Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

October 23, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Elbert Shelley, who was visiting with his brother Melvin Shelley at Millwood Lake recently, had a big day catching crappie. The Shelleys, who now live in Georgia, took home over 40 nice slab crappie fillets in a half-day trip, according to Mike Siefert of Millwood Lake Guide Service. Arkansas sports fans may remember Elbert, a product of Trumann in northeastern Arkansas, as a star football player at Arkansas State who went on to have a nice professional career with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. Read more about the crappie bite at Millwood below, and see more photos by subscribing to the email Weekly Fishing Report newsletter.

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

(updated 10-23-2025) AGFC staff in Mayflower note that 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 10-23-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said, “The Southwestern Power Administration has been fairly consistent with their generation schedule so far this week. We’ve been seeing one to two units running anywhere from 2-4 hours a day, typically starting in the late afternoon between 3-5 p.m. The only exception was over the past weekend when no water was released on Saturday and Sunday — we’ll have to wait and see if that same pattern repeats this coming weekend.
“There’s some rain in the forecast, too, with up to 1.5 inches expected between Friday and Sunday. Looks like Saturday might end up being a wet one, so plan accordingly if you’re heading out.
“Now, let’s talk fishing — the bite has stayed solid under this generation schedule. Mornings have been best while fishing the falling water from the previous night’s releases. Drift-fishing from the boat under an indicator has been productive, especially when targeting the deeper stretches or anywhere with steady current. Moss beds and plunge pools below the shoals have been holding good numbers of fish. When the water drops out or if generation pauses completely, focus on the deeper runs and cast toward those moss lines.”
Hot flies have been Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears and midges.

“With the current schedule, both wade- and boat-fishing opportunities are good across the entire Little Red River — from the dam all the way down to the lower access points.

“The streamer bite has been hit or miss in the mornings. With these lower flows, fish aren’t stacking up along the banks quite like they do after heavier generation. You might land a nice brown, or you might just get a solid arm workout — but it’s still one of the best ways to connect with a quality fish right now.
“Fir your streamer setup: 6-weight rod, 150-grain sink line. Downsized patterns. The go-to streams are Slump Busters, small flatliners and Peanut Envy.

“Overall, fishing’s been steady and conditions are great for both waders and boaters. Keep an eye on the generation schedule and the rain forecast, but it’s a good time to get out there — the Little Red is fishing well.”

(updated 10-16-2025) 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 day, until the afternoon when they have been consistently running roughly four to six hours consistently. So your best bet fishing will be to get out early in the mornings. But with one generator, you can fish all day.

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 10-16-2025) 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 10-23-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry lake continues to fall slightly and is now 457.69 feet msl, or 4.35 feet below normal pool, with 4-5 hours of generation on certain days in the fall period for energy production. “It is safe to say and the fact we have not had much cold weather, the length of days determines turnover times, and there are spots on lake turning over at present,” he says. “The bite is really on! We are also in early fall, and there is active schooling fish all over lake and rivers. It’s spotty in places, better in others according to bait. Fish are scattered all over.”

Some crappie still are up on bank, while others are floating around in deeper water. Jigs and minnows are working best at all depths, and crank baits are good for trolling 10-16 feet for the mid-depth fish and for the deep fish at 35 feet. Work the brushpiles and standing timber.

Walleye remain scattered everywhere. Some are deep, some are shallow and some are all in-between. Of course, the lake fish are staying put on points humps, etc., at 10-35 feet. Drag a jig tipped with minnow or crawler and or drop-shot. Big minnow-style plugs are also working trolled. 

Catfish are eating really well all over lake and rivers. Lines and jugs are working best with a variety of baits as well as rod and reels. For bream, try crawlers, crickets, small cranks and inline spinners. White bass and hybrid bass are in 25-43 feet, and some are on out to 60 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, while others are 10-15 feet, some are around 40 feet and some are on out to 60 feet on points, humps, ridges, bends and different contour changes. You have schooling action going on in different parts all over lake and rivers.
“Be safe and wear your life jacket.”

