Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

June 5, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Dick Engel, a local angler in the Norfork Lake area, was fishing with guide Tom Reynolds recently when he brought home this 15-pound freshwater drum.

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 reportedly 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 6-5-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said the Southwestern Power Administration has kept things steady at Greers Ferry Dam. It’s running two units from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, and that’s been the case for the past few weeks. This predictable release schedule is opening up great fishing opportunities from the dam all the way to the 305 Bridge — whether you’re wade-fishing or drifting in the boat, the whole river is fishing well right now.

There’s a chance of rain in the forecast over the weekend with scattered showers expected on and off. While some days are showing a low chance, it’s still worth keeping an eye on the weather to see how it might affect water clarity and lake levels. Fingers crossed the rain doesn’t muddy things up too much!

Mark your calendars — June 6-8 are Free Fishing Days across Arkansas. From noon on June 6 to midnight on June 8, no fishing license or trout permit is required. It’s a great time to introduce someone new to the sport or just enjoy some time on the water without the paperwork.

Fishing continues to be excellent on the Little Red! The fish have been responding well to the consistent generation schedule. The bite has been solid all along the river.
Top flies under an indicator: pink San Juan Worms, Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears, and midges – especially effective in the lower water after generation

Streamers are still getting it done, especially on cloudy days. Try working the banks with big articulated patterns when the water starts to fall out from the night before or head up near the dam in the afternoon as the water comes on. Hot streamer patterns: Double Deceivers, Sex Dungeons and Flatliners.

“Whether you’re wading or drifting, now’s a great time to be on the water. Tight lines, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to book a guided trip!”

(updated 6-5-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the Little Red flow is still the same as it’s been, running two generations from 11 to 11. Early morning will be best, catching the falling water. Most anglers are having success with a marabou jig and a Trout Magnet. Also, Rooster Tails, jerkbaits 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 6-5-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry lake is at 470.86, putting it 8.82 feet above normal pool of 462.04 feet and falling with generation — but it may come back up with rain forecasted, then should go back to falling with generation until normal pool is reached in July.
Fish remain scattered all over. Crappie are still floating around in deeper water, with jigs and minnows working best at all depths and crankbaits for trolling 12-18 feet for the mid-depth fish and 40 feet for the deeper fish. Brushpiles are really coming into play now.

Walleye are scattered everywhere. Some are deep, some shallow and all in-between — and, of course, lake fish are staying put on points, humps, etc. in 10-40 feet. Anglers having best success are trying to drag a jig tipped with minnow or crawler and/or a drop-shot. Big Minnow-style plugs are working trolled. 

Catfish are eating real good all over lake and rivers. Lots of blues have been coming in. Lines and jugs are working best with a variety of baits, as well as rod and reels. Bream are showing up — try crawlers, crickets, small cranks and inline spinners. A lot of white bass and hybrid bass are in 25-35 feet, while many are still deep in the lake at 50 feet. Use Road Runners and grubs for shallow fish, spoons and in line spinners for the deeper ones. 

Black bass are scattered as well. Some are in the old buckbrush line, while some are still super shallow and others have moved offshore, and more are just roaming around chasing shad in 12-20 feet. Just about any baits are working. Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 6-5-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the lake is up to 9-10 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. Tournament results show a smaller average than a few months ago. As for numbers, you’ll get them. 

Main lake points dragging a Carolina rig across those points with a Zoom watermelon seed lizard. Either main lake or in the coves, you can throw a swimbait up in the buckbrush, or flip a tube or jig up in the buckbrush.

For crappie, fishing in 15-20 feet of water in standing timber with a live minnow or any kind of natural color crappie jig will produce good results.

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
(updated 6-5-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports that water level has been on the rise and stands 3.5 below normal pool. “Ramps are open,” they say. Water temperature is ranging 78-80 degrees.

