Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

April 17, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Scott Shuff, who was fishing with his dad, Rufus, and fishing guide Mike Siefert on their maiden adventure at Millwood Lake recently, landed several decent-sized largemouth bass, including this one, just before the flooding hit Millwood and the rest of the state almost two weeks ago. This week, Millwood and other fishing spots are easing back to normal water levels, but more rain is forecast.

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 4-17-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said, “Things are looking pretty solid out there” on the Little Red.
“The Southwest Power Administration (SWPA) has been right on target with their projected releases from Greers Ferry Dam this week. The Army Corps of Engineers has been running one unit around the clock for quite a while now, so we’ve actually had a pretty steady and predictable generation schedule. That said, with all the lakes in Arkansas sitting above power pool, it’s only a matter of time before more water has to be moved. That could mean an increase to two units or even opening up the floodgates. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out.
“A quick safety heads-up: With these high flows, make sure you’re staying cautious on the water. I was at the dam recently and watched Heber Springs Fire and Rescue pull a group of kayakers off the river who weren’t prepared for the stronger current. If you’re not experienced in higher water conditions, it’s best to stay off the river until it settles or fish with someone who knows the ropes.
“Looking ahead, this weekend is bringing in more rain — forecast is calling for around 2 inches. Depending on how much hits us, it could change up the generation schedule in the coming weeks.
“Now, let’s talk fishing because it’s been good. The consistent one-unit generation has really helped the bite. Fishing out of the boat has been productive, and I’ve been running a double nymph rig anywhere from 5-9 feet deep. The go-to flies lately have been caddis patterns, San Juan Worms and midges. The caddis hatch is still rocking strong, and the trout are definitely keyed in on it — especially as the weather warms up and they start popping off more frequently.
“Streamer fishing? Oh yeah, it’s been excellent. The one-unit flow has just enough push to move the fish up onto the banks, which is prime time for breaking out that streamer rod. On a recent trip, the Yellow Dungeon was the hot ticket. I was throwing it on an 8-weight rod, 330-grain sink-tip line and a short 4-foot leader. Cast toward the banks, strip it back and hold on tight — this is when those big browns like to show up and play.
“That’s the scoop for now. Be safe, enjoy the spring bite, and if you’re looking to get on the water, give me a shout. Tight lines!”

(updated 4-17-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said trout fishing is really good on one generator at the dam. Early mornings are the best time to be out, and anglers are throwing a bigger jerkbait right now. Gold and rainbow trout have been the best colors. Also, a ⅛-ounce Marabou jig has been doing really well; use olive or black color. And, Rooster Tails or a Trout Magnet in pink or white have their fans right now for catching the trout.

Make sure to check the links above of the Corps and SWPA for generation schedules and any changes at Greers Ferry Lake with it 9 feet high as of Thursday, with more rain in the forecast over the weekend.

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 4-17-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said right now with the water being 9 feet high, there is a lot of water everywhere and a lot of black bass catching going on around the lake, be it in 15 feet of water or up shallow around the shoreline or the bushes where the water isn’t typically sitting. 

Out in around 15 feet of water, a Carolina rig and a football head jig both have been doing really well. Up shallow around the bushes, try a green pumpkin creature bait Texas-rigged, flipping it around the trees. Also, a floating worm and a flue are both doing quite well.

If there is a little wind around the shoreline and the bushes, they suggest using a spinnerbait as well as a Chatterbait for success. No specific colors are needed, just go with those baits.

After the major rain of almost two weeks ago, they haven’t heard much on the crappie front.

(updated 4-17-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said Wednesday that the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 471.56, or 9.52 feet above normal pool (462.04 feet msl) and falling with generation.

Fish are scattered all over. Some of the crappie are up near the bank, while others are still floating around in deeper water. Jigs and minnows are working best at all depths, with crankbaits for trolling 12-18 feet for mid-depth fish. The deep fish are at 40 feet.

