Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

September 25, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

John (no last name provided) found that the smallmouth bass bite was on at the Spring River while fishing in recent days with guide Mark Crawford. The veteran guide says the smallies are biting great with low water (just 375 cfs now on the Spring, slightly higher than average) and the warm conditions that returned last week. The much-needed rainfall for the region arrived Tuesday, but Crawford says the inch of rain was soaked up quickly by the dry ground, and the river looks great as of Thursday. He says that anglers should take advantage of the smallmouth bite now; the first cold snap will turn it off. But, on the other hand, the big trout will turn on.

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) and Nursery Pond
For the most up-to-date lake level, visit the U.S. Geological Survey’s Lake Conway water level site.

(updated 9-25-2025) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) reported recently that anglers were still catching small bass around the dam, but most anglers now are headed elsewhere with the drawdown. They hear that a few anglers are having decent success with crappie at Lake Beaverfork. The anglers are stopping in Bates and buying crappie minnows to head over there or to other area lakes.

While Lake Conway is drawn down for renovation, the Lake Conway Nursery Pond is open for fishing in the immediate area, with bream and trout being reported among catches of late. The 70-acre pond has been stocked by the AGFC with mature bass, crappie, catfish and bream as well as rainbow trout for the cold weather months.

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 9-25-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said, “The Southwestern Power Administration has been keeping a pretty steady generation schedule. They’ve been running two units of water for about three to seven hours a day, with start times typically between 1 p.m. and 3 pm. That schedule has really opened up the river for both wade-fishing and drifting out of the boat.

“The nymph bite has been solid, with fish staying happy on these steady flows. Fishing under an indicator has been productive with Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears, midges, eggs, and San Juan Worms all getting the job done.
“Streamer fishing has also been turning on nicely in the afternoons once they kick on water at the dam. It’s best to give it about an hour after generation starts before launching — let the fish settle into the two-unit flow. Casting big articulated streamers tight to the banks has been the ticket. I’ve been running an 8-weight with a 330-grain sink line, and the hot flies have been Double Deceivers, Flatliners and Sculpin patterns.
“The conditions are setting up for some great days on the river, whether you’re wading or floating.”

(updated 9-18-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the main word from the Little Red lately is that a lot of anglers have been catching both rainbows and browns on a marabou jig “pretty exclusively,” they say. That can be either a ⅛-ounce or 1/16-ounce jigs. Three colors each appear to be working nicely: olive, black and brown. The water is a little low for most of the days, until the afternoon when they have been consistently running 6 hours. So your best bet fishing will be to get out in the mornings.

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 9-18-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake continues to drop. Wednesday afternoon it was 459.99 feet msl, which is 2.44 feet below normal pool (462.54 feet), with 4-5 hours of generation on certain days. “We are late summer, early fall with the patterns. There is active schooling fish all over the lake and rivers. It’s spotty in places, better in others according to the bait. Fish are scattered all over, but do understand that most sport fish (crappie, bass, etc.) are out deeper.

Some crappie remain up on bank while other are still floating around in deeper water. Jigs and minnows are working best at all depths, and crankbaits are good for trolling 12-18 feet for the mid-depth fish and 40 feet for the deep ones. Target brushpiles and standing timber. Walleye are scattered everywhere. Some are deep, some are shallow and others are all in-between; and, of course, the lake fish are staying put on points, humps, etc., in 10-40 feet. Try dragging a jig tipped with minnow or crawler and or drop-shot. Big Minnow-style plugs are working trolled. 

Catfish are eating really good all over the lake and rivers, and lots of blues came in over the summer. Lines and jugs are working best with a variety of baits as well as rod and reel. Bream are coming off another spawn; try crawlers, crickets, small cranks and inline spinners. White bass and hybrid bass are in 25-43 feet with some on out to 80 feet now; use Road Runners and grubs for shallow fish, spoons and inline spinners for deeper fish now. Black bass are scattered as well; some are up on bank while others are found in 10-15 feet, and some are around 40 and with even more being found out to 80 feet on points, humps, ridges, bends and different contour changes. And you have schooling action going on in different parts all over lake and rivers.
Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 9-18-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said that bass on the lower end of the lake are starting to hit pretty well on jerkbaits, as well as some mid-diving crankbaits for up in the creeks. You want to look at a jerkbait or crank that is primarily clear but with a blue or black hue to it. A good example would be the Megabass Vision 1-10 or the Ito Tennessee Shad.

