Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

June 6, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Young Slade McRae lassoed this massive catfish last Friday while fishing the Arkansas River. The catfish measured 14 pounds, 5 ounces. He was using a rod and reel.

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 next Thursday through Saturday, 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 fighting 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 6-6-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that trout fishing has been good of late. A lot of anglers have had good success in the running water and the higher water conditions. They’re using gold jerkbaits with an orange belly for a great response. Also, No. 7 Rapala Countdowns in brown trout color are a good bet. Rooster Tails in Fire Tiger or rainbow trout colors and Trout Magnets mostly pink or a black/green look have worked very well.

(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!”

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 6-6-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 462.23 feet msl, or 0.19 feet above normal pool of 462.04 feet msl. Little has changed other than still more fish are coming up on top schooling in different parts of the lake and rivers. Southwestern Power Administration and the Army Corps of Engineers have been generation pretty hard getting the lake down recently, and all species of game fish are biting on and off all day, as all these weather fronts — and sometimes four or five pressure changes throughout the day and wind changes as well — have them really confused. You just have to stay the course and if so, bites will come.

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

Hybrid bass and white bass are trying to get set up in main lake for the summer. A lot are still traveling, but for the ones that are set, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swimbaits in 15-35 feet. 

A shad spawn has been going on in various places around the lake and rivers, and when you find them, stay with them for good catches of all species. Catfish are starting to show up more regularly. The usual catfish baits are working in the main 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 spawning and many have finished. Use Carolina rigs, topwater lures, wake baits, drop-shots, crankbaits and spinnerbaits for the best action from super shallow out to 30 feet. Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 6-6-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the anglers will find the bass schooling and can catch a lot of fish now. The ticket is topwater early in the morning before all the pleasure boat traffic gets on the lake. Look for breaking fishing blowing up on the baitfish. Late in the evening, anglers are back to catching them schooling by throwing jigging spoons or a clear topwater.

The walleye bite has been good lately, too. A chartreuse or white jighead with nightcrawler is a great approach, as is a drop-shot with nightcrawler. Anglers have been catching the walleye anywhere from 15 to 25 feet of water depending on the location on the lake.

The lake level is a little bit up. Some of the rivers are stained, but the lower end 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 6-6-2024) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 had nothing new this week, but crappie recently were being caught in 5-10 feet of water using jigs and minnows. Also, bass were doing well on buzzbaits and plastic frogs since their spawn. Bream were starting to get on their beds and doing well before the recent full moon. Catfish were being caught on jugs using nightcrawlers and bass minnows, and John said he was starting to run his trotlines.

Lake Maumelle
(updated 6-6-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported that water temperature is ranging 80-82 degrees. The largemouth bass bite remains fair. Angler reports say bass are biting shallow in the mornings and evenings in 2-4 feet, while others are being found deeper in 8-20 feet. They are also schooling in some areas in the mornings and evenings. Try points and drop-offs. Best baits have been drop-shots, Texas-rigged worms and crankbaits. Spotted bass are fair. The Kentuckies are being found on points in 8-20 feet of water as well as drop-offs and are biting jigs. The tougher bass bite seemed to show up in this past Tuesday night’s black bass tournament. Cameron Nesterenko and Andrew Wooley took top honors with a 12.27 stringers. Lee Brizzolara and Wes Louder had a stringer of 10.82 pounds and the Big Bass of 3.91 pounds.
White bass are still slow with no reports of schooling bass this week. They will bite twister tails at this time of year. Crappie are fair. Some reports have the crappie being found suspended on brush anywhere from 12-14 feet and 16-21 feet. Use jigs and minnows.

Bream are good. They can be found around 6-10 feet as well as shallower, at 3-5 feet. Use crickets, worms or drop-shots.

Flathead catfish are spawning but there have been no reported catches. It’s been a tough year for catfish overall so far, and the bite of all species are slow. Try using bream, liver or worms.

