Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

May 30, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

John Stevens enjoyed the smallmouth bass fishing on the Spring River recently while fishing with guide Mark Crawford. In his report this week, Crawford says smallmouth are hitting great when water clarity is good. Fish deep on the bottom with very slow retrieves, a pattern that also works for walleye hanging in the deep pools below waterfalls on the bottom. Not only is the fishing success up, as well as the river current, but the cicadas are also prevalent and great for trout fishing. “We have been using big brown and black cicadas as the top dry fly and small (Woolly Buggers) as droppers. With heavy stocking this time of year, we are getting tons of action and having so much fun!” Crawford said.

Reports are updated weekly, although some reports may be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.

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

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

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

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

Quick links to regions:

• Central Arkansas
• North Arkansas
• Northwest Arkansas
• Northeast Arkansas
• Southeast Arkansas
• Southwest Arkansas
• South-Central Arkansas
• West-Central Arkansas
• East Arkansas

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

NOTE: The last of three planned public cleanups of the Lake Conway shoreline by the AGFC and its partners in the lake renovation is scheduled for June 13-15. The hours for the cleanup will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. For more information, call 501-604-0492 or email nicholas.feltz@agfc.ar.gov.

(updated 5-30-2024) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said “the fish are biting!” The water is falling back out, they report, after last week’s rains pushed the level back up. Crappie are biting on minnows and on chartreuse/black jigs. Bream and catfish are both fight for the same baits: red wigglers and nightcrawlers. Catfish are also going for the trotline minnows.

Black bass are hitting topwater lures and crankbaits.

The lake is murky looking in clarity.

Lake Conway has no creel or length limits while the lake is in its drawdown phase as part of the AGFC’s renovation project. All fish may be kept; in fact, it’s encouraged, hence the no limit regulation. Still chances to stock up on crappie and others for the freezer.
Also, the Lake Conway nursery pond is open for fishing with the AGFC stocking various sport fish there. The pond is more than 60 acres and has bass, crappie and bream.

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

(updated 5-30-2024) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips/Little Red River Fly Guides (501-507-3688) said, “Just got back from a few days on the water, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the adventure out there! The Southwestern Power Administration has been keeping us on our toes with their water release schedule. They’ve been running two units of water through the turbines consistently, although the start and stop times have been a bit unpredictable.
“With that said, I’ve been having some solid luck fishing near the dam using a deep-water nymph rig set between 9-12 feet deep. Those deep pockets have been holding some nice surprises. And, for a change of pace, I’ve been trying my luck around the docks, casting a pink San Juan Worm about 6-7 feet deep into the moss beds. It’s been paying off, especially in the slower deep-water sections. Hot flies have been pink San Juan Worms, Pheasant Tail soft hackle and caddis flies.
“Oh, and if you’re into streamer fishing, now’s the time to be out there. The high-water release has really got those streamer bites going strong. So, grab your gear, check the schedule and let’s hit the water!”

(updated 5-30-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that trout anglers are doing pretty well on the tailwater. They care catching a lot of trout on Rapala Countdowns and Rooster Tails. The preferred colors have been brown trout or rainbow trout lately, and successful anglers are targeting the shoals or a laydown log, any visible cover.

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 5-30-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 462.23 feet msl, slightly above (0.19 feet) normal pool of 462.04 feet msl. Not much else has changed other than more and more fish coming up on top schooling in different parts of the lake and rivers. Southwestern Power Administration and the Corps of Engineers have been generating pretty hard trying to get the lake down. All species of game fish are biting on and off all day — all these weather fronts and sometimes four or five pressure changes throughout the day, plus the wind changes, have the fish really confused. But you just have to stay course, and if so, bites will come.

Crappie still seem somewhat confused, like other species. Try super shallow and out to 30 feet, and use jigs, minnows or crankbaits. Walleye are eating in the main lake, and for the few that are left up rivers, drag crawler or crankbait in 10-22 feet. Some walleye are following under big schools of white bass and hybrids; use spoon for those.

Hybrid bass and white bass are trying to set up for summer in the main lake, though a lot are still traveling. For the ones that are set, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swimbaits in 15-35 feet. The shad spawn is going on in various places around the lake and rivers; when you find them, stay with them for good catches of all species.

Catfish are starting to show up more regularly, and the usual stuff is working in the lake and rivers. Some bream are shallow but most are still around 8-15 feet — crickets and crawlers are working fine as well as inline spinners. Some black bass are still spawning, more appear on their way to spawn and some have finished. Use Carolina rigs, topwater lures, wake baits, drop-shots, crankbaits and spinnerbaits for best action, super shallow out to 30 feet. Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 5-30-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said that with all the pleasure boat traffic on the lake in the past few days (over the holiday), that had kept a lot of their usual bass angler sources away. Instead, anglers have been crappie fishing and trolling for white bass and walleye. They’ve been doing well throwing trolling crankbaits (look for a crankbait that will get to 15-20 feet or water) for the fish, which are being seen at 20-25 feet depth.

