Central Arkansas


Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water level is normal but the lake is slightly stained. Bream are good on worms and crickets. Crappie are hitting pink and silver minnows, as well as Crappie Stingers.

Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) had no report.

Little Red River

Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) ) said the water is clear. Trout are biting on spinners and night crawlers when water is up; wax worms, marshmallows and PowerBait when water is down.


Greers Ferry

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 469.75 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 461 MSL).

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said water temperatures range from 60 to 68 degrees. Bream fishing has picked up with catches coming on crickets in 5-27 feet of water. Crappie are in bushes and spawning, with some still biting in 5-10 feet of water and others suspended in 15-25 feet of water. The Arkansas Claw/Slab Hunter and jigs with minnows are catching them. White and hybrid bass are up the river dumping their eggs. Grubs and in-line spinners are working best. Walleye are almost done up the rivers, with some showing up in the lake biting, and the lake walleye showing up getting ready to spawn. Try jerk baits, in-line spinners and jigs with minnows up the rivers, and jigs with night crawlers dragged along the bottom in the lake. Bass are scattered; all species are in all three stages of the spawn. The bite is changing by the minute; use the bait of your choice.

Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the reservoir is topping out 8 feet over normal pool and clearing in all the main and minor creek arms. Water surface temperature peaked last weekend in the mid-60s and now the runoff entering the lake is a cooler 57-59 degrees. This really backed the fish out that had already pushed toward the backs of minor creeks and, in some degree, the major three arms. Most of the best fishing has been in major and minor flats off the main lake and in the creeks, as this water is much more stable and has consistently fished better and better each day. Lots of crappie, smallmouth, largemouth and white bass are congregating on these flats and seem to feed better than the creek or river fish, at least for now. As this week goes on and more stable warm weather continues, look for the tributaries and the minor creeks to really turn back on in shallower water with inflow.

Greers Ferry Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said generation has been continuous with flows to 7,200 cfs. Midge and sow bug patterns have been good for fly-fishing. Zebra midges in gray/silver and black/silver are working, along with Ray Charles sow bugs. Small streamers in olive are working also. Woolly buggers and pine squirrel zonkers have been the best bet. With the high flows, try a heavier rod and big streamers.


Harris Brake Lake

Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the lake is clear and a little high. Bream are good on worms and crickets. Crappie are good with minnows and jigs. Bass are good on plastic worms, lizards and spinnerbaits. Catfish are fair on night crawlers and stink baits.

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) ) said crappie are biting well on No. 6 and No. 8 minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shad, Slab Slay’R and Stroll’R in white/salt and pepper, red/chartreuse and bone white shad, and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. Catfish are good on minnows, worms and goldfish in deep water. Bass are good on worms, spinnerbaits and Rooster Tails. Bream are biting worms, crickets and rock hoppers.

Lake Overcup

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the lake is is a little murky and about a foot high. Crappie are starting to spawn. They are being caught in 4 feet of water next to the bank. A pumpkinseed/chartreuse and solid chartreuse, and No. 6 minnows are working. Bream are starting to be caught on the bank; use wax worms and crickets, red worms also are good. Bass are doing on black worms and flukes. Catfish are hitting large minnows and cut bait.

Whiskers Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting well around dock, brush piles and dam area, but moving around. No. 6 minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shad, Stroll’R and Slab Slay’R in white/salt and pepper, red/chartreuse and bone white baby shad, and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow are working. Bream are hitting worms, crickets and rock hoppers.


Brewer Lake

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the lake is high but launching is OK. Bass are good. Crappie are spawning and being caught on white Stingers and orange/chartreuse jigs. Bream are being caught with red worms and crickets. Catfish are good on noodles and trot lines.


Lake Cargile

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the lake is a little high but fishing is good. Bass and crappie are spawning and being caught in shallow water. Bream are beginning to hit crickets.

Lake Maumelle

Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water level was an inch or two above the spillway before the rain. The water temperature is about 55 degrees on the main lake and 63 degrees in the coves. Largemouth bass are excellent. They are biting jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and soft-plastics cast in shallow water near spawning flats. Spotted bass are biting excellently on Rooster Tails, wacky-rigged floating worms and jighead worms in 2 to 5 feet of water. White bass are excellent. The whites are on both sides of the Ark. Highway 10 Bridge. In shallow water, use Rattlin’ Rogues, Sassy Shads and Rooster Tails. In deep water, switch to spoons, grubs and heavy inline spinners. Most of the limits are coming from the river above the lake. Crappie are excellent on small jigs, grubs and minnows in 4 to 10 feet of water on the edges of creek channels. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms fished 10 to 15 feet deep. Catfishing is very good on trotlines baited with large minnows and prepared bait.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are good on crickets about 10 feet deep. Crappie are biting well on pink or white 1/16-ounce jigheads in about 13 feet of water. Bass are hitting well on twitch baits about 10-12 feet down. Catfish are good on live slicks.

Whiskers Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said crappie are fair in coves and brush piles on Bobby Garland Baby Shad and Slab Slay’r in red/chartreuse, bone white and pearl, and orange/chartreuse. No. 6 minnows and Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow 12-20 feet deep are working. White bass are biting well in channel and river on Rooster Tails in shad, white, and salt and pepper.

Lake Valencia

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfishing is excellent with worms and chicken hearts. PowerBait and marshmallows are working for trout.

Sunset Lake

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the lake is clear and normal. Bream are poor but crappie are excellent on grubs. Bass are excellent on 6-inch green pumpkin lizards and watermelon Super Flukes.

Saline River Access in Benton

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the river is clear but high. Bream are good on yellow and black Rooster Tails. Crappie are poor. Bass are excellent on 5-inch green pumpkin lizards and bubble gum-colored Trick Worms. Catfish are poor.

Arkansas River at Morrilton

Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Opello said high water has kept boaters off the main river. Flooded irrigation systems are full of catfish and carp – fish for them with worms. Creeks are in flood stage. Fish flooded backwaters for crappie and bass.


Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had this report from Maumelle and Little Maumelle rivers: Bream are good in shallow lily pad fields with crickets, red worms and wax worms. Crappie are good with black and chartreuse and red and chartreuse tube jigs and yo-yos with minnows. Largemouth bass are biting well on Rattlin’ Rogues, tandem spinner baits (white/chartreuse or chartreuse) and shallow-diving crankbaits. Catfish are excellent on limb lines, yo-yos and trotlines with skipjacks, slicks, shad or chicken hearts.
In the main channel: River is too muddy and high. No fishing report.
At Palarm Creek: Bream are good with crickets and red worms. Crappie