Also, for fishing for bass on the main lake, a Carolina rig with some kind of watermelon color will be a great choice fished across main lake points.

They have not heard much on crappie fishing of late.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 9-18-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said catfish continue biting well. Last week, one catfish angler caught three nice cats using chicken liver. Another 4-pound blue cat was caught last week, and several more caught catfish mostly at night. Chicken liver is apparently is the best bet on bait these days.

Crappie picked up with the cooler weather recently, with some caught at night or very early in the morning near the bait shop using minnows. Also, crappie are biting near the big island, including one limit reported by an angler on Sunday.

Bass fishing has been slow, and nothing has been heard on bream other than some baby bream being picked up for catfish bait.

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

Lake Overcup
(updated 9-11-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) off Arkansas Highway 9 (501-354-9007) said the water level is about normal and clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 85 degrees. Bass are still chasing shad and being caught on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Bream are being caught with crickets and redworms. 

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

“There hasn’t been a lot of activity lately,” he says. “Come see us at Overcup Landing off Highway 9.”

Lake Maumelle
(updated 9-25-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports that the lake is at 4.7 feet below normal pool, which is actually a slight rise after the rainfall earlier this week. Central Arkansas Water will be drawing the lake down to work on the dam. Surface water temperature is ranging 78-80 degrees.
Black bass remain fair, which has been consistent for a few weeks. Largemouths are up shallow in the morning and hitting topwater, then they drop deeper to 15-20 feet. Try Carolina rigs, jigs, drop-shots and crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are also biting best early in the morning and late in the evening, and can be found on the east end on rocky points. Reports have spots being found in 12-18 feet on brushpiles mixed in with the largemouths. Try buzzbaits, Zara Spooks, drop-shots, Carolina rigs, jigs and crankbaits.

Still no reports on white bass or catfish. White bass might take to a Twister Tail or crankbait. Catfish will favor small bream, liver and worms now.

Crappie are fair. At last report, crappie were said to be scattered around brush anywhere from 18-25 feet. Minnows and jigs are working. Bream also are fair. There have been reports of bream being found on brushpiles in 5-15 feet and they’re biting crickets and worms.

Arkansas River at Morrilton
For the real-time water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam and Morrilton stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website. 

Little Maumelle River
(update 9-18-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said a lot of people have started crappie fishing. The crappie started to show up earlier this week and a couple of anglers have been solely searching out the slabs. Ray says “not a ton yet” have been caught, but they’ve pulled in “a good mess of fish.” The anglers were fishing in 5 feet of water and using minnows.

Bass fishing is going really well, he said, on crankbaits and spinnerbaits in 3-5 feet of water. Anglers have been catching them in and around the trees. Use bream colors for those cranks and spinners, along with chartreuse and other bright colors that will resemble bream.

He had no reports on catfish or bream.

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 8-28-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said there was little to no flow in the river on Thursday afternoon. The bass fishing has been OK of late. “We’d call it fair. Topwater has been good, especially buzzbaits and Whopper Ploppers around grass.”

On the main channel, they say that square-bill crankbaits around jetties, in any sort of shad color, will get some response.

A bass tournament was held on the river last weekend, giving an idea of what other anglers are using for success. Small finesse jigs appeared to be working. Go with any sort of natural color, like green pumpkin, and fish them around the mouth of creeks or the backwaters.

For crappie, nothing has changed much lately. Black and chartreuse crappie tubes or Crappie Magnets are the way to go, fishing them on rockpiles or wood either in or close to the main channel.

White River

Cotter Area
(updated 9-25-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Trout fishing the White River in the Arkansas Ozarks near Cotter is the best way to remember and experience a mellow September. Between the rush of school starting and before holiday busyness, carve out some time to come float the river; shake off the world for a day or two. Catch rainbows (trout and otherwise) and see if you can’t hook into a lunker brown or two.”
Releases from Bull Shoals Dam are at one unit or less (3,000 cfs) with a burst in the late evening bringing the river level to 16,000 cfs (five units) for an hour or two. The lake is slowly dropping and currently is at 660.52 feet msl.

