Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

May 8, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Hunter Sanders of Hot Springs landed the Big Bass, a 7.49-pound largemouth, during last Saturday’s Commissioners’ Cup for junior and senior high anglers at Lake Hamilton. The event, sponsored by Xpress Boats and run by the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, drew 74 boats. Defending Senior Division champion Cole Pennington of Bee Branch repeated, this time winning the event solo as his partner from last year, Eli Hagans of Clinton, could only go along as an observer and videographer because he’s in college. Read more about the event on agfc.com under “Latest News.”

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 5-8-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry lake is at 468.74 feet msl, 6.7 feet above normal pool and falling with generation. Fish are scattered all over. Some crappie are up on the bank, while others are still floating around in deeper water. Jigs and minnows are working best at all depths, and crankbaits are best for trolling 12-18 feet for the mid-depth fish and 40 feet for the deep ones. 

Walleyes are scattered everywhere — some deep, some shallow and all in-between; and, of course, lake fish are staying put on points, humps, etc. in 10-40 feet. Try dragging a jig tipped with a 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 working best with a variety of baits. Bream are showing up more now — try crawlers, crickets, small cranks and inline spinners. 

Some white bass and hybrid bass are still up rivers, and some are done and others in between, with a lot still deep in the lake up to 50 feet. Use Road Runners and grubs for shallow fish, spoons and inline spinners for rest in 25-40 feet. 

Black bass are scattered as well. Some are spawning and some have spawned, with a lot more post-spawners now, in 12-20 feet — plus some are still out in 50 feet of water. Just about any baits are working at this time. 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 5-8-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said that lately, catfish and bream “have been doing pretty good.” Tuesday morning, one angler was using bass minnows and chicken liver on a trotline and caught six nice catfish — a couple of channel cats and some flatheads, with several ranging 3-6 pounds. 

Another angler on Tuesday morning caught a nice bass from the bank on a redworm while fishing from bream.

Bream have worked pretty well, she said. Some really big bream were biting on crickets. “They seem to be ready to spawn.”

As for crappie, one angler last week came back with a limit of crappie. He was fishing in the middle of the lake. Chartreuse colored jigs and crappie nibbles were working, and several catches were over 14 inches in length. But that angler was the only one that caught multiple crappie in the past week. Crappie appear to have headed into deep water and aren’t being found along the shoreline.

Surface water temperature was 70 degrees and the level is normal. The color is best described earlier this week as muddy with a lot of “green stuff” on top that has washed into the lake from recent rain.

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. 

(updated 5-8-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports that water temperature is ranging 70-72 degrees, while the water level is 5.75 feet low; that’s still up from the 10-plus-foot drawdown earlier this spring so that Central Arkansas Water could do repair work on the dam.

There is a good black bass bite. Largemouth bass are good. They can be found shallow, about 2-10 feet. You can use topwater, spinnerbaits, jigs, jerkbait chatterbait or crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are also good and are found with the largemouths in 2-10 feet. They’ll take to jerkbaits and jigs.

WestRock held its regular Tuesday night bass tournament this week with Josh Jeffers and Aaron Presser catching a stringer weighing 13.39 pounds, including the Big Bass of 3.94 pounds. Cody Bryant and Brad Lequieu’s five-bass stringer of 11.32 pounds was runner-up.

Meanwhile, white bass are slow and there were no reports this week. Try a twister tail or crankbait if looking for white bass. Crappie also are slow. At last report, they were said to be off of the shoreline and scattered. Jigs should work.

Bream are fair. Anglers report them being found in 2-8 feet and biting on crickets and worms. The full moon is coming up next week, so they should be active.

Catfish are good. There have been reports of blues being found on the shoreline in 2-4 feet. Try using little bream, liver or worms.

(update 5-8-2025) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) has been fishing Lake Ouachita (see report below, under West-Central Arkansas) and had no report this week from Maumelle. Last week, he said:
“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.”