It’s not that you can’t fish for bass now, it’s just that the lake will be less busy and more conducive to bass early in the morning or late in the evening. A bone-colored Zara Spook is a good choice for lure, as well as a buzzbait you can work up shallow late in the afternoon for the improving topwater bite.
The lake is close to normal level now with water being run regularly from the dam, and the clarity is clear.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 5-30-2024) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said anglers are catching a lot of bass, catfish and bream in recent days. Bream were active during and after the full moon, biting on crickets and redworms. Smaller bream, bass minnows, goldfish and more were all working for a good catfish, which they report were biting very well over the weekend. One group staying at the resort was fishing with trotlines and pulled in several cats, including a 15-pound flathead along with some nice channel catfish. A crappie even bit into a goldfish and was hooked by the group.

Black bass were biting both early in the morning and late in the evening. One angler reported having a lot of success with a white buzzbait.

Water temperature was 84.7 degrees on Thursday, with wind whipping on the lake.

Water looks a little low, they say, and water clarity is somewhat clear with just a smidgen of green coloration.

Lake Overcup
(updated 5-23-2024) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 had no new reports this week, but most recently he said crappie were being caught in 5-10 feet of water using jigs and minnows. Also, bass were doing well on buzzbaits and plastic frogs since the spawn. Bream were starting to get on their beds and doing well. Catfish were being caught on jugs using nightcrawlers and bass minnows, and he was starting to run trotlines again.

“Come see us at Overcup Landing off Highway 9, Morrilton.”

Lake Maumelle
(updated 5-30-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported that water temperature was ranging 80-82 degrees, a slight drop from last week. The largemouth bass bite remains fair. Reports of the bass biting shallow in the mornings and evenings in 2-4 feet and others being found deeper to 8-20 feet. They are also schooling in some areas in the evenings. Try points and drop-offs. Drop-shots, Texas rig worms and crankbaits are working best. Spotted bass (Kentuckies) are also fair. Reports of them being found on points in 8-20 feet as well as around drop-offs, and they are biting jigs.

Eric Wallace and Mike Hammett netted a 5.27-pound Big Bass in Tuesday night’s black bass tourney, while Daniel Romine and Vaughn Greenway landed a 5-bass stringer of 15.38 pounds to win the event, with Randall Clark and Ben Burke catching 14.09 pounds for second.

Still no reports heard lately on white bass after their run subsided. A twister tail might coax one to the hook, though. Crappie are slow these days, though some reports have them being found suspended on brush anywhere from 12-14 feet as well as 16-21 feet. Use jigs or minnows.

Bream are good, particularly after last week’s full moon. They’re being caught in 6-10 feet of water as well as shallower, in 3-5 feet. Crickets, worms and drop-shots are bringing them in.

No reports still on catfish, but anglers seeking them might want to use little bream, liver or worms, like nightcrawlers.

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

Little Maumelle River
(update 5-30-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the black bass are “biting like crazy,” and they’ve been biting well for a few weeks now. Use a spinnerbait, topwater lure or plastic worm for best success.

One angler caught a mess of crappie this past week, all on minnows, Ray said, noting it was the first sign of crappie activity since their spawn. Also, a few others caught a lot of catfish, with one angler catching mainly flatheads fishing with bream.

The bream are bedded and are being caught on crickets and any kind of live worm.

The water is clear and normal.

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 5-30-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports than anglers are catching “a bunch of fish” out on the Little Rock Pool now, and they are using a lot of different approaches to do that. Some are hitting the early morning or late evening wave of black bass with such lures as a Whopper Plopper, a frog or a buzzbait and working in the backwaters or around shoreline grass. On the main river, a bone-colored Zara Spook has started picking up bass there, also both early in the morning and later in the day.

During the day, they recommend using a jig or a Texas-rigged ribbon tail worm, as well as a shaky head. Around jetties, you might also try a crankbait, while anglers also report catching some bass in the main river on a white Chatterbait, fishing it around the jetties. Don’t forget to give the spinnerbait a few throws, too.

Water clarity is strained to muddy, but they expect the river to be clearing soon. The water level is about normal for the pool.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 5-23-2024) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) says the fishing is good for bream and catfish. Anglers are still catching some crappie on minnows and jigs. Crickets are best for bream now. Catfish will bite hot dogs, minnows and about everything else.

Nobody has been saying anything about bass.

White River
(updated 5-30-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the trout bite this week has brought excitement to kids of every age — children, parents, grandparents, every angler on the White River. The water level has been lower during morning and early afternoon hours, with late afternoon releases bringing a rush of cold, clear water for a whole different fishing adventure. Bull Shoals Lake level is slowly rising, and was sitting Wednesday at 666.39 feet msl, with nicely managed releases.

