Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

October 3, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

James Clinghan, who has graced this page and our emailed Weekly Fishing Report Newsletter in the past with some of his fishing photos, sent us this of his stepson catching one of several nice fish while taking on the Arkansas River’s Tar Camp Pool between Little Rock and Pine Bluff. This one is a nice spotted bass. James says the youngster has not gone fishing much, but after this outing “he’s definitely hooked.”

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

NOTE: For anglers using the privately owned Beaverfork Lake in Faulkner County, especially with Lake Conway being drawn down for renovation, according to the Conway Parks and Recreation Dept. they began their every-five-year winter drawdown of Beaverfork this past Monday. This routine maintenance is done to allow landowners to do maintenance to their piers, boathouses and shorelines. Although the ramps will eventually be unusable, a primitive ramp at the end of Volleyball Point provides a way to launch smaller boats. They will resume refilling the lake Jan. 1.

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 10-3-2024) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said anglers have been stopping in there and heading on to Lake Overcup or Beaverfork Lake. They were buying redworms and minnows for bream and crappie. “Around (Lake Conway), the fishing has pretty much died down unless they go to the (Lake Conway) Nursery Pond. We’re selling minnows worms and crickets for those folks, and they’re catching mostly catfish and bream. We hear the Arkansas River has been good for bass fishing. We’re selling spinnerbaits and soft plastic worms for those anglers.”

Anyone venturing out to what are little fishing holes on Lake Conway, due to its drawdown for renovation, most recently were catching plenty of catfish on nightcrawlers.

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 planned 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 10-3-2024) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said Thursday the generation schedule on the Little Red River has been holding steady for the past month. During the week, Southwestern Power Administration typically runs two generators starting around 3 p.m. and shutting off between 7-9 p.m. On weekends, we’re seeing minimal or no water releases.
The fishing has been solid along the river, with the best action coming in the early mornings as the water level falls from the previous evening’s generation. Streamer fishing has been particularly effective in the mornings when the higher water is still dropping. Smaller articulated flies have been performing well.

As the water drops out we have been switching to the nymph rigs — and drift-fishing from the boat.
For flies, the hot picks right now include Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears and Midges. So, if you’re heading out, be sure to have these in your box!

(updated 9-19-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that there is not a lot of flow going through the river, so you’re going to encounter low water conditions most of the time. What they are hearing from the anglers on the Little Red is that Rapala Countdowns are providing the most success for both rainbows and browns. A few customers have been buying Marabou Jigs.

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 10-3-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level is at 456.07 feet msl, which is almost exactly where it was this time a week ago — more than 5½ feet below normal pool. Little else has changed with the lake or the fishing. Fish are still schooling on top basically all over every bit of the lake now. Power generation has somewhat remained steady now other than some weekends, with the Southwestern Power Administration 4-5 hours in afternoons, which helps with oxygenation in the lake and the river below. We are seeing somewhat of a turnover in our upper parts of main feeders, so stay away from stained water. Also with the cooling off, some fish will move shallower but a lot of years we’ve seen some that will go deeper for a while until it really gets cool.

Crappie are still super shallow and out to 30 feet. Use jigs, minnows or crankbaits. A lot of fish migrated to cooler areas in timber where there is bait. Fishing straight up and down is a must when fishing for crappie.

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. Most bream are 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 loners 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 9-19-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that bass, and specifically the smallmouth bass, are biting close to the dam off bluff walls. Anglers are using drop-shots and Carolina rigs with success.

And, pretty much around all of the lake but more specifically on the higher end above the Narrows, the largemouth bass are biting well on jerkbaits in shad colors. A lot of that jerkbait bite is coming off secondary points or main lake points as the bass are starting to move back with this recent cooler weather.

Bass are also biting pretty well on the tributaries leading into the main lake. Fish for those with really of your favorite bass lures, but big spoons and single smaller swimbaits on a jighead have been working for their anglers.

Some anglers are catching a few walleye. The catches are going to be more focused near main lake points but still pretty far off those points. A lot of anglers are “looking at them on the screen” and then drop-shotting with a nightcrawler to pick some up. A few other anglers are throwing some really deep-diving jerkbaits when they are trolling over those main lake points to pick up a walleye or two.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 10-3-2024) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) had no new reports.

