Arkansas Fishing Report
By The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS White Oak Lake
(Updated 3-18-2020) Curtis Willingham of River Rat Bait (870-231-3831) said White Oak Upper and Lower are murky.
The surface temperature is 58 degrees as of Tuesday afternoon, with water that is a little high.
Crappie are good. They are in 6-8 feet depth and biting minnows and jigs.
No bream, black bass or catfish were reported.
Felsenthal
(Updated 3-25-2020) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) had no reports.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS Lake Columbia
(Updated 3-25-2020) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) had no report.
Millwood Lake
As of Monday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 262.50 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl).
(Updated 3-25-2020) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said that as of Monday, Millwood Lake has almost leveled out and is back on a slow fall after going four feet above conservation pool with recent thunderstorms.
The lake is 3.5 feet above normal conservation pool, near 262.5 feet msl; the discharge Monday was around 23,000 cfs in Little River according to the Army Corps of Engineers.
The tailwater below the dam and gate as of Monday is about 247 feet msl with discharge.
Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels, especially during high flow river conditions.
Note: Wilton Landing on Little River U.S. Highway 71 and White Cliffs campground and boat ramp, along with Saratoga boat ramp, are closed by the Corps due to flooding.
Continue to use extreme caution in Little River navigation this week where logs and floaters may be present this week.
Surface temps as of Monday ranged 57 degrees early to 65 later under full sun, depending on location.
Clarity in the oxbows, with the recent rise, is stained.
Little River stain is more prevalent this week, muddy in locations near Cossatot inflow and Wilton, with increase of current, and with random broken timber and debris.
As for fishing details:
•Largemouth bass: They are being seen near spawning flats, roaming in search of bed sites near vertical structure.
Mike says they are seeing mostly male largemouths roaming in back areas of 3-8 feet depth creeks, and bedding flats on warm afternoons, near vertical structure.
Brazalo Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits are randomly working over the past few weeks, and Rat-L-Traps, along with custom painted S-Cranks, are getting fair responses over the past couple weeks from these active roaming bass.
Anywhere a creek channel is close by to the deeper creek bends or vertical structure and drops into the oxbows, where stumps and creek mouths drop, have held some decent-size bass over the past several weeks, and they were moving shallow on afternoons, best responses from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The largemouths were much more reliable in the oxbows of McGuire and Horseshoe lakes where the water clarity was drastically better, water temps were warmer, and calm/no river current present.
The bass continue their best hits on Rat-L-Traps in Red Chrome, Toledo Gold, Ozark Craw and Red Rayburn Craw. Baby Brush Hogs and lizards continue taking some decent 15-18-inch males roaming flats in the clearer water sections of the oxbows, away from river current.
With the water temps continuing into the upper 50s and low to mid-60s the males are active and females continue staging, with a few seen on beds on top of flat cut or broken tree stumps.
Where you find shallow 5-8 foot depth flats with stumps you can find a few decent 2-3-pound males roaming on warm afternoons, if near to a quick creek bend drop into 8-12 feet structure.
More bed-making activities are being observed now. South Hickory Golf Course pockets continue warming up, and they’re seeing pre-spawn male bass run in and out near stumps and vegetation.
They continue to see good reactions from 2-3-pounds males over the past couple weeks by pitching lizards and Baby Brush Hogs, Pit Bosses and Beavers around cypress trees, flooded buckbrush, bushes and backs of pockets.
A young angler caught a nice 5-6-pound pre-spawn female largemouth off the bank at Millwood State Park this week, and another angler fishing near there showed off a nice healthy 9.5-pound largemouth with bloody tail from nest-tending near the Millwood State Park.
Best colors of chatterbaits and spinnerbaits have been chartreuse/white, Millwood Mayhem Bream, Spot Remover or Arkansas River Shad.
Best depth zones Mike and the other guides are targeting are cypress tree knees from 6-10 feet, with 12-15 feet of depth nearby.
•White bass: Whites continue their annual spawning migration along Little River and mouths of the oxbows and creek dumps, and running up Little River.
It continues this week also, in much the same areas as last week, but the muddy, sudden inflow of rain and muddy current slowed the pre-spawn feeding.
Trolling medium to deep crankbaits and spoons along upper reaches of Little River will pick up an occasional white bass.
“The sudden inflow of heavy rain and runoff and muddy water, has temporarily slowed the rapid-fire bite we were getting last week,” he said.
Heavy thumping ¾-ounce and 1-ounce Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, chrome or Splatterback colors, cranked very slow and deep behind primary or secondary points, caught some decent, 2-3-pounders over the two or three past weeks from 9-16 feet deep.
A chrome three-quarterounce Cordell Hammered Spoon with a red/white hair bucktail, vertical-jigging behind primary points near the bottom where stumps were located on the backside of points, were connecting with a few nice sized 2-3 pound whites over the past several weeks.
Swimming jigs with a heavy thumping tail swimbait trailer picked up a few whites in 10-14 feet swimming and dropping the bait.
