Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

May 1, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Billy Allison caught this 10.55-pound largemouth bass Sunday at Lake Hamilton during a fishing tournament. He caught the lunker on a pile on the bottom in about 15-20 feet of water using a jig.

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 4-24-2025) AGFC staff reported that fishing is still going well at the Lake Conway Nursery Pond. Staffers ran into a family catching harvestable bream this past week. The overall catch rate this past month, they reported, appeared high. 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.

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 5-1-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said the fishing on the Little Red River has been solid, and with Greers Ferry Lake sitting about 6 feet over power pool, the Army Corps of Engineers has been keeping things consistent with one generator and one floodgate running pretty much nonstop. That steady generation schedule has made for some great fishing conditions up and down the river.

The caddis hatch is still going strong, especially from Cow Shoals downriver, and yes — the fish are definitely keyed in on them.

“For the nymphing crowd, I’ve been running two setups lately. One is a 9-foot rod with a two-fly rig, perfect for working close to the banks in 4 to 6-plus feet of water. On that rig, I’ve been pairing a Girdle Bug with a caddis dropper or just running a single San Juan Worm depending on the day.

“The other rod I’m using is a 12-footer rigged for deep water, letting me hit 9-13 feet with ease, especially out in the center channel. That long rod really helps when you’re reaching into those deeper lanes where the fish are holding.
Hot flies right now include caddis patterns, San Juan Worms and egg patterns. And if you’re into streamer fishing, this is your time. The bite has been excellent — toss some Flatliners, Dungeons or Double Deceivers along the banks, especially on those overcast days, and hang on.

“If you’re looking to get on the water or need some guidance, give me a call or check out the websites. Tight lines! Want to book a trip or ask about current conditions?”

(updated 5-1-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said fishing for trout has been going really well. Only one generator has been running lately at the dam, and fishing on one generation flow calls for a ⅛-ounce marabou jig for good results. Also, anglers are throwing a little bit bigger bait, like a 4- or 5-inch jerkbait. And, they are catching trout on a No. 5 ShadRap, too, as well as a Carolina rig with PowerBait, Rooster Tail and on spoons.

Though this one-generation flow should stick around a while, they say, make sure to check the links above of the Corps and SWPA for generation schedules and any changes at Greers Ferry Lake with it 7-8 feet high as of Thursday, with more rain in the forecast for the upcoming 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 5-1-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry lake is at 469.25 feet msl, 7.21 feet above normal pool and falling with generation. Fish are scattered all over. Crappie can be found near the shoreline while some others are still floating around in deeper water. Jigs and minnows are working best at all depths, while crankbaits are working for trolling 12-18 feet for mid-depth fish and 40 feet for the deep fish. 

Walleye are in all stages of spawn. Some have headed back to the lake, others are headed up rivers and creeks, and all in-between — and, of course, lake fish are staying put on points, humps, etc. in 10-40 feet. Try to drag a jig tipped with minnow or crawler and/or drop-shot. Big Minnow-style plugs are working trolled. 

Catfish are eating all over the 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 at 50 feet. Use Road Runners and grubs for shallow fish, spoons and inline spinners for the rest in 25-40 feet. Black bass are scattered as well. Some 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 bait is working now. 

Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 5-1-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the lake has been fishing well as far as catching good numbers of black bass. Anglers have been catching them in 10-15 feet of water. With the lake up 7-8 feet as of Thursday, a Carolina rig and a jig both have worked well. Anglers are also fishing up in the bushes in shallow water in 4-6 feet depth flipping jigs, or flipping a Texas-rigged creature bait up in those bushes. Early in the morning and late in the evening there is a pretty good topwater bite starting. Try the topwater (a little buzzbait, a Pop-R or a walking bait in white or shad color is best) up shallow around flooded bushes and flooded cover.

The lake is on the rise with more rain coming, they note.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 5-1-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) had no report for this week. In her most recent report, crappie fishing was doing well on minnows, and catfish were being caught using nightcrawlers on the west side of the lake. Another angler recently caught an 18-pound gar.

Black bass were 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 5-1-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said the water level is almost at normal pool. Surface temperature is around 81 degrees and clarity is good. 