Lake Overcup
(updated 9-19-2024) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said the water level is about 1 foot below normal. Clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 85 degrees. Bream are starting to slow down but are being caught on crickets and redworms. Black bass are doing well, feeding on shad early morning and late evening.
Catfish are doing well on trotlines and jugs. Crappie are doing well in 12-14 feet of water using jigs and minnows. Hopefully it will be picking up with cooler weather coming.

Lake Maumelle
(update 9-26-2024) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) says there aren’t many major changes in Lake Maumelle fishing lately. Crappie are still hanging on or near brush in 20-26 feet of water. Water temperature ranges 77-82 degrees depending on the day.

Standard bait profiles are performing great. Try Bobby Garland Baby Shad, Live Roam’R and Slab SlayR’s in your favorite colors. Also try original Crappie Magnets. Presentation is key. Anticipate crappie suspending away from brush as water temps drop below 75 degrees.

The fall feast will begin any day now! Book your trip with Natural State Fishing today.

(updated 10-3-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported Thursday that water temperature is ranging 75-78 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair. They can still be found shallow in the mornings at 2-5 feet depth with some breaking but not staying up long. Others are being found deeper and scattered around brush anywhere from 10-20 feet. Try points and drop-offs. Try using drop-shots, Texas-rigged worms, topwater baits, jigs and crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are good. Reports of them being found on drop-offs in 15-20 feet of water. Drop-shots and jigs are working for those.
The Arkansas High School Basser Tournament was held last Saturday (Sept. 28) out of WestRock. Jacob Burkhead and John Klanchar caught a 5-bass stringer of 20.33 pounds, including the Big Bass of 5.14 pounds, to win. Daniel Romine and Remington Porter were second with 12.37 pounds.

Crappie are fair. Reports of crappie being found suspended around brush anywhere from 18-23 feet. Try using jigs and minnows. Bream are slow but can be found around brush piles 10-15 feet. Try using crickets, worms and drop-shots.
Neither white bass nor catfish have been reported for several weeks. This time of the year, twister tails might pick up some white bass, while bream, liver and worms would be best to hook a 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 9-19-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is back to normal, is clever and is in “really good shape for fishing.” One group of anglers caught quite a few nice black bass earlier this week and followed that up the next day by catching 10-12 crappie. The crappie appear to be picking up, Ray said.

Bass are still biting on topwater lures and crankbaits. Crappie can be caught on minnows.

He’s heard nothing on bream this week. Catfish will bite the usual hot dogs and liver.

Ray mentioned last week that a crankbait or anything bream-colored is best at getting the bass’ attention. Throw something chartreuse and orange, or some multicolored-type crank. Try one that has chartreuse on the back and an orange belly and see if that gets a response.

The muddied up water from last week after some rain is long gone. Now’s the time to enjoy perfect water on the Little Maumelle.

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 9-19-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that the bass are still biting on the main channel. You’ll pick some up with square bills fished on the jetties, as well as with drop-shots and finesse jigs on those jetties. With weather starting to change and grow cooler, a lot of fish are starting to head back to the backwater. You can catch them in the backwater around grass or wood with buzzbaits and swim jigs.

Crappie have been good around the rock piles around entrances into the backwater, as well as around the rock piles just off jetties in the main river. Best approach to catch them would be by throwing a green and chartreuse Crappie Magnet with a 1/16-ounce jighead.

Flow has been pretty slow of late, around 15,000-30,000 cfs.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 9-19-2024) 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 the run-off was dirtying up the water. Right now it’s dingy, she said.

White River
(updated 10-3-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said Bull Shoals Lake is now below the desired power pool while minimum generation continues. Bull Shoals Lake is approaching 652.72 feet mls, almost 7 feet below the fall pool elevation of 659 feet mls. The current generation schedule continues to follow the pattern we’ve seen: minimum flow in the mornings (700 cfs), increasing to over four units (12,000 cfs) in the late afternoon. The morning temperatures have been blessedly cool – low 50s, blue skies – ushering in warmer afternoon temps.

