Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

September 12, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Desi (no last name provided) is all smiles as she needed no help (except maybe from guide Jeff Wallace of J&J Guide Service to hold this fish for the photo) to catch this nice 3-pound, 2-ounce rainbow trout on the White River near Calico Rock. They were recently fishing near Jenkins Fishing and Motel at Calico. Thanks to Jenkins’ Dave McCulley for sending the photo.

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 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 9-12-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that water generation is still the same as it’s been for a few weeks. The drop in air temperature for much of this week, before the remnants of the hurricane reached the state Thursday, also won’t affect the river fishing. The water temperature has remained constant and great for the trout. Anglers are catching both browns and rainbows in good numbers.

Flow on the river 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. 

(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!

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 9-12-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said Thursday the water level at Greers Ferry Lake has continued its fall and has reached 4.63 feet below normal pool, sitting at 457.91 feet msl. Outside of that, the fishing reports remains the same as it’s been for weeks: Fish schooling on top in different parts of the lake and rivers, and Southwestern Power Administration continues generating around 4-5 hours in afternoons, which helps with oxygenation in the lake as well as the river below. We are seeing somewhat of a turnover in our upper parts of main feeders, so stay away from the tainted water. Also with the cooling off, some fish will move shallower, but a lot of years some will go deeper for a while until it really gets cool.

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 have spent 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, 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 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. Most black bass are out or roaming shallow and schooling, while the loaners are shallow — 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.

(updated 9-12-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that while bass fishing has remained about the same as it’s been for a few weeks now, the drop in temperature has sparked a good crappie bite. Anglers have been catching crappie in about 15-25 feet in standing timber. They’re using either live minnows, including spider-rigging them, or using one-sixteenth-ounce gray hair jigs (something mimicking the shad) or either a blue/white or Monkey Milk color in a jig. The Monkey Milk color is especially hot here and in other crappie spots with its somewhat white with black flake and blue hue tone to it. Bobby Garland Baby Shad in Monkey Milk with a pink jighead – targeting about 25 feet depth in the tops of standing timber – has been a successful approach.
As for black bass, the topwater bite 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, 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. 

Greers Ferry Lake is more than 4 feet below pool, but the drop is typical for this time of year.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 9-12-2024) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said anglers tell them crappie appear to be slowly moving in now. One angler early Thursday morning caught at least a half-dozen nice-sized crappie fishing right off the shoreline. He was using minnows, which also were attracting hits from bass as well. The early morning was cold with the rain also coming in, they say.
On Wednesday, an anglers caught several nice-sized black bass early in the morning. The bass were in the 3- to 4-pound range, they report. These were caught right up near the big island in the middle of the lake, which is near the deepest water.

Last weekend brought out some catfish anglers looking to catch some fish on noodles with baby bream as bait. They were successful with several “pretty nice catfish” on their stringer.

Bream these days are slow and/or smallish. The bream being caught work better as bait for the catfish. 

The water is somewhat muddy as of Thursday and is low with lots of visible stumps. Boating is not affected, however. The surface temperature of the water Thursday was 75 degrees.

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 9-5-2024) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) has fished Brewer as recently as two weeks ago and said it has been fishing about the same as Lake Maumelle (see report below), but during his last visit during a warming trend throughout the state, the water was running 88-89 degrees. It likely has cooled some since then. But at that time, crappie were on brush in 18-22 feet of water. Smaller profiles was key to fishing and are typically key when water is that warm. Eric likes Bobby Garland Itty Bit-type baits for warmer water crappie fishing. As the water cools down, he suggests upgrading to a Baby Shad and using natural colors like Monkey Milk or the something bright like a black/chartreuse or white/chartreuse jig. “Anything that really, really shines,” he said. 

Lake Maumelle
(update 9-12-2024) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) says that thanks to cooler air temps last weekend the lake turnover has begun. Water temps are hovering around 77-78 degrees. Water clarity is stained across the lake. Crappie are hanging tight to cover in the 20-26 feet depth range. Bite has been really good when you find the right fish. 

