Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

November 13, 2025

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Chris Loper (in back) was part of a camping and fishing party from Laurel, Mississippi, hanging out at Cotter Trout Dock in recent days, and the entire group had a big time catching beautiful rainbows and their fair share of browns, too, like the one above. That’s trout guide Matt Davis holding the fish. Thanks to Cotter Trout Dock for the photo. Read more of their report under “North Arkansas” below.

Beginning next week and during the next three months over waterfowl season, Fishing Reports will run every two weeks (with two weeks off between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, which fall on Thursdays). In between reports, contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for the most up-to-date information.

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 11-13-2025) 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.
Lake Conway renovation is proceeding on schedule with demolition of the old dam and plans in place for the new dam and weir. Read more here.

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 11-13-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said, “Well, it’s been one of those classic Arkansas weeks where you start out bundled up in freezing temps around 29 degrees and finish the week in short sleeves with 77 degrees on Friday. Talk about a wild weather swing! There’s a chance of rain moving in Saturday night into Sunday, so we’ll see what that does to the fishing and generation schedule.
Speaking of generation, it’s been just as unpredictable as the weather. The Southwestern Power Administration releases have been all over the board due to power demand. Early in the week, when those cold temps rolled in, we saw some good flows from Monday through Wednesday. But as things warmed up into the 70s, the dam got quiet with little to no generation. With mild weather expected through the weekend, I wouldn’t expect much water release — but, as always, check the SWPA projected schedule before heading out, especially if you’re planning to wade.
“The bite’s best when the generation is steady and predictable. Early in the week, with the up-and-down flows, it was a bit tricky, but when things level out, the fish seem happier. I’d call the bite fair to good overall depending on the day and the water conditions.
“I’ve had quite a few folks calling about the brown trout spawn, and here’s the scoop: I haven’t seen much spawning activity yet — no significant redds showing up on the shoals during my floats. Usually by mid-November it’s well underway, but this year’s mild temps and lighter dam releases have delayed things a bit. Expect the peak spawn to kick off around Thanksgiving through mid-December once it cools off and we start seeing more consistent water.

“And as always, please don’t walk through the redds. If you see cleared gravel in the shoals, that’s where the trout are doing their thing. Step carefully and give them space.”
Mike says the flies that are working are nymphs under an indicator, Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears, midges and egg patterns. 

“When we’ve had water moving, streamer fishing has been solid. Early in the week with the cold weather and higher flows, it was prime time to strip big flies. Use Flatliners, Double Deceivers and Dungeons.

“Looks like a beautiful stretch of weather coming up, so get out there, enjoy the river, and make the most of it while the crowds are light and the fish are active.”

(updated 10-30-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the Southwestern Power Administration is running a little bit of water at the dam, but not a lot — about an hour or two a day of generation. “I would definitely say; your morning time is a little better than not. This time of year, with the temperature cooler and the trout more active, people are catching them on a Rooster Tail and a Little Cleo, a small spoon. 

“Also, they’re still catching them on a marabou jig in the same colors they’ve been using lately: olive, black or brown. Also a Carolina rig with PowerBait.”

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 10-30-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said that the lake is still a little low for this time of year. Normal level is 462 feet and it’s about 457 feet, or 5 feet low. With it low like that, more of the brush will be out of the water and that brings the crankbait more into play. Mostly the bass anglers are catching fish in about 10-15 feet of water; that’s been the consistent depth range recently, with several baits working.

Try a spinnerbait in more of a natural, Shad color, like a gray color; the crankbait can be between a shad pattern and a crawfish pattern; a shaky head in green pumpkin or watermelon colors; and swimbaits and Alabama rigs, a natural color like a Tennessee Shad is best.
“The best fishing mostly will be secondary points or three-quarters of the way back in creeks.”
Crappie are going to be biting best on a Bobby Garland Baby Shad in Monkey Milk color. Fish for crappie in standing timber in 15 feet of water.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 11-13-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said crappie are doing great and black bass are beginning to pick up. Several limits of crappie have been caught, and the sizes have been impressive. One angler caught a crappie weighing 3.9 pounds and released it (he said it was a female with eggs, she said). Another angler caught a limit in about 5 hours of fishing. Yet another couple came in and caught two limits of crappie. Some of the best fishing is coming off the bank, Bing said, and most of the anglers are starting early and getting their catches in before the sun is fully up. Many that she’s weighed at the dock have been about 2 pounds each.

