Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

June 12, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Hamp Kennedy from Texas was fishing the Beaver Dam tailwater in northwest Arkansas with guide Austin Kennedy recently when he landed this impressive 24-inch brown trout. The seemingly never-ending rain is making things tough on the fishing, Austin Kennedy says, but there are still opportunities for trout and walleye in his area. Read more of Austin’s 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 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 6-12-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said, “We’ve had a steady rhythm on the Little Red lately, and it’s been setting up some fantastic fishing. The SWPA’s (Southwestern Power Administration) projected generation schedule has been spot on — 12 hours on, 12 hours off — with Greers Ferry Dam typically releasing water from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. using two units. This consistent pattern has opened up nearly the entire river for both drift boat and wade-fishing opportunities.
“If you’re planning to wade, start your day up near the dam or at Swinging Bridge Access early in the morning. As the water starts moving downstream with the generation releases, shift your efforts downriver — Pangburn Bridge or Ramsey Access have been great options for extending your day on foot.
“Boat fishing? It’s been fantastic. Drift-fishing from the boat during generation has been very productive, especially now that the river has cleared up nicely after last week’s rains. We did get a big rain that muddied things up for a few days — the river looked like chocolate milk and the lake rose a couple of feet — but things have bounced back quickly. As of (Thursday), water around Pangburn is still slightly off color but totally fishable, and the bite is on.

Mike suggests these flies: Under an indicator, try Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles; Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears; midges; bright, high-visibility patterns like pink San Juan Worms; and egg patterns.

For stream action, he says the generation schedule is ideal for throwing meat. Cloudy, overcast days have been prime for chasing browns. Focus on the banks during high water — the fish are hugging the edges. Start downriver on the falling water from the night before and head upstream as new water moves in.

The hot streamers are Double Deceivers, Sex Dungeons and Viking Midges.

“Looks like we’ve got another stormy weekend on deck, so keep an eye on the weather and check generation projections before heading out. But overall, the fishing is strong, and conditions are setting up for another great week on the Little Red.”

(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 6-12-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry lake is at 471.83, and it’s more than 9 feet above normal pool of 462.54 feet and falling with generation — but it may come back up with rain forecast, 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 as well as standing timber.

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 well 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; there are a lot more schooling fish now as well. 

“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 6-12-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) had no new reports. Most recently, however, catfish were biting well and catches were nice-sized. 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.

Bream have been biting of late. People have been catching them on worms and crickets, reporting that some of them were “pretty big-sized,” Bing said. Some crappie are being caught by anglers on boats out in deeper water. Minnows are working best, and reportedly some big crappie (white crappie and black crappie) are being caught.

Black bass had been slow. 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 6-12-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports that water              level remains about 3.5 feet below normal pool (it was as lot as 11 feet earlier this year because of repair work going on at the dam) and the ramps are open. Water temperature is ranging 84-85 degrees.

Black bass, both largemouth and spotted (aka Kentucky), are fair. The largemouths are being found in 10-20 feet and are favoring Carolina rigs, jigs, drop-shots and crankbaits. Spotted bass are being found mixed in with the largemouths in 10-20 feet and will also bite on a drop-shot, jig or crank.

The black bass bite is picking up a bit in Westrock’s Tuesday night bass tournaments. This week, Cameron Nesterenko and Andrew Wooley brought in a five-bass stringer of 14.17 pounds to win. Josh Jeffers and Aaron Cole were second at 13.47 pound and hauled in the Big Bass of 5.04 pounds.

White bass have been found schooling toward the west end, and they’re biting fair. Try using Twister Tails and crankbaits.
Crappie are good. The last reports said they are off of the banks and scattered around brush and rockpiles in 15-25 feet. Try using jigs.

Bream are great. There are reports of redear sunfish as well as bluegill bedding this week on brush. Try using crickets and worms.
There were no reports on the catfish front this week, but try using bream, liver or worms. They’re out there.

(update 6-12-2025) Crappie guide Eric Watts of Natural State Fishing (501-548-8990) said he summer bite is here, and it’s an excellent time to get on the water! Water temps are in the mid-80s and the lake is roughly 4 feet below normal pool. Crappie can be found in 15-25 feet of water on cover/structure. Jigs and minnows are great options. As always, presentation is key. 

Visit www.nsfguide.com or call 501-548-8990 to schedule your guided crappie trip today!

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 6-12-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) had no report this week, but most recently had had reported that bream were bedded and anglers are catching them on crickets and worms. They were in 1½ feet of water.

Anglers have been catching a lot of bass on topwater, as well as with worms and crankbaits. After the rain and the water began to move, catfish got to biting. Chicken liver is always a dependable bait there, and hot dogs work around the dock.

