Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

July 3, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Mark (no last name), who hails from Arizona, wanted to chase brown trout on the Little Red River recently. So, guide Mike Winkler had him throwing big articulated streamers towards the banks.  This brown ate a Kelly Galloup pattern, making this a happy trip for Mark. A lot has changed in midweek on the Little Red with the generation; read Winkler’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 7-3-2025) AGFC staff report that Lake Conway Nursery Pond is getting quite a lot of use. The bream are now big enough to want to keep and they are plentiful. The staff hears reports of folks catching a slab crappie here and there. Staff aren’t aware of many anglers looking for bass, though there are bass in the pond. In past months, folks were catching plenty of catfish after they were stocked. The nearly 70-acre nursery pond has been set up by the AGFC Fisheries Division as an alternative destination while Lake Conway is drawn down for renovation. It is stocked 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 7-3-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said, “Well, it looks like the Army Corps of Engineers is attempting to lower Greers Ferry Lake. The Southwestern Power Administration projected generation releases show them running one unit most of the mornings and up to about 5 p.m., then bumping it up to two units for a few hours, then going back to one unit. It will be interesting to see if they continue this generation schedule in an attempt to bring the lake down to pool.
“As of now, wading opportunities are looking slim with the upcoming forecast generation schedule.

“With the change in the generation schedule (Wednesday), we had to adjust to fishing in the deeper and faster water conditions. While drift-fishing from the boat, my setup while fishing this one-unit water out of the boat was an 11-foot leader. I had the indicator set about 6 feet and would adjust it accordingly if we drifted through deeper sections of the river.
“While fishing in the high water, if your fly is not getting down, then put on some split shot to get it in the zone.”
Hot flies while fishing underneath an indicator, he says, are San Juan Worms, egg patterns, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears and Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles.
“Streamer fishing right now has been excellent and has been for a while. The entire river has been good, especially on cloudy, overcast days. Try pounding the banks with big articulated streamers. My setup for this is an 8-weight fly rod with a 330-grain sink line. Try Flatliners, Double Deceivers and Galloup’s Sex Dungeon fly.”

(updated 6-19-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the Little Red fishing hasn’t changed except in between rains, where it muddies up before clearing, and that will affect the fishing. But otherwise, it’s fishing the same. The flow from the dam is still the same as it’s been, running two generations for 12 hours, but it’s moved earlier, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Being out in the early morning upriver will be best, catching the falling water, and setting up downriver late in the afternoon. Most anglers are having success with a marabou jig and a Trout Magnet. Also, Rooster Tails, jerkbaits and a No. 5 ShadRap are solid choices 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 7-3-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 471.19 feet msl, or 8.65 feet above normal pool and falling with generation. “She is coming down, folks. Normal pool is probably gonna be reached in August.”

Fish remain scattered all over — but do understand: most sport fish (crappie, bass, etc.) will be close to the point of bushes as the last of the third shad spawn comes out and will be set up to ambush as they do.
Crappie are still up on the bank while others are still floating around in deeper water. Jigs and minnows are working best at all depths, with crankbaits for trolling 12-18 feet for the mid-depth fish and 40 feet for the deeper fish. Brushpiles have come into play 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 really well all over the 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 more now — try crawlers, crickets, small cranks and inline spinners. A lot of white bass and hybrid bass are in 25-43 feet. Use Road Runners and grubs for shallow fish, spoons and inline spinners for the ones moving deeper now. 

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 12-40 feet around points, humps, etc. Just about any style of bait is working; there are a lot more schooling fish now as well. 

“Happy Fourth of July! Be safe and wear your life jacket.”

(updated 6-19-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said conditions have not changed much at Greers in the past few weeks, with the lake still about 10 feet high. There is a topwater bite early in the morning and late in the evening to catch schooling fish. Try a Whopper Plopper or a clear Zara Spook for success.

Overall, 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. 

Fish the main lake points by dragging a Carolina rig across those points with a Zoom watermelon seed lizard. Either in the 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, you’ll still get good results fishing in 15-20 feet of water in standing timber with a live minnow or any kind of natural color crappie jig.

