Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

August 29, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

A regular reader of the Weekly Fishing Report, who asks that we use his nom de plume of Leaky Waders, sent us this underwater shot of a brown trout he hooked early last week while fishing his “secret spot” on the White River. He measured the trout at a little more than 28 inches and released it in perfect condition.

Mr. Waders describes himself as an amateur photographer specializing in wildlife. “I have tried to elevate my fish pictures over the last 20 years or so. I really like underwater shots, and it is much better for the fish, too. They are never out of the water for more than 3 or 4 seconds,” he said. “However, holding onto the tail isn’t always the best as they can escape pretty easily, especially a big fish like this one. This is not my personal best trout on the fly rod, but does hold a solid second place.”

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 AGFC Fisheries Division’s Mayflower office reports that the lake on Wednesday was down 8.5 feet (pool at 254.4 feet msl) and that there was not much capacity to drain the lake further outside of evaporation. The water has receded significantly from the natural shoreline of the lake. The estimated surface acres of water remaining in the lake is 100-200 acres. Soil consolidation monitoring was underway as of Wednesday morning as well. For more information of the Lake Conway Renovation Project, visit https://www.agfc.com/resources/habitat-and-access-improvement/lake-conway-renovation-project/

(updated 8-29-2024) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said catfish and buffalo are about it for catches this week. “That’s just about all the word. It’s about down to the nitty gritty now,” they say. Anglers were using worms. The fishing areas that provided some nice catfish and a few catches of crappie and other sport fish are extremely low.

They have not heard anything from anglers trying other area lakes of late. Anglers shopping at Bates have reported catching bass on the Arkansas River in recent days, however. Also, the Lake Conway Nursery Pond is seeing some fishing and there are reports of crappie, bream and small bass being caught.

While fishing is going on in the main lake, there are no creel or length limits during its drawdown phase as part of the AGFC’s renovation project. 

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 8-29-2024) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said Thursday that the Southwestern Power Administration generation schedule on the Little Red River has been pretty predictable lately. They’re usually kicking things off around 2 p.m. and running two units of water through the turbines until about 8 p.m. This pattern has held steady for the last couple of weeks. On weekends, they’ve been scaling it back a bit, with around two hours of generation starting at the same 2 p.m. mark.

Despite the daytime temperatures climbing into the upper 90s, the bite has remained solid. The fish seem to be thriving under this current generation schedule, and we’re seeing good flows even with the heat.

If you’re heading out, the best action has been early in the morning before the heat sets in. As the water starts to recede, target the deeper sections of the channel, especially around moss beds. These areas offer shade and are loaded with food, making them prime spots. Don’t forget to check out the oxygenated shoals with plunge pools below – they’re a great place to find fish.

As for flies, the current hot picks include Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear, Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles and Root Beer Midges. Happy fishing!

(updated 8-29-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that the fishing has been good. Flow is the same as it’s been, and water is released in the afternoon for a few hours each day during the week. Rooster Tails and Marabou Jigs are the best bets. Anglers are having best success targeting the top and bottom sides of shoals with a little bit of flow in those areas. 

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

(updated 8-29-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that this little bit of cooler weather last week was good for the fishing, and as the heat has kicked in, the fishing has remained the same with every species. The topwater bite for black bass has been going really well early in the morning and late in the day. A clear Zara Spook is good for targeting schooling fish. Anglers are finding the schoolers in the backs of pockets, the middle of creeks and out on the main lake. During the day, a Carolina rig is doing really well, they say, with anglers using that while fishing out a little deeper. Also, a football jig is a good bet, and a lot of anglers are fishing a Damiki rig, like a jighead minnow, for some success.
The walleye have been doing really well lately. Anglers are catching them on a chartreuse jighead with a nightcrawler. Walleye are being found in 30-40 feet hanging out around standing timber. 

Crappie also are biting. It seems the best way to catch crappie now is spider-rigging around standing timber or casting a jig. The best color for jig is the Bobby Garland Baby Shad in Monkey Milk with a pink jighead and targeting about 25 feet depth in the tops of standing timber.

The water is clear and at a normal August level. The lake is 3 feet below normal pool.

(updated 8-29-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said Thursday the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 459.14 feet msl, or 3.4 feet below normal pool. Not much else has changed other than more fish schooling on top in different parts of the lake and rivers, and Southwestern Power Administration continues generating 4-5 hours in afternoons, which helps with oxygenation in the lake as well as the river below. It also helps with the bite as all species of game fish are eating off and on at opportune times. Most species are staying on structure where you can really work on them, but some are moving back shallower as the days are getting shorter.
Try super shallow and out to 30 feet for crappie. Use jigs, minnows or crankbaits. A lot of fish have migrated to cooler areas in timber where a lot of bait spend the summer, so fishing straight up and down is a must when fishing for crappie now. 

