Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

January 22, 2026

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Back when the early 2025-26 winter felt more like spring, if not summer, and you could dress like it (unlike this weekend, when we urge all boaters and anglers to bundle up big-time if they dare get out at all), young DonEvans Faries enjoyed hooking this beautiful crappie along with many others on a fishing trip with his dad, brother, uncle and both of his grandpas on Lake Dardanelle. And, speaking of Dardanelle, we have a new fishing report from Dardanelle guide Charles Morrison in the report. Check it out below. Thanks to Evan Faries for sending us the photo.

Through February, Fishing Reports will run every two weeks (along with no reports on Christmas and New Year’s Day). In between published reports, contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for the most up-to-date information. The reports will include the most recent information reported to the AGFC from the particular body of water, but email Fishing Report newsletters will only be sent out every other Thursday through February.

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) and Nursery Pond
(updated 1-22-2026) AGFC staff in Mayflower note that 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.
Lake Conway renovation is proceeding on schedule with the demolition of the old dam and plans in place for the new dam and weir. Read more here. 

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 1-22-2026) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said in his most recent report at the end of 2025 that the generation schedule had been all over the board lately thanks to the up-and-down weather. On the colder days, you’ll usually see the Southwestern Power Administration running more water due to increased power demand. When temperatures warm up, demand drops and so do the releases from Greers Ferry Dam. “We’ve seen anywhere from 2-5 hours of generation, typically two units, with most releases starting around 7 a.m. As always, keep an eye on the USACE Little Rock app before heading out.
He said the bite had been solid. With steady releases, the river was fishing well both wading and from the boat. If you’re wade-fishing in the mornings, start farther downstream and work your way back upstream as the water rises.
The brown trout spawn was in full swing as 2025 wrapped, so please be mindful of where you wade. Avoid stepping on cleared gravel redds (the spawning beds), and take extra care when handling spawning fish.
The hot flies under an indicator are egg patterns (apricot and orange), midge patterns and soft hackles. Streamer fishing has also been very productive during generation. If you’re in the boat and pounding the banks, some top producers have been Double Deceivers, Flatliners and sculpin patterns.

(updated 1-22-2026) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said they had no new reports from the Little Red River. Frigid weather this week has likely led to much more generation on the river. Check the Southwestern Power Administration website linked above for generation schedules, and check the Corps’ website for how much water is running. 

Before this week, they were looking at more active trout with the temperature cooling. Anglers were having successs catching them on a Rooster Tail and a Little Cleo, or some type of small spoon. Also, keep a marabou jig handy in olive, black or brown, as well as Carolina rig with PowerBait when we move out of the wintry conditions forecast for this 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 1-22-2026) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said it’s fishing well throughout the lake for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Target 10-15 feet depth on brushpiles or standing timber, and try throwing an Alabama rig with 3.8 Keitech swimbaits. Any natural color is recommended — a silver flash minnow will fit the bill on the swimbait. 

In those same areas, anglers also should try single swimbaits on a jighead or a Hover rig. 

Also, on secondary points on the lower end of the lake, try throwing a lipless crankbait. Anything in the red or orange colors will be good.

They have not heard much on crappie lately, but suggest that the crappie are probably sitting in standing timber now at about 10 feet or so. They’ll go for any natural color crappie jig, such as Monkey Milk.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 1-22-2026) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said no one was fishing at midweek — too cold. Before the rain passed through on Wednesday, some crappie catches were seen in the early morning and there was a good bite. Then it all shut off. 

The lake is way too low, she says. They need more rain. Water from Harris Brake Lake is used to flood the Harris Brake WMA for waterfowl season, which wraps up Jan. 31.

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

Lake Overcup
(updated 1-22-2026) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) off Arkansas Highway 9 (501-354-9007) had no new reports from the lake. In his most recent report, however, he said bass were still chasing shad and being caught on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Bream were being caught with crickets and redworms. 

Catfish were doing well on nightcrawlers and bass minnows. Crappie were being caught in 10-12 feet of water about 6 feet down.