Deep running Fat Free Shad cranks in Tennessee Shad or Citrus Shad, H&H Spinnerbaits, red/white Rooster-Tails, Little Cleos, Little Georges, War Eagle Underspins and swimbaits all have been catching the whites over the past two weeks.
With the increase of warm water temps into the upper 50s, the white bass spawning run continues up Little River near Patterson Shoals. The whites continue holding in the same areas.
•Crappie: Minnows and jigs were working two weeks ago near standing timber and creek channels in the clearer sections of the oxbows and golf course pockets, from 8-12 feet deep.
The rapid 4-foot rise and muddy water has slowed the crappie responses but Mike says they did pick up a few decent crappie caught near cypress trees in South Hickory hitting small spinnerbaits like a Rocket Shad or Little Cleo and Blakemore Roadrunners in white/chartreuse.
•Catfish: continue biting consistent over the past few weeks with the increased current along Little River.
Channel cats and blues remain good on Punch Bait and cut baits over the last week on trotlines from 8-14 feet of depth in current.
Lake Greeson Tailwater
Visit www.littlemissouriflyflishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Lake Greeson
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 544.60 feet msl (normal pool: 548.00 feet msl).
No reports.
DeGray Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 406.11 feet msl (normal pool: 408.00 feet msl).
(Updated 3-25-2020) John Duncan of yoyoguideservice.com at Iron Mountain Marina said, “Spring is here. I actually saw 59.8 degrees on my electronics a couple of days ago. So, since this is Arkansas, we get a cold rain.
“Whites and hybrids’ movement is upriver. If you venture above Shouse Ford be aware of floating debris. The water level is 407.87 feet msl and they are pulling water as they need to with spring weather conditions and needs.
“There is lots of bass fishing going on, but with the virus and social distancing, the reports I have are limited.”
John says campgrounds at DeGray Lake State Park are closed, so boat traffic and participation is down.
“But the guys I talked to are still with A-rigs. The crappie are really getting ready. Brushpiles in water 14-18 feet deep are full of crappie, lots of smaller ones.
“We are still getting fish on jigs or minnows with a slow transition of minnows getting better. You fishermen better get ready, the spawn is close. Everyone stay safe.”
(Updated 3-25-2020) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips says it’s that time of year where crappie are moments away from laying their first eggs.
The warmer nights this week are the key to warming the water for spawning temps.
For greater numbers than size, fish 4-8 feet deep on the staging brushpiles. Pitch minnows or jigs around the shallow buckbrush, but don’t expect to catch that wall-hanger everywhere.
Casting jigs around shallow flats and points can produce, too.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
(Updated 3-25-2020) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no report.
Arkansas River (Pool 2)
No reports.
Cane Creek Lake
(Updated 3-25-2020) Austin Davidson, park interpreter at Cane Creek State Park, had no report.
Lake Chicot
(Updated 3-25-2020) Brian Whitson, park interpreter at Lake Chicot State Park (870-265-5480), said the word at Chicot is that catfish and crappie are both biting, although this rain has stalled things the last several days.
Lake Monticello
(Updated 3-25-2020) The lake is undergoing a repair to the dam and improvements to the fish habitat and is currently drawn down.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS Lake Atkins
(Updated 3-25-2020) Donald Ramirez, the new owner of Lucky Landing (479641-7615) on the southeastern end of the lake, said the clarity was a little murky with the slight wind earlier this week.
Water level is a little high. Crappie are good. Anglers report catching several 2to 3-pounders using minnows and jigs.
No reports on bream. Black bass are good; use jigs for best results. Catfishing is fair.
The catfish are going after the minnows thrown by crappie anglers. White bass are good. They are beginning to be caught on jigs.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(Updated 3-25-2020) Steve Donahou at Lake Catherine State Park had no report.
Lake Catherine (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(Updated 3-25-2020) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that both lakes Hamilton and Catherine have been refilled to their normal summertime levels.
Heavy flows have been the norm as continued rainfall kept Lake Ouachita over a foot into the flood pool.
Open flood gates and high generation have created a treacherous situation in all area dam tailraces. All boaters and anglers alike should use extreme caution if attempting to navigate the Carpenter Dam tailrace.
It could take several weeks for the affected areas to return to normal. Thousands of trout are present and thriving in Lake Catherine.
When lake conditions stabilize, anglers can begin to catch limits of trout using redworms or nightcrawlers under a bobber or fished just off the bottom. Worm presentations are often overlooked and will consistently produce results when other baits fail.
Other live baits such as waxworms and mealworms will also perform well used in the same manner. Live minnows tend to catch larger trout that search for bigger prey.
PowerBait and Trout Magnets in basic colors are two of the best methods known to man for catching rainbow trout are should never be forgotten by anglers who are serious about catching fish. Fly-fishermen that cast San Juan worms or micro-jigs in black or white under strike indicators can expect a solid bite.
Egg patterns in white or yellow will also work very well in slack or current flow. Woolly Buggers have to be included in the bestof fly patterns and should be present in every fly anglers’ tackle.