Black bass are doing well on buzzbaits and soft-plastic worms. Crappie are still doing well in 6-8 feet of water, but the spawn is over.

Catfish are being caught on yo-yos, jugs and trotlines with shad, nightcrawlers and perch.

Bream are starting to bed up and are being caught on crickets and redworms.
“We have all of your fishing supplies and goggle-eye (rock bass), shad, skipjack and minnows, worms and crickets. Come out and do some fishing at Overcup Landing off Highway 9, Morrilton.”

Brewer Lake
(update 4-25-2025) AGFC staff visited Brewer Lake recently. 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 were 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 were biting fairly well on secondary points and isolated brush in 7-11 feet of water. Slow-rolled spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and Carolina-rigged lizards were 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 were still a cast-and-a-half offshore waiting to move up, and may be up now. 

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 recently 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. 

(update 5-1-2025) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) said he’s been commuting back and forth between Lake Ouachita and North Little Rock. “We’ve been on a great crappie bite in brush in 10-20 feet of water. Casting Original Baby Shad Bobby Garland Crappie Baits in a variety of colors has produced remarkable numbers over the past three to four weeks.
“Lake Maumelle is approximately 6 feet below normal pool, but accessible. Crappie can be found in 7-10 feet of water on brush and roaming in 15-20 feet of water.
“People often think crappie only bite in the spring. As we move toward summer and the weather stabilizes, crappie fishing will get even better! Follow the action on Facebook at Natural State Fishing Guide, and visit www.nsfguide.com to schedule your next fishing trip.”

(updated 4-24-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports water temp 68 degrees. Black bass are doing great. Anglers report catching a lot of them, but all are small or decent size. They’ve heard no reports on crappie or bream — it’s been a tough bite.

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. They are 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 5-1-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) urged anglers to heed the small craft advisory with the river running more than 100,000 cfs and more rain forecast along with water moving in on the river from Oklahoma. The river has been running fast for a couple of weeks.

When it eventually comes down, anglers can catch black bass using a wacky-rigged Senko and fish in backwaters around the grass. Also, buzzbaits in either black or white will work around entrances to the backwater.

Before the current ramped up and more water moved through, crappie were reacting well to black and chartreuse Crappie Magnets fished around wood of the rock piles in the backwater areas.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 4-24-2025) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said Peckerwood got quite a bit of water from the rains earlier in the month but the lake is back to level full and the color has been dingy.

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 5-1-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said Bull Shoals Lake is 14 feet above power pool and slowly rising. Even so, dam releases recently decreased from an average of nearly 20,000 cfs to 15,000 cfs, equivalent to five generators/units. The flow has remained fairly constant, which is good news; steady water releases cause less

stress to the trout than frequent changes to the generation amounts. We can expect continued high water as the Army Corps of Engineers manages the water from the sky. It was a rainy April.

The Cotter catch has been high quality this week: 16- to 20-inch rainbows weren’t out of reach, and the keepers (under 14 inches) were healthy and fat. Seems you couldn’t go wrong with a suspending Smithwick Rogue Jr. or the 4½-inch, ⅜-ounce Violet Cream Rogue. 

The No. 7 Countdowns of almost any color (gold/black, brown or brook trout, rainbow, silver/black) are flying off the shelf, which shouts, “Rapalas are catching!”

To fill your creel with keeper rainbows, downsize your hooks (size 8 or 6) and try a tiny piece of shrimp with a bubblegum pink worm. Make it a mousetail — white egg pattern on the pink worm — for a more sure catch.

Rising water? Always turn to live worms first. The browns have been nibbling shad and sculpins.

“Come enjoy an Ozark spring day and you’ll be hooked. See you on the river!”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 5-1-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “This week we continue to see water depths between 11 and 13 feet. The good news is the water has cleared up. Bull Shoals Dam continues to run eight generators, while Norfork Dam is running generators and releasing water through the floodgates. With the high water, the trout have schooled up on the gravel bars. What has worked well for us is drift-fishing with silver inline spinners with Uncommon Bait Neo Pink or Bright Orange UV eggs tipped with shrimp or redworms. 

“The storms on Wednesday and into Thursday have the potential to cause the Buffalo River and creeks to rise. This weekend, at best, I expect we will have dingy water and, at worst, muddy water. If you plan to go fishing, I recommend calling ahead to get an update on river conditions.”