Wade anglers will find many accessible locations. Be alert and always have an exit plan if you see a change in water level. John boaters will find it slow and go, a must-stay in the main channel of the river. There’s lots of fishing waters here (and lots of trout); share the space and extend a hand to fellow anglers.

Any pink, scented egg bait (Berkley PowerBait or XFactor) and shrimp are reliable baits to provide a lot of action for rainbows. Peach and brown flashy baits (⅛-ounce marabou or D2 jigs, 1/8-ounce), gold Cleos or bronze Colorado Spoons were a sure bet this past week. Catch a sculpin and bait your hook for browns. Crawdads are still causing a stir and should be great bait for at least another month before it gets too cold.

“Good luck, enjoy the catch, and we’ll see you on the river!”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 9-25-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We have seen varied river levels last Thursday through Saturday. We saw levels as high as 6.5 feet and lows around 4.5 feet. On Sunday and Monday, we saw anywhere from 4 to 5 feet. Tuesday and Wednesday, we returned to levels as high as 6.5 feet. With the lower water levels, we saw a lot of success with quarter-ounce Thompson Colorado Spoons in nickel/gold with some guide trips catching close to 100 rainbows in a day. Other artificial lures that worked well were Rapala Countdown CD7 rainbow trout colors or brown trout colors, or any lure that provided a flash in the water. 

“We needed the rains we got Tuesday and Wednesday. As of Wednesday evening, the rains have had minimal effect on the river in Calico Rock. The Buffalo River was rising Wednesday night, and we expect the river to be muddy Thursday and potentially Friday.”

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.

(updated 3-10-2025) White River Trout Club (870-453-2424) says f

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 9-25-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday night that lake level is 659 feet msl and the bushes are about right. Water temperature is 79 degrees, give or take. “Bass fishing has been up and down just like the weather. I’m guessing we are going to be getting a rise with the recent rain. Fall bass fishing patterns are starting. The shad are starting the fall migration into the creeks. Best to get up early to look for surface activity. There are shad balls high toward the surface, down to 45 feet now. 

“Topwater has been hit or miss. Try a small popper or Spook in natural colors. For power fishermen, get up for lowlight and cover water. Try a Whopper Plopper or buzzbait on the bank, as well as a toad-style bait if it’s sunny — fish the conditions, follow the wind. Largemouth bass are really grouped up. If you’re lucky, you might get more than one up there.
“With the rain, look for some inflow or color in the water. Throw a spinnerbait, square bill or Chatterbait. The shad are heading that way. It’s good when we get some clouds and rain coming in. If the sun comes out, try a shaky head in trees and brushpiles. There are always fish to be caught on a jig like a Jewel half-ounce Peewee; try green pumpkin variants. On the bluffs, ends of bluffs, swings, long runout points along the channel, try pulling off ledges. A lot of the suspended fish are schooled up chasing shad. The shad are spread out from the backs of the creeks to the main lake. Look for larger groups of shad close to structure. Feeding windows seem to be short-lived. Try a drop-shot for bluebird post-frontal suspended fish. A smaller 2.8 swimbait or shake a minnow if they are up active, and a regular Tater Shad on suspended fish. A half-ounce Skinny Minner Spoon will come in handy. 

“Fall junk fishing has started. Make the best of it and ‘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 9-25-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said the walleye fishing methods on the lower end of the lake have not changed much again this past week. The larger schools of fish seem to be scattering out and are in and around the thermocline on gravel main lake points and secondary points with deeper water close by. Lots of smaller walleye and limits of nice legal-size walleye are being caught. If the sun is high and wind is light, fish just a little deeper and away from the boat. Fish in 28-38 feet of water with spinnerbaits and crawler rigs with small Colorado or a Mack’s Smile butterfly blade, or work a jig and crawler or drop-shot a live crawler. A half-ounce to 1-ounce white or chrome jigging spoon, or No. 5 Rapala Jigging Rap in the blue chrome color, at those depths, has been working as well.

