Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

March 19, 2026

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Arkansan Christopher Manuel Feijoo landed this nice 23-inch rainbow trout while fishing the Beaver Lake tailwater with guide Austin Kennedy. Austin says fishing has gradually picked up on the tailwater, although there still have been slower days mixed in. The recent rainfall has helped raise the water level and “slowly nudged water temperature higher, which is starting to increase overall fish activity.” Read Austin’s report below under Northwest Arkansas.

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 3-19-2026) 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 the 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.

NOTE: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has changed trout limits for the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam, effective Feb. 1, due to a significant loss of stocking population at two Arkansas hatcheries in 2025. Anglers may keep two rainbow trout daily, only one longer than 14 inches, in the Greers Ferry tailwater; all other trout caught must be released immediately. This rule is in effect until further notice.

No reports. 

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 3-19-2026) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said white bass have been doing well in mainly Salt Creek, Hill Creek and in Middle Fork. They’re catching on 3-inch white swimbaits with an eighth-ounce or 3/16-ounce jighead.

Largemouth bass have been up fairly shallow. They’re being caught in 2-6 feet of water. Anglers are throwing Texas-rigged lizards in a green pumpkin or Cotton Candy color. Also, they’re being caught with anglers throwing a half-ounce white Chatterbait.

Smallmouth bass are being caught in 10 feet of water off main lake points. Try a Carolina rig with a half-ounce weight. Same color lizards for the smallmouth as for the largemouth. Also, they’re being caught on a half-ounce Silver Shad spinnerbait.

Harris Brake Lake
(updated 3-19-2026) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said a couple of anglers this week caught largemouth bass and crappie fishing from a boat further out on the lake. Crappie appear about to spawn, they told her. However, the water level is still very low at the lake.

Crappie are shallow and will bite on minnows. Largemouths are biting close to the surface. Grape-colored plastic worms also will work for slightly deeper bass.

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

Lake Overcup
(updated 3-12-2026) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) off Arkansas Highway 9 (501-354-9007) reported that water level is up by 1.5 feet and clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 65 degrees. 

Bream haven’t started yet. Bass are off and on. Catfish are doing well on yo-yos and trotlines baited with bass minnows. Crappie are starting to pick up in 5-6 feet of water “but I haven’t been able to find them on the bank yet,” he said.

Lake Maumelle
(updated 3-5-2026) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) said the water temperature Wednesday midday was ranging 57-58 degrees. The lake remains 7.3 feet below normal pool. New boat ramps are open; they suggest trimming your motor, however.

The largemouth bass bite this past week has been good. Reports have them still in pre-spawn mode, and anglers are catching them in 2-6 feet depth. The spawn should be happening soon. Try using square bills, spinnerbaits and Chatterbait. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) also have been biting well and are mixed in with the largemouths in that 2-6 feet depth, with some also being caught at 12 feet. Spinnerbaits and jigs are your best bet for spots.
Some good black bass stringers were brought in Feb. 28 in the WestRock Landing Winter Series Fish-Off, with Matt Hedrick hauling in 22.16 pounds of black bass. Daniel and Larry Romine were right behind with 21.24 pounds, including a 5.77-pound Big Bass.
White bass have picked up with good reports of late. There have been some reports of anglers catching males west of the bridge last weekend. There are also reports of a few females east of the bridge on Wednesday morning. One angler reported catching two still out in the main lake off the shoreline. With the rainfall forecast for this weekend, this should help with their annual patterns. Try using Twister Tails, jigs, spoons or shad-imitating lures. One a

Crappie have been slow. They are anywhere from 9-30 feet, so it’s been tough for anglers, but they are catching a few nice ones here and there.

No reports on bream 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 3-19-2026) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said anglers are definitely catching fish now that it’s warmed back up, and bass are doing really well.

Bass are active in 2-2.5 feet of water. The river is clear and normal level.
He says the fishing has been good all week and should continue into the warm weekend. Anglers have reported bass ranging from 3-5 pounds being caught. The bass are being caught on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Chartreuse is the prominent, successful color for both those styles of baits. 

