Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

October 8, 2026

Jim Harris

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

It was a happy birthday for Calan, a young angler from Kansas, who caught this impressive 25-inch rainbow on the Beaver Lake tailwater recently. We would say this birthday trip to northwest Arkansas worked out wonderfully. Thanks to Austin Kennedy of Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service, a weekly contributor to the Fishing Report, for passing along the photo. More of Austin’s report is below, where he says there are fish to catch, but like everywhere else around Arkansas, some rainfall would do the area good.

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: https://www.weather.gov/lzk/wxcntl4.htm
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: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/state/Arkansas/
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 10-8-2026) AGFC staff in Mayflower note that while Lake Conway is drawn down for renovation, the Lake Conway Nursery Pond provides a nice fishing opportunity for area anglers, and as the weather begins to cool, it should provide a good fishing destination for families. 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).

According to AGFC Fisheries staff, there have definitely been times where it is getting a bunch of use and people are catching bream and smaller bass. 

Lake Conway renovation is proceeding on schedule. Read more here, or check out what was written in the May-June issue of Arkansas Wildlife magazine (or read online) for an in-depth look at the new weir and dam construction. 

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: Trout limits for the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam changed in early 2026. Anglers may keep two trout daily; trout 14 inches or longer must be released immediately. This rule is in effect until further notice.

(updated 9-24-2026) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said, “The cooler weather is finally here, and after a long stretch of high 90s and 100-degree temperatures from August through the end of September, it’s a welcome change! The forecast is calling for highs in the 80s throughout the week, with a chance of rain around Wednesday and Thursday. With the cooler temperatures, power demand has dropped, and we’re also seeing less water being released below Greers Ferry Dam.
“The Southwestern Power Administration is projecting one unit running for two hours on Wednesday and two units for one hour on Thursday. My guess is we’ll continue to see a similar generation schedule as power demand stays down.

“With the lower flows and cooler temperatures, this should be an excellent week to get out and do some wade fishing. If I were fishing on foot, I’d start at JFK Park or Swinging Bridge Access. Both areas have been getting heavy stockings and should be good places to find fish.

“For the guys fishing from a boat, Dripping Springs Access and Lobo Landing have both been fishing well over the last several weeks. We’ve had a good, consistent generation schedule in place for quite a while, and both locations have been producing about equally.
“With the decreased flows, I’d concentrate on the deeper sections of the river. The fish have been liking the deeper water around the moss beds and anywhere you can find a steady current. The plunge pools below the shoals are also worth spending some time on. They provide good, oxygenated water and tend to hold fish.

“A few flies that have been working well under an indicator include Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Hare’s Ears and Midges.
“Overall, the combination of cooler temperatures and lower flows should make for a really nice week on the Little Red. If you’ve been waiting for a break from the summer heat, this is a good time to get out on the river! Give me a call if you’d like to get out and fish.”

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. 

No reports.

Harris Brake Lake

(updated 10-8-2026) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said few people have been on the lake in recent weeks because of the overly warm weather and the low lake level. As the weather cools, look for bass, bream and catfish to bite, and crappie will become active in a cooler October. 

Nighttime has been good for catfish at Harris Brake, and bream are catchable at that time on crickets and redworms. Catfish at Harris Brake Lake favor chicken liver, and that was working well a couple of weeks back, she noted.
The lake water level is very low. It’s hard to fish from the bank with both the current water temperature as well as the level, Bing said. “Lots of stumps are showing around the lake.”

At the bait shop, she says she can see to the bottom of the lake.

For more updates, follow Harris Brake Lake Resort on its Facebook page.

Lake Overcup
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors will be conducting herbicide applications at Lake Overcup in Conway County this summer, preventing the use of the lake’s water for irrigation by lakeside landowners until Oct. 1.
Application of the EPA-approved aquatic herbicides should take roughly two weeks, and multiple applications will take place throughout the summer. The treatment causes no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life, but water drawn from the lake could kill gardens, flowerbeds and lawns if used on neighboring lands. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Overcup until October.
The use of aquatic herbicides is necessary to control the current problems with nonnative invasive aquatic plants that can infest Arkansas lakes, restricting access to boathouses, boat ramps and fishing locations. If left unchecked, many of these invasive plants can outcompete and replace native vegetation.
For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at 833-338-3636.

