Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

June 27, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Bill Fidler wasn’t fiddling around on the Spring River recently when he caught this 20-inch brown trout while fishing with guide Mark Crawford. Fidler was using a Woolly Bugger. Water flow and clarity are closer to normal now on the Spring, which starts near Mammoth Spring in northeast Arkansas. Browns, rainbows and smallmouth bass are biting great, Crawford reports. Read more from him under the “Northeast Arkansas” section in the report.

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.

(updated 6-20-2024) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said that anglers are doing well on all species. Bream are biting on redworms (full moon is June 22, and they should be back on the beds). Crappie can be caught with minnows. Black bass will hit topwater lures and soft plastics. Catfish are being caught on about anything being thrown at them now. White bass were biting last week on Rooster Tails and white jigs.

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 6-13-2024) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said that this week the Little Red River has been experiencing low water levels. Typically at this time of year higher water flows are maintained to regulate Greers Ferry Lake. However, recent days have seen inconsistent generation schedules, resulting in extended periods of low flow. The low water conditions have opened up excellent opportunities for wade fishing. Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of these conditions and explore the river on foot. The deeper holes below plunge pools have been particularly productive for wading.

For those fishing from boats during low flows, launching from Lobo Landing access has been effective. Targeting deeper waters around moss beds and areas with current has yielded good results.

Successful flies recently have included pink San Juan Worms, Pheasant Tail Nymphs, Hare’s Ear and Rootbeer Midges. These patterns have been attracting bites and proving effective under current conditions.

Overall, despite lower water levels than usual, fishing on the Little Red River remains productive, especially for wade anglers targeting deeper holes. For the most current updates and to plan your trip, contact Mike Winkler at the number above or visit his website linked above.

“Enjoy your time on the water and tight lines!”

(updated 6-13-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that water temperature has been creeping up into the 60s with little water running at the dam. Fishing for trout has been good of late with more wading opportunities now. No. 5 and No. 7 Rapala Countdowns in rainbow or brown trout colors are a good bet for these conditions. Also, a Trout Magnet in a variety of colors is a good go-to, along with a Marabou Jig.

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 6-27-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 461.33 feet msl. That’s 0.71 feet below normal pool of 462.04 feet msl. Not much else has changed other than more fish are coming up on top schooling in different parts of the lake and rivers. Power generation has been slim at best; just a couple of hours a day or none at all. All species of game fish are biting on and off all day. Now most of species are getting and staying out where they will summer, staying on structure where you can really work on them. 

For crappie, try super shallow and out to 30 feet. Use jigs, minnows or crankbaits. A lot of fish are migrating to cooler areas in timber where a lot of bait will spend summer, so fishing straight up and down is a must when fishing for crappie. Walleye are eating in main lake, while the few that are left up rivers, trying dragging a crawler or crankbait in 10-22 feet. Some walleye continue following under big schools of white bass and hybrid bass; use spoon for those, and just like the crappie it’s time for a lot of them to head to the timber and hang out for the rest of summer and into fall as water is a little cooler and more bait fish are there as well. A spoon is best for vertical fishing.
Hybrid 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 up, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swimbaits in 25-60 feet. Catfish are starting to show up more regularly. 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. 

Loner black bass are shallow, but most are out or roaming shallow and schooling also. Use Carolina rigs, topwater baits, wake baits, drop-shots, crankbaits and spinnerbaits for best action from shallow out to 60 feet. Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 6-13-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the bass fishing has been doing really well. Anglers are catching lots of black bass, though there is not much size to them right now. The bass are concentrated around schools of baitfish, and anglers are catching them in 12-15 feet of water, mostly on the main lake close to some type of a drop-off. Bass are being caught on topwater when they’re chasing bait, best on a bone-colored Zara Spook or a clear topwater lure. When the bass are not chasing on top, mostly they are biting a crankbait, a Carolina rig or a Flutter Spoon.

Walleye are hitting really well now around standing timber in 16-25 feet of water. Try a nightcrawler on a chartreuse jighead.
The water is clear with a little stain in the rivers. Lake level is normal.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 6-27-2024) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said it seems almost too hot for fishing, but anglers are catching some catfish. Most catches are on trotlines baited early in the morning, and they are catching cats in the 3-4-pound range; “not the really big ones,” our contact tells us. Bream are also biting well off the shoreline on crickets and redworms. Bass are reported to be biting for boat anglers near the big island. One angler fishing for bass also was catching some crappie — not many, but a few that were big in size and biting minnows.