Walleye are eating in the main lake. For the few left up rivers and scattered throughout the lake, drag a crawler or crankbait in 28-50 feet depth. Some walleye will follow under big schools of white bass and hybrids; use a spoon for those. Just like with crappie, this is the time when the walleye hang out in timber while it’s hot; it’s a little cooler there, and there is more bait fish. A spoon is best for vertical jigging 10-50 feet depth.
Most hybrid and white bass are set up on the main lake for summer, while some are roaming and schooling on top. For ones that are set, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swimbaits in 25-60 feet. 

Catfish are biting the usual stuff working in the lake and rivers. Some bream are shallow, but most still around 8-30 feet; crickets and crawlers are working fine as well as inline spinners. Some lone black bass are shallow, but most are out or roaming shallow and schooling — use Carolina rigs, topwater baits, wake baits, drop-shots, crankbaits and spinnerbaits for best action super shallow out to 60 feet. Be safe and wear your life jacket.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 8-29-2024) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said fishing is kind of slow and anglers are finding it too hot, though some are still catching catfish on trotlines with minnows or hot dogs, while another angler reported he caught some small bass at night. Bream are slow; catches are small. No crappie have been reported.

The water clarity is clear but the lake is really low right now. Stumps are showing.

Lake Overcup
(updated 8-29-2024) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said water level is about normal and clarity is murky. Surface water temperature is around 95 degrees. “It’s been so hot, there really hasn’t been many anglers out until late evening and I haven’t been able to talk to anyone. Wish I had more news,” John said.

Brewer Lake
(update 8-29-2024) David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-289-2210), a 24/7 self-serve bait shop at the lake, had no change in the reports, but most recently said that anglers were having the best luck for crappie and catfish around the dam area. Bass fishing was reported to be best in the late afternoon or evenings. For crappie the tri-color jigs were doing the trick for most anglers on the boats, with a white Rooster Tail working for bass.

Lake Maumelle
(updated 8-15-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) said the water stayed about as warm as the past week, ranging 88-90 degrees, and while the black bass bite is fair, most every other species noticeably slowed down this week. Largemouth bass were biting fair in shallow water in the mornings (about 2-4 feet depth, but not moving up much in the evenings), and also being found deeper to 20-22 feet. Largemouths are relating to points and drop-offs and still partial to Texas-rigged worms, topwater lures, jigs and crankbaits. Spotted bass are also fair with reports noting them around drop-offs in 18-22 feet. Use drop-shots and crankbaits for spots. 

The last black bass tournament of the season out of WestRock Landing was this past Tuesday night, with Billy Wright and Brad Edwards landing five bass totaling 16.57 pounds, including the Big Bass of 4.57 pounds. Brandon Crain and Matt Hedrick were right behind with 14.07 total pounds. Cameron Nesterenko and Andrew Wooley fished 19 tournaments this season and won Angler of the Year for the sixth straight year with 246.31 total pounds caught.

Crappie are slow, with reports of them being found suspended around brush anywhere from 16-21 feet depth. Use jigs or minnows. Bream also have slowed and are being found around 10-15 feet. They’ll bite crickets, redworms and drop-shots.

No reports on white bass schooling or any catfish baits. Catfish should be eager for some small bream, liver or worms if you want to catch a few.

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 8-29-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said only one or two people have been out this week; the heat is keeping people away. But he says the fishing would be pretty much the same as it’s been the past few weeks. 

Water is clear and at normal pool. 

Look for black bass to be most interested in crankbaits, topwater lures and soft-plastic worms. Minnows were working recently for crappie. Catfish will bite hot dogs around the dock, as well as chicken liver. Until the heat breaks, the best fishing is going to be very early or late in the evening.

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

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

(updated 8-29-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that the fishing has been the exact same this week as last week across the board. Topwater has been one of the major things of note on the river of late, especially if the mornings are cool. The topwater bite has been doing really well, they say. Try a bone-colored Zara Spook or perhaps a small, compact buzzbait in black or white. The buzzbait has also been working well.

During the day, a shaky head and also a chartreuse black back or blue back crankbait have been working well off the ends of jetties.

They have not heard anything on crappie from the river.