When trolling, try a size 5 or 7 Flicker Shad or size 9 Flicker Minnow, and also a half-ounce Hot n Tot, in 28-38 feet of water. Trolling at 1.7 to 2.0 mph seems to be a good speed at this time to get a reaction bite.

(updated 9-25-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie are setting up nicely in the brushpiles in the creeks. Look for brush 20-30 feet. Fish may be above the pile or buried in it, depending on the day. We’re seeing the bite be a little finicky at times as we’re also seeing tons of bait around the brush as well. A 1/16-ounce jig with small fry bait such as Taterbaits Big Ego color has been working, as well as minnows. 

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

(updated 9-11-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina said recently that the lake was scheduled to reach its normal pool level on Sept. 15. With the very hot weather and warm water, along with low oxygen conditions on Norfork, Tom was not planning to provide updated reports until conditions improved.
In his most recent report in August, Tom had said the stripers appeared stressed due to low oxygen and hot water. At that time, the lake water was in the high 80s, almost 90 degrees, late in the afternoon throughout most of August. The oxygen level has been very low for this time of year, and the oxygen will only get worse as the lake is lower and with little rain. Based on history, the stripers will shut down, and the bite will continue to decline unless the oxygen bubble bursts.
The stripers were beginning to shut down earlier in August; they kept moving to deeper water, but the oxygen was very low for this time of year.

“The best opportunity for stripers will be the upper section of Norfork, where the river ends and the lake begins. Cool water continues to flow south, but heavy rains would cause the stripers to migrate as the water cools. Right now, you can entice them using very active live bait. They do not seem to be interested in spoons or swimbaits right now.”

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

(updated 9-25-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said, “Well, it happened again: The skies opened up and dumped massive amounts of rain. Beaver Lake came up around 3 feet in 24 hours. Folks, I do not know if you know just how much water that is. It’s in billions of gallons, I am sure.
“What does that mean to all you anglers? Well, debris will start flowing into the lake. So, caution again is the word, and it seems has been the word since spring. I do believe that when lake settles down, fishing should uptick. I also believe because of all the inflow and mixing, the turnover should not shut down the fishing as it usually does for a few weeks. 

“So, on to the fishing report: Stripers are still the best game on Beaver. The fish are hanging anywhere from Point 5 and down to the dam. Now, the water coming into the lake may start to convince fish to start heading south as they usually do in late October. So you may have to locate them on a regular basis. They will move, and sometimes a fair distance, from where they were yesterday.
“Crappie are also moving from suspension in the thermocline (which was very weak or nonexistent) most of the summer and loading up on structure. Look 15-25 feet deep for the fish. As the lake cools, they will move shallower, so again, use electronics to find the fish and their fall movements.

“Bass are schooling, and some topwater is starting to show up. Look at Point 12 and up War Eagle, but this may and probably will change with mud coming. Catfish should be good because of all the rain.

“Stay safe and use caution when boating.”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 9-25-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says the bite on the Beaver tailwater is gaining momentum as trout shift into their fall spawning patterns. Each week has shown a little more consistency, and with cooler days settling in, conditions continue to line up for strong fishing.

This week’s weather has been marked by cool mornings in the upper 40s and comfortable afternoons reaching into the 70s. Combined with steady generation schedules, water temps in the low 50s have held firm — a prime range for active trout.
Pautzke Fire Bait and Fire Eggs are still the go-to for steady action when fished on bottom with light rigs. During periods of flow, drifting Fire Eggs and Fire Worms has produced reliable numbers, and anglers are starting to pick off some better fish as well. Evenings remain a strong window, with jigs drawing aggressive strikes as light levels drop.
“With stable weather and the fall transition in full swing, it’s an excellent time to get on the water. For more frequent updates, check out my Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service). I’m on the river nearly every week and always happy to answer any questions. Tight lines and good fishing!”

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 8-28-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports that anglers were catching good bream this week on redworms. Bass fishermen are using plastic worms and doing a little bit, catching a few, but “not what they want.” A few crappie are being caught but they are small. “(The anglers) don’t know where to look.

“We’re in a flood warning now,” they said Thursday morning. “The lake is really coming up. Once it quits raining, it goes down pretty good here.”

Clarity with the rainfall is muddy.

Lake Sequoyah
(updated 1-1-2025) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report.