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 6-6-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said fishing had been slow with the water “messed and muddied” from three or so days of rain, but it’s starting to come around. The water is at the normal pool, but it has “kind of a stained color.”

Nevertheless, anglers who are getting out are catching fish, especially lots of bass and lots of catfish. The bream are bedded, he said, and anglers catching them were getting them to bite right up on the bank. He says there is not a whole lot going on with the crappie; one angler who was fishing with minnows caught four or five crappie along with several bass earlier this week before the heavy rain came.

For bass, a crankbait, spinnerbait or soft plastic worms will catch them around the timber. The depth of the water is anywhere from 2-8 feet, and these bass are typically around the cypress in 4 feet of water, he said.

Catfish are biting mainly at night on “just about everything”: cut bait, hot dogs, liver. Catfish appear to be spawning, hence they will bite about anything tossed their way in that condition. 

Bream are favoring crickets over worms, but will take to both.

Ray expects the river to be “fishable good” by the weekend.

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 6-6-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that the water flow is over 70,000 cfs as of Thursday, but should begin falling out through the weekend. Expect a small craft advisory on the river into the weekend (check out the flows on the COE link above) but there can be good fishing in certain areas of the pool.

Bass fishing has been good; “you can go out and catch a bunch of fish right now,” they say. Early in the morning or late in the evening, a frog or a buzzbait is the call. During the day, anglers have been catching bass on a chartreuse and black back crankbait, or an all-black crankbait, fished around the rock jetties on the main river. Also on the main river, anglers are working around wood and flipping a jig or a Texas-rigged worm and are doing well with that approach.
Expect to find the water level up, and it will be dirty out there. 

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 6-6-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the White River that flows past Cotter in the north-central Arkansas Ozarks, 18 river miles below Bull Shoals Dam, is a perfect blend of peace and lots of fishing action.

Bull Shoals Lake elevation at midweek was 667.57 feet msl, 5 feet above normal power pool. The White River water level has been variable with minimum flows (670 cfs) in the morning to midafternoon, rising to almost four units (12,000 cfs) in the late afternoon/early evening.

“We’ve been catching the tar out of the rainbows, mostly lured in with sunrise or orange PowerBait tipped with shrimp (don’t use anything much bigger than a size 8 hook). Our favorite spinners and spoons were making a splash, too. The copper/gold quarter-ounce Colorado and the red/gold Thomas Buoyant hooked a fair share of trout. Time to tie on a Vibrax Blue Fox spinner, silver or gold. Perfect water for jiggling a

jig, too. Experiment with the new D2 colors offered by Trout Magnet or

go with the tried and true brown and black marabou jigs.

“As expected, the browns are pooled up in the deeper holes and might be a little finicky, but if you can anchor near a deep spot, or drift across one with a sculpin, you’ll have success. The mighty midge has been working for fly-anglers all week.

“A family fishing adventure offers time together in an outdoor arena, watching nature ‘happen’ in real time in a digital-free environment (or as much as you desire it to be.) Go catching and enjoy Arkansas’s natural resources.”

(updated 6-6-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said the last few days the river has been averaging between 3-7 feet. “We are seeing rising and dingy water in the mornings with clearer water as the river drops starting late morning. Bull Shoals Lake is still about 5 feet above the normal power pool level and Norfork is about 2 feet above the normal power pool level. With the expected power generation schedule for both lakes, I expect they should slowly reach the desired levels without spilling extra water. Once they reach the power pool levels, expect the river level to drop and the fishing to improve. 

“With the slightly higher water levels, fishing was steady throughout the week. In the mornings, fishing with or without silver inline spinners with Uncommon Baits UV eggs and corn worked best, with shrimp also working well. Dragging sculpins worked well for bigger rainbows and browns. 

