Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

October 17, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Wendy Forester caught this 25-inch rainbow trout on the White River while fishing with Cotter Trout Dock guide Elvin Dale Weaver.

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., part of the every-five-year winter drawdown of Beaverfork. 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 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 10-17-2024) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said Thursday that this week marks the true arrival of fall, with cooler temperatures settling in and a noticeable drop in power demand. As of today, it seems the Southwestern Power Administration has shifted the consistent generation schedule we’ve seen over the past month. It’ll be interesting to see how the generation schedule plays out in the coming weeks as this fall weather continues.
The trout bite has been most productive in the early mornings, particularly while fishing the falling water from the previous night’s generation. Drift-fishing from the boat has been the way to go, with a setup about 5 feet deep under an indicator. A two-fly rig is working best, with a size 14 Hillbilly Hare’s Ear on top and a 14-inch dropper to a size 18 Root Beer Midge below. The hot flies right now? Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears and various Midges have been solid producers. For those into streamer fishing, the falling water from the previous generation schedule has provided the morning opportunity to throw something like Double Deceivers and Peanut Envy flies, which have been productive, then we’re switching over to a nymph rig as the water drops later in the day.

(updated 10-10-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that trout anglers are catching fishing on one-eighth-ounce Rooster Tails in a shad pattern, and they are also catching some throwing a black and brown Woolly Bugger. The folks who like the Trout Magnet are floating a pink Trout Magnet worm about a foot and a half off the bottom and having a lot of success, too.

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 10-17-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 454.50 feet msl. That’s 7.54 feet below normal pool of 462.04 feet msl for this time of year. Does not look like not much has changed but some has — other than more and more fish coming up on top schooling in different parts of the lake and rivers basically all over every bit of it now. Power generation has somewhat remained steady other than some weekends with generation of 4-5 hours in afternoons, but some days there is no generation at all and some days just 1 hour. This helps with oxygenation in the lake and the river below.
We are seeing somewhat of a turnover in the lower end of the lake, so stay away from the tainted water. Also with the cooling off, some fish will move shallower but a lot of years we’ve seen that some will go deeper for a while until it really gets cooler and we get some rain. 

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 45-65 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 all over the lake on the usual stuff. Some bream are shallow but most 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 10-10-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that anglers out early in the morning are picking up black bass by using a bone-color or clear walk-the-dog style bait.

Crappie are in about 15-20 feet of water on tops of brushpiles, and they can be caught using a 1/16-ounce jighead with a white minnow-style bait.

Smallmouth bass are mainly chasing shad in 15-20 feet of water, and they seem to be very interesting in Alabama rigs with a 3.3-inch swimbait.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 10-17-2024) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says anglers can catch crappie but they have to plan on arriving early (“before 7:30,” they say) or plan to fish in the evening when the temperature drops. Anglers are catching crappie off the shoreline, though the size of the fish is not very big — about 11-12 inches at best. Bobby Garland artificial minnows in pearl white and Monkey Milk are working very well.

Some anglers have been catching a few black bass off the bank but they too are not very large.
For the last couple of weeks, catfish have been doing pretty well. One man reported catching 15 blue catfish at night on his trotline. Bass minnows and baby bream are being used for bait. Bream are kind of slow; the only ones being caught now are the small or baby bream for bait.

The water temperature is around 70 degrees still; “it will get going when it gets to around 64,” they say. Also, the water is “really, really low,” and they say the AGFC has not begun to take water from the lake to put water on the nearby Harris Brake WMA for waterfowl season.

With Lake Conway now almost too low for many to fish it, especially with a boat, they are noticing more anglers showing up at Harris Brake Lake but the anglers appear unaware of the crappie size restriction of the lake. They urge anglers to note that crappie must be at least 10 inches long to keep. 

Lake Overcup
(updated 10-17-2024) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 had no new reports, but said recently that bream were starting to slow down but are being caught on crickets and redworms. Black bass were doing well, feeding on shad early morning and late evening.
Catfish were doing well on trotlines and jugs. Crappie were doing well in 12-14 feet of water using jigs and minnows. 