“As I always preach, ‘Presentation is key!’ We’re still finding great success with Bobby Garland Itty Bit Slab Hunt’Rs starting with the most natural colors. We’ve caught a ton of really healthy bluegill off crappie ‘piles’, along with several quality spotted and largemouth bass. We’ve even run into massive schools of white bass looking for anything to chew. It’s a wonderful time to get out on the water! Give me a shout at 501-548-8990 or book your trip with Natural State Fishing online at www.nsfguide.com.”

(updated 9-12-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported Thursday the water temperature has dropped some to 78-80 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair. They can be found shallow in the mornings in 2-5 feet of water, with some breaking but not staying up long. Others are being found deeper and scattered anywhere from 15-20 feet. Try points and drop-offs. Drop-shots, Texas-rigged worms, topwater lures, jigs and crankbaits are suggested. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are fair. Reports of them being found on drop-offs in 15-20 feet. Drop-shots and jigs are best. Crappie are good. Anglers report crappie being found suspended around brush anywhere from 18-23 feet. Use jigs or minnows. Bream are slow but can be found on beds still, around 10-15 feet. Crickets, worms and drop-shots are working. No reports on white bass or catfish. Try twister tails to pick up some white bass; bream, liver and worms are best now for catfish.

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

Little Maumelle River
(update 9-12-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said that fishing had been going well up until the rainfall reaching central Arkansas on Thursday. A few anglers had been steadily bass fishing with success this week. The same baits seem to still be working. Most anglers are catching bass on topwater lures. The best choice now appears to be a Rebel Pop-R. A crankbait also will get the bass’ attention. Anything bream-colored is best now, Ray says — chartreuse and orange, multicolored type cranks. Try one that has chartreuse on the back and an orange belly and see if that gets a hit.

Another couple of anglers were getting nice bites from crappie; one angler had 11 nice-sized crappie this week and indicated that the crappie were beginning to turn on. Minnows were the bait of choice.

Not much was heard on catfish, but Ray said he “knows you can catch them.” Hot dogs have been a good bait on the river, as well as chicken liver. “The main thing has been the bass and crappie.”

Ray said the marina had seen only about a half-inch of rain by Thursday midafternoon. “Unless a lot more moves in, it won’t hurt the river. It’s mostly been a sprinkle all day. It ought to be a pretty good week for fishing after this.”

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 9-12-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that the rain may affect some fishing in the next day or so, but not that much. Temperature drops in the morning this week also have not changing the fishing patterns. It’s a song on repeat on the river.

The topwater bite for black bass has been doing really well, especially for anglers throwing a bone-colored Zara Spook or a small, compact buzzbait in black or white. 

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) will go for stink bait and nightcrawlers.
The water has a stained clarity. The level is about normal, and there is a little flow but not much.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 9-12-2024) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said fishing has been slow. Anglers are catching some crappie when they locate some of the stumps — the water level is low but the stumps are not showing. “They’re not far under there, but they’re not showing yet,” she said. Jigs and minnows are both working, but she had no specifics on jig colors. Also, catfish are being caught on hot dogs and liver.

It had been raining all day Thursday and she said run-off was dirtying up the water. Right now it’s dingy, she said.

White River
(updated 9-12-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said autumn is getting closer — there’s a little nip in the air some mornings. Perfect weather for float fishing on the White: cool mornings, warm afternoons and lots of trout to tease your hook. Bull Shoals Lake is below power pool now, so generation remains low: minimum flow (700 cfs) during the day, with increased releases in evening for a few hours. The lake level is currently 654.96 feet msl, 6 feet lower than normal pool. 

The rainbow catch has been fabulous: They’re snapping up the shrimp and egg combo, and we’re continuing to see success with bubblegum pink worms and mouse tails. Good sizes among the catch, too, measuring 16 inches or above. Artificial bait recommendations: spoons and spinners for this low water. Gold Cleos are a staple on the White, and a gold or silver Blue Fox is a good choice. This is a great time for jig fishing, too. Olive or crawdad-olive/orange jigs are on order this week.
Keep a variety of live bait on board for the browns. Sculpins, redfin minnows and crawdad tails deliver well. Baits should be kept close to the bottom and to the sides of the main channel, or a deep hole for the browns.
“Cooler temperatures surprised us this week; it’s time to add a layer or two in the early morning hours and prepare for warm afternoons. Thanks for sharing our love of the north Arkansas Ozarks in The Natural State. Drop in when you visit Cotter.”