“The river levels in the mornings were a little high for lures to be very effective, but as the water drops, lures start working well. The lures that worked best during the high water were the Rapala Shad Raps in shad coloring or purple descent, which dive deeper. As the water drops, quarter-ounce Thompson Colorado spoons in nickel/gold worked well as well as Rapala CD7 in rainbow trout or silver.”
There was one trout stocking this week at the Calico Rock boat ramp with 1,100 rainbow trout from the Norfork Hatchery and another 1,100 rainbows were stocked just upriver at the Chessmond Ferry boat ramp. 

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 6-6-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said Wednesday the lake level was holding around 667 feet msl. Parking and boat ramp access is being affected. Water temperature is around 77 degrees, give or take, with warmer water in the dirty areas. Bass are setting up toward summer areas and patterns. Fishing will be good early or before the storm front. There are large groups of schooling fish setting up off ledges. If it’s cloudy, rainy and windy, fish topwater early! Or you can powerfish covering water with a square bill, spinnerbait and Chatterbaits in the stain or dirty runoff. Try a buzzbait if it’s windy and cloudy, or use a frog/toad if it’s sunny, over submerged flooded grass bushes. You can still catch them on points with green pumpkin or puke Ned rigs, or tube or shaky head in 10-20 feet. Keep the boat out deep, especially in the clear water where you can hit the old shoreline. A lot of activity is being seen in the 15-feet range. You can go up there with a Beaver-style bait. A Jewel Football Jig in green pumping orange variants is good until the sun gets up.

Some shallower brush piles closer to deep water in less than 25 feet are holding some fish. The Ole Big Worm is starting to get a few. The shad balls are spread out deep in the old creek channel, way off the points, or the backs of creeks and swings. So, if you’re fishing open water you’re going to have to pay attention to find the shad, but when you do try a flutter spoon, wake baits or something like a Lucky Craft Gunfish, as all are working if they’re all in white or shad patterns. Post any weather front, try a Robo Worm drop-shot on 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 6-6-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says it is getting some reports that fish are starting to set up in traditional spots and water depths, which indicates the thermocline is setting up. Pulling crawler harnesses in 15-20 feet early will get some fish. Fish a little deeper later after sunrise on bluebird days.
If contour trolling, try shad-style baits in 15-25 feet water. Slide out to deeper water, 30 to 40 feet, after daylight.

If open water trolling for suspended fish, they are getting a little tougher to catch. Troll during the early morning for a few hours, then switch over to crawler harnesses. Find shad and try trolling with snap weights from 45-55 feet deep over 100 or more feet of water while using Berkley No. 9 Flicker Minnows or No. 7 Flicker Shads. Rapala Deep Husky Jerks and Reef Runner 800, or Bandit Deep-Diver Series trolled over the old river channel at 1.5 to 1.8 mph should put some fish in the boat.
They have also heard reports that jigging spoon fishing has also been another tactic that’s working. Casting half-ounce spoons into 15 feet and hopping it off bottom back in to about 30 feet might also get you a few fish.

(updated 6-6-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) reports crappie are definitely more scattered and finding some on the brush and structure. “Quality is still kind of mixed up and we are having to really work at it to catch good numbers. Jig bite has definitely slowed down, but still catching a few on the Tater Baits Tater Shad Jr. with a one-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 5-29-2024) 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 6-6-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake water level is at 1,124.15 feet msl, 3 feet above normal pool level. Water temperature is in the mid-70s. After a huge amount of severe weather, the lake settled down. Water clarity is stained from Hickory up to Twin Bridges. From Hickory it gets progressively clearer as you head north. The thermocline Tuesday was starting to show up on the south end at 24 feet. 