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 10-16-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said nighttime and early morning, people start catching crappie on the bank. The crappie bite overall is underway but it’s mostly good early mornings and then late in the evening. One angler, fishing behind the bait shop late Wednesday night in the cool evening, caught seven or eight crappie, including one that was pretty good size, she said.

Another crappie angler residing on the lake was out and caught several using a blue and white Crappie Stinger.

Anglers have started catching largemouth bass. The fish are in shallow water and they were fishing from a boat. They did not reveal their bait, however.

Catfish are biting on chicken liver, and most catches this week have come off rod and reel. Some bream are biting, but they are small. “People are catching them for bait,” Bring said. “Also, a lot of shad are showing up on the lake.”

Water level is “kinda low,” she reports but looks nice overall, and the clarity appears muddy to green-tinged.

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

Lake Overcup
(updated 10-23-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) off Arkansas Highway 9 (501-354-9007) had no new reports 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 10-23-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) says the surface water temperature has falling a couple of degrees overall and is ranging 70-72 degrees depending on location and time of day. The lake level is hanging at 6.15 feet below normal pool.

Black bass are biting good. Largemouths are being caught up shallow in 1-5 feet of water and are still hitting topwater baits as well as being found deep in 15-20 feet. Use spinnerbaits, jigs, drop-shots and crankbaits. Spotted bass also are with the largemouths in the shallow, 1-5 feet area and are also hanging around in 12-20 feet. Try buzzbaits, Zara Spooks, drop-shots, Carolina rigs, jigs and cranks.

Crappie remain fair. The last report said they were scattered around brush anywhere from 18-25 feet. Try minnows and jigs. 

Bream are fair and are being found on brushpiles in 16-20 feet. Jigs and worms are working.

No reports on white bass or catfish.

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 10-16-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is clear and normal. The bass are doing really well, and anglers are starting to catch crappie in about 7-8 feet depth on both jigs and minnows. The cooling water has gotten the fish bite really going, especially the crappie, he said.
Crappie on the Little Maumelle now like a red and chartreuse jig, he said. A purple soft-plastic worm or a bream-colored crankbait will work on the bass. 

A lady angler has been catching a lot of catfish around the dock this week, he added. Hog dogs and liver are the baits of choice.

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 10-16-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said there have been no big temperature swings or anything like that, and fishing has been pretty much the same for a few weeks now. There was barely over 8,000 cfs flow in the river Thursday afternoon. 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 rock piles or wood either in or close to the main channel.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 10-23-2025) 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 Friday, 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 10-23-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said Bull Shoals Lake is over 2 feet below the normal conservation pool level and still slowly dropping. Releases from Bull Shoals Dam have been steady averaging one unit (3,000 cfs) during the day, with higher flows in the late evening. Lake level is 656.25 feet msl.
“The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Trout Management Program have approved a temporary emergency regulation for the trout waters on the Bull Shoals tailwater and three other coldwater fisheries in the state. Beginning Oct. 16 and for the next 120 days, anglers are to release all trout caught in the Bull Shoals tailwater from Bull Shoals Dam to the confluence of the Norfork River. There has been a population collapse at the North Fork National Fish Hatchery, and the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery is only operating at 50 percent level as it recovers from an April flood. Therefore, the AGFC determined current stocking levels cannot be maintained for the foreseeable future, so they have decided this is the best option to maintain the trout population. We’ve always released most all fish caught anyway because we catch more than the keep level. The river is open and we welcome you to come fish. Please feel free to call us if you have questions.
“We are having success with a variety of spoons and heavier-than-normal spinners. Locate any rainbow-colored spoons or Rooster Tails in your tackle box and throw those first. If you prefer bait, the guides are taking out lots of red wiggler worms and backing them up with shrimp and peach, orange or sunrise egg patterns.
“The German Brown bite continues to be slower than we’d like, but don’t be surprised if you attract one or two with shrimp and PowerBait. They seem to be laying low, anticipating the coming spawn. Be extra careful and gentle when returning the females to the river.
“Cool mornings and beautiful warm afternoons will pull anglers to the river. We look forward to seeing you and sharing fishing stories.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 10-23-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We are starting to see some chilly starts to the day and warming up to pleasant temperatures. Other than lower water Sunday and Monday, we have seen rising water in the morning cresting at around 6 feet late in the morning and dropping for the rest of the day. Water has been a little dingy in the mornings and clearing up throughout the day. 