The walleye spawn is on in the tailrace with fish spotted in the shallows at dawn and dusk. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits against the current will draw strikes from hungry walleye guarding their beds.
Carolina-rigs tipped with live minnows or nightcrawlers is a proven technique in current or slack water.
Vertical-jigging spoons in deeper water is often a forgotten method of catching walleye and will outperform many other efforts.
Trout will be king for the next few months, but the crappie spawn is due to begin.
Anyone navigating the Carpenter Dam tailrace must always wear a life jacket and should be aware of the generation schedules.
Lake Dardanelle
(Updated 3-25-2020) Jason Baumgartner, park aquarist at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7495), said that since last Tuesday (March 17) they have had frequent rain and overcast skies.
For this week, a nice warmup was expected Wednesday and Thursday before rain chances returned Friday. Then partly cloudy skies and seasonal temperatures return Sunday.
Recent rains and high river flow has muddied the water. Surface temperature earlier this week was 58 degrees.
As of Tuesday (March 24) the Army Corps of Engineers has reported river flows near 200,000 cfs at both Ozark and Dardanelle.
Currently, online USACE water level reports are not accessible.
Lake Dardanelle State Park’s goal is to deliver the services you need while keeping the health and safety of our staff and guests at the highest levels.
We are complying with state and recommendations for social distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Reservations for the use of our tournament fishing facility have been canceled through May 31.
Tournament participants are advised to contact their tournament event directors for details specific to their tournament.
Lake Hamilton
(Updated 3-25-2020) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred X-press all-aluminum, all-welded fishing boats in Hot Springs, reports lake levels at normal pool levels with water temps in the high 50s and rising daily.
Water clarity is fair with 2-3 feet of visibility in most areas. Bass have been doing pretty well lately.
Brush piles in the 15 feet range near the mouths of pockets have been holding fish, along with shallow spawning areas in the backs of pockets. Jigs in green pumpkin, Chatter baits, Spinner baits, shallow running crank baits and Jerk baits have been catching some fish.
White, Shad, Chartreuse and Craw colors. It’s getting into the floating worm season so don’t forget that presentation I the shallows. Crappie have been doing very well in some unusual places.
Crappie are making their way into the spawning areas. Using ditches, drains and channels as the road to get to these spawning areas the crappie can be intercepted 15-22 feet in the middle of these “highways” and laying close to the bottom are these hungry fish.
Spider rig is the perfect choice for these fish but don’t overlook an ultralight rod and some good Sonar.
(Pink/ Chartreuse) presentations and (chartreuse/ white) have been doing very well with the Crappie. Reports coming in of walleye being caught everywhere near current, and by accident.
Lake Nimrod
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 343.69 feet msl (normal pool: 342.00 feet msl).
(Updated 3-25-2020) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said the lake clarity is half muddy/half clear.
Surface water temperature is 51 degrees and the water level is 13 feet above normal. Crappie are excellent.
They’re being caught with minnows and on yo-yos with minnows; they recommend getting/using a LiveScope, the instrument will show the crappie now at about six feet depth in various spots.
Bream reports are good. Anglers are using redworms and Rock Hoppers. Bass are good on spinnerbaits (War Eagles were being used this week), jigs and a gold willow leaf with white skirt.
Catfish are fair on chicken liver and shad.
Note: The parks will be closed after Sunday, March 29 (per Army Corps of Engineers) but the boat launches and fishing will continue to be accessible.
Lake Ouachita
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 576.76 feet msl (normal pool: 578.00 feet msl).
(Updated 3-25-2020) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) reports that black bass are very good.
Jerkbaits, crawfish-colored crankbaits and Carolina rigs are starting to produce good stringers. Walleye are good.
Shad-colored crankbaits fished on river points are a good starting point for these fish. Stripers are very good. These fish are being caught on Alabama rigs, hair jigs or jerkbaits on the west end of the lake.
Bream are slow but are picking up with worms, crickets or PowerBait in 15-25 feet of water. Crappie are fair to good. Try a small jig or minnow near brush in 15-25 feet of water. No reports on catfish. The water temperature is up to 56-58 degrees. Water clarity is stained on the west end and colored on the east. Lake level Tuesday evening was 579.27 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
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.69 feet msl (normal pool: 384.00 feet msl).
No report.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
(Updated 3-25-2020) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake is at its normal (stained) clarity.
Water level remains high. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie are good.
Regular minnows and bass minnows are working, along with artificial jigs.
Black bass reports are good, with spinnerbaits and plastic worms working, along with topwater lures, lizards, worms, chatterbaits, regular minnows and bass minnows.
Catfishing is good using worms, goldfish, nightcrawlers and trotlines baited with minnows and bass minnows.
Harris Brake Lake
(Updated 3-25-2020) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501889-2745) said the lake appears muddy and the water level is high. Bream reports are good.
The bream are being caught in shallow water in the morning hours. Crappie are good on minnows.
Anglers fishing from the shoreline are having good success. Black bass are fair. Catfishing is good on trotlines baited with minnows, chicken liver and goldfish.