Crappie are biting shallow in about 3 feet of water. They’re being caught on minnows and on jigs (either blue/white and red/chartreuse). The crappie are decent size. The smaller males are up shallower.

He hasn’t heard anything about catfish or bream.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
For the real-time water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website. 

Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools)
For the real-time water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam and David D. Terry Lock and Dam, as well as the Little Rock pool stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 3-19-2026) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said there is bass catching going on in the backwaters of the river in 2-5 feet of water. Anglers are using ⅜-ounce white swim jigs and also throwing watermelon red Baby Brush Hogs or Beaver-style baits with a 5/16-ounce weight with success.

Anglers are also catching bass on the main river jetties with any 1.0-size, shad-style square bill or any half-ounce shad-style spinnerbait.

Catfish are biting up near the dam on nightcrawlers or cut shad. Anglers are using a 3- or 4-ounce weight.

Peckerwood Lake
(updated 3-12-2026) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said 

Anglers are back and catching some crappie and catfish, both in good numbers. 

The lake is low but no stumps are showing. It’s about halfway to full and she’s hoping the rain in the forecast will fill the lake up.

They’re catching both species by yo-yoing and some anglers are jig fishing. Catfishers are using yo-yos, limblines and jigs baited with minnows. For the go-to crappie jig, make sure it’s a brown/chartreuse color, she said.

White River
NOTE: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has changed limits for the Bull Shoals Tailwater between the Bull Shoals Dam and the Norfork Access, effective Feb. 1: Now, anglers may keep two rainbow trout daily, no longer than 14 inches; all other trout caught must be released immediately. Below Norfork Access to Arkansas Highway 58 (at Guion), anglers may keep two trout of any species, only one may be longer than 14 inches. Brook trout must be at least 14 inches to keep; brown, cutthroat and tiger trout must be 23 inches long to keep.

Cotter Area
(updated 3-19-2026) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said water releases from Bull Shoals Dam into the tailwater were pretty high during that cold snap (power demands increased) and have been a little variable since then. “I expect we’ll begin to see more minimum flows late this week and into next week due to the mild weather we’re promised. Bull Shoals Lake began dropping again after a slight increase with the rain last week. Water releases have usually been lower flows in the morning (minimum flow to one unit) rising to three or four units later in the day.
“Successful anglers have been casting various spinners this past week, especially the orange and rainbow trout Rooster Tails (dark skirts). The tried-and-true shrimp and egg pattern (orange, yellow and/or pink) is a great way to start the day. Transition to live worms or to drifting a pink or orange 2-inch artificial worm as the water rises later in the morning.
“The browns are consistent: demanding sculpins and maybe some shad for dessert; still remaining near the bottom and center of the stream during the higher water, in deep holes during minimum flows.

“The weathermen promise much warmer temperatures beginning Friday. Remember to keep your baits and line clean of sunscreen; trout don’t like it. Sunscreen is a blessing for anglers on sunny days but can sabotage your fishing day if mixed up with your tackle. Our wish for you is to be successful, safe and to enjoy your time in The Natural State of Arkansas.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 3-19-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “The last few days we have seen varied water levels from as high as 7 feet or more to 4 feet. Fishing remains good with both artificial lures and drifting with bait, resulting in nice fish. 

“This week, Rapala Countdowns CD5 in brown trout, Dynamic HD in ghost brown and Thompson Colorado quarter-ounce spoons in nickel/gold worked well for better quality fish. Drift-fishing with a silver inline spinner, Uncommon Bait neo-pink or firefly UV eggs with shrimp worked well for larger numbers of fish.
“Weather has been crazy with freezing temperatures on Monday, with a high near 90 forecast for this Saturday and Sunday. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.”

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 3-19-2026) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday that the lake level is on the slow rise so far to 656 feet msl. The water temperature dropped this past week to 49-51 degrees give or take.