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 stained up in the rivers but clear in the main river.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 7-3-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said too much heat outside is keeping many of the anglers off the water. Those out early in the morning or after 6 p.m. in the evenings are catching bream on redworms. Catfish are good on live bream on trotlines and chicken liver will also work. Crickets worked for one angler to catch catfish as well.

Last week, an angler with LiveScope was catching a lot of crappie near the big island, fishing 8-9 feet deep. One of the crappie topped 2 pounds and several others were good sized.

A couple of anglers caught three or four largemouth bass early in the morning earlier this week. They were all close to 3 pounds each and were up near the bank. 

The water has dropped down to a normal level and has a green tint.

Follow more from Harris Brake Lake Resort on its Facebook page. There will be a fireworks show over the lake on Friday night.

Lake Overcup
(updated 6-26-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) off Arkansas Highway 9 (501-354-9007) said water level is about a foot high. Clarity is good. Surface water temperature is around 83 degrees. 

Black bass are doing well on crankbaits and plastic worms. Crappie are still being caught in 10-12 feet of water using jigs and minnows. 

Catfish are moving, and being caught on yo-yos, jugs and trotlines. Bream are finally getting ready to bed up and the water is finally leveling out. 

Lake Maumelle
(updated 7-3-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports that water temperature has hit the low 90s, ranging 88 to 92 degrees this week. The water level has dropped slightly and is 2.7 feet below normal level.

Black bass remain fair. The largemouth are biting in 10-20 feet of water on Carolina rigs, jigs, drop-shots and crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are being found mixed in with the largemouths in 10-20 feet and will hit the drop-shot, jigs and crankbaits.

Weights were noticeably better in this week’s Tuesday Night Tournament. Brandon Crain and Matt Hedrick got their total over 15 pounds, bringing in 15.66 pounds with a five-bass stringer to win. Josh Jeffers and Aaron Presser were right behind with 14.31 pounds. Colin Heaton and Dalton Diles hauled in the Big Bass of 6.03 pounds.

No reports again this week on white bass or catfish. White bass should like Twister Tails and cranks, while catfish will favor small bream, liver or worms.

Crappie are fair. They are being found scattered around brush and rock piles in 15-25 feet and are favoring minnows or jigs.

Bream are good. There have been reports of them being found on brushpiles in 10-15 feet depth. Crickets and worms are your best bets.

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 7-3-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said Thursday the fishing has been pretty decent. The bass are biting early in the morning and late in the evening, and there has been a pretty good topwater bite here lately. People have also been catching some good redear sunfish on worms.

The sunfish went back into 4-5 feet of water, but the black bass are still in 2-4 feet of water. 

A Rebel Pop-R is one bait that has been working, as well as a “Skipjack” topwater. “Anything that is minnow colored, they will hit,” Ray said. Also, anglers are catching a few on a bream-colored crankbait.

There hasn’t been much reported on catfish. With the Arkansas River running hard, people have not been catfishing.

The water on the Little Maumelle, though, is clear and normal. Last weekend, the surface water temperature was 89 degrees.

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 7-3-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the river is still too high for safe fishing. The flow at Murray and David O. Dodd lock and dams were 167,000 cfs Thursday, which calls for a small craft warning until the flow gets around 70,000 cfs. 

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 6-26-2025) 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 and 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 7-3-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “The Arkansas Ozarks haven’t missed out on the heat wave, but we have the gem of the White River to cool us down. The trout love this cold water, and the anglers love the cool mist in the morning, which lowers the air temperature by at least 10 degrees.”

The water release pattern from the dam continues with large flows, six or seven units (19,000 or more cfs), during the day. The lake level is high, sitting at 690.07 feet msl, around 5 feet below flood level. Expect swift, high water for a few more weeks at least.
Silver blades and orange/brown skirts on a Rooster Tail, or a silver Vibrax Blue Fox with a silver or bubblegum pink bell, will bring in a good share of trout. Try jiggling a red wiggler or a pink PowerBait Moustail for a flurry of action. Bright, light colors will work well during high-water events like the one we’re seeing now; i.e. fluorescent yellow Power Eggs have been a favorite this week for both shore fishers and anglers in boats.