Most of the fishing is happening very early in the morning 5-6 a.m. and are back in by 10 a.m., then back to it after 5 p.m. and into the evening.

Lake Overcup
(updated 6-27-2024) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said there hasn’t been a lot of people fishing because of the heat, but the ones that are fishing are out on the lake at night. The water level is about normal pool and surface temperature is in the mid-80s. The clarity is good.

Bream are doing well and are on their beds. Catfish are being caught on trotlines and jugs using bream and bass minnows. Bass are doing well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Crappie have moved into the deeper water.

Lake Maumelle
(updated 6-27-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported that water temperature jumped this week to 89-90 degrees. The largemouth bass bite remains fair. Anglers report bass schooling in the mornings and evenings. They can be found shallow in the mornings and evenings at 2-4 feet and others found deeper, to 12-20 feet. Try points and drop-offs. Try using drop-shots, Texas-rigged worms, topwater lures and crankbaits. Spotted bass (Kentucky bass) are reported on points in 8-20 feet of water as well as relating to drop-offs. Drop-shots and crankbaits are working for spots. The black bass fishing picked up in the Tuesday night weekly tournament out of WestRock, as Cameron Nesterenko and Andrew Wooley landed a 5-bass stringer of 15.72 pounds and the Big Bass of 5.34 pounds. Brandon Crain and Matt Hedrick had 15.22 total pounds.
Crappie are the best bite on the lake now, with good results and reports of them being found suspended around brush anywhere from 16-21 feet. Decent size crappie has been noted this week, too. Use jigs and minnows. Bream are also good after last week’s full moon. Reports of the bluegill biting well this week. They can be found around 6-10 feet as well as shallow in 3-5 feet. Crickets, worms and drop-shots will work.
White bass fishing has been slow for a while. No reports of schools this week. A twister tail might up a bite. Catfish also went unreported again. Use bream, liver or worms and possibly pick up a cat.

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 6-27-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the fishing and conditions are about the same this week as last. The water is “clear as normal, and a lot of people are fishing.” Several trucks of anglers reported catching lots of bass, and others said the bream were biting well.

Black bass are biting crankbaits and soft plastic worms with some topwater also working. Some crappie returned to biting last week with minnows being all they were biting and at a 5-feet depth.

Bream are on the banks and bedding, and anglers are catching them on worms and crickets. Not much has been heard on the catfish but try liver and hot dogs fished in deeper water.

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

(update 6-13-2024) An AGFC staffer/local angler fishing the Maumelle Pool last weekend reported the Arkansas River is rolling in the 50,000-60,000 cfs range below Toad Suck Dam, which is ideal flow to draw fish out to the jetties and main channel obstructions during post-spawn. The water temperature ranged from 78 degrees on the main river channel to 81 degrees in the backwaters before Sunday night’s front-cooled temperatures (slightly). Bass were biting well on black/blue swim jigs and black/blue or green pumpkin weightless YUM Dingers and Senkos fished on the edges of grass patches at the edge of current breaks in the main channel and in the backwater areas. Look for small patches of grass instead of the large mats and swim a jig through the sparse stems in the morning, then switch to pitching at matted clumps as the sun gets high. Shad-colored crankbaits like the Bomber Fat Free Fingerling worked well on main river jetties, catching a mixed bag of everything from largemouth bass and spotted bass to drum and the occasional striped bass. Fish the crankbaits just beneath the swell of water found behind jetties and wingdams along outside river bends for the best luck. 

No report on crappie. If the flow slows a little, it will be a great time to set out some jugs for catfish, but the higher flow we’re seeing, jug fishermen will spend more time chasing jugs and untangling lines from snags than hauling in fish.
 

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 6-27-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that largemouth bass and Kentucky bass (spots) are biting in 10-12 feet around jetties. Anglers are having best success throwing a shaky head with a Zoom Trick Worm, along with deep-diving crankbaits in a shad pattern.

Bluegill are biting on the shallow flats in 5-6 feet water. Crickets and redworms rigged on a bobber rig have them biting about a foot deep.

Crappie are being caught in water that is ranging from 8-10 feet and anywhere that you can find structure. A one-eighth-ounce jig in white and chartreuse or a Crappie Magnet is what’s catching the most.

Water clarity of the pool is stained to muddy with about a half-foot to a foot of visibility. 