“With the rising and dingy water, silver inline spinners with Uncommon Baits UV eggs tipped with shrimp has been effective. Switching to artificial lures later in the day has worked well for catching trout.”
Due to the loss of trout at the Norfork National Hatchery, the AGFC implemented temporary (120-day) emergency changes to trout limits effective Oct. 16. In the Calico Rock area, fishermen are allowed to keep two trout with one of the trout over 14 inches. This protects our fishery and allows Norfork Hatchery to recover while Jim Hinkle Spring River Hatchery continue to improve after last April’s flood. 

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 10-23-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday that the lake level is still around 656 feet msl; the surface water temperature is about 73 degrees. Bass fishing has still been up and down — they are stubborn after a front. The best idea is to get up early to look for surface activity. If there are shad balls high toward the surface, you might find some breaking. Topwater is still hit or miss. “I’m going to get up early for lowlight and cover water. Whopper Plopper and buzzbait on the bank, a toad and a Spook-style bait if it’s sunny. Follow the bait and wind.”

“Powerfishing conditions — wind/clouds. Use a spinnerbait, square bill or Chatterbait if there’s wind/stained water around banks and the back of creeks with shad. Flat and the sun comes out, try a shaky head on secondaries with trees and brushpiles. There are always fish to be caught on a jig, like a Jewel half-ounce Peewee. Try green pumpkin orange variants. On the bluff ends, bluff swings, long runout points along the channel, try pulling off ledges. Start at 5-15 feet early, then out to 30-35 feet.

“The shad are spread out from the backs of the creeks to the main lake and mouths of creeks heading in. Look for larger groups of shad close to structure. Feeding windows seem to be short-lived. So keep moving. Try a drop-shot for bluebird, post-frontal suspended fish out on the points and bluffs. A smaller 2.8 Tater Shad or deadstick or shake a minnow if they are up active, and a half-ounce Jewel Shad 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 10-23-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said the walleye fishing has been fair this week. As water temps come down, it should only get better. The walleye seem to be starting to set up in small schools on main lake and secondary channel swing points. If the sun is high and wind is light, fish away from the boat’s shadow. Try fishing in 15-40 feet of water by snap-jigging a jig and half of a crawler or drop-shotting a live crawler. Also using a ⅜-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 in 25-40 feet of water or just above the depth level you locate the shad at. Trolling at 1.7 mph seems to be a good speed at this time to get a reaction bite. The jerkbait fishing in 10-15 feet of water on main lake and secondary points has started to pick up a little since the water temperature has dropped and should only get better.

(updated 10-23-2025) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says not much has changed as the crappie are still hanging on brush in creeks for the most part in that 15- to 25-foot range. The jig bite has been slower as of late, so minnows have been the go-to.

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

(updated 10-23-2025) 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 in August 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 10-23-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake remained at 1,119.90 feet msl through midweek. Water temperature is right at 70 degrees. The lake is turning over, just as it was last week. Once the turnover cycle is completed, fishing will turn for the better.

The lake is still fishing in the fair range.

Stripers are probably your best option, if that is what you fish for. Fish are moving as they do this time of year. Fish can still be found north of the Arkansas Highway 12 bridge but now also south of that toward Horseshoe Bend.

Walleye are being caught on drop-shots and nightcrawlers on points in 20-30 feet of water. 

Crappie are still moving to structure in 15-25 feet of water. 

Catfish are good on cut or whole shad and various other baits. 

White bass and spotted bass are starting to school up around Point 12.

“Good fishing is a few cold fronts away. Looks like more rain this weekend. Stay safe and enjoy Beaver Lake!”