The bigger browns will always chase sculpins and sometimes even a fat, floating nightcrawler. Keep your eye on the tip of your rod for a little tremor and watch that brown snatch your bait; play it slowly and carefully — no rapid movements — and you’ll be able to net it for a picture.
“Come on over and join us as we stay cool angling for fat, energetic rainbows on the White.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 7-26-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said that early in the week at Calico, they saw water as high as 11.5 feet, but in the past couple of days the water level has been right around 11 feet. “We continue to have success drift-fishing using silver inline spinners with a No. 2 hook with two Uncommon Bait UV eggs and tipped with shrimp. The key is to get the bait to the bottom, so we’ve been using two size 7 split shots 8-12 inches above the hook.  

“The guides are reporting having to move around to find the fish and then catching one or two before the bite dies, and they move again. The good news is we are seeing clean water with less moss, etc., hanging up on the hooks. 

“Enjoy your Fourth of July holiday and be safe on the water.”

Allison/Mountain View Area
(updated 6-19-2025) Jack’s White River Fishing Resort reports that the White River guides — Bart, Braiden, Caleb, Chris and Irvin all consistently limited out on rainbow trout throughout the week with excellent success across the board. Among the highlights: 17-inch rainbows were landed on multiple outings — a great size and exciting for anglers; the guides round excellent results using End of the Line TR Orange and Royal Blue Power Eggs and Jack’s handmade hammered silver spinners — this winning combo brought solid bites in varied conditions.

The river has been fluctuating with periods of high, muddy water due to heavy rainfall and dam generation cycles. At times, conditions cleaned up between flow events, giving guides confidence to run drift rigs and spinners.

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 7-3-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday that the lake level is gradually dropping, having fallen to 690 feet msl, which is 31 feet above normal conservation pool. Meanwhile, the water temperature is on the rise, sitting around 85 degrees, give or take, this week, and about 3 degrees up from a week ago, and there is a thermocline forming. Take debris precautions on flooded launch ramps and courtesy docks. Parking remains an issue as most boat ramps and parking areas are underwater. The marinas are doing a great job of accommodating everyone. The water conditions toward the main lake remain gin clear to the dam with some color still in the backs of creeks. 

Bass are set up in summer areas. Get up early and check ledges, points, bluffs and swings. Bass are grouped up. Powerfishing shallow has been fair with the right conditions: shad, clouds, rain, wind and stained runoff water. Try a Chatterbait. Use the Ole Big Worm, Texas-rigged, in trees and laydowns. There are always fish to be caught flipping a jig like a Jewel half-ounce green pumpkin variant. Try a shaky head, wobble head, tube or a Ned rig if it’s slow. You’re going to have to contend with flooded bushes, but that’s where the fish are. Look at steeper banks as the temps rise. 

The offshore videogamers are still going to have to work. The shad are still spread out. With the lake dropping with generation, that will get a bite going. 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 or a regular Tater Shad and the Rapala Mooch Minnow will work. 

“You’re going to have to experiment with head sizes. I’m using 3/16-ounce up to ⅜-ounce depending on the day and the depth of the fish.”
Topwater has been slow. Get up early. Use a Lucky Craft Gunfish or a small white Booyah Popper, wake bait or Zara Spook Jr. over flooded points and saddles. “Fish the conditions. Summer equals four- and six-hour trips.”
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 7-3-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said the walleye fishing methods have not changed much this past week. A lot of small walleye and a few good fish are being caught over the flooded buckbrush. If the sun is high, fish a little deeper along the old shoreline. Fish are scattered along rounded gravel points with deep water close by and along steeper creek channel swings that have shad. We’re fishing the shoreline in 25-35 feet of water with spinnerbaits and crawler rigs or working a jig and crawler along in 30-35 feet around the edges of the flooded brush. 

When trolling over buckbrush, try a size 7 or 9 Flicker Shad or size 9 Flicker Minnow in 25-30 feet of water. Trolling at speeds of 1.7 to 2 mph seems to be a good speed at this time.

