Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

May 29, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Chris Marino of Memphis got a response on his first cast of the day while fishing the Little Red River with guide Mike Winkler, and it was this nice brown trout on the other end of his line. Marino was on a half-day guide trip launching with Winkler from the Lobo Landing Access. Winkler said the water on the Little Red had been off-color last week but was fishable. Marino was using a Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear underneath an indicator set at about 4 feet depth. The water release these days at Greers Ferry Dam is 12 hours on, 12 hours off, Winkler said, which offers good fishing opportunity. Read more from Winkler’s Little Red River report below.

Reports are updated weekly, although some reports may be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.

Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk

For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt

For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality

Download the Fish Brain app and follow AGFC at: https://join.fishbrain.com/agfc-page

Quick links to regions:

• Central Arkansas
• North Arkansas
• Northwest Arkansas
• Northeast Arkansas
• Southeast Arkansas
• Southwest Arkansas
• South-Central Arkansas
• West-Central Arkansas
• East Arkansas

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

(updated 5-29-2025) Fishing reported is still going well at the Lake Conway Nursery Pond, as an alternative to Lake Conway while the big lake is drawn down for renovation. Anglers have caught harvestable bream in good numbers of late. The Lake Conway Nursery Pond has been opened for fishing in the immediate area of the big lake, and the 70-acre pond has been stocked for over a year now 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 5-29-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said, “Well, it’s been a wet one lately! We saw several days of steady rain this past week, and it looks like there’s more on the way. With that said, we’ll be keeping a close eye on lake levels and the generation schedule. So far, the Southwestern Power Administration has been pretty spot-on with their projected releases.
“Right now, we’re seeing two units running from around 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. — a consistent 12-hours-on, 12-hours-off schedule out of Greers Ferry Dam. That generation has actually helped clear up a lot of the runoff coming in from the creeks, even downriver, where the water was looking pretty murky earlier in the week.
“Despite the off-color water, fishing has been solid. The consistent flows have opened up a lot of great opportunities both for drifting in the boat and getting out to wade. As things continue to clear up and the rain tapers off, conditions should only get better.

“With the stained water, high visibility patterns have been the ticket. Here’s what’s been working best under an indicator: pink San Juan Worms, egg patterns, Hi-Vis flies, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears and Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles.

“The streamer bite has been excellent, especially with the steady generation and overcast skies. Try throwing big, articulated patterns toward the banks — brown trout have been active and aggressive on those cloudy days.
“Stay safe out there, and tight lines!”

(updated 5-29-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the Little Red has been fishing really well. Early mornings are better, as the generation at the dam gets going at about 11 a.m. The SWPA has been using two generators this week but it can vary depending day-to-day.

Most anglers are having success with a marabou jig and a Trout Magnet. Also, Rooster Tails and a No. 5 ShadRap are solid now. Anglers can use these patterns both drifting or bank fishing for browns or rainbows. Wading is available early on before the generation. There have been a lot of people wading in the mornings near JFK Park, the Swinging Bridge and Cow Shoals. 

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 5-29-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level for the lake is 471.29 as of Thursday, which is 9.25 feet above normal pool, though it is falling with generation (12 hour generation each day). The lake came up right at 4 feet on Wednesday night with rain.

Fish remain scattered all over. Some of the 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 use crankbaits for trolling in 12-18 feet for the mid-depth fish and in 40 feet for the deeper fish.

Walleyes are scattered everywhere. Some are deep, some shallow and all in-between — and, of course, the lake fish are staying put on points, humps, etc. from 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 really well all over the lake and rivers. Lots of blues have been moving 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 still up rivers, others are done and still others in between, with a lot still deep in the lake at around 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, with some around old buckbrush line, while some are still super shallow and others have moved offshore, plus more just roaming around chasing shad. They’re in 12-20 feet, and just about any baits are working at this time.
“Be safe and wear your life jacket.”

(updated 5-29-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the lake is up to 9 feet above the normal pool. You can still go out and catch a bunch of black bass, though the bigger fish haven’t been showing up yet. As for numbers, you’ll get them. Most species are beginning to pull out a bit deeper and the best fishing is in the 10- to 15-foot range again.