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 6-27-2024) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said anglers say that “right now the hot species of the lake are the catfish and bream” As for crappie, some are having success trolling and others are spider-rigging underwater structure for bites.

Catfish are biting hot dogs and liver, and also some live bait such as shiners, shad and bream are great to use. 

Early morning and evening topwater is working now for the black bass. Donna also said, “Right now it seems that the bass anglers are the ones that are rarely left empty-handed.”
Bream have seen an increase in overall activity, the full moon playing its part. Crickets and worms are the most popular bait for bream.

“We’re level full and a little dingy, but not that bad. About normal for Peckerwood,” she said of the water conditions.

White River
(updated 6-27-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the White River watershed has seen some much needed rain this week, and water clarity has remained very good, keeping the trout catching phenomenal. The water level has continued to be high with generation throughout the day averaging 14,000 cfs. Bull Shoals Lake is approaching seasonal power pool of 661.6 feet msl.

The rainbow catches were achieved mainly with sunrise or pink PowerBait tipped with shrimp on a size 6 Aberdeen or bait holder hook, bronze. Another favored bait for a great catch has been fresh soft-shell crawdads — when drifted mid-depth, you’ll increase your catch count.
“I don’t think the high water is going to last much longer, so get out those lures and stick baits while you can. Tie on your favorite Smithwick (try the 4½-inch blue back/white belly model) or Rapala (try a glass blue minnow Husky Jerk) before the water drops.
“I was surprised to see some small grasshoppers this week — seems early — but it might be signaling a great hopper season. Worth a try. With the recent heat wave, the cold, clear river provides even more of an escape than usual. Life is good. Come share it with us.”

(updated 6-27-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “High heat equals higher demand for air conditioning equals high electrical demand equals increased power generation from Bull Shoals Dam equals higher water and flow. We have seen depths as high as 9 feet or more to as low as 7 feet. With the increased water depths and flows, anglers have had to work harder to catch trout. The KISS rule has worked the best by keeping things simple with a silver inline spinner, Uncommon Baits UV neo pink eggs tipped with corn or shrimp. The trout have moved onto the gravel bars feeding on snails and freshwater shrimp. We’ve also cleaned several larger fish with crawdads and sculpins in their stomachs. Both Bull Shoals and Norfork levels remain above the top of the power pool level. I expect river conditions will remain very similar for at least the next week. 

“We received one trout stocking last week with the AGFC using the pontoon raft to stock more than 3,400 rainbow trout between Calico Rock and Sylamore Creek.

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 6-27-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said Wednesday that lake level has fallen to around 663 feet msl. The Army Corps of Engineers has been running some big water. “I feel like the thermocline isn’t setting up with the water getting pulled,” Del said, adding that parking and boat ramp access still can be limited and users should call ahead before they go. Water temperature is around 83 degrees, give or take, with stained water being warmer. 

Bass are set up on summer areas and patterns. Shad are spread out from the back off the creek out to the main lake. Check deeper water, points, ledges, drop-offs and channel swings and saddles. Get up early, or if it’s cloudy, rainy and windy hit the surface with topwater! “Smaller sizes are working best for me — Zara Spook, Pop-R, Lucky Craft Gunfish, wake baits in shad patterns. As the sun gets up, a try a 2.8 swimbait, especially if there’s wind, or Flutter Spoon — that will keep the bite going.

“Once the sun gets up, a lot of the fish will move out over deep water. You can follow them out there and try a drop-shot Robo Worm or shad-shape worm or Tater Shad. Or just go home and let the ‘look at me’s’ have it. If we get rain, I’ll powerfish covering water. Try a buzzbait if it’s windy and cloudy, or a frog/toad if it’s sunny, over submerged flooded bushes.
“You can still catch them on points with a small Jewel Peewee Jig in green pumpkin orange or a tube or shaky head in 10-20 feet early, then 25-30 feet. Keep the boat out deep and make long casts. There is a lot of activity in the 15-feet range. You can also go up there with a big worm, Beaver or Salt Craw early or late. Some shallower brush piles closer to deep water, less than 25 feet, are holding some fish.
“Overall summer patterns are here. Suspended fish in large groups roaming. If you can find them with the front looker, you can get right in a hurry. Fish the conditions.”

