Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

October 2, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

John Judkins sent us a photo of his son, Gaige, who caught this bass Sept. 2 on Lake Dardanelle. John told us, “We had a good day catching several bass around this size and quite a few smaller ones. The bass in the lake are really healthy now that the grass is back, and baitfish are abundant. We caught most of our fish flipping soft plastics, but also a few on white swim jigs.” Thanks, John, both for the photo AND the fishing report from Lake Dardanelle. We always welcome both for the Weekly Fishing Report, and if you see an area from which we’re not regularly receiving a report, please don’t hesitate to send us an update. No requirement to catch a big bass to go with it, but it’s nice if you do.

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 9-18-2025) 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 at 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 10-2-2025) 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 four to six hours, depending on the day. So your best bet fishing will be to get out in the mornings.

(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.”

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 10-2-2025) 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.

Crappie fishing has been pretty good — on and off, but for the most part good. They’ve been catching on standing timber in around 15 feet of water. They are mostly catching on a small, 2-inch swimbait in natural shad color on a 1/16-ounce jighead.

(updated 10-2-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry lake is at 2.92 feet below normal pool of 462.04 feet and four or five hours of generation on certain days in the fall period in energy production. “We are also in early fall and there is active schooling fish all over the lake and rivers, spotty in places, better in others according to bait,” he said. Fish remain scattered all over but most sport fish are out deeper, he added.

Some crappie are found up on the bank, while others are still floating around in deeper water. Jigs and minnows are working best at all depths, and crankbaits work for trolling 12-18 feet for the mid-depth fish up to 40 feet for the deeper fish. Brushpiles have really been in play as well as standing timber.
Walleye are scattered everywhere: some deep, some shallow and all in-between. And, of course, lake walleye are staying put on points, humps, etc. in 10-40 feet. Try dragging a jig tipped with minnow or crawler and/or drop-shot. A Big Minnow-style plug is working trolled.
Catfish are still eating really well all over the lake and rivers. Lots of blues came in early in the summer. Lines and jugs are working best with a variety of baits as well as rod and reels.
Bream are coming off another spawn. Try crawlers, crickets, small cranks and inline spinners.
As for white bass and hybrid bass, a lot them are in 25-43 feet some are 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 the bank, others in 10-15 feet and some around 40 and then some are out to 80 feet on points, humps, ridges, bends and different contour changes. You also have schooling action going on in different parts all over the lake and rivers.
“Be safe and wear your life jacket.”

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 10-2-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said catfish are still doing pretty well on trotlines. One avid local catfish fisherman was using a trotline to pull in some catfish hitting 8-9 pounds. He informed Bing he had caught almost 60 pounds of catfish over one night using “homemade hot dogs” on the lines, she related.

With cooler temperatures at night, anglers have been out catching some big crappie in front of the bait shop, she said. Anglers who are fishing from boats report catching some small bass and lots of small bream but releasing them.

The water level is good and the clarity is ranging from a “little green to muddy,” she said.

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

Lake Overcup
(updated 10-2-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) off Arkansas Highway 9 (501-354-9007) had no new report from the lake. In his most recent report, however, he said the water level is about normal and clarity is good. Bass were still chasing shad and being caught on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Bream were being caught with crickets and redworms. 

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

Lake Maumelle
(updated 10-2-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports that the level is falling and as of Thursday is 5.6 feet below normal pool. The surface water temperature is ranging 76-78 degrees. 

Lake Maumelle’s black bass species, largemouth and spotted bass, are both biting fair, though some youngsters last weekend in the Arkansas High School Bassers tournament had some impressive catches and stringers of bass.

Largemouths are reportedly up shallow in the morning, hitting topwater and then dropping deeper into 15-20 feet. Try Carolina rigs, jigs, drop-shots and crankbaits. Spots are biting best early in the morning and late in the evening. They can be found on the east part of the lake on rock points. Also, reports have them being found in 12-18 feet of water on brushpiles mixed in with the largemouths. Try buzzbaits, Zara Spook-style lures, drop-shot, Carolina rigs, jigs and cranks. In the Bassers tourney on Saturday, Corey Boyd and Blayke Parish teamed for a 13.89 winning stringer, edging Hudson Kindy and Carson Harmon, who had 12.13 pounds. The junior high winning team was Bennett Bullard and Kei Blaylock, who used the 6.23 Big Bass to bring their winning bag to 15.25 fish. Kip Ply and Kolton Ply caught a 5-bass limit totaling 13.25 pounds.

On the crappie front, they’re fair and reportedly scattered around brush anywhere from 10-20 feet. Minnows or jigs should work. Bream are fair, but they may pick up some closer to the Oct. 6 full moon. Reports have them found on brushpiles in 5-15 feet. Try crickets or worms. 