Lake Maumelle
(updated 1-8-2026) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) says the water is hovering around 48-50 degrees and the lake level is 7.5 feet below normal pool. New launch ramps are open. The back launch ramp is open and accessible, but they highly recommend users have four-wheel drive to deal with that ramp.
The black bass bite ranges from good to fair. Largemouths are good and reportedly are being caught deep to 15-25 feet as well as shallow in 2-8 feet of water. Jigs, an Alabama rig and crankbaits are recommended. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are fair and mixed in with the largemouths in 15-20 feet. Drop-shot, Carolina rigs, jigs and cranks seem to work best. In WestRock Landing’s Winter Series tournament last Saturday, Matt Hedrick found 18.05 pounds of bass on a five-bass stringer, also landing the Big Bass of 5.28 pounds. Daniel Romine brought in 17 pounds.
Crappie are good. Some reports have them roaming around the channel, and they can be found off of brushpiles anywhere from 20-30 feet deep. Try jigs and minnows.
No reports for white bass, bream or catfish. White bass should react to Twister Tails and cranks, bream might take a jig or worm, and catfish typically can be caught on Lake Maumelle using bream, chicken liver and worms.

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 1-22-2026) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the fishing has been going well, but “we’re probably fixing to see.” Crappie are still biting well. They’re in about 9-10 feet depth. Anglers are catching a lot of bass, caught at about the same depth but they’re catching the bass on jig-and-pig and A rigs, “stuff like that,” he said.

The same routine has worked for crappie for several weeks. Go with such crappie jigs as Bobby Garland jigs and tube jigs primarily in shad colors.

The river is clear and normal, “and the shad in here are prolific right now. You can’t imagine the pelicans, seagulls and cormorants that are in here on them. And you know what happens when the shad come in.”

He added that he’s heard nothing on catfishing or bream fishing recently.

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 1-22-2026) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said that with the weather forecast to reach the area Friday night through Sunday, they urge anglers to sit the fishing out for a week to a week and a half. It will be too cold and too dangerous to be out on the river.
Lately, the river has appeared low with the rock jetties and wood standing well above where anglers usually see them. On Sunday, wind gusts had the river very choppy, but by Monday it was reasonably calm, though it was cold even with the sun out and clear skies.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 1-22-2026) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said Peckerwood is closed to fishing until the end of waterfowl season while it serves as a waterfowl rest area for migrating birds. The lake will reopen for fishing Feb. 9.

White River Cotter Area
(updated 1-22-2026) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Even with a short stint of strong cold weather ahead of us, excitement is running high for the official end of the brown trout spawn on Feb. 1. Bull Shoals Lake remains well below power pool, but expect a rise in the lake level with the upcoming rains and snow runoff. Releases from the dam likely will be fairly heavy during cold snaps to accommodate power needs.
“Trout harvest levels are changing: Feb. 1 marks the date we are able to keep two rainbows (under 14 inches each) from Bull Shoals and Norfork dams to the confluence of the White and Norfork rivers.
“Orange egg patterns work well, as do orange beads, during the winter spawn of the browns. We’re still having success with the black and gold spinners (one-sixteenth-ounce to quarter-ounce, depending on water levels). Satisfy their post-spawn hunger with a minnow, shad or sculpin. White jigs or pearly white streamers are a lure for an oversized brown, as is a shad replica. Work them slowly, and you may be rewarded with an opportunity for a photo shoot.
“Expect the daytime temperatures to be as fickle as the water level, with expected highs from 30 to 50 degrees. Nighttime temps will be very cold. Traffic on the river is slower in January than any other time of the year, so you go ahead and brave the weather; you’ll have the river to yourself for a few hours. Come on in, warm up and share your fishing stories; we look forward to seeing you.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 1-22-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “There haven’t been many people fishing, but those who fished are catching some nice rainbows and browns. Due to the colder weather, both dams are generating more electricity, resulting in increased water releases. The last few days, we are seeing water depths between 4-7 feet with some increased dinginess. With the increased flow, drift-fishing with silver inline spinners, Uncommon Baits UV eggs and shrimp worked well. 