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 6-27-2024) Southern walleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says walleye fishing has slowed down but some are still being caught. We’re pulling nightcrawler harnesses in 25-30 feet with 2-ounce bottom bouncers on primary and secondary points with gold or orange blades with orange bead patterns. Also just a No. 4 split shot and No. 2 Aberdeen hook and nightcrawler, work slowly around groups of fish, will catch some. More small fish in the 16- to 17-inch size are being caught than legal-size fish.

Spooning with a three-quarter-ounce white spoon in deeper water off main lake points in 40-50 feet will also get some fish. 

Here’s hoping the lake will stabilize soon and fishing will improve around the thermocline. 

(Updated 6-27-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie seem to be moving deeper and are definitely pickier, as the jig bite has slowed down a lot. Minnows and 4-pound line help, but they are still finicky. Just keep moving until you find fish that will cooperate.

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

(updated 6-20-2024) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort (870-492-5113)

said Wednesday, “I started out fishing around 4 a.m. this morning. My first spot was a bust even though I brought in some bait by dropping my green light. Very few fish showed up, so I moved to a main lake point in 100 feet or more of water. Dropped my green light again and the bait showed up. There were some small fry on the surface, but the bigger-sized bait were 15-25 feet down. It wasn’t long until I started seeing a few big arcs cruising under the bait 30-50 feet down. I landed my first striper about 15 minutes after arriving and then it started to get a little light out, but the bait stuck around and a few more fish showed up. I got to land another two stripers by about 5:15.
“By then it was getting light enough that other fishermen started showing up. I had caught three nice stripers and all swam away easily so I decided to look around and fish some new spots for possibly my outing tomorrow. I found one area back in a small creek that was holding a few fish. I fished for them a brief time, but they seemed to be just window shopping. I did manage to catch a couple of nice largemouth by casting out my Kastmaster and letting it sink about 4 seconds. They wanted a steady slow retrieval today. For the striped bass I was using a Tater Bait Tater Shad in a copper rose color pattern. It has been working well for me lately. I headed back to the resort early since I needed to get back and wait for the delivery of a new refrigerator for one of our cabins.
“The lake surface temp was about 83 degrees this morning on the main lake. The water level is fairly stable and sits at 560.65 feet msl. There is a thermocline formed around 25 feet deep. The water is clear on the main lake and slightly stained in the creeks.

“Come make some everlasting memories on Norfork Lake in the Arkansas Ozark.”

Lou posts fishing reports nearly 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 6-27-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake continues to drop lower. It now is basically normal level, around 1,121.4 feet msl.
Stripers have been very good this last week. Fish have been caught from Horseshoe Bend well north to the Starkey area. If you’re targeting stripers you must be fishing right before sunrise and the bite will continue for a couple of hours after sunrise. Use live bait, which includes brood minnows, shad and — this time of the year — bluegill.
Crappie have been fair on crankbaits and spider-rigged minnows. “I like to use Bandit 300s and Picos.
“There are fish suspended, so if you have forward-facing sonar, that sniping game is still in play. Look from Monte Ne and south. Fairly good crappie at Point 12 and up into both river arms.
“When trolling with cranks, you will also pick up walleye and catfish. Remember: Walleye have to be at least 18 inches to keep. If you know how to fish a bottom bouncer, those will produce walleye this time of the year. Catfish have been good on every method: Jugs and noodles will produce, along with various baits on terminal tackle.
“Bass are in their summer pattern, which means early and late. Spotted bass are doing the best, it seems.
“As I type, we are getting some much needed rain. It was getting fairly crispy out there. Lots of boats with holiday coming up, so stay aware of your surroundings and other boaters. At the ramps, be ready to unload before you back down the ramp. Lots of hot weather, which can lead to hot tempers at the ramps if you are not prepared to launch.
“Stay safe and good luck!”
Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 6-27-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says, “Fishing this past two weeks has been pretty good. You may have to move around a bit, but the bite does pick up as you do so. Most fish have been caught between Houseman Access and the U.S. Highway 62 bridge. The trout have been very responsive to Pautzke Fire Worms, fished on bottom, with slight movement. This is also the bait and presentation of choice when drift-fishing. Also Fire Bait, with light terminal tackle, has also produced nice numbers. You can also try pulling crankbaits in the deeper water for some bigger fish. “The water temperature has been up and down, but the Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water to keep the tailwater cool. There are still some here-and-there walleye being caught — most are being caught in the deeper holes jigging with soft plastics.
“Summer is here, so remember to stay hydrated, wear loose cool clothing and protect yourself from the sun. Hope you all are able to get out and catch some fish!” 