Our anglers have been nabbing lots of 12- to 13-inch rainbows – best if you decide to keep any, and absolutely perfect for lots of action and making forever memories. Shrimp and PowerBait are a must in your bait bucket, but many guides say you can’t beat the real thing and they pack in river minnows for their days on the river. Deeper water in the afternoon means more drift-fishing with limited wading opportunities, but the trout love lots of water and bubbles. Look for structures on the riverbed that create oxygen (bubbly waters) and you’ll find a hangout for trout.

We’ve had some ups and downs this week. The brown bite has slowed some but it’s still pretty spectacular for this time of year. They’ve shown up for sculpins, minnows, crawdads, shad and even the pink mouse tail worms – not always trophy size, but healthy, fighting browns that make your heart race while you’re waiting to see just how big that fish is on the end of your line. Keep fishing!

(updated 10-3-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “During some days we are seeing varying water depths of 3-6 feet and other days with depths of 2-3 feet. In the mornings when we are at the lowest, many fishermen will try to ‘ride the rise’ as the water comes in. When the water starts to rise, the trout bite better. Once the rise has gone by, the bite will slow down for a while until the trout get ‘acclimated’ to the new conditions. If the rise has already gone by and if the water is dingy, it hasn’t been uncommon for boats to leave Calico Rock and run upriver a few miles to Red’s Landing to find cleaner water and fish back to and through Calico Rock following the dropping water.
“No matter the depths, drift-fishing with Uncommon Bait UV Eggs with shrimp or red wiggler worms worked well. When the water was dingy, adding a silver inline spinner added the extra flash to get the attention of the trout. Fishing the deeper holes with deeper diving Shad Rap size 5 lures in shad or orange crawdad colors worked.

“As the water drops in the afternoon, using quarter-ounce Colorado spoons with nickel/gold or copper/gold or Bouyant rainbow trout- or brown trout-colored spoons work well while fishing the gravel bars. Size 7 Rapala Countdowns in rainbow trout or brown trout colors worked well. During lower water, throwing quarter-ounce spoons or baits similar to a Rooster Tail worked exceptionally well.

“Fall is not far away and many people will shifting their focus to hunting, but don’t forget about trout fishing. There are plenty of fish in the river.”

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 10-3-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said the lake level is 652 feet msl, and the water temperature is 75 degrees “give or take.” He reports that the Corps of Engineers has not been running much water.
“Heads up,” he adds, “Bass ‘junk fishing’ has started. It has been fair, typical fall fishing. Pretty good when they move up during the lowlight generation or a front is moving in. Lots of bass still set up on late summer areas and patterns. It takes a while for this drink to cool down.
“Shad are spread out from the back off the creeks out to the main lake. There are shad sitting high on the surface; however, topwater has been hit or miss. A smaller popper or smaller walk-the-dog will work. Match the hatch.
“A lot of the dirty backwaters have shad but are bubbling or turning over. If we get the right powerfishing conditions, those fish will eat a Chatterbait, square bill. crankbait. I’ll use a buzzbait or Plopper if it’s windy, using shad colors. If it’s sunny and flat I’m going to check main lake mouths of creeks, on long points, ledges, piles, drop-offs and bluff ends (as well as) treetops that are close to deep water and shad is nearby. There are schools chasing shad balls but they are cruising fast. For this, a Flutter Spoon, Tater Shad or small, heavy swimbait that will fool a few. You better be a good front-looker — having to hit them on the move isn’t easy.”
“Start looking toward where shad are headed. Overall, smaller baits have helped. It’s fall and the fish can be stubborn. For me, a drop-shot has been good when it’s tough conditions. So, if you find them and get one or two to bite, you might as well go to the next spot. You can still catch them off points and piles with a big worm or small Jewel Jig in green pumpkin variants, PB&J, or a tube or a shaky head.
“Welcome to fall fishing. Catch one on the surface down to 45 feet. Keep your boat out for deep long casts. 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 10-3-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) say the walleye fishing has been a little better this week. Fishing patterns are still the same as last week, just a little deeper.
“The best luck I have had this past week has still been a drop-shot rig and nightcrawler or a Robo Worm around points with brush or trees close by. Walleye seem to be moving deeper. Scan points on both sides and tips by zigzagging in 35-55 feet to find fish. You can still just use a Carolina rig with No. 1 or 2 egg sinker and No. 2 Aberdeen hook and nightcrawler worked slowly around groups of fish on the deeper sides of brushpiles. This will catch some, especially when fishing is slow. Spooning with a 1-ounce white spoon or any type of glide minnow or Ice Jig in water off main lake points or secondary points in 35-55 feet will also get you some fish.
“With the water cooling off there should be a late evening jerkbait bite about to start up soon.”