Some walleye are still being caught in open water over the flooded trees, but this is starting to slow down. If trolling deep, try deep-diving crankbaits with snap weights to get your baits down 40-70 feet and fish over the flooded trees in 80 or more feet of water at 1.7 to 2 mph.

(updated 7-3-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are scattered out a lot in the creeks. Finding the structure in 15-20 feet has been the key, but we’re having to put in a lot of time looking. Minnows and jigs both have been working when you find them.

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

(updated 7-3-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina and reports that the lake is 576 feet msl (20 feet over power pool) and falling. The rain continues. The lake was down 3 feet, but recent rains have pushed the water up to the flood pool. The Army Corps of Engineers opened the spillway to release water. The lake will remain high; the latest estimate for the normal pool is Sept. 15. Based on past years when the lake remained high and caused stripers to stress due to the lack of oxygen, we may see some mortality later in August.
“The stripers are moving south toward the dam. Lake temperature is 86 degrees. Early morning, the stripers are within 30 feet of the surface and actively chasing shad. The thermocline starts at 30 feet but drops as the sun rises. Most of the day, the thermocline will drop to between 40-60 feet. My bait dies very quickly when it’s above 40 feet; it will live no longer than 5 minutes. The bait set at 60 feet stays alive for longer periods.
“The stripers are going deeper after the sun rises. My lines are set between 50-60 feet and weighted, as the stripers show up in groups of four or five. Patience is the key once the sun hits the water. Long lines continue to produce early. Bluffs that parallel the river channel right now are the place to consistently catch stripers.

“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.”

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

(updated 7-3-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is full, as are most other lakes in Arkansas. Water temperature is in the high 80s. The thermocline where visible is at 40 feet, give or take, depending on lake location. 

Water conditions are good with the clearer water from Prairie Creek to the dam. Moving south, it gets more stained. Still lots of debris floating, so use caution when running your boat, especially at low light levels, as most of the debris is waterlogged and is floating just below the surface for the most part.

“Fishing is fair to good for most species. Stripers are a very early-morning proposition, and I mean you’d better be lines out at sunrise. Fish are located from Prairie Creek down to Dam Site Campground. Shad or some sort of live bait is working well most mornings.

“Crappie are best from Monte Ne to Beavershores on pole timber. Also, crappie are  suspended at 15-25 feet throughout the lake. So they are ripe for trolling cranks such as the Bandit 300 series. Troll them 70-90 feet back at 2.0 mph or less. 

“Walleye are starting to bunch up on flats and humps in 15-30 feet of water. Crawler harnesses will get some attention. Catfish are doing well on limblines and jugs. Bluegill are there and willing!

“The lake is busy with holidays coming up, so exercise safety and be patient. There will be lots of law enforcement out, so don’t be drinking in excess and driving your watercraft, as they will issue DWI if the boater is found to be under the influence. Have fun, but use common sense this weekend. We do not need any accidents!
“Tight lines!” Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 7-3-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says there has been no change with the fishing on the tailwater. It’s been very consistent lately with the summer heat ramped up. The water level is still high for the tailwater, but with the right presentation, you will catch fish. 

Pautzke Fire Eggs fished with light terminal tackle on bottom have been successful, along with drifting Fire Worms. Add some Fire Gel to the presentation to increase that hookup. With the Army Corps of Engineers flowing water, drifting the same presentation also should produce good results. The fish are scattered throughout the system, but most are being caught in the Houseman area in the morning and up from the U.S. Highway 62 bridge in the evening. 

“Summertime is a great time to get the kids ‘unplugged’ and outside,” Austin says. “Why not take them fishing? Teaching kids how to fish is very rewarding. Not only do they learn about conservation, but it is also a great family activity. 

“Well, the summer heat is here, so drink plenty of water, stay cool 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. Take care, get out and catch some fish!”

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 6-19-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports crappie had slowed down but they were still biting. They’ve been best on live worms. Bass and catfish are both picked up. Bass are favoring soft plastic worms; they’ve heard no reports on any topwater action. 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 6-26-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said fishing is fair to outstanding across all species lately on Lake Charles. The lake is the usual murky clarity, and on Sunday the surface water temperature was 79.3 degrees. The water level remains high.