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 5-1-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday that the lake level is still on the rise at 674 feet msl, 15 feet above pool. Water temperature varies around the mid-60s. The bigger creeks have some debris; be careful with floaters as the wind changes direction and the lake rises. Take debris precautions on flooded launch ramps and courtesy docks. Parking has started to become an issue. We have more precipitation in the forecast. The water toward the main lake and the dam is gin clear, while there is color still in the creeks.
Black bass are in all phases of the spawn. Powerfishing shallow has been favorable with clouds, rain, wind and stained water. Some fish are up there roaming shallow. Try a spinnerbait, a Chatterbait and a square bill in bright colors in the dirty water. Target windblown points and flats near spawning coves/pockets. Also look around secondary points, checking the flooded buckbrush. We’re flipping bushes with a worm, lizard or a Beaver-style bait. Fry guarders will fall for a Senko or a floating worm. There are always fish to be caught on a jig such as a Jewel ½-ounce green pumpkin variant on the old brush line. Also try the shaky head, wobble head or a Ned rig. 

The offshore videogamers continue to have to work. The mass of shad are still spread out moving out of the creeks. 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 has been working.

Topwater has started with small white Pop-R or Zara Spook. 

“Good luck, have fun, be safe and “Fish the conditions.’

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

(updated 5-1-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) says the lake has come up over the buckbrush and is still rising. Fishing in the backs of creeks with stained water has been producing a few fish. Fish over buckbrush with spinnerbaits or a ⅛-ounce jighead with a small swimbait — also, a shallow-running jerkbait such as a Suspending Rattlin’ Rogue will get some bites. If the sun is high, fish a little deeper along the old shore line. 

Walleye seemed to be starting to feed a bit better this week. Fish are scattered along chunk rock points with deep water close by and along steeper creek channel swings that have shad. Some walleye are being caught in open water over the flooded trees. Fishing 4-15 feet of water with jerkbaits or fishing the old shore line in 18-20 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 jerk baits or 5-inch floating stick baits and retrieved back at extremely slow speeds will get some fish.

If trolling shallow, try to fish low-light periods. Trolling size 7 Flicker Shads at speeds of 1.5 to 1.7 mph in 18-20 feet along windblown banks will also work. If trolling deep, try deep-diving crankbaits with snap weights to get your baits down 40-50 feet and fish over the flooded trees in 80-plus feet of water at 1.2 to 1.7 mph 

(updated 5-1-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are starting to get on the banks making beds where the water temperatures are more stable. Recent rain and muddy rising water definitely have slowed things down but should really improve this week. Small jigs and minnows have been working.

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

(updated 4-24-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina and reports that the lake went up to almost 570 feet msl this past week due to heavy rain north of us. It is beginning to drop again and is 568 feet and dropping. The creeks remain stained, the main lake is clean and clear. Strong south winds this last week have turned on the stripers. Stripers have moved to the flats and are feeding heavy, live bait guides are catching some big stripers, my biggest this past Saturday was 30 pounds. The striper was measured, photographed and released. Limits of stripers are now being caught daily.
“The north winds had moved the bait out of the creeks, but the south wind has warmed the creek water and the bait and fish are back. Concentrate on stained water midway back in the creeks, and stay in water depths below 40 feet. 

“The male crappie have moved shallow, 3 feet or less, and are getting ready to spawn.

“Night fishing is going very well. They are staying 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 swimbaits.

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 5-1-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is at 1,128.75, about 1.5 feet from totally full. “As I am writing, it’s been raining all day. More water has moved into the system. Lots of debris and floaters throughout the lake. So ,caution needs to be used when boating on Beaver. 

“The only bright spot is on the spots, which is what I call spotted bass and, yes, pun intended. Spotted bass and smallies are on fire in the Rambo/Big Clifty and Little Clifty areas. All sorts of baits are working, from Ned rigs to flukes. One key is if you can find water flowing in the feeder creeks, fish those areas. 

“Otherwise, with the big and dirty water from mid-lake up to Twin Bridges, fish are scattered pushing up into the flooded areas. 

“If we can turn off the spigot, fishing should respond with some stability. 