“Fish pulled back a little with the cold front. I don’t expect it to be long before they’re moving back up on the bank. Look at early pre-spawn areas. Areas with deep water nearby where they can drop down when it gets cold.”
Powerfishermen are doing well on the right day (wind/clouds) cranking parallel to the bank. A little color in the water helps. A Wiggle Wart and SPRO Rock Crawler Red Craw are working, along with variants like the Mo Craw. Look at steeper, 45-degree, chunky, nasty rock and ledges and transition banks. If you’re in stained water, a Chatterbait and a spinnerbait will work. 

The shad are everywhere and spread out again. Graphing will pay off. A swimbait is working, or a Tater Shad fluke or your favorite minnow to shake around the shad. A Megabass Jerkbait is also working. 

If the conditions are clear water and post-front flat and sunny, get off the bank. The clear water has visibility up to 22 feet. Try a finesse Jewel Jig in green pumpkin orange. Also, a green pumpkin shaky head and a Ned rig are working. Target the points in 5-25 feet. 

The white bass are running if you’re into that. Remember: “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 3-19-2026) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said the daytime walleye bite seems to have slowed down some this past week partly due to weather as well as the spawning cycle starting to come to an end.

Fishing patterns are still the same. Look for fish on and around known spawning sites. Fish shallow in the early mornings and on cloudy days in 2-6 feet of water and deeper in 8-15 feet water if there is little or no cloud cover.

Hair jigs (1/8 to 3/8 ounce) and minnows or jigs and paddletails or ringworms work well after the sun comes up. Jerkbaits such as the 110 and 110+1 or +2 style in black and silver or clown colors are also good at this time.

If trolling, try stick baits like Rattlin’ Rogues in purple chartreuse or black and gold. Troll in 8-15 feet of water at slow speeds — 0.8 to 1.0 mph seems to work best this early in the season. If you’re into night fishing, now is the time to start going. Two hours before light and up to two or three hours after dark seem to be the best times. Fishing slow is the key. 

(updated 3-19-2026) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says they have been finding crappie on all sections of the creeks. The crappie have been a little stingy with the water getting blown out. They’re seeing lots of small ones on brushpiles, but they’re finding some nice ones if you cover enough piles in 15-20 feet. Minnows have been working well and also Tater Bait jigs. There are a few roamers to look for.

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

(updated 3-19-2026) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (also Facebook.com/stroutfitters or 870-421-1541) guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina. He offered this pointers this week for spring fishing on Norfork:

“Starting in late February we typically will see the winds switch to the south and a gradual warm up of air and water temperatures. The stripers will begin to move from the deep water following the shad. There will be multiple opportunities to catch stripers at that time. Both live bait and artificial baits will be very effective. The night bite will begin once the winds blow from the south. You will want to fish the northern and northeastern banks of the bays and main lake and main arm points. Some excellent spots are the points near Norfork Dam, Koso Bay and Point, the Hudson area, Frog Pond, Diamond Bay, Cranfield Island and the points north of the Cranfield area heading toward Red Bank Access.  
“The best time to night fish is a half-hour before dark until about 10 p.m. The best bait historically is a 5-inch or 6-inch Rogues. The color of the Rogue varies, with black/gold, clown and blue/black combinations seeming to work the best, but experiment with the colors until you find the one that works best that night. Bone color has been hot the last few years. Make long casts parallel to the bank and reel very, very slowly. A lot of the bites will be right next to the boat, so always have a big net ready. Stripers, hybrids and walleye are all active during this time. Watch the water temperature. As it moves up toward 60 degrees, the bite will get stronger. 
“During this time of year, live bait, shad and shiners are also very effective. The stripers will be roaming the shoreline looking for food. I use shad, but everything I do can be done using shiners. Most days I will run a large spread of lines. I begin with two inside planer boards, one near the shore and other out 20 to 30 yards. These board lines will have large gizzard shad in the 4- to 8-inch range. Out of the back of the boat I will have two lines with floats, shad on the hooks, with no weight at various depths from 10 to 30 feet from the floats. These lines will be set back from the boat between 30 to 60 yards. I then set out two free lines with a split shot weight on one line and nothing on the other. Both will have large shad on them and will be set 40-60 feet from the back of the boat. The last outside line will have one planer board with a large shad out 40 yards from the back of the boat. I will put out a wake bait: It is a large shad about 1 foot under the water right behind the engine. The wake bait is very effective for stripers roaming shallow water.
“As the water warms, the stripers will continue to move into the larger creeks to spawn. The magic water temperature number is 60 degrees. Your tactic to catch stripers should be to keep moving with the fish and continue to experiment with your techniques.”