Try a shaky head worm or a drop-shot in that depth. Also, anglers are throwing a Carolina-rig as well as a jig. Mostly they’ll use a natural color, watermelon or green pumpkin.

In the early morning or late in the evening there is a good topwater bite now. Go with a clear or bone Zara Spook Jr. or similar bait and key in around main lake or secondary points.

For crappie, the depth range is going to be about the same, fishing in 15-20 feet of water. A natural, shad color jig or one in blue and white will be your best bet.

Walleye are hungry, and a drop-shot with a nightcrawler in roughly about 20 feet of water is the way to go. Fish around the main lake points.

Water clarity is stain up in the rivers but clear in the main river.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 5-22-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said this last week has been a big one for catfish, both in catches and in several large cats brought in. They’ve been biting trotlines baited with baby bream and minnows, with channel cats and flatheads from 2 to 5 pounds reported.

Also, one of Harris Brake’s veteran anglers was fishing from the shoreline trying for bream with crickets when a 9-pound flathead jumped on instead. The same angler noted that he even had a catfish bite a trotline hook with no bait on it.

Obviously, the cats are hungry. This is typically a great time for flatheads, as catfish begin to spawn.

Bream have been biting. People have been catching them on worms and crickets, reporting that some of them were “pretty big-sized,” Bing said. Bream are in their spawn and males are guarding the nests.

Some crappie are being caught by anglers on boats out in deeper water and using a Fish Finder, we’re told. Some of these anglers who are stopping into the shop have indicated they’ve shifted from fishing Lake Conway, which is drained for renovation, and have been finding lots of crappie willing to bite. Minnows are working best now, and reportedly some big crappie (white crappie and black crappie) are being caught.

Black bass have been “kinda slow,” she says. “I haven’t heard any reports in the last couple of weeks on bass.”
Follow more from Harris Brake Lake Resort on its Facebook page.

Lake Overcup
(updated 5-29-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said water level is about 2 feet high and clarity is good. “We also have green algae bloom around the lake.”

Surface temperature is around 78 degrees.

Black bass are doing well on crankbaits and plastic worms around brushtops. Crappie are doing well in 8-12 feet of water using jigs and minnows. Catfish are doing well on jugs and trotlines using perch and shad. Bream are slow but should pick up with the warmer weather.

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 5-22-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports that water temperature is ranging 75-78 degrees, while the water level continues to inch upward, now about 4.5 feet low (after being as low as 11 feet for Central Arkansas Water’s repair work at the dam). 

Black bass are fair. The largemouths are fair and can be found on points and humps in 2-10 feet of water. Try using Carolina rigs, jigs, Chatterbaits and crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are also fair and being found in the same depth range as the largemouths in 2-10 feet. They’ll favor a jerkbait or a jig).

The bass fishing in WestRock’s Tuesday tournament produced some decent 5-bass stringers. Cody Bryant and Brad Lequieul won the event with 12.96 pounds, including the Big Bass of 4.12 pounds.

White bass haven’t been reported lately, but they’re out there and might bite a Twister Tail or a crankbait.

The crappie is good. The last report from anglers was that they were off of the shoreline and scattered around brush and rockpiles at 12-14 feet. Jigs are your best bet these days.

Bream are great since the last full moon. Reports of bluegill bedding this week on brush and about to move off. Use crickets or worms.

Catfishing is good, and reports have the blues being found on the shoreline in 2-4 feet. Little bream, chicken liver and worms will work.

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 5-22-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) says water is normal height but is on the stained side after a big rain earlier this week. It was murky on Wednesday but some anglers still caught a few. He says the water should be good in a couple of days.

Bream are still bedded and anglers are still catching them on crickets and worms. You can find them in about 1½ feet of water.

Anglers have been catching a lot of bass on topwater now, as well as with worms and crankbaits. “You can catch bass now with just about anything you can get in front of them right now,” he said.
After the rain and the water starting to move, catfish got to biting. Chicken liver and, around the docks, hot dogs are the best baits to use. 

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 5-29-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the river has even faster flow than the past two weeks, being over 200,000-plus cfs Thursday, continuing the small-craft warning before it can get down under 70,000 cfs and be safer for small craft. That’s been the case for the river for much of May. So the best they can advise for regular anglers for now is to stay off the river.