No reports.

Brewer Lake

(update 9-24-2026) AGFC staff note that several people have been calling, asking about the launchability at Brewer Lake. Nick Feltz, supervisor in the Mayflower office, said, “I was there the other day and you can definitely still launch from the south ramp, but the lake is really low and folks need to use extreme caution.”

Brewer Lake is a good getaway in the fall for crappie fishing as well as picking up some decent-sized largemouth bass. For crappie, focus on coves in the northern portion of the lake. Bass in coming weeks should be found on secondary points and isolated brush. Anglers may keep up to 10 largemouths, but only one of those may exceed 16 inches.

Lake Maumelle

(updated 10-1-2026) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) said the lake level still continues to fall, sitting as of Thursday, Oct. 1, at 11.32 feet below the normal pool level. As far as good drops go, though, the water temperature has worked itself into the 70s, being recorded Thursday at 79.5 degrees.

The front ramp by WestRock remains closed. The back launch ramp has 2 inches of water left. Small craft will have to maneuver around, they report. You’ll also need four-wheel drive. They also say that it’s most likely the back ramp will be closed this weekend if the rain that’s forecast doesn’t help out.

“We are seeing bass schooling,” they report. “Caught a few small crappie this week.”

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 10-1-2026) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is normal clear, and there have been some very active crappie and a few catches.

“They are catching them on a jig, believe it or not,” Ray said. Fish a cork and a jig in 6 feet of water and expect to find those crappie at 3 feet.

“Bass are still doing really good. They are being caught on soft plastic worms or crankbaits, and spinnerbait. They’re still shallow, and they’re catching them early in 2-3 feet of water. As the day heats up, they move deeper but they catch them there on cranks.”

Catfish are being caught around the docks on hot dogs and chicken liver. He’s heard nothing specifically on bream, but says bream can be caught there anytime.

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.

Peckerwood Lake 

(updated 10-1-2026) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said in her most recent report that lingering summer heat was not deterring the crappie anglers. Conditions have been just right – low water, stumps showing and the main channel obvious – to put crappie fishermen in close proximity to their quest. “We have had quite a few fishing, actually,” she said. “They are wearing the crappie out.

“All the fall fishermen have been waiting on these stumps (to show). They find the channel and the fish are right on the edge of that channel.”

Jigs are the bait of choice at Peckerwood for crappie.

Those good conditions for crappie are a nonstarter for bass, though, and while a few people have picked up some catfish, the chief draw now is crappie. “You can’t do much else” than crappie fish, Donna says. “You’ve got to have a little boat and use your trolling motor. I wouldn’t bring a bass boat out here, just the two-man, johnboat style of boat to be able to get around.”

White River

NOTE: Trout limits for the White River below Bull Shoals Dam were changed in February by the AGFC and effective until further notice. From the dam to the Norfork Access boat ramp, anglers may keep two rainbow trout daily; all trout 14 inches or longer must be released immediately. From the Norfork Access boat ramp 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 14 inches or longer to keep; brown, cutthroat and tiger trout must be 24 inches or longer to keep.

Cotter Area
(updated 10-8-2026) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said trout fishing on the White River in the north-central Arkansas Ozarks continues to offer all-day action for anglers of all ages as one of the most productive trout streams in the country. Bull Shoals Lake is below its power pool of 659 feet msl elevation, recorded at midweek at 654.07 feet msl. The average river flow is 700 cfs (minimum flow), but that is subject to change as the temperatures change.

“The rainbows have been feisty and paying most attention to orange baits, and the average size continues to increase. Xfactor steelhead orange eggs are a favorite for two weeks running paired with a bead of shrimp or used alone. Lures with orange bellies were favored, too. However, the jig fishers found most success with brown or brown/orange-colored jigs, one-sixteenth- or one-eighth-ounce, depending on water depth.
“Lower water level also means finding the deeper holes and drifting over them if you’re looking for the browns. The brown bite has been good, and we’re still seeing action with sculpin and minnows. The shad bite is picking up and will get stronger as the cold weather approaches.
“You’ll enjoy your fishing adventures much more if you come prepared for Arkansas weather extremes. This week we experienced some cool autumn mornings (as low as 52 degrees) however, the afternoon sunshine brought temperatures up to the low 80s. Whatever the weather, we celebrate life here in The Natural State and always look forward to meeting fellow trout lovers.”