Walleyes are in all stages of spawn. Some have moved back to the lake, and others are headed up rivers and creeks and all in-between — and, of course, lake fish are staying put on points, humps, etc. Fish for them in 10-40 feet, trying to drag a jig tipped with minnow or crawler and/or a drop-shot. Big minnow-style plugs are working trolled. Catfish are eating all over lake and rivers. Lots of blues are coming in — lines and jugs are working best with a variety of baits. 

Bream are showing up more now. Try crawlers, crickets, small cranks and inline spinners.
A lot of white bass and hybrid bass are up rivers. Some are done and others are in between, with a lot still deep in the lake as deep as 50 feet. Use Roadrunners, grubs for shallow fish, spoons and inline spinners for rest in 25-40 feet. 

Black bass are scattered as well. Some are spawning, some have spawned, with a lot more to come. A lot are in 12-20 feet and some are still out in 50 feet. Just about any baits are working at this time. 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 4-17-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is normal. “I wouldn’t call it clear-clear, but it is very fishable.” He also believes the black bass are beginning to spawn. Their being caught at about 3½-4 feet; definitely in shallow water, with spinnerbaits and mostly crankbaits working best. For the crank, you’ll want more of a bream color, such as with chartreuse and orange belly. Best spinnerbaits now will be white or a green and white. Some bass also are being caught on a soft-plastic worm or swimbait. “They are biting pretty much anything,” said Ray, who added that he and his son caught around 20 last Sunday, including his son hauling in a 7-pound female ready to spawn and releasing her immediately. “We caught several that were 2½ or 3 pounds. It’s been good.”

Crappie are definitely into the spawning, he noted, and are in about 3 feet or less of water. There have also been reports of pretty good catches of bream, he added. Crappie will be biting on the usual minnows and jigs. Redear have been going for worms and bluegill will bite worms and crickets.

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 4-17-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the bass fishing is really good now on the river. Anglers are catching them up shallow around the bank where there is cover with a black and blue jig and a Texas-rigged black and blue creature bait. Also, a white and chartreuse spinnerbait and a black and blue Chatterbait will bring you some bites. With the dirty water through the pool this week, black and blue is always an excellent color choice.

Most all of the bass are being caught in backwaters or just off the main river. 

They have not heard anything this week on crappie. The bite seemed to tail off after the big rains and flooding around the state two weeks ago.

The river is a little high in water level as of Thursday and the clarity is muddy. The temperature is ranging 62-63 degrees with the expectation that it will warm up in the next couple of warmer days. But then major rainfall is forecast for late Saturday into Sunday and that could change everything the fish are doing, they note. But these tips should hold up until then.

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 4-17-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “We’re serving up an Ozark spring at its best! Add terrific trout fishing to a glorious spring day and that divine peace found on the river, and you’ve got perfection.”
Bull Shoals Lake elevation is 669.84 feet msl, 9 feet above the desired power pool level. Generation has been consistent all week averaging one unit (3,000 cfs) with mid-morning rises to nearly two and a half units (7,000 cfs). The river has prime fishing water right now.
“The trout bite was phenomenal last weekend; we pulled in rainbow after rainbow with floating pink mouse tails (artificial worms). It’s a good idea to have a rod rigged with your favorite PowerBait hue (garlic flavor works nice, too) and some shrimp toppers to coax the more reluctant ones out of hiding. Spinners are a great option: red bodies, gold or silver blades, with or without skirts. You can try your hand at jig fishing: moss green or orange/brown D2 Jigs or even a plain white marabou jig should provide a lot of action.
“The brown bite has added to the excitement this week. They’ve shown up for sculpins, minnows, shad and even the pink mousetail artificial worms.
“You can expect our guides to serve you well in all weather and water conditions, help you catch fish every day, teach new techniques to sharpen your fishing skills, and bless you with Arkansas Ozark hospitality. We welcome you to Cotter.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 4-17-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “By last weekend the river had cleared enough to fish. Two Uncommon Bait UV Eggs in neo pink on a hook tipped with shrimp worked the best. Artificial lures had minimal success. On Tuesday the Norfork Dam opened five floodgates by a foot. As a result, we are seeing higher water and faster flow. I expect we will have higher water for a while until both Bull Shoals and Norfork lakes reach the top of their power pool levels. 