“Summer patterns are just around the corner. I assume crappie are in the process of spawning, as are the bass. And, in a couple weeks, they will load up and start to feed post-spawn. 

“Until then, if you move and search you should be able to put fish in the boat. 

“Be safe and wear those life jackets, especially when running with all the hazards in the lake. Good luck!”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 5-1-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said, “It’s the tale of rain and high water for us again this week. However, with the right presentation, you should still be able to catch some fish!
“The trout have been spread out throughout the tailwaters. They are responding well to various dough baits, Fire Eggs and minnows. The walleye are still hard to come by, but a few are being caught. Trolling has been the preferred method, along with jigging soft plastics. 

“The spoonbill (aka paddlefish) have come up to spawn as well. Now, me personally, I don’t think I will be chasing these prehistoric-looking critters, but a lot of people do. With the new areas opened up for snagging, I expect to see some new faces on the river. If you do not have a boat with electronics, fishing for these fish below Houseman might be a challenge. However, there is a solution! You can simply get a heavy rod/reel and head below the dam; that’s where they are going to end up anyways. No skill really involved; if you know how to cast and retrieve, you can snag. So if you want to try and snag one of these big fish, they are there! Just remember to have all proper licenses.

“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 5-1-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said it looks like the big flatheads are starting to bite. Angler David Grissom landed a 22.38-pounder on April 23 at Lake Charles. Catfish in general are biting well at the lake, with worms being the best bait.

Also, bream and crappie continued to be taken in good numbers by anglers for the past week. Bream are shallow now and are favoring redworms. Look for them fishing the shoreline. The bite has been good.

Crappie have been fair for the past week. Worms also are best for the crappie.

No reports on black bass or white bass this week.

The surface water temperature was up to 69 degrees earlier this week. The clarity remains the usual murky and the water level is still high.

Fishing should be good based on the “moon times” forecast May 9-15, with the best days of this month being May 24-30. That should be the perfect time for catfish and bream.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 5-1-2025) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park reports, “Fishing on Lake Poinsett has continued to impress. Recent flooding from heavy rains brought new challenges for anglers, but they were able to overcome them by finding new spots to fish in, changing up their gear or using different baits. Those floodwaters have continued to recede, though, making shoreline fishing off the bank a little easier.

Recently, anglers have reported that bream are starting to make their beds in preparation for spawning. They said redworms were working well for bream. Black bass were still around 10-15 feet down, from what people have said. Crappie continue to be the top target for anglers here. They had been moving closer to the shore before the heavy rains, but afterward they have remained in slightly deeper water. Minnows have been a very popular bait choice, so much so that the park’s bait shop is always busy.

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

Spring River
(updated 4-24-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are running at 510 cfs (350 cfs is average), at the Spring and the river’s water clarity is clearing. Rain over the weekend stirred up the waters but has cleared up very well. River levels are above normal flows, so be extra careful in the river. The flow is strong enough to carry you away in places. Floating or wading the river, be very cautious. With the heavy flooding the river has changed a lot; watch for logs and trees in the water.

“We really need a dry spell. Rainbows are biting great with the river clearing up. They are hitting Woollies and Y2K patterns hard. There are plenty of fish in the river from heavy stocking in March. With the hatchery damaged from floods, stocking will be limited for the near future as AGFC works repairing the hatchery. The campgrounds should all be open. Accesses to the river should be open now also.
“Normally this is when we start chasing smallmouth. It needs to dry up a lot to get the smallie bite back on.

“The flood was one for the record books, we think. The river was very high overnight, making it hard to tell how high it did get. Most of the upper area from Mammoth Spring down was cleaned out aggressively. A lot of the moss that was a problem should be cleaned out. There are also a lot of new gravel bars on the river. I look forward to relearning the river over the summer.

“Storms can change river conditions as they move through the area.” 

Visit Mark’s blog (springriverfliesandguides.com) for 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 5-1-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no report this week, but before the big rains earlier in April, 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 4-24-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said they had a husband-and-wife team going for crappie, bream and catfish from their boat late last Thursday. On Saturday, a customer bought minnows for crappie fishing and he said he caught several here last week from his boat. They had limits of crappie caught the previous week by various anglers boating on the lake. Anglers have had success this month also fishing from the shoreline for crappie, using minnows.