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 10-23-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission approved an emergency order on Oct. 16, temporarily reducing the daily trout possession limit on the Beaver tailwater. Due to reduced production at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, anglers are now limited to two trout per person, per day, and no trout over 14 inches may be kept from the Beaver tailwater.
This regulation applies from Houseman Access to Beaver Dam and will remain in effect for 120 days, effective Oct. 16. According to Christy Graham, AGFC Trout Management Program coordinator, this measure is temporary and intended to help balance hatchery production and resource sustainability.
As for the fishing — it’s been steady! Anglers are catching consistent numbers using Pautzke Fire Bait on light terminal tackle. During generation, drifting Fire Minnows and Fire Worms has also been producing well.
With cooler weather moving in, be sure to bundle up for your next trip out on the water. Fall conditions are setting in, and the bite remains solid!

For more frequent updates, check out Austin’s Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service). 

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 10-9-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports that anglers were catching catfish, at least “little ones,” around the pier. Black bass were biting well on topwater. Crappie were starting to pick up, with most anglers using jigs and some trying minnows, but it’s a hit-and-miss bite right now.

Bream were good on worms.

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

Lake Charles
(updated 10-23-2025) Fishing continues to range from fair to good for all major species of fish at Lake Charles, Shelly Jeffery reported from Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595). Surface water temperature continues to fall a little bit each week, and this Sunday it was at 68.9 degrees. The clarity is the usual murky and the water level remains low.

Bass were fair this last week. Try topwater baits and a Booyah Buzzbait. Crappie are fair for anglers looking shallow now, especially around the fishing pier. Minnows and worms both will work. Bream are fair on worms. Catfish are your best for good action, but anglers are keeping it secret what they’re using, Shelly said, so you’re on your own. But we can suggest chicken liver, live bream and your basic catfish stink bait to have success. The cats will also go for bait on jugs and lines.

One of the lake’s guests hauled in a 21-pound flathead catfish, and Shelly said she weighed the fish.

You’ve got a couple of days left during this “best days” moon cycle, according to the moon table, she told us. The best fishing days run through Oct. 24, but with the bite they’ve seen lately, it’s liable to continue past that.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 10-16-2025) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park says Lake Poinsett’s fishing has been very steady lately. Recent good weather has allowed anglers to get in some good bank fishing as well as venturing out into a cove from a boat. As temps continue to cool, crappie are stirring and many people have been buying up minnows from the State Park bait shop to test their luck on catching a big one. Bream and catfish have continued to be pretty common catches as well. Bass have been quiet as of late. Many of the bream reports were from people bank fishing, and the crappie reports were from anglers out on the lake who were able to get out into a secluded cove.
The Lake Poinsett State Park visitor center 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 10-9-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water level is showing 375 cfs at the gage in Mammoth Spring and the river clarity is clear. “The gauge must be off because the river is very low. It’s been dry here since July. The low, clear water has the fish a little spooky at times. On the sunny days, look for the deeper green pockets for the trout. It’s easy to spot them with the low, clear water. It is so beautiful on the river this time of year with the leaves changing.
“We’re catching plenty of trout on olive bead-head Woollies. Smallies love them, too! With the low, clear water, hopper droppers are working great! A big ol’ hopper with a dropper about 2 feet below. It has been hot with the low, clear water. A nymph, worm or Y2K below can all work well. The hot hopper for us has been a brown hopper. So much fun! Late evening has plenty of hatches for dry fly action.
“But I gotta say, if ya want to catch smallies, fish heavy Woollies down deep. Work them slowly along the bottom of the river and along boulders on the river bottom. The Spring River is full of smallies and other bass. Just gotta fish for them.
“The canoe season is over and the fall season begins. As the weather turns colder, the holdovers in the river will start to move. Colder the better. Be safe out there, the river is very slick, felt soles really help with a wading staff.”

