Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

April 10, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Brandon (no last name provided) wanted to learn how to fly-fish while stationed in Jacksonville at the Little Rock Air Force Base serving in the U.S. Air Force. Mike Winkler guided Brandon to his first brown trout while fishing the Little Red River recently. Winkler said that Brandon’s dad came down from Wisconsin to visit and took advantage of the nice weather, too, as the caddis hatch is in full swing on the Little Red. Also, despite all the water that Greers Ferry Lake has taken on after last week’s storms, only one unit at the dam is discharging water this week into the Little Red, making for good fishing conditions. Read more from Winkler’s 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

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir (under renovation)
For the most up-to-date lake level, visit the U.S. Geological Survey’s Lake Conway water level site.

(updated 4-3-2025) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) had no reports.

While Lake Conway is drawn down for renovation, the Lake Conway Nursery Pond is open for fishing in the immediate area, with bream and trout being reported among catches of late. The 70-acre pond has been stocked by the AGFC with mature bass, crappie, catfish and bream as well as rainbow trout for the cold weather months.

(updated 4-3-2025) AGFC staff reported Tuesday that eight people were fishing the Lake Conway Nursery Pond that day and anglers are starting to catch harvestable bream. The overall catch rate appeared high. Anglers were reported to be very positive about having the pond as a fishing option, according to staffers. Also, the Facebook site Crappie Fishing Arkansas featured a photo recently of an angler having caught a nice slab there.

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 4-10-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said Wednesday night that the Army Corps of Engineers has been running a consistent generation schedule lately — one unit round-the-clock for several days now. With all the recent rain across Arkansas (some areas got 8 inches or more), the creeks, streams and other rivers are still full, so I expect this one-unit generation to continue for at least another week. Once the water level starts to fall out, don’t be surprised to see them bump it up to two units 24/7 to help bring Greers Ferry Lake back down to normal pool.

As far as the fishing goes, things are looking good! The river has cleared up nicely, even after all that muddy runoff. The caddis hatch was popping before the storms rolled in, and the bugs are still coming off strong, especially once the sun hits midmorning and warms things up. The fish are locked in on them.
“I’ve been running a double nymph rig with double caddis patterns under an indicator. With this one-unit water, I’m fishing anywhere from 3-7 feet deep — sometimes deeper if I’m in a hole. San Juan Worms have also been getting it done under an indicator at various depths.
“The streamer bite? Solid. Really good action lately, so if you like stripping meat, now’s a great time.
“Overall, the bite’s been good across the board: nymphs, streamers, worms. Pick your favorite tactic and get after it!”

(updated 4-10-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said that despite all the water the state received last week, fishing on the Little Red has been “pretty good” this week. Anglers are throwing mostly a slightly bigger than usual jerkbait. The best colors have been gold with blackback and Fire Tiger. Those will work for browns and rainbows.

For now, Southwestern Power Administration and the Corps of Engineers have only opened one unit to move water, and that’s led to good fishing conditions, though there is still a lot of moving water in the river.

Make sure to check the links above of the Corps and SWPA for generation schedules and any changes at Greers Ferry Lake with the expected storm fronts passing through the state.

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 4-10-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the lake took a big jump with all the rainfall last week and there is a lot of floating debris, so they urge caution for boaters and anglers trying to fish there over the next few days. Only one unit was being used this week at the dam, so the lowering of the lake may take a little while. Check the Corps of Engineers information from the link above for the latest conditions.

Before the big rise in water, a lot of fish looked like they were starting to spawn, and anglers were having success fishing for black bass shallow midway into the backs of creeks where they were finding a lot of fish. A lot depended on the depth of the creek, but they were catching them from 2 feet down to 10 feet of water. Texas-rigged creature baits, Carolina rigs, floating worm and a jig were the main baits working.

There were still some fish out deeper in the main lake toward the middle, those that haven’t headed in to spawn. A 3-inch swimbait was working well out deep; try a natural shad color of white color. Also, anglers were throwing the C-rig out in deeper water.

Crappie were biting anywhere from 5 feet to 15 feet. Anglers were catching them fishing shallow and throwing bait around bushes or wood, with a curly tail 2-inch curly tail grub in pink and chartreuse or purple and chartreuse being favored. Also, a blue and white color worked. Out deeper, more of a natural color to a Bobby Garland Baby Shad was favored in this area — gray and white or blue and white, and expect the crappie to bite in 15 feet of water.

(updated 4-10-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said Thursday that the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 472.02 feet msl. That’s 9.98 feet above normal pool for this time of year. It came up about 11 feet because we were 1 foot below normal pool before last week’s rains; they are running one generator at present. Great stain to water remains; pretty much good catching color all over the lake and rivers, but now we’ve seen a big rise.