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

(updated 3-19-2026) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is 1,116.35 feet msl, which is around 5 feet below normal level. Water temps dropped this week, and low 50s are common. Water clarity is stained from Neil’s Bluff to Hickory Creek and from Hickory Creek back up the War Eagle to around Camp War Eagle.
“We still need some rain. So far, the walleye season has been almost nonexistent. The shoals where they normally spawn are basically too shallow for the fish and for boats to reach those fish. Same thing on the white bass run. There are fish in the system, most notably at Point 12 and the flats at Kelly Creek.
“Crappie are confused, as water was warming nicely and with some rise, which is what you want. Unfortunately it’s going to get hot in the upper 80s to near 90 later this weekend. Hopefully we get some rain to keep the rise going and hopefully we don’t have any 20-degree mornings till next winter. Lots of ‘hopefully’ in this paragraph, but you gotta hold out hope for a good spawn, as we need it!
“Stripers have been the best option lately, but you need to look on the north side of the Highway 12 bridge at this time. Good reports from Coppermine and Prairie Creek areas.
“With some rain and stable weather, the lake will turn on even though we are running a tad late on the walleye. Keeping fingers crossed! 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
NOTE: The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has changed trout limits for the White River below Bull Shoals Dam, effective Feb. 1, due to a significant loss of stocking population at two Arkansas hatcheries in 2025. Anglers may keep two rainbow trout daily, only one longer than 14 inches, in the Bull Shoals tailwater; all other trout caught must be released immediately. This rule is in effect until further notice.

(updated 3-19-2026) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says fishing has been gradually picking up, though there are still a few slower days mixed in. Recent rainfall has helped bring water levels up and has slowly nudged water temperature higher, which is starting to increase overall fish activity.
Cold fronts moving through the area have slowed the progress of the walleye spawn somewhat, but fish are still positioning themselves in typical staging areas. Most of the males have pushed up and are holding over chunk rock, where they tend to gather during this phase of the spawn.
As conditions stabilize and water temperatures continue to rise, the spawn should continue to develop and fishing opportunities should improve.
White bass are beginning to show up in better numbers as well, and anglers are starting to catch them while targeting other species. Their spring run should continue to strengthen as the water warms and flows remain steady.
The trout bite has remained fairly consistent. Most trout are being caught using Pautzke products, “and we have been seeing some quality fish mixed in with the catch. Several trout in the 20- to 24-inch range have been landed recently, making for some exciting action.
“Overall, fishing is trending in the right direction. With improving water conditions and seasonal movements underway, the coming weeks should continue to offer solid opportunities for anglers getting out on the water.”

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

Lake Charles
(updated 3-19-2026) Shelly Jeffery at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said fish are biting, there were reports this past week of crappie and bass being caught, though the anglers gave no reports on bait used.

Shelly mentioned that “we do have nightcrawlers and redworms available at the visitor center.”

The lake’s water level remains low, about 7 feet below normal pool, though all three boat ramps are open off of Arkansas Highway 25. The state park has no boat ramps open yet.

The lake is its usual murky, and water temperature was 58 degrees on Monday. Call the park for any updates.

Lake Poinsett
(updated 3-12-2026) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett remains very busy. There have been a lot of anglers out on the lake and coming through the State Park to buy bait. Minnows have been the primary seller. It was reported that the crappie here have mostly been biting on smaller minnows and lighter-colored jigs. There were reports of catfish being caught on the north end of the lake, and that there are clusters of fish around the shoreline now. 