Lots of success with spinners and spoons on the low water, best in the morning. The sparkle from gold or silver Cleos is attracting really nice-sized rainbows, and the nickel/gold Colorado or a one-sixth-ounce Rooster Tail with a gold blade is hard for the trout to resist, too. You can experiment with shrimp or with various colors of floating eggs and you’ll bag a bunch, but the action will be faster when you use them together.

Brown trout catches continue to delight the anglers around Cotter, mostly with live bait taken from the river (minnows, crawdads, sculpins), but we heard that more than one brown was hooked with shrimp and PowerBait. Heard, too, that the browns liked the peach-colored D2 jig during the slight rise midday.

“Enjoy the best of spring with the best The Natural State has to offer: trout-catching on the White River in the Arkansas Ozarks. Come visit.”

(updated 5-30-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said the storms Sunday morning caused a lot of damage across the northern part of the state. “Fortunately, Calico Rock didn’t receive any damage, but around Norfork and Mountain Home there was a lot of damage from the wind and rain. So much rain in such a short time flooded many of the area creeks. As a result, by Sunday afternoon we had high and very muddy water with large trees, etc., coming down the river creating unsafe conditions.

“Conditions remained high and muddy into Monday, but finally started to clear up late Monday afternoon. Tuesday the river was dingy but fishable. Before the storm and since Tuesday the fishing has been great. We continue to have a lot of success with Uncommon Bait UV eggs and corn catching some nice limits of rainbows to include several over 15 inches.
“With the clearer and lower water Wednesday the bite was fast and furious. Quarter-ounce Thompson Colorado spoons worked well for rainbows and smaller browns with Rapala Countdowns CD2 in silver working well for larger rainbows and some nicer browns.
“We did receive one trout stocking of over 1,000 rainbow trout late last week.”

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 5-30-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said the lake level is holding around 666 feet msl. Parking and boat ramp access is starting to be affected. Water temperature around 76 degrees, give or take, and warmer in the dirty areas. Bass are setting up toward summer areas; some are up chasing sunfish but the water rise has slowed everything.

Fishing has been good but it will definitely be tough after a storm front. There are large groups of schooling fish setting up on ledges. If it’s cloudy, rainy and/or windy you can powerfish covering water with a square bill, spinnerbait or Chatterbait in the stain or dirty runoff. Try a frog/toad over submerged flooded grass. If it’s flat and sunny target swings, points and secondary points. Try green pumpkin or puke Ned rig, tube or a shaky head. Keep the boat out deep in the clear water; you can hit the old shoreline. Fish off points in 15-25 feet of water. There is a lot of activity in the 15 feet range. You can go up there with a Beaver-style bait or Jewel Flippin Jig. Green pumpkin orange/red variants are best.

Some shallower brush piles closer to deep water in less than 25 feet are holding some fish. The shad balls are spread out deep off the points, backs of creeks and swings. So, if you’re fishing open water you’re going to have to pay attention to find shad. Try a 2.8 swimbait or flutter spoon. Topwaters have been hit or miss. Wake baits and a Lucky Craft Gunfish are starting to produce, all in white or shad patterns. Del says he has been catching some on the Robo Worm drop-shot with suspended fish.

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

(updated 5-30-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) reports fishing has been pretty much the same as last week. Some fishing methods have changed over the last week. Some report that fish are starting to set up in traditional spots and water depths, which is indicating the thermocline is setting up. Pulling crawler harnesses in 20-25 feet early will get some fish. A little deeper later after sunrise.

If contour trolling, try shad-style baits or small Banada-style baits in 15-25 feet water. Slide out to deeper water, 30-40 feet, after daylight. If open water trolling for suspended fish, they are still the same as last week but just a little deeper. Find shad and try trolling with snap weights from 45-55 feet depth over 100 feet of more of water while using Berkley No. 9 Flicker Minnows or No. 7 Flicker Shads. Rapala Deep Husky Jerks and Reef Runner 800, as well as Bandit deep-divers series, trolled over the old river channel at 1.5-1.8 mph should put some fish in the boat. Have also had reports that jigging spoon fishing has also been another tactic that’s working. Casting a half-ounce spoon into 15 feet and hopping it off the bottom back into about 30 feet might also get you a few fish.

(updated 5-30-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) reports crappie are definitely more scattered and they are finding some on the brush and structure. Quality is still kind of mixed up and they are having to really work at it to catch good numbers. The jig bite has definitely slowed down but still catching a few on the Tater Baits Tater Shad Jr. with a sixteenth-ounce head and, of course, minnows. Stay patient; as conditions stabilize it should really get good.