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 6-12-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said Bull Shoals Lake is rising slowly, sitting at just above 692 feet msl; water releases have begun to increase a little. Mornings on the river begin with a near-perfect floating level, now averaging four generators operating (about 12,000 cfs). You’ll see higher releases starting later in the afternoon (five to six units, 15,000-18,000 cfs) but not apparent in the Cotter region until 5 p.m. or later.  An angler can drift without hanging up too often.  There are fewer places to safely wade, but bank fishing is not out of the question.

Both boaters and shore anglers can catch a creel full of rainbows with red wigglers or nightcrawlers. Best bait? The rainbows have been hitting the pink worm — Berkley or X-Factor — better when drift-fishing from a boat. A lot of anglers elect to use the “mouse tail” worm. 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.

The average size of the rainbows here in the Ozark region of The Natural State seems to be increasing, and with this new influx of water — which will likely be the norm for the remainder of the spring and summer — they’ll continue to grow. Put your money on bright and shiny: gold spoons and spinners; fluorescent yellow bellies on a Smithwick; bronze Coloradoes; and the scent of shrimp. The bigger brown trout have been looking for sculpins, redworms and shad.
“Keep anglin’ and stay aware of your surroundings with the higher water. Prepare for the heat and come ready to catch some great trout on the White River.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 6-12-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “Before the rains last Friday night/Saturday the river remained high but the water clarity was pretty good.  Drift-fishing the gravel bars with silver inline spinners with eggs and shrimp worked well. Adding an extra sinker to get to the bottom of the deeper holes also produced some nice rainbows. 

The storms dumped a lot of water by noon on Saturday. Saturday afternoon, the fishing was good, but by Sunday morning the Buffalo River had risen and we had muddy water.  Norfork Dam closed their floodgates and without that water to help flush out the dirty water, it was Tuesday before we were seeing fishable water. Fishing on Tuesday was tough but doable, but by Wednesday morning fishing was really good. With more rain later this week into the weekend we will see what happens to the water conditions.  Hopefully it isn’t enough rain to cause the Buffalo River and local creeks to get muddy.

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 6-12-2025) 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 and about 33 feet above normal pool with more rain in the forecast. Water temperature is back up to around 74 degrees. The lake may be high, but fish don’t seem to mind. The bigger creeks still have some debris coming in, so 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 post-spawn and more toward early summer patterns. They are grouping up. Powerfishing shallow has been fair with the right conditions: shad, 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 flooded buckbrush. The ole Big Worm Texas-rigged in laydowns is a good bet. There are always fish to be caught on a flipping jig or Jewel half-ounce green pumpkin variant. Try putting the boat on the old shoreline. Try a shaky head, wobblehead tube or a Ned rig. You’re going to have to contend with flooded bushes, but that’s where they are at. A lot of fish have moved up with the rise. Look at steeper banks as the temperature rises.

The offshore videogamers are going to have to work. The shad are still spread out from almost the 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, a smaller 2.8 swimbait and/or a regular Tater Shad and the Rapala Mooch Minnow are good choices. “You’re gonna have to experiment with head sizes. I’m using 3/16-ounce up to ⅜ depending on the day and the depth of the fish.”

Topwater has slowed. Try a 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 6-12-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said that the walleye fishing has been fair this past week with a few 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 30-35 feet of water with spinner and crawler rigs, or working a jig and crawler along in 30-35 feet around the edges  of the flooded brush.

If trolling over buckbrush, try trolling size 7 or 9 Flicker Shads or size 9 Flicker Minnow 20-23 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, the lake is still rising and 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 60-70 feet and fish over the flooded trees in 80 or more feet of water at 1.5 to 1.7 mph.

(updated 6-12-2025) 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 6-12-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina and reports the lake is 576.75 feet msl and steady. The stripers have begun their migration south. This migration is earlier than in previous years, but with the rain and high water, nothing is normal this year. The stripers are going deeper as the lake is now 80 degrees. Long lines continue to produce early before the sun rises, and then the stripers go deeper. Downlines set 30-50 feet are producing after that. Long flats that have gradually taper bottom hold fish beginning at 40 feet. 

The crawdad bite has started but the main forage is still gizzard shad. Vary your downlines. I like to run my lines so my bait is 1-2 feet off the bottom. You will see lots of stripers lying on the bottom, so adjust your lines to have the bait hit them in the nose.

Note: We are now in the catch-and-keep phase for stripers. If you book a trip, expect to keep the fish. No releasing of stripers until the fall. 

Buffalo National River
(updated 6-12-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said they are hearing from a lot from angling customers doing well on the Buffalo. 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 6-12-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said, “Beaver Lake is full to the brim, almost. I know I sound like a broken record but, dang it, this spring and early summer have been brutal. 

“Striper fishing is your best bet, with fish being caught from Prairie Creek up to Point 6. Lots of debris is the issue  when trolling baits. Find some clear water and you can catch fish.”

Crappie are suspended at 15 feet and can be caught trolling or on LiveScope. 

Walleye are being caught on main lake humps and points in and around 20 feet of water on crawler harnesses. 