Lake Monticello
NOTE: The city of Monticello announced recently that it 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 5-1-2025) 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 5-1-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday that lake elevation was 2 inches above normal pool and stable at 259.4 feet msl. Millwood Lake Dam was releasing about 4,300 cfs and tailwater is near 233 feet msl and falling. Incoming water upriver from the Tri-Lakes continues arriving downstream and feeding rivers into Millwood this week. Siefert advises normal caution on the lake, noting that boaters should stay vigilant watching for broken timber with reduced discharge volume rate conditions at the dam. The Army Corps of Engineers continues to replace missing river buoys from Yarborough to Bee Lake to Big Bayou Boat Lane to Paraloma Trail and all the way to mile marker 1 and the open water.

Surface temps last week continue fluctuating, ranging 70-77 degrees. Clarity along Little River is heavy stain to muddy with discharge at Millwood Dam. Heavy stain is found in most locations, muddy in some areas and further up Little River being the heaviest. River clarity ranges 2-4 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows are heavy stained to muddy visibility from recent flooding lake-wide.

Siefert had these specifics of the fishing this week:

* The largemouth bass activity has been fair to good over the past few weeks and in local tournaments. A majority of bass have been noted post-spawn, roaming shallow in search of bream beds in protected coves near cypress trees, knees and stumps from 1-4 feet deep in flats and backs of creeks in a few areas in the oxbows up Little River, where clarity is somewhat better than the river. Most bass seen roaming flats appeared to be scouting areas of the oxbow lakes up Little River for bedding bream like bluegills. 

Largemouths have been fair to good on square-bill cranks deflecting off stumps in shallow pockets, especially near creeks running through flats with fresh lily pads where a creek bends. Bill Lewis Lures SB-57, the ATV and Echo 1.75 crankbaits in bluegill/bream, Guacamole or burnt pumpkinseed patterns are best when you need to work shallow. The Stumpknocker and Sunrise Perch patterns of the Echo 1.75 size drew some reactions from 2- to 3-pound bass last week near stumps on points of the oxbows. Spin Traps with a gold tail spinner moving flawlessly through fresh lily pad stems will also grab a random reaction.

Brazalo Strutter Chatterbaits continue working for largemouths, and best colors have been Millwood Mayhem Bream, black/blue and Spot Remover. Reactions have been very good over the last couple of weeks, and the best reactions continue to be in 5- to 9-foot depths near grass lines, stumps, cypress trees and timber. Brazalo Spinnerbaits in Arkansas River Shad, Peach and Hot Mouse are all good choices in the stained to clear water areas in the oxbow lakes up Little River.

Largemouth Bass were reacting fair to 6- to 8-inch magnum-sized lizards. Numerous bass are cruising grass lines and new fresh blooming lily pads 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 lately have been black, black/blue or blue fleck. Bass Assassin 5-inch Shad Assassins are working in Houdini, Pumpkinseed and Smoke Wagon colors in the fresh, blooming lily pad stands and behind and in dense grass lines.

* The bulk of white bass have been moving back down Little River and breaking up into smaller schools the past couple of weeks. Seems like the larger schools have begun to separate into smaller groups and are more concentrated downriver at various creek dumps and points extending into Little River. A couple of smaller, broken schools of whites were found from White Cliffs campground upriver to the entrance into McGuire Lake. 

* Crappie seem to be moving shallow over the past week and the bite improved drastically. Good limits of crappie can be caught, some shallow, around cypress trees and along grass lines. With the improved clarity conditions, they have been steadily improving in grass on jigs in white, orange and Monkey Milk colors. 

* Catfish continue to bite well on trotlines and limblines with the current in Little River. Cut shad, buffalo and chicken livers were all working for channel cats up to 5-6 pounds each in current from 6-9 feet of depth.

* Numerous bream beds are being noted when you can find decent water clarity. Water clarity in most locations is less than desirable, but around Millwood State Park, groups of campers said they caught some off the bank and around the creek channel boat ramp on crickets and redworms last week. We did note a few bream beds in the Jack’s Isle area of Little River backwater sloughs.