“If you are launching a boat on Lake Poinsett, I would suggest, if it is larger than a small flat bottom boat, that you launch from the dam ramp, as the State Park and Deckleman Road ramps have been reported to be shallow at this time.”

Spring River
(updated 3-19-2026) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said Wednesday that they had a great day with olive Woollies. “I was busy over the weekend and had several calls about what they were biting on. The recent rain has got the water levels up a lot, but we could use more. The river looks great, with a heavy green tint. Olive Woollies were about the only fly we used (Wednesday). It was hot all day. The sun came out and we had to get the fly down, but no problem getting the fish to bite today.”

Visit Mark’s blog (springriverfliesandguides.com) for updates, videos 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 3-19-2026) Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State Park, (870-628-4714) said he had no reports of fishing on Cane Creek of late.
Late in 2025, 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 3-19-2026) The AGFC approved new fishing regulations regarding the harvest of sport fish on Lake Monticello. Effective Feb. 1, anglers may keep 5 bass, but only one bass may be 16 inches or more in length. Anglers may harvest 12 crappie, but only 7 crappie may be longer than 12 inches. All other fish creel limits follow the state regulations on that species.

Lake Chicot
(updated 3-19-2026) 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 3-19-2026) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Thursday morning that white bass are running up the Little River, crappie are biting shallow and the big bass are on the move. Angler Gary Bortz of Little Rock was fishing with Mike and they boated between 17 and 25 “big white bass from 2 to 3 pounds on an afternoon run” in the middle of the white bass run up the river. “What a joy to work for and an afternoon of laughter and fighting hard-charging white bass with a variety of lures and baits.”

Millwood Lake elevation as of Wednesday was about 5 inches above normal pool and falling; Millwood Lake Dam was releasing about 6,400 cfs, and tailwater was near 233 feet and rising. Surface temperature over the past week continued fluctuating, ranging 62-67 degrees depending on location and the time of day. Clarity along Little River is heavy stain and low visibility, with 10-15 inches visibility depending on location; typical Millwood lighter stain is found in the oxbows, ranging 15-30 inches in many locations.

Clarity in Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows continues to be good this week and is over 18 inches visibility.
* Largemouth bass are responding well, moving shallow, and continue roaming flats and bedding areas. With the increased surface and lake pool temperature again this week, and on warmer, sunny afternoons, we continue seeing male bass, and a few very large females, roaming shallow in backs of flats outside creek channels where there are spawning areas. A few beds are beginning to show up. Females continue to be observed over the past week cruising grass and vegetation lines in the warmer flats and creek channels in and out of new lily pad blooms. 

Bass will respond to a variety of lures. Where you find the warmest, clearest water, away from muddy current of the river, will be where you find bait and bass. In the back of the creeks, Millwood State Park and the oxbows, are where you can find the warmest water and are the best bet to begin searching. Brazalo Lures’ Strutter 2.0 Bladed Jigs and 501 tandem willow blade spinnerbaits continue working well for black bass from 12-19 inches in backs of creek channels. They will continue getting reactions in the oxbows on points near stumps, lily pads and creek channel flats and bends, near vegetation and fresh lily pad blooms, using curly tail grub trailer, with best colors over the past couple of weeks being white, Spot Remover and Millwood Mayhem Bream and using a split-tail Bass Assassin 3-inch FFS Split Tail Shad trailer on their Strutter 2.0 Bladed Jigs. Slow, stop and go will draw random reactions if you are in fairly clear to moderate stained water at 1-4 feet depth.

In the oxbows, and along dropping structure into the 9-10 feet depth range, heavy ¾- and 1-ounce Rat-L-Traps in Red Shad, Red Chrome Craw and Millwood Magic will draw random reactions in the 8-12 feet drops on a slow jigging retrieve, and ⅜-ounce chrome/blue Spinner Rat-L-Traps (i.e., the Tail Spinners) will get a reaction when the bass roam into new blooming lily pads flats of 4-8 feet depths on warmer, bright sun days. These will finesse well through the lily pad stems around vegetation. Red Chrome Crawfish, Red Chrome or Natural Crawfish (46N), and 1-knocker Millwood Magic Rat-L-Traps were also getting a few reactions from a few pre-spawn fish from 6-8 feet deep near vertical drops. 