“By Wednesday, fishing was steady using eggs and shrimp. With the faster water, anglers need to be more aware of their surroundings. 

“This week we received one stocking of 1,200 rainbows at the Calcio Rock boat ramp and another stocking of 1,200 rainbows at the Chessmond Ferry boat ramp.” 

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 4-17-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302) said Wednesday that the lake level was on the rise at 669 feet msl. Water temperature varies anywhere from 56 to low 60s. The bigger creeks have some debris; be careful with floaters as the wind changes direction and the lake rises. Take debris precautions on launch ramps and courtesy docks. We have more precipitation in the forecast. The water toward the main lake is gin clear and toward the dam, while there is color still in the creeks. Some fish have moved up pre-spawn and some are spawning. It’s still not like Donkey Kong yet.

Lots of fish are cruising the outside bush line still. Powerfishing shallow has been favorable with clouds, rain, wind and stained water. Some fish are up there roaming shallow. A spinnerbait, Chatter bait and a square bill in bright colors are best. Target windblown points and flats near spawning coves/pockets. It’s time to start checking the bushes. There are always fish to be caught on a jig, like a Jewel half-ounce green pumpkin variant. 

Once again, warm, little wind and sunny fish the points, drop-offs or ledges, piles and swings — you’re looking anywhere from 1-20 feet. Use a Carolina-rigged lizard, and a shaky head, wobble head and a Ned rig are coming into play. The offshore videogamers are going to have to work — the shad are still spread out, while some are congregating in the drains. Target larger bait balls or any bait you can find up high near the surface and closer to the shore.
If you are targeting shad eaters, it’s been work. A smaller 2.8 swimbait and/or a regular Tater Shad both have 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. Now 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 4-17-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the change in lake level as well as the wind direction has the fish changing positions on a daily basis. The lake has come up over the buckbrush in a lot of areas. Fishing in the backs of creeks with stained water has been producing a few fish. Fish over buckbrush with spinnerbaits or a 1/8-ounce jig head with small swimbait, or use a shallow-running jerkbait such as a Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue — that will get some bites.

The best fishing this past week has still been late evenings. Walleye seemed to be for the most part in the post-spawn period. Fish are scattered along chunk rock points with deep water close by and along steeper creek channel swings that have shad. It’s 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 Jig worked slowly back to the boat on points with deep water on at least one side. Fishing same structure right before and after dark with 110-style jerkbaits or 5-inch floating stick baits and retrieved back at extremely slow speeds will get some fish.

If you’re trolling, fishing low-light periods using 5-inch stick baits at slow speeds as low as .85 mph in 7-14 feet along windblown banks will also work.

(updated 4-17-2025) 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 15-25 feet range and occasionally are starting to catch a few beautiful males that are getting their tuxedo on in 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 4-17-2025) 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 568 feet msl and dropping; the dam has opened its floodgates to release our high water. The creeks remain stained, the main lake is clean and clear.

“My estimate was off by a week when I said in my last report the fish would turn on. The cold north and northwest winds shut down the lake on Tuesday and Wednesday. Strong south winds for the remainder of the week will warm the water and

push the fish to the bank. I caught threadfin shad in shallow water, and their bellies are fat, which indicates they are getting to spawn.
“Stripers were moving to the flats on Monday but have retreated with the north winds. They will be back very quickly with the south winds. Bait will continue to move farther up the creek to feed. The black male crappie were close to the shore on Monday but moved out to deeper water. The water temperature dropped 4 degrees overnight Monday night. The bait and crappies will wait until the water warms back up. Next week should be the week the lake turns on.