Lake Maumelle
(updated 10-17-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported Thursday that water temperature continues to fall and is now ranging 68-71 degrees, about 3 degrees lower than a week ago. Largemouth bass are fair. They can be found shallow in the mornings and evenings in 1-5 feet 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-rig worms, topwater lures, jigs and crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are fair. Reports of them being found scattered on drop offs in 10-20 feet of water. Try using drop-shots and jigs.
Crappie are fair. There are reports of crappie being found suspended around brush anywhere from 18-25 feet. As well as some being found 12-15 feet off of the drop-offs. Try using smaller jigs or minnows. Bream are slow to bite but they can be found around brush piles in 10-15 feet. Try using crickets, worms and drop-shots.
No reports on white bass or catfish.

(update 10-10-2024) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) says fall transition is here! Well, sort of. Lake Maumelle water temps are low to mid-70s depending on time of day. Water is stained and turning over. Crappie are lingering in 22-28 feet of water. Try Bobby Garland Live Roam’R’s and Leland’s Lure’s Crappie Magnet around brush. Be patient! Water clarity is darker than usual. It may take the fish a little longer to recognize your bait! Text or call at the number listed above, or visit www.nsfguide.com. 

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 10-10-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said fishing is picking up and the crappie news from the last few days has been very encouraging. One crappie angler has been doing very well in 3 feet of water around lily pads, using minnows and picking up “some nice ones,” Ray said. 

Two bass anglers have been out every afternoon this week catching several bass on topwater baits, crankbaits and soft plastic worms. A couple of catfish anglers have been putting out their trotlines and catching lots of catfish using live bream and cut bait.

“I haven’t heard much on the bream, but they bite all the time around here,” Ray added. “It may be beginning to pick up with these cool nights and the water cooling down.”

Water is clear and at a normal level and in good shape, he reports.

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 10-10-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that bass are back up in the creeks, and they’ve been very receptive to a Strike King 1.5 square bill, mainly in a shad pattern. You can catch fish in the mouths of creeks on a Strike King 3XD, or if there is rock you should try a half-ounce football jig.

Early in the morning, the most successful approach seems to be throwing a topwater walking bait, either in bone color or clear, to pick up some nice bass.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 10-17-2024) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said the water level is back to normal pool and no stumps are showing, but the fishing has been “a little slow.” Anglers have been catching a lot of catfish, though, with hot dogs and liver working best. A few crappie are being caught if the anglers have LiveScope, she said. Jigs seem to be the best approach though she did not hear of any specific brands. The crappie are deep around the stumps, and with those stumps not showing now, they’re basically in the channel.

Peckerwood Lake will close on Oct. 31 for the season so that the privately owned lake can serve as a waterfowl rest area. It will reopen Feb. 10, the Monday following Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt weekend.

White River
(updated 10-17-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said it feels like winter has arrived. “After a week of cool mornings, warm afternoons, we were greeted with November-like morning temperatures. Always check the nighttime low temperatures rather than the daytime highs when planning your fishing trip and dress in layers for the lowest temperatures. Then you can easily remove layers as the day warms up.”

Bull Shoals Lake is 8 feet below power pool and still dropping at 651.09 feet msl; daily releases have been at minimum flow or very low flows (less than one unit) during the morning hours, rising to three or four units (9,000 to 12,000 cfs) late in the afternoon to meet power demand. “We expect earlier releases this week based on the weather forecast and higher river levels can be expected.”

It’s good to know that the air temp doesn’t affect the trout bite. Shore anglers note: Rainbows have been attracted to, and hitting on, pumped up nightcrawlers. If you’re able to float the river and choose to fish a deep hole for a while, drop a hook with shrimp and garlic-scented PowerBait (try orange first) as near to the bottom as possible. Drift-anglers had luck with a No. 5 rainbow and brook trout Rapala Countdowns and with 1/6-ounce Rooster Tails, gold blades and orange bodies, chartreuse/black skirts or pink on pink spinners.

River guides have tried all the tricks in their tackle boxes to get the attention of the browns this week. Turns out the best bites were on small to medium-sized sculpins.
“Be careful out there. Stay warm. And keep anglin’. See you at the river.”

(updated 10-17-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We saw another week of low and clear water in the mornings. We then see rising and dingy water until late morning. Throughout the afternoon the water will start dropping again and the water will clear up.
“We have seen great fishing in the morning with lures such as a quarter-ounce Thompson Colorado spoon in nickel/gold or Rapala Countdowns CD5 in rainbow trout or brown trout colors. In the afternoon, drift-fishing with Uncommon Bait UV eggs (pink or orange) with shrimp worked very well.
“One of the local guides said fly-fishing with eggs has been working great. The weather has cooled off but the fishing remains hot.

