Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

October 31, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Jay Stewart of Little Rock caught his personal best crappie of 14.75 inches with a weight of 1.6 pounds while fishing Lake Maumelle recently with crappie fishing guide Eric Watts. Watts says that if you find the shad on the lake, you’ll find the “right” fish. Crappie can be found on brush and roaming. Presentation is key. And, he adds, don’t go fishing without a wide variety of Crappie Magnet and Bobby Garland baits. Read more of his report below.

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 last week. 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 10-24-2024) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said there are a few fish left in the pools if you can get to them, but not many. The pools are steadily drying up. “We need some rain bad.”

“I caught 16 crappie and kept 16 crappie,” they report of one pool excursion this week. Anglers will need to walk to the holes that remain. It’s suggested you pick a dry area to walk there; it is still pretty mucky in many places.

“If you find a hole with water in it, I guarantee you it has fish in it. We found a hole and caught fish six days in a row and caught crappie in them every day. There are still fish in all of them.”

Nearby Lake Beaverfork is being drawn down by the city, and anglers report they are catching a lot of crappie around the shoreline, as well as other species. 

Also, anglers reported catching about every species of fish by going to the AGFC-stocked Lake Conway Nursery Pond, they report.

While fishing is still possible on the main lake, there are no creel or length limits during its drawdown phase as part of the AGFC’s planned renovation project. Regular limits exist elsewhere, including the Nursery Pond.

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 10-31-2024) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said Thursday that fall has officially settled into the Ozarks, and with the cooler temps, the leaves along the Little Red River are putting on a beautiful show. It’s a perfect time to get out for some fly-fishing.
The reduced water releases from Southwestern Power Administration at the dam have created some ideal wading conditions along the river. Right now, the generation schedule has been inconsistent, with occasional midweek releases and no weekend water flow. We’re expecting the releases to pick up once temperatures drop and power demand goes up, but for now, the best fishing days are typically the ones right after a release. The extra flow gets the fish more active, especially in the deeper sections.

Lately, the bite has been strong around moss beds and in plunge pools below the shoals. Hot flies right now include small buggy Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears, egg patterns and various midges. Grab your gear, and come see the river in all its fall glory!

(updated 10-31-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that rainbows and brown trout are biting really well with the increased water from the rain. The baits working best are a pink and white Trout Magnet, along with smaller gold jerkbaits. Also try a firetiger color Rooster Tail.

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 10-31-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday that the lake is definitely low — at least it was before this rain moved in. Most of the black bass are being caught in about 20-25 feet of water over standing timber. Try a jighead minnow or a Damiki Rig, basically, along with Alabama rigs and drop-shots. This is working not only for largemouths but smallmouth and spotted bass.

For crappie, they are hanging around the standing timber, too, in that same 20- to 25-feet range area. Use regular minnows or a pink and chartreuse crappie jig. 

(updated 10-31-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 454.00, or 8.04 feet below normal pool. It’s going to be the same ol’ deal all over until the weather changes it someway. It does not look like much has changed, but some has, and there are still 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 them generating two or three hours in afternoons, but some days there is no generation at all and some days there’s one hour, all of which will help oxygenation in the lake and river below. The turnover seems to have subsided all over the lake and rivers. 

Crappie is in the same depths — try super shallow and out to 30 feet and use jigs, minnows or crankbaits. With a lot of fish migrating to cooler areas in timber, fishing straight up and down is a must. Walleye are still eating in the main lake. For the few that are left up rivers and scattered throughout the lake, drag a crawler or crankbait in 45-65 feet. Some walleye are still following big schools; a spoon is best for that vertical fishing at 10-50 feet. For hybrid and white bass that have been set up since the heat of summer arrived, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swimbaits in 25-60 feet. Catfish are being found biting all over the lake and in rivers on the usual stuff. Some bream are shallow but most still around 8-30 feet; crickets and crawlers are working fine as well as inline spinners. 

Black basses mostly are out or roaming shallow and schooling. C-rigs, topwater, wake baits, drop-shots, crankbaits and spinnerbaits will provide the best action from super shallow out to 60 feet. Be safe and wear your life jacket.