But they also note that there are other, safer places to catch fish now (see their reports from Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River, plus new ones from Lake Ouachita, the Buffalo River and DeGray Lake, for example).

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 5-15-2025) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said Peckerwood got quite a bit of water from the rains in April 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 5-29-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said Bull Shoals Lake is rising pretty quickly; Wednesday the lake level was 690.15 feet msl, just 5 feet below flood pool. An average of one generator or less has been in operation each morning for the past week (about 3,000 cfs). Higher releases should be starting soon as the Army Corps of Engineers begins to bring the lake down.
Both boaters and shore anglers have been able to fill their creels with rainbows using red wigglers or nightcrawlers. Drift-fishers will do best with the pink worm — Berkley or X-Factor — or by adding the bubblegum pink “mouse tail” to your line. It comes ready-made with a white egg at the top; thread it to cover the eye of your hook and dangle the rest of the imitator worm like you would a live red wiggler. Not getting enough bites? Experiment with the orange Power Worm to lure the more curious ones.
The average size of the rainbows here in the Ozark region of The Natural State seems to be increasing, and that should continue as we see lots of fresh, cold water from the lake with the increased releases expected. Also, with higher releases, you’ll be able to throw your favorite stick baits again. The glass blue Husky Jerk minnow is magic.
What about the browns? A big ol’ Rapala Countdown is the answer in the rainbow or the brown trout versions. They haven’t given up on sculpins, though, so keep some on hand.
“Keep anglin’ and stay aware of surroundings. Prepare for the weather and water releases, and come ready to catch some great trout on the White River.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 5-29-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “The rains continue to keep the river high and dirty. About the time the river started clearing, we got another round of storms last weekend. As of Wednesday the river remains high and fast but the water is clearing. Both Bull Shoals and Norfork lake levels remain very high and rising. 

“On Wednesday afternoon the Norfork Dam sluice gates were opened. In addition to lowering the lake level, an added benefit is the extra water will help flush out the dirty water. I expect by Friday we will see high but fishable water. If you plan on getting on the river below the confluence of Norfork River and the White River, be prepared for the faster flow, remain aware of your surroundings and DO NOT throw out an anchor in the river.”

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 5-29-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday the lake level is still on the rise at 690 feet msl. Water temperature has dropped to around 69 degrees. The lake may be high, but fish don’t seem to mind. The bigger creeks still have some debris coming in; be careful with floaters as the wind changes direction. Take debris precautions on flooded launch ramps and courtesy docks. Parking has become an issue, as most boat ramps and parking areas are now underwater. The marinas are doing a great job of accommodating everyone. 

The water conditions toward the main lake remain gin clear on toward the dam, with color still in the backs of creeks. Bass are grouping up. Powerfishing shallow has been fair with clouds, rain, wind and stained runoff water. Spinnerbait, Chatterbait and a square bill work well in the stained water. Target wind-blown points and bigger grass flats, and also check roads under water and the flooded buckbrush. The ole Big Worm Texas-rigged in laydowns is a good bet. There are always fish to be caught on a jig, like a Jewel half-ounce green pumpkin variant. Try putting the boat on the old shoreline. Try a shaky head, wobble head tube or a Ned rig. A lot of fish have moved up with the rise.

The offshore video gamers are gonna have to work. The mass of shad is still spread out, moving out to the ends of points or at the mouths 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 as well as a Slab Spoon have been working. Topwater has been fair: the Lucky Craft Gunfish or a small white Pop-R-style or Zara Spook Jr.-style bait over flooded points and saddles. “Good luck, have fun, be safe and, as usual, ‘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 5-29-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said that with the amount of rain they have had this past week, the lake water has come up a good bit. The walleye fishing has been fair to good, with fish being caught over buckbrush by casting white spinnerbaits or a quarter-ounce or ⅜-ounce jighead with a small swimbait or jerkbait. If the sun is high, fish a little deeper along the old shoreline. Fish are scattered along rounded points with deep water close by and along steeper creek channel swings with shad. Fishing the shoreline in 18 to 20 feet of water with a spinner and crawlers has been working this week. A jig and crawler slowly worked along in 25 feet to 30 feet at the edge of the flooded brush will also work. 