The catfish are biting below the dam (Murray) on stink bait and nightcrawlers.
The water has a stained clarity. The level is about normal, and there is a little flow but not much these days.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 8-15-2024) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said anglers are doing well on catfish, while the crappie are biting for anglers trolling or spider-rigging. Minnows will work for crappie, but she says anglers are mainly catching them on jigs.
Hot dogs and liver are preferred by the catfish.

The black bass are doing well, and Donna figures it’s on a topwater lure now but the bass anglers seldom share what they are using. Also, anglers are catching a few bream here and there.

The water is down but no stumps are showing. This time of year, she says, most anglers prefer the stumps to show so they can work their baits around them. 

The water “looks clear for Peckerwood,” she added.

White River
(updated 8-29-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said Bull Shoals Lake is below the established goal of 661 feet msl elevation, currently sitting 656.59 msl. Anglers encountered some challenges this past week as we endured the heat and lower dissolved oxygen in the river. The milder weather this coming week looks to greatly improve the situation. The generation continued the pattern of minimum flows (700 cfs) for the morning and early afternoon; followed by high flows up to 20,000 cfs (six units) in the evenings. Early morning and early evening may be the best times for easy catches.

Pull out the trusty spoons: gold or copper/bronze Colorados and hammered red-and-gold spoons. The Vibrax Blue Fox is a good choice in the afternoon for the rising river levels.

The Rebel Craw baits (chartreuse/orange and ditch/brown with orange belly) were proving successful for waders and bank anglers; live crawdads provided better action angling from a john boat. Scented manufactured eggs, usually yellow or pink, with a little piece of shrimp drifted across the bottom near the channel during the low water releases, never fail to pull in a good number of rainbows. Sculpins continue to be the best lure for a big brown.

Come on over and spend some time with us on the White River — you won’t regret it.

(updated 8-29-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “From Bull Shoals Dam we continue to see generation ramping up in the afternoons with flows as high as 22,000-plus cfs before tapering off at night. From Norfork Dam we are also seeing generation during the day as high as 5,000-plus cfs before dropping off at night. In Calico Rock the water from Bull Shoals Dam reaches us in the morning with depths as high as 9 feet and dingy water. By midmorning we start to see the water dropping and starting to clear up. We see a bump in water levels as the Norfork Dam water reaches us in the afternoon. In the mornings it isn’t uncommon for boats to head several miles upriver to get above the rise and to find cleaner water and then float the cleaner water back. 

“We have seen best results with silver inline spinners with Uncommon Baits UV Neo Pink eggs and shrimp. With the higher and dingier water, we have not had much success with artificial lures. This upcoming weekend and into next week we should see cooler temperatures. Hopefully with the cooler temps we will see less generation, resulting in lower and cleared water and improved fishing conditions.”

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

(updated 8-29-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said Thursday that the lake level continues to fall and is around 656 feet msl. Water temperature is 83 degrees, give or take. “My favorite holiday, Labor Day, is upon us. Bass fishing has been fair to slow. Bass are set up on summer areas and patterns, the thermocline is set up around 30-32 feet. Shad are spread out from the back of the creeks out to the main lake. They are starting to move in with shorter days. Check deeper water, points, ledges, drop-offs and channel swings as well as treetops that are close to deep water. The topwater bite has been hit or miss. The bite will definitely slow down as the sun gets high, and they will get fired up with wind/rain.
“If you wait until afternoon, the Corps of Engineers has been generating water and the bite will get going regardless of the heat. A flutter spoon will fool a few. 

“Once the sun gets high up, a lot of the fish will move deep and suspend or move into piles or off ledges. They can be stubborn. Try a drop-shot or Jewel Scuba or big worm. If you get one or two to bite, you might as well go to the next pile. These fish have been educated all summer; finesse will help. You can still catch them off points with a small Jewel Peewee Jig in green pumpkin orange or PB&J, or a tube or shaky head in 10-20 feet early, then at 25-35 feet. Keep the boat out for deep, long casts. There is a lot of activity around the 30-feet range. Fish the conditions. Be safe and Good Fishing!”