He says, “Several days ago you probably saw some mid-50 temps with wind really mixing the lake up a lot, and it has cooled back off especially after these cold nights coming, and for sure will cause fish confusion as a lot of them have backed off now!”
For crappie, try super shallow and out to 30 feet and use jigs, minnows or crankbaits. Fishing straight up and down in pole timber or brushpiles is working great. A lot of walleye have moved upriver or close to it after the last big lake rise; there is a lot more staging and some prestaging. They have not even come out of deep water; they are scattered all over the lake and rivers. Look on any corner facing upstream and drag a minnow or crankbaits 45-65 feet. Other walleye are supper shallow; fish a jighead minnow, jerkbait or big minnow-type deep-diving bait. Some are following under big schools of whites and hybrids and some have even spawned up rivers, but lots of males upriver are waiting, and the females are as well; use a spoon for those.

For the walleye just roaming around, a spoon is best for vertical fishing them in 10-50 feet.
Hybrid bass and white bass are set up in the main lake and some are roaming, schooling on top. For the ones set, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swimbaits in 25-80 feet. They want to settle in about 43 feet, which is magic water depth where they are comfortable here many months out of the year. It has the right temperature and oxygen. Some are up rivers spawning now; try throwing a grub on a jighead or a Roadrunner. 

Catfish are biting all over the lake on the usual stuff. Try staying around schools of shad. Some bream are shallow but most are still around 8-30 feet. Crickets and crawlers are working fine as well as inline spinners.

You will start running into small groups of five to eight black bass up shallow. Most, though, are out or roaming shallow and schooling. Use Carolina rigs, Wiggle Warts and any flat-sided crankbait, drop-shots, spinner baits and Rat-L-Traps super shallow out to 80 feet. The spinnerbait will shine right now shallow or in the guts. Also be mindful of certain trees they will get on in the pole timber! Be safe and wear your life jacket.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 4-10-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the lake went down a lot and is back to normal level now. The clarity is muddy.

One angler reported catching six nice-sized crappie on minnows. Another caught catfish using nightcrawlers on the west side of the lake. Another angler caught an 18-pound gar.

Black bass are biting off the shoreline in fair numbers, and better out in the lake from boats. Try by the “big island” or just past it. Crappie jigs and minnows were working for the bass as well, along with crankbaits in various colors (all have gotten some action). A few bream were biting.

Follow more from Harris Brake Lake Resort on its Facebook page.

Lake Overcup
(updated 4-10-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said the water level is up by 2.5 feet and murky but is going down. Surface temperature is around 63 degrees. 

Bream are starting to bite a little bit on crickets and redworms. Black bass are doing well on crankbaits and soft plastic worms. Catfish are feeding on the worms that washed into the lake. 

Crappie have slowed down, but with warmer temperatures they should crank back up. “Really hasn’t been a lot of people fishing these past few days.
“Come see me at Overcup Bait Shop off Highway 9. We have all your fishing needs.”

Brewer Lake
(update 4-3-2025) AGFC staff visited Brewer Lake over the weekend (March 29-30) for this report: Surface water temperature is low- to mid-60s and the water level is at full pool. The pollen has put a green tinge to the surface, but other than that, the water is fairly clear with about 2 feet of visibility. Crappie are beginning to move shallow to the flooded brush and should be spawning now. Focus on coves in the northern portion of the lake. Largemouth bass are biting fairly well on secondary points and isolated brush in 7-11 feet of water. Slow-rolled spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and Carolina-rigged lizards are working well. Fishing the brushline with a wacky-rigged Senko or Texas-rigged lizard will also pick up a few smaller bass. Most of the large fish are still a cast-and-a-half offshore waiting to move up. No report on catfish or bream. 

Brewer Lake has a new regulation for 2025: The 13- to 16-inch black bass slot limit on Brewer (as well as Lake Barnett in White County) has been replaced; now, anglers may keep up to 10 largemouth bass, but only one of those may exceed 16 inches.

Lake Maumelle
NOTE: Bryan Rupar, the watershed protection manager for Central Arkansas Water, said March 31 that repairs to the Lake Maumelle Dam, initiated in early March, are progressing steadily. The contractor is now restoring the dam’s outer shell, a major undertaking that could take up to two more months to complete, depending on weather conditions. To facilitate repairs, CAW aims to keep the lake level around 5 feet below normal pool elevation; however, this will depend on rainfall and the progress of the work. 

(updated 4-10-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports that the lake now is 5 feet low (after being drawn down more than 10 feet, for the repair of the dam by Central Arkansas Water), and water temperature is ranging 65-67 degrees.