“This week we received one stocking of 1,200 rainbow trout at Calico Rock and 1,200 at Chessmond Ferry.”

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 10-17-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said the lake level is 650 feet msl. Water temp is 72, give or take. “Bass fall junk fishing” has started, he said. “You’re going to have to work for them and keep moving, don’t get hung up on one thing. 

“Fishing has been fairly typical for October. Water seems to be turning over out to 60 feet or so. Fishing can be pretty good when they move up during the lowlight or the Army Corps of Engineers has generation or a front is moving in. Lots of bass are starting to move in with shad. We did get a few more move up shallow with the cooler temps. 

“Shad are spread out from the back off the creeks out to the main lake. There are shad sitting high on the surface down to 50 feet; however, topwater has been hit or miss. Try a smaller popper-style or smaller walk-the-dog early. Try a Plopper-style bait covering water; black or white colors are working. A lot of the dirty backs have shad but are just starting to clump up. If we get the right powerfishing conditions, those fish will eat a Chatterbait, white spinnerbait, etc. Go with shad colors.

“If it’s sunny and flat I’m going to check main lake mouths of creeks and pockets, 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 large schools chasing larger shad balls but they are cruising fast. For this, a small Flutter Spoon, a Tater Shad or small, heavy swimbait will fool a few. You better be a good front-looker — having to hit ’em on the move isn’t easy. 

“Overall, smaller baits have helped. It’s fall, the fish can be stubborn. For me a drop-shot has been good when it’s tough conditions. So, if you find ’em and get one or two to bite, you might as well go to the next spot. You can still catch ’em off  points and piles with a big worm or small Jewel jig in green pumpkin orange, or a shaky head.
“Welcome to fall fishing: Catch one on the surface down to 50 feet. 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 10-17-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the walleye fishing has been a little tough this week with what seems to be the lake finishing its turnover period. Fish are scattered from 20 feet down to 60 feet.  

“The best luck I have had this past week has still been a drop-shot rig and nightcrawler around points with brush or trees close by. Walleye seem to be moving in and out of different water depths depending on wind and cloud cover. If they are shallow, stay out off in deeper water and cast into them with a jig and crawler or drop-shot rig and work them back to the boat very slowly. If they are deep, go vertical with spoons, Ice Jig or drop-shot rig. Scan points, both sides and tips, by zigzagging in and out of 20-70 feet of water to find fish. You can also use a Carolina rig with ½-ounce egg sinker and No. 2 Aberdeen hook and nightcrawler worked slowly around groups of fish on the deeper sides of deep brushpiles. This will catch some, especially when fishing is slow. 

(updated 10-17-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says not much has changed except the bite seemed a little better since the cold front. They are still finding most crappie in creeks and a few on the main lake areas, but there’s not tons. Use a quarter-ounce jig with Tater Baits Tater Shad Jr. or small fry bait and, of course, minnows.  If you aren’t getting bit within 5 minutes, keep moving and find more; eventually you will find active ones.

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 10-17-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake level is at 1,112.61 feet msl. That is a foot lower than last week. The lake is still finishing turnover at this time. Fish are scattered and moving accordingly. 

Crappie are on brush and structures in 10-15 feet depth. The bite has been off and on as of late. Jigs and minnows are working “and I would concentrate from Hickory to Horseshoe, as water is in better shape in those areas.”
Stripers are also on a good bite one day and nonexistent the next, and that is very typical for October. Walleye are in the same boat. They are scattered and will bite swim jigs/jig-and-minnow combos. You will have to check many areas in the 20- to 35-feet range.
“With this last week’s cold snap, it should be pointing to some good fall fishing soon. Good luck and stay safe out there with the low water conditions!”

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

(updated 10-17-2024) Hooked on Fishing Guide Service (479-225-4849) reports the striper bite has been good to great most days. Morning bite is good to excellent. Evening bite is a little tougher but not impossible with some persistence. Trolling live shad and minnows is very productive. Artificial is still slow but expected to pick up soon as the water temps drop. Depth isn’t consistent, as some are catching fish on shallow flats and others are catching fish in the channel at 150-feet-plus. Topwater is present but sporadic and not predictable. Water temp is 67 degrees in the rivers and 72 degrees at the dam. Annual migration should start soon as the lake temp drops. Best areas to focus are Coppermine to the dam. “The walleye are still scattered about. Try fishing for them in 30 feet of water. Look for them around humps and flats. Also the flats around islands are good areas to troll crawler harnesses and crankbaits.” 