Use minnows for crappie. “The crappie being caught are much bigger this year,” Bing said.

Bass are favoring a Baby Brush Hog. One angler caught a very nice bass that he posted to the Harris Brake Lake Facebook page.

The water is kind of muddy or dirty, she reports. The water level is normal. The AGFC will be using water from the lake to fill the upper and lower greentree reservoirs at Harris Brake WMA beginning Nov. 15. A water-control structure that has been a problem for the lower GTR has been repaired, according to the AGFC.

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

Lake Overcup
(updated 11-13-2025) 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 11-13-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) says the water is still around 60-62 degrees this week, and the lake level is steady at about 6.75 feet below the normal pool. The boat launch is open and accessible.

There has been no change in the fishing bite. Black bass are still biting well. Largemouths are good and are being caught shallow in 1-5 feet of water. They are still hitting topwater as well as being caught deep in 15-20 feet. Use spinnerbaits, jigs, drop-shots and crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are also good and biting in that 1- to 5-foot range mixed in with the largemouths, and they’re also being caught in 12-20 feet depth. Try buzzbaits, Zara Spooks, drop-shot, Carolina rigs, jigs and cranks.

Crappie are fair. Some reports have them roaming, while others say they can be found on brushpiles anywhere from 15-25 feet. Use minnows and jigs. Bream are fair, with reports of them being found on brushpiles in 16-20 feet. Jigs and worms are working. No reports on white bass or catfish. Twister Tails and cranks should work for the occasional white bass bite, and bream, liver and worms are usually good for a 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 11-6-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is normal and clear, and though he didn’t have a temperature of the water recorded, it must be falling because the crappie have started to bite again.

Bass are still doing really well. They’re being found at 3-4 feet depth and will go for crankbaits, as well as soft plastic worms and lizards. Got with a brighter color, such as chartreuse, on the crankbaits. 

Crappie are being caught in about 8 feet of water on jigs and minnows. Pink and white and blue and white jigs will work well.

Catfish are still being caught on liver and hot dogs. Ray hasn’t heard much on the bream of late.

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 10-30-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the river has cooled off and there has been a little more rain. The flow has been ranging between 30,000-50,000 cfs and will probably be at around 35,000 cfs this weekend. “Right now, the best thing on the river has been a white and chartreuse spinnerbait behind the jetties. Also, in the backwaters, a black and blue jig. Fish around any type of grass, wood or rock for bass.”

For crappie, they say the best bite has come on white and chartreuse or orange and chartreuse crappie jig in roughly 10-15 feet of water. “They’re biting pretty decently. When the water begins to cool off, the bite gets a little tougher, but I’d say it’s still pretty decent,” they report.

Expect the pool clarity to be stained to muddy this weekend with the recent rains.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 11-13-2025) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said Peckerwood is now closed to fishing until the end of waterfowl season while it serves as a waterfowl rest area for migrating birds.

White River Cotter Area
(updated 11-13-2025) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said fishing for trout continues to be a primary draw to the White River even though some outdoors lovers are in the woods hunting instead of on the river fishing — that leaves more for those of us catching trout. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is maintaining a catch-and-release-only policy for the tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam to the confluence with the North Fork River until next February. Give us a call if you have questions, or check the agfc.com website for details. The Bull Shoals Lake tailwater continues to offer all-day action for anglers and the catch continues to satisfy our anglers.

Bull Shoals Lake is over 5 feet below the power pool and dropping; generation from the dam is now averaging minimum flow with quick pulses of up to three units for a couple of hours on some days. It’s the right time of year to switch to orange, white and/or sunrise colors for your egg pattern flies or PowerBait. With the lower flows you’ll want to keep your bait in the main channel and as deep as possible without snagging. Remember to watch out for, and be courteous to, fellow anglers, be they in a boat, on the shore or wading nearer the action in the river.