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

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 6-27-2024) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says anglers are still having success catching bluegill on worms. Channel cats and blue cats have been reported biting chicken liver and shrimp; they’re being caught near the dam off boats as well as from the shoreline. 

Bass fishing has overall picked up in full summer effect — topwater in the mornings and evening time around boat docks and other structures is key. Popular during the daytime are crankbaits and jigs to get down to the cooler water.

Crappie have been constant. Trolling with minnows and spider-rigging minnows have been the reported technique and bait.

The water is stained and murky from this past week’s statewide shower.

Lake Charles
(updated 6-27-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said she received reports of small bream and sunfish in shallow water. Also, crappie are around 10 feet. Early morning and evening fishing are best with the heat being where it is now. You’re going to find the fish in the shaded areas.
The bream bite is good around brush piles, stumps and rocky points. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs and are relating to the brush piles, stumps and rocky points. Black bass and white bass haven’t shown up in the past after a good week before. Catfish are good on blood bait and chicken liver.

active around 10 feet and relating to the same areas as bream: brush piles, stumps and rocky points.

Crankbaits appear to be working best for black bass. They are hanging around brush and rocky points. Catfish are good on worms and blood bait. White bass are good, too, and being caught on worms and jigs.

Surface water temperature earlier this week was 80.5 degrees. The water is high and murky.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 6-27-2024) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park had no new updates, but said recently before the heat wave that anglers had been fishing Lake Poinsett regularly, using baits like the Booyah Buzzbaits for bass and continuing 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 were spawning before and around the full moon. 

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

Spring River
(updated 6-27-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water flows at the Spring are at 390 cfs (350 is average) and water clarity is mostly clear. Over the last month, a lot of rain had messed up the river the previous two weeks. It is looking great this week, however. Hot, dry weather has river flows back down. Note that conditions can change with heavy rains.

“With the river looking back to normal conditions, we are having a blast with Hopper Droppers. We’re still using cicadas for the Hopper with lots of Hopper action. Best Dropper this week has been a pink worm and Y2K. There are plenty of rainbow trout with weekly stockings. Streamer action on overcast days might get you bigger fish, but our last 20-inch brown last week was on a Woolly in the middle of a hot day. The browns are there, but not liking this weather.
“Smallmouth are biting great when the river isn’t high and murky. Catching a bunch on Woollies and sculpin patterns fished slow and deep. You’ve got to be committed to the slow, deep presentation and they will bite. As the river drops out, the smallmouth action should be hot for the rest of the summer.
“So, it has been hot out but the river is an ice-cold 58 degrees year-round. If temps are in the high 90s, the trout turn off after lunch, and so do we. Fish early and late to stay on the bite and hydrate. I highly recommend a nap midday.”

Check out 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.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 6-27-2024) Claire Humes at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said an angler fishing with crickets for bream on the exterior pier last Thursday hauled in 20 large bream. Crickets and minnows have been the main go-to among anglers in the past week, along with nightcrawlers. Anglers were using nightcrawlers from the camper dock last Friday. Anglers tried redworms for bream under the full moon last Saturday. Some small bream were caught at the exterior pier and released. Anglers on a boat fishing Saturday caught 10 and released them as well, and another group caught five catfish from their boat and just kept two. 

Lake Monticello
(updated 6-27-2024) 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.

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 6-27-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the AGFC stocked about 180,000 purebred Florida bass fingerlings from the hatchery into Millwood Lake this week. The total goal of stockings this year in Millwood is scheduled to be 300,000 fingerlings, he noted, and the remainder would most likely be stocked next week. Mike has kept up closely with the AGFC’s Florida bass stockings and says, “if the 300,000 goal is reached this year, my spreadsheet indicates the AGFC has stocked a cumulative total of 6,751,252 Florida bass in Millwood Lake since 1990.”

Also, he noted (as we did in last week’s emailed Fishing Report newsletter) that the AGFC Tournament Courtesy Dock has been completed. “Thank you Dylan Hann, AGFC, the Army Corps of Engineers, and everyone who made this improvement happen for Millwood Lake,” Mike said.