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.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 10-23-2025) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said there have been few if any anglers on Cane Creek of late.
Recently, the AGFC began treating certain areas of the lake for Cuban bulrush, an invasive aquatic vegetation, according to Ryan Mozisek of the AGFC. Cuban bulrush is a fast-spreading invasive aquatic plant, and is was found in September as being widespread throughout the lake, Initial treatments have begun to treat the infestation in specific areas.
“Management efforts will need to be continued over the next several years to combat the vegetation in the lake so that anglers do not lose any more fishable water to these floating islands,” Mozisek said.
Cane Creek Lake is a 1,700-acre lake in Lincoln County that was built in 1986 and is owned and managed by the AGFC. It is stocked with bass, crappie, bream and catfish. The visitor center offers a pier, and there is good fishing often reported at the campsite. The lake has always had abundant floating and submerged aquatic vegetation. Increased focus recently on invasive aquatic species at the lake led to the discovery of the Cuban bulrush.
AGFC district staff also are working to manage other vegetation, such as American lotus, water lily, water shield and hydrilla, that have reached undesirable levels for anglers and biologists at Cane Creek Lake, Mozisek reported.

Lake Monticello
(updated 10-23-2025) 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 10-23-2025) 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 10-23-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood Lake is still in drawdown pool effective until Saturday, Nov. 1. Boaters are encouraged to wear a life jacket, exercise caution and use your engine’s kill switch during the drawdown as submerged stumps and shallow areas are more prominent, especially in boat lanes where depth may only be a few inches. Also, there are many river buoys missing along the main lake channels. For more information, contact the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office at 870-898-3343.

Millwood Lake elevation as of Wednesday was about 13 inches below normal pool and stable. The dam is releasing about 1,027 cfs, and tailwater is near 226 feet msl and stable. Surface temps over the past week continue fluctuating, ranging 70-75 degrees depending on location and the time of day. Clarity along Little River is normal stain and visibility; typical Millwood lighter stain is found in most locations of oxbows, with river clarity ranging 8-10 inches visibility depending on location, while clarity and visibility in oxbows ranges 20-30 inches in many locations.

Mike had these fishing specifics from this week on the lake:
* Largemouth bass in the oxbows continue following large schools of threadfin shad in and out of creek channel swings and adjacent flats with lily pads, and we’re seeing random schooling bass surface-breaking simultaneously on many different areas of Millwood Lake with the reduced surface and lake pool temps again this week.
The cooler weather and lower nighttime temperatures have the largemouth bass in a feeding mode and following threadfin shad schools, with randomly schooling in the oxbows. The highest activity period has shifted to later in the morning and midday over the past couple weeks. Several simultaneous schools were random surface-breaking in McGuire Oxbow up Little River over the past few days with the improvement in water clarity and reduced stain.

Adolescent largemouth and Kentucky bass (aka spotted bass), together have been randomly surface-breaking on schools of threadfin shad at multiple locations near or in lily pads for short durations for several weeks in the best water clarity of the oxbows up Little River. When the shad schools move to vertical structure, the largemouths will follow the schools and suspend over 15-18 feet of depth. Where vertical structure drops from 5-foot flats into 18-foot drops, the ¾-ounce Rat-L-Traps in Splatterback, Millwood Magic and chrome Cordell 3/4- to 1-ounce Hammered Spoons, Bill Lewis’ MR-6 Crankbaits and Bomber Fat Free Shads in Millwood Magic, Louisiana Shad or Tennessee Shad have been connecting with the suspended bass over 14- to 18-foot depths in the oxbows. 

The Bill Lewis SB-57 and their ATV Square Bill Crankbaits are good for deflecting off stumps in flats from 4-8 feet deep near vertical structure. The best colors are Millwood Magic, Sneaky Shad, Threadfin 2.0 and Guacamole.