“Stripers are mainly located from Horseshoe down to Point 6. Early morning and live bait is the ticket. Lots of smaller stripers and a few extra-extra-large thrown in for good measure. Walleye are starting to establish on main flats and points in 20-25 feet of water. Crawler harnesses will be the best choice in the coming months. Crappie are suspended and can be caught trolling cranks — Picos or Bandits. Lately anything pink or with pink in it will work. Bass are starting to set up in their summer pattern.
“Still lots of hazards out there, so stay aware of what’s ahead of you when moving. Stay safe and good luck.”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 6-6-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says, “This past week has been up and down on the tailwater. The Army Corps of Engineers has been flowing water pretty steady from the dam, causing swifter and higher water. This has made the bite a little trickier; 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 Access and 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 are still around, but most have retreated. Tossing crankbaits and Alabama rigs have done the trick with these guys.
“With all the rain we have been getting, try to match the hatch as much as possible. 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 regular updates.

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 6-6-2024) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says anglers are still having success catching bluegill on worms. Channel cats are blue catfish are being brought in with crickets and minnows; they’re being caught near the dam and off boats as well as off the shoreline. 

Bass are being caught, but anglers aren’t revealing their techniques or baits. 

The lake’s clarity is murky.

Lake Charles
(updated 6-6-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the fishing is steady as it goes at Lake Charles, with bream, crappie and catfish continuing their patterns and overall bite. Bream are biting well on the usual crickets and worms, and recently they’ve been biting jigs. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfish continue to bite well, and lately the favored bait has been worms. Bass still aren’t being reported. The water is the usual murky and the surface temperature earlier this week was up almost 3 degrees from last week, at 76.4 degrees. The water remains high.

Shelly says the “moon times” call for best fishing through June 9, with good days forecast for June 18-24. Looking ahead to July, she says July 2-8 are the predicted best days based on the “moon times,” and July 18-24 being good days.

Lake Charles’ plans for Free Fishing Weekend include a free fishing derby from 9-11 a.m. Participants should bring their own bait, tackle and any other equipment. Live bait and tackle will be available for purchase at the visitor center as well as a limited number of loaner fishing poles. Registration is required from 9-10 a.m. at the day-use area pavilion. State fishing regulations apply. Prizes will be awarded for different categories. Contact Jeffrey or the park at the phone number above.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 6-6-2024) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett has been buzzing with activity this last week. Anglers have been using things like the Booyah Buzzbaits for bass and continue to predominantly use crickets for the bream. Bream have been the most prevalent fish caught both from the bank as well as from a boat and are currently spawning. Recently, Chuck Long caught some nice ones on a trip to the lake. 

Bass and crappie continue to be catch-and-release. Bream and catfish may be kept at state limits.

Spring River
(updated 6-6-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said the water level is running at 480 cfs, while the water clarity is good but can get murky’d up with storms moving through. The last few forecasts have been wrong and we have been dry this week. “Really don’t need any more rain.
“The rainbows are biting great on about everything lately when the water is right. Definitely hitting cicadas on top with a Woolly dropper can be super-hot. Dark Woollies have been hot, but (Wednesday) Y2Ks and Mega Worms were hot.
“The bad weather has kept the pressure off the river. Easy fishing for a while with weekly stocking. This time of year, stocking numbers are up. 

“Smallies are biting with clearer water conditions; it should be good once things dry out. Had a few really nice smallies on a Woolly dropper below cicada, but not many. Always got to fish the bottom, real slow with Clousers or my fav, the big woollies with heavy beadhead.
“The summer is upon us and the canoe hatch is on. Saturdays on the Spring River can be very busy with floaters from Dam 3 downriver. Through the week can be very nice and Sundays are usually quiet and the time to fish during the summer. Also, areas in town will be free of floaters, like Lassiter walk-in.
“It’s hot out, they are just trying to cool off, but be aware most are inexperienced.
“The river is swift and the bottom is slick, so be safe and have fun! The Spring River is a cool 58 degrees!”