Calico Rock Area
(updated 10-8-2026) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said, “We continue to see rising water levels in the morning, then cresting late morning and dropping throughout the afternoon. Fishing has been consistent with plenty of trout being caught with numerous 14-inch-plus inch trout being caught. In the morning better fishing has been down river and, in the afternoon, better fishing has been upriver. Thompson Colorado ¼ ounce spoons in nickel/gold are working well. We are also seeing success with Rapala Countdown CD5 or CD7 in rainbow trout and brown trout. If your arm gets tired casting and retrieving lures try a #7 split shot about 8 inches up the line from a silver in line spinner with a number 2 hook with two Uncommon Bait UV eggs and tipped with shrimp. The AGFC stocking raft stocked 1075 rainbows from the Calico Rock boat ramp to Glass Island about a mile downriver, an additional 1075 rainbows were stocked at the boat ramp, 800 rainbows stocked at Chessmond Ferry boat ramp and 800 rainbows stocked at the Mt. Olive boat ramp. 

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 10-8-2026) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday that water temperature as 76 degrees, give or take, and the lake level was 653 feet, or 5 feet below pool level. “The bite hasn’t changed much. It’s still junk fishing. The lake is a little stingy. You’re just going to have to put in the work. Powerfishing has been slow; better have wind/clouds/rain/stain. There are definitely some fish up shallow. Look for shallow brushpiles, bushes, anything to flip a Beaver, jig or worm in the backs of the right creeks with any kind of flow. If it’s the right conditions, you will most likely notice bait fish. Try a toad, buzzbait or Plopper on shallow windblown banks while covering water. 

“The topwater bite should pick up. A lot of shad have moved up toward the surface as they are moving back into the creeks. Try a big Spook or Pop-R-style bait. Those fish have been moving in schools and they are moving fast! Take your favorite minnow or Jewel Shad Spoon or Tater Shad to look at them.
“Now that the bait is moving, there’s activity in the shad. If the conditions are postfrontal, flat water, high pressure, blue birds it will get really tough. I will slow down, downsize and get off the bank and look at deep ledges and brushpiles, and bomb casts with lighter fluorocarbon line. You can try a drop-shot with a Robo in suspended schools. The half-ounce Jewel football jig in green pumpkin orange or PB&J is working. Try sitting off of deep points dragging the long points with craw baits in brushpiles or timber tops on bluffs and bluff ends. 

“There is a thermocline moving down around 35 feet. Lots of fish holding around this depth. It’s that time of year to keep moving, hitting as many spots as possible. The bait is moving and so are the fish. 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 10-8-2026) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said there are no major changes in walleye fishing this week. The walleye summer fishing patterns are still holding this week. Some good fish are still being caught suspended 5 feet off the bottom in 33-37 feet. We are noticing fish closer to the lower end of the lake seem to be a few feet deeper than the mid-lake areas. Fishing has been a little slow this past week. Schools of walleye have not been hard to find, but you need to work them over with different methods to get them to respond.

They are running a little water through the dam in the day now and this has helped the bite pick up a little bit more. Fish are holding on flatter points with deep water on one side.

Look for fish on the tips of long points as well as the sides that are close to the sharper drop-off. Walleye situated next to brushpiles still seem to be on the offshore side of the brushpiles where deep water is close by.

Main lake and secondary points have been producing fish during the day. Fishing slow this week has still been the key to picking up better-size fish.

Fish shallower early mornings and on cloudy days in 31-33 feet of water and deeper in 35-40 feet of water if there is little or no wind or cloud cover. Casting jigging spoons in the white, chrome and blue and jigging Rapalas in the blue and chrome or Helsinki Shad color in half-ounce to three-quarter-ounce size into 30 feet of water and working it back out into 40 feet has been working. Drop-shotting live crawlers around the offshore side of brushpiles in 32-37 feet is also working.