Black bass fishing is fair. The largemouths are fair in 10-20 feet depth. Try using Carolina rigs, jigs, drop-shots and crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) also are fair and being found in 10-20 feet mixed in with the largemouths. Try using drop-shot, jigs and cranks. 

In this week’s Tuesday night bass tournament, Cody Bryant and Brad Lequieu brought in a five-bass stringer totaling 15.29 pounds to win. Ben Burke and Randall Clark were helped by the Big Bass of 4.63 pounds and were second with 14.97 pounds total.

White bass were found schooling toward the west end this week. The catch results were fair. Twister tails and crankbaits will work.

Crappie fishing is good. The last report said they are off of the banks and scattered around brush and rock piles 15-20 fee. Try using jigs.

Bream are great. Reports of bluegill bedding this week on brush and about to move off. Try using crickets and worms.

Catfish are good. Reports of the blues being found on the bank in 2-4 feet. Try using bream, 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 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 6-5-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the river is still no place to be with a small craft with the serious flow still moving through. It’s been over being over 200,000-plus cfs and will be a while before it can get down under 70,000 cfs and be safer for small craft. 

So the best they can advise for regular anglers for now is to stay off the river, while they also note that there are other, safer places to catch fish now (see their reports from Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River, as well as newer ones from Lake Ouachita, the Buffalo River and DeGray Lake).

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 6-5-2025) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said they anglers are doing well on bass, catfish and bream. Also, they are catching crappie now trolling and spider-rigging. Some may still be trying to jig, but most crappie anglers coming out now are coming to spider-rig, she reports.

Catfish are going for worms, hot dogs, liver. “When they are on they will hit anything,” she said.
As for bream, most everyone is using crickets and worms. Bream are up shallow and have been spawning. 

White River

Cotter Area
(updated 6-5-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the bite is on, and the anglers on the White River around Cotter are catching trout on the first cast in the morning, on the last cast in the afternoon and on a whole lot of casts in between. Bull Shoals Dam is continuing releases from the lake, which are required to bring the lake down to desired power pool level. Two or more generators, 6,000 to 12,000 cfs all day, appears to be the new norm. The generation is a little heavier in the afternoon than the morning. Bull Shoals Lake is sitting at 691.49 feet msl.

Plan your baits based on water conditions: Begin with the tried-and-true shrimp and egg pattern (orange and/or yellow and/or pink) for a swift catch of rainbows; move to worms or to drifting a pink or white 2-inch worm as the water rises later in the morning. Spinnerbaits are also a good option in the morning before the higher releases.
Later in the day, as the water rises, pull out the big baits: Look for the 4- to 5-inch Smithwicks, orange bellies, blue or black backs, or a chrome and blue Husky Jerk. The brown trout X-Rap Rapala and the Elite Blue RPS-9 (Rapala’s size 9) are good baits to use as well. Brook trout Rapalas might be the secret this week.

“A family fishing adventure offers time together in an outdoor arena, sharing the day and watching nature ‘happen’ in real time, in a digital-free environment (or as much as you desire it to be.)  Go catching and enjoy Arkansas’s natural resources.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 6-5-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We have had some nice weather with more consistent water conditions.  Although Norfork Dam continues to release water from the sluice gates, the fish have acclimated and are hungry. The water from the sluice gates is warmer and, as a result, we are seeing water temperatures in the lower 60s. The last few days, the fish seem to be in deeper holes where the water is colder.  

“Drift-fishing with a silver inline spinner with eggs and shrimp or worm worked well. It might take an extra sinker to get the bait to the bottom.
“There is more rain expected through the weekend. I expect the lakes will continue to rise and we may see even higher releases from Norfork Dam.
“This week there was one stocking of 1,000 rainbows at the Calico Rock boat ramp with additional stockings at Reds Landing and Norfork.