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 8-29-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says walleye patterns on mid- to lower end of the lake have not changed much these past few weeks. The thermocline seems to be holding between 30-40 feet. There are times and areas that the fish can be found feeding at the 28- to 30-feet levels early in the morning. It seems when they are holding shallow they move deeper fast if there is no cloud clover. If clouds move in, move back shallow as fish move back in just as fast as they move out. A couple of feet can make a difference in the bite. Scan points, both sides and tip, by zigzagging in 25 to 40 to find fish. Try to fish when they are moving water through the dam; that seems to help the bite. 
“Pulling nightcrawler harnesses in 27 to 38 feet — depth depends on wind and clouds – slowly at 0.8 to 0.9 mph with 3-ounce bottom bouncers on the sides of primary and secondary points has been best for me. We’re fishing with 1.5 Smile Butterfly Blades in gold or orange and chartreuse with an orange bead pattern. No. 3 white Willow leaf Blade or No. 3 white Colorado with white pearl beads is also working. Also still just a No. 4 split shot and #No. 2 Aberdeen hook and nightcrawler, worked slowly around groups of fish or on deeper sides of brushpiles, will catch some especially when fishing is slow.”
Lots of fish in the 16- to 17-inch size are still being caught at this time. Spooning with a three-quarter-ounce white spoon off main lake points in 30 to 40 feet of water will also get some fish.

Here’s a tip: Cutting one of the hooks off a spoon’s treble hook will help reduce snags.

(updated 8-29-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says the crappie bite has been fairly tough for the most part for the last few weeks. Key on different brush on a daily basis and when you find some that cooperate, don’t expect it to be that way the next time you show up, the next day or days. They are very particular lately, and overall we have still been catching a lot of mixed quality and occasionally a few really nice ones. The jig bite is pretty slow, but if you’re going to fish one, a one-sixteenth-ounce with a small fry bait, minnows, have carried the majority of the load lately. The brush that’s around 20-30 feet seems to be the better stuff. Fall is around the corner and it’s going to get better before long. 

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

No reports.

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

(updated 8-29-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake level is right at 1,117.25 feet msl, slowly inching down each week. Water temperature is in the low 80s. “Outside weather has been brutally hot and humid, as I am sure you all are aware of. Good news is it looks like a front is moving in and dropping high temps come by this weekend.

“It’s been an interesting summer as the thermocline really never set up a strong layer, and yesterday I could pick it up at 36 feet, which is deeper than normal at this time. What that means to anglers is, fish will relate to that, which I have verified by catching walleye near the 33- to 35-feet levels. 

“With that said, walleye are fair to good depending on the day. Crawler harnesses are the dominant method for catching walleye. Look for main lake points and flats adjacent to deeper water. Use your navigation charts to locate humps and points that meet this criteria.
“Crappie continue to be caught trolling cranks. Have heard good reports from Horseshoe and Hickory Creek areas. Bandits, Picos and locally produced Lucas cranks have been working. Also, I have targeted brush in the 25-feet range and have been doing fairly good. My go-to has been Crappie Slammers in various colors fished on 1/32-ounce jighead. 

“Small schooling bass have been hitting topwater early and late, so have a rod ready with some sort of a topwater bait tied on.

“Catfish are doing well and, as usual, on most any method.
“It’s Labor Day Weekend upcoming with lots of boats on the lake. Be careful and aware and courteous. Good luck!”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 8-29-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said this past week has seen its up and down with the trout fishing bite on the tailwater. “We are getting better results as we fish into the evening hours. Most of the fish have been caught between the U.S. Highway 62 bridge and Houseman Access using Fire Bait on light terminal tackle. Quarter-ounce spoons have also produced some nice numbers, along with fishing jigs. The surface temperature has been in the mid- to high 50s, with it reaching 70 downstream from Houseman.
“As the fall months start to approach, we are definitely seeing some prespawn signs from the trout. I suspect the bite will start to increase as we get closer to fall. We are expecting some cooler weather this coming up week — what a relief! I hope you’re 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 8-15-2024) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says nobody’s out fishing. “We’re in a heat wave,” they reported Thursday. “No one has been out all week.” Before the heat rolled in, bass and crappie were both biting. Bass were good on a spinnerbait. Crappie were fair on worms. 

The water is murky and is at a normal level.

Lake Charles
(updated 8-29-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said water temperature was down almost 5 degrees Sunday from where it stood earlier in the past week, and fishing was good to fair for bream, bass and catfish. Bream were being found shallow last weekend and biting worms and crickets. They were mostly relating to the brushpiles and stumps. Black bass are deep but are biting fair on minnows and plastic worms. Fish around brush and rocky points for best success. Catfish are good on worms, chicken liver, crickets and minnows. The crappie bite these days is poor.
The water is at a normal level and murky, with surface water temperature of 75.9 Sunday morning.