(updated 10-3-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are still on brush in the creeks and they found a few on main lake. Better fish are still on the deeper stuff. Spend 10 minutes and if you’re not getting bit, don’t be afraid to keep moving. A 1/16-ounce or eighth-ounce jig works some days and, of course, minnows. Mood seems to change depending on the days, but should get better as the water temperature cools down!

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 10-3-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake level remained in the 1,114 feet msl range this last week. Water temps are in lower 70s. We are trying to get that lake temperature down in upper 60s and that usually is the magic fall water temps. With this warm streak and lake of rain it is having is hard time dropping fast.
Stripers are still good in summer pattern areas which basically is from Prairie Creek down to the dam. Live bait, which is the go-to, has not changed and probably never will. Shad and brood minnows trolled slowly will put some fish in the boat.
Crappie are still suspended and are being caught with trolled cranks and targeted with forward-facing sonar. Also they have been moving to brush and structure in the 10 to 20 feet range. It seems like mid-lake the bite is better than in the river arms. That will change with cooler water temps as the river arms will pick up once the lake hits in 60s.
Walleye are scattered which also is typical for this time of the year. Lately fish have been located in the 30 to 35 feet levels. Look for humps /flats adjacent to deeper channels to find walleye. You can still catch them on crawler harnesses and trolled cranks. Areas to look at are Beaver Shores and the flats around the islands near Prairie Creek.
Catfish are there for the taking. “The weather is nice, so get out and enjoy the lake. Good luck!”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 10-3-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said Wednesday, “There has been no change in the fishing this week. Like I said last week, fall is here, and you know what that means: Not only do we get cooler weather, but we also get another shot at the walleye. Even though there will not be spawn numbers in the tailwater, there will be some nice ones to be had.”
Troll in 8-14 feet of water, or work a jerkbait around drop-offs, chunk rock and inside bends. Adding a little bit of Walleye Fire Gel to your hard baits never hurts, either.
The trout are getting ready for their fall spawn, so they will be on the chew for quite some time. Fishing light terminal tackle with Fire Bait or Fire Eggs has been our go-to method — as well as casting quarter-ounce spoons, along with Rooster Tails. You want to focus between the U.S. Highway 62 bridge and Houseman Access. Don’t be afraid to fish the afternoon hours as well.

“If the Corps of Engineers is generating, drifting Fire Worms and Fire Minnows has been putting a lot of fish in the boat. Don’t forget to check out my Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) for weekly updates. I hope you’re able to get out, enjoy the weather and catch some fish!”

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 10-3-2024) 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 10-3-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said lake temperature continued to tumble over the last week, dropping to 71.2 degrees on Sunday, and fish reacted well to the changes. Bream and crappie both returned to biting this last week, black bass were OK and catfish were good. Shelly said fishing overall picked up a bit over the weekend with reports of small fish being caught from the shoreline. The water level remains up but is definitely cooling.

Bream are fair on worms, crickets and jigs. Crappie were eager to bite minnows, with fair catches reported. Black bass were favoring topwater baits, soft plastic worms and minnows. Best action was found around rocky points. Catfish are best on cut bait, stink bait and minnows. There were no reports on white bass.
“Moon times” call for best fishing through Saturday, Shelly said. Look for good days, based on “moon times,” Oct. 14-20. No matter the bite, Lake Charles and the State Park are beautiful to visit in October.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 10-3-2024) 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 10-3-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are at 250 cfs, and water clarity has been clear. Starting last week and going through the first week of October, a work crew has begun work on removing mud and dirt from the lake above Dam No. 1 in Mammoth Spring. So far, most of the mud and dirt is getting washed downstream, making the upper few miles of the Spring River muddy and poor clarity. “Videos of the process can be seen on our blog on our website linked above. Definitely a mess. Below Dam 3 the debris settles enough to get back to catching.
“With the current river conditions, hot pink worms and Y2Ks can work well. Still using big Woollies to chase the bigger trout and smallmouth bass. The river is really low and we need more rain to get levels up. Still warm out; a good cold snap will get the big fish moving! Just waiting on that first frost to kick off the fall season.”