Lake Charles
(updated 9-25-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said she received no fish reports for the last week. The water is low. If you’re planning your trip on “moon times” to land a lot of hungry and active fish, the good days coming up for fishing should be Oct. 4-10, while best days are forecast for Oct. 18-24. The lake is murky and the surface water temperature on Sunday morning was 77.9 degrees.

Her report from a week ago, when everything was biting, said that anglers were catching bass on topwater lures. Crappie continued to improve, with good catches reported on a variety of baits: H&H Jigs in chartreuse, crawfish, and black and chartreuse worms. Rocky points were where most of the activity was happening.

Bream continued to bite well on crickets and worms, as well as minnows. They were still relating to the shoreline until this week.

Catfish had been good on lines and jugs.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 8-28-2025) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park says Lake Poinsett has been steady with anglers catching bream and bass. Crappie have slowed down considerably, and catfish have had sporadic reports with the occasional angler coming in with a report of 10-pound catfish caught on lines set out overnight. 

Bream have been hitting on crickets, and bass have been biting minnows and a variety of jigs. Cooler weather this week has given some anglers good luck with these fish, but that weather has also brought a lot of people out to the lake, so there may be some competition for the best fishing spots. 

The Lake Poinsett State Park visitor is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. every day now and sells minnows, nightcrawlers, redworms, crickets and a variety of artificial and frozen baits.

Spring River
(updated 9-25-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are running at 375 cfs (350 cfs is average on the Spring) and water clarity has been clear. It has been very dry the last few months. Some much needed rain fell Tuesday, with over an inch falling to the ground. The rain was soaked up by the dry ground and the river looks great. It did not come up any.

The river is low and that has made for easy fishing catching smallmouth bass and trout. When the river gets low, you just have to look for the deeper spots, and there they are. The water coming out of the Spring has a green tint to it. You’ve just got to look for the green pockets to find deeper water.

The trout are hitting olive bead-head Woollies most days. The olive Woolly has been hot for the smallies, too. This time of year, a Hopper Dropper can be loads of fun. Tying the hoppers with 2mm foam, purple and light tan have been hot. Any nymph, Hare’s Ear or Pheasant Tail, will work great as a dropper. Most of the hits will be on the dropper, but they will hit the hopper, mostly in choppy, fast riffles water, and when they do it’s so much fun!! Beats an indicator any day. 

The smallies are biting great with low water and warm conditions. Big Woollies are the favorite but we have also had great success with Clousers and streamers — you’ve just got to have a heavy head. We’re not really using sink tips — running long leaders and drop-shotting them to get down to the bass. As soon as it gets colder, they will turn off.

The cold snap is just around the corner. This winter season is when the big fish will come up. Cold weather gets the big trout moving. After the flood of the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery, there is no telling how big the trout will be this winter season.

For spin-fishers the D2 jigs have been hot for smallies. For trout, Trout Magnets, silver/gold spinners all work great. Hot pink Trout Magnets are the color for the Spring River. 

After the flood in April, the river has changed, and the river bottom has moved around. Be very careful wading; a wading staff helps a lot! It has been a lot of fun rediscovering places this summer. Be safe out there!

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 9-11-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports that water temperatures are in the mid-80s. Visibility is 6-10 inches throughout from algae bloom. There is faint flow on the main channel. Black bass are biting better lately, possibly from the cooler temperatures. Bladed jigs, buzzbaits, shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits in shad colors are consistently producing bites around woody cover and jetties on the main channel, especially near current breaks and points. Windblown areas tend to produce more bites on these moving lures. 

For calm weather or protected areas, dark-colored jigs are producing some bites. Pay special attention to the up-current side of points, wood and anything that produces shade, especially after the morning bite has faded. Schooling white and striped bass, occasionally with black bass mixed in, will fire up here and there midday to late in the day; be sure to have a small shad-colored topwater or shallow-running lure such as a lipless crankbait or weightless fluke handy to take advantage of the sudden and short-lived surface activity. 