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 6-5-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday the lake level is still on the rise at 692 feet msl (up 2 feet from last week’s report, and about 33 feet above normal pool with more rain in the forecast). Water temperature is back up to around 72 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 is 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 the right conditions: clouds, rain, wind and stained runoff water. Spinnerbait, Chatterbait and a square bill work well in the stained runoff water. Target wind-blown points and bigger grass flats, and check roads 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. Look at steeper banks as temps rise.

The offshore videogamers are going to have to work. The shad are still spread out from almost backs of creeks out to the main lake. 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 and the Rapala Mooch Minnow have been working. “You’re gonna have to experiment with the head sizes. I’m using 3/16-ounce up to ⅜ depending on the day and the depth of the fish.”

Topwater has been good this week: the Lucky Craft Gunfish or a small white Booyah Popper wake bait 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 6-5-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said that the walleye fishing has been fair to good most days with some good fish being caught over the flooded buckbrush. 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 that have shad. We’re fishing the shoreline in 26 to 28 feet of water with spinner and crawler rigs, or working a jig and crawler along in 25-30 feet over the flooded brush.

If trolling over buckbrush, try trolling size 7 Flicker Shads or size 9 Flicker Minnow 15 feet to 18 feet down at speeds between 1.5 to 1.7 mph in 26-28 feet of water along wind-blown banks. Some walleye are still being caught in open water over the flooded trees. (However, with the lake rising, now 33 feet over normal pool, 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 6-5-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are still super-scattered all over the lake. There isn’t a lot of structure in the right zones but we’re catching some when 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 6-5-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina, he reports that the lake is at 577.25 feet msl and dropping. The creeks are stained and the main lake is clear. The stripers are very early along bluffs and points from Robinson Point to the dam. If it’s a cloudy day with wind, you can expect a strong bite all morning using long lines. On sunny days, the long-lines bite is done by 7:30 a.m. Find a bluff inside point with depths of 50 feet and switch to downlines. The fish go deeper when there is no wind or clouds. The downline pattern will be used throughout the Summer.

“A trick I use on Norfork is a float downline. Our water is very clear, and some days the stripers are spooky, so I try and get two baits away from my boat. I set my float to the same depth as my downlines but put them back of the boat 50-70 feet behind the boat. When it goes down, you have to reel until you feel the fish. One mistake most of my clients make is to jerk when the float goes down. A lot of times, the striper will run right towards the boat, so I tell my clients to ‘reel until you feel the fish, then set the hook.’”

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 6-5-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said, “Beaver Lake has dropped around 1 foot this last week. The Army Corps of Engineers had floodgates open off and on during the week. Water temperature is still in the 70s.
“I spent two days scouting from War Eagle Marina all the way to the Highway 12 bridge. And then another day from the Highway 12 bridge to the dam. Water conditions on the south end from Point 12 to Beaver Sores are as follows: From Point 12 to Horseshoe Bend is stained, but the biggest fact to know is that there are massive amounts of debris everywhere. Logs and whatever else floats, such as hay bales, and miscellaneous whatnot. 

“As I have said before, be careful out there while running your boat. If you hit something, lots of bad things can happen.
Traveling from the Highway 12 bridge to the dam, the water clears the further north you go, but there are still lots of floaters. 

“Now for fishing reports. Stripers are the best bet on Beaver right now. They can be found from the islands at Prairie Creek up to Point 6 . Using your sonar will help tremendously in finding the schools of stripers. 

“Crappie are scattered, as they can be found suspended at 12 feet of water from 30-50 feet deep. If you have forward-facing sonar (LiveScope, etc.), you can put a limit together. It is a grind, but doable.
“Walleye are scattered, with reports of fish everywhere, from really shallow to 25 feet deep. Crawler harnesses will work, but again, scattered is the word for all species. Catfish are good for all of you who chase them. High water is great for limblines. Bluegill are nested in the backs of coves, so they are there for the taking.

“The main takeaway is that the fish are scattered and there are lots of hazards to navigate around. Be safe and good luck!”