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 5-8-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) had no new reports. But his most recent reports had indicated that both the crappie and bass activity had been very good. Jigs and minnows work for crappie; crankbaits and spinnerbaits and some topwater should be good for bass. Bream should be biting this weekend as well. Get some redworms.

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 5-8-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “When the early morning mist is on the river, it’s a perfect time to lay a line on the water and wait for that first tug. The water level has returned to a fairly consistent flow of one generator (3,000 cfs) for now, although Bull Shoals Lake is rising and is nearly 18 feet above power pool, sitting at 679.32 feet msl.
“D2 jigs with orange heads (Peaches or the Brown Trout D2) have been the wonder baits on this lower water. Don’t stray too far from any rainbow-patterned baits (Rooster Tails, Rapala Countdowns No. 5 or 7 or red/gold hammered spoons) for a quick bite. A red wiggler or a juicy nightcrawler tied on in the afternoon, if generation flow increases, will always attract some trout.
“Low water levels on some mornings make it easy to catch a sculpin or two to put at the end of your line and lure the larger browns. There have been numerous days with catches of 10 browns or more. Shad or shad-wannabe baits continue to cause a stir, too.

“Visit the White River in Arkansas Ozark country — take time to slow down, catch your breath and relax. Concede to the peace and leave it be for a day or two while you catch a few trout.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 5-8-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “Beginning last Friday, we have seen reduced water releases from both Bull Shoals and Norfork dams. Our water levels have gone from over 14 feet to around 8 feet. The water conditions have improved significantly, and we are seeing great fishing as a result. The water remains dingy but not dirty. Drift-fishing with silver-colored inline spinners with two Uncommon Bait UV eggs and tipped with either shrimp, corn or worms has worked well. On average, we are seeing some nice limits of rainbows with many fish just under 14 inches and one fish over 14 inches. Drift-fishing with sculpins resulted in some bigger rainbows and brown trout being caught. 

“With the lower water, we are seeing more success with Rapala Countdowns or Dynamic J-Spec lures in rainbow trout colors.

“The weather forecast (as of Wednesday) shows days with rain chances, but as of now, most of the rain is late afternoon into the night with not much accumulation. Good for the hay fields without the river rising and becoming muddy. 

“This week, we received one stocking of rainbow trout at the Calico Rock boat ramp. Mother’s Day is this weekend, and we wish all mothers to have a great day.”

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 5-8-2025) 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 679 feet, which puts it 20 feet high. Water temperature is about 66 degrees but it will vary in the mid-60s depending on location. 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 as parking areas are now underwater. The marinas are trying their best to accommodate everyone. We have more precipitation in the forecast. The water toward the main lake is gin clear headed toward the dam, while there is color still in the creeks. 

Bass are still in all phases of the spawn. Powerfishing shallow has been favorable with clouds, rain, wind and stained water. Use spinnerbaits, Chatterbait and a square bill in bright colors in the stained 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 5-inchSenko 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. Del says he’s still using green pumpkin.

The offshore videogamers continue to have to work. The mass of shad is 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 the shad spawn. “I’m a fan of the Lucky Craft Gunfish or a small white Pop-R or Zara Spook Jr. 

“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 5-8-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said fishing in the backs of creeks with stain water has been producing a few fish. Fish over buckbrush with spinnerbaits or a ⅛-ounce jighead with a small swimbait. 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 have slowed down this past week due to the passing cold front. Fish are still in the same location but just reluctant to bite. 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 ft of water with jerkbaits  or fishing the old shore line in 18-20 feet of water with jig and minnow, jig and plastic, or Ice Jigs — worked slowly back to the boat on points with deep water on at least one side — will produce fish. Fishing the 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 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 snapweights to get your baits down 60-70 feet and fish over the flooded trees in 80-plus feet of water at 1.5 to 1.7 mph.