Shelly says that best days based on “moon” charts should fall from Aug. 30-Sept. 5.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 8-1-2024) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park said fishing at Lake Poinsett has been booming! Bream are hitting on crickets and bass are hitting on lures like the Berkley Choppo. One local angler, Buzz Worth, has been catching bass in the mornings especially. He recommended the Drag and Hop technique to get the fish really hooked on your baits! He also stated that he saw bass beginning to school on shad in the shallower parts of the lake, but that most of his catches were in 8-10 feet of water.
The bait shop at Lake Poinsett State Park continues to sell crickets, nightcrawlers and minnows, even during the hotter days.
Remember, anglers: Bass and crappie continue to be catch-and-release at Lake Poinsett.

Spring River
(updated 8-29-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) had no new reports, but earlier this month said water level was running at 340 cfs (350 cfs is average at the Spring) and water clarity was clear. A dry spell had the river looking great. Check the blog linked above for current river conditions. Storms moving through can change river conditions.

The trout were biting great on Woollies or Hopper droppers on good days. With the heat it is very wise to fish early, then quit as the temperature gets in the upper 90s — not good for the fish and they do turn off as it gets hot. On the tough days you’ve got to get to the bottom and keep the fly there. Stocking size has been smaller. “Ready for fall and bigger trout,” Mark said.

For spin-fishing, Trout Magnets in pink, white and red have been hot. Chasing bigger fish, try the Trout Cranks, with the rainbow pattern working best; use Ned rigs for the smallies. “Please catch and release the smallmouth; it takes over 10 years to get a 20-inch smallmouth bass. Release and let them grow — by far the hardest fighting fish ever for its size!

“The smallmouth bass are biting great with this heat wave. The trick is to get to the bottom and work the fly slowly. Big olive Woollies and Brownies have been the go-to. No need for a sink tip; just a heavy fly with a long leader works great. A young man was fishing with me and had one olive-zonked strip fly that was very hot. Only thing is, he was fishing it below an indicator. I don’t know, but he caught a bunch of nice trout and bigger smallies.
“The AGFC has had new portable bathrooms placed in our public accesses. There has been an issue with them being nasty. A big thank-you to the AGFC for hearing us and trying to fix the problem. A nice place to use the bathroom is very important! Please help us by keeping them clean. 

“With the hot temps, the Spring River is a cool, refreshing 58 degrees! A great place to cool off and catch some beautiful trout.”

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 8-29-2024) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports water temperatures in the upper 80s. Visibility up to about 12 inches. Flow has finally stopped on the main channel, leaving wind and barge traffic as the only mechanisms moving water. Black bass have slid out to the outer edges and points of jetties, especially if wind is pushing on or across those points. Expect to find freshwater drum, white bass, striped bass, catfish and both spotted and largemouth bass hanging out on the same productive jetty points; so, if you get a bite on a jetty, keep casting to the same spot and nearby a few more times at least, as that fish likely was not alone. 

Brushpiles on sand drops and shady cover are producing in Lake Langhofer, though these fish are more pressured and you must present lures to them several times to get bites in many cases. Buzzbaits and walking topwaters in shad colors are producing first thing in the morning, moving to swimming and finesse jigs in bluegill to craw patterns during the middle of the day when working water willows, jetties and brushpiles/woody cover. 

Small swimbaits in shad patterns are also producing near schooling areas. Always have a small topwater popper/walking bait, a weightless fluke or small swimbait on deck ready to take advantage of sudden schooling activity that could erupt anywhere at any time. Finally, keep an eye out for floating debris while running. There was an unusually high number of potentially damaging logs in the main channel this past weekend.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 8-29-2024) Claire Humes at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said some anglers were fishing with crickets to catch bream or crappie last Saturday, while another group was using nightcrawlers and minnows in their quest for catfish. On Sunday, boat anglers were looking for bream and crappie with crickets. Another group was shore side for bream using crickets and other anglers were hoping to hook some crappie off the exterior pier (didn’t hear if they were successful). Ran into some anglers using crickets Tuesday hoping to land anything.

Lake Monticello
(updated 8-29-2024) 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 Hunger Run Access is open to boat traffic. Reports are good of anglers catching bass now.

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

(updated 8-29-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District’s 2-feet drawdown continues. The drawdown will expose an extensive area of shoreline for revegetation to allow the planting of millet, which promotes water quality, increases fish production and provides habitat for wintering waterfowl. The lake will be held near an elevation of 257.2 feet until Sept. 13, when it will be raised 6 inches. The lake will be raised to the top of normal conservation pool of 259.2 feet Nov. 1.