“The small group of guests staying at Hand Cove Resort has been night fishing and doing very well. They are staying in 10 feet of water and casting parallel to the bank. The best times have been sunset to 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 swim baits. 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 or to schedule a trip.

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

(updated 4-17-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake finally stopped its upward movement at 1,128 feet msl and has dropped a little to 1,127.87 as of Tuesday. That was almost an 8 feet rise in a week. So, with that much rise and water coming into the lake, it has created a few issues. For one, there is a big push of debris and muddy water that stretches from the U.S. Highway 412 bridge down to the Arkansas Highway 12 bridge. Secondly, the fish have scattered. Where they were is not where they are today. There is massive amounts of good spawning habit and the fish are pushing back into all that cover. Hopefully the lake stays up as spawning is beginning for crappie and bass. 

“We fished the last two days without much luck. If you move and look in many spots you can pick up some fish. 

“The bright spot is the spots, no pun intended. Spotted bass and smallies are doing well from Rambo down to Indian Creek. They are hitting all sorts of baits and methods.
“This end of the lake is still clearer and less debris compared to the south end. 

Unfortunately, the weather is predicted to dump another 2-4 inches of rain this weekend. I, for one, hope not. On that note, there is a large number of hay bales floating through Blue Springs and up the War Eagle arms. It’s very dangerous as they float right at and below the surface. Keep your eyes peeled looking for hazards if you’re out and running a boat. 

“Be safe and stay vigilant while out on the lake.”

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 4-17-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports that they’re mainly hearing about crappie being shallow and biting well on minnows and crappie jigs, like hair jigs. It’s very likely bass are being caught but they aren’t being talked about by anglers. It’s been busy. 

After the cold front, anglers were doing some deep catching last week of crappie, but it warmed up and the fish are now staying shallow.

Lake Charles
(updated 4-17-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said crappie, bream and black bass continue biting nicely at the lake. Crappie are still shallow and are excellent. You’ll find them biting near the shoreline on jigs of all colors and on worms. 

Bream are good and also are shallow (the full moon this week should be helping the action, though it will be even better next month). Use redworms or jigs and focus around the shoreline. Black bass are good but there was no information left on what baits the anglers were using. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits should be great, though, and topwater season is coming when the water warms up from the 59.3 degrees reported on Sunday morning.

The clarity is the usual murky and the water level remains high.

No reports on white bass or catfish. 

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 4-17-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no report this week, but before the big rains of two weeks ago, they reported that black bass are phasing into the spawn. The best fishing at that time was in protected shallows with woody cover using dark- colored soft-plastic creatures and jigs. Spinnerbaits and bladed jigs were effective on windy days. 

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 4-17-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said a boat angler last Thursday caught his limit of crappie. The next day, customers were buying minnows to fish for crappie from the shoreline, and an angler said he had been catching a few. But the bite disappeared for customers who stopped in and then fished from a boat Sunday. They tried all around the lake without getting a nibble.

Lake Monticello
NOTE: The city of Monticello is lowering the water level of Lake Monticello to perform inspections on the dam repairs it coordinated in 2019 as owner of the lake. Anglers will experience lower water levels, but all fishing regulations, including catch-and-release-only fishing for all sport fish, remain in place. 

(updated 4-17-2025) Anglers are reminded that all fish caught must be released immediately. The Hunger Run Access was opened late last year to boat traffic. There have been reports from anglers catching nice black bass.

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 4-17-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday that the following areas have reopened since the lake elevation subsided after the big rains of two weeks ago:

On Millwood Lake: Millwood State Park (Arkansas State Parks), White Cliffs USACE Campground, Wilton Landing on Little River (USACE), Saratoga Landing (USACE) and Beard’s Lake (USACE) are all open. River Run East remains closed.

River Run West and the ramp below Millwood Lake Dam (USACE) are open, as is Beard’s Bluff Campground (USACE).

