Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

November 7, 2024

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

David Aslin shows off a nice smallmouth bass he caught recently while fishing the Spring River with guide Mark Crawford. It’s “smallie” season year-round on the Spring, Crawford says, and anglers just have to fish for them. Slow, deep presentations are the trick. Big, heavy-head Woolly Buggers on the fly are great, as are D2 Jigs on spinning tackle. If you go, bring plenty of tackle: The rocks are many on the Spring River and may be unforgiving, he says. The Spring got the rain it desperately needed this week, pushing the water to 500 cfs (350 cfs is average) and messing up the clarity in the process, but Crawford says the river should be fine by this weekend. Read more of his report and others 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 11-7-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 454.57, about a half a foot rise from this time last week, and 7.47 feet below normal pool. And still the same ol’ deal all over until the weather changes it some way. We need cold now. It does not look like much has changed, but some has, other than 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 been zero and may be zero going forward at North Fork jumped 15 feet and we only got 7 inches. The lake just came up by 0.55 foot.

The turnover seems to have subsided all over the lake and rivers. For crappie, you should try super shallow out to 30 feet. 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.

(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.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 11-7-2024) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the lake level rose 4 inches after this week’s rain. Anglers are catching catfish, both on limblines as well as fishing from the shoreline. They are using worms, including nightcrawlers, as well as baby bream.
The white bass were very active last week, and one angler in particular “caught lots of them.” White bass are biting on crankbaits and Rooster Tails. Black bass aren’t as active now, they report.

Crappie are moving in closer to the shoreline and dock now, and the catch has been very good the last couple of weeks both in the early mornings and late in the evenings. The color pearl white has been preferred, they report, whether that’s on Bobby Garland baits or others. Try an orange jighead with some type of Bobby Garland bait. Slab Slinger in Shineee Hineee has been getting lots of response, and also a Crappie Stinger in pearl white.

Also note, they say, that the pelicans moved in on Thursday. “A bunch of pelicans,” they report, as well as other shorebirds. Time to hit Harris Brake Lake!

The water clarity is a little muddy after the rain. The water temperature is just right.

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
(updated 11-7-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported that water temperature is ranging 67-69 degrees. The largemouth bass bite is fair. They can be found shallow 2-8 feet and a few reports this week of bass being found in the back of the creeks. Others are being found deeper and scattered around brush anywhere from 10-20 feet. Try points and drop offs. Topwater baits, spinnerbaits, jigs, jerkbait, Chatterbait and crankbaits are suggested. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are also fair. Reports of them being found scattered on drop-offs 10-20 feet. Try using jerkbaits and jigs. Crappie are Fair. Reports of crappie being found suspended around brush anywhere from 18-25 feet, as well as some being found around 12-15 feet off of the drop-offs. Try using jigs and minnows. Bream are slow. They can be found around brush piles in 10-15 feet of water, and some are said to be mixed in with the crappie. Try using crickets, worms and drop-shots.

No reports on white bass or catfish this week. Try using twister tails and crankbaits for the whites, and catfish should take to bream, liver or worms.

(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!”

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 11-7-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the fishing has been pretty good before the rain kept the anglers away, but there wasn’t enough rain to spoil things. Look for crappie to be active now, with minnows and jigs both working well the past couple of weeks. Black bass seemed to have been on fire for the past several days or so. Anglers are catching them on crankbaits and spinnerbaits in good numbers. Ray hasn’t heard much on the bream, but the catfish have been biting well, especially around the dock. Throw chicken liver or hot dogs their way.

The creek is clear and actually is a little low because the Arkansas River is running faster this week and pulling the Little Maumelle down some. “It’s clear and definitely fishable. The fishing is only going to get better,” he says.

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 11-7-2024) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said the lake closed for the season on Oct. 31 and will serve as a waterfowl rest area for the upcoming duck season, which opens Nov. 23. The lake will reopen for fishing on Feb. 10, the Monday following Special Youth Waterfowl Hunt weekend.

White River
(updated 11-7-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the White River near Cotter is clearing and recovering after the major rain early this week, the water from the creeks has receded, the sun is shining. Bull Shoals Lake rose nearly 7.5 feet; the dam will be generating sporadically so be mindful of water level as they can change quickly. In this unseasonably warm November, we are experiencing beautiful, mild days, cool nights and fishing creels full of colorful rainbow trout.

You’ll find success with a variety of spoons and Blue Fox spinners. Any rainbow-colored spoons or Rooster Tails in your tackle box should be your first choice. When bait fishing, the guides are using red wiggler worms and backing them up with shrimp and peach, orange or pink egg patterns. The X-Factor steelhead orange and shrimp colored baits (egg clusters and regular-sized egg patterns) as well as X-Factor red worms may attract the attention of the rainbows, too.

The browns are not immune to bait now even during the annual spawn; sculpins work one day, minnows the next.