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 10-31-2024) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 had no new reports, but said that 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
(update 10-31-2024) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) says the Lake Maumelle water temps are hovering between 68-71 degrees. Water level is dropping rapidly as Central Arkansas Water continues an 8-foot drawdown. Use extreme caution when launching, loading and traveling across the lake. Consider idle speed if you’re unfamiliar with the lake.
Find the shad and you’ll find the “right” fish. Crappie can be found on brush and roaming. Roamers are spooky but will eat! Presentation is KEY! Be patient and on high alert! Some strike as soon as the bait appears, others need a few seconds to decide.
As always, don’t go without a wide variety of Crappie Magnet and Bobby Garland crappie baits. I can tell you with all certainty their preference changes hour by hour, day by day!
“If you want to learn more about bait selection and presentation, give me a call at 501-548-8990, or visit www.nsfguide.com to schedule your next crappie trip today!”

(updated 11-1-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported Friday, Nov. 1, that water temperature is ranging 67-69 degrees. The largemouth bass bite is fair. They can be found shallow in the mornings and evenings in 2-8 feet depth. Others are being found deeper and scattered around brush anywhere from 10-20 feet. Try points and drop-offs. Try using topwater baits, jigs, jerkbaits, Chatterbait and crankbaits. Spotted bass are fair and reportedly also being found scattered around drop-offs in that same 10-20 feet range with the largemouths. Jerkbaits and jigs are working best for them.
Crappie have been fair. There are reports of crappie being found suspended around brush anywhere from 18-25 feet as well as some being found in 12-15 feet depth off of the drop-offs. Try using jigs and minnows. Bream have slowed, but they can be found around brush piles 10-15 ft. Try using crickets, worms and drop-shots.
No reports have come in on white bass or catfish. But twister tails and crankbaits might pick up some white bass now, while bream, liver and worms are recommended 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 10-17-2024) 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 10-31-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that now that some rain has moved into the area, that will help some things out a little bit on the river. Anglers report catching a lot of numbers of bass right now, mostly on crankbaits fished in 4-8 feet depth. A quarter-ounce spinnerbait is doing well, as are topwater baits like a Zara Spook or Rebel Popper. Also, for fishing on the bottom, try jigs in green pumpkin orange color.

Mostly the anglers are targeting the main river for this fish. Some fish are up shallow in the backwaters, but the reports they are getting say that fishermen have mostly been targeting sport fish on the main river.

As far as clarity, the river was clear before this latest rainfall, which should dirty it up a little bit over the next few days.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 10-31-2024) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said Thursday was the last day for the lake to be open for fishing before it’s turned over to serve as a waterfowl rest area for the upcoming waterfowl season, which opens Nov. 23. It will reopen Feb. 10, the Monday following Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt weekend.

White River
(updated 10-31-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said November fishing on the White River waters around Cotter in the Arkansas Ozarks can often be a little chilly, but “we’ll take our chances. The autumn ambience of the river is more peaceful than usual, providing a feeling of timelessness — an opportunity to catch your breath before the hectic holiday season. You might not see another angler for a while, but you’ll always see some rainbows and very likely a few browns and a cutthroat or two.”
Bull Shoals Lake is almost 9 feet below its desired elevation for the season (659 feet msl is the target), currently sitting at 650.66 msl. That means most days the river is running minimum flow (700 cfs), just navigable for experienced johnboat pilots, comfortable for wade or bank fishing. Be careful if wading later in the afternoons — we see heavy generation (up to five units, 15,000 cfs) from the dam to satisfy power demands.
“Adding some garlic-scented egg patterns to your bait mix will bring more bites. We’ve had success this week with orange and brown/peach flashy baits: Rooster Tails, spoons and the D2 jigs. The gold/orange Cleos and Blue Foxes with orange/red bells attract a following, and worms are always a good bet during the rise due to increased generation.
“Sculpins are always a must for browns; river minnows are moving in fast.
“When planning your winter fishing trip, assume that your day will start at the lowest temperature from the night before and several degrees colder on the water. Layer up and you’ll enjoy your trip a whole lot more. Enjoy our Natural State.”

(updated 10-31-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said the White River in Calico Rock continues to be as low as 2 feet as high as 5 feet. The very low water has limited how far up and down the river to fish. Fishing in the low-water conditions has made fishing with copper or gold-colored spoons (either a quarter ounce or one-sixth ounce) effective. We are also seeing success with Rapala Countdown CD5 in silver and rainbow trout colors. Additionally, quarter-ounce black and yellow Panther Martins with a gold blade worked well as the trout moved up onto the gravel bars to feed. Drift-fishing with Uncommon Bait UV Neo Pink eggs with a piece of shrimp or worm continues to be effective on both the gravel bars and deeper holes. Fishing with sculpins has been slow, but when the browns or rainbows bite, the trout tend to be larger (15 or more inches).