No reports have come in on white bass or catfish for some time. Twister Tails and crankbaits will usually pick up a stray white bass, and catfish tend to like bream, liver and worms on Maumelle.

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 10-2-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said crappie have begun to bite again. They are about 4 feet deep. He’s heard nothing on the catfish or bream, but black bass are still biting like they have been in recent weeks, which is a good bite. But with the weather beginning to cool some, he said, more anglers have begun getting out to fish for crappie.

Use minnows for a successful crappie bite. Bass are sticking around 2-3 feet deep and will bite crankbaits and soft plastics.

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 10-2-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said there was little to no flow in the river on Thursday afternoon and the water temperature has been the same for a while. The bass fishing has been 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.

Small finesse jigs are also 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.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 10-2-2025) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said the water is low and stumps are showing. Nevertheless, anglers are “tearing up the crappie,” she said. They’re using jigs mainly, and brown or black and chartreuse tend to be the colors that work best. She said she knows anglers on the opposite end of the lake are likely catching bass but she doesn’t hear much from them. “And you can always catch catfish,” she adds. Ninety percent of the anglers off Herman’s Landing are fishing for crappie.

The lake clarity now “is good for Peckerwood. It’s never a clear lake,” she said.

Plan for Oct. 31 as the last day for fishing on Peckerwood until the end of waterfowl hunting season. Peckerwood serves as a rest area for migrating waterfowl during the late fall and early winter. Take advantage of that great crappie bite now.

White River

Cotter Area
(updated 10-2-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said, “Autumn in the Arkansas Ozarks, with cool mornings and warm afternoons, invites you to the White River where the trout fishing has been phenomenal. Water releases from the Bull Shoals Dam into the tailwater have been steady throughout each day for the last week: lower flow during the morning followed by higher generation in the afternoon.”

Rooster Tails with white bodies and skirts, gold blades, are producing good catches. If you’re not getting the desired result, turn to a dark-colored skirt, mud brown, olive green or even black, depending on the area of the river you’re fishing. Any of a variety of spoons will bring some rainbows to your net — the Thomas Buoyant red/gold and silver/blue, one-sixth or quarter-ounce, or the brass and nickel/gold Colorados.

If you favor wriggling worms and chunky nightcrawlers on your hook, wait until later in the day when the afternoon releases are increasing the river level and keep your bait near the bank. The favorite PowerBait color is slowly switching from yellow to orange as we move closer to the spawn (Nov. 1). Mornings are already a little chilly, so bundle up when you head out for some great trout-catching.

“It’s breathtakingly beautiful here in The Natural State during October, so share the resource and enjoy the company of fellow anglers — take care of one another, respect the resource and share the space. Hope to see you on the river this week. ‘Fish Natural!’”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 10-2-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “This last week we have seen levels around 7 feet in the morning and dropping below 5 feet during the day. Tuesday and Wednesday we saw higher water starting around 8 feet and dropping to 5 feet. Fishing has been great this week with Thompson Colorado quarter-ounce spoons in nickel/gold being the best lure. We also saw success with Rapala Countdown CD7 in rainbow trout colors. As usual, silver inline spinners with Uncommon Bait UV eggs and shrimp worked well.
“This week we received one stocking of 2,400 rainbow trout.”

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 10-2-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday night he’s catching bigger fish on the topwater, but not a lot. Whopper Plopper, buzzbait, toad and Zara Spook are working. Then, if it gets tough, he’s moving to the drop-shot.

Lake level is still at 659 feet msl and the water temperature also hasn’t changed, hanging around 79 degrees (give or take). Bass fishing overall has been up and down — one day good and the next day they are stubborn. “Welcome to fall fishing.”

The turnover has started. Bass fishing patterns are changing by the minute. The shad have started the fall migration into the creeks. It’s best to get up early to look for surface activity. There are shad balls high toward the surface down to 45 feet now. Topwater is getting better. Del says he’s going to get up for lowlight and cover water. As mentioned above, a Plopper and buzzbait on the bank, a toad and a Spook-style bait if it’s sunny. Fish the conditions and follow the wind. 

Largemouth bass are really grouped up. If you’re lucky you might get more than one up there.

Powerfishing conditions with wind and clouds. Use a spinnerbait, square bill of Chatterbait if there’s stain toward the backs of creeks. The shad are headed that way. 

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 a green pumpkin orange variant on bluff ends, bluff swings, long runout points along the channel. Try pulling off edges. Start at 15 feet early and then out to 30-35 feet. 