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 5-1-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continues to do most of his fishing at and reporting from lakes Ouachita, Hamilton and DeGray, and says, “The crappie and bass are finishing up their spawn or already in post-spawn. We are catching limits of crappie stacked up on brushpiles fished 8-12 feet deep in 18-24 feet of water.” 

(update 5-1-2025) AGFC staff visited DeGray Lake last Sunday and reported that the lake had fish around brush and that the grass was prominent. The black bass bite was OK, with the best bite coming on wacky-rigged soft-plastic worms in green pumpkin color. 

(updated 4-24-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Hello, fisher people. Spring is upon us. The lake is slowly coming back to near normal levels. Currently the lake is at 407.68 feet msl and dropping. Yea! The lake has had quite a bit of debris floating around. Most started around Lenox Marcus and upriver. Sorry to say that very little new information is coming in to me. 

“The water will be in the normal range for crappie this Thursday or Friday. The crappie have been on the bed but very difficult to get to. Water has been so high that you could not get a boat of any size into the shallow areas that people like to fish. 

The crappie spawn should still be going on. So, get your slip bobbers, casting rigs, minnows and lures and work the shoreline as best as you can. Change colors and size often until you get a pattern. Some of the better areas this time of year are Lenox Marcus, Arlie Moore and Point Cedar. Brushy is always good for casting jigs to the shoreline.

“If you are casting jigs, keep them close to the bottom.

“There was a bass tournament on DeGray on April 19. The winning weight was almost 16 pounds. I missed the weigh-in so no clue as to what they were caught on.

“Hopefully the water will stabilize and we can get into the shallows to fish the spawning fish.”

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 5-1-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature has risen to 53 degrees with stained to muddy conditions in the tailrace. Entergy scheduled very high generation flows round-the-clock for the last week of 6,000 cfs to stabilize area lakes from the last round of stormy weather to hit the state. Very little productive fishing has taken place during this time 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 is normally posted on Wednesday at the Entergy/Hydro website (linked above). It is hoped conditions will soon 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 was the last month for rainbow trout stocking for the spring season with 4,320 fish scheduled for release 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 good 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 also will 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 on which trout will feed. 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 are 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 angers 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 always cooperate with game wardens when approached.

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

(updated 5-1-2025) 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.

(updated 5-1-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continues to do most of his fishing at and reporting from lakes Ouachita, Hamilton and DeGray, and says, “The crappie and bass are finishing up their spawn or already in post-spawn. We are catching limits of crappie stacked up on brushpiles fished 8-12 feet deep in 18-24 feet of water.” 

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 5-1-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) says the store is opening back up Friday after being closed the past two weeks. She’ll have lots of fresh minnows from Lonoke in the store, she said.

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

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

(updated 5-1-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are still 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 good and biting on topwater C-10 redfins and live bait. Bream are fair on worms or crickets in 20-30 feet of water, holding near brush.

Crappie are still good and relating to brush in the 8- to 20-foot range. Catfish are still good on trotlines and jugs with live and cut bait. 

Water temperature is gradually rising, ranging 62-68 degrees. The water clarity is clearing. The lake level Thursday was 578.12 feet msl, just slightly above normal pool. 580.75. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 5-1-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) continues to do most of his fishing at and reporting from lakes Ouachita, Hamilton and DeGray, and says, “The crappie and bass are finishing up their spawn or already in post-spawn. We are catching limits of crappie stacked up on brushpiles fished 8-12 feet deep in 18-24 feet of water.” 

(update 5-1-2025) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990), while he’s usually on Lake Maumelle when the water is right, said he’s been commuting back and forth to Lake Ouachita lately. “We’ve been on a great crappie bite in brush in 10-20 feet of water. Casting Original Baby Shad Bobby Garland Crappie Baits in a variety of colors has produced remarkable numbers over the past three to four weeks.”

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 5-1-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) says bait customers who stop in before heading to Blue Mountain Lake say the fishing at Blue Mountain is going well for crappie. Anglers report they are mostly using minnows.

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

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 5-1-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers are still on the fall, making fishing a bit better. The catfish are being caught on baitfish; snagging is going nicely as well behind the hydroelectric dam. Crappie are still spawning, and shad-colored jigs are still bringing them in.

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

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