(updated 5-8-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are mostly spawned out, as females are almost empty, and fish are relating back to structure. Structure has been a little harder to find in the right zones with the lake being up. Cover lots of water and when you do find them, minnows and occasionally 1/16-ounce jigs with small fry baits have been working. “I’ve been using the Electric Monkey from Taterbaits since the water has had a little color to it lately. Lake stability will be key eventually and it will get better. Stay after them.”

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

(updated 5-8-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina and reports that the lake has risen to 570 feet msl, the White River is swollen and the Norfork Dam release has been cut to

reduce the water released into the White River. The creeks remain stained, but the main lake is clean and clear. 

The stripers are very aggressive as the threadfin shad spawn continues. The topwater bite is slow but should increase as we return to warmer weather. The stripers are biting all over the lake — most lake points and buffs are producing the best bite. 

“What I have found is the stripers are not holding to one area for very long. One day they are in the creeks along the bluffs, the next on a creek flat. If you’re not marking them, move on and come back later, as they move when the wind increases. 

“The full moon is Monday and the warm weather is returning. We should see an explosion of topwater opportunities.

“This week has been some of the best striper fishing of the year. Multiple stripers have been caught over 20 pounds, and (Wednesday) a 37-pounder was caught. All the fish were released to fight another day.

“The crappie bite has picked up, with the lower end creeks producing the best bite. The crappie are spawning in the brush and trees in the back of the creeks. Look for brush and standing timber that are 10 feet deep. Set your bobber at 3 feet with minnows or jigs as bait.”

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 5-8-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake level is at 1,128.50 feet msl, which is full almost to the top. Water temperature is near 70 in most areas. 

Clarity is clear/stained from Prairie Creek down to the dam. There is a muddy pocket from Point 12 down to Horseshoe Bend. 

Fishing is starting to rebound. The last few days, stripers have been doing well from Coppermine down to Point 6. If you are fishing for them, just keep moving to locate fish.

Crappie are still in various stages of spawn, as some are up shallow and others already suspended nearing full-on summer patterns.

Bass are in the same pattern – some are on beds, while others just off the shallows. 

Catfish are next in line to spawn, as are the bream.

As the lake settles down, fishing will uptick on post post-spawn bite. There is a lot of debris, so keep your eyes open for partially submerged debris. 

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 5-8-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said water levels are holding high in the tailwater with the continued rain. We are also expected to have more rain toward the middle of the week as well. With the higher water levels, you will need to fish your baits a little higher in the water column. Trolling is also another great option as well. You can cover a lot of water and you can also get your baits down to the level you want.
“The trout bite is off and on, but you definitely have to search for them. I am still getting reports of folks taking advantage of the new spoonbill area opened up for this year, and they’re snagging a few. Let’s hope things will dry out a little and get our water levels back down a little.
“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 5-8-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports crappie were hitting well up shallow on minnows and crappie jigs. Bass should be as well, but anglers weren’t sharing specifics. Carp were spawning. 

Lake Charles
(updated 5-8-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the fishing was good for most everything this past week, though there were no reports on bass (black or white) for the second week in a row. Bream are good on all colors of baits, such as jigs, and redworms. Crappie are good on worms and on jigs in all colors. Catfish are biting well, but no one added what baits they used to the reports. This would be a good time for small bream or other live bait for flatheads, and channel cats will like stink bait.

The surface water temperature dropped slightly to 65.8 degrees earlier this week. The clarity remains the usual murky and the water level is still high. Fishing based on the “moon times” should be good May 9-15, she said.

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 5-8-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels at the Spring are at 500 cfs (350 is average) and water clarity is just clearing up from all the rain over the last month. 

“Last month overnight, early on April 5, the Spring River had a flash flood from heavy rains north of our town, Mammoth Spring. A surge of over 15 feet of water raged through our community we all hold dear that live up and down the Spring River. Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery was hit, as well as the train tracks, with a trestle in town getting knocked out, putting empty rail cars strewn about. It is the third largest flood in the history of our area. Hardy was also hit and other communities around us. 