Bluegill are on the beds and are very accommodating for anyone looking for some good fun. 

Catfish are good on jugs and limblines.

“Lots of water and debris, so be safe!”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 6-12-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says, “Man, will this rain end or what!? Of course, with all that rain comes high water. With the Corps of Engineers releasing from all seven flood gates at Beaver Dam and generating, we are several feet high. With all that being said, if you know where to look, you can find the fish.
“Right now, the fish are scattered. This past week’s hotspot has been between U.S. Highway 62 bridge and Houseman Access. Drifting Pautzke Fire Worms has produced some really nice trout numbers. Also, trolling crankbaits have done well with trout, walleye and white bass. You can employ the above techniques just about anywhere on the river right now due to the water levels. Just make sure that you use the right weight or lures, to get down toward the bottom. Fishing high, moving water can be a little tricky, but it definitely can be done with success. Hope you all stay dry and catch some fish!

“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.”

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 6-12-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said bream are excellent now. They are shallow and responded to bright-colored baits and worms. Catch them from the shoreline.  Catfish are good, but there were no reports from anglers on baits used  over the past weekend. She had no reports on crappie or bass. The lake is the usual murky and is high in water level. Temperature earlier this week was 74.4 degrees.

Lake Charles will play host to a free fishing derby this Saturday from 9-11 a.m. The event is sponsored by the AGFC. The derby will be for ages 17 and under only, though all families are encouraged to attend. Bring your own bait, tackle and equipment. Live bait and tackle will be available for purchase at the visitor center, as well as a limited number of loaner fishing poles. Registration is required (8:30-9 a.m. Saturday) at the swim beach parking lot in the day-use area. Arkansas regulations apply, including daily limits, slot limits and length limits. Prizes will be awarded in different categories. Call the park at 870-878-6595 for more information. 

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 6-12-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said they had two customers come into the visitor center last Thursday and report they had caught a few fish before 7:30 a.m., but after that it slowed down and they stopped biting. On Saturday, Cane Creek State Park hosted a fishing derby at Shady Pond, with 28 fish caught be the folks attending. Also, she says, they had a lot of people fishing over Free Fishing Weekend last week, but they didn’t leave reports on catches. “We sold out of all of our worms, crickets and almost all of our minnows,” she said. “It was a nice warm (hot) weekend for fishing.”

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 6-12-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Hello, fellow fisher people. It’s fishing time, and here comes the rain. This is Arkansas.

“First, the details of water conditions. Water is clear from Iron Mountain to around Marker 35. From Marker 35 upriver, the water begins to stain. Some debris has been around somewhat, but it’s small. After these rains that are forecast, that will be a different story.”

Water level is at 407. 46 feet msl with a slight fall. The water surface temperature va  ries depending on the time of day and area of  the lake. However, to say it is around the low 80s would be accurate for now; after all the rain forecast, it may cool down.

So, crappie are going on right now. The thermocline has been running around 20 feet. Find piles that are all or partially above the thermocline. Casting jigs, slip bobbers with minnows, and single pole are all producing well. You still have the option for long-lining, spider-rigging or trolling.

Lots of noodling is going on, but no reports on catches. Be aware: Noodles are plentiful north of the 35 marker.

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 6-12-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature is 60 degrees with clearing conditions in the tailrace. Lake Ouachita is slightly below the floodpool; however, with another round of rain forecast for this area this week, the big lake will most likely rise back into the floodpool. Entergy has scheduled 3,600 cfs for 12 hours each day below Carpenter Dam for the past week. That has allowed boaters to safely navigate the tailrace for the first time in weeks. Fast water 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 usually brings much drier conditions, although this week has daily chances of rain for this area. The AGFC completed the rainbow trout stocking schedule and won’t place more trout in area lakes until early November. 

Lake Ouachita must be kept 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 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 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
(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.

(updated 6-12-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) said that in the last few days she’s hearing that people are getting their limits and the fish are biting: crappie, bream, catfish and gar all are good to excellent.

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 6-12-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are still good. Try a jighead worm or Brush Hog on main lake and secondary points near brush, or a black spinnerbait at night. Walleye are good and biting on nightcrawlers near brush on points. Try depths from 12-18 feet deep. Stripers are still very good and biting on trolling rigs and live bait in the central part of the lake. 

Bream are good on worms or crickets in 5-15 feet of water. Crappie are very 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.

Water temperature is ranging 76-80 degrees. Water clarity is clearing. The lake level is 577.80 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 6-12-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says the crappie are still hanging around brushpiles that you can fish 8-12 feet deep on. Water temperature is slowly entering into the 80s.

(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.

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 6-12-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) says water levels continue to drop in all rivers. Level is rising near the hydroelectric dam. Fishing is still slow in the Arkansas River at this time. Snagging and bait fishing are continuing to do well at the hydro. Crappie are staying pretty shallow around the grassy areas mostly, and biting on chartreuse and white jigs. 

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

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