More visitors are expected on the river with the upcoming holidays, so expect an increase in river traffic. Be especially careful and thoughtful of other anglers: boaters, shore fishers and waders. Come in and share your fishing stories.

(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 11-7-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said the lake level Wednesday was at 659 feet msl. “Crazy. That’s about a 10-foot rise since last week. Be careful in the backs of creeks. There are floaters and debris still bobbing around.”
The water temperature is 66 degrees, give or take, he said. “If you’re going bass fishing, my, how things have changed. There are fish that moved up shallow. Powerfish runoffs, target stained water, use a Chatterbait, spinnerbait or square bill up skinny. Some of the creeks are already surprisingly clearing up. If the water is clear you’re going to have to back out a bit. You can physically see the balls of shad the last couple days.
“A topwater Plopper is still good for a few early. Then keep a Spook or Lucky Craft Sunfish out and ready. There are random blowups in the middle of the day. The fish seem to be bouncing from shad ball to shad ball. Shad are still spread out. Most are out over the old creek channel, while some are getting pushed onto the flats. The cooler temps should help. There are shad sitting high on the surface down to 50 feet.
“If it’s sunny and flat, I’m going to check mouths of creeks and pockets, on long points, ledges, piles drop-offs and bluff ends. Around treetops that are close to deep water, I’m still getting some of those main lake fish on a Roboworm drop-shot. For the gamers, a small half-ounce Flutter spoon or Jewel Scuba Spoon if the shad are on the bottom tater shad or small, heavy swimbait on the suspenders that will fool a few. You better be good at the front-looker; having to hit ’em on the move isn’t easy.

“Overall, smaller baits have helped. As the lake cools off we will get more fish moving up shallow and those crawfish eaters will start cooperating. You can always catch a few on a jig. Dust off those Wiggle Wart, Rock Crawler crankbaits. It’s getting close, going to try especially on those windy, cloudy days. 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 11-7-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the walleye fishing patterns are still about the same as last week. However, with the recent rains and extreme lake level rise, you can expect the fish to be on the move.

Searching for baitfish and good water clarity will be the key to locating them. Fish have been reluctant to chase a bait this past 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 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 a half-ounce 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 a few fish up flat by line trolling shad-style baits in 15 feet of water in the early morning and late evening.”

(updated 11-7-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are still mainly pretty scattered on brush in creeks. We’re finding a few on the main lake but it’s tough going. 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 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 11-7-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said. “Well, things are changing rapidly. We had 7 inches of rain and numerous tornado warnings last Monday. The lake rose 3 feet in a few days and will continue to rise in the next week. There is a massive amount of debris entering the system. I have personally looked at some places on the south end; it is log jams. Fishing from mid-lake to the southern end will be impacted. There are lots of hay bales drifting, which shows the power of the flooding we have had. The lake needed the water and I believe it will be very beneficial to the bite this winter once the lake settles down. It should funnel bait and fish up into the river arms, as they love to move upstream on these high-water rises.
“As for any reports, not much to report. Before all the weather, stripers were doing OK. All bets off now. Same with crappie.

“When the lake settles down you will have to be extremely careful and watch for floating debris. We needed it, but not so much so fast! But I will take it! Give it a couple weeks and things should be looking up.”
Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

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 10-24-2024) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says fishing has been good, 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 11-7-2024) 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 11-7-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are running at 500 cfs (350 cfs is average) and water clarity is poor. Rain was needed in the area, and it happened. Heavy rainfall to the northwest of the area created flash flooding Monday and Tuesday. The river has crested and is calming down. “Great thing about the Spring River is it clears very quickly. Stay posted to the blog on our website for daily updates. The river should be fine by the weekend.

“The trout are beginning the fall season, and we are seeing nice fish feeding. Great time to catch-and-release to keep the big fish fighting. The colder the better for trout, so bundle up and be safe out there. If you get wet, get out.
“The smallies bite year-round on the Spring, just got to fish for them. Slow, deep presentations are the trick. Big heavy-head Woollies on the fly, D2 Jigs on spinning tackle. Bring plenty of tackle, the rocks are many on the Spring River and may be unforgiving.
“The leaves have been falling for the last week and can be a bother on windy days. Watch for trout rising to ants on the leaves. May get the opportunity for a little dry fly action.
“Be safe out there as it gets colder. Dress in layers. Again, if you get wet, get out!”
Visit 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 11-7-2024) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports that water temperature is around 70 degrees. Visibility is up to around 12 inches in protected areas. Black bass are biting well on dark-colored jigs and shad-colored bladed baits, and shallow/lipless crankbaits near brush on sand ledges and larger rock in Lake Langhofer. Black bass and white bass can be caught with lipless crankbaits fan-casted over sand flats occupied by shad. Expect recent rains to increase main channel flow and improve bass positioning on traditional jetty points and blow-through holes.

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.