Millwood elevation is almost back to normal pool, Mike reports. The lake elevation is about 4 inches above normal, at 259.5 feet msl, and stable; Millwood Lake dam is releasing about 682 cfs and tailwater is near 227 feet and falling. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or 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 82 degrees early to 90 degrees later in the day along Little River. Use caution in navigation. Clarity along Little River continues to improve this week with decreased river current. Normal to moderate stain in found in most locations, with some areas further up Little River being heaviest stain. River clarity ranges 10-15 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows will vary widely from normal stained to good visibility from 20-30 inches, and we observed around fair visibility in a few wind- and current-protected areas like McGuire Oxbow up to 3 feet clarity, away from river current.
Mike has these updated specifics on the Millwood fishing this week:

* Largemouth bass continue to be fairly consistent over the last few weeks, and the best bite is early on cloudy days. The topwater bite was consistent till around 9-10 a.m. Numerous largemouth bass over 9 pounds, including a few in the 10- and 11-pound class, have been caught and released over the past month.
Best activity is still seen during early mornings along Little River between Pugh Slough and Jack’s Isle, and Snake Creek to McIntosh Bend, near grass and vertical drops. Buzzbaits, frogs, Bass Assassins and Spit’n Images are working early. In the oxbows, near flats of 3-4 feet deep, focus on areas where a creek meanders through the flat that drops into quick 8-10 feet structure. Locate fresh lily pad blooms, as stumps and vegetation are holding fish. Various topwater baits will get a reaction early; frogs, Spit’n Images, Dying Flutters, soft plastic jerkbaits, 5-inch Bass Assassin Shads and buzzbaits continue working and drawing reactions from 2- to 4-pound largemouths from 1-8 feet depth at dawn and dusk.

Once the sun gets up above the treeline, switch over to a Brazalo Stutterbait Chatterbait with a 3.5-inch Bass Assassin Lit’L Boss swimbait trailer in Spot Remover, white/chartreuse or Millwood Mayhem Bream to draw a reaction near stumps. For deeper sections of the creek after the sun gets high, a Bill Lewis crankbait like the ATV, the MR-6 and SB-57 MDJ crankbait square bills will continue getting random reactions from active roaming bass in the creek channels or near drops from the flats into 8-10 feet depth structure. 

Fat, jumbo Southern Indiana Bait Company’s 4.25-inch Monster Bass tubes on a light wire jighead or Texas Rig in black/blue or green pumpkin/purple, Brush Hogs in watermelon magic, 10-inch Power Worms in blue fleck or black, near stumps, lily pads, buckbrush and cypress trees will draw a reaction from 3- to 5-pound largemouths. The best water clarity continues to be more reliable in the oxbows of McGuire and Clear Lake, and the bass activity levels are drastically better. Water clarity in Mud Lake and Horseshoe Lake oxbows continue to improve over the past couple weeks. 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 largemouth bass roaming flats in the back of the oxbows, near stumps, cypress knees and lily pads. In and near shallow stumps, cypress knees and cover around 5-8 foot depth flats with vegetation such as fresh lily pad blooms, you can get a reaction to a topwater frog or jerkbait at daylight.
* Little River has improved clarity and the bite over the past couple weeks and the reduced current has clarity much improved on primary or secondary points. White bass are roaming back down Little River to their summer spots in the main lake, but pausing on these points in the process, and roaming in and out of creek dumps, too. 

Heavy three-quarter-ounce Cordell Hammered Spoons, Kastmaster chrome/blue spoons with white bucktails, or Bomber Fat Free Guppy or Fingerling crankbaits, the Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits both in Citrus Shad, Tennessee Shad and Millwood Magic colors will draw reactions from white bass. Little George’s, Rocket Shads and red/white Rooster Tails continue working. Random and broken schools are pausing their annual migration back down river and stopping in Little River where primary or secondary points intersect with creek mouths dumping into the river. With reduced current, their activity levels have improved in reacting to crankbaits and spoons.
* Crappie continue to pick up in recent weeks with water clarity improving in many locations. Locating planted brush piles in Pugh Slough, Horseshoe, Bee Lake, Millwood State Park or Saratoga continue to hold nice 12- to 15-inch crappie, and gave up some nice 2-pound slabs over the past few weeks. Expect to use minnows one day, and jigs the next, or jigs tipped with a minnow, in planted brush piles 10-16 feet of depth. Best color jig over the past week has been Monkey Milk one day, Electric Chicken the next, and smoke-colored grubs with a chartreuse tip tail on a light wire jig head would pick up a few bites.
* We are getting reports from bream anglers along the river that they are having good success from bream in a spawning frame of mind near Jack’s Isle and Hurricane Creek in recent weeks. Bream beds have been noticed near Jack’s Isle and Little River back slough pockets off the main creek channels.