The brown bite remains spawn-season fickle; your best bet is to get your hands on fresh river minnows or varied sizes of sculpins and dangle them near the bottom.

You’ll enjoy your fishing adventures much more if you come prepared for Arkansas weather extremes. This past week we experienced a few mornings with temperatures near freezing, but this upcoming week looks great with mild lows and afternoon temps reaching the 70s.

Autumn colors are popping up all around us and we’ve been treated to some perfect fall days. Whatever the weather, we know we’re blessed to be here in The Natural State and always look forward to meeting fellow trout lovers.

Calico Rock Area
(updated 11-13-2025) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said he’s had no change this week in the conditions or the fishing. They’ve continued to see low water around 3.5 feet and rising to around 5 feet. Artificial lures will work, such as quarter-ounce spoons and Rapala CD7 in brown trout or rainbow trout colors. Drift-fishing with Uncommon Bait UV eggs and shrimp also have resulted in consistent fishing. 

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 11-13-2025) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday that the level continues to fall about 1 foot a week and now is at 653 feet msl. The water temperature dropped to 63 degrees, give or take. The late fall early winter patterns are taking shape. Post-front days are always going to be tough. Shad are starting to get grouped up here and there. Crawfish are starting to get active on the bank. A SPRO Rock Crawler in red is working on chunk rock and ledges and bushes in the wind. Del is powerfishing covering water wind/clouds. A spinnerbait, square bill or Chatterbait is best if there’s wind/clouds. There is a little topwater but definitely has slowed down. If it’s flat and the sun comes out, get off the bank and try a shaky head on secondaries with trees and brushpiles. There are always fish to be caught on a jig, such as a jewel half-ounce jig. Try green pumpkin and brown colors with orange variants on the swings. On long run-out points along the channel try pulling off ledges. Start out 5-15 feet early, then out to 30-35 feet. 

The shad are starting to get grouped. Graph time will pay off this time of year. Try a drop-shot for bluebird, post-frontal suspended fish out on the points and bluffs. A smaller 2.8 Tater Shad dead-sticked or shake a minnow if they are up active and a regular half-ounce Jewel Shad Spoon, Scuba Spoon, Jewel LiveScope Spin, Ice Jig Rapala – “they are all working; day to day they will prefer one over the other, especially if they ignore your minner. As water cools and they get deeper, each day is still a little different. 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 11-13-2025) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said the walleye fishing methods have not changed much this past week. Daytime fishing has been slower this week due to the passing fronts. As the water temperature keeps coming down, fishing will only get better. 

The walleye are set up in small schools on main lake and secondary channel swing points. Also check creek channels where you locate shad balls as the walleye are following them as they move with the wind and water flow.

If the sun is high and the wind is light, fish away from the boat’s shadow.

Try fishing in 15-35 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 No. 7 Rapala-type Ice Jig in the same colors. (The Jigging Rapala has been working well by vertical-fishing them in the 35-45 feet depths.)

A few fish are still being caught trolling early morning and late evening. When trolling, try a 5-inch jerkbait like Rattling Rogue or Rapala Husky Jerk. Trolling in 8-15 feet of water at 1.2 mph seems to be a good speed to get a reaction bite. Also try fishing a 110+1-style jerkbait in 8-15 feet of water on the main lake, secondary points and steep-sided channel swing banks where the wind has been blowing into where the fish are holding.

(updated 11-13-2025) 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 11-13-2025) 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 11-13-2025) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake remains in the 1,119 feet msl range. Water temperature has dropped to the low 50s after last weekend’s big freeze “but will stay steady the rest of the week as we have some really nice temperatures right now. 

“Stripers are moving as they usually do this time of the year. We have found fish from Monte Ne all the way past Neil’s Bluff. So they are everywhere in the system right now.

Crappie are on an upward-bite trajectory. Look on structure in the 10-20 feet range. Bite is getting good up in river arms. 

“Walleye are missing as they pull this every year at this time. Won’t be long until they start migrating south also. Weather is good so get on out there! Stay safe and good luck!’