Black bass are good. Reports have come in of them being caught in 1-5 feet of water. Try using Senkos, spinnerbaits or square-bill crankbaits. No reports on white bass, bream, crappie or catfish, but with the water level coming up 6 feet, we are expecting more anglers to come out this weekend.

(update 4-10-2025) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) said that with the water low on Lake Maumelle for the repair of the dam, he had not fished there of late, but was fishing other crappie locations in Central Arkansas. Give him a holler for a trip or for updates on his excursions; his information is linked above.

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 4-10-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is normal now, as of Thursday. “It’s not clear-clear, but it’s fishable,” he said. “I haven’t talked to anyone today, but everything is the same with the fishing.”

He said that with water temperature in the low 70s, crappie are still on the bank and biting well. Using minnows or jigs.
Black bass are doing pretty well still. A few anglers were bass fishing on Wednesday and caught quite a few. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are the best bets. 

Bream are beginning to bite. A bunch of bream were biting for one angler this week using crickets.

The Little Maumelle ran pretty hard during the rains of last week but only came up about a foot to a foot and a half, he said, and now it’s back to good fishing water.

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 4-10-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the river this week is running very fast after all of last week’s rainfall, with 130,000 cfs passing through the Little Rock pool as of Thursday, meaning a small craft advisory. “Hopefully the river will get back to good fishing conditions sometime next week,” they said. Of course, much of that depends on how much the Corps of Engineers has to move through the system.

Before last week’s storms, the river’s clarity was stained to muddy in a few places and the water temperature was ranging 58-68 degrees depending on location. Anglers were finding it warmer in the backwaters and cooler in the main part of the river; anglers competing in a Tuesday night bass tournament last week saw about a 10-degree temperature swing depending on location.
Also before all the bad weather, black bass were biting really well on Texas-rigged creature bait fished up shallow around wood or grass. Black and blue had been a great color lately of creature bait. A black and blue jig also worked well, along with a black and blue Senko fished weightless. You could also catch some fish on a chartreuse and black back crankbait as well as a white and chartreuse spinnerbait. “They are biting a little bit of everything but those are the main ones,” they say.

They had not heard any reports from the river on crappie last week. But the full moon may get crappie going by next week when the river conditions improve.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 4-10-2025) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said Peckerwood got quite a bit of water from the rains last week but the lake is back to level full and the clarity is dingy as of Thursday.

Anglers are catching decent amounts of crappie and a few bream and catfish. “I don’t know about the bass. They don’t fish for bass on this (south) end of the lake, but I’m sure they are catching them (in other areas).”

Crappie will bite minnows and jigs, though she didn’t have any hints from anglers on color. The dingy conditions would probably favor a chartreuse in there, though. Catfish are biting “about anything, but definitely hot dogs and minnows.”

The bream are being picked up on yo-yos, but they’ll bite minnows too.

White River Cotter Area
(updated 4-10-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Celebrate! The sun is shining, no rain for several days, we’re beginning to dry out and the river is clearing.
“The lakes in the White River watershed have been rising due to recent rains. Water levels have been fairly consistent at between 2,000 and 10,000 cfs, during most of each day over the last week and fishing is good. Water clarity at Cotter and upstream is back to normal (clear to excellent) after a few days of dinginess from creek runoff. It’s taking a little longer to improve downriver due to Crooked Creek and Buffalo River drainage.
“The brown bite has switched back and forth between sculpins and minnows — keep both on hand if possible. You’ll still catch some great browns with shad a little further upriver. Our best bait was a 4½-inch Violet Cream Smithwick (white with a soft yellow back), but the spoons were producing really well, too. The Thomas Buoyant red/gold hammered quarter-ounce spoon was a winner. Crawdad season is starting; we’re finding a good supply in ponds and smaller tributaries. Trout love crawdads, but if you can’t get your hands on real ones, shrimp is a close imitator, and the Rebel WeeCrawfish (Stream Crawfish color or the chartreuse/green back) works great, too.
“Rainbows have been moving toward sunrise and orange PowerBait, and combining that with shrimp or crawdad tail has been an excellent way to reel in some great-sized fish.
“Expect increased generation from Bull Shoals Dam in the coming weeks. Deeper water means more drift fishing, no wading opportunities — but the trout love lots of fresh, cold water and they are feisty and healthy when they get it. Stop in on your way to the river.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 4-10-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “The heavy rains last week caused flooding through the weekend. At Calico Rock the White River crested at 28 feet. By Monday afternoon the river was back in the banks. Through Wednesday we have seen very muddy water with signs the water is starting to clear up. Hopefully by the weekend the river will be clear and we can get back to fishing.”