The shad are spread out from the backs of creeks out 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 the bluebird, post-frontal suspended fish out on the points and bluffs. A smaller 2.8 Tater Shad is a good one, or shake a minnow if they are up active, and a regular, half-ounce Skinny Minnow Spoon will come in hand.
“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 10-2-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said the walleye have been in a negative to neutral feeding mood. The walleye seem to be scattering out and following the bait instead of holding on spots for any amount of time. If the sun is high and the wind is light, fish away from the boat’s shadow. Try fishing in 30-40 feet of water by snap-jigging a jig and half of a crawler, or drop-shotting a live crawler. Also using a three-quarter-ounce to 1-ounce white or chrome jigging spoon, or a Rapala-type Ice Jig in the same colors. 

When trolling, try a size 5 or 7 Flicker Shad or size 9 Flicker Minnow. Trolling is best in 28-38 feet of water or just above the depth level where you locate the shad. Trolling at 1.7 to 2.0 mph seems to be a good speed at this time to get a reaction bite.

(updated 10-2-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says not much has changed. Crappie are on structure in the creeks. There is a lot of mixed quality and short fish mixed in. One-eighth-ounce Tater Baits Big Ego color in the small fry has worked even on this finicky bite, depending on the day. Catching some on minnows, but it’s definitely slow and steady for the bite at best.

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

(updated 10-2-2025) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina. Tom hasn’t had any new reports since the lake turned very hot and stripers were struggling with the conditions. You can visit his website linked above for more information.

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

(updated 10-2-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake came up big last week; now they have been pulling water at a good clip and the level is back down to normal levels. Water is stained to muddy on the very south end and clears toward Horseshoe. Water temps are in the mid-70s. 

Stripers are still consistent. Fish are still above the Arkansas Highway 12 bridge and down to the dam. 

Crappie are loading up on brush as they do in the fall and winter. Look for brush in the 12-20 feet deep areas. 

Spotted bass and white bass are also starting their fall schooling. Look for flats and around Point 12 for boils early and late.

Walleye are very scattered with not much consistent action at this time. Look at points and humps in 15-25 feet of water. Troll crawlers and cranks .

Catfish are good. 

“Fall is approaching and good things are on horizon! Good luck!”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 10-2-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says recent rainfall has raised river levels, and the Army Corps of Engineers has been operating one floodgate in addition to hydrogeneration. These conditions have created stronger flows, making presentation more challenging at times. Despite this, anglers are continuing to see success.
Pautzke Fire Bait fished on light terminal tackle has been the most consistent producer for trout. Drifting Pautzke Fire Worms and Fire Minnows also has generated solid catches. With the higher flows, anglers should concentrate efforts on current seams, slack-water areas and eddies where trout are holding. Adjusting techniques to account for the stronger current is key, but fish remain active and opportunities are good.
As water levels stabilize over the coming week, conditions should improve for anglers targeting trout. Cooler overnight temperatures are expected to further enhance activity as fish transition into more consistent fall patterns. If current flows remain steady, expect Fire Bait, Fire Worms and Fire Minnows to continue producing reliable action.

“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 10-2-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports that anglers are catching catfish, at least “little ones,” around the pier. Black bass are biting well on topwater. Crappie are starting to pick up, with most anglers using jigs and some trying minnows, but it’s a hit-and-miss bite right now.

Bream are good on worms.

With the bass, most days this week have been consistently good, they say.

Last week, the lake was still “significantly hot,” and they don’t sense much change there this week, though no temperature was recorded. The lake is clearing this week but is “definitely murky still.”

Lake Charles
(updated 9-25-2025) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said there were lots of boats out on the lake over the weekend, but the only fishing reports she received were about catfish. 

The catfish are biting on lines, but baits weren’t mentioned. Probably at this time, about anything will work: little bream, other live bait like worms, stink bait, liver, etc.

The water is back to normal level and the usual murky. Surface water temperature over the weekend was 74 degrees, almost a 4 degree drop from a week ago. “Moon times” are good for fishing starting Saturday and running the next six days, coinciding with the Harvest Supermoon on Oct. 6. The best times in October are forecast for Oct. 18-24.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 8-28-2025) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park says Lake Poinsett had no new reports, but in his most recent report he said the lake had been steady with anglers catching bream and bass. Crappie had slowed down considerably in September, and catfish had sporadic reports with the occasional angler coming in with a report of 10-pound catfish caught on lines set out overnight. 

Bream were hitting on crickets, and bass were biting minnows and a variety of jigs. The Lake Poinsett State Park visitor is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. every day 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.