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 to 20 feet along wind-blown banks will also work. Some walleye are still being caught in open water over the flooded trees. (However, with the lake rising, we are seeing a lot of debris floating in the water, making it harder to troll.)

If trolling deep, try deep-diving crankbaits with snap weights to get your baits down 60 to 70 feet and fish over the flooded trees in 80 or more feet of water at 1.5 to 1.7 mph.

(updated 5-29-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are super scattered all over the lake. There isn’t a lot of structure in the right zones but anglers are catching some when you are lucky enough to find it. Minnows have definitely been best as of late. Cover lots of water and look for it around 10-20 feet.

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

(updated 5-29-2025) 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 579 feet msl, the Norfork 1 foot below flood pool. The creeks are rising and stained; the main lake is clear.
The stripers have begun their migration toward the dam. They have also gone deeper as they migrate. “We are switching our methods. All long lines are now being replaced with down lines. A down line is a 3-ounce barrel sinker and long leader. I am running six downlines and two long lines.

“As the stripers move south, they will be found mainly along the points and long

bluffs starting at Robinson Point and south. As June approaches, the stripers will

continue to move south.”

Reach out to Tom at the links above or to schedule a trip out of Tracy Ferry Marina.

Buffalo National River
(updated 5-22-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said they are hearing from a lot from angling customers doing well on the Buffalo in recent days. They are catching smallmouth bass in 2-4 feet of water and throwing a Ned rig with a green pumpkin, worm-style bait or creature bait on about a ⅛-ounce chartreuse jighead. Also, they are catching them on small, white ⅛-ounce Rooster Tails, or a 2½-inch green pumpkin tube with 1/8-ounce jighead. And don’t leave without trying a 4.5-inch Robo Worm in Morning Dawn color with a ⅛-ounce weight for a successful outing.

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

(updated 5-29-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said, “Beaver Lake is totally full with a few inches here or there. Crested above 1,130 feet msl. Water temps have hovered around 70 degrees or so. We have had numerous flooding events, tornadoes, hail and straight-line winds. Enough! Let’s move on to some summer weather and summer patterns.
“Fishing is pretty well confined from Horseshoe Bend north to the dam. Everywhere else has some form of mud and debris. 

“Stripers have been caught from Prairie Creek to Point 6. The fish are moving daily, and that means you should be moving and looking also if you want some action.
“Bass have been good on main points and secondary points. Look in 20 feet or less. Ned rigs are putting some nice smallies in the boat, according to my reports.
“Catfish should be on fire with all this water moving through the system.
“Bluegill/bream will be bedding. Find that area and you’re in for some good action.
“Let’s get some warming and some stability on water levels and commence the summer in grand fashion. I am ready, and I am sure I have many who agree with that!
“Lots of debris, as I have been yelling from the rafters. Be safe and stay focused! A nice day can turn bad very fast on the lake right now. Wear PFDs and have a great time on Beaver Lake!”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 5-29-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says, “Rain, rain, go away! Good grief, have we had a lot of rain recently! The tailwater is starting to get to the point where we will have to hold up on taking trips until the flow decreases. We are not so much worried about the levels, just the flow rates. Not only can it become difficult to catch fish, but it can become hazardous as well. When the Corp of Engineers has five flood gates open (at Beaver Lake Dam), running a turbine and two generators, that water is moving!

“There are a couple of areas where you can get a boat in, out of the moving water, but even then, that is limited. So, this week will be a good time to restring fishing rods and go over equipment. Maybe do a little maintenance on the boats, just to get ahead. I expect this water to hang around for a while, so we will see what happens in the next week or so.
“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 5-29-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports crappie are starting to slow down but they are still biting. They’ve been best on live worms. Bass and catfish are both starting to pick up. Bass are favoring soft plastic worms; they’ve heard no reports on any topwater action yet. Catfish are best using liver. There are bream out in the lake, but so far no one has reported anything on the bream bite.

Lake Charles
(updated 5-29-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the bite remains good for bream, crappie and catfish. She hasn’t gotten any reports on black bass or white bass in a few weeks.