Bottom Bouncing orange, chartreuse or gold No. 3 Colorado deep cup blades or brass or gold willow leaf bladed spinner rigs and crawlers around the sides and tips of point close to channel swings is producing a lot of short fish as well some good 18- to 23-inch walleyes. A one-eight-ounce jig with half a crawler has also been producing. 

If trolling, try shad-style and small banana-style baits like No. 7 Flicker Shads or No. 9 Flicker Minnow in natural colors trolled in 35-40 feet of water at speeds of 1.8 to 2.2 mph. That seems to be working best. 

Southernwalleye@yahoo.com

(updated 10-8-2026) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) reports that crappie are still mainly on brush and structure 20-30 feet from where we’re seeing them. They seem pretty scattered, as we have found them in the creeks and also the main lake this last week. The jig bite is a little slow; minnows have been working better. 

Norfork Lake

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

No reports.

Norfork Tailwater

Note: On Feb. 1, 2026, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission changed trout limits for Norfork tailwater. Anglers in the Norfork tailwater may keep two rainbow trout daily; all trout 14 inches or longer must be released immediately.

Beaver Lake

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

(updated 10-8-2026) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is down and will remain that way until it is 1,112.89 feet msl. Water temps are mid-70s. Stripers are your best bet. Places to look are Point 5 to the dam. 

Crappie are fair. “We are at the start of turnover. Makes fishing tough and will remain that way until turnover finishes.” 

Walleye that are caught are deep, like 35-45 feet of water. Crawler harnesses are still your best bet .

“Fishing is on hold except for stripers, which is a bright spot! Fall is coming, I am told, hopefully soon. 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 changed trout limits for the White River below Bull Shoals Dam, effective Feb. 1, 2026, due to significant loss of stocking population at two Arkansas hatcheries in 2025. Anglers may keep two trout daily; all trout 14 inches or longer must be released immediately. This rule is in effect until further notice.

(updated 10-8-2026) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says, “Water level on the Beaver tailwater remains low as we continue to wait on some much-needed rainfall across northwest Arkansas. The trout bite has been fair, but with the lower water conditions, fish are becoming more spread out. Anglers should concentrate on deeper holes, current seams and areas where moving water meets deeper pockets. Covering water is important right now, rather than spending too much time in one location.
“For trout, Pautzke Fire Bait remains a good option, along with small spoons, jigs and other presentations that allow you to work different depths. With the clear, low water, lighter line and a more natural presentation can make a noticeable difference.
“Walleye continue to be worth targeting farther downstream toward Holiday Island. White grubs and paddle tails worked slowly along the bottom are good choices, particularly around deeper holes, current breaks and structure.
“The biggest thing the tailwater could use right now is rain. A good round of rainfall would help increase flow and change conditions throughout the system. Until then, expect lower water, scattered trout and a bite that rewards anglers willing to move and locate active fish.”

For additional information, bi-weekly Beaver tailwater and Beaver Lake fishing reports can be found on the Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service website.

Lake Charles

(updated 10-8-2026) Marsha Robinson at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said crappie have made a return, and even a white bass was caught this week, as fishing seemed to pick up across all species other than black bass.
Bream continue to have a fair bite in shallow water (the lake is way down, so much of it is shallow). Bream will bite redworms and small jigs, and most of the success was being seen from anglers on the shoreline.
Crappie were fair on jigs and worms, also off the shoreline.
Catfish were excellent. Worms, blood bait, chicken liver and shad were all working.
Water temperature is settling into a nice 72.5 degrees on the surface. And they actually saw a little rain last Friday, just shy of an inch. That didn’t affect the level much however. The clarity is the usual murky.
The new moon may induce some fishing feeding activity, according to the “moon times,” on Oct. 11-12. Head back out next week in what is forecast to be good fishing days (Oct. 16-20) and the full moon is back later in the month, Marsha noted.