“The brown trout bite is great using Rapala Countdowns in rainbow trout, brown trout or silver colors. Additionally, Dynamic J-Spec lures in Ghost Rainbow and Glimmer Trout worked well for both bigger rainbows and browns.
“Last week the AGFC relooked at the temporary trout regs on the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters. The relaxed the regs between Bull Shoals Dam and Norfork Dam to the confluence of the White and Norfork rivers (at Norfork Access) as of Feb. 1 will allow anglers to keep two rainbow trout under 14 inches and all other trout must be released. There were no changes from the confluence down to the Arkansas Highway 58 bridge in Guion, where the limit remained two trout with only one trout over 14 inches (posted size limits for brook, cutthroat, brown and tiger trout remain what they’ve been). The good news is both the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Hatchery and Norfork National Fish Hatchery are recovering and are stocking trout. We just received a stocking from Jim Hinkle Hatchery of 1,000 rainbows at Calico Rock, with another 1,000 each going to Chessmond Ferry, Mt. Olive and Sylamore.
“The weather forecast for this weekend is showing winter storms. Stay safe and keep warm.”

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 1-22-2026) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday that the Bull Shoals Lake level was 654 feet msl, while water temperature was 48 degrees, give or take. 

Bass fishing has been good to fair. Looks like winter weather is here. Be safe out there. For powerfisherman, a Wiggle Wart and SPRO Rock Crawler are patterns working; try the red craw variants or the Mo Craw. Focus on steeper, 45-degree, nasty rock and ledges, transition banks, and chunk rock ledges in the wind. You need to be covering water in the wind and clouds. Try a Megabass jerkbait along bluff ends and points that have deep water nearby. If the conditions are flat and sunny, get off the bank. There are always fish to be caught on a jig, like a Jewel half-ounce. 

“It’s winter, so looking at them has been the predominant pattern working for me. There are shad in the creeks, but a lot of them are breaking up and moving out deep. Graph time will pay off this time of year. Find the shad, find the fish.”
Most of the shad seem to suspend down in 50-60 feet over deeper water — try a smaller 2.8 Tater Shad dead-sticked, or shake a minnow if they are up active. A Rapala Ice Jig will get down fast if they are moving fast. Day to day they will prefer one over the other. Each day is a little different. The shad are definitely on the move and the post-front days are always going to be rough. Remember: “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 1-22-2026) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said walleye winter fishing patterns are still holding. You definitely have to do some looking around right now to find them. Best fishing has been right before passing fronts. They are scattered in small schools on main lake and secondary channel swing points.
Also, the front end and back end of swings in creek channels have been producing a little more than other locations this past week. If you find some big trees in these areas, spend time fishing the bottom as close as you can get. Try to locate ones with shad balls around them — the walleye are following them as they move with the wind and water flow.
Try fishing in 8-35 feet of water by drop-shotting live crawlers or minnows. Also using a ⅜-ounce to 1-ounce white or chrome jigging spoon or a No. 7 Rapala-style ice jig in the same colors. (The Jigging Rapala has been working in the creek channels by vertical fishing them in 50-70 feet depths.)

A few fish are being caught trolling early mornings and late evenings. When trolling, try a 5-inch jerkbait like a Rattlin’ Rogue or Rapala Husky Jerk. Trolling in 8-15 feet of water at 1.2 mph seems to be a good speed to get a reaction bite. Fishing a 110+1-style jerkbait in 4-12 feet of water on the main lake, secondary points, and steeper sided channel swing banks where the wind has been blowing in, is where the fish are holding.

(updated 1-22-2026) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are still on some main lake timber but are moving from day to day. They are also being found some in main lake brush and also some in brush in the creeks. Look for structure at 20-30 feet. A 1/16-ounce jig with a Small Fry bait has been working some. We’ve had luck on the Tater Baits Crown Royale color lately; also, minnows have been working well most days.

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

(updated 1-22-2026) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina. Tom hasn’t had any new reports since last summer, but striper fishing should be good now. You can visit his website linked above for more information.

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

(updated 1-22-2026) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake level is at 1,116.34 feet msl. The water temperature is in the 40s. “This up-and-down weather is playing a role in the bite: one day good and the next not so good.”
Stripers have been found from Horseshoe up to Neils Bluff. Crappie are suspended and also on brush in 8-20 feet. Jigs and minnows are working as usual. 

Walleye are moving south, but with this brutal weather this weekend, that should slow that down.
“Not much else is happening right now. Just waiting to ride out this storm they’re predicting. It’s supposed to be a big one, so stay safe!”

Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates between weekly reports at FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 1-8-2026) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says winter is settling into the Ozarks, bringing cold mornings and pushing the most productive fishing windows later into the day. The upcoming week features classic temperature swings, with cold starts followed by a midweek warmup. Afternoon highs climb into the upper 50s and low 60s, offering a great window for winter fishing. Those warmer afternoons will offer the most consistent fishing opportunities.
Fishing continues to improve from late morning through the afternoon as sunlight warms the water. Light tackle remains the top producer, with Pautzke Fire Bait, PowerBait and small spoons performing well. Anglers using artificials should downsize and slow everything down — small jerkbaits and Rooster Tails fished with long pauses are drawing the most strikes.

“This should be your weekly game plan:

• Fish deep and slow on cold mornings,
• Move slightly shallower during warmer afternoons,
• Use natural colors under clouds; add flash when the sun is out.
  “Winter rewards patience on the Beaver tailwater. Adjust to the conditions, fish methodically and you’ll find consistent opportunities even in the cold.

“For regular updates, check out my Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service).”

Lake Charles
(updated 1-22-2026) Shelly Jeffery reported from Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the water temperature on Friday, Jan. 16, was 49.2 degrees. The clarity of the lake is murky. The level is very low. Water in Lake Charles is used to flood Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA during waterfowl season. The drawdown has ended now, she said earlier this week, but “now we need rain!”

The top Parking lot off of Arkansas Highway 25 is the only boat ramp accessible. She has received no recent fishing reports.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 1-22-2026) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park did not have a new report in the new year, but his last report before 2025 ended was that Lake Poinsett had seen a steady stream of anglers despite the up-and-down temperatures. Anglers out on boats were having luck with minnows catching bass. It was also reported that some were getting catfish with minnows, too! Shoreline fishing has been a little slower as the fish retreat to deeper waters, but not totally absent.
Lake Poinsett State Park has a bait shop at the park’s visitor information center and sells minnows, redworms, nightcrawlers and other various artificial baits and tackle. The hours for the park’s Visitor Information Center through February are: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Spring River
(updated 1-8-2026) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water flow at the Spring is at 215 cfs (350 cfs is average), while water clarity is clear. “Very low river flow for this time of year. After over 20 years on the river, I have never seen it this low. Very little rainfall in the area over the last many months. Low and clear has made for tough fishing with lighter tippet and generally smaller fly patterns than normal. Lots of caddis and other bugs hatching for great nymph action. And yes, great conditions for dry fly action. 

“Catching a few browns on streamer action using Woollies. Working the banks with deeper water near the current. If you like catching smallies, use the same flies, just fish them deep below falls and riffles. Clouser-style Woollies work well for getting down fast. Water levels are too low for needing sink tips. Long leaders with high sticking techniques will get the fly down. Olive most days is the color, but with all of the baitfish in the Spring, a white baitfish pattern can be very productive, especially on sunny days. Crawfish and leeches are in the water also and are easy to imitate.
“For spin-fishing, Trout Magnets in red, pink and Purple Haze are working for numbers. For smallies, D2 hair jigs fished just off the bottom will work. Olive, black and white are go-to colors on the Spring with hair jigs. Also great for catch-and-release with no flavor and a single hook.
“On the tough days when a bite is hard to find, a Y2K with a nymph dropper can turn the day around. Low river conditions make for easier wading, but be safe – the rocks are slick. A wading staff can keep you upright when it matters.
“The weather has been crazy: warm days mixed with cold days. Dress warm and stay dry; the cold days can be dangerous, so be careful.”
Visit Mark’s blog (springriverfliesandguides.com) for updates, videos 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 1-22-2028) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team has not had a report to begin 2026, but their last report in December showed water temperature in mid-50s and river pool visibility at 6-8 inches. Black bass were biting well on shad-colored bladed jigs, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and shallow-diving crankbaits on wind-blown points of sand flats and rocky banks. Small dark-colored jigs and soft plastics were effective in calmer weather, especially near wood and docks.
When things turn very cold, however, anglers can expect things to get really slow until spring. 

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 1-22-2026) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said there have been few if any anglers on Cane Creek of late.