When the random surface-breaking fish in the oxbows occurs, clear Baby Torpedoes, and a wide variety of topwater or shallow cranks and Rat-L-Traps will draw a response, as well as hammered Cordell Spoons. Shallow square-bill cranks like the Bill Lewis Echo 1.75 continue working shallow cover with Millwood Magic, Splatterback and Tennessee Shad colors drawing reactions. The MR-6 Crankbaits in Millwood Magic, Splatter Back or Louisiana Shad colors continue getting good responses over the past couple weeks as the sun rises and the largemouths transition to vertical structure. Best locations are just off deep flats in 4-7 feet of water, near 12- to 20-foot structure.
Points of creek dumps into Little River have been holding small schools of juvenile largemouths from 2-3 pounds. The points extending into Little River, with large stumps and pads nearby have been holding good schools of Bass for several weeks.
Numerous fishermen continue telling us they saw fairly large schools of white bass chasing shad and breaking topwater near White Cliffs campground and in McGuire this week. The schooling continues randomly early to mid-morning. Some of these schooling white bass are mixed in with largemouth and Kentucky bass. Anglers have been catching 10-20 randomly with half-ounce Rat-L-Traps, Chuck’N Spins, Rooster Tails, Little Georges, Rocket Shads, UnderSpins with a 3-inch white grub, and Beetle Spins.
* Crappie are slow but improving daily with the reduction in surface temperatures. They have been hit or miss. better on minnows than jigs, but that changes daily. The bulk of the crappie are holding in 9- to 12-foot depth on brush.
* Last couple weeks, the catfish have been fair to good on chicken livers, hearts, gizzards and King’s Punch Bait set on trotlines along Little River from 12-18 feet depths.

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.

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

(updated 10-23-2025) Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) said bass can be caught on shad-colored crankbaits. Fish for them in the creeks from shallow down to about 15 feet. There has been some schooling activity and they can be caught on small lipless chrome or shad-colored baits, topwater and even small buzzbaits.
Crappie are moving up on brushpiles and can be caught around standing timber on jigs in about 15-25 feet. 

(updated 10-9-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says he’s been out on lakes Ouachita, Hamilton and DeGray most recently. “The water is cooling and the crappie are starting to stack up on the brushpiles. During this transition period, expect the fish to be a bit scattered. Usually this time of year we find ample crappie 18-20 feet deep. But, this year we are catching them 8-12 feet deep. Early in the morning you can also find bass schooling. Later in the mornings they scatter, and trolling is the most productive. Have fun and be safe.”

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
(updated 10-9-2025) Angler John Gulley caught a monster of a largemouth bass on Upper White Oak Lake near Bluff City (Nevada County). He caught it using a white fluke. John reports that bass are biting flukes, Senkos and shallow-diving crankbait-type lures. He also says that panfishing is decent, while the crappie bite hasn’t started to heat up yet. Anglers seeking catfish will also find the bite good on Upper White Oak, he said.
For anglers headed to Lower White Oak, John says the bass there are biting more on Texas-rig-type baits and Rat-L-Trap and small swimbaits. Panfishing is a bit above average and the crappie bite hasn’t started there either. Catfishing is good, however.

Bragg Lake
(updated 10-9-2025) Angler John Gulley says Bragg Lake near Chidester is a paradise for guys that love to throw a frog right now. Swimbaits and Senkos are producing as well for bass. Panfishing is decent and the crappie bite hasn’t heated up yet. Catfishing is great now.

Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro

(updated 10-23-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature is 60degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Lake Ouachita is over 9 feet below flood pool level due to Entergy scheduling weekly generation below area dams to stabilize lake levels. Entergy is running 3,600 cfs below Carpenter Dam for four hours a day which is a safe 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 AGFC normally begins the fall trout stocking program in early November; however, the emergency situation concerning the massive loss of trout stocking reserves makes the schedule unsure at this point. April was the last month for rainbow trout stocking for the spring season with 4,320 fish released in the tailrace. Productive trout fishing below the dam has been over for months, with the occasional fish caught in the tailrace. 

Walleye are still in the area and good numbers remain the tailrace. 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 angers some wonderful table fare.

Above averages temperatures remain the norm but cooler temperatures are on the way with the fall season beginning. Hopefully, the spring of 2026 will not be as turbulent as past years. Flooding has destroyed the last three years of early spring fishing and boating on Lake Catherine near Carpenter Dam. Excellent angling and recreating opportunities exist as long as Mother Nature withholds her fury.

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 10-23-2025) AGFC biologists from the west-central region recently did some electrofishing samples on two pools of the Arkansas River (Lake Dardanelle and Pool 9). They looked at fish populations in the backwaters as well as in the main river channel.