Bass Assassin Shads in Salt and Pepper Silver Phantom, Houdini, Panhandle Moon and Chico’s Red Ear, in the 5- to 7-inch shad sizes, Texas-rigged on small, light wire Owner hooks, will draw random reactions in heavy vegetation or on stumps, and near cypress tree knees, on warmer, sunny afternoons in the 3-6 feet depth zones.
* The migration of the white bass up Little River for the annual spring spawn is pretty much in full swing, and we are seeing a lot of action and anglers running up and down Little River near Wilton Landing. A few other white bass anglers we spoke with at Wilton Landing recently said they caught around 15-25 2- to 3.5-pound white bass schools between Wilton Landing and Patterson Shoals. They also said they caught 10-15 nice-sized spotted bass mixed in with the whites last week, hitting crankbaits in the same general vicinity as the whites. Most definitely the white bass are feeding and moving further upriver this week.
We are finding area anglers connecting with nice healthy 2- to 3-pounders from Brown’s Slough all the way up Little River past Wilton Landing, and these big white bass are continuing moving up river again this week on primary and secondary points near deeper vertical drops into Little River. Midday and mid-afternoons were best search periods on high sunny afternoons. Bomber Fat Free Guppy, 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 were all working best.

* Crappie have greatly improved over the past week of increased water temperatures in the 5-12 feet depths on jigs. Crappie were even hitting our bass spinnerbaits in McGuire and Horseshoe oxbows, as we were bass fishing and caught several more huge crappie from 2-2.5 pounds each. They have also improved in planted brush near Saratoga Landing and the junction of Little River and Saline River in the main lake body in front of the Millwood Dam over the past week. 

Lots of the crappie we are seeing are still holding in the 10- to 11-foot deep zones on brushpiles, but we are beginning to see them move over the last week into the cypress trees in 4-6 feet depths.
* Catfish continue biting well on trotlines in Little River current, upriver, set between White Cliffs and McGuire Lake Oxbow this week. Catfish guys had fairly good luck with channel cats using chicken gizzards, livers, hearts and cut buffalo set on trotlines from 9-15 feet deep in river current.

For more details, visit the Millwood Lake Guide Service webpage.

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

(updated 3-5-2026) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) reports that he’s been regularly fishing DeGray Lake, along with lakes Ouachita and Greeson the past couple of weeks. Water temperature is perfect. Black crappie are already spawning, while white crappie are still moving up onto staging brushpiles. Tightlining over the staging tops and casting jigs both have been productive. 

(updated 3-12-2026) Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) reports that black bass can be caught shallow on finesse worms, Carolina rigs, lipless crankbaits and square bills. 

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 3-12-2026) AGFC Fisheries staff note that if bass production in tournaments is any indication of how good the bass fishing is, Dierks Lake should definitely be among an angler’s target destinations. Based on results from the 2025 Arkansas Tournament Information Program Report, this lake in Howard and Sevier counties in southwest Arkansas was the state’s top tournament fishing destination last year. Biologists use data on the numbers of anglers, fish caught, average weights of fish and numbers of fish weighing 5 pounds or greater to develop key indicators of fishing quality. Those indicators are compiled into rankings for each body of water to help keep tabs on trends in tournament angling and offer anglers a peek into where they may want to schedule their next event. 

While mainstays like Lake Dardanelle, Millwood Lake and Lake Ouachita continued to appear in the top rankings of the ATIPR, Dierks snuck into the report for the first time and did so in impressive fashion. During five tournaments at the lake in 2025, the average winning weight was 20.77 pounds. Anglers also brought 22 fish to the scales in excess of 5 pounds, despite the low number of overall tournaments and tournament anglers. 

