbow trout stocking begins for the fall season in mid-November. Always wear a lifejacket when boating on Lake Catherine and follow all park regulations.

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

(updated 8-3-2023) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-647-9945) had no new reports. In his most recent report, he said black bass have been hit-and-miss. When there is current, there is a good topwater bite. When there is no current, it is extremely tough – unless you get lucky and come across some schooling bass. Large worms and deep-diving crankbaits will catch you some fish off of points and drops. Crappie are on brush piles and deep trees. Monkey Milk color has still been working well; 6-10 feet is the best bite. But it is still going to take all day to get your limit.
White bass and stripers were starting to school out in the river around the flats earlier this month. Crankbaits and spoons were working the best. Flathead catfish were eating live perch on the steep rocky banks, rock dikes and around bluff walls. Blue cats were in a deep hold around the channel swings. Channel cats are best found in the creeks. Cut bait, shad and skipjack have been working well on blues, worms and minnows for the channel cat. Bream have been good around the Mayfly hatch. Worms, crickets and flies have been working well.

Lake Hamilton
(updated 8-17-2023) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said the fishing pattern on both lakes Hamilton and Ouachita is essentially the same as he’s stated before. “It’s summertime fishing and I’m marking time till fall.”
With the summer water temps, the bite for all species (walleye, striper, hybrid striper, white bass, largemouth bass and spotted bass) comes very early. “Start casting, vertical jig and drop-shot your favorite lures – mine are gold and silver spoons – at first-light. Work the ends of points and submerged humps as shallow as 12-18 feet of water and as deep as 30-45 feet of water for the best results. You’ll find some breaking fish early with most suspending 8-12 feet deep. When the morning feed slows and the fish scatter, trolling crankbaits in the same areas will produce fish.”

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

(updated 8-3-2023) Sheila Ferrebee, the new owner of Carter Cove Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025), formerly Andrews, said anglers are catching crappie on minnows and jigs. They are fishing early, coinciding when breakfast is served at the store (5 a.m.), Sheila notes. No bass reports lately. A 50-pound catfish was caught recently, however. Fishing mostly has been very slow, she says.
Bream were biting really well a few weeks ago but that has tailed off into August.
Carter Cove has a Facebook page and the email address is cartercovebaitnmore@gmail.com.

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

(updated 8-17-2023) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are fair. Try a drop-shot for some spotted bass action near brush in the 18-22 feet range or your favorite topwater early or late. Walleye are still excellent. Silver spoons and drop-shotting nightcrawlers are working for these fish. Try main river/lake channel points for walleye, near brush, in the 20-24 feet range. Stripers are fair. These fish are being caught in the eastern portion of the lake and can be caught on live bait. Bream are good. Try a cricket or worm near brush in 15-25 feet depth range for a quality bite. Crappie are still fair and being caught on small jigs or minnows. Try brush and structure 20-25 feet deep. Catfish are good on rod and reel with crawlers or stink bait. Jugs and trotlines with live or cut bait are working well, too.
The water temperature has fallen with the cooler ambient air lately, ranging 82-86 degrees. Water clarity is clear. Lake level at midweek was 572.46 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 8-17-2023) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said the fishing pattern on both lakes Hamilton and Ouachita is essentially the same as he’s stated before. “It’s summertime fishing and I’m marking time till fall.”
With the summer water temps, the bite for all species (walleye, striper, hybrid striper, white bass, largemouth bass and spotted bass) comes very early. “Start casting, vertical jig and drop-shot your favorite lures – mine are gold and silver spoons – at first-light. Work the ends of points and submerged humps as shallow as 12-18 feet of water and as deep as 30-45 feet of water for the best results. You’ll find some breaking fish early with most suspending 8-12 feet deep. When the morning feed slows and the fish scatter, trolling crankbaits in the same areas will produce fish.”

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

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

Cook’s Lake
(updated 8-10-2023) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) says that the few anglers that have braved the heat are experiencing a very slow bite. Cooks Lake is about 5 feet deep at most and water temperature is in the low to mid-90s. A few bass are still being caught on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and frogs right on the bank in the shade or by flipping a green pumpkin jig or soft plastic into the hollow tree stumps in about 4 feet of water.
Cook’s Lake is a 2.5-mile-long oxbow off of the White River, nestled in the heart of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge near Casscoe in Arkansas County. 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. Cook’s Lake will be open to fishing during normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m.-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 guests (who may also fish). 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 501-404-2321.

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