Refer to Mark’s blog for the latest river conditions on the Spring River on his website linked above when heading out.

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 10-3-2024) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no new reports. Most recently, though, they reported that black bass had slid out to the outer edges and points of jetties, especially if wind was pushing on or across those points. Anglers should 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 have been 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.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 10-3-2024) Teresa Atchley at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said that last weekend, anglers caught eight crappie on worms. This week, they report seeing little fishing activity as well as little response from the few anglers who are getting out.

Lake Monticello
(updated 10-3-2024) Anglers are reminded that if they venture out for some fishing on Lake Monticello 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 nice-sided black 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 10-3-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District, continues its drawdown on Millwood Lake to plant millet for ducks, to improve shoreline vegetation, and to promote sediment compaction. For more information, contact the Millwood Project Office at 870-898-3343. Millwood elevation is about 16 inches below the normal pool, at 257.9 feet msl, and Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 1,700 cfs and tailwater is near 227 feet and falling. The drawdown is scheduled to conclude on Nov. 1.
Millwood State Park boat ramps were closed last week and this week while the AGFC battles invasive grasses. Southwest regional AGFC fisheries biologists recently discovered Cuban bulrush, an invasive plant species, located within the Millwood State Park cove. It has additionally been found at Yarborough Landing boat dock and boat ramps. The AGFC, Millwood U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Millwood State Park are all working collaboratively to reduce the risk of spreading this invasive plant elsewhere within Millwood Lake and other lakes throughout Arkansas. In order to do so, both boat ramps at Millwood State Park will be temporarily closed. A containment boom will also be placed across the cove to prevent traffic in the area and keep the plant from drifting elsewhere throughout the lake. Herbicide will be applied where Cuban bulrush is observed, and it’s hoped that the boat ramps will reopen after the vegetation has been given several weeks to expire. Please avoid this area until access has been reopened.

The biggest changes on Millwood the last couple of weeks have been clarity and water temperature dropping. “I am back from vacation, and I notice surface clarity has been heavily stained with the recent thunderstorms and high winds, and the river was muddy but is slowly improving in clarity. Cold fronts coming through continue dropping water temps over the past few weeks.”
Mike urges boaters and anglers to use extreme caution in navigating Millwood Lake and Little River during drawdown conditions. Underwater hazards, stumps and obstacles will be at or near the water surface, especially in the boat lanes along the river and main lake.

Surface temperature continue dropping and this week has been ranging 68 degrees early to 80 degrees later in the day along Little River.

Mike had these specifics on the fishing:

* “Well, I am back off vacation, and I love how these fall-like weather fronts and nighttime lows are dropping the water temperature. These types of weather patterns are my favorite time of year to get the bass and crappie all excited that winter is approaching and it is time to feed up. Bass continue schooling in Little River at numerous locations, and it is a wonderful time of year to fish, to take a kid fishing, and to be alive.

The biggest changes over the past few weeks continues to be the cooler weather and river temperature for largemouth bass. The best bite of the day for the past couple weeks can literally be an explosion of activity on threadfin shad at any point and time of the day. The mouths of creeks dumping into Little River are where the largemouth, spotted bass and white bass collectively have been following shad, from 8-10 feet across creek channel points dumping into Little River to 10-15 feet deep in the center of the creek channel mouth, which is holding numerous groups of different age classes. For the past few weeks, bass are can fire up on shad almost any time of day, and can remain active 5-20 minutes each time, and with a range from bass up to 2-3 pounds on various topwaters, crankbaits and spoons. Feeding activity levels can be random — more in the mornings up till midday, but randomly occurring during the afternoon.

There have been numerous sections all along Little River this week from 9 a.m.-noon where black bass were schooling and surface-breaking on threadfin shad from the second entrance to Mackintosh Bend and 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. Best reactions for the schooling bass have been by using Rat-L-Trap Hammer Traps in Millwood Magic or Chrome Blue, Kastmaster Spoons, Pop-R’s, Little John and Bomber Fat Free Guppy crankbaits.