Lake Poinsett

(updated 10-8-2026) Jonathan Wagner, superintendent at Lake Poinsett State Park, in his most recent report said, “Lake Poinsett has been slower fishing-wise, but the bream are still biting. No reports for crappie or bass. There have been some reports of catfish caught on lines set out overnight.
“The heat has definitely been a factor negatively impacting anglers as of late, but they are definitely still tossing out lines.
“The Lake Poinsett State Park visitor center is open 8 a.m. -5 p.m. daily for bait sales: minnows, nightcrawlers, redworms, waxworms, dip and dough baits, and more bait and tackle.”

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality earlier this week issued a warning for algae bloom on Lake Poinsett. The area of focus earlier this week was on the eastern side, and while the bloom is not considered dangerous, anglers are urged to use caution handling fish, while swimmers are urged to steer clear of the posted year.

Micah Tindall, an AGFC fisheries biologist in Jonesboro, said a small amount of surface algae was found during a routine inspection. ADEQ was notified and a follow-up inspection by ADEQ confirmed the algae bloom. The warning will stay in place until two all-clear inspections by ADEQ, and those inspections are made every 10-14 days.

Fishing is safe, and eating the fish from the lake is safe with some minor precautions. Clean your fish well with potable water and eat the fillet portion only. Boaters also should adhere to the Clean, Drain and Dry policy of the AGFC and to the rules on boat drain plugs.

Spring River

(updated 10-8-2026) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water level is at 220 cfs (350 is average at the Spring River) and water clarity is clear. The river remains very low. Low and clear conditions can make for a good time with dry flies or nymphs. Plenty of bug hatches most mornings of caddis and mayflies. Hopper dropper can be good with egg or worm dropper. 

“The river is so low now, you’ve just got to find a deeper green pool to find the fish. Sight fishing is great right now with the low and clear clarity. On the tough days, the trout are usually biting on nymphs; a smaller nymph or a midge is the trick. Below a waterfall and in the deeper areas, a Woolly fished deep is the trick.
“Jim Hinkle Spring River Fish Hatchery is stocking really nice rainbows in the river, but with the super low-water conditions the trout are having trouble hiding from predators. A big osprey had a nice trout the other morning in its talons — the trout looked right at me for help as they flew by, but I could not help him. 

“The ‘canoe hatch’ is officially over. Fall fishing season is here. It has been very quiet and peaceful on the water. Hopefully rain arrives soon. We’ve had record low-water levels on the Spring River. We may have to put wheels on our boats. Easy wading with the low water, and the rocks are still very slick. Be safe out there. The Spring River is always nice and cold. Just be safe wading; those rocks are slick.” 

Crawford’s website includes regular updates on his blog along with videos and photos. Check it out.

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.

Lake Monticello
(updated 10-8-2026) This one-time great trophy bass destination when it first opened in the 1990s appears headed back to that designation again, based on what anglers have been catching in the past few months since regulations were eased on bass and crappie. Two bass over 10 pounds were pulled out during the spring, one qualifying for the AGFC’s Legacy Lunker program before the March 31 cutoff. And AGFC biologists say the lake is trending in the right direction with ample forage stocked after its renovation. Catch rates in spring sampling exceeded both the regional average and the 2025 numbers. The survey produced bass in the 6-pound range, but AGFC staff continue to track and value reports from local anglers who have documented catches of 8 pounds and larger.
The lake’s forage base is booming. The staff observed a high abundance of threadfin shad, redear sunfish and bluegill earlier this year, and that means more fuel for growth for the sport fish like bass and crappie.
The AGFC approved fishing regulations for 2026 regarding the harvest of sport fish on Lake Monticello. Anglers may keep 5 bass, but only one bass may be 16 inches or more in length. Anglers may harvest 15 crappie, but only 7 crappie may be longer than 12 inches. All other fish creel limits follow state regulations for the species.