“At 13,600 acres, Dierks is one of our smaller reservoirs, especially of those created by the [Army Corps of Engineers],” Eric Naas, Black Bass Biologist for the AGFC, said. “It’s tucked away in southwest Arkansas, so it’s sort of a hidden gem, but local anglers really enjoy fishing there. This is just the first time we had enough tournament results to include it in the rankings.”

Lake Greeson Tailwater
For the most updated Narrows Dam generation schedule from SWEPCO, click here.

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

(updated 3-5-2026) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says he’s been doing his fishing among three major southwest Arkansas lakes: Greeson, DeGray and Ouachita. He reports that water temperature “is perfect.”

He says that black crappie are already spawning, while white crappie are still moving up onto staging brushpiles. Tightlining over the staging tops and casting jigs both have been productive. 

White Oak Lake Area
(updated 3-12-2026) AGFC Fisheries Division biologists note the three largemouth bass that have been caught in the past month that qualified for the Arkansas Legacy Lunker program. All three were transferred to the Joe Hogan State Fish Hatchery in Lonoke. Since being renovated and reopened in 2013, Lower White Oak has been turning out a number of double-digit and near-double-digit bass, and the Legacy Lunker program is putting a new spotlight on that success.

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

(updated 3-12-2026) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that the spring refill of both lakes Hamilton and Catherine are underway. Each lake will be refilled 6 inches per day until scheduled refill completion March 15. Water temperature below the dam has risen to 52 degrees with extremely muddy conditions due to local heavy rainfall and lake refilling. Enough water has been added to the tailrace to safely use the winter loading ramp, and the ramps adjacent to the fishing docks will be available for use in the next week or so. 

Rainbow trout fishing has been terrible on Lake Catherine with the constant raising of the lake, as rising water is the death sentence for catching trout near the dam. Experienced guides always advise fishermen to target other species of fish in the tailrace in times of rising lake waters due to this hard fact. Until Lake Catherine is brought back to normal summertime pool, rainbow trout fishing will be extremely difficult. 

The walleye spawn is in full gear in the tailrace, as male walleye have prepared the beds for the larger females since mid-February. These fish are spawning from the bridge to the dam on both banks and can be found by trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate shad or crawfish. Walleye in the 3- to 5-pound range have been caught using this method this past week, as the rising water doesn’t affect the bite. Tipping a jighead with a live minnow has proven to be effective in the deeper water around the bridge. These fish will be in the tailrace all the way through the month of May and can provide anglers exciting action in addition to some fine table fare. 

Late March marks the beginning of the crappie migration to the dam for their yearly spawn. Jigs and live minnows will be the ticket to success in catching numbers of these fish as they congregate around sandbars and rock structure. Hopefully, the crappie and white bass spawn will give anglers an opportunity to catch fish and somewhat make up for the huge void created by the lack of quality numbers of trout stocked in the lake. Catfish will migrate into the tailrace in early June to spawn, and these fish will greatly add to the chances of fishing success on Lake Catherine. 

As always, Carpenter Dam park visitors must obey all rules and regulations and cooperate with law enforcement officials when asked. 

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

Lake Hamilton
(updated 3-12-2026) Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) says that Lake Hamilton black bass can be caught in 1-8 feet of water on finesse worms, crankbaits and Chatterbaits.

(updated 3-5-2026) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted earlier this week on “The Wild Side” on KABZ, 103.7 The Buzz, that the Phoenix Bass Fishing League tour was at Lake Hamilton last Saturday, and local angler Matt Baker tied for first in the event with an 18.3-pound bag of bass. Nicholas Brown’s 5-bass stringer of 18.3 pounds caught Baker, though Baker officially won more prize money after contingency awards. Keith Green caught 18.1 pounds for third, but even better, he caught an 8-pound, 12-ounce Big Bass, fishing with a half-ounce swimbait around boat docks. Tenth place had 15.9 pounds. 