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

(updated 5-24-2024) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort (870-492-5113)

said Wednesday, “A couple of us at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort had a great day fishing for striped bass. I was on the lake around 4:30 a.m. I set out my green light on a main lake bluff wall point to draw in bait. A small school of bait came to the boat, but not the number that I found Tuesday. I landed several baby striped bass in the dark. As it started to get light out, I moved from this point since the stripers seemed to have vacated this area and moved into the back of a main lake creek.
“At a channel swing in about 70 feet of water, I marked several big arcs. The fish were coming under me from 20 feet down to the bottom. I saw a big arc lying on the bottom and dropped my white trash Tater Shad with half-ounce white big eye jig head right onto the striper’s head and he hit it immediately. He gave two great runs and all the time coming up to the surface. I saw him surface about 100 feet away from the boat.
“After his photo shoot he was released to swim away. After this battle I saw some fish surfacing and casted out my Kastmaster with a white feather trailer. One of the two hybrids I caught hammered the bait and circled the boat three times during the battle. What fun! The second hybrid came off the bottom and met my sinking bait at 40 and the game was on again. By this time, it was around 7 a.m. and the fish were scattering out, so I left this creek to check out another area as I headed back toward the resort.
“Of course, I stopped and looked at three other areas along the route. I met one of my friends who was trolling big umbrella rigs, and he told me he had landed nine stripers so far in the area I planned to check out. I set up in 74 feet of water off of a main lake big round point. A deep-water channel also swings into this point on two sides. I was in the middle of the point and started marking scattered fish. These fish were suspended from 30 feet down to the bottom. I got to land two more striped bass and both fish hit the Tater Shad on the fall.

“It was time to head back to the resort, so I left feeding fish. Brett and his son Logan had a great first morning of fishing after arriving late Tuesday. They caught some threadfin shad and then headed back into a creek I had told them about. They proceeded to land five really nice striped bass along with some big largemouth and spotted bass. To say the least they were excited. ”
The surface water temperature at midweek ranged from 77 to a little over 78 degrees. The lake level is 557.68 feet msl.
“Hummingbird Hideaway Resort still has cabins available during June and July and a few still open for the remainder of May. Summer family vacation fun is just around the corner. Give us a call. If you have not been to Norfork Lake before, you will absolutely fall in love with it!”

Lou posts fishing reports almost every day to his blog on the Hummingbird Hideaway Resort webpage.

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

(updated 5-30-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said there was not much to report on. “As you may know, we had a tornado that damages a big swath from Prairie Creek to the dam. There are massive cleanups going on. So I have not been out this week much. I will have more on fishing next week.

“Lots of areas on mid-lake to dam are hard to get to with lots of downed trees. I hope everybody is doing well as cleanup is in full swing. In another week we will be back to normal, I believe. Good luck and stay safe.”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 5-23-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says, “This past week has been pretty good in the tailwater. The Army Corps of Engineers has been flowing water consistently, which has kept the river levels high, but we’re seeing some consistently to the bite. Most trout have been caught with Pautzke Fire Eggs and Fire Bait fished with light terminal tackle. The majority of the trout have been caught between Houseman and the U.S. Highway 62 bridge.
“There are still a few walleye in the system, with most being caught in the deeper waters. Jigging soft plastics or tossing jerkbaits with Walleye Fire Gel have produced nice numbers. The white bass have been toward Holiday Island and Beaver town. Tossing crankbaits and Alabama rigs have done the trick with these guys.

“With the warmer water entering the system, this has brought up some alligator gar, as well as crappie and nice sunfish. They should hang around for a few weeks, or until the water cools down. Try to hit the coves early in the morning and fish the main channel later in the morning to afternoon. I hope you’re all able to get out and fish!”

Follow Austin’s fishing Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) for updates.

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 5-16-2024) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says anglers have been catching a lot of crappie and bluegill. Crappie are biting jigs and minnows. Try one with a pink head that they sell at the boat dock. Bluegill are biting crickets.

Nothing has been reported to them on bass or catfish. Water clarity was clear.

Lake Charles
(updated 5-30-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the fishing has remained consistent over the past two weeks, with bream, crappie and catfish all biting well. Bream were aggressive toward worms, crickets and jigs. Crappie are going for the usual minnows and jigs now as they are post-spawn. Catfishing is good on worms, and specifically green worms, Shelly notes. No reports still on bass; they’ve gone into hiding. The water is the usual murky and the surface temperature earlier this week was 73.5 degrees. The water remains high.

Lake Hogue
(updated 5-16-2024) Angler Tracy Rolfe said that last Friday morning there were huge fish everywhere by the pier. He noted hundreds of rainbows, bass, catfish and alligator gar, from 2 feet out to 40 feet from the shoreline. All of them were at least 12 inches or bigger. “It was incredible.”