Boaters are encouraged to wear a life jacket and exercise caution during the drawdown as submerged stumps and shallow areas will be more prominent, especially in boat lanes. For more information, contact the Millwood Project Office at 870-898-3343.

Also, Mike adds, the NO WAKE BUOYS are in place at Yarborough Landing but most boaters are ignoring their placement. “When residents or boaters are on the new AGFC Courtesy Dock, or parking their boats in the new courtesy dock boat slips, and boaters blow in and out on plane swamping the new dock, it will end up being torn all to pieces in short order, hurting someone, or tearing up someone’s $80,000 bass boat and ripping off a trolling motor,” he said.
As for fishing, Mike said, “There’s not been much overall change this week from last. My guides tell me not a lot has changed, as I have been out of town this week and not on the lake. Clarity continues improving and water temps are falling slightly.” Millwood elevation is stable during the drawdown conditions. Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 166 cfs and tailwater is holding stable near 224 feet. 

Surface temps are stable, ranging 80-85 degrees on Little River over the past week. Clarity is improving in many locations this week with decreased river current. Normal to moderate stain is found in most locations, with some areas further up Little River being heaviest. River clarity is ranging 8-15 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity of oxbows will vary widely from normal stained to good visibility from 20-30 inches.
Fishing specifics on Millwood, according to Mike, are:  

* It’s still HOT. There’s not much change over the past few weeks for largemouth bass. The best bite of the day continues to be from dawn to around 9 a.m., and the bite is done. Nice groups of largemouths are holding in the mouths of creeks dumping into Little River where the thermocline resides between 10-15 feet. Bass up to 2-4 pounds still are active early on topwaters, and cloud-cover mornings still see the best activity at dawn. Feeding activity levels have slowed with the increase of surface temperatures in the mid- to low 90-degree range over the past couple weeks. 

Several nice, healthy bass from 9-10 pounds have been caught and released lately in the Thursday night tournaments (6-9 p.m.).
There were numerous sections all along Little River this week from around 7-9 a.m. where white bass, largemouths and spotted bass were schooling and surface-breaking on threadfin shad from Jack’s Isle up Little River to Hurricane Creek. Also, schooling bass were noted along Little River from the dump of Pugh Slough into Little River almost halfway down the south bank to Snake Creek. Three anglers caught over 25-30 fish in just under 45 minutes using Kastmaster Spoons, Pop-R’s, Smithwick Rogues and gold Ken Pops with white bucktail.

Baits drawing best reactions in the early morning continue to be buzzbaits, soft plastic frogs, Cordell Crazy Shads, Baby Torpedoes and Chuggers near pads and vegetation. Buzzbait colors drawing best reactions continue to be black/blue, Hot Firecracker or Hot Cotton Candy. The best buzzbait bite is along Little River in depths and drops across points, and also flats near creek channel swings with stumps and laydowns, and around lily pads. Chuggers, Cordell Crazy Shads, Arbogast Jitterbugs and plastic frogs continue working in the slop, and are all getting fair to good reactions in creek channels near stumps, cypress trees and near lily pads stands along Little River. Topwater activity levels drop off after 9 or 10 a.m. Then there is very little topwater activity until dusk.

After the early morning bite slows, a random bite can be had near creek dumps into Little River with a custom painted, shad pattern, shallow-running square-bill crankbait — 2.0 and 3.0 and S-cranks, Bill Lewis Echo 1.75’s — by banging/deflecting them off stumps from 8-10 feet deep in creek channels and points. Bass around 14-15 inches in length are randomly responding to crankbaits in shad and bream colors. Best color of cranks in the oxbows, like the 2.0 S-cranks and Echo 1.75 square bills, have been the Bold Bluegill, Millwood Magic and Ghosts. Increasing size up to a three-quarter-ounce Rat-L-Trap, fished much slower and deeper, will draw a few random hits during late mornings in creek channels and across points converging with Little River. Best colors of Traps over the past week or so have been Millwood Magic and White Smoke. 