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 10-31-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said lake level remains about 650 feet msl. Water temperature is 68 degrees give or take.
“If you’re going bass fishing, you’re going to have to work for them and keep moving. Don’t get hung up on one thing. Water seems to be turning over still. Fishing can be better when they move up during the lowlight or the Corps (of Engineers starts generation or a front is moving in.
“Lots of bass are starting to move in on the 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 mouths and the main lake. There are shad sitting high on the surface down to 50 feet; however, topwater fishing has been hit or miss. Try a Plopper early, 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., typical shad colors.
“If it’s sunny and flat I’m going to check the mouths of creeks and pockets as well as look on or around long points, ledges, piles, drop-offs and bluff ends, plus treetops that are close to deep water and shad is nearby. There are very large schools of bass chasing larger shad balls if you can stumble into them, but they are cruising fast. For this, a small Flutter Spoon, Tater Shad or small, heavy swimbait will fool a few. You better be a good front-looker; having to hit them 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. As the lake cools off, if turnover ever finishes, we will get more fish moving up shallow and those crawfish eaters will start cooperating. Dust off the Wiggle Wart, Rock Crawler and crankbaits, especially on those windy, cloudy days. On sunny days, go with a Jewel Jig in green pumpkin orange. 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 10-31-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the walleye fishing patterns are still about the same as last week. Fish have been reluctant to chase a bait, and fishing slow has been the key to catching a few walleye. Fish are scattered from 15 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 on 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 No. 1 or 2 egg sinker and No. 2 Aberdeen hook and nightcrawler worked very slowly around groups of fish on the deeper sides of deep brushpiles.
Some trollers have been picking up a few fish by flatline trolling shad-style baits in 15 feet of water in the early mornings and late evenings. 

(updated 10-31-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are still mainly pretty scattered on brush in creeks. We’re finding a few on main lake but it’s tough going. We’re catching a few on jigs, depending on the day, but still mainly on minnows.

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

No report.

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

(updated 10-31-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake has dropped into the 1,111.9 feet msl range and “is scratching some of the lowest levels we have had in some years. Now, with that said, we are supposed to receive some big rains in the next week and we will have to see if that happens.”
Stripers have been fairly consistent, and the fish are still in their summer haunts around Rocky Branch down to the dam. As usual, shad is your best option, with brood minnows and bream working. “We are expecting some rain and that finally should move the fish more south.” 

Crappie are fair at best. They are on brushpiles but are pretty tight-lipped. Downsize line and jig size, and if you work at it you can put a limit together. 

Walleye have disappeared as they normally do when the lake starts turning. “Not many reports on my end of people catching any.”
“If we can cool the lake into the upper 50s, fishing should make a turn for the better, but with the warm records we are breaking this last week will certainly slow that down.

Fall has some great weather. Get out and enjoy!”
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 10-31-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said, “Well, our weather can’t seem to make up its mind. Had a bit of a warm up, then back to some cool mornings. The tailwater is starting to lose some water, making things shallow; however, that has not stopped the bite. 

“This time of year, we start to change things up a bit. We have been getting good results using Pautzke Fire Minnows and Fire Neds fished with light terminal tackle. A chartreuse or white Fire Egg, floating a nightcrawler, has done well, too. Fire Bait, fished on bottom, is producing nice numbers.
“With the Fire Minnow, you want to use a one-sixteenth-ounce jig head with a slow action. With this method, which is also great during generation, you can also pull fall walleye. Also try working some jerkbaits for those toothy critters. Try looking around chunk rock and inside bends. 

“Casting quarter-ounce spoons, along with pulling Flicker Shads, is seeing some success as well. As we are getting shallow, the water temperatures have been pretty consistent, from Houseman Access to the dam, with slightly higher temperatures, downstream into Table Rock.”

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 10-31-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said that Sunday morning the water temperature was 64.9 degrees in the shade. The water level is ranging from normal to high and the clarity is murky. Everything but catfish and white bass are biting these days. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Black bass are fair but Shelly didn’t have any reports on baits used. Bream have been good. Worms, cricket and jigs all have worked.