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 6-5-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said many of the targeted fish for anglers remain around the shoreline – bream, crappie, catfish. The bream are biting well on all colors of small plastics (jigs) as well as live worms. Crappie are good as well and are favoring worms and minnows. Catfish are being caught by some anglers through hogging, an approach that has delivered some nice fish.
There have been no reports on bass for a few weeks.

Last week’s temperature was in the mid-70s, but she got no report this past weekend for an update. The water level remains high and the clarity is the usual murky.

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 6-5-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said the water level is at 520 cfs (350 is average) and water clarity has been poor. Plenty of rain lately has kept the river up about a foot, and water has murked up with storms moving through at times. If things would dry out, the river would clear right up. We’re still catching plenty of rainbows on bead-head Woollies with olive being the hot color. 

River levels have been up too much to chase smallies. Areas around the Hardy area have had high water. When the river gets low late in the summer, this area can be a hot spot for smallies. 

“The Spring River from Mammoth Spring to Many Islands is clear of any obstructions in the river. I still haven’t floated from Many Islands to Hardy, but hope to as things dry out.
“They are working on Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery and we hope things get back to normal soon. It will take some time to recover from the spring flood. 

“We really need the rain to go away, and I’m sure a dry spell is just around the corner!”

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 6-5-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports that water temperature is in the mid-70s. Visibility is low, from zero near the main channel up to around 6 inches in protected backwaters. Water is 2-3 feet high. The main channel is rolling; best to avoid until current slows. Black bass are biting fairly well in flooded vegetation and brush on the shore in Lake Langhofer. Spinnerbaits, bladed jigs and swim jigs are producing well.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 6-5-2025) 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. Most recently, an angler stopped by for bait last Saturday and said he hasn’t been catching anything lately.

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 6-5-2025) 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 6-5-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service on Wednesday said that they have not been out on the lake in the last few days due to navigational hazards, broken timber, trees, logs, grass mats and wide debris fields flowing at rapid rate in Little River, making navigation hazardous this week. He urges any anglers or boaters contemplating a trip to Millwood in the next few days to use extreme caution navigating the lake due to broken timber, as well as the many buoys missing along Little River through the timbered sections of the open lake. The Army Corps of Engineers is working to replace any remaining buoys that are still missing along the main lake channels.

Millwood Lake elevation as of Wednesday is about 3 inches above normal pool and falling. Millwood Lake was at 259.4 feet msl Wednesday; Millwood Lake Dam was releasing about 13,000 cfs or more, and the tailwater is near 245 feet and falling.

Surface temps last week were fluctuating between 72-78 degrees. Clarity on Little River remains heavy stain in most locations to muddy. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s webpage linked above, or the USACOE website linked under “Millwood Lake,” for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. 

What follows is Siefert’s most recent specifics on the fishing on Millwood:

* 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 6-5-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “It’s fishing time, folks. The water is in great shape. Water temperature is running from the mid-70s to around 80 by the mid-afternoon. The crappie are in brushpiles now, for sure. Anywhere from Point Cedar to Brushy. We’ve been catching them from 6 feet over brush to 20 feet. Electronics are key. If you look at a brushpile right now and it does not light up like a Christmas tree, move on. Whichever techniques you like best will probably work right now. Slip bobbers with a jig below, slip bobbers with minnows, casting  jigs, you name it, it will work.

“I understand the bream fishing during the last full moon was pretty good, but there’s been nothing lately. As far as bass — sorry, been crappie fishing. Lots of people are noodling for catfish but I have no visual to report on catches.

“So, get your minnows and hit the water. The fish are there for the taking.”

(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 6-5-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature is 59 degrees with stained conditions in the tailrace. Lake Ouachita remains slightly into the floodpool from earlier flooding in our area. As a result, Entergy has scheduled high-generation flows from area dams to stabilize the lakes. This scenario has been the norm for the entire year and 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 now underway, which normally brings much drier conditions, although this week has had daily chances of rain for this area. The AGF successfully completely the rainbow trout stocking schedule and won’t place more trout in area lakes until early November. 