(updated 9-12-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “Late last week we once again saw higher and dingier water in the morning, with the water then dropping and clearing throughout the day. With the cooler temperatures, starting Sunday we saw very low and clear water, which continued through Wednesday. During the times of higher and dingy water, drift-fishing with silver inline spinners with Uncommon Bait UV Neo Pink eggs and shrimp worked well. During the days with the very low and clear water, quarter-ounce Thomas Colorado Spoons in nickel/gold or red/copper resulted in some nice limits of rainbow trout. Additionally, Rapala CD5 Countdowns in rainbow or brown trout colors worked well. 

The AGFC maintenance crews took advantage of the low water to put in gravel at the end of the boat ramp to reduce the drop-off at the end of the ramp. This should make it easier to launch boats during times of low water.

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 9-12-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said the lake level is still dropping slightly each day and is around 654 feet msl. Water temperature Wednesday morning at 79 degrees, a 4-degree drop from this time last week. The water has some algae floating up here and there. Bass fishing has been fair, typical fall fishing. Pretty good numbers of spotted bass, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are setup on late summer areas and patterns. The thermocline is set up around 35 feet. Shad are spread out from the back of the creek out to the main lake. They are starting to move in with shorter days. Check mouths of creeks, long points, ledges, drop-offs and channel swings as well as treetops that are close to deep water. The bite will definitely slow down if it’s flat bluebird sunny, and they will get fired up with wind/rain and generators running.
A smaller Flutter Spoon will fool a few. Smaller baits have helped. 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 spot. These fish have been educated all summer to fire; 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 30-35 feet range. Fall junk. Fishing is about to start; can’t wait to wear out a buzzbait! Remember: 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 9-12-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the walleye fishing has slowed down a good bit this past week with the cooler weather passing through. The thermocline seems to be compressing and is holding at 35-40 feet. The best luck I have had this past week has been drop-shotting night crawlers or Robo Worms around points with brush. Scan points on both sides and tips by zigzagging in 25-40 feet to find fish. Try to fish when they are moving water through the dam; that seems to help the bite.

Pulling nightcrawler harnesses in 27-38 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 is still catching fish but it’s slowing down. Fishing with 1.5 Smile Butterfly Blades in gold or orange and chartreuse with an orange bead patterns has caught a few this week. You can still use a No. 4 split shot and #No. 2 Aberdeen hook and a nightcrawler worked slowly around groups of fish or on deeper sides of brushpiles, to catch some, especially when fishing is slow. 

Spooning with a three-quarter-ounce white spoon in water off main lake points in 30-40 feet 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 9-12-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says the crappie bite has been fairly tough for the most part. 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 9-12-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake remained in the 1,116.23 feet msl range, which hadn’t changed much this last week. Big news was record cold morning temperatures the last couple days. This has jumpstarted the annual turnover process. If you live in Northwest Arkansas you’re beginning to taste the water. This is a great indicator that some things are changing. Also, fishing up in either river arm you can see the bubbles and the algae coming to the surface. 

What this means is the fishing will get tough for a few weeks and then will progressively get better into October.
Stripers have slowed a bit but they have been on fire all summer. Look for fish from Point 6 up to the dam. If you can manage to get live shad, that’s the best bait choice with brood minnows and bluegill working also.
Walleye have been caught around the islands at Prairie Creek and around the humps out front of Rocky Branch. At this time, crawler harnesses are working, and this will hold up for another couple of weeks.
Crappie are being found on brush in the 15- to 25-feet depths and can also be caught trolling. Black bass are still coming up to the top throughout the day. Make sure you have some type of topwater lure tied on so when they boil up, you’re ready.
So, basically the water has dropped into the mid- to low 70s and the start of the turnover has commenced. Good fall fishing is close by, my friends. 

Stay safe and Good Luck!
Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 9-12-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said this past week, “we have been doing really good on the tailwater. It seems the Army Corps of Engineers is generating mostly during the late evening, with the water temperatures being in the low 50s by noon. Actually, for the past two weeks, we have been pulling some bigger trout, 16 inches or more. Quarter-ounce spoons and light terminal tackle with Fire Bait fished on bottom, along with trolling hard baits, have produced nice numbers. The bigger fish are hanging in the deeper waters, with the slots and under, primarily in the shallow water.