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

Beaver Tailwater
(updated 11-13-2025) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says the cold is creeping back into the Ozarks, and it’s starting to feel like fall is giving way to winter. This past week, the fishing has stayed fairly consistent, even with the drop in temperature. Anglers are still finding good numbers of trout, especially during the warmer parts of the day when the sun has had a chance to hit the water.

Bites have been coming steady on light tackle — Pautzke Fire Bait, PowerBait and small spoons continue to be top producers. If you’re working artificial lures, try downsizing your presentation. Small jerkbaits and Rooster Tails have also been doing well, especially when fished slowly with a pause in between retrieves. Those subtle pauses are key when the fish are sluggish.

Early mornings have been a bit slow, but once that sun gets up, the bite has been picking up quickly. Midday through the afternoon has been the most productive time to be on the water. For fly-anglers, egg patterns and midges have been bringing in solid action. As temperatures continue to dip, focus on slower, more deliberate presentations — the fish aren’t chasing hard right now, but they’ll take the easy meal if it drifts right by.

Overall, the trout have been healthy and active enough to keep things interesting, and there’s still plenty of opportunity for good numbers and quality fish.

Start the week slow and deep — then, as the temperatures climb mid- to late week, move shallower and speed up your presentation. Stick with natural colors early, but don’t be afraid to add a bit of flash when the water warms.

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

Lake Fayetteville
(updated 10-30-2025) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reports that fishing is going “pretty good” for both crappie and bass. Both species are mostly favoring worms.

Lake Charles
(updated 11-13-2025) Shelly Jeffery reported from Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) that a guest recently caught a 22.4-pound channel catfish; they were fishing with a goldfish.

Other than that, Shelly didn’t hear anything on the fishing or any catches over the past week. The temperature Sunday morning on the water was 63.5 degrees. The water remains the usual Lake Charles murky, and the level for now is normal. The AGFC will be using some of the water from Lake Charles to flood the units at Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA for waterfowl season, which opens Nov. 22.

Anglers looking for the best times to fish might want to trust the “moon times,” which indicate Nov. 17-23 as the best days to fish in November, Shelly said.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 11-13-2025) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park had no new reports, but his most recent check-in indicated that fishing had been very steady lately. Anglers were getting 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 11-6-2025) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) reported that water levels are flowing at 320 cfs, low and clear. It has been very dry in the area; rain is much needed. With the low and clear conditions, the fish can be very spooky — 5x or 4x tippet works well, with hopper droppers being the hottest way to fish lately. A Y2K, San Juan or a nymph can be very hot below a hopper. The hopper hits will get the heart rate up! On the overcast days, Woollies work well.

For catch-and-release with spinning tackle, you can’t beat Trout Magnets in these low, clear conditions. Hot pink will always be the go-to color on the Spring. No flavor is added and helps keep the lip sore only! No deep takes. Go light on the line with a small split shot; love how easy it is to adjust the float for those deeper pockets. 

With the trout population taking a hit this year, other species have been popping up: spotted bass, rock bass, drum, yellow suckers, red horses, grass pickerel and absolutely beautiful panfish that have amazing colors, just to name a few. It’s amazing the amount of multispecies the Spring River holds.

Now, smallmouth bass are one of the native fish on the Spring River and we love to chase them and then safely release them. The trick is to fish right on the bottom of the river. The problem is the bottom of the Spring is a rocky mess. That’s why the smallies love our river. Heavy Woollies work great — black, olive and brownie colors, and yes, bring a lot of them. Losing flies lets you know you’re in the right area. For spinning tackle, D2 jigs by Trout Magnet are the ticket!

The cold is on its way and the river is no place to play around when it’s cold out. Bring a dry set of clothes just in case, and a wading staff can be very helpful with the rough, rocky river bottom.

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 11-13-2025) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports water temperatures in the low 60s. Water clarity is increasing; currently about 4 inches in tributaries to over 8 inches of visibility in parts of Lake Langhofer. Black bass are biting very well on wind-blown shallow sand flats near tributaries, rocky points and woody cover within or nearby sand flats. Lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, bladed jigs, and shallow crankbaits are producing well throughout days with wind. Dark-colored finesse jigs are getting bit during calmer periods.