Bream are excellent. They are shallow and biting on Waxies in pink or white and on worms. You can catch them from the shoreline.

Crappie are good. You’ll find them in 3-5 feet of water. Use crickets or worms.

Black bass are good, but anglers did not reveal what baits they were using. 

Catfish are good on worms and Doc’s Blood Bait. 

White bass are still active and the bite this past week has been fair. No baits were mentioned, but Twister Tails, jigs and spinners are always a good bet.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 7-3-2025) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park says the recent heat has slowed down fishing somewhat at Lake Poinsett. There are still anglers catching bream and bass. Bream are being caught from the shore on crickets, and bass are biting in about 15 feet of water with various lures. Catfish will likely become the next target fish soon, with lines set out in the evening (“Just don’t get carried off by mosquitoes,” John says). 

As we go into the Fourth of July Holiday weekend, it should be noted that the Lake Poinsett State Park bait shop is currently out of ALL live bait (crickets, worms, and minnows) but should be restocked around July 9. The bait shop still has a variety of other tackle available. The state park visitors center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.

Spring River
(updated 7-3-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are at 500 cfs (350 cfs is average), and water clarity depends on recent rainfall. Plenty of small storms moving through weekly has kept the Spring River above average flows for most of the spring and so far this summer. We all know it will dry out soon. Dam 3 access and all campgrounds are open. The Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery area is closed to the public as the hatchery gets back up and running following the April flood.

“Plenty of rainbows are in the river. It’s kinda hard to catch other species with the high water. Starting to catch smallies when the water clears and gets down. Big Woollies are working great on the fly. Heavy bead-head or dumbbell eyes help get to the bottom. Sink tips would help. I prefer a longer leader and high-sticking the fly.  

“When the water gets right, plenty of bugs are hatching, from damsels to caddis and mayflies on other days. Always carry a few dry ones just in case in the evening hours; a big one might be found feeding.
“For spinfishing, gold and silver spinners are doing well; D2 jigs and trout cranks can work for chasing the bigger fish. The Trout Crank will get down to the fish and might catch a walleye with the rainbow trout crank. And the D2 jigs in olive and black in heavy sizes will get down to the fish.

“The canoe hatch is on. Saturdays are busy with floaters, but it’s a great time to fish on Sundays and through the week. With the heat on, the river is a cool place to get away at 58 degrees year-round.
“Fish early and take a break during the heat; if you are hot and miserable, so will be the bite!

“River levels have remained up, so be careful out there. The Spring River is a beautiful river to fish and canoe. If you can’t swim, please wear a life jacket! Wading can be tricky in some areas — a wading staff can really help out. Be safe and watch out for each other!”

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 6-26-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports that water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 80s. Visibility is near zero on the main channel and up to 12-16 inches in Lake Langhofer and protected backwaters. Water is several feet high and falling. Ample flooded cover in Lake Langhofer has many black bass on the bank and feeding well. This should continue for a few days as falling water pulls fish back to the outside edge of cover. Swim jigs, bladed jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and frogs are getting bit in the flooded vegetation mostly on shad colors.

Mid-day or during calm conditions, dark-colored Texas-rigged creature lures are producing, worked through the heavier cover, especially near points. While many fish are on the banks, some brushpiles on sand drops offshore in Lake Langhofer are holding fish, too. 

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 6-26-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said anglers have been catching their limits on big crappie early mornings. They are fishing out on the lake from their boat.
“It’s been really, really hot, so the fisherman have been going fishing early — early so they can get out of the heat, but they are catching their limits on crappie, bream and some catfish. They all are fishing from their boats.We had a few people fishing off docks, but they are not really catching anything.”

Lake Monticello
(updated 7-3-2025) 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. All fishing regulations, including catch-and-release-only fishing for all sport fish, remain in place even while the lake is lowered for the city’s repair work on the dam. 