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 10-17-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said Wednesday that the fall temperatures are back and the bite is on fire in the tailwater. ”As you are reading this, another cold front should have arrived. If you have been fishing the tailwater, you have probably noticed some spawn activity with the trout. Things are starting to pick up with the fall spawn bite.
“Just like last week, fishing has been pretty good. We have been getting great results using Pautzke Fire Bait, Rocket Red or Peach Garlic, fished with light terminal tackle on bottom. A orange or white Fire Egg, floating a nightcrawler, has done great as well. With this method, you can also pull a few fall walleye as well.
“Casting quarter-ounce spoons along with pulling Flicker Shads are producing nice numbers as well.
“We are holding steady with the water levels, with most of the generation happening in the evening time hours. The water temperatures have been pretty consistent from Houseman Access to the dam, with slightly higher temperatures downstream toward Table Rock.
“The walleye bite in the tailwater has still been off and on. Guide Sky Haack stated, “If you get out early, fishing with live bait, constantly moving, you should bag one or two.”
Sky adds that he has noticed walleye holding on and around stumps, around the sandy side of the river. “Also focus on chunk rock, bends and ledges.

“I hope you all are able to get out and enjoy this weather and catch some fish!” Check out Austin’s Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) for weekly updates.

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 10-17-2024) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says fishing has been pretty good this week, especially the crappie. Anglers are using crankbaits and jigs, and the bite is good. Bass are starting to pick up and they are getting a little size on them as well. Soft plastic worms, bigger jigs and topwater lures are the most successful approaches to bass.

They’ve heard nothing on the catfish but they also figure the full moon should be bringing folks out for them; they just haven’t heard any reports. Bream are biting “a little bit,” but they’re scattered and bass seem to be coming up to feed on them more than anglers are catching them.

The water is 68 degrees and is cooling off “pretty quick.”

Lake Charles
(updated 10-17-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said fishing picked back up for everything but crappie and white bass this past week. Sunday’s temperature was back down to 71 degrees, and that seems to get the fish interested again.
Bream were shallow and were good on worms and jigs. Black bass were fair on soft plastic worms and topwater baits. Catfish are good using blood bait, chicken liver and lines.

Water is at normal level now (the drawdown to flood nearby Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA will begin soon) and the clarity is the usual murky. The predicted good fishing times based on the moon, Shelley noted, wrap up on Sunday. This should be a great weekend to be on Lake Charles and visit the State Park.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 10-17-2024) 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 10-10-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water at the Spring is flowing 250 cfs (350 cfs is average) and water clarity has been murky. “Very dry in the area and we could use a good rain. Over the last few weeks, work to remove vegetation above Dam 1 in Mammoth Spring has affected the water in town with poor clarity; it settles by Dam 3 and fishing has been great from Dam 3 down. The work has been completed this week and water should clear up by the weekend.
“This weather has been perfect for casting flies to fish! Hopper droppers have been working great with nymphs early to imitate heavy blue dun hatches, and as the sun gets above, pink worms, El Diablo’s, nymphs, whatever will work. Nymphing has been very hot. Still a lot of hatchery trout from the summer season.
“As cold sets in, big fish will start moving. November to February is the best time to chase big trout on the Spring River. Woolies in olive, brown, black and white can be very hot at times for the big fish. Bead heads sizes 6-10 work well. Hot pink Trout Magnets are really hot with the low, clear water with spinning tackle. Get it just off the bottom and, yes, use the small split shot about 4 inches up. I don’t know why they just eat it up.
“Smallies are still getting caught, but can be harder to find with cold nights. Once cold sets in, the smallies should settle down for some great cold-weather smallmouth catching. We have only landed a few 20-inch smallies on the river, and winter is when we have caught a 20-incher. In cooler weather, indicator streamer fishing works great, slowing down the presentation for the cold temps. D2 Jigs are great for this technique for spin-fishing. Easy and fun. Working a sink tip can be the most exciting, watching the bass chase the fly. Always fun to catch those hard-fighting champions, the smallmouth bass!
“There are new Porta-Potties at all of the public accesses. Big thank-you to AGFC for making that happen. Let us all help to keep them clean!
“As it gets colder out, there will be safe wading the Spring River, but it is very slick and can be very tricky to wade. A wading staff and good wading boots can be a lifesaver. When you do fall in, get somewhere warm fast.”