Lake Monticello
(updated 9-25-2025) AGFC staff report that people are out fishing and some are catching some big fish, while other days are tough. A couple of 7-pound black bass have been pulled out of the lake since spring.
Anglers are reminded that all fish caught must be released immediately. The Hunger Run Access was opened late last year to boat traffic. 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 9-25-2025) 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 9-25-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood Lake remains in summer drawdown pool condition, and has risen several inches with the rains in this week. As of Wednesday it was currently 14 inches below normal pool (the Army Corps of Engineers was shooting for 18 inches low for its drawdown until Nov. 1 for shoreline vegetation work and other projects). Use extreme caution in navigation during drawdown. Boaters are encouraged to wear a life jacket and exercise caution during the drawdown, as submerged stumps and shallow areas will be more prominent, especially in boat lanes where depth may only be a few inches. Wear your life jacket and utilize your engine’s kill switch during drawdown conditions where stumps and underwater hazards are near surface pool elevation.

For more information, contact the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office at 870-898-3343.

The guide service remains on half-day schedule until Oct. 1, he said.

Surface temps over the past week continue fluctuating, ranging 85-89 degrees. Clarity along Little River is normal stain and visibility; typical Millwood lighter stain in most locations of oxbows of Little River, with river clarity ranging 8-10 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows continues improving as levels stabilize, and visibility in the oxbows is ranging 20-30 inches in many locations.
Siefert has been back on the water and had these fishing-specific updates: 

* We are getting many simultaneous reports of schooling largemouth bass on many different areas of Millwood Lake, and recent rain, thunderstorms, and a cool front have tempered surface and lake pool temps.

Several days over the past few weeks, juvenile largemouth and spotted bass have been noted schooling on primary and secondary points in Little River and noted in most all the oxbows all the way up Little River. The schooling and surface breaking is still relatively early for this time of year, and continues to be very random and short in duration. The largemouths and Kentucky bass can start herding the shad to the surface almost anytime all morning, and that can be more random any time of day, with midmorning and late afternoon being the best time for the surface-breaking activity. Recently we had three anglers stop and talk with us about all the white bass they found schooling in Mud Lake over the past week, and randomly one will find a school of white bass mixed in with the largemouths and spots when the mayhem breaks loose! These schooling black bass are quick to break on a clear Baby Torpedo, Cordell Crazy Shad in chrome/black back, a quarter-ounce chrome Cordell hammered spoon, black and white Heddon Dying Flutter, and a three-quarter-ounce (for distance) chrome/blue Rat-L-Trap. The smaller, ⅜-ounce chrome/blue Rat-L-Trap Tail Spinner will work when the action begins breaking in the lily pads and will finesse well through the lily pad stems when the action moves into vegetation and pads.

Bill Lewis ATV Crankbaits and Square bills in Tennessee Shad, Pro Green Gizzard Shad, and Ghost Minnow are still working, and connecting with random Largemouth Bass cruising through flats with stumps and lily pads in the same locations where the Rat-L-Trap Spin Traps are working. 

Numbers of bass from 2-3 pounds each remain concentrating near almost any major creek junction with Little River. With current conditions along Little River fair, the deeper sections, points, and washouts in Little River from 10-15 feet, we are having good success with a Tennessee Shad Fat Free Guppy or Fat Free Fry. 

Yum BuzzFrogs, Bass Assassin Shads in pumpkinseed, Houdini, salt and pepper silver phantom, or gold pepper shiner (on cloudy days) colors and Yum Dingers are still working in the oxbows up and down Little River. Other surface lures like Ken Pops, Jitterbugs and Spit’n Images, and Dying Flutters in chrome/black or black/white, continue to draw reactions for the actively feeding black bass. During early morning activity, fair to good numbers of bass will bust Rat-L-Trap and the Bill Lewis MR-6. Southern Pro 4-inch magnum tubes in black/blue tail, or pumpkinseed/chartreuse tail, are working along river’s backwash ridges and valleys, and near cutouts in the river bank. Berkley 10-inch Power worms in Plum, Black Grape, or Cherry Seed are catching good keeper bass from 13-14 inches in length. Peanut butter and jelly colors are working for deeper bass, or near vertical structure from 8-12 feet.