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 6-6-2024) Teresa Atchley at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said there has been a lot of fishing there around the storms, and they have been full at their campsites on weekends. One angler reported last Friday that he had been catching lots of large catfish over the past few days on trotlines using live bait, while another fisherman that day reported catching bream with worms. Anglers were fishing with crickets on Saturday from the interior pier for anything, and a few others were targeting crappie and bream with the crickets. A boating angler on Monday was using minnows to catch bream and also hooked a 6-pound catfish around the interior pier. Bream were biting crickets and redworms on Tuesday around the exterior pier and caper dock.

Lake Monticello
(updated 6-6-2024) Anglers are reminded that if they venture out for some fishing on Lake Monticello now while the lake continues to refill after being renovated, that all fish caught must be released immediately.
The city of Monticello has opened Hunger Run Access to boat traffic as of Friday, May 31.

Lake Chicot
No reports.

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 6-6-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the rash of thunderstorms (and even worse weather) earlier this week kept him and the guide service off the lake and work has mostly been getting clients rescheduled around the flash flooding conditions in the area. He reports that the lake is so muddy “and jacked up and down; it’s a train wreck.”
There is increased current, and some areas are hazardous for navigation because of downed trees, logs and wide debris fields — that’s according to one of his crappie guides who lives on the lake.
Water temperature is running 75-85 degrees, and lake elevation on Wednesday was 23 inches above normal pool. The release at the dam, according to the Army Corps of Engineers, was about 20,400 cfs. “It’s a muddy mess, and navigation is hazardous/cautioned on Little River,” he said. “Hope to have something new to add next week.”

In the meantime, here is how Mike saw the Millwood fishing before this latest spate of bad weather:
* 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 tree line, 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 has 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 6-6-2024) 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 noted that the two-day Mr. Bass of Arkansas Championship Classic on Millwood June 1-2 produced some impressive totals of black bass. Jeffrey Grappe won the event with a two-day stringer of 29.09 pounds. Fifteen anglers caught more than 20 pounds over the two days. Cole Lamb was second with 27.33 pounds. The average fish weighed among the competitors was 2.05 pounds. There were 355 bass released out of the 360 caught.
Grappe caught a 9.31-pound fish as part of his winning catch, this coming on Saturday when his five-bass stringer led the way with 16.40 pounds. Five-bass limits were caught by 37 of the 56 anglers participating on Saturday.

Lake Columbia
No reports.

Lake Erling
(updated 6-6-2024) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) said anglers are in recent weeks have been catching lots of crappie, bream and catfish, and they’re hauling in some black bass, too. Lots of good-sized bream and a lot of redear, some ranging a pound to a pound and a half, were being caught.
The crappie are around structure, and most recently they were being caught in 6-16 feet depth. Use hand-tied jigs.

Many flathead catfish were being caught on limblines.

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 weigh-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 6-6-2024) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says it’s time to get after those crappie if you are a brush pile angler. They are stacking up on the piles all over the lake. Find the ones in the water depth of low 20s. Use your electronics to determine the depth of the fish. You can either throw jigs over them or pull up over them with minnows. The technique you use is your choice.
“They are holding close to cover. Once you get the ones on top, just drop down and get another layer. One-eighth-ounce jigs seem to be the best weight for me with 6-pound line. Reports are that they are stacking up from Arlie Moore to Point Cedar.
“Bedding bream are on the decline now with the moon cycle. However, the brush piles have lots of males that are still ‘leaking’ when caught.
“Lots of ‘noodles’ are out for the catfishing. With the water up as it is, the catfish will be feeding on the new forage opportunities of the shallow water.
“Minimal surface activity for the white bass and hybrids. There are a few individuals that are trolling for them with some success, using shad-colored baits and Alabama rigs. Black bass are in the summer patterns for the most part.”

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 6-6-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 63 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 schedule 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, but, hopefully, it should be back online soon. 

Below Carpenter Dam, fly-fishermen can still wade to areas that have numbers of trout, and they have had 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 June commences 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. Small jigs and live minnows are a best bed when targeting these post-spawn fish. 

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 were expected in past years. Normal pool level 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. 