Brazalo Custom Spinnerbaits in River Shad and Spot Remover colors, Brazalo Wee-Whacker with a Beaver-style trailer, soft plastic frogs in the lily pads, Cordell Crazy Shads, and Chuggers will almost all entice a bite from these feeding bass near creek channel dumps on primary points into Little River where stumps and vegetation are good. Buzzbait colors drawing best reactions lately continue to be shad/Blue Glimmer, Firecracker or Hot Cotton Candy. Best buzzbait bite comes from working along Little River depths and drops across points, and also flats near creek channel swings with stumps and laydowns and around lily pads. Cordell Crazy Shads, Arbogast Jitterbugs and plastic frogs are all getting fair to good reactions from largemouths in creek channels near stumps, cypress trees and near lily pad stands along Little River.

Schooling activity can fire up at most any time of day, so keep a Rat-L-Trap, a crankbait, a spoon or a Spook that you can throw about 30-40 yards when they fire up on river shad.
* White bass were schooling along Little River with the largemouths during 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 of weeks, plus the reduced current, has clarity much improved on primary or secondary points. White Bass are roaming back down Little River to their favored 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 and largemouth bass, all feeding on threadfin shad.
Heavy ¾-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 in Citrus Shad, Tennessee Shad or Millwood Magic colors continue to draw reactions from white bass. Little George’s, Rocket Shads and red/white Rooster Tails were still working last week. Random and broken schools of white bass are chasing and feeding on the same schools of shad as the largemouths and spotted bass are, at numerous river creek channel intersections, primary points and many creek dumps into Little River where primary or secondary points intersect with creek mouths dumping into the river. Their activity levels continue improving as they’re reacting to crankbaits and spoons.
* Crappie have been fair to good over the past few weeks, improving with reduced current in Little River and improved water clarity in brush from 12-14 feet deep. Locate planted brushpiles 12-14 feet deep, as they continue holding some nice 1- to 2-pound slabs. Red/White tube jigs and black/chartreuse hair jigs were catching some fish recently. Cordell smoke colored grubs with a chartreuse tip tail on a light wire jig head will pick up a few extra bites.

No reports on bream or 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 9-19-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted that Greeson, like all the other big area lakes, is well below its full pool level, down about 5 feet. This is topwater time, he says. Use something that resembles a small shad; they are chasing tiny shad at this time. A quarter-ounce Rat-L-Trap in chrome and blue back or chrome and black back is a good place to start on this and other similar lakes now. If that doesn’t get their attention, switch to other small topwater baits to get some hits, or a small spoon or rise and pull them up; the fish are all focused on eating on top.

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

(updated 10-3-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said he’s been fishing lakes Ouachita and DeGray this week and “the crappie are already in a fall pattern and biting great. We are catching them 12-15 feet deep on brushpiles using live bait and jigs. Bass are doing really well, also. Ample limits are being caught from topwater baits early in the morning to Damiki rigs with live bait or soft plastic near bottom later in the mornings.
“It’s time to get on the water and enjoy the crisp, cool mornings. Be safe, everybody.”

(updated 9-19-2024) 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 DeGray is 6 feet below full pool, and many of other lakes in the region as well as north to Greers Ferry and Bull Shoals are below full pool. “What all that math means, they’re all chasing little bitty shad. Topwater bite on all of our area lakes is incredible. You’ve got to go out there as much as you can. Just make sure you’re throwing a small lure. A small spoon, a small topwater bait, a riser — anything that is small because they’re all chasing shad about the size of your thumbnail, and you can catch fish literally all day long as long as there is cloud cover. The first two hours and the last two hours are the typical answer; we had a lot of cloud cover because the hurricane came through last week. The reports I’m getting is, literally, you can catch fish all day long as long as you go out there on a cloudy day and throw a topwater bait.

“Typically in the fall you’re talking about a smaller lure like a quarter-ounce Rat-L-Trap. Chrome/blue back, chrome/black back Rat-L-Trap in the creeks have caught thousands of fish every fall. They’re all on topwater right now, so even if you’re throwing a lure below the top, you’ve got to tip your rod tip at 12 o’clock and crank it high.”