Allison/Mountain View Area
(updated 4-3-2025) Jack’s White River Fishing Resort reports they had a great week of fishing with several trips out on the water. The water level fluctuated between 2-5 feet, but despite that, “we were able to hit our limits each time. The guides had success using Sunrise Orange PowerBait, handmade hammered silver spinners, and shrimp as bait. Most of the fishing took place just past the Highway 9 bridge by Hansford Bluff near Round Bottom.

An AGFC staffer took in a guided trip with a friend and a Jack’s guide, Braden, the week before last and had a lot of success with rainbows, mostly catching them up to 6 miles or so north of the resort and drifting downstream rapidly with a pretty strong current. The AGFC had stocked the river with rainbows at Mount Olive and at the Sylamore Access several days earlier, and the stockers were hungry. Best success was by spin-fishing with inline spinners, eggs (like X Factor or something similar) and pieces of shrimp. Make sure to use only about a third of a whole shrimp; anything more is too much for the trout to swallow. We caught some more mature rainbows as well as the stockers, too.

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 4-10-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) reported Wednesday night that lake level was on the rise at 666 feet msl while last week at this time it was 658 feet msl. Water temps vary anywhere from 54-60 degrees. The bigger creeks have some debris — be careful with floaters as the lake rises. That being said, everything is changing by the minute. Once the lake stabilizes these bass are going to be looking to move up; bucks are already up there. The water toward the main lake is gin clear toward the dam and chocolate milk in the creeks. 

Some fish have moved up with the water. Powerfishing shallow has been favorable with clouds, rain, wind and stained water. Some fish are up there roaming shallow. Try a spinnerbait, Chatterbait or a square bill in bright colors. Target windblown transition banks by steep stuff nearby — yep, not easy with the winds but that’s where they are at. Chunk rock, steeper banks, small ledges close to deep water. A SPRO Crawler, Wiggle Wart and Red Craw are catching them. You can go bright in stained water, natural in the clear. The crank bite will slow without wind. There are always fish to be caught on a jig such as a Jewel half-ounce green pumpkin variant. 

Once again, warm, a little wind, sunny try points, drop-offs or ledges, piles swings — you’re looking anywhere from 1 foot to 20 feet deep. Also a shaky head and a Ned rig are coming into play. 

The offshore videogamers are going to have to work — the shad are still spread out and there are still loons and seagulls. Target larger bait balls or any bait you can find up high near the surface and closer to the shore. Most fish are still looking up. Every day is different and every creek will be a little different. If you are targeting shad eaters, it’s been work as the shad are making their way into the creeks. A smaller 2.8 swimbait or a regular Tater Shad has been working, and also try a jerkbait around those high swimming shad and shad balls in the clear water. They are being finicky if they aren’t actively feeding. 

Just because they are up doesn’t mean much if it’s blue birds, flat, post-front: It’s still going to sting a little. Good luck, have fun, be safe and “Fish the conditions.”

Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Fishing Report) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.

(updated 4-10-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says cloudy days prior to the cold front helped the daytime fishing. The change in lake level (up 8 feet) has the fish changing positions. If lake rises up over the buckbrush, fish over it with spinnerbaits or a ⅛-ounce jighead with small swimbaits; a shallow-running jerkbait such as a Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue will get some bites. 

Best fishing this past week has still been late evenings. Walleye seemed to still be in the spawning/post-spawn period. We are still seeing fish coming to the shallows at night. Fish are scattered along chunk rock points with deep water close by and along steeper creek channel swings that have shad. Best to fish low-light periods now. Fishing methods are still the same. Fishing 4-15 feet of water with jerkbaits or fishing 4 feet out to 30 feet of water with jig and minnow, jig and plastics or Ice Jigs — worked slowly back to the boat on points with deep water on at least one side — will produce fish. Fishing same structure right before and after dark with 110-style jerkbaits or 5-inch floating stick baits and retrieved at extremely slow speeds will get some fish.

If trolling, try to fish low-light periods. Trolling 5-inch stick baits at slow speeds as low as .85 mph in 7-14 feet along windblown banks will also work.

(updated 4-10-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are definitely scattered at least mid-lake. We have had success covering lots of brush in that 15- to 25-foot range and occasionally starting to catch a few beautiful males that are getting their tuxedo on shallower brush around 10 feet. We are getting closer but these cool nights, rising colored water and debris have them still scattered in a funk. Very soon when it stabilizes it will be time for the coveted spawn! We have had success casting jigs over brush and also with minnows. 