Lake Poinsett
(updated 5-23-2024) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park said the bluegill have been biting at Lake Poinsett this last week, according to locals who have stopped by the park’s visitor center. Crickets and worms, in particular nightcrawlers, were the favorite bait of anglers for the bream. There have been reports of bream spawn beds just out from the bank. A few people reported catching 5- to 6-pound catfish using hotdogs from set lines, but we have been selling a lot of goldfish for the same reason as well. Many people are bank fishing and having luck. The rain moving in may dampen your catch chances, though. Bass and crappie continue to be catch-and-release on Lake Poinsett.

Bream and catfish may be kept at state limits.

Spring River
(updated 5-30-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are flowing at 450 cfs and water clarity is clear. “Recent storms have made the river murky at times, but at the time of this writing the river looks great and flowing with little above-average flows. Be safe wading; with the heat the water feels great when wet wading. Keep an eye on the forecast with dangerous storms moving through the area.

“The cicada hatch is on! We have been using big brown and black cicadas as the top dry fly and small Woollies as droppers. With heavy stocking this time of year, we are getting tons of action and having so much fun! Running the dropper about 2 feet down from the top fly, you may have to run it deeper in deeper holes. I had a client catch a smallmouth recently using a yellow Woolly Dropper.

“The smallies are hitting great when water clarity is good. Fish deep on the bottom with very slow retrieves. It’s also a popular technique for walleye hanging in the deep pools below waterfalls on the bottom. If you’re in a trout stocked area, go big with your fly or lure to avoid catching the hatchery trout. Big Woollies are still my favorite, or hair jigs like the D2 by Trout Magnet. Olive, brown and yellow were the hot colors.
“The canoe hatch is on! Saturdays and holiday weekends can get busy with floaters on the river. Fish early or late to beat the crowd. Through the week is the time to fish during the summer if possible. Be safe and have fun. The river bottom is very slick!”

Always check Mark’s blog for the latest river conditions on the Spring River on his website linked above.

White River
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time gauge level and flow from the White River stages at Batesville, Newport and Augusta and all other sites within the White River basin in Arkansas, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

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

(updated 5-23-2024) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reported water temps are around 80 degrees. The main channel is muddy with less than 4-5 inches visibility and up to 8-10 inches visibility in parts of Lake Langhofer. Black bass have been biting fairly well in Lake Langhofer around flooded vegetation on shore, but dropping water levels are drawing them away from those areas. Begin looking at the first sand drops from shore and especially artificial brush piles to start holding bass more as the water returns to normal level.

The main channel has been flowing too hard for the past several days for the jetties to be holding bass well, but they will improve quickly as flow rates continue to decline. Shad-colored crankbaits, bladed baits and swim jigs have been doing very well near shallow cover. Light jigs and large worms should start producing more as the fish transition into their summer patterns and cover use.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 5-30-2024) Teresa Atchley at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said Cane Creek Lake was busy with anglers over the Memorial Day weekend. One angler reportedly caught a 53-pound catfish on a trotline last week.
Anglers were using nightcrawlers last Friday on the exterior pier, fishing for anything. Some boaters on Saturday were using crickets, minnows for crappie and using nightcrawlers for catfish while fishing from the interior pier. Several reports surfaced from Monday’s holiday of anglers using minnows to catch crappie and bream, as well as throwing some redworms toward the bream or anything else that might bite. The exterior pier was getting some use from anglers looking for bream.
One boating angler caught some crappie Tuesday fishing with minnows from his boat.

Lake Monticello
(updated 5-30-2024) Anglers are reminded that if they venture out for some fishing on Lake Monticello now while the lake refills after being renovated, that all fish caught must be released immediately.
The city of Monticello is opening the Hunger Run access to boat traffic beginning Friday, May 31.

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 5-30-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said lake elevation is on a slow fall, about 5 inches above normal pool at 259.6 feet msl. Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 10,000 cfs Thursday, and the tailwater is holding near 239 feet msl and falling. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or the Army Corps of Engineers website linked under “Millwood Lake” above, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels.
Surface temperature is stable, ranging 75-84 degrees depending on location and the time of day. Use caution in navigation on main lake river channels where river buoys may be out of channel from recent high wind, or not yet replaced. Clarity along Little River is heavy stained and/or muddy this week with increased river current. Heavy to moderate stain is found in most locations; some areas further up Little River are heaviest stain, with river clarity ranging 3-5 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity of oxbows will vary widely from heavy stained to fair visibility from 10-20 inches, and we observed around fair visibility in a few wind and current protected areas like McGuire Oxbow earlier this week, away from river current.

The Yarborough Landing Project’s additional lighting in the parking lot is complete, while work on the AGFC tournament courtesy dock, handrails and walkway are closer to being completed, Mike says.