Cane Creek Lake
(updated 11-13-2025) 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 it 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 11-13-2025) AGFC staff remind anglers 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 11-13-2025) 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 11-13-2025) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood Lake is “hot, hot, hot!” for bass and crappie this week. Bass are schooling on threadfin shad. Just over the past week, Steve “Wild Man” Wilson, retired from over 20 years working with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, returned to Millwood Lake Guide Service with his best fishin’ buddy, Paul Rhodes, for a couple of days of crappie adventures with us, and went home with an ice chest full of crappie fillets from a couple of half-day runs.

While the Millwood Lake 2-foot late summer drawdown ended Nov. 1, the lake pool will stay well below normal level until they see some rainfall. Siefert urges boaters to use extreme caution with reduced surface pool elevation until the lake returns to normal level. The lake is about 13 inches below normal pool as of Tuesday but on a slow rise.

Check the most recent lake level on the guide service’s website linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels.
Surface temps over the past week continue fluctuating, ranging 58-65 degrees depending on location and the time of day. That could change later this week, Siefert said. Clarity along Little River is heavy stain and low visibility; typical Millwood lighter stain is seen in the oxbows of Little River, with river clarity ranging 8-10 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows continues improving as levels stabilize, and visibility in the oxbows is ranging 20-30 inches in many locations.

Numerous areas on Millwood Lake are fully choked with alligatorweed mats, and invasive grass species of Cuban bulrush have been found in MORE locations recently along Little River oxbows of Clear Lake, Horseshoe, White Cliffs, Mudd Lake, Bagley Creek area, and McGuire and inaccessible for navigation or fishing. The Army Corps of Engineers and the AGFC are monitoring. Be sure to drain your bilge and live wells and flush your boat trailer from carrying and redistributing invasive species to other bodies of water.
Siefert had these latest updates by species for the fishing this past week:

* 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 shad are beginning to hold in mouths of creeks and migrating into the back of creeks, then the next day back to primary and secondary points. So, when you’re searching for the black bass and the white bass, one day you will find them in front of the creeks, next day in the back of the creeks, or where you find the large schools of threadfin shad migrating to and fro.

Brazalo Lures’ Strutter 2.0 Bladed Jigs are getting reactions in the oxbows on points near stumps, lily pads and creek channel flats and bends near vegetation and lily pad stands, using a curly tail grub trailer. Best colors over the past couple of weeks have been white, Spot Remover, Millwood Mayhem Bream and white/chartreuse, and using a Bass Assassin 3-inch FFS Split Tail Shad trailer.
For several days over the past few weeks, juvenile largemouth and Kentucky bass have been noted schooling on primary and secondary points in Little River and seen in most all the oxbows all the way up Little River. The schooling and surface-breaking bass are still relatively random, and the durations are lengthening into midday. The black bass can start herding the shad to the surface almost any time all morning, and that can be more random throughout the day, with mid-morning and late afternoon being the best times. You will also randomly find a school of white bass mixed in 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 connecting with random largemouths 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 remain concentrated near almost any major creek junction with Little River. With current conditions along Little River being fair, the deeper sections, points and washouts from 10-15 feet are seeing good success with a Tennessee Shad Fat Free Guppy or Fat Free Fry. 

Little John custom-painted crankbaits in Millwood Magic, Splatterback, Ghost Shad and Lavender Shad are working on the edges of flats and creek channels where stumps, lily pads and coontail moss intersect. Finessing the crankbaits in and out of lily pads along the edges and points in the creek channel swings, deflecting off stumps will pick up juvenile and adolescent black bass and white bass that are following shad schools in the oxbows. Primary and secondary points dumping into Little River have been holding schools of these bass for several weeks following and chasing shad. The cooler weather and lower nighttime temperatures have the bass in a feeding mode.