The square bills, S-cranks, and Echo 1.75 cranks and shallow-running crankbaits in bream, Bluegill Ghost and Tennessee Shad colors are working near creek mouths and points extending into Little River over the past week or so. The drawdown is pulling a lot of fish to the mouths of creeks. Working the cranks in a stop-and-go slow retrieve will draw a better reaction than fast retrieves. The drawdown will bring the majority of largemouths to creek mouths and points in junction with Little River in short order.
* White bass were schooling along Little River with the largemouth bass in the early mornings this week, and continue hitting vertical-jigged half-ounce to 1-ounce Slab Spoons in Little River between Jack’s Isle and the first entrance into Mud Lake, and also in Hurricane Creek from 10-15 feet deep. 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. With the drawdown in effect, many whites are found in close proximity to the Kentucky bass and largemouths, all feeding on threadfin shad. Heavy three-quarter-ounce Cordell Hammered Spoons, Kastmaster chrome/blue Spoons with white bucktails, or Bomber Fat Free Guppy or Fingerling crankbaits, and the Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits both in Citrus Shad, Tennessee Shad and Millwood Magic colors will draw reactions. Little George’s, Rocket Shads, and red/white Rooster Tails continued working last week.
* Crappie continue to improve over the past few weeks with water clarity improving in many locations. Planted brush piles in Pugh Slough, Horseshoe, Bee Lake, Millwood State Park or Saratoga continue to hold nice 12- to 15-inch crappie, and they gave up some nice 2-pound slabs over the past few weeks. Try minnows, jigs or jigs tipped with a minnow in planted brush piles at 10-16 feet. Best colors for jigs and tube jigs over the past few weeks have been Houdini, Monkey Milk or Electric Chicken. Cordell smoke- colored Grubs with a chartreuse tip tail on a light wire jighead will pick up a few extra bites.
* Bream finished their annual spawn for the most part. Several nice bluegills and Mason bream, along with goggleye, have been caught in the three-quarters to 1-pound range over the past several weeks by bank anglers at Millwood State Park and Jack’s Isle. Crickets, redworms and minnows were working best.
* No reports on catfish.

Lake Columbia
No reports.

Lake Erling
(updated 8-29-2024) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) had no new 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.

(updated 8-29-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted “We’ve gotten enough rain that these lakes are still full. You’ve got to take advantage of a full pool during this time of year as it’s falling, as it’s going to for the next 30 days or so if we don’t get a hurricane that pumps a lot of water in. It’s buzzbait season, it’s topwater season. There’s a bunch of topwater fish being caught now.

“What’s you’ve also got to realize, too, it’s Kentucky bass (spotted bass) season. If you have ever done anything with crawfish or drop-shot season, my goodness, this is it. August, September, October. A drop-shot or live crawfish with LiveScope is poison.” 

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

(updated 8-29-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continued to fish both here and Lake Hamilton this week and saw little change from last week’s patterns. He says bass of all species are breaking early in the morning. A few may be caught on or near the surface, but most are feeding deeper. “Our best has been on a spoon and counting it down deep and pulling that spoon past the feeding fish through the thermocline.” 

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 8-29-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature is 64 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Entergy has scheduled 8-hour generation times during the week with special periods of flow on the weekends for downstream activities. Tailrace conditions are very good for this time of year as moss and grass growth has been kept at a minimum by the consistent flow of water from the dam. Rainbow trout fishing hit rock bottom with experienced guides recording zero catches around the dam to the bridge. This occurs every year around this time, but was forced earlier by the spring flooding that displaced thousands of trout downstream that never returned. Trout fishing will return to the area in November when the stocking schedule resumes for the fall season. 

Thousands of threadfin shad have migrated into the tailrace in huge schools. These baitfish are easily spotted as they congregate near the top of the water column. Striper and hybrid bass activity has been observed in the early morning times, which intensifies during times of generation. Anglers can catch numbers of fish casting topwater lures into areas of activity, such as Zara Spooks and Alabama rigs that closely match the size of the shad. Too large of a presentation is ignored and rarely produces results. 

Summertime fishing reports below Carpenter Dam usually resemble a broken record with the absence of rainbow trout and the walleye, crappie, white bass and catfish spawns complete. The doldrums of summer heat go on for months in Arkansas and it appears that a void is created in the area for catchable fish. There will be times where good numbers of white and hybrid bass feed near the dam due to the huge numbers of shad present, and anglers will have to be diligent in search for these fish as action is short-lived and sporadic. Big stripers move in and out of the tailrace seeking cooler water and forage and can be seen feeding below the bridge in deeper water in the main channel. Always wear a life jacket when on the water and remember to follow all park and boating regulations as law enforcement is present and checking for violations. 

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 8-29-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continues to fish both Lake Hamilton and DeGray Lake and says the fishing remains the same as it was last week. He says bass of all species are breaking early in the morning at both places. A few may be caught on or near the surface, but most are feeding deeper. The best results have “been on a spoon and counting it down deep and pulling that spoon past the feeding fish through the thermocline.”