Lake Chicot
(updated 10-1-2026) Shaun Mercer at Lake Chicot State Park said the water temperature was 82 degrees Tuesday, and the bass fishing picked up when the weather cooled into the mid-80s. Air temperatures have climbed back to near 98 degrees this week. Largemouth bass are biting early in the morning and in the evening on topwater. A shad-colored Rebel Pop-R has been working well, and frog topwater baits are also producing really well.
“My wife and I along with several other anglers were fishing the same area, and we were all fishing purple plastic worms with success,” Mercer said. When fishing plastic worms or a Baby Brush Hog, work it slowly and all the way back to the boat.
“A lot of my fish hit right at the boat, and that’s where I set the hook,” he said. Most bass are running small and under the 15-inch limit, but 4-pounders are showing up now and then, and an occasional 6- to 7-pound bass is being caught.
Catfish are good for both bank and boat anglers, and around 4½ feet of water seems to be the right depth. Anglers reported success on red wigglers, nightcrawlers and chicken livers, with keeper-size fish going home. One angler running noodles in the middle of the lake in front of the visitor center, with about 12 feet of line, has been catching very nice catfish using bream heads for bait.
A few crappie were caught during the cool-down, but the crappie are still deep and biting slow. The best place to catch them is on the AGFC fish attractor structures in the lake, and anglers will need their boat’s GPS to find them. Bream are biting well from three days before the full moon until three days after.
The marina at Lake Chicot State Park is about to go into reduced fall hours and will be closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The bait shop has nightcrawlers and shiners but is out of red wigglers, and may not restock them before shutting down for the fall and winter. A full selection of tackle is available.
Lake Chicot is the largest oxbow lake in North America and the largest natural lake in Arkansas, curving in a C-shape for almost 22 miles. It is about a mile wide and covers 5,000 to 5,300 acres. The French explorer La Salle named it in 1686. He took the many cypress knees for stumps, and “Chicot” means stumpy. Lake Chicot 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.

Wilson Lake
(updated 10-1-2026) Angler Shaun Mercer reported that Wilson Lake, between Portland and Montrose, is extremely low. “There’s not enough boat ramp to launch your boat,” he said. Anglers should not plan on launching until water levels come back up.

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 10-8-2026) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood Lake elevation Wednesday was slightly below normal pool and stable, about 259.1 feet msl. Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 416 cfs and the tailwater is near 224 feet and stable. The surface temperature over the past week continues fluctuating, ranging in 75 degrees early to 85 later in the day along Little River this week, depending on location and the time of day. Clarity along Little River continues clearing up visibility with reduced river current. Numerous areas on Millwood Lake are fully choked with alligatorweed mats, and invasive grass species of Cuban Bulrush have been found along Little River oxbows of Hurricane Creek going into Clear Lake, Horseshoe Lake, White Cliffs creek channel, Mudd Lake, Bagley Creek & Red Slough area and McGuire and many areas have become inaccessible for navigation or fishing. Please drain your bilge and live wells and flush your boat trailer from carrying and redistributing invasive species Cuban Bulrush and alligatorweed to other bodies of water.

Siefert broke down the fishing specifics on Millwood:
* Largemouth bass continue chasing threadfin shad, and white bass are following the same schools of threadfin shad. The biggest change in bass activity levels since last week are where the bass are forcing Shad to the surface on primary and secondary points and creek channel dumps into the oxbows. We are seeing a lot more schooling activity on threadfin shad with the white bass this week up Little River near Cemetery Slough, Brown’s Slough, (between McGuire Lake entrance along Little River) and Wilton Landing. 

The best activity periods remain mid-morning. Creek bend sections of the creek channels continue holding fish on stumps from 5-12 feet of depth. Bass reactions continue improving to a variety of topwater baits through to midmorning, such as on Heddon Dying Flutters in Coach Dog, chrome and shad patterns, Pop R’s in bone color, Cordell Crazy Shads in chrome/black back and Bass Assassin Shads in Houdini and Salt & Pepper silver phantom colors when the schools move into remaining lily pad stands. Many of the black bass continue roaming and pulling up onto the flats, running shad into lily pad stands randomly from 9 a.m. to noon. These chasing bass will hit soft plastic frogs, Bass Assassin jerkbaits and Bill Lewis Lures quarter-ounce Rat-L-Traps with a tail spinner in lily pad stands and emergent vegetation where you have flats from 4-8 feet deep dropping off into structure of 10-15 feet, where standing timber is broken off.
Also over the past few weeks, black bass were randomly schooling in the oxbows up Little River for a few morning hours. The best feeding periods have been shifting from early daylight to later, around 9-11 a.m. Blow-up reactions randomly continue in the lily pads early on plastic frogs in black, white or pumpkinseed/pearl belly. 