“If you notice the color of the fish are a little more vibrant, it is getting close to the fall spawn. During that time, you want to focus your attention on the flats. With the awesome weather the past few days, it has made for some very nice fishing. I hope you 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 9-12-2024) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says bass and crappie were both biting. Bass were good on a spinnerbait. Crappie were fair on worms. 

Lake Charles
(updated 9-12-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said fishing was fair for most species this week, but crappie didn’t provide any reports from anglers over the weekend. The water dropped 5 degrees again from Sunday to Sunday and was 74.4 degrees Sunday morning.

Bream are fair on worms, jigs and crickets. Black bass are being found shallow and are biting fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and bladed jigs. Make sure to focus on brush or rock points. Catfish are fair on worms and chicken liver. No reports on white bass.

Water level is normal and the clarity is the usual murky. Shelly says the moon times are forecasting this Saturday through Sept. 20 as good fishing days.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 8-1-2024) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park said had no new reports. Bass and crappie continue to be catch-and-release at Lake Poinsett.

Spring River
(updated 9-5-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are low at 310 cfs and water clarity is clear. “River looks great with great clarity. Storms moving through can change conditions at any time.
“The trout have been hitting great. Lots of stockers in the river making for fun times and a great time to teach. After this month, stocking will be reduced for the winter season. This will make for slower catching, but will give us a chance to chase the big holdovers in the river. Winter can be a great time to chase the smallies, too.

The trout have been hitting great on Woollies and nymphs on good days, pink worms and Y2Ks on the tougher days, or just drop a tiny nymph down to the bottom. Use hot pink Trout Magnets right off the bottom for spin-fishing. A trout crank in rainbow or brown trout colors will sometimes get a big ol’ walleye to bite. They like eating the rainbow stockers. Lots of stockers out there right now, and I hope they get in the river system. Catch-and-release works and would make for bigger fish in the river, but I didn’t see that much this summer. We only catch-and-release! There is a limit of one fish over 14 inches, but they’ve got to get to that size first.
“The smallies have been hitting great this summer with the heat. The smallmouth bass are all up and down the Spring River, you’ve just got to fish for them. Big Woollies fished deep on the bottom work; I even had a client that fished his big olive zonked fly below an indicator and he wore them out. A D2 jig below a float works well — they are there but you have to fish for them! Safely catch and release all smallmouth bass; that’s the only way to keep big smallies in the river!
“Cool weather ahead, and it looks like a great fall and winter season coming up. Get ready, it’s coming!”
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.

(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 9-12-2024) Claire Humes at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said anglers on Sunday reported using crickets on the exterior period for anything. Nightcrawlers were the choice of anglers who were fishing the interior period on Tuesday. They were fishing for bass and crappie.

Lake Monticello
(updated 9-12-2024) 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 9-5-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said, “What a difference a cold front makes! My guides tell me not a lot has changed, but water temperatures are beginning to come down considerably over the last couple of weeks, and bass activity on surface shad continues to be good. I have been on vacation, and will be for most of the month of September, and not on the lake. However, my guides and associates are keeping me abreast of changing conditions daily. Clarity continues improving and water temps continue falling.”
Millwood’s elevation is stable during the Army Corps of Engineers’ 2-foot drawdown of the lake, and the dam is releasing about 162 cfs; the tailwater is holding near 224 feet. Mike urges boaters to use extreme caution while navigating Millwood during the drawdown conditions. Underwater hazards, stumps and obstacles will be at or near the surface, especially in the boat lanes along the river and main lake.

Surface temperature is stable and ranging 78 degrees early to 85 degrees later in the day along Little River.
The Corps’ drawdown is for planting millet for migrating waterfowl and improving shoreline vegetation, as well as to promote sediment compaction. The planting of millet improves water quality, increases fish production and provides habitat for ducks and other waterfowl this winter. The Corps plans to raise the lake pool 6 inches on Sept. 13 and then will be raised Nov. 1 to the top of the normal conservation pool.
Mike had these reports passed along to him from his guides in recent days:
* With a cold front helping lower the water temperature, groups of adolescent largemouths have been schooling in the mornings along various locations in Little River. The best bite of the day over the past few weeks continues to be from dawn to around 9 a.m., but random schools of largemouths and spotted bass (Kentucky bass) can begin surface breaking on threadfin shad at any given moment all morning long. “We thought the schooling was done last week around 9:30 a.m., and around an hour later they fired up again near the mouth of Jack’s Isle, busting and chasing shad. The mouths of creeks dumping into Little River are where we are seeing the most aggressive surface-schooling activities and are holding nice groups. For the past few weeks, bass have been active early up to 2-4 pounds on topwaters — and cloud cover mornings still see the best activity. Feeding activity levels have improved with the recent decrease of surface temperatures in the mid- to low 80-degree range during the mornings. 