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

(updated 4-10-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina and reports that the lake is at 569 feet msl and stained in the creeks; the main lake from Robinson Point is clean and clear. “We just had a rain event that increased the water level by 15 feet. The good news is that the lake is in good shape and ready for great spring fishing. I was worried the crappie would not have reasonable spawning grounds, but now that the buckbrush is covered, crappie fishing will get better each week.

“The threadfin shad will begin their annual spawning run in the next few weeks, and now that the buckbrush is covered, the stripers will be chasing bait and artificial lures. There will be some great fishing in the remainder of April and May.
“Stripers will continue their feeding as they get ready to spawn. Bait will move farther up the creek to feed, and the crappie will wait until the water calms down and warms back up. Next week, we should see a return to stable conditions.

“The night fishing should start all over the lake as the water warms. The best times have been 8-10 p.m., focusing on the lake’s north and east banks. South and west winds warm these banks during the day, attracting stripers looking for bait. The best lures for night fishing are rogues and swimbaits.
“Target creeks with long, flat areas and slightly stained water. The best locations to find active stripers include Steward Point, Pigeon Creek, Bennetts Bayou, Big Creek and Brushy Creek.”
Visit Tom’s website or his Facebook page linked above for more information.

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

(updated 4-10-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake as predicted skyrocketed to more than 1,127 feet msl with the recent flooding. That level is 3 feet away from the top. “I did go out looking (Tuesday) and the lake from past Hickory heading south is full of debris and is chocolate in color.
“Have really nothing else to report as we all hunkered down during the multiday storms. I would predict the lake next week at this time will start to be fishable. Now, the far north end is fishable at this time; it will be stained in arms that have larger creeks coming in. 

“Hopefully the Corps of Engineers doesn’t drop the lake fast in the coming weeks, as the spawn will be on. Not a good time to drastically draw down the lake, which seems to happen more often than not. I understand this is a flood control lake, but I hope for a good spawn. 

“Lots of hay bales are back out floating in numerous coves that came into the lake on the last big rise we had. Those hay bales are very dangerous as they float right at, and are barely exposed, along the surface. Hard to see and I know you do not want to hit one. It would stop you in your tracks, I’m afraid. 

“No rain and warm temperatures will accelerate the water warmup, so expect fishing to ramp up as the lake shapes back up. Stay safe and observant while out on the lake — as stated above, there are lots of hazards!”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 4-10-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said fishing has been pretty good this past week. “We have been pulling trout in nice numbers and there are still some walleye to be had (but you’ve got to work for them). Most trout are being caught using Pautzke Fire Bait and Fire Eggs, fished with light terminal tackle. Gold and silver spoons have also done great, especially during generation periods. A quarter-ounce, letting it sink and working it back slowly has been the preferred presentation.
“As far as the walleye, like stated above, you have to work for them and try various methods. Jerkbaits and jigging soft plastics have produced the best numbers. 

“This week’s hot spot has been between Spider Creek and Parker Bottoms, but don’t expect to get up there by boat unless you have a jet or until they kick on the water.
“Water temps have been in the high 40s and low 50s. If you want to get in on some white bass action, try fishing between Beaver and Holiday Island. Remember, for additional updates follow my Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service); I’m pretty much on the water every week. Feel free to message me if you have any questions. Take care, get out and catch some fish!”

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 3-21-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports that crappie and bass are both coming up into shallower water to bite now that the water temperature is in the 50s. The clarity is “a little dirty, but we like it a little dirty. With the water temp in the 50s, the fish are ready.”
Crappie are biting in jigs and coming up to about 4 feet depth. Black bass are chasing crankbaits. No reports on catfish.

Lake Charles
(updated 4-3-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said fishing for the major species continued to be good this week. Crappie were fishing well with anglers using jigs in all colors as well as worms and minnows. They’re biting near the shoreline. Look for the best times this month to be around the full moon coming in a couple of weeks.

Black bass are good but anglers aren’t sharing their baits used. It’s a good time for crankbaits and spinnerbaits, though, as well as jigs.

Catfish are good but, like the bass, anglers are not sharing what bait they are using. Worms are typically good now, though, such as nightcrawlers, plus the catfish stink bait. Also try live bait like small bluegill. That was what Cameron Morris was using the Monday before last when he caught a nice 13-pound, 7-pound flathead, in case you missed last week’s report.
Bream also are good on redworms and jigs, and like the crappie they have moved their activity to the shoreline.

No reports on white bass. The water is the usual Lake Charles murky, and the level is high. 