* No reports on catfish.

Lake Columbia
No reports.

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

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

No reports.

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

(updated 6-20-2024) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Well, it’s getting hot! Water level is 407.19 feet msl at this writing. Surface water temperature is in the high 80s.

“Full moon coming, so get ready to find those bream beds. They are there. I found several. They are all over the lake. Side scan for the ‘waffle’. Drop-shot, slip bobber, worms or crickets. It is about to be on again.

“I think the ‘big bite’ that we have been experiencing on crappie on the brush piles seems to be over. My experience tells me that when the water gets this hot, the crappie begin to move. They are in the standing timber now. That means forward-facing sonar and casting jigs or one-poling for them. Jig profile comes into a great effect this time of year. Think small. There are suspended crappie in the open water and on the sides of some piles.

“There are still bream, bass and catfish in the brush piles for the kids.

“Getting hot. Hydrate, watch for others who need help.”

(updated 6-20-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said, “The fishing report for what I am doing on these three lake — Ouachita, Hamilton and DeGray — is the same: Starting early at first-light is key. We’ve been casting spoons for schools of breaking bass. Then trolling crankbaits across points for more bass and an occasional walleye.”

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 6-27-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 65 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Both lakes Hamilton and Catherine are at normal summertime pool. Entergy recently scheduled several days of lengthy generation time, which has lowered the tailrace water temperature and aided greatly in the reduction of grass and moss growth. 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 fishermen off the water during the peak spawning times of area game fish. 

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 hold numbers of trout and can 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 the end of 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. 

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. 

Catfish are spawning in the tailrace from the bridge to the dam and can be caught on cut bait fished on the bottom. These fish will 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. 

Entergy is scheduling a weekend release below Carpenter Dam from noon until 5 p.m. on select Saturday and Sunday mornings, which is keeping tailrace temperatures down and reducing moss growth, which is rampant below the dam. 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 6-20-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said, “The fishing report for what I am doing on these three lake — Ouachita, Hamilton and DeGray — is the same: Starting early at first-light is key. We’ve been casting spoons for schools of breaking bass. Then trolling crankbaits across points for more bass and an occasional walleye

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

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) Sheila Ferrebee, owner of Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025), says 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 6-27-2024) 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 good and still being caught on nightcrawlers near structure with a drop-shot rig. Stripers are good. These fish are being caught in the central and Eastern portion of the lake and can be caught on umbrella rigs or live bait. Bream are still very good and being caught on crickets and worms in the 15- to 25-feet range. Crappie are fair. Try minnows or small jigs over structure in the 15- to 20-feet range. For catfish, try stink bait or cut bait on a rod-and-reel set up in the 10- to 20-feet range, especially near structure and brush.
Water temperature is ranging 80-86 degrees. Water clarity is clear. Lake level Thursday was at 576-76 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 6-20-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said, “The fishing report for what I am doing on these three lake — Ouachita, Hamilton and DeGray — is the same: Starting early at first-light is key. We’ve been casting spoons for schools of breaking bass. Then trolling crankbaits across points for more bass and an occasional walleye.”

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.

Horseshoe Lake
(updated 6-20-2024) Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) is back on the lake and reports that Horseshoe’s water temperature is in the low 80s and the water is clear on the western arm and a little cloudy on the eastern arm. The water level is near normal for this time of year.
Crappie are slow, he said. “We had problems getting bigger fish to commit and bite a bait. Small fish would bite a jig, but they didn’t hit it hard. We probably caught 30 fish and only had five that would be 10 inches or over. The pads are where the most action is. Fish on piers were difficult.”

Kent had no reports on black bass or catfish. Bream are slow. “We used a small one-sixteenth-ounce jig with a waxworm and only caught about 15, and they were small.”

Cook’s Lake
(updated 6-27-2024) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) says the lake level has held steady for the last week and has begun to clear up. Water temperatures are around 90 degrees. “Fish catching has still been slow at best, but we are hoping stable conditions will increase the bite soon.
“I would focus on hollow trees and laydowns for all species. For bass, I would flip a Texas-rigged black and red plastic or green pumpkin jig. For bream and crappie, I would jig a 1/32-ounce black and chartreuse jig in the same areas.
“I have heard that the action is starting to heat up on several White River lakes in the area.”

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.

Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake

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