The “moon times” indicate that fishing should be at its best this month through Nov. 4. The water level at the lake should drop some when water is used in the coming weeks to flood Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA for waterfowl hunting.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 10-31-2024) 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 10-24-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water level is flowing at 220 cfs (350 is average) and water clarity is clear. The river is very low and needs some rain. The river has been fishing great with the low, clear conditions, making for great nymphing and some dry fly action. Hopper droppers have been working great, with big hoppers, and eggs, pink worms or nymphs as droppers. Lots of blue olives, caddis and other bugs hatching in the morning as the sun rises. Great action on the fly, with a lighter tippet working well with clear water clarity. Or throw Woollies for bigger trout as well as bass. Smallies are hitting, with an occasional largemouth attacking the fly.

For spin-fishing, a Trout Magnet in pink, white or red can work well. You’ve got to get it just off the bottom. “With the low water, take plenty of flies and tackle. It’s really easy to hang up on the bottom. But, hey, that’s where the fish are! 

“The river is very quiet this time of year. You might get the whole river to yourself. The river is still very slick; be safe wading!”

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 10-31-2024) 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 10-31-2024) Teresa Atchley at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said the state park had a big Halloween event on Saturday, Oct. 26, that closed off the boat ramp that afternoon and evening. Between this event and the weather this week, they haven’t had any fishing reports to pass along this week. Most recently, anglers have been using redworms and minnows and trying to target all species, fishing from their boats and from the inside pier at the lake. Crappie had been biting at times.

Lake Monticello
(updated 10-31-2024) 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 10-31-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District’s 2-foot drawdown instituted some weeks back should be nearing completion. The drawdown was for planting millet for waterfowl, improving shoreline vegetation and promoting sediment compaction. 

Millwood State Park boat ramps have reopened after herbicide treatments for Cuban bulrush, an aquatic nuisance species. Containment booms have been placed where southwest regional AGFC fisheries biologists recently discovered the plant within the Millwood State Park cove, as well as at numerous locations along Little River and oxbows, and reported by us to the AGFC Invasive Species Portal with photos and locations.
The biggest changes over the last few weeks have been clarity and water temps rising one day and falling the next. With reduced current in Little River, the surface clarity has been slowly improving in visibility. Millwood elevation Wednesday was about 17 inches below normal pool 257.8 feet msl and steady; Millwood Lake Dam is currently releasing about 160 CFS and tailwater is near 224 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.
Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website linked above under “Millwood Lake,” for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. Surface temps continued fluctuating and were ranging 68 degrees early to 75 degrees later in the day along Little River over the past week, depending on location and the time of day. 

Mike offered these fishing details from the past week:

* Largemouth bass have been schooling and breaking on shad in random locations for several weeks, and the surface feeding and breaking on shad along Little River and oxbows was back in full force this week. Little River surface temperature is up and down randomly, and it is a GREAT TIME to take a kid fishing!

The best bite for largemouth and Kentucky bass for the past couple weeks has been an explosion of random surface activity on threadfin shad at any point in the day. 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. For the past few weeks, bass would fire up on shad almost any time of day and would remain active 5-10 minutes each time.

With these sudden cold fronts one day and surface water temperature heating up to mid-70s the next, and the changing surface water densities, we are seeing bass back in schooling action this week. 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’re in a feeding frenzy, have been with Rat-L-Trap Hammer Traps in Millwood Magic or Chrome Blue, Tail Spinner Rat-L-Traps, Kastmaster Spoons, Pop-Rs, 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 are working very well, also.

Along the edges of grass in the Little River, good choices are the Cordell Crazy Shads in chrome/blue or black back, and a clear Baby Torpedo will draw a reaction when you see surface action from these feeding bass near creek channel dumps on primary points into Little River. 

The best color of cranks in the oxbows, like the Bill Lewis Echo 1.75 square bills, or the MD-57 and MR-6 for the past couple weeks or so have been the Millwood Magic, Ghost Minnow, Tennessee Shad or Green Gizzard Shad. By increasing the size of a Rat-L-Trap up to a three-quarter-ounce Trap, one can fish it much slower and deeper. This technique will draw a few random hits during midday on primary points with stumps present, from creek channels and across points converging with Little River. The best colors of Traps over the past week or so have been Millwood Magic, Tennessee Shad, Ghost Minnow or Olive Shad. In addition, a chrome/blue or Millwood Magic three-eighth-ounce Spin Trap will also draw a lot of reactions from schooling bass in the oxbows.