Lake Poinsett
(updated 4-10-2025) Lake Poinsett State Park reports, “The weather barely slowed anglers here at Lake Poinsett — even with wind, rain and tornadoes incoming, we had anglers trying their luck this past week. According to regulars, the crappie have moved up from the deep water and have been near the shoreline. Minnows are still the favorite choice for bait, though nightcrawlers, redworms and various jigs are also selling regularly. This month, Lake Poinsett will also start carrying crickets as a bait option. As always, we recommend calling the visitor center at 870-578-2064 to see what live bait we have in stock because you never know when we’ll sell out these days.”

The lake limit on crappie is 15 fish (all sizes encouraged to be harvested to help prevent stunting), and for black bass you can keep 10 fish with one being larger than 16 inches. 

The State Park Visitor Center is now open every day from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Spring River
(updated 4-10-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water flow at the Spring is at 575 cfs (350 cfs is average), and water clarity is poor. Over the weekend the Spring River was hit by an epic flash flood from heavy rains. There has been extensive damage to the river and surrounding areas from flooding. The river has dropped back down to within its banks at this time. With no rain in forecast, it should recover quickly.
“We will post more info as the full extent of the damage is discovered. AGFC will report on the condition of Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery at Dam 3. Please stay clear of the area as they work on it. The railroad was also heavily damaged. Work crews are in the area working on the railroad and it should be up and going quickly. There are areas blocked off from crossing as they fix the tracks. Be very careful on the roads down to the river. Some of the gravel roads are washed out in places.
“There were no reports of anyone hurt in the area, and we are all very thankful for that. We have plans to float as soon as we can get on the river — within the next few days. Pictures and videos will be posted on our website.”
Visit Mark’s blog (springriverfliesandguides.com) for the latest updates and conditions on the Spring River.

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 3-27-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reported that water temperature is in the upper 50s, some protected backwaters are up to mid-60s. Visibility is around 12 inches in most places, some tributaries are muddier, some backwaters are clearer. Black bass are phasing into the spawn. The best fishing is in protected shallows with woody cover using dark- colored soft-plastic creatures and jigs. Spinnerbaits and bladed jigs are effective on windy days. 

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 4-3-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said customers were buying worms last Thursday at the visitor center to try their luck at whatever they could catch from fishing the pier.
Spring break started a couple of weeks back with several visitors on hand that Saturday to fish for crappie. The following day an angler reported catching two bass but overall thought it was too windy to continue. Crickets were purchased at the visitor center for crappie by boat anglers and shoreline anglers recently. Also, minnows have been fished for crappie as well.

Lake Monticello
(updated 4-10-2025) 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 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 4-10-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Tuesday, “What a difference a week makes! Severe thunderstorms last week have the lake elevation 6 feet above normal conservation pool and rising, and all rivers are at high flow levels. The Army Corps of Engineers is releasing over 45,000 cfs today. Over 8-9 inches of rainfall in as many as four days last week have made the lake a total train wreck.

Forced closures due to immediate flooding in southwestern Arkansas:

On Millwood Lake:

* Millwood State Park (Arkansas State Parks)

* White Cliffs USACE Campground (USACE)

* Wilton Landing on Little River (USACE)

* Saratoga Landing (USACE)

* Beard’s Lake (USACE)

* River Run East and River Run West and ramp below Millwood Lake Dam (USACE)

* Beard’s Bluff Campground (USACE)

On De Queen Lake: Oak Grove Landing, Pine Ridge, Story Creek, Rolling Fork and lower loop at Bella Mine (USACE).
On Gillham Lake: Cossatot Point north boat ramp, Little Coon Creek, Big Coon Creek (USACE).
On Dierks Lake: Loop 1 and Loop 2 at Jefferson Ridge, and the group camping area at Blue Ridge (USACE).
For more information and updates call: Millwood, 870-898-3343; De Queen/Gillham, 870-584-4161; Dierks, 870-286-2346.

Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 46,100 cfs and tailwater is near 254 feet and rising. Incoming water upriver from the Tri-Lakes has not yet fully arrived downstream in the four feeding rivers into Millwood. We would expect that rainfall from the Tri-Lakes to arrive here late this week or midweek next week. Estimated lake pool returning to normal pool will be based on Red River pool elevation, how fast it can recede, and release tailwater from Tri-Lakes and Millwood, could be two weeks of cresting and returning to normal pool of 259.2 feet msl.
Navigation caution is urged. It is extremely hazardous. High flow rates in Little River and Saline and Cossatot are contributing to catastrophic flooding all over southwest Arkansas, and Millwood is right square in the middle of that. Always watch for broken timber. Navigation is discouraged on Millwood Lake under current flood and high discharge volume rate conditions at the dam. A wide debris field of entire broken timber, trees, logs, limbs, broken grass mats and dangerous semi-submerged objects are in extremely high-flow conditions.