* White bass continued chasing shad with the black bass in fairly large schools in Horseshoe and McGuire this week. The schooling is still random at midday. These schooling whites chasing shad are mixed in with black bass. Take a kid fishing and you could have one of the best times all year. Random catches of 15-20 are common into the afternoons with Bomber Fat Free Guppy’s, Fat Free Fingerlings in Tennessee Shad and Citrus Shad patterns, 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 continue biting well in planted brush along Little River, and are improving daily with the reduction in surface temperatures. Crappie have been better on jigs this week, alternating with minnows, but that changes daily. The bulk of the crappie are holding in the 12-18 feet deep on our brushpiles. 

* No update on blue catfish this week, but recently, chicken livers and gizzards, as well as King’s Punch Bait, were working well, set on trotlines along Little River from 12-18 feet depth.

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.

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

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

(updated 11-13-2025) Melinda Freeman 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 this that Dierks Lake will be the site of the winter kickoff to the High School Trail on Dec. 6.

“It’s between the duck season splits,” she said, also noting that Mr. Bass of Arkansas has a winter schedule kicking off Dec. 7 at Lake Hamilton. “And a lot of our anglers love to fish in the winter.” 

Mark Hedrick, noting the success seen lately on Dierks and Hamilton, added, “There ought to be a lot of fish caught on both lakes.” So anglers might want to get out on Dierks Lake over November to check out the good bass bite.

Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s recently noted, “It’s one of the best lakes you can go into the fall on. Dierks is a mountain lake that has some of the best topwater fishing you can have in the fall. There are some nice bass in that lake.”

White Oak Lake Area
(updated 10-30-2025) Angler John Gulley recently 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 were biting flukes, Senkos and shallow-diving crankbait-type lures. He also says that panfishing was decent, while the crappie bite hadn’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.

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

(updated 11-13-2025) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below the dam has dropped to 51 degrees with slightly stained conditions in the tailrace. The winter drawdown for both lakes Hamilton and Catherine began Nov. 1. Each lake will fall 6 inches a day until the scheduled 5-foot drawdown is achieved. This year, Lake Catherine will be lowered another 2 feet to support the city of Hot Springs’ infrastructure projects. The additional 2 feet will only be needed from Dec. 1 through Jan. 31. The lake will be at the normal 5-foot drawdown outside of these dates until early March. Boat launching will be very difficult during this period at the winter loading ramp, if not impossible, due to the lack of water in the tailrace. 

To further complicate matters, the trout emergency situation facing Arkansas this year with the flooding of the Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery in April and stocking losses suffered at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery in October will severely limit trout stocking numbers all over the state. No confirmed numbers are available at this time.

Boating and fishing below Carpenter Dam will be greatly affected by these conditions for most of the fall and winter season. As information concerning trout numbers becomes available, this report will post all confirmed numbers that affect Lake Catherine. 

Anyone navigating the Carpenter Dam tailrace is urged to use extreme caution with the low-water conditions and possible fast flows scheduled from the dam. Hopefully, trout fishing can continue this fall and winter but with vastly lower numbers than in past years. 

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

(updated 10-30-2025) 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
No reports.

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

No reports.

Lake Ouachita
For the current lake level at Blakely Dam, click here.

(updated 11-13-2025) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are excellent. Break out your favorite CC Spoon for some excitement and some real nice bags. Crappie are still slow. Try a small minnow-colored jig over brush in the 20- to 30-foot range. 

No reports on walleye, stripers, bream or catfish.

Water temperature to a nice tumble this week into the 62- to 68-degree range. Water clarity is clear. The lake level is steady at 569.58 feet msl. 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.

No reports.

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2)
(updated 11-13-2025) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt (1970 S. Whitehead Drive) said crappie are biting right now! Minnows seem to be catching more than other baits. Catfish are biting behind rock dikes near any running water; blood bait is what they are after at this time.

Bass are biting — black on cloudy days and white on sunny days, reportedly in grassy or brushy areas.

“For the anglers who might be more into chasing whitetails now, the bucks are in full rut chasing does! We are seeing some very nice harvests for entries into the Throwback Sweepstakes at the store. Duck season is right around the corner; it may be a warmer, rainy start to the season. We are seeing geese coming in consistently around the area.
“Thank you to all our loyal customers for shopping at Webb’s Sporting Goods!”

Cook’s Lake
(updated 11-13-2025) 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.