Lake Monticello
(updated 11-7-2024) 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 11-7-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service the Army Corps of Engineers, Little Rock District’s Millwood Lake’s 2-foot drawdown has ended and the lake is returning to normal pool Millwood State Park boat ramps have reopened after herbicide treatments of Cuban bulrush. Containment booms have been placed where southwest regional AGFC fisheries biologists recently discovered the invasive plant species in Millwood State Park cove and in other areas of the lake. The AGFC, the 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. Use caution in the boom placement areas.

Lake elevation Wednesday was about 6 inches below normal pool and rising. Millwood Lake Dam is releasing 196 CFS and tailwater is near 223 feet msl and steady. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or 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. Watch for random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on Little River and Millwood Lake.

Surface temps continued fluctuating, ranging in 68 degrees early to 75 degrees later in the day along Little River over the past week. Clarity along Little River for the past week worsened with high winds. Moderate to heavy stain is found in most locations, with some areas further up Little River being heaviest. River clarity ranges 5-10 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows will vary widely from normal stained to good visibility from 20-30 inches, and we observed fair visibility in a few wind- and current-protected areas like McGuire Oxbow up to 3 feet clarity.
Siefert had these specifics in the fishing for this week:
* Largemouth bass have 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. The biggest changes over the past few weeks continue to be the cooler weather one week and warm weather the next. Little River surface temperatures are up and down randomly, and it is a GREAT TIME to take a kid fishing!

The mouths of creeks dumping into Little River are still holding schools of largemouth, Kentucky 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 they are holding numerous groups of different age classes. For the past few weeks, bass fired up on shad almost any time of day and would remain active for 5-10 minutes each time. With these sudden cold fronts one day and surface water temperatures 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 were frenzy feeding have been on Rat-L-Trap Hammer Traps in Millwood Magic or Chrome Blue, Tail Spinner Rat-L-Traps, Kastmaster Spoons, Pop-R’s, and 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 have been working very well the last few weeks also.

Along the edges of grass in the Little River, good choices are the Cordell Crazy Shads in chrome/blue or black, 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.

Best color of cranks in the oxbows 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 Rat-L-Trap, anglers 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. 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 a Millwood Magic ⅜-ounce Spin Trap will also draw a lots of reactions from schooling bass in the oxbows of Mud, McGuire and Horseshoe lakes.
* White bass continue schooling again this week, chasing shad with the largemouth and spotted bass. The 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 were hitting vertical-jigged half-ounce 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.

Heavy 3/4 oz Cordell hammered spoons, Kastmaster Chrome/blue spoons with white Bucktails, or Bomber Fat Free Guppy or Fingerling crankbaits, the Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits and half-ounce to ¾-ounce Rat-L-Traps in Citrus Shad, Tennessee Shad and Millwood Magic colors continue to draw reactions. 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 spots are at numerous river creek channel intersections, primary point and many creek dumps into Little 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 and improved with reduced current in Little River, and also with improved water clarity in brush from 12-14 feet deep. The planted brush piles at 12-14 feet deep continue holding some nice 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 crappie 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 11-7-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that the winter drawdown is underway on Lake Catherine, starting on Nov. 1. A 3-foot drawdown is scheduled, as opposed to the 5-foot drawdown of the last several years. Despite recent heavy rains, a dry 2025 forecast has prompted Entergy to lower Lake Catherine 3 inches per day instead of 6 inches at a reduced flow speed of 2,400 cfs. This process will last 12 days where both lakes Catherine and Hamilton are lowered 3 feet. The refilling schedule will begin in early March 2025.

A 3-foot drawdown gives the Carpenter Dam tailrace much more water for game fish to inhabit and greatly enhances the safety factor for wading and boat anglers. We hope Mother Nature will hold back her fury so the public can access the Carpenter Dam tailrace this year. The past three years have been a complete wash-out for boating and angling due to flooding. Countless thousands of rainbow trout were forced away from the dam because of the extreme flows and never returned causing the trout season to end much earlier than normal.

The Carpenter Dam tailrace is muddy and debris-filled from the heavy rainfall of the past week. The fall trout stocking schedule begins this month, which will energize the entire tailrace and begin quality and consistent fishing on Lake Catherine. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission does a great job with the trout stocking schedules and provides the state with healthy game fish so the public can enjoy the many waters of The Natural State.
Always wear a life jacket when on the water and follow all park and boating regulations when visiting Carpenter Dam. Clean up after yourself, as the area has limited trash cans available. Police and game wardens are present, so remember to cooperate with any law enforcement official when asked.

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

(updated 11-7-2024) Seth Boone, superintendent at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7474), had no new reports 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 11-7-2024) 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 still schooling up in the mouths of major creek channels. The spotted bass bite is really good right now. No reports on walleye, bream or catfish this week. Stripers are very good, biting on live bait in the central part of the lake. Crappie are good and biting over the tops of brush in the 20- to 30-foot range.

The water temperature is ranging 70-76 degrees. Water clarity is stained. The lake level is up to 571.30 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.