While backwater areas look consistent with past years for fish numbers and species, main river habitats showed fewer fish than expected. This is likely due to the prolonged flooding and high flow rates we experienced this spring and summer. It can temporarily push fish out of sampling zones. Biologists expect these populations to bounce back in the coming years as river flows return to normal.

As for some species snapshots from the sampling: 

Largemouth bass/spotted bass: Adult populations are still looking good. Although years with high flow rates generally lead to weak year classes, a fair number of young-of-the-year fish (especially largemouth) were observed.

Catfish: Blue catfish populations appeared to be down in riverine habitats. However, large populations of blues were observed on the lower end of Lake Dardanelle. Flathead catfish appeared to have a poor spawn, as young-of-the-year flatheads that are usually abundant were few and far between.

Crappie: Electrofishing is not the best gear to collect crappie, especially during late summer months. However, some nice crappie were observed around laydowns situated over deep water. On a side note, biologists have documented good year classes of crappie being produced in years with high flow rates in the past. They will be able to determine just how good reproduction was in 2025 during next year’s crappie netting sample.

Shad: Shad numbers were down, especially in riverine habitats. However, both shad species (gizzards and threadfin) were still present in fair numbers. Shad populations often bounce back quickly, especially in years with low to normal flow rates.

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 10-9-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says he’s been out on lakes Ouachita, Hamilton and DeGray most recently. “The water is cooling and the crappie are starting to stack up on the brushpiles. During this transition period, expect the fish to be a bit scattered. Usually this time of year we find ample crappie 18-20 feet deep. But, this year we are catching them 8-12 feet deep. Early in the morning you can also find bass schooling. Later in the mornings they scatter, and trolling is the most productive. Have fun and be safe.”

(updated 10-9-2026) 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 days are shorter, less than 12 hours a day of sunlight now, and “the next 3-4 days are supposed to be 10 degrees cooler (than Tuesday was). It’s a topwater bite, obviously. Is there a lure more fun to fish than a topwater lure? No there’s not. Whether you’re throwing a buzzbait or throwing a pure topwater lure or whatever, you’re going to do that for the first couple of hours you’re out there.”

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 10-23-2025) Sheila at Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025) reports that fishing was great in the past month or so. “The lake is the same as always. Been a lot cooler, so everybody has been catching. 

She said the bream were “biting like crazy”. 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 had 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 10-23-2025) 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, while a PB&J jig fished in brush has produced some real nice bags. Bream are slow on worms or crickets in 20-30 feet of water relating to brush. Crappie are good. Try a small minnow-colored jig over brush in the 20- to 30-foot range. 

No reports on walleye, stripers or catfish.

Water temperature continues to stay in the 74- to 78-degree range. Water clarity is clear. The lake level is fairly steady at 569.48 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 10-9-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says he’s been out on lakes Ouachita, Hamilton and DeGray most recently. “The water is cooling and the crappie are starting to stack up on the brushpiles. During this transition period, expect the fish to be a bit scattered. Usually this time of year we find ample crappie 18-20 feet deep. But, this year we are catching them 8-12 feet deep. Early in the morning you can also find bass schooling. Later in the mornings they scatter, and trolling is the most productive. Have fun and be safe.”

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.

No reports.

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 10-23-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) said most of the focus in their area has been on hunting instead of fishing. But if you’re looking for some good crappie fishing, they note that the crappie have picked up in the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge.

If the anglers are looking to hunting though, they say that squirrel hunting is going great with plenty of acorns falling. Deer season is in full swing (alternative firearms and archery), and they are mainly eating persimmons and acorns in the bottoms. Specklebelly season will open Saturday. “This will be the kickoff to what we hope will be a wonderful waterfowl season.”

“As we always say at Webb’s Sporting Goods, thank you to our loyal customers for shopping with us.” Check out Webb’s for a full array of fishing and hunting needs in DeWitt on Arkansas Highway 1 on the south end of town.

Cook’s Lake
(updated 10-23-2025) Cook’s Lake has closed for the season to serve as a waterfowl rest area for the next four months. Call 501-404-2321 for more information.

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