Recently, the AGFC began treating certain areas of the lake for Cuban bulrush, an invasive aquatic vegetation, according to Ryan Mozisek of the AGFC. Cuban bulrush is a fast-spreading invasive aquatic plant, and it was found in September as being widespread throughout the lake. Initial treatments have begun to treat the infestation in specific areas.
“Management efforts will need to be continued over the next several years to combat the vegetation in the lake so that anglers do not lose any more fishable water to these floating islands,” Mozisek said.
Cane Creek Lake is a 1,700-acre lake in Lincoln County that was built in 1986 and is owned and managed by the AGFC. It is stocked with bass, crappie, bream and catfish. The visitor center offers a pier, and there is good fishing often reported at the campsite. The lake has always had abundant floating and submerged aquatic vegetation. Increased focus recently on invasive aquatic species at the lake led to the discovery of the Cuban bulrush.
AGFC district staff also are working to manage other vegetation, such as American lotus, water lily, water shield and hydrilla, that have reached undesirable levels for anglers and biologists at Cane Creek Lake, Mozisek reported.

Lake Monticello
(updated 1-22-2026) The AGFC approved new fishing regulations regarding the harvest of sport fish on Lake Monticello. Effective Feb. 1, anglers may keep 5 bass, but only one bass may be 16 inches or more in length. Anglers may harvest 12 crappie, but only 7 crappie may be longer than 12 inches. All other fish creel limits follow the state regulations on that species.

Lake Chicot
(updated 1-22-2026) Lake Chicot, part of Lake Chicot State Park, is home to bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, redear sunfish and other bream, in addition to crappie. If you fish Lake Chicot, Connerly Bayou downstream of Connerly Dam, or Ditch Bayou from Lake Chicot downstream to Ditch Bayou Dam, be aware that crappie shorter than 10 inches must be immediately released and that the crappie daily limit is 20.

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 1-8-2026) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood Lake elevation as of Wednesday was about inches above normal pool and stable, at 259.4 feet msl. Millwood Lake Dam was releasing about 650 CFS and the tailwater was near 225 feet msl and stable. Surface temperature over the past week continued fluctuating, ranging 50 degrees early to 55 later in the day along Little River. Clarity along Little River is heavy stain and low visibility; typical Millwood lighter stain is found in the oxbows. River clarity has been ranging 8-10 inches of visibility, depending on location. Visibility in the oxbows is ranging 20-30 inches in many locations.

Make sure to drain your bilge and livewells and flush your boat trailer from carrying and redistributing invasive species Cuban Bullrush and alligatorweed to other bodies of water. We hope herbicides can be applied in the spring to combat these invasive species on Millwood Lake.

Mike had these fishing specifics gleaned from his own experiences before the holidays and form his service’s guides over the past few weeks:
* Just before the Christmas holidays, the largemouth bass continued following large schools of threadfin shad, which were migrating to backs of creeks seeking warmer water temps, and were moving in and out of creek channel swings and adjacent flats with lily pads. We’re not seeing as much random schooling bass over the past week with the cold fronts dropping surface temps on Millwood Lake. With the reduced surface and lake pool temps again this week, not seeing as much surface-breaking as last week. 

Brazalo Lures’ Strutter 2.0 Bladed Jigs have been taking good black bass in creek channels for several weeks now, and continue to get reactions in the oxbows on points near stumps, lily pads and creek channel flats and bends, near vegetation and lily pad stands, using curly tail grub trailer. Best colors over the past couple weeks have been white, Spot Remover, Millwood Mayhem Bream and white/chartreuse, and using a split tail Bass Assassin 3-inch FFS Split Tail Shad trailer.

Chrome/blue Rat-L-Traps, smaller, ⅜-ounce chrome/blue Spinner Rat-L-Traps – that is, the Tail Spinners – will work when the bass follow shad into the lily pads and will finesse well through the lily pad stems when the action moves into vegetation and pads.

Bill Lewis ATV Crankbaits and Square Bills in Tennessee Shad, Pro Green Gizzard Shad and Ghost Minnow are still connecting with random bass cruising through flats with stumps and lily pads in the same locations where the Rat-L-Trap Spin Traps are working. The best bite will occur from mid-morning, around 9-11 a.m., due to the decrease in surface temps. Numbers of bass from 2-3 pounds each still concentrate near almost any major creek junction with Little River. With current conditions along Little River fair, the deeper sections, points and washouts in Little River from 10-15 feet are seeing good success with a Tennessee Shad Fat Free Guppy or Fat Free Fry. We have noted for several weeks a few black bass and white bass were following and herding shad in the creek channel near White Cliffs campground into Little River. 