Lake Chicot
(updated 7-3-2025) 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 7-3-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday that due to the extreme heat wave and humidity, as well as fish metabolism in southwest Arkansas, the guide service is back on its summer schedule: half-day or run-n-gun charters through the end of September. Full-day charters will return Oct. 1.
The lake elevation as of Wednesday was about 4 inches above normal pool and falling. The dam is releasing about 2,600-plus cfs and the tailwater is near 235 feet and falling. Normal caution is urged with navigation along Little River; watch for broken timber. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels.  

Surface water temps last week continued fluctuating, ranging 78 degrees early to 85 degrees later in the day along Little River, depending on location. Clarity along Little River is heavy stain; typical Millwood lighter stain is found in most locations of oxbows, while river is ranging 6-10 inches visibility depending on location.  Clarity & visibility of oxbows continues improving as levels stabilize, and visibility in the oxbows is ranging 12-18 inches in many locations, with further distance from river current and higher flow rates.

Siefert had these specifics from the fishing this week, adding that there were no major changes on Millwood since last week:

* It’s summer and the heat, surface temps and stress on largemouth bass have best reactions occurring at dawn and dusk-thirty. Also, the best reactions are during cloudy days or at dawn for a few hours until the sun begins to beat down and intensify water temps. Bass are best early, roaming through lily pads and emerging grass, cypress trees and flats near deeper creek channel bends with access to quick drops in the creeks or oxbows, into the 8-10 foot depth range. The best holding locations, early and late, are wherever grass, lily pads and vegetation are together with stumps in 4-8 feet of depth, with many bass cruising and feeding after sundown or before dawn. 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.
Johnson Chrome Spoons with a 2- to 4-inch white curly tail grub or swimbait/paddle tail trailer are drawing good reactions in the lily pads and grass. Switching to a gold spoon seemed to improve the reaction on cloudy days. 

Brazalo Clacking Buzzbaits like the Bushwhacker, and the Wee Whackers, their 501 Spinnerbait in Millwood Mayhem Bream, and Strutter Chatterbaits in bream or black/purple/blue have been working for several weeks on the flats near cypress trees and new lily pads at dawn. 

Weightless Texas-rigged Bass Assassin 5-inch Shad Assassins, fished with a very light wire hook, and hollow body frogs and Horny Toads or Rage Toads continue working in the fresh new blooms of lily pads and emergent grass, with the best colors being Houdini, Pumpkinseed and Smoke Wagon dipped in chartreuse JJ’s Magic Dippin’ Dye.

The Bill Lewis Lures MR-6, ATV and SB-57 crankbaits in Bluegill/Bream, Guacamole or burnt pumpkinseed patterns were working shallow near flats with bream beds, but the bass recently 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 last week. 

Largemouth bass in the 2- to 4-pound class have been slow to fair to react to Sweet Beavers and Baby Brush Hogs in recent weeks, with better reactions coming on Texas-rigged 7- to 10-inch Power Worms in Junebug red, black grape or Watermelon Candy and Blue Fleck.

* Anglers told us white bass were biting recently near White Cliffs campgrounds along Little River. They were stacked up behind primary and secondary points extending into the river. Those anglers were having fair to good luck with Rooster Tails, Little Georges, Rocket Shads, UnderSpins with a 3-inch white grub and Beetle Spins.

* Crappie continue to bite well and are in transition – moving to deeper drops and planted brush – and the bite has been good overall, with 15-40 nice-sized slabs in a half-day run on average. Good size crappie can be caught – they are deeper than three weeks ago, with main populations continuing to move to deeper planted brush. Improved water clarity conditions in the oxbows, and along the main lake river channel swings away from increased river current toward the dam, improved the reactions. Pink, chartreuse, white, Electric Chicken and red jigs have been working the last few weeks.  

* Catfish are fair to good in current along Little River. Limblines and trotlines were getting 4- to 8-pound channel cats and flatheads using cut buffalo, cut gizzard shad and chicken hearts or gizzards, with chum and have been caught for several weeks in current from 8-12 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 7-3-2025) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service (870-942-6291 or yoyoguideservice@gmail.com) at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Well, summertime is here! Water has heated up like a swimming pool. Water temperature on the surface has reached the 90s. To say it’s like bathwater is an understatement. Water level is 407.14 feet msl with a little drop.