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 10-17-2024) 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 10-17-2024) Teresa Atchley at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said they were having another quiet week as far as fishing, but still some anglers provided reports. One angler last Friday took to the water with minnows to try to hook anything. On Sunday, anglers were using worms to catch bream, and another was using minnows and catching bream.

Lake Monticello
(updated 10-17-2024) 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 10-17-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood State Park boat ramps have reopened after herbicide treatments. Containment booms were placed where southwest regional AGFC fisheries biologists recently discovered Cuban bulrush, an invasive plant located within the Millwood State Park cove. It was additionally found at numerous locations and reported by us to the AGFC Invasive Species Portal.
The AGFC, the Millwood U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Millwood State Park all collaborated to reduce the risk of spreading this invasive plant elsewhere within Millwood Lake and other lakes throughout Arkansas. 

The biggest changes at Millwood the last couple of weeks have been clarity and water temperature, which continues to fall. With reduced current in Little River, the surface clarity has been slowly improving in visibility. Surface temperature is ranging 65 degrees early to 77 later in the day along Little River. Clarity along Little River worsened over the past week with high winds. There is moderate to heavy stain in most locations, with some areas up Little River being heaviest. River clarity ranges 5-10 inches visibility.

Millwood elevation is still under a drawdown by the Army Corps of Engineers until early November. The lake is about 17 inches below normal conservation pool, at 257.8 feet msl. Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 160 cfs and tailwater is near 223 feet and steady. Use extreme caution in navigation during drawdown conditions. Underwater hazards, stumps and obstacles will be at or near surface pool, especially in the boat lanes along the river and main lake. 

NOTE: Millwood State Park Marina will close Oct. 31 and reopen March 1.

Also: Yarborough Landing Boat Ramp has broken concrete on the east side of the ramp; use extreme caution backing in trailers at that location. A rail was recently put up, so watch for that.

Mike had these specifics on the fishing this week:
* What a difference a week makes! Largemouth bass have been schooling and breaking on shad in random locations for several weeks and this week the schooling in Little River was greatly subdued. The biggest changes over the past few weeks continue to be the cooler weather and river temperatures and we are beginning to think the lake may be in, or approaching, fall turnover. What was the best bite of the day for largemouth bass for the past couple weeks, an explosion of activity on threadfin shad at any point and time of the day, almost disappeared this week. The mouths of creeks dumping into Little River are still holding schools of largemouth, spotted bass and white bass 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, and holding numerous groups of different age classes. 

With these sudden cold frontal passages, and water cooling changing densities, we believe the fall turnover may be starting, and the bass are feeling it. It’s still not cool enough to force the shad to the backs of the creeks yet, but the shad are wanting to stage in the creek mouths and a few yards into the creeks.
The best reactions for the schooling bass, when they were frenzy feeding, were 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. Topwater baits like the Bill Lewis StutterStep, the Cordell Crazy Shad, Baby Torpedoes and Heddon Dying Flutters were working very well.
* White bass slowed somewhat, but continued hitting vertical-jigged half-ounce to 1-ounce Slab Spoons in Little River between Jack’s Isle and first entrance into Mud Lake, and also in Hurricane Creek from 10-15 feet deep. Little River has reduced clarity, and the bite over the past couple weeks with reduced current improved on primary or secondary points. White bass are roaming all along Little River, 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.

* Crappie are fair to good over the past few weeks and improved with reduced current in Little River, as well as with improved water clarity in brush from 12-14 feet deep. Planted brush piles 12-14 feet deep continue holding some nice 1- to 2-pound slabs over the past few weeks and action and activity is improving. Red/white tube jigs and black/chartreuse hair jigs were catching some nice fish recently. Cordell smoke-colored grubs with a chartreuse tip tail on a light wire jighead 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 10-17-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs said on “The Wild Side” show on KABZ-FM, 103.7, that Greeson, like all the other big area lakes, is still well below its full pool level, down about 5 feet. Of late, it’s been great for topwater, he says. Use something that resembles a small shad; they are chasing tiny shad. 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 10-17-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said he’s focusing his fishing on lakes Ouachita and DeGray and it’s definitely crappie season. “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 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.”