Our custom-painted Little John crankbaits continue to draw reactions from feeding largemouths in the mouths of the creeks dumping into Little River. The square bills, S-cranks and Echo 1.75 cranks and shallow-running crankbaits in Bluegill Ghost and Tennessee Shad colors are working near creek mouths and points extending into Little River for the past week or so. 

The drawdown continues with a lot of fish holding near the mouths of creeks and points extending in the river. Working the cranks in a stop-and-ago slow retrieve will draw a better reaction than fast retrieves. Several groups of juvenile schooling bass have been found in Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows up Little River over the past week around midday. 

Largemouths, Kentucky and white bass have been randomly schooling over the past several weeks in various locations running river shad from late morning throughout the afternoon. Kastmaster spoons, Cordell spoons, Rat-L-Traps and Little Georges all were catching the surface schoolers over the past week. These fish appear to be juvenile and adolescent in age distribution, ranging in size from 2-3 pounds each.

When the schooling action moves into chasing shad into the lily pads, a Johnson chrome or gold spoon with a white grub 3-inch curly tail trailer, and a Bass Assassin Shad in Grey Ghost, Salt & Pepper Phantom, Violet Moon and Rainbow Shad colors will snatch them in the heavy vegetation and lily pads near flats from 4-6 feet of depths near stumps.
* White bass began schooling again this week, chasing shad with the largemouth and Kentucky bass. Surface-breaking at random times during the day can literally fire up at any point and continue for 5-8 minutes at a time. The whites are hitting vertical-jigged half-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 clarity has improved, and the bite over the past couple weeks and the reduced current improved on primary or secondary points. White bass are roaming all along the oxbows and 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.

Heavy three-quarter-ounce Cordell Hammered Spoons, Kastmaster chrome/blue spoons with white bucktails, Bomber Fat Free Guppy or Fingerling crankbaits and the Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits and half-ounce to three-quarter-ounce Rat-L-Traps, both in Citrus Shad, Tennessee Shad and Millwood Magic colors, continue to draw reactions from white bass. Little George’s, Rocket Shads and red/white Rooster Tails were working last week. Random, and broken schools of white bass are chasing and feeding on the same schools of threadfin shad as the largemouth 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, reacting to crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps in the oxbows as well.

* 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. Planted brushpiles at 12-14 feet deep continue holding some nice slabs over the past few weeks and action and activity was improving. Red/white tube jigs and black/chartreuse hair jigs were catching some 1- to 2-pound fish recently. Cotton Cordell smoke-colored grubs with a chartreuse tip tail on a light wire jig head will pick up a few extra bites.

* No report 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 10-31-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is hovering around 57 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Drought conditions have prompted Entergy to run minimal flow times below Remmel Dam lately and generation times have been greatly reduced 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 level 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 annual winter drawdown of lakes Catherine and Hamilton is scheduled to begin on area lakes in November and will last until next March. There should be a date announced this week concerning whether a 3- or 5-foot drawdown will be used for Catherine. 

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 10-31-2024) Seth Boone, superintendent at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7474), had no new report this week, but most recently had reported Lake Dardanelle was starting to cool down due to 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. Catfish are biting decently on stink bait. Bream are biting on crickets and worms at a fair rate.

Lake Hamilton
No reports.

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.” The 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 10-31-2024) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are still very good. They are schooling up in the mouths of major creek channels. The spotted bass bite is really good right now. Stripers are very good, biting on live bait in the central part of the lake. Crappie are still very good and biting over the tops of brush in the 20- to 30-foot range. No reports this week on catfish, walleye or bream.
Water temperature is ranging 70-76 degrees. Water clarity is clear. Lake level Wednesday was 568.54 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 10-31-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said the water has warmed up to 70 degrees and most of the crappie have moved back a little deeper. Our better fish have come 18-22 feet deep in 24-32 feet of water on brushpiles. Ample numbers of spotted bass are near the bottom on rocky points and around submerged timber at varying depths. Once the water cools back off again, both bass and crappie will come in greater numbers. Be safe, always.

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.

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