“As you know, I’m a crappie guy. So here’s the deal. The bigger fish are beginning to move away from the brushpiles. The ones that are still holding are either so close to the cover or down inside that they are tough to get. Drop-shot or LiveScop to get close. I personally use minnows right now. I like small, active minnows and I have the sinker several inches above the hook to allow the minnow to swim freely and attract the fish.

There is more surface action happening every day, so get ready for those white bass and hybrid bass to start breaking. 

Now seriously! This is the Fourth of July weekend coming up. Please watch out for each other on the water. Hydrate and help those in need. Happy Fourth to all.”

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 7-3-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature is 65 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Lake Ouachita remains in the flood pool, prompting Entergy to run round-the-clock generation below area dams to stabilize lake levels. Entergy is running 3,600 cfs below Carpenter Dam, which is a safe current flow for boaters and bank fishermen. Lake Ouachita must be kept down out of flood pool, which is key in Entergy continuing to schedule 24/7 flows below area dams. The weekly generation schedule is normally posted on Wednesday evening at the Entergy/Hydro website (linked above). 

There is a good possibility that trout numbers will linger until sometime in early July because of the lack of fishing pressure in recent weeks. Bank fishermen have had some success 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 have anchored in and around rock structure or sandbars and have had 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 on. Egg patterns in orange or white will draw strikes when other presentations are ignored. 

Walleye are still in the area and good numbers remain the tailrace for the summer months. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate crawfish and threadfin shad are a proven technique to cover water and tempt walleye into feeding. 

White bass are thriving in the tailrace 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 sand bars. 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. 

Blue catfish and channel catfish moved into the tailrace in June to begin their spawning run and will provide angers 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 wildlife officials when approached.

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

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

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 7-3-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) said that anglers were catching pretty good last week, but she had just gotten back into the store Thursday this week from vacation and was not up to speed on how the week had gone. But in two tournaments held last week, anglers were catching “some pretty tiny bass and a few crappie along the way.”

“The lake is still kind of high,” she reported. “It hasn’t been the greatest for fishing, but it’s getting down though. I expect it will be good by next weekend.”

She also reported that as far as numbers, anglers were definitely out on the lake Thursday morning as the holiday weekend approached. “They’re trying real hard today. They’ve been trying hard the last couple of weeks, it’s just that the results haven’t been that great. Now, the guides are doing great. It probably depends on your equipment.”

Crappie anglers are using worms, jigs, minnows, crickets, Crappie Magnet — “They’re trying everything, really.”

Bream are biting well. “Crickets are going out the door for bream. They’re definitely biting. We can’t keep up with crickets.”

She wasn’t sure beyond bass jigs what else the bass anglers were using. The store carries mostly crappie and bream baits.

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 7-3-2025) 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 Zoom Brush Hog on main lake and secondary points near brush, or a black buzzbait in low light. Walleye are excellent and biting on nightcrawlers near brush on points. Try depths from 16-22 feet. Stripers are good and biting on trolling rigs and live bait in the central and eastern parts of the lake. 

Bream are still very good on worms or crickets in 10-20 feet of water. Crappie are good and relating to brush in the 15- to 20-foot range. Catfish are still good on trotlines and jugs with live and cut bait.

Water temperature is ranging 78-82 degrees. Water clarity is clearing. The lake level is 579.26 feet msl, down more than a foot since this time last week. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 6-26-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says, “Welcome to summertime fishing. The water temperature was 86 degrees the last time I came off the water. I’m seeing very little surface activity early in the mornings. We did catch a few crappie on brushpiles, 20-plus-feet deep.”

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 7-3-2025) Wil Hafner at the AGFC’s Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) said, “We are still holding water on the parking lot and access to the dock, so we will not reopen this weekend. It looks as if we are only going to drop a half-foot in the next week, so it may still be a couple of weeks before we can reopen.”
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 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 7-3-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) says water is very high in all areas. Catfish are really liking the catalpa worms right now, with excellent reports from fishermen. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and crickets, staying around 4-6 feet deep. Along the banks, crappie are still hanging around the grassy areas.

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

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