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

(updated 8-15-2024) Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) reports that with the water very low from the Corps of Engineers drawdown — lake level was 10 feet below normal pool, or 337.4 feet msl on Thursday — only two ramps have any real accessibility, and of those, Carden Point is the access most being used. Anderson Access is on the more difficult side to access, they say. 

Despite that and the drawdown, fishing is still going well and anglers are still catching everything out there, they report. One angler caught his limit of crappie earlier this week while another had a mixed day, catching about nine. A female angler fishing for bass with a spinnerbait landed a large catfish in the process.

“Because it’s so low, catfish are biting on everything,” they say. 

Crappie are still biting really well, catfish are good and anglers are still catching plenty of bream. Most of Nimrod’s regular bass anglers are going up to Dardanelle these days rather than risk getting stuck trying to get their bass rig into Nimrod. One regular was catching some bass from the shoreline earlier this week, but they weren’t keepers.

There are some parts of the lake that are only about a foot deep. Boaters/anglers are urged to follow the buoys and “go slow!” One group boating recently got their craft stuck and needed a rescue from Carter Cove personnel.

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 8-29-2024) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are slow. Try a topwater bait near main lake and secondary points early or a Texas-rigged Ole Monster worm near brush after dark. Walleye are good and are being caught on nightcrawlers near structure with a drop-shot rig or jigging spoon. Stripers are being caught in the eastern portion of the lake. Bream are good and are being caught on perch-colored hand grenades in the 15- to 25-feet range. No reports on crappie. For catfish, try stink bait or cut bait on a rod-and-reel setup in the 15- to 25-feet range, especially near structure and brush. 

Water temperature is “hot,” Todd says. The clarity is clever. Lake level as of Wednesday afternoon was 572.65 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 8-29-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted Wednesday night on “The Wild Side” on KABZ, 103.7 The Buzz, that Lake Ouachita is 5.5 feet below full pool, (Lake) Greeson is minus 4, and Greers (Ferry Lake) is minus 2, DeGray (Lake) is minus 5, “so there we go. Nimrod (Lake) is minus 5. Holy cow. You can’t take 5 feet of water out of Nimrod and compare it to everything else … Nimrod is coming down for a reason. Everything else is above normal for this time of the year. Nimrod is coming down for a reason, they’ve got to work on the dam and work on the lake.
“If you are going to any lake other than Nimrod in our area, you’re still catching topwater fish in the morning, you’re catching topwater fish in the afternoon. Nimrod is a different creature, you’ve got to be able to, first of all, get your boat in the lake — that’s a completely different creature — and be able to catch fish.

“So, topwater bite in the morning on all of our lakes. The second thing is, all the championship tournaments, whether you’re fishing Tuesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday night, are coming up. Big Worm in the brushpiles, and the big Spider going through that same brushpile, is what’s winning every night tournament on all the area lakes.

“We’ve gotten enough rain that these lakes are still full. You’ve got to take advantage of a full pool during this time of year as it’s falling, as it’s going to for the next 30 days or so if we don’t get a hurricane that pumps a lot of water in. It’s buzzbait season, it’s topwater season. There’s a bunch of topwater fish being caught now.

“What’s you’ve also got to realize, too, it’s Kentucky bass (spotted bass) season. If you’ve ever done anything with crawfish or drop-shot season, this is it. August, September, October. A drop-shot or live crawfish with LiveScope is poison.” 

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 8-292024) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) says the season is wrapping up at Cook’s Lake, and they have not had many anglers fishing of late. The ones who have tried it have not done well at all. The water level is very low now.

The fishing season at Cook’s Lake will end this weekend (Aug. 30-31) before the lake is turned over to be waterfowl rest area for the remainder of the year.

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). Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. Before launching, please check in at the Nature Center classroom and report back before leaving. For more information, call the center at 501-404-2321.

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 8-22-2024) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports that fishing has slowed a bit, but folks are still catching catfish in deeper holes on all three area rivers — Arkansas, White and the Mighty Mississippi — on these hot summer days.
Hunters are getting ready for the new velvet deer hunt (Sept. 7-9 statewide on private land and AGFC-owned public lands). “Customers at the store are showing us a lot of good deer on their trail cam pictures. Farmers are harvesting, making the deer move as always during the fall season. We are seeing deer in places that we normally don’t. We’re hoping to have a good hunting season this year! Thanks to all our customers from Webb’s Sporting Goods!”

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