Mike had these specifics on fishing this week at Millwood:
* Largemouth bass activity has been fairly consistent with last week. The best bite is early on cloudy days, while the topwater bite is consistent. Recent bass tournaments on Millwood Lake in the last few weeks have weighed several bass over 9 pounds, including a few in the 10- and 11-pound class, in post-spawn condition. Many large female bass between 7-9 pounds each have been caught and released over the past few weeks. Best activity is being seen early mornings near flats of 1-6 feet deep, where fresh lily pad blooms, stumps and vegetation are holding fish. Topwater frogs, Spit’n Images, Dying Flutters, soft plastic jerkbaits, Senkos, Trick Worms, 5-inch Bass Assassin Shads and buzzbaits continue drawing reactions from 3- to 8-pound largemouths from 1-8 feet of depth at dawn and dusk.

Once the sun gets up above the treeline, switch over to a Brazalo Spinnerbait in Spot Remover, or a Bill Lewis crankbait like the MR-6 or Echo 1.75, and SB-57 MDJ crankbait for random reaction bites from active roaming bass (and white bass, too) in the deeper sections of creek channels and near drops from the flats into 8-10 feet depth structure. In Little River, the current has muddied up the primary points, and white bass are roaming these points in and out of creek dumps, too. Fat jumbo 4-inch tube jigs, Brush Hogs, 10-inch Power Worms and lizards — fished near stumps, lily pads and buckbrush and cypress trees — will draw a reaction from 2- to 4-pound largemouth bass.

The best water clarity continues to be more reliable in the oxbows of McGuire and Clear Lake, and was drastically better in recent days. The water clarity in Mud Lake and Horseshoe Lake oxbows blew out with muddy influx over the past week and current pushing mudlines into those areas. The further away from river current you could get was best. Bang Skunk Apes, Woopah Craws, Salty Rat Tail baits, jumbo magnum 8-inch lizards and Brush Hogs continue taking some decent 14- to 17-inch largemouths roaming flats in the back of the oxbows near stumps and lily pads. You can get a reaction to a topwater frog or jerk bait in and near shallow stumps, cypress knees and cover around 5-8 foot depth flats with vegetation like fresh lily pad blooms.
Millwood State Park muddied up over the past week with the increase in discharge at the dam, and a rapid 2- to 3-foot rise in lake pool elevation, which has now begun a slow fall. Those areas should settle out in a few days provided we don’t get additional rainfall this week.
Best reaction colors for Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits where active bass are holding have been Spot Remover, Millwood Mayhem Bream and black/blue. Target cypress tree knees from 4-9 feet with 12-15 feet of depth nearby. Lizards in sizes from 6-8 inches in Blackberry, Blue Fleck, Grape and Junebug have been picking up random-cruising bass near stumps, on 5-7 feet drops near 10 feet deep structure.
* The white bass continue scattering back down Little River and there has been nothing consistent to report this week with the muddy current. However, last week and the week prior, Bomber Fat Free Shads, or Fingerlings, and Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad were working behind points along Little River, and we caught some decent 2- to 3-pound whites there that ranged from 7-12 feet deep on and behind those primary points. Vertical-jigging a chrome three-quarter-ounce Cordell Hammered Spoon with a red/white hair bucktail behind primary points, near the bottom where stumps were located on the backside of points, were working for us, with a few nice sized 2- to 3-pound whites over the past several weeks. Swimming a hair jig with a heavy-thumping tail swimbait trailer picked up a few white bass in 10-14 feet, swimming and dropping the bait.

The deeper-running Fat Free Guppy crankbaits in Tennessee Shad or Citrus Shad, Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad and Millwood Magic, Little George’s, little Rocket Shads and red/white Rooster Tails continued working last week. Random, and broken schools of white bass were found again over the past couple of weeks between Brown’s Slough and Cemetery Slough along Little River where points intersect with creek mouths dumping into the river, although the water was heavily stained or muddy with current.

* The crappie bite had improved over the past few weeks with water clarity improving in many locations, but it’s been muddy this week. Best color jig recently was using Monkey Milk one day, Electric Chicken the next, while smoke-colored grubs with a chartreuse tip tail on a light wire jighead would pick up a few extra bites.
* We did see bream beds in Hurricane Creek last week and near Jack’s Isle. We spoke with several bream fishermen and they were having fair results using crickets around cypress trees not far from the floating fishing dock near Jack’s Isle, but we have not seen any bream guys out this week with the muddy current in Little River.
* Catfish improved with increase of river current along Little River and in Mud Lake on trotlines, yo-yos, noodles and limb lines. King’s Punch Bait, spoiled chicken livers and gizzards were getting bit early and late, if you can get the fish before the alligators do.