* We were having great days just before the Christmas holidays with great catches of white bass while they continued chasing shad with the black bass in fairly large schools in Horseshoe and McGuire. The best action is midday. Great time to take a kid fishing. In recent weeks, we were seeing random catches of 15-20 at various times all day with Bomber Fat Free Guppy’s, Fat Free Fingerlings in Tennessee Shad and Citrus Shad patterns, half-ounce Rat-L-Traps, Chuck’N Spins, Rooster Tails, Little Georges, Rocket Shads, UnderSpins with a 3-inch white grub, and Beetle Spins.
* Our crappie guides updated the report this week, saying they have been doing better on jigs and tubes, alternating with minnows, but that changes daily. Cordell smoke grubs (on light wire jigheads), smoke-colored Southern Pro 1.5-inch Hot Tubes, 2-inch Crappie Stinger in red/yellow/pearl, and Pro Series Lit’l Hustler Tubes in Cajun Cricket, Tennessee Shad or Mexican Sunrise have been snatching 20-30 cappie slabs per day this week. The bulk of the crappie are holding in the 12-18 feet deep on brushpiles.
* No catfish update; however, chicken livers and gizzards as well as King’s Punch Bait set on trotlines along Little River from 10- to 15-foot depths were working well recently.

For more details, visit the Millwood Lake Guide Service webpage.

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.

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

(updated 1-8-2026) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted on the weekly “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz on Tuesday that area lake levels were “goofy and ridiculously low,” and DeGray this was is sitting about 7 feet below full pool.
“Mr. Bass will be on DeGray this Sunday (Jan. 11). They’ll be going out of the spillway ramp. Water temperature is in the low 50s, probably 52-55 degrees. The big deal is so much moss on the lower level of the lake. It’s not just coontail, it’s a mixture of all kinds of good moss on the lower level and that’s going to end up deciding the tournament.
Will it help perhaps land a bass that qualifies for the AGFC’s Legacy Lunker program, meaning a 10-pounds-or-larger bass? 

“I certainly hope so,” he told the show’s hosts. There’s already been very good fish caught in DeGray due to the moss. You’re dealing with a 14-pounder there not very long ago. The moss crop on DeGray on the lower level will be the determining factor on the weigh-in on Sunday.”

Kastner says the Alabama rig is the top-lure going on right now.

“Everybody has downsized on the swimbait. Instead of throwing a big 4-inch swimbait on your Alabama rig, a lot of people are throwing 3-, 3.5-inch.
“Half-ounce jig (head), whether you’re throwing a football jig or swim jig around that moss, that’s going to catch some good fish. A ton of people are throwing a Trap. We have thrown a Rat-L-Trap on grass for how many years now on all our lakes? And a Trap in half-ounce or ¾-ounce has caught a lot of fish.

“Also the jerkbait. Whether you’re throwing many different brands of jerkbaits, you’ve just gotta throw one that, this time of year, runs just a little bit deeper than normal. Whether a +1, which runs 5-10 feet deep around those moss heads, that’s a key way to catch good fish.”

He said he expects a shootout for the Mr. Bass tournament Sunday.

(updated 1-22-2026) Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) said as 2025 was winding down that with water temps in the low to mid-50s, bass can be caught on Alabama rigs or shaky head minnow by looking at your LiveScope and look for balls of baitfish. Also, bass can be caught on lipless crankbaits and crankbaits running to 12 feet deep along the moss and close to ledges. Some have been caught on jigs in 15 feet. 

Crappie can be caught on minnows and jigs in 15-25 feet on brush and standing timber. 

“You want to catch a fish of a lifetime folks, this is the starting time of the year to catch one. Just two weeks ago there was a whopping 14.2-pound largemouth bass caught out here using a shaky head minnow by LiveScoping.”