There were numerous sections all along Little River this week from around 7-9 a.m. where white bass, largemouth bass and spotted bass were schooling and surface-breaking on threadfin shad from Jack’s Isle up Little River to Hurricane Creek. In another section, 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. Rat-L-Trap Hammer Traps in Millwood Magic or Chrome Blue, Spin Trap Rat-L-Traps with a tail spinner in chrome/blue, Kastmaster Spoons, Smithwick Rogues and Brazalo Custom Lures Swim Jigs in Shad Cracker color, as well as the Wee-Whacker Buzzbaits with a creature trailer in shad colors all were getting the better reactions.

* White bass were schooling along Little River with the largemouths during the early mornings this week, and they continue hitting vertical-jigged half-ounce Slab Spoons and Rat-L-Traps 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. With the drawdown in effect, many white bass are found in close proximity to the Kentucky and largemouth bass, all feeding on threadfin shad.
Three-quarter-ounce Cordell Hammered Spoons, Kastmaster chrome/blue spoons with white bucktails, or Bomber Fat Free Fry and Guppys, Fingerling Crankbaits and Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits in Citrus Shad, Tennessee Shad or Millwood Magic colors will draw reactions from white bass. Little George’s, Rocket Shads and red/white Rooster Tails also continue working.
* Crappie continue to bite well from daylight to around noon with water clarity improving in many locations. Planted brushpiles in Horseshoe, Bee Lake, Millwood State Park or along Little River, with the reduced current, are holding nice schools of slab crappie. The crappie are best using minnows one day, and jigs the next, or jigs tipped with a minnow, in planted brush piles at 12-18 feet of depth. Best colors for jigs and tube jigs over the past few weeks have been Houdini, Monkey Milk and Electric Chicken. Cordell smoke-colored grubs with a chartreuse tip tail on a light wire jig head 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-quarter- to 1-pound range over the past several weeks by shoreline anglers at Millwood State Park and Jack’s Isle. Crickets, redworms and minnows, were working best over the past several weeks.
* 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.

(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 9-15-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) had no new reports from DeGray.

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 9-12-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature is 63 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. This environment changes completely with the influx of rainbow trout in November. Weeks and months go by without quality action of any kind occurring, but adding thousands of catchable trout creates a situation where anglers can be successful.

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.

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 9-12-2024) Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) reports that the Corps of Engineers drawdown continues and the lake level is being held at 10 feet below normal pool, or 337 feet msl — leaving only two ramps with 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. 

In their most recent report, they said that despite the drawdown, fishing was still going well and anglers are still catching crappie and catfish. The drawdown seems to have brought more catfish into play and they have been active for several weeks.

Some parts of the lake that are only about a foot deep. Boaters/anglers are urged to follow the buoys and “go slow!” 

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 9-12-2024) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are fair. Continue trying your topwater bait early and big Texas-rigged worms. Walleye are still good and being caught on nightcrawlers near structure with a drop-shot rig or Texas rig. No reports on stripers. Bream are still good and being caught on perch-colored hand grenades in the 15- to 25-foot range. No reports on crappie. For catfish, try stink bait or cut bait on a rod-and-reel setup in the 15- to 25-foot range.

Water temperature is in the 78-82 degree range. The water clarity is clear. Lake level is at 572.14 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 9-12-2024) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) says fishing has concluded at Cooks Lake for the season. 

Will says they hope “to reopen in the spring when the water level allows. Hopefully the fishing will be much better next season.” The lake from this point will serve as a waterfowl rest area for migrating birds until fishing resumes in 2025.

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. Call 501-404-2321 for more information.

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