Mike says he and the rest of the guide service have not been out this past week due to the extensive flooding and hazardous navigation conditions from the thunderstorms and rapid lake rise from the rainfall. But this was what Mike reported before the storm front settled over Arkansas late last week:

* Millwood is still producing good largemouth bass at tournaments over the past few weeks — consistently week to week there are catches weighing 5-9 pounds. The bass activity has continued to improve over the past few weeks with the warmer conditions, depending on location, but can seem random on high barometric days. 

The largemouth are best during the late morning through midday. Several females have been found roaming flats from 1-5 feet deep and on beds in areas of the oxbow lakes up Little River. A few of those roaming largemouths have been fair to good on red chrome half-ounce Rat-L-Traps. The smaller quarter-ounce Spinner Tail Rat-L-Traps in chrome/blue or red shad will get a random reaction near flats through dead lily pads with deep creek bends. When you need to work shallow, throw brown/orange or red chrome crawfish, red shad/gold back or Toledo Gold colors and you will connect. Spin Traps with a gold tail spinner will also work through the dead lily pad stems flawlessly and will connect with roaming bass. 

Brazalo Strutter Chatterbaits continue working, and best colors over the past two weeks for us have been Millwood Mayhem Bream, black/blue and pumpkin/fire craw. Reactions have been very good — we’ve been catching healthy 3- to 6-pound bass over the last couple weeks — and the best reactions continue to be in 5-9 feet depth near grass lines, stumps, cypress trees and timber. Brazalo Spinnerbaits in Arkansas River Shad, Peachy, Spot Remover and Hot Mouse are all good choices in the stained to clear water in the oxbow lakes up Little River.

The males we found near and on beds this week were around 3-4 pounds, and were in 2-6 feet deep flats with stumps present near cypress trees and knees for wind protection, with close proximity to drops from 4-9 feet deep. The bite has improved on a red or chartreuse/white Chatterbait, a Brazalo Spinnerbait in Spot Remover or chartreuse/white, or a 6- to 8-inch and magnum-sized lizard. Numerous female largemouths are cruising grass lines and dead lily pad stems, when they are not pinned to the beds, in the 4- to 8-pound class.

If you want to fish the 1-3 feet depths, turn off your electronics and raise your trolling motor to keep from spooking the bass. In the cleaner water back in the pockets and oxbows away from current in Little River, throw a 6- to 8-inch lizard in Cotton Candy, Watermelon Magic or June bug/red, and in the heavier stained or dingy and muddy areas throw black/blue, blackberry, pumpkinseed/chartreuse tail or a chartreuse pumpkin color. 

Bass Assassin 5-inch Shad Assassins in Houdini, Salt & Pepper Silver Phantom and Smoke Wagon will draw reactions in the fresh, blooming lily pad stands and behind and in dense grass lines.

* The white bass run IS ON. They have moved further up along Little River and have been heavily schooled up at various creek dumps into Little River for several weeks now. A few nice-sized schools were found up Little River to Patterson Shoals this week. It seems like sunny days have the white bass schooled up tightly feeding on threadfin shad, and on cloudy days they seem to scatter into broken schools with random reactions more common.

We ran up Little River to Cossatot inflow ditch and Patterson Shoals above U.S. Highway 71 at Wilton again several days this week. The water temps we saw there were in the mid-60s and the whites were hitting our crankbaits and spoons with abandon. We have been throwing Bill Lewis Lures Rat-L-Traps in chrome/blue or Millwood Magic colors, Hammered Cordell Chrome Spoons, Little Georges and Cleos, Rooster Tails, Rocket Shads, Tennessee Shad color Bomber Fat Free Fingerlings and the Fat Free Guppy, and our clients also had good luck using Beetle Spins with the black and white twin tail grub. 

We caught around 25-30 some days, and good numbers over 40-50 large white bass other days this week, at several locations, and the hard-charging white bass were eager to bite up to 3 pounds. We also saw four or five other fishermen in the same locations, and they were also catching good numbers of FAT white bass this week between Wilton Landing and Patterson Shoals. We stopped and talked with one group of anglers who had also caught around 50 in the afternoon this week. White bass spawning runs continue to be a great time to take a kid fishing!

* Crappie over the past week have been scattered like crazy, kind of like the white bass were a few days this week. So random, nothing consistent to report, and they have not been stacked up in brush like they typically are this time of year. We do not believe water temperature has gotten to the point where the crappie are pulling up shallow to spawn yet, but it’s coming soon. We expect this will change over the next week.

* No reports on catfish or bream.

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.

No reports.

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

(updated 4-10-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Hey, folks! Anyone dried out yet? Wow. Water level here is at 417.51 feet msl, and it is finally starting to fall. That’s almost 10 feet higher than it was when I was catching them in 18 inches of water. That’s over for now. I do not know the water temperature of the water as of now.