“The river at this time is still flowing very strong. If floating or wading, be very careful with debris along the banks and untold dangers in deep areas. For the most part from Dam 1 in town to Dam 3, and Dam 3 to many islands is clear. With high flows, the river is pushing hard, so keep near the bank. All of the campgrounds are open with better wading than most public areas. The canoe hatch doesn’t start until the end of May, so Saturdays are still quiet.
“We’re catching plenty of rainbows after the flooding, at decent sizes. Woolly Buggers are working great, but with the high flows you may need some extra weight to get down. Normally we would be chasing smallies this time of year. Gonna need a dry spell and get water levels down. The water has been too high lately.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the flood. It may take some time, but we will recover and get back to normal soon.
“Be safe out there!”

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 5-8-2025) 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 5-8-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said a guest at the lake caught his limit of crappie while fishing from his boat early last Thursday morning. On Saturday, they had several guests buying bait that morning for bream and crappie fishing. One customer told Shelley he caught a few this week.

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 5-8-2025) 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 5-8-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday the Millwood Lake elevation was about a foot above normal pool and rapidly rising from recent flash flooding and severe thunderstorms. The level was at 260.2 feet msl; Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 13,300 cfs, and tailwater is near 242 feet and rising. Incoming water upriver from recent thunderstorms, flash flooding and the Tri-Lakes continues arriving downstream and feeding rivers into Millwood this week.

Increased flow rates in Little River, at the Millwood Dam, and flow rates in the Saline and Cossatot rivers mean necessary caution should be taken in navigating along Little River, and always stay vigilant watching for broken timber. Flow rates are expected to increase this week. Be advised broken timber and logs will be present in high flow rates late this week and this weekend. 

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 ranged 72 degrees early to 79 degrees later in the day along Little River this week. Clarity along Little River is heavy stain to muddy with discharge at Millwood Dam. 

Siefert offered these fishing specifics:
* Most largemouth bass continue roaming flats from 2-5 feet depth and 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. They will trigger reactions, especially near creeks running through flats with fresh lily pads where a creek bends. Use Bill Lewis Lures SB-57, the ATV and Echo 1.75 crankbaits in Bluegill/Bream, Guacamole or Burnt Pumpkinseed patterns 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 largemouth near stumps on points of the oxbows. Quarter-ounce chrome/blue Bill Lewis Spin Traps with a gold tail spinner will also grab a random reaction through fresh lily pad stems, and will connect with roaming bass. Three-quarter-ounce Bill Lewis 1-knockers, Rat-L-Traps and ⅝-ounce Hammer Traps in gold/orange belly, Millwood Magic or Pro Perch will draw random reactions in the 5-9 feet depths of flats near drop-offs with standing timber and stumps where new lily pad stands are blooming. 

Brazalo Strutter Chatterbaits continue working; best colors still are Millwood Mayhem Bream, black/blue or Spot Remover. Reactions have been very good — we’ve caught healthy 2- to 3-pound bass over the last couple 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, Peachy and Hot Mouse are all good choices in the stained to clear water areas in the oxbow lakes up Little River. Brazalo Buzzbaits are beginning to work with a horny toad trailer, getting random reaction blowups near stumps, grass and vegetation in 1-3 feet’ depths.

Reactions to 6- to 8-inch magnum-sized lizards were fair. Numerous bass are cruising grass lines and new fresh blooming lily pads in the 2- to 4-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 recently with the muddy to heavy stain water have been Junebug red, black, black/blue or blue fleck.
Weightless Texas-rigged Bass Assassin 5-inch Shad Assassins with a very light wire hook have been working for several weeks in the fresh new blooms of lily pads and emergent grass, with the best colors for reactions in Houdini, Pumpkinseed and Smoke Wagon. Target locations on ridges with valleys nearby in 2-6 feet drains, and behind and in dense emerging grass lines. Hollow body frogs and Horny Toads rigged weightless are beginning to get decent but random reactions near vegetation and stumps in 3-6 feet of depth near vertical structure and drop-offs into the oxbows. The best colors have been olive, pumpkinseed/pearl, black or white.