Lake Ouachita must be brought down out of floodpool, which is a key in Entergy establishing more stable conditions below area dams. The weekly generation schedule is normally posted 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 will still be time for quality angling. June typically marks the end of quality rainbow trout fishing on Lake Catherine. April was the last month for rainbow trout stocking for the spring season with 4,320 fish 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 as a Little Cleo or Super Duper will also work well in a current situation when rainbows are keying in on injured baitfish. 

Fly-fishermen can still access areas that hold trout even though the lake is now at normal summertime pool. Micro-jigs in black or white cast under a strike indicator strongly resemble river minnows that live in the tailrace. Woolly Buggers in olive and black are a mainstay in the line of artificial lures that trout will feed upon. Egg patterns in orange or white will draw strike s 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 this month for the spawn and will remain in the tailrace until mid-July. These fish can be caught on 1/16- and ⅛-ounce jigs around rock structure and sandbars. Action will be best during times of generation. Trolling crankbaits that imitate shad will give boat fishermen a good chance to target white bass that are constantly chasing the shad schools in the tailrace. 

June will bring blue and channel catfish into the tailrace to begin their spawning run and will provide anglers some wonderful table fare. Cut baits fished from the bank or boat will be effective this month, with most of the catfish ranging 3-10 pounds.

Remember to always wear a life jacket when on the water and obey all park and lake regulations when visiting Carpenter Dam. Trash cans are limited, so please pick up after yourselves and always cooperate with game wardens when approached.

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

No reports.

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

(updated 6-5-2025) AGFC staff reported that bass fishing was OK to good this past month this past month. 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 in May. 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.

(updated 6-5-2025) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted earlier this week on “The Wild Side” on KABZ, 103.7 The Buzz, the many big bass tournaments that have been held on Hamilton on successive weekends and the large bass being caught in those tournaments. Last week, in the BFL All-American, with a $120,000 purse, the winning angler brought in 56 pounds of fish in three days (5-bass stringers each day, averaging 18.67 pounds a day, or 3.7 pounds per fish). Runner-up caught 53 pounds over three days. “That’s ridiculous, an absolutely crazy number,” Kastner said of the winner’s total. Though regular anglers are going to have to battle the weekend Jetskis and boaters until Labor Day, there are some hidden-away coves with brushpiles for some good fish and big bass obviously available. 

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.

No reports.

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

(updated 6-5-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are good. Try a jighead worm or Brush Hog on main lake and secondary points near brush.

Walleye are biting on nightcrawlers near brush on points. Try depths from 12-18 feet deep.

Stripers are very good and biting on trolling rigs and live bait in the central part of the lake.

Bream are still excellent on worms or crickets in 5-15 feet of water. Crappie are good and relating to brush in the 15- to 20-foot range.  Catfish are still very good on trotlines and jugs with live and cut bait. 

The water temperature is getting closer to the 80s, ranging 76-80 degrees this week. Water clarity remains stained. The lake level is falling again, down more than foot from a week ago, and sitting Wednesday at  578.57 feet msl (normal pool is 578 feet msl). Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 6-5-2026) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted earlier this week on “The Wild Side” on KABZ, 103.7 The Buzz, that Jason East caught a winning 18.41 pounds of black bass on Ouachita last weekend in the Mr. Bass of Arkansas bass tournament, and he also brought in the Big Bass of 8.74 pounds.

(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 6-5-2025) Wil Hafner at the AGFC’s Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) said it is the same story this week for Cook’s Lake. Water is still on the rise with more rain in the forecast. “It does not look like we will open at least for another couple of weeks, likely longer,” he 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 6-5-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) says fishing has slowed down on the Arkansas River. Water levels have been dropping, but a good three-fifths of the anglers are still catching good catfish from the bank and snagging. Keep an eye on the water level and releases coming downstream. Don’t forget about the Free Fishing Weekend! 

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