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 10-17-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 59 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Drought conditions have prompted Entergy to run minimal flow times below Remmel Dam this week and greatly reduced generation times from Carpenter Dam. The public is urged to view the weekly flow schedules on area dams by going to the Entergy Hydro Operations page linked above and search for lake and flow news. While no guarantee is made by Entergy that this information is ironclad, it gives everyone reliable information on the day-to-day operations below a hydroelectric dam that is subject to change as water levels and incoming weather conditions dictate. 

Mid-November is slated to be the start of the fall trout stocking season with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in charge of this operation. Also, the winter drawdown is scheduled to begin on area lakes in November and will last until next March. Little productive fishing is going on now below Carpenter Dam. This is normal due to the fact that the spawn for walleye, crappie, catfish and white bass has been over by late June and most of these fish migrate away from the dam afterward. The absence of trout creates a huge void in the number of catchable fish in the lake. Some catches of walleye and white bass have been reported, but numbers are small and catches have occurred in the late evening before dark. 

The threadfin shad population moved out of the tailrace in late August, forcing big numbers of game fish away from the dam in search of prey. The influx of rainbow trout in November will kick-start quality fishing on Lake Catherine and provide anglers the opportunity to catch healthy fish and have some wonderful table fare to enjoy.
Always obey all park and lake regulations when visiting Carpenter Dam and cooperate with law enforcement. The number of trash cans are limited in this area, so remember to pick up after yourself after each outing. 

Lake Dardanelle
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ outflow and gauge level reports from Dardanelle, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 10-10-2024) Seth Boone, superintendent at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7474), reported Lake Dardanelle is starting to cool down in this fall weather. The fish have been biting better with the fronts that moved through. The black bass are biting decently on crankbaits. Crappie have tended to be better on the minnows than the jigs lately. Catfish are biting decently on stink bait. Bream are biting on crickets and worms at a fair rate.

Lake Hamilton
(updated 10-17-2024) 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).

(updated 10-10-2024) Scott Rook of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted earlier this week on “The Wild Side” on KABZ, 103.7 The Buzz, that area lakes including lakes Hamilton, Ouachita and DeGray and getting close to their fall transition and there is still a lot of to topwater bites going on, and still a few schooling fish. There are a lot of hot baits working now — “anything topwater,” he said — and one bait in particular that anglers are favoring is the Jackall Riser.
“The weather is getting a little cooler, days getting shorter. Fish are starting to feed up,” he said. “It won’t be long till it’s Rat-L-Trap and spinnerbait time. It’s just right around the corner.”

Bass are being caught from the surface down to 25-30 feet, he said. Some anglers are using a drop-shot very deep, but fish should be getting back in the current soon.

For crappie, he adds, the Bobby Garland Itty Bit at an inch and a quarter is good to use on the big area lakes when the sun gets up. Little baits are favored by the crappie now.

Rook explained on the “Wild Side” what to look for when a lake begins a fall transition. “It depends on what the shad do. (The bass) are going to follow that buffet around wherever the shad go. This time of year the shad tend to get suspended in the middle of the creek and the mouth of the creek. Then once they work their way back as the water temperature starts to cool, they get shallower and all the fish get up shallow. 

“Typical back-of-the-creek fall patterns are in full force and that will last all the way up to almost January, depending on what the temperatures do.”

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 10-17-2024) Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) reports that the fishing has been “exceedingly slow.” Army Corps of Engineers drawdown of the lake to 337 feet is officially over and “we’re just waiting on some rain to raise the lake back up naturally and bring in some more people, hopefully,” they say. 

With the lake still at 337 feet msl, 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. Watch for stumps while boating with the lake down.

They report that a few people have been out trying to catch crappie lately, but it’s been really hit-and-miss. Customers are coming in buying live minnows, however.

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 10-17-2024) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are very good. These fish are schooling up in the mouths of major creek channels. No reports this week on walleye, stripers, bream or catfish. Crappie are good and biting over the tops of brush in the 20- to 30-feet range. Water temperature is ranging 70-76 degrees. The lake clarity is clear. Water level is 568.93 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 10-17-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said he’s been fishing lakes Ouachita and DeGray 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.”

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.