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 10-3-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below the dam is 60 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Entergy has ended the weekend recreational releases until next summer and encourages the public to view the weekly generation schedule in order to obtain an accurate flow release on Lake Catherine. This information can be found on the Entergy Hydro website (linked above) under “Lake and Flow News.” This summer was a typical up-and-down cycle of fish activity that involved mostly white bass and hybrid bass that migrated in and out of the tailrace chasing threadfin shad schools. These baitfish move toward the dam in early May to spawn and normally inhabit the area into the month of August.

The last three years have been a total bust for rainbow trout fishing on Lake Catherine. Constant flooding kept anglers off the lake for months due to high water and dangerous flows from the dam. Thousands of trout were forced to move downstream away from the dam and these fish never returned, making the season shorter than normal and ruining any chance for the public to catch rainbow trout on a consistent basis. The Game and Fish Commission has done its part in following the trout stocking schedule, but Mother Nature has taken a toll on quality trout fishing on Lake Catherine the last several years. Hopefully, this season will begin on a high note weather-wise as the fall trout stocking season is scheduled to begin in mid-November.

There have been a few reports of walleye being caught below the bridge trolling crankbaits against the current. These fish spawn in the tailrace in early February and remain for several months to rest before migrating downstream toward the main body of the lake. Because of the abundance of food near the dam, numbers of walleye are present year-round and can be taken by fishermen using live bait and artificials during times of generation.

Sporadic topwater action has been observed in the early morning below the dam by hybrid bass and white bass feeding on threadfin and gizzard shad. Prop and spinnerbaits have taken numbers of these feeding fish this week, although the action has been short-lived.

Always follow all park and lake regulations and cooperate with law enforcement when visiting Carpenter Dam. Pick up after yourself, as the number of trash cans are limited in the park area.

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 10-3-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) had no new report. He has been focusing on Lake Ouachita and DeGray Lake (see reports above and below).

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 10-3-2024) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are still fair. Keep trying a topwater 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 report on stripers. Bream are fair and being caught on crickets in the 15-25 foot range. No report on crappie. Catfish will bite stink bait or cut bait on a rod-and-reel setup in the 15- to 25-feet range.

Water temperature is ranging 78-82 degrees. The clarity is clear. Lake level on Thursday was 569.62 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 10-3-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said he’s been fishing lakes Ouachita and DeGray this week and “the crappie are already in a fall pattern and biting great. We are catching them 12-15 feet deep on brushpiles using live bait and jigs. Bass are doing really well, also. Ample limits are being caught from topwater baits early in the morning to Damiki rigs with live bait or soft plastic near bottom later in the mornings.
“It’s time to get on the water and enjoy the crisp, cool mornings. Be safe, everybody.”

(updated 9-19-2024) 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 7 feet below full pool, Lake Ouachita is 7 feet below full pool and many of other lakes like it are well below full pool, from Greeson, to Nimrod and up to Bull Shoals. “What all that math means, they’re all chasing little bitty shad. Topwater bite on all of our area lakes is incredible. You’ve got to go out there as much as you can. Just make sure you’re throwing a small lure. A small spoon, a small topwater bait, a riser — anything that is small because they’re all chasing shad about the size of your thumbnail, and you can catch fish literally all day long as long as there is cloud cover. The first two hours and the last two hours are the typical answer; we had a lot of cloud cover because the hurricane came through last week. The reports I’m getting is, literally, you can catch fish all day long as long as you go out there on a cloudy day and throw a topwater bait.

“It doesn’t matter, it’s not just Ouachita. It’s all the lakes, DeGray, Greeson….Typically in the fall you’re talking about a smaller lure like a quarter-ounce Rat-L-Trap. Chrome/blue back, chrome/black back Rat-L-Trap in the creeks have caught thousands of fish every fall. They’re all on topwater right now, so even if you’re throwing a lure below the top, you’ve got to tip your rod tip at 12 o’clock and crank it high.”

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.

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 10-3-2024) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports that crappie are biting in rivers around structures. LiveScoping is the best way to locate the fish.

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