Baker found his fish on the lower end of Hamilton, according to BFL reports, while Brown was fishing mid-lake. Both anglers reportedly found success in shallow water. Baker said he was fishing with a lipless crankbait and also had a Z-Man JackHammer Chatterbait on deck to throw for the low-light morning bite. He moved later to a War Eagle half-ounce jig targeting isolated wood that he said caught “better” fish, Kastner noted. He caught 25 fish he felt would be “keepers.”
Meanwhile, Brown said he targeted shallow, stained water that held any kind of structure and attacked with a lipless crankbait, bladed jig or swimming jigs. His best success started around 11:30 a.m. and finished up catching a couple near 3 p.m.

An Arkansas Legacy Lunker qualifier (topping 10 pounds) was recently caught on Hamilton by Todd Davis and donated to the AGFC.

Kastner said that Lake Hamilton is mostly clear. There are streaks of off-color water, but for the most part it is pretty clear and is refilling from its 5-foot winter drawdown. The heavy rain forecast to come in during the weekend “will change a lot of things real quick,” he said.

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 3-19-2026) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) reported Thursday that black crappie are spawning on Ouachita. White crappie are moving in. “Don’t let the unstable weather stop you. We’ve caught crappie as shallow as 5 feet and as deep as 16 feet.”

(updated 3-19-2026) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs said that next two weeks is the time to use an excuse to be sick and get out fishing in any of the major lakes near Hot Springs. “This goofy front that came through has put water temps anywhere from 55-65 degrees. A 10-degree variance. But what we’re talking about in the next few days, we’re talking about temperatures in the 70s and 80s and possibly 90s and that will set everything into full-blown spawn season. Water color is very clear in most of the main channels of the lakes. You can find off-color in the creeks. It’s streaky. It really is. We haven’t had that much hard rain yet, thank goodness”

He notes that most of the lakes are below full pool, with Ouachita 5 feet below normal pool. DeGray is just short of 2 feet. Hamilton, he pointed out, is finally at full pool from its winter drawdown, reaching the normal level on Tuesday.
“This is the big deal, you gotta pay attention to the moon phases. And I know that it’s kinda hokey maybe, maybe not. I don’t think it is. This Wednesday night (May 18) is the new moon, there will be no moon. The full moon is April 1. So we’re talking about less than two weeks, just right around the corner, peak of the spawn on all of these lakes as long as we don’t have any goofy weather going through.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re going after white bass, black bass, crappie, it really doesn’t matter, the peak of the spawn is going to be the full moon April 1.”

(updated 3-12-2026) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are good. Use a Carolina rig on main lake points near creek mouths. Stripers are very good and are being caught on C-10 Redfins and live bait near major creek basins in the western part of the lake. Crappie are good. Try a small minnow-colored jig over brush in the 30- to 50-foot range. 

No reports on walleye, bream or catfish.

Water temperature is ranging 53-58 degrees. Water clarity is stained. The lake level at midweek was 572.43 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 3-12-2026) Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) has been fishing the major lakes between Arkadelphia and Hot Springs and reports that on Ouachita (as well as DeGray), black bass can be caught in shallow on finesse worms, Carolina rigs, lipless crankbaits and square bills. 

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. 2025, 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.

Cook’s Lake
(updated 3-19-2026) Wil Hafner at the AGFC’s Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) said, “We had a few people take advantage of the lake being open last weekend. I don’t think anyone caught very many, but they all had a great time!
“The heavy rains did not affect the lake level to speak of, and the weather looks amazing for this Friday and Saturday.” The lake will be open to fishing both days from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Cook’s Lake is open both Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., but anglers are still encouraged to call ahead (501-404-2321) and let staff know they are coming.
Cook’s Lake is a 2.5-mile-long oxbow off of the White River, nestled in the heart of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge near Casscoe in Arkansas County, with black bass, crappie, bream and catfish. This fertile oxbow receives very little fishing pressure due to it being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers who must possess the AGFC mobility-impaired access permit, and up to two guests (who may also fish), during the specified fishing season. Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. Fishing will be allowed only on Fridays and Saturdays through August, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., water level pending. Before launching, please check in at the Nature Center classroom and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, please call the center at 501-404-2321.

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