“So, look — this lake is full of debris and floating trash. Staff off the water unless it is necessary. If so, absolute caution must be used.

“I have no reports on crappie or bass as of now. However, my past experience tells me the catfish are going to be feeding in the new territory big time. Small trotlines or limblines will do the trick. Shrimp, wieners, “Catfish Charlie,” bream, trotline minnows and, of course, crawfish are good bait. 

“When the water gets to the correct temperature, the crappie will be in the brush, too. Wading would be the way to go there. Sorry, but I don’t do that. Don’t like those smooth runners around my feet. 

“The best advice I have is to give it a little time. Mother nature is driving this train wreck. 

“See you on the water.”

(updated 3-27-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continues to do most of his fishing at and reporting from lakes Ouachita and DeGray, and says, “The crappie are in their spawn. We have been catching ample numbers of crappie on staging tops near spawning coves 8-12 feet deep and in the buckbrush fished 3 feet deep.” 

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 4-10-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that with the terrible flooding of last week, it will be weeks before the tailrace is fit for navigation or fishing. Even before all the rains last week, Entergy had planned for it and scheduled 24/7 generation flows from Carpenter Dam. 

Fast flows will be the norm on Lake Catherine in conjunction with open flood gates to aid in passing these huge amounts of water through the dam system. Treacherous conditions will be present until the flood waters subside. No one should attempt to navigate the Carpenter Dam tailrace until lake conditions return to normal and local weather stabilizes.

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

(updated 4-10-2025) Seth Boone, superintendent at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7474), had no new fishing reports.

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 4-10-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) had no report this week, but most recently had said that fishing for bass and crappie were good for some, not as good for others with the lake back to a normal level. Black bass were biting spinnerbaits but many were small. Crappie were various sizes and total catches. She reported selling a lot of minnows, but some regulars tend to stick with the jig. 

Carter Cove has a Facebook page, and the email address is cartercovebaitnmore@gmail.com, with updates and photos. 

Lake Ouachita
For the current lake level at Blakely Dam, click here.

(updated 4-10-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass were good. Carolina-rigged lizards, jerkbaits, hover rigs and a floating worm are still all producing quality catches. Walleye are moving back into the main lake from the rivers and major creeks. Try a watermelon-colored soft plastic, jerkbait or small swim jig. Stripers are good and are biting on topwater C-10 Redfins, live bait and small minnow-like jigs on the western end of the lake. Bream are still fair on worms or crickets in 20-30 feet of water, holding near brush. Crappie were good and relating to brush in the 8- to 20-foot range. Catfish should be picking up on trot lines with live and cut bait.
Water temperature is ranging 60-66 degrees. The clarity is muddy. Lake level Tuesday was 584.93 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 3-27-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continues to do most of his fishing at and reporting from lakes Ouachita and DeGray, and says, “The crappie are in their spawn. We have been catching ample numbers of crappie on staging tops near spawning coves 8-12 feet deep and in the buckbrush fished 3 feet deep.” 

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.

(updated 4-3-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) says bait customers who stop in there before heading to Blue Mountain Lake say the fishing at Blue Mountain is going well for crappie. Minnows are being used. “Almost everyone I talk to is saying, ‘Crappie, crappie, crappie’ … Some customers are wanting to catch bream and are requesting crickets, though it’s not time for the bream to be spawning yet. I still got some crickets in, though.”

White River/Clarendon Area
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time gauge level and flow from Clarendon, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

Cook’s Lake
(updated 4-10-2025) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) said, “With the rain and flooding over this last weekend, the lake will once again be closed until the waters recede and allow the ramp and dock to be accessible.

“If the predictions hold true, this is likely to be the highest or second highest I have seen the lake since I started in 2017. Maybe it will help replenish all of the oxbows in the region.” 

Cook’s Lake is a 2.5-mile-long oxbow off of the White River, nestled in the heart of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge near Casscoe in Arkansas County, with black bass, crappie, bream and catfish. This fertile oxbow receives very little fishing pressure due to it being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers who must possess the AGFC mobility impaired access permit, and up to two guests (who may also fish), during the specified fishing season. Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. Fishing will be allowed only on Fridays and Saturdays March through August, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., water level pending. Before launching, please check in at the Nature Center classroom and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, please call the center at 501-404-2321.

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 4-3-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports that With the current weather situation, we are looking at all the rivers to be at high flow by the end of the week. This should make the catfishing better from about a week to 10 days from now. Fish have been biting before this front, but we know it will be slow after the front moves through. As always, thanks for supporting Webb’s Sporting Goods!

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