 On vertical structure from 5-6 feet deep and tapering out to 8-9 feet depth, where the alligatorweed and lily pads converge on receding flats or deeper drops on secondary points, custom painted Little John Crankbaits in Millwood Magic and shad patterns are still getting random reactions. Bandit 200 Cranks in Splatterback, LA Shad, Chartreuse Root beer, Fat Free Fry and Fat Free Guppy, and Fingerlings in Citrus and Tennessee Shad colors have been randomly working, especially when bass are surface-breaking chasing shad.
* We are beginning to see locations in the oxbows where white bass are collectively chasing threadfin shad in very large schools with the black bass. Anglers have told us they found large schools of whites in McGuire Oxbow, schooling with the largemouths near standing timber in creek mouths, near vertical structure, and in creek channel dumps into the oxbow near back of McGuire and in front of standing timber. Random schooling was taking place from daylight until around 10 a.m. to noon, with shad pods breaking as the whites were pushing them to the surface.

* The crappie bite has been good for the past couple weeks, and best from early morning up till 10-11 a.m. on hair jigs, minnows and grubs from 10-15 feet of depth on standing timber. Monkey Milk and Firecracker have been good colors on jigs.
* No report on catfish with the reduced current in Little River. And no update this week on bream. However, bream were active last week at Millwood State Park and off the fishing/picnic dock at Jack’s Isle. Bite was best from 9-11 a.m. and from 5-6 p.m. on redworms and crickets.

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

DeGray Lake

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

(updated 10-8-2026) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted on the weekly “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz on Tuesday how much below normal pool the “big” lakes are: DeGray is down 7 feet, Greers Ferry is down 5.3 feet, Greeson is 14.3 feet low, Ouachita is down 8.3 feet, and Lake Hamilton will have a 3-foot drawdown starting on Nov. 1, lasting until March 1. The surface temperature has fallen a little on the Hot Springs area lakes, as they’re about 80 degrees on average. The water color is still gin clear. “The topwater bite is incredible. All the lakes are on fire. Also, a buzzbait and Fluke bite are both very good. Ouachita and DeGray have some of the best moss crops they have ever had in a very long time, maybe ever. Big jig season is just around the corner.”

(updated 10-1-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) has been fishing lakes Ouachita, DeGray and Hamilton this week. “We’ve done a few guided trips and scouted all three lakes. As usual we are seeing small pods of bass chasing shad and catching them casting spoons, swimbaits and trolling For the crappie fishermen, the crappie are in fall transition with the water starting to cool. Deeper brushpiles near the channels at the entrance of coves and smaller creek arms are holding some nice crappie. Fish 12-20 feet deep with the usual jigs or minnows at all three lakes.”

(updated 9-24-2026) Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) hasn’t been able to get on the lake much this summer, but he’s headed there this weekend, which we’re glad to hear. His approach will likely be “punching the grass mats,” he said. “The lake is down and I think I can catch a few doing that.”
Other observers have told us this season that the grass on DeGray and on Lake Ouachita has been the best they’ve seen in years for fishing, and the fishing is set up to be good this fall. DeGray was a producer of Legacy Lunker-qualifying largemouth bass earlier this year, so we know there are some big bass in that water. In fact, Randy caught a very nice one earlier this year, which we featured in a photo.

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.

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.

White Oak Lake Area

No reports.

Lake Atkins

(updated 10-8-2026) Lucky Landing as a bait shop and restaurant is not open, but the AGFC’s access to Lake Atkins and fishing pier remain open to all anglers, according to the AGFC’s Frank Leone, supervisor of the Russellville district.

Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam)

For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro

(updated 10-8-2026) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below the dam is 65 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Entergy is running 10-hour generation periods starting in the late afternoon. However, with the fall season underway, this schedule will change soon. The fall stocking of rainbow trout is scheduled to begin in early November, but as of yet we’ve seen no information on the number of trout to be stocked.

The only productive fishing below the dam involves catching white bass and hybrid bass that remain in the area after the yearly spawn. Some topwater activity has been observed below the dam in the early morning as bass chase threadfin shad schools. Casting Alabama rigs has proven to be an effective technique to target these fish, which will strike a lure that closely resembles a fleeing shad. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits, imitating shad, against the current has taken numbers of bass in the late evening. 

Excessive heat kept many anglers off the lake for several weeks and shortened fish feeding times, which is a normal occurrence on Lake Catherine in the late summer. Now that fall has begun, more anglers can stay on the water and catches should improve somewhat. This report will stay much the same until November, when the first stocking of rainbow trout is scheduled for the lake. Trout in the tailrace completely changes the dynamic of the area for the better.

Always remember to wear a life jacket when on the water and remember to follow all lake and park regulations. Trash cans are limited in the area, so pick up after yourself and be aware of rising lake levels when the turbines are running. 

Lake Dardanelle

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

No reports.

Lake Hamilton

(updated 10-8-2026) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted on the weekly “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz on Tuesday how much below normal pool the “big” lakes are: DeGray is down 7 feet, Greers Ferry is down 5.3 feet, Greeson is 14.3 feet low, Ouachita is down 8.3 feet, and Lake Hamilton will have a 3-foot drawdown starting on Nov. 1, lasting until March 1. The surface temperature has fallen a little on the Hot Springs area lakes, as they’re about 80 degrees on average. The water color is still gin clear. “The topwater bite is incredible. All the lakes are on fire. Also, a buzzbait and Fluke bite are both very good. Ouachita and DeGray have some of the best moss crops they have ever had in a very long time, maybe ever. Big jig season is just around the corner.”

(updated 10-1-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) has been fishing lakes Ouachita, DeGray and Hamilton this week. “We’ve done a few guided trips and scouted all three lakes. As usual we are seeing small pods of bass chasing shad and catching them casting spoons, swimbaits and trolling For the crappie fishermen, the crappie are in fall transition with the water starting to cool. Deeper brushpiles near the channels at the entrance of coves and smaller creek arms are holding some nice crappie. Fish 12-20 feet deep with the usual jigs or minnows at all three lakes.”

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 10-8-2026) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs noted on the weekly “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz on Tuesday how much below normal pool the “big” lakes are: DeGray is down 7 feet, Greers Ferry is down 5.3 feet, Greeson is 14.3 feet low, Ouachita is down 8.3 feet, and Lake Hamilton will have a 3-foot drawdown starting on Nov. 1, lasting until March 1. The surface temperature has fallen a little on the Hot Springs area lakes, as they’re about 80 degrees on average. The water color is still gin clear. “The topwater bite is incredible. All the lakes are on fire. Also, a buzzbait and Fluke bite are both very good. Ouachita and DeGray have some of the best moss crops they have ever had in a very long time, maybe ever. Big jig season is just around the corner.”

(updated 10-8-2026) Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) reports that black bass are still slow. Try a riser bait or Plopper-style lure for a fun topwater bite. 

Walleye are still fair. For best results in the 20-foot range, try a drop-shot rig or a Texas-rigged jig with a nightcrawler near brush.

No reports on stripers, bream, crappie or catfish. 

Water temperature is steady, ranging 78-84 degrees. Water clarity is clear. Lake level drops a little each week, and this week edged below 570 feet msl. Thursday’s elevation was 569.61 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 10-1-2025) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) has been fishing lakes Ouachita, DeGray and Hamilton this week. “We’ve done a few guided trips and scouted all three lakes. As usual we are seeing small pods of bass chasing shad and catching them casting spoons, swimbaits and trolling For the crappie fishermen, the crappie are in fall transition with the water starting to cool. Deeper brushpiles near the channels at the entrance of coves and smaller creek arms are holding some nice crappie. Fish 12-20 feet deep with the usual jigs or minnows at all three lakes.”

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.

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