Bream were best this last week on worms and are shallow. Crappie are going after all colors of plastics, live worms and minnows. Crappie are favoring the worms as well.

The water surface temperature fell to 74.1 degrees. The lake is the usual murky and the water level is very high.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 5-29-2025) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park reports, Lake Poinsett had a pretty successful Memorial Day weekend despite the rain. Plenty of anglers came out to try their luck. Reports were saying that crappie are moving back to slightly deeper water, around 15-20 feet. They are still using minnows for best results. 

“Bream seem to be bedding closer to the shore, and bank fishing has been doing well. Redworms and crickets have been the bait of choice there. Fishing by the dam has been the best spot from most accounts. This gives a good mix of deeper and shallow water. “Anglers are putting out trotlines, noodles, etc. for catfish. As always, the state park is open a.m.-5 p.m. for bait sales.”

Spring River
(updated 5-22-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water level is at 490 cfs at the Spring (350 cfs is average) and water clarity is a little cloudy. “We are still getting a lot of rain in the area. River levels remain up, but the river has cleared up nicely last week. Storms moving through can change water conditions, so be aware. The Spring River is clear from Mammoth Spring to Many Islands. I hope to float next week to Hardy to check on smallmouth fishing and river conditions above Hardy.
“Work on Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery continues to get it back up and running. There were trout that survived the flood in the hatchery and these fish will be used to stock. The area is still closed as the work on the hatchery will be ongoing. Dam 3 access is open to launch.
“Catching rainbows on Woollies, mostly olive Woollies lately with damsel flies beginning to hatch. Blue-wing olives and caddis are hatching, but with higher water levels there’s not much dry fly action, but nymphs can be hot.

“Really hoping for a dry out so we can get to chasing smallmouth bass. This high water has messed up the bite on smallies. A dry out will get them back on the bite.

“The ‘canoe hatch’ kicks off this weekend. Folks have a lot of fun floating the Spring River. To avoid the hatch, we focus on fishing through the week and on Sundays. Let them have fun on Saturday. A person can fish early on Saturday and get some good fishing in.

“Be safe wading or floating. With water up about a foot, ya just gotta take your time and be safe. A wading staff and felt soles on wading shoes can help a lot.” 

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.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 5-29-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) has reported lately that some anglers had caught limits of crappie from boats, and there has been some guests buying bait for bream and crappie fishing, with a few caught from the shoreline.

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 5-29-2025) 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.

Lake Chicot
(updated 5-29-2025) AGFC biologists recently sampled Lake Chicot despite challenging spring conditions, including heavy rains and fluctuating water levels. They sampled the largemouth bass population, and while the survey showed extremely low catch rates — likely due to persistent muddy water and the strong spring winds that hampered electrofishing efforts — the largemouth caught in the sample were noteworthy. They included a 5-pounder and a 6-pounder. The best sampling came from the crappie sampled in the Connerly Bayou area. Last fall’s sampling also produced good crappie numbers.
AGFC staff on Sunday, May 18, did not notice very many boats on the lake though. One ski boat was noted in the middle of the lake. Most of the anglers were back in the brush areas.

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 5-29-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service on Wednesday reported that the Millwood Lake elevation was 17 inches above normal and rising, at 260.5 feet msl. Millwood Lake Dam was releasing about 19,000 cfs and tailwater level was near 247 feet msl and rising. Siefert urged increased caution in navigation.

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 temperature last week ranged 69-75 degrees. Clarity along Little River remains heavy stain in most locations to muddy in many other areas along Little River, with river clarity ranging 2-4 inches visibility depending on location. 

Siefert had this fishing specific from the past week:

* Largemouth bass have been hit or miss recently with lake pool fluctuations from recent thunderstorms. The best reactions lately have come during cloudy days or misty rain. With the sudden jump of the lake pool from recent flash flooding, many bass are roaming through fresh lily pad booms and emerging grass, cypress trees and flooded pockets. Best holding locations in recent weeks were where grass, lily pads and vegetation are together with stumps in 4-8 feet of depth. With bluegill spawning on flats recently, the slightly deeper running bluegill or bream pattern square bills and crankbaits are still drawing a few reactions. Largemouths have been fair on square bill cranks deflecting off stumps where shallow pockets and flats drop into creek channel swings or vertical structure with lily pads.
This week, the bass pulled out of the flats into drops and vertical structure. The Stumpknocker and Sunrise Perch patterns of the Echo 1.75 size drew some reactions from 2- to 3-pound bass near stumps on points of the oxbows.