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 1-22-2026) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below the dam has dropped into the upper 40s due to the cold weather of the last week. Upcoming snowfall and ice accumulations could stain the water somewhat in the tailrace, but will clear quickly with the low water conditions and limited flow from the dam.
Lakes Hamilton and Catherine are in their 5-foot winter drawdown, with Lake Catherine lowered another 2 feet for infrastructure projects in Hot Springs through Jan. 31 (the 5-foot drawdown for both lakes ends in early March). This has created a terrible situation on Lake Catherine for fishermen looking to launch a boat while this low water situation is in place. No water is anywhere near the two loading ramps adjacent to the public access fishing docks, and the winter loading ramp is also out of action due to the extreme drawdown. Do not be fooled into thinking the water levels are high enough to launch a boat when there is flow from the dam. Generation times are now very short, and as soon as the current flow stops, the water level will fall quickly and will make loading a boat impossible. 

As soon as the additional 2 feet of water is refilled in Lake Catherine at the end of this month, water levels will be high enough for safe boat launching and loading. 

As reported the last several weeks, rainbow trout stocking will be drastically reduced all over the state due to the massive flooding and late summer heat problems that destroyed thousands of trout scheduled to be delivered to our lakes and streams. Despite the low water and trout emergency measures, fishermen have caught small numbers of trout in the tailrace casting Rooster Tails in white or brown in a 1/16-ounce or ⅛-ounce weight. The trout are very scattered from the dam to the bridge, but fly-fishermen have taken numbers of trout on Trout Magnets in hot pink or white presented under a strike indicator.
January, February, March and April are scheduled to have 1,000 rainbow trout stocked below both Carpenter Dam and Blakely Dam, and that will conclude the spring stocking for those areas.
Anyone attempting to navigate the Carpenterblocked to a Dam tailrace is urged to use extreme caution in the low water conditions. Should the winter storm forecast for Friday and Saturday of this week bring over 6 inches of snow and ice, driving to Carpenter Dam will be very dangerous with the entrance likely allowing only dam workers until road clearing takes place. 

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

(updated 1-22-2026) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-647-9945) says the river is still low, but clean from top to bottom. Water temperature is around 48 degrees, warming to 51. Creeks are a little bit cooler than the river. Large schools of shad are holding in deep water along the river. Some are starting to migrate up the creeks in the last couple days (earlier this month). But they are staying deep. 

Bass fishing has been really good. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs are working great in shallow water (3-4 feet). Jerkbaits, swimbaits and Rat-L-Traps are working well in 6-12 feet of water. 

Striped bass are beginning to run. Swimbaits, Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits have been working well.
Crappie were hit-and-miss with the warm temperatures earlier this month. “They have been scattered and on the move, not staying in one place very long. But when you do run across them, Monkey Milk and black red colors have been working well, and some days pink. I have seen them in different depths and on different structures.”
Catfish have been really good. The large catfish are deep with the shad. Skipjack and shad are working well; 2- to 5-pounders are good with large shiners and crawfish around brush in 6-10 feet of water with the drum.
“Good luck. Hope to see you on the water. Battle on.”

Lake Hamilton
No reports.

Lake Nimrod
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow reports from Nimrod Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 1-22-2026) Sheila Ferrebee at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) had no new reports. Check out Carter Cove’s Facebook page for more updates; Carter Cove’s email address is cartercovebaitnmore@gmail.com. 

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

(updated 1-22-2026) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are still very good. Spoon action is still working well, and a jig fished in and around brush will produce results, too. Stripers are still fair and are being caught on Alabama rigs and live bait near major creek basins in the western and central parts of the lake. Crappie are still good. Try a small minnow-colored jig over brush in the 30- to 50-foot range.

No reports on walleye, stripers, bream or catfish.

Water temperature is ranging 50-54 degrees. Water clarity is light stain/clear. The lake level is steady at 569.86 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

Blue Mountain Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow reports from Blue Mountain Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

NOTE: Blue Mountain Lake is undergoing a two-phase drawdown proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers to improve aquatic and waterfowl habitat by exposing mudflats for seeding and for critical maintenance on the lake’s intake structure. Phase one began Sept. 2, lowering the lake to its normal winter pool elevation of 384 feet. The second phase will begin May 1, 2026, with the lake further lowered to 374 feet through Nov. 1, 2026. During the drawdown, water activities will be limited, boat ramps may be affected, and areas around the lake will be seeded.

Japanese millet will be seeded on the mudflats during phase one to improve habitat for waterfowl and other aquatic species. Call 479-947-2372 for more information.

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.

No reports.

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