Catfish are presently spawning in the tailrace from the bridge to the dam and can be caught on cut bait fished on the bottom. These fish will be in the tailrace the entire month of June and offer anglers a hearty fight and some wonderful table fare. The heat of summer brings striper action closer to Carpenter Dam as these large predator fish search for prey and cooler temperatures. Alabama rigs and large topwater lures work well when the turbines are running, which is a key ingredient for success when attempting to catch these wary predators. 

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
(updated 6-6-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said that at both lakes Ouachita and Hamilton, where he has been fishing mostly of late, the crappie have thinned out on the shallow brush piles and moved deeper onto cover on points where primary and secondary channels are close by. Bream are ample everywhere.
He says that now is the time to be transitioning into early morning bass and walleye. Casting topwater baits, spoons and spy baits at first-light gets the bass. Vertical jigging spoons on points near the bottom can produce walleye.
“Stay safe on the water. Start early because summertime pleasure boating is upon us anglers,” he says.

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 6-6-2024) Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) reports that a lot of catfish are being caught. Quite a few anglers are out trying for crappie. Some who know the spots are having good luck (one angler caught 16 crappie in the brush); others are not — the lake is in a drawdown until October. Anglers are buying pounds and pounds of No. 6 crappie minnows.

A catfish angler had six or seven flathead catfish in the boat, one of which was 52 pounds measured at the dock. Try goldfish or other live bait for the catfish.

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 6-6-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said that at both lakes Ouachita and Hamilton, where he has been fishing lately, the crappie have thinned out on the shallow brush piles and moved deeper onto cover on points where primary and secondary channels are close by. Bream are ample everywhere. Now is the time to be transitioning into early morning bass and walleye. Casting topwater baits, spoons and spy baits at first light gets the bass. Vertical jigging spoons on points near the bottom can produce walleye. 

Stay safe on the water. Start early because summertime pleasure boating is upon us anglers.

(updated 6-6-2024) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are still good. Try a topwater bait near main lake and secondary points or a Texas-rigged Ole Monster near brush. Walleye are very good and are being caught on shad-style baits or nightcrawlers near structure. Stripers are still very good. These fish are being caught in the central portion of the lake and can be caught on C-10 Redfins or live bait. Bream are excellent and are being caught on crickets and worms in the 6- to 15-foot range. Crappie are good. These fish can still be targeted on structure with minnows or small jigs. Jugs and trotlines continue to produce quality catches of catfish over main lake points with live or cut bait.

Water temperature is ranging 76-80 degrees. Water clarity is stained on the western portion and clearing in the east. The lake level earlier this week was 577.29 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 6-6-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted earlier this week on “The Wild Side” on KABZ, 103.7 The Buzz, the amazing stringers of bass caught on Ouachita last week in the Trader Bill’s Team Trail senior high tournament. Grayson Goss and Wally Wilcox caught a two-day total of 27.27 pounds. “That’s an incredible stringer,” Kastner said. Hunter Sanders and Zane Cox edged out Cole McNeely and Cole Martin for second, 22.98 pounds over two days to 22.29 pounds.

Kastner recently noted that for best success, anglers should “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.”

For Free Fishing Weekend, Kastner says, “It’s all about bream fishing — whether you’re using crickets, nightcrawlers or whatever, as long as the kids are having fun.”

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 6-6-2024) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) reports that Cook’s Lake is still high and starting to flood into the woods. He adds that no one has even been getting a bite! 

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 6-6-2024) Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) had no new reports. Most recently, he reported that crappie were getting into a post-spawn pattern and feeding heavily. Fish were scattered in the lake with plenty of fish still shallow but also enough for those that like to fish the deeper water. Jig color has not changed much — orange, silver and Electric Chicken get plenty of attention to catch fish. 

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 6-6-2024) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt had no new reports.

Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake
(updated 8-3-2022) Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040) had no new reports.

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