On De Queen Lake: Oak Grove Landing, Pine Ridge, Story Creek, Rolling Fork, and lower loop at Bella Mine are all closed.

On Gillham Lake: Cossatot Point north boat ramp, Little Coon Creek and Big Coon Creek (USACE) are closed.

On Dierks Lake: Loop 1 and Loop 2 are closed at Jefferson Ridge, but the USACE group camping area at Blue Ridge is opened.
For more information and updates call: Millwood (870-898-3343), De Queen/Gillham (870-584-4161) and Dierks (870-286-2346).

Siefert reports that Millwood Lake elevation as of Wednesday is about 10 inches above normal and falling at 260.1 feet msl; Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 17,100 cfs and tailwater is near 243 feet and falling. Incoming water upriver from the Tri-Lakes has begun arriving downstream and feeding rivers into Millwood this week. 

Navigation caution is urged, but reduced flow rates in Little River, at the Millwood Dam and flow rates in Saline and Cossatot have reduced necessary navigational caution that was seen last week; nevertheless, always stay vigilant watching for broken timber. Navigation is nearing normal caution levels this week.

The Army Corps of Engineers are in process of replacing river buoys from Yarborough to Paraloma Trail boat lane, and downriver to mile marker 1. Use extreme caution where Little River buoys are still missing.

Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels.

Surface temps continue fluctuating, ranging 65 degrees early to 72 later in the day along Little River. Clarity along Little River is heavy stain to muddy with discharge at Millwood Dam. Heavy stain is seen in most locations, muddy in some areas further up Little River being heaviest, with river clarity ranging 2-4 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows are heavy stained to muddy from recent flooding lake wide.

Siefert offered these specifics of the lake’s fishing this week:

* Millwood is still producing solid largemouth bass at tournaments over the past several weeks — consistently week to week there are catches weighing 5-9 pounds. The bass activity has continued to improve with the warmer conditions depending on location, but it can seem random on high barometric days. Male bass have been noted shallow and numerous beds seen in protected flats near cypress trees, knees and stumps from 1-3 feet depth, in flats and backs of creeks in many areas, and a few females on beds in the oxbows up Little River.

The best activity is 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 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 to connect with roaming bass. 

Brazalo Strutter Chatterbaits continue working, and best colors over the past few 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 recent weeks — and the best reactions continue to be in 5-9 feet depths 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.

Largemouths over the past week were 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 largemouths are cruising grass lines and new fresh blooming lily pad in the 4- to 5-pound class, and are fair to react to Beavers, Baby Brush Hogs, 7-inch Power Worms and soft-plastic creature baits Texas-rigged. Best colors now are black, black/blue or blue fleck.

Southern Pro Flipping Tubes, Tournament Tube and 6- to 8-inch lizards in blackberry, pumpkinseed flake with chartreuse dipped tail, and Watermelon Candy will randomly connect with 3- to 4-pounders near fresh, new blooming lily pad stands, as well as stumps, from 8-10 feet deep in Little River’s oxbow lakes and creek channels upriver near creek junctions and on tapering points. Berkley 7-inch Power Worms and lizards in blue fleck, black grape or June bug have been best colors for the plastic worm.

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.
* IT’S STILL ON for white bass and they are running. They have moved farther up along Little River and are heavily schooled up at various creek dumps. A few nice-sized schools were found up Little River to Patterson Shoals this week. 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 — that is, one here and one there and another 3 miles away up river.
Little River to Cossatot inflow ditch and Patterson Shoals above U.S. Highway 71 at the reopened Wilton Landing: The water temps we saw there were in the mid- and upper 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 Fingerling and 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 whites on other days this week at several locations, and the hard-charging fish 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 between Wilton Landing and Patterson Shoals as well. One boat we stopped and talked to had also caught around 50 in the afternoon.

* Crappie have been scattered like crazy, kind of like the white bass were a few days this week. It’s 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 the crappie have pulled up shallow or are spawning yet, but it’s coming. 