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 10-2-2025) 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 10-2-2025) 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 10-2-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood Lake surface water temperature has dropped again and is running in the upper 70s to low 80s range this week. Largemouth bass are fair on the same patterns and lures as in recent weeks, and crappie are slow.

Lake elevation is 16 inches below normal pool with the lake still in the Army Corps of Engineers drawdown status until Nov. 1. There is about 1,000 cfs at the dam and tailwater elevation is near 226 feet msl.

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 a half-day schedule until Oct. 1, he said.

Siefert had these fishing-specific updates for the past couple of weeks: 

* 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 anytime 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 are 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.

(updated 9-21-2025) 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 with the end of summer, beginning of fall, “normally we’re all watching lake levels crop. The shad are getting smaller and smaller, for that’s what the fish are chasing. That’s why a Zara Puppy Spook, a small buzzbait (⅛- or quarter-ounce), a small Pop-R, a 10-60 or even the 50s if you can throw them, that’s what all the fish are chasing.
“They are chasing small shad, whether you’re on DeGray, Ouachita, Greeson or any of the area lakes, that’s what they’re chasing — small lures and you’ve got to be able to throw that small thing.”

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

(updated 10-2-2025) Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) said some bass have been schooling early in the mornings and very late in the evening. During the day, bass can be caught on crankbait and Texas-rigged worms. Some white bass and hybrid bass can be caught vertical-jigging a spoon. Some crappie can be caught on small jigs in the brush. 

(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.

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 10-2-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature is 64 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Lake Ouachita is over 9 feet below flood pool levels due to Entergy scheduling weekly generation below area dams to stabilize lake levels. Entergy is running 3,600 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).

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will begin the fall trout stocking program in early November. April was the last month for rainbow trout stocking for the spring season with 4,320 fish released in the tailrace that month. 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 such as a Little Cleo or Super Duper will also work in a current situation when rainbow 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. No matter what presentation is used for trout in the summertime and early fall on Lake Catherine, slower results are to be expected in numbers but the size of the trout can range from 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. 

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 are in and out of the tailrace feeding on threadfin shad and will remain in the tailrace as long as these baitfish are present. 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 brought blue and channel catfish into the tailrace to begin their spawning run and provided anglers some wonderful table fare.

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 10-2-2025) 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 of midweek last week was about 75 degrees, which should have the black bass and panfish getting active.

Angler John Judkins reported that he and his son, Gaige, had a big day on Lake Dardanelle on Sept. 2 catching several bass, some in the 2-pounds-plus range and quite a few smaller ones. The bass in the lake are really healthy now with the grass being back and abundant baitfish, he said. They caught most of their fish flipping soft plastics, but also a few on white swim jigs. 

Lake Hamilton
(updated 9-25-2026) 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 the big news last weekend was the BFL Super Tournament on the lake, and the results of catches fell a little short of expectations. Kastner and the Wild Side crew predicted over 30 pounds of black bass winning the two-day tournament, forecasting 15-pound bags for two days at least for the top teams, but the winning team managed 27 pounds. Second, third and fourth place teams were bunched between 24.6-24.10 pounds. The “big bass” topped out at just 4.6 pounds, where expectations were at least three being 8 or more pounds. Part if this, Kastner explained, was that many anglers were using bigger baits than the bass were seeking, and for anglers on Hamilton this week, he urges them to downsize their baits. Bass are chasing smaller shad now, so downsize those shad-looking baits.

He said the topwater bite “is red hot on all area lakes. But you’ve got to downsize the lure. Instead of throwing a half-ounce or 3/8-ounce topwater bait, you’ve got to throw a quarter-ounce. They’re chasing a smaller bait, their chasing smaller shad. That was the difference (in the tournament), guys that were consistently catching a little bit better fish were throwing a smaller lure.”

Hosts Trey Reid and Mark Hedrick suggest a Tiny Torpedo or a little Bomber with a Twister Tail for Hamilton now. Before the BFL tournament, Kastner was saying that a big worm thrown into brushpiles would be a good approach on Hamilton. “With the cool front we had (a couple of weeks ago), it really schooled them up in the middle. That leads toward scoping them and throwing that Alabama rig down the gut of creek channels where shad congregating.”

Kastner said the other big news now was the area lake levels, and that was not counting the heavy rain that moved through Arkansas earlier this week. “It’s been kind of ridiculous for this time of year. Bull Shoals is sitting at full pool and that’s not only rare, that’s unheard of. All of our lakes have got higher levels than we usually see now. Greers Ferry is 2 feet below full pool, and normally now it’s a whole lot less. DeGray is 5 feet low, Ouachita is 6.5 below pool. This time of year, they’re usually much lower.”

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.