Hollow body frogs and Horny Toads rigged weightless are beginning to get decent, 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.
* Most white bass continue roaming down Little River toward the main lake body. No report this week.
* Crappie continue to gravitate to shallow grass, and the bite has been improving. Solid, 1.5- to 2-pound crappie can be caught, some slightly shallower than last week. Others are roaming shallow around cypress trees and along grass lines. The stained water clarity conditions this week haven’t affected the bite as much as we anticipated, and the bite has remained fairly constant upriver in the oxbows and along main lake river channel swings away from increased river current toward the dam. Pink, chartreuse, white and red jigs have been working the last few weeks. 

* Catfish improved recently with increased current along Little River. Two anglers we visited with said their limblines and trotlines were fair to good, with 3- to 7-pound channel cats and flatheads biting using bloodmeal, cut buffalo or shad in the current from 6 to 11 feet of depth.
* No reports on bream.

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.

No reports.

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

(updated 5-29-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Well, well, it’s fishing time. The water level of DeGray Lake is up after these rainstorms. Lake level is 408.00 feet mls. Water is stained, and there are lots of floating debris to watch for. If you go upriver past the islands before Lennox Marcus, the water color changes (dirty) and debris increases.

“The water temperature has been at the mercy of the weather. Surface water temperature has gotten around 80 degrees in some places, and now has decreased to the low 70s. This is good for the crappie-fisher people.

“Crappie have been moving out of the spawning areas into the brushpiles. Piles in the low 20s (feet) and above the thermocline are producing well. They are holding tight to the structure. Fish close! Minnows are working well for me but casting jigs with LiveScope is productive but requires a higher skill level.
“Areas to fish with best results are Lennox Marcus, Shouse Ford and Point Cedar. Brushy is also holding fish, but not to the size of the other areas of the lake.
“Bream and the full moon have been the going-on thing. Find the beds with side scan and then LiveScope perspective view to close the gap.
“White bass have been really thick around Point Cedar boat launch. Actually, surfacing in schools.
“The weather is going to be great next week. Go get them.”

(updated 5-22-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood reports that bluegill are bedding in 5-6 feet of water (a little deeper in DeGray compared with some other spots nearby). Anglers are catching them drop-shotting a cricket or a live nightcrawler. Black bass are being caught mainly on spoons and 5/16-ounce shad-pattern hair jigs in about 15-20 feet of water on ledges and brushpiles.

Up shallow, mainly in the creek channels, they are catching bass on half-ounce black and blue jigs, as well as on a half-ounce green pumpkin Jackhammer Chatterbait. 

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 5-29-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature has risen to 58 degrees with muddy conditions in the tailrace. Lake Ouachita has crept back up into the flood pool with the latest round of thunderstorms to plague our area. As a result, Entergy has scheduled high generation flows from area dams to stabilize area lakes. This scenario has been the norm for the entire year, which has severely limited boating and fishing opportunities below Carpenter Dam. 

Very little productive fishing has taken place with the tailrace dangerous to navigate. In addition to the dangerous flows, extremely muddy conditions accompanied the fast water, which created a no-win situation for fishing and recreation activities. 

However, the month of June is approaching quickly and should bring much drier conditions to our area. The AGFC has successfully completed the rainbow trout stocking schedule and will not be placing more trout in area lakes until early November. Lake Ouachita must be brought down out of flood pool, which is a key in Entergy establishing more stable conditions below area dams. The weekly generation schedule is normally posted on Wednesday evening at the Entergy/Hydro website (linked above). It is hoped conditions will soon allow for a much safer generation flow where the public can consistently access the area safely. 