* 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 4-17-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Golly, folks, we have gotten some spring rain. The lake level is 412.93 feet msl. That is about 6 feet above the level when I was catching the crappie in 18 inches of water. It’s down several feet already from where it was. It’s dropping some, but slowly. I have talked to some people who are catching some crappie and it’s just like you would expect. They are in the shallows and it’s terribly hard to get boats in there to get them. Wading would be the way to go, but not for me.
“I really can’t put together a decent report because no one’s out there to speak of. I left this morning and it was 10 a.m. before there was a boat.

“If not more rain, things should be getting better in a week.”

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 4-17-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature has risen to 50 degrees with clearing conditions in the tailrace. Entergy has scheduled very high, round-the-clock generation for the last week of 9,000 cfs to stabilize area lakes from the double-digit rainfall amounts our area received from the weeklong storms. Very little productive fishing has taken place as the tailrace is dangerous to navigate while this amount of water is being transferred through the system. In addition to the dangerous flows, extremely muddy conditions accompanied the fast water, which created a no-win situation for fishing and recreation activities. The weekly generation schedule should be posted online today at the Entergy/Hydro website (see link above). Hopefully, conditions will allow for a much safer generation flow where the public can access the area safely. 

As lake conditions return to normal, good prospects for quality angling will present themselves. April is the last month for rainbow trout stocking for the spring season with 4,320 fish scheduled to be released in the tailrace. Bank fishermen can catch limits of trout by using live baits such as redworms and waxworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. PowerBaits are a best bet presented in the same manner. Boat fishermen can anchor in and around rock structure or sandbars and have success casting Rooster Tails in brown or white in a ⅛-ounce weight. Spoon presentations as a Little Cleo or Super Duper will also work well in a current situation when rainbows are keying in on injured baitfish. Fly-fishermen can still access areas that hold trout even though the lake is now at normal summertime pool. Micro-jigs in black or white cast under a strike indicator strongly resemble river minnows that live in the tailrace. Woolly Buggers in olive and black are a mainstay in the line of artificial lures that trout will feed upon. Egg patterns in orange or white will draw strikes when other presentations are ignored. 

Walleye are still in the area finishing up the spawn and are feeding and preparing to migrate downstream to the main body of the lake. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate crawfish and threadfin shad is a proven technique to cover water and tempt walleye into feeding. 

White bass will move into the Carpenter Dam tailrace next month for the spawn and will remain in the tailrace until mid-July. June will bring blue and channel catfish into the tailrace to begin their spawning run and will provide anglers some wonderful table fare. 

Remember to always wear a life jacket when on the water and obey all park and lake regulations when visiting Carpenter Dam. Trash cans are limited, so please pick up after yourselves and cooperate with game wardens 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 4-17-2025) Seth Boone, superintendent at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7474), had no new fishing reports.

Lake Hamilton
No reports. Hamilton had areas full of debris after the storms of two weeks ago.

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 4-17-2025) 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 returning 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 4-17-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are good. Carolina-rigged lizards, flippin’ jig and a floating worm are still all producing quality catches. It’s topwater time! Break out your favorite and hit the water!

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 still good and biting on topwater C-10 redfins and live bait. Bream are still fair on worms or crickets in 20-30 feet of water, holding near brush. Crappie are good and relating to brush in the 8- to 20-foot range. Catfish are good on trotlines and jugs with live and cut bait.

Water temperature is still ranging 60-66 degrees. The water clarity is clearing. The lake level Wednesday was 582.23 feet and falling fast. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

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 4-17-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports that rivers are cresting and the catfish are biting below the hydroelectric dams fairly well. Crappie in reservoirs are biting very well.
Catfish are eager to bite any cut baits, shad, skipjack and crawfish. Channel cats, blue cats and flatheads are being caught on these baits.

For crappie, all shad-colored baits are doing very well right now due to shad spawning.

“As always, thanks to our loyal customers for shopping at Webb’s Sporting Goods!”

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