* The bulk of white bass continue moving back down Little River and breaking up into smaller schools for the past couple of weeks. A few broken schools were located on and behind points extending into Little River from White Cliffs campground to the entrance into McGuire Lake. Rocket Shads, Little Georges, Little Cleos, Rooster Tails, Beetle Spin, and H&H Spinnerbaits have been the go-to baits over the past couple of weeks, with fish up to 2.5 pounds each being caught.

* Crappie seem to still be moving shallow into grass, and the bite has been improving. Good size, solid 1.5- to 2.5-pound crappie can be caught, some shallow, around cypress trees and along grass lines. With the stained water conditions this week, it remains to be seen what they decide they will do — to remain in grass or pull out with the dirty water inflow and higher flow rates at the dam on the main lake. Jigs were working last week, with best colors being white, chartreuse, orange, Electric Chicken and Monkey Milk colors.
* No report this week on catfish, but we expect the bite will get better later this week with the increased current in Little River. Limblines set last week using cut shad, buffalo and chicken liver were all working for channel cats up to 5-6 pounds each in current from 6-9 feet of depth.
* As we observed last week, there are numerous bream beds being noted when you can find water clarity decent. In the majority of locations, water clarity is less than desirable, but around Jack’s Isle and Millwood State Park, groups of campers said they caught some off the bank and around the creek channel boat ramp and the floating dock at Jack’s Isle and were biting on crickets and redworms last week. We did note a few bream beds in the Jack’s Isle area of Little River backwater sloughs where water clarity was better further from Little River current.

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 5-8-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature has risen to 54 degrees with clearing conditions in the tailrace. For weeks, Entergy has scheduled very high generation flows of 6,000 cfs or more round-the-clock to stabilize area lakes from rounds of stormy, wet weather. 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. Sadly, this scenario has been the norm for the majority of the spring. 

The AGFC has successfully completed the rainbow trout stocking schedule and will not be placing any more trout in area lakes until early November. Lake Ouachita has finally fallen out of flood pool this week, which is key for Entergy establishing more stable conditions below area dams. 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 saw 4,320 fish scheduled to be stocked 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 current 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 on. 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 presently 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 late this 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 co-operate 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 5-8-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are very good. These fish are schooling in places and ready for your favorite topwater lure. 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 excellent 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 very good and relating to brush in the 15- to 20-foot range. 

Catfish are very good on trotlines and jugs with live and cut bait. 

Water temperature has taken a jump of late, now ranging 74-78 degrees. The water clarity is clearing. The lake level Wednesday was nearly at level pool 578.05 feet msl, just slightly above normal pool. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 5-8-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says the crappie and bass spawns are mostly complete and they are hungrily stacking up on staging brushpiles in 15-24 feet of water. “We have caught limits of crappie 8-12 feet deep on these brushpiles.”

(update 5-8-2025) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) reports that Lake Ouachita is at normal pool with water temps ranging from low to mid 70s. Crappie can be found on brush and roaming in 10-15 feet of water. The Original Baby Shad by Bobby Garland Crappie Baits and live minnows are both great options.
No report on Lake Maumelle this week.
“Follow Natural State Fishing Guide on Facebook and book your next fishing adventure at www.nsfguide.com. Tight lines!”

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.

Cook’s Lake
(updated 5-8-2025) Wil Hafner at the AGFC’s Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) said Tuesday that water was 3 feet high in the parking lot, and fishing would be up to Mother Nature before things can resume. Water has been on a slow fall there since all the rain of last month and the subsequent high-water levels on the White River. Keep watching for a reopening at some point, though.

“Hopefully the fishing will be good when we reopen,” Hafner said.

 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 5-8-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports that the Arkansas and White rivers are still gradually on the fall. Snagging at the hydroelectric dam is still going well. Skipjack are pushed out due to fast-running and high water levels.

Crappie are spawning as normal, and the shad-colored jigs are still hot!

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