When lake conditions return to normal, there is still time for quality angling. April was the last month for rainbow trout stocking for the spring season, with 4,320 fish scheduled to be released in the tailrace. Bank fishermen can catch limits of trout by using live baits such as redworms and waxworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. PowerBait is 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 such as a Little Cleo or Super Duper will also work well in a current situation when rainbows are keying in on injured baitfish. 

Fly-fishermen can still access areas that hold trout even though the lake is now at normal summertime pool. Micro-jigs in black or white cast under a strike indicator strongly resemble river minnows that live in the tailrace. Woolly Buggers in olive and black are a mainstay in the line of artificial lures 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 and are feeding and preparing to migrate downstream to the main body of the lake. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate crawfish and threadfin shad is a proven technique to cover water and tempt walleye into feeding. The crappie spawn has come and gone, as high water and fast flows prevented anglers from some great angling opportunities in the tailrace. 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 lifejacket 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 wildlife officials when approached.

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

No reports.

Lake Hamilton
(updated 5-15-2025) AGFC staff reported that bass fishing was OK this past week. They are in shallow water and favor a swimbait as well as a Carolina rig.

As reported by Trader Bill’s Outdoors Facebook page, though, the lake turned out ANOTHER monster black bass this past week. Grayson Goss, a junior at Lakeside High School, caught a whopper Saturday weighing 11.21 pounds in the Trader Bill’s High School Trail championship out of the Andrew Hulsey State Fish Hatchery.
Grayson and his fishing partner, Griffin Ralph, weighed in a total of 24.91 pounds to take the win.

Coincidentally, Griffin Ralph graced the Fishing Report pages earlier this year when he hauled in a 13.43-pounder at Millwood Lake in an early March tournament with Grayson alongside.

All fish in the tournament were released back to the lake alive, Trader Bill’s Outdoors reported on its page.

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 5-29-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) had no new report. She just recently reopened the store after a brief closure. 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 5-29-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are still good. These fish are schooling in places and ready for your favorite topwater bait! Or, try a jighead worm or Brush Hog on main lake and secondary points.

Walleye have moved back into the main lake from the rivers and major creeks. Try a watermelon-colored soft plastic, jerkbait or small swim jig. 

Stripers are still excellent and biting on trolling rigs and live bait. 

Bream are excellent on worms or crickets in 5-15 feet of water; these fish are spawning now. 

Crappie are very good and relating to brush in the 15-20 foot range. 

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

The water temperature has been steady for weeks, ranging 74-78 degrees. Water clarity is stained. The lake level is on the rise to 579.88 feet msl (normal pool is 578 feet). Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 5-22-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said that there is an early morning pretty good topwater going right now for black bass. Use walking baits and white buzzbaits. If you can find any grass, the bass are doing well on a Rebel Pop-R. When the sun gets up, the fish are biting well on ledges or anglers are having success by targeting schooling fish with spoons and deep-diving crankbaits. In the shallow grass, you can throw a wacky-rigged Senko or green pumpkin swimbait.

Bluegill are in about 1-4 feet of water on beds. Catch them throwing a Bream Killer or a nightcrawler fishing it at about 6-8 inches deep.

Crappie are mainly around the marina. You can go around the marina throwing a white and chartreuse or threadfin shad-colored Bobby Garland on a 1/16-ounce white or unpainted jighead in about 10-15 feet of water. 

(updated 5-22-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says it is truly amazing how much that crappie are stacking up on the brushpiles now that the spawn is over. “We have been catching crappie as shallow as 8 feet and as deep as 18 feet. Check out my website’s trip pictures page at familyfishingtrips.com to see near double-limit harvests.”

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.

No reports.

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 5-29-2025) Wil Hafner at the AGFC’s Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) reports that flood conditions still exist at Cook’s Lake. He was hoping to open by June 1, but the opening is still delayed.

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 5-22-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) reports that Merrisach Lake, Pendleton Bend and Wilbur D. Mills campgrounds are at 100% capacity for Memorial Day weekend. “We are getting wonderful reports on bait fishing and snagging below the hydroelectric dam. It seems to be one of the best years in a while for this sport. The Arkansas River is on the fall as of this morning (Wednesday, May 21). Flatheads and channel cats are biting exceptionally well on live and cut bait in the river. Total release through the spillway and turbine at this time is 125,000 cfs.

“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.