(updated 5-30-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted on the weekly “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz this week that “the big tournament that’s coming up this weekend is Trader Bill’s Mr. Bass of Arkansas on Millwood, and Millwood is basically at full pool. You would expect Millwood to be high with all the rains that western Arkansas has gotten. Yeah, there is a lot of flow; yeah there is a lot of current — but it’s still only half a foot above full pool so they are managing it. We expect 80 boats, and there will be $10,000 going to one guy, that one guy in that boat. It’s a two-day tournament with the championship weigh-in (at Yarborough Landing) on Sunday. Mr. Bass has been around a long time. My over-under number of winning weight, because of all the rain, the flow that they are dealing with, probably 32 pounds, or 16 pounds per day.

“My three favorite ways to fish Millwood now: a jig; you need some kind of half-ounce structure jig, you’ve got to be able to fish wood in Millwood. Next, the topwater bite. The first couple of hours will be critical. You’re going to have to have a couple of good thumps the first couple of hours. The wildcard, with all the flow, never, ever discount a spinnerbait.”

Lake Columbia
(updated 5-16-2024) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) says lots of bream and redear are being caught. Crickets and worms are working best.

Big black crappie are being caught on jigs. They tell us they’re sure black bass are being caught as well, but they haven’t personally heard any recent reports.

Lake Erling
(updated 5-16-2024) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) said anglers are catching lots of crappie, bream and catfish, and they’re hauling in some black bass, too. Lots of bream are showing up, a lot of good-sized bream and a lot of redear, some ranging a pound to a pound and a half.
The crappie are around structure a little more now; for most of the recent weeks they had been scattered. Anglers are catching them from 6 feet deep to 16 feet deep. Hand-tied jigs are the go-to for fishing for crappie on Erling now.

Reports also of a lot of flathead catfish being caught on limblines.

“The water temperature doesn’t even matter now for the fish, they’re coming off the shoreline and are hungry,” they tell us.

Check out Friends of Lake Erling on Facebook for more fishing information on the lake 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.

(updated 5-30-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted on the May 21 “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz that Greeson was a great host for the wrap up to the Trader Bill’s Team Trail schedule with a good bass bite for all the entrants, and the top three teams May 18 on Greeson were separated by just half a pound. Nathan Hall, who caught a 5-pounder just moments before the fishing was to cease and weight-in begin, teamed with Matthew Hamby for a winning 14.5 pounds of bass. They won a $54,000 Vexus boat and motor for finishing first.

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

(updated 5-23-2024) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says water level is 405.1 feet msl. Water temperature is in the low 80s mostly. Water clarity is great.
Crappie are still stacking up on the brush piles. Start out by picking off the aggressive fish by throwing a small jig over the piles and working it in as close as possible, and eighth-ounce jig or smaller if possible. Profile size is a big thing with crappie. Open water fishing with front-facing radar is still an option but requires a specific type of electronics. There are some fold trolling with planer boards and having some good luck.

The full moon is upon us again, so that means bream fishing is going to get good again. Side imaging or perspective mode of front-facing radar. Look for the “waffle.’ Anchor off or spot lock and work on them. Slip bobbers, drop-shot or other types of presentations work. Yancey and Alpine are good areas to look for the beds. Worms, crickets, maggots or tiny jigs all work on the bedding bream.

John said he had nothing to report on the black bass, white bass or hybrids “except if you are trolling, hold on because the hybrids and whites will find you.”

He added, “Holiday days are here. Water safety and courtesy should be at the top of your priorities.

“This is the time to get after them.”

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

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

White Oak Lake Area
No reports.

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

(updated 5-30-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 61 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Both lakes Hamilton and Catherine are at normal summertime pool.

Overall, it has been another terrible year for fishing in the tailrace. Constant flooding and bad weather consumed the majority of the rainbow trout season and kept many anglers off the water during the peak spawning times of area game fish. Bad weather forces Entergy to run huge amounts of water from area dams to control lake levels, and this process creates dangerous boating and fishing conditions. The last three years have been very unproductive for catching rainbow trout on Lake Catherine due to these circumstances.

Before fishing below a hydroelectric dam, it is a good idea to check the weekly generation schedules and plan your outings accordingly. The Entergy website features a hydroelectric page for the general public to view current lake levels and conditions. This website has been down for several weeks for upgrades to be installed but should be back online soon.

Below Carpenter Dam, fly-fishermen can still wade to areas that have numbers of trout and can have some success casting micro-jigs in white or black under a strike indicator. This presentation perfectly matches the injured shad drawn through the turbines from Lake Hamilton. San Juan Worms offer feeding trout a different look and will often work equally well when fished in the same manner. Trout Magnets should not be overlooked by fly-anglers and often make the difference between a successful outing and an unsuccessful one. Bank fishermen using waxworms or mealworms cast with a small bobber or fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater can catch rainbows. Boaters can anchor in and around sandbars and rock structure and catch trout using small inline spinners such as a Rooster Tail or Mepps Spinner in brown or silver colors.