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 9-25-2025) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted on the weekly “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz that an intense hybrid striped bass bite has been going on at DeGray for a while now. “A Rooster Tail is a secret little thing that DeGray hybrids kill it,” he said. “I know it sounds crazy, but you take a half- or three-quarter-ounce Rooster Tail, you can throw them a mile. You drag them through a bunch of breaking hybrids and they will eat ‘em up.”
Be alert for the first good, little cold snap — that will have crappie and other fish moving up where they’re supposed to move and the overall fishing will be fun.

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.

(updated 8-28-2025) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted on the weekly “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz recently that Dierks Lake will be the site of the kickoff to the Trader Bill’s High School Trail season on Sept. 13, and topwater anglers might start wanting to check it out as we get deeper into the final days of August, early September and then into the cooler months. “It’s one of the best lakes you can go into the fall on. Dierks is a mountain lake that has some of the best topwater fishing you can have in the fall. There are some nice bass in that lake.”

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 9-25-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature is 63 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Lake Ouachita is well below flood pool levels due to Entergy scheduling round-the-clock generation below area dams to stabilize lake levels, but the lake has risen with the heavy rain amounts in western Arkansas. Entergy is running 3,000 cfs below Carpenter Dam for 10 hours a day, which is a safer flow for boaters and bank fishermen to experience. The weekly generation schedule is normally posted on Thursday evening at the Entergy/Hydro website (linked above). 

Early July typically marks the end of quality rainbow trout fishing on Lake Catherine, and the AGFC doesn’t begin its annual late fall and winter trout stocking program until early November; however, due to the flooding of spring that displaced thousands of rainbow trout far downstream, numbers of trout are present below Carpenter Dam. Under normal circumstances, trout fishing is over by late July. The extreme heat of summer has forced these displaced trout back toward the dam in search of cooler water and increased food supply. Rainbow trout become stressed in water that reaches just over 70 degrees and cannot survive in water over 75 degrees. Trout numbers have lingered much longer than normal because of lack of fishing pressure, with scattered numbers of fish still present in the tailrace.

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 good 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 like a Little Cleo or Super Duper will also work 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 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. No matter what presentation is used for trout in the summertime on Lake Catherine, much slower results should be expected in numbers, but the size of the trout ranges 15-18 inches long.

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 present in the tailrace chasing the huge schools of threadfin shad. 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. Blue and channel catfish are in the tailrace and provide anglers some wonderful table fare. 

Despite the numerous storms passing thru our area, hot temperatures remain the norm but cooler temperatures are on the way with the fall season beginning. 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.

(updated 9-25-2025) Lake Dardanelle is known for its strong largemouth bass population, along with good quantities of bream and is stocked with crappie. White bass are native to the river and are found in the lake. Catfish are abundant. Smaller topwater lures like a Zara Puppy Spook or a smaller buzzbait would be ideal for black bass. Try minnows for crappie with temps beginning to fall. Redworms and crickets will pull in bream. Surface water temperature as midweek last week was about 75 degrees, which should have the black bass and panfish getting active.

Lake Hamilton
No reports.

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

(updated 9-25-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) reports that fishing has been great this month. “The lake is the same as always. Been a lot cooler, so everybody has been catching. 

She said the bream “started biting like crazy” earlier this month. Crappie were also biting well. Try crickets and redworms for bream. Lots of jigs were being thrown for crappie, but some anglers were buying minnows. And, she noted, a big crappie or two were picked up on redworms.

She heard nothing on bass or catfish.

Sheila has an array of live bait for purchase and other fishing needs, plus food. The water temperature is good, and the lake level is normal.

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 9-25-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are good. Spotted bass are chasing shad and will hit a fluke or riser bait.

Walleye are still fair and still biting on nightcrawlers near brush on points. Try depths from 18-24 feet. 

Bream are good on worms or crickets in 20-30 feet of water. 

No reports on stripers, crappie or catfish.

Water temperature is ranging 76-82 degrees. The water clarity is clear. Water level was 571.43 feet msl and falling as of Thursday. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

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

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

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

White River/Clarendon Area
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time gauge level and flow from Clarendon, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 9-18-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) said crappie are biting on crickets in grassy areas. Catfishing is great in all rivers and above the hydroelectric dams. Snagging in Pendleton is doing well as always. 

“Get your food plots ready if you haven’t already, and let’s get this hunting season started right! 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.