Conditions are favorable now for trolling to be effective against the current. Catching a limit of rainbow trout as the beginning of June approaches should be considered a good day on the water, as the bite is very inconsistent and short in duration. The walleye spawn is long complete on Lake Catherine but numbers of male and female walleye remain to rest and feed before making the move downstream to the main body of Lake Catherine. These fish can be caught by trolling shallow-running crankbaits against the current on both sides of the river below the dam. Shad or crayfish imitations work best as both of these are present in large numbers in the lake and offer game fish a solid food source all throughout the year. Trout will be scarce where spawning walleye were established as rainbow trout are known egg eaters and are attacked by walleye when crossing over into bedding areas. In a cold water situation like Carpenter Dam, spawning times are much later than occur in main lake bodies. Small jigs and live minnows are a best bet when targeting these post-spawn fish. As temperatures warm and threadfin shad aren’t stunned by cold temperatures, there will be a dramatic decrease in the amount of prey for fish to feed on. Several days of this reduction in food will force fish to actively search for prey, which will create a good situation for anglers to be successful.

Despite the safer conditions and warmer weather, it is extremely important to remember that fish in the tailrace have proven difficult to catch this entire year. Trout can be caught but not in the numbers that are expected in past years. Normal pool levels will bring a more consistent bite from the rainbow trout population. Patience is a must this year for anglers to have success due to the flooding and heavy flows the lake has experienced.

Always wear a life jacket when on the water and remember to follow all park and boating regulations. Pick up after yourself as the number of trash cans are limited in this area. Always cooperate with all wildlife officials and law enforcement.

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

No reports.

Lake Hamilton
No reports.

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 5-30-2024) Sheila Ferrebee, owner of Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025), had no new reports. Carter Cove has a Facebook page, and the email address is cartercovebaitnmore@gmail.com, with updates and photos. Stop in for live bait, tackle, cabin rentals, pizza, burgers, sandwiches and more.

Lake Ouachita

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

(updated 5-30-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said, “Well, now we’re in transition from post-spawn to a summer pattern on most fish species. Water temperature is near 80 degrees, if not already there. Crappie are slowly starting to move toward deeper water and can be caught 15-18 feet deep on brush piles. Start early and finish early to avoid the pleasure boating traffic.

(updated 5-30-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs said earlier this week on “The Wild Side” on KABZ, 103.7 The Buzz, “This time of year you’ve got to pay close attention to lake levels. With all the rain and storms we’re getting, you’ve got a lot of things to deal with. And, for the most part, all of Arkansas’s central lakes are at full pool. It’s rare to see this many lakes where they are right now. Ouachita, DeGray…. are all at full pool.”

(updated 5-23-2024) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are good. Try a topwater bait near main lake and secondary points or a jighead worm.
Walleye are good and being caught on shad-style baits or nightcrawlers. Stripers are very good. These fish are being caught in the central position of the lake and can be caught on C-10 Redfins or live bait.

Bream are still excellent and being caught on crickets and worms in the 6- to 15-foot range; these fish are shallow. Crappie are still good. These fish can still be targeted on structure with minnows or small jigs. Jugs and trotlines are producing quality catches of catfish over main lake points with live or cut bait.
Water temperature is ranging 72-78 degrees. Water clarity is clear. The lake level Wednesday was 577.03 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

Blue Mountain Lake

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

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 5-23-2024) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) reports that they had a few anglers last weekend but ”they were tight-lipped and didn’t share a report with us, so not much to report other than the lake has remained relatively stable for the last 10 days and has begun to clear up. Not sure how long we will stay that way with the predicted rain and storms over the next few days.”
Cook’s Lake will be open for fishing this Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 4:30, for anglers making holiday weekend plans.
Wil usually does a bit of fishing in the region, so the Fishing Report editor did ask how some of the other oxbows might be fishing near or off of the White River. He said, “I haven’t been out much anywhere lately, to be honest with you. Looking at Cook’s, though, I would say bream real shallow along the banks near vines or laydown trees and … limb lines and trotlines for catfish. The water level over here is perfect for that.”

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

Horseshoe Lake
(updated 5-16-2024) Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) said that this week, the water is clear and still low. Surface temperatures have been in the mid-70s. Crappie are getting into a post-spawn pattern and are feeding heavily. Fish are scattered in the lake with plenty of fish still shallow but also enough for those that like to fish the deeper water. One of our boats caught a lot of short fish but came out with a nice mess. Jig color has not changed much — orange, silver and Electric Chicken get plenty of attention to catch fish.

He’s heard no reports on bass, bream or catfish.

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 5-16-2024) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt said flathead and channel catfish are biting on all rivers, spawning is in the midst and they have moved to shallow brushtops. Limb lining and trotlining is excellent right now! Reports from the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge say bream are biting in the cypress knees on live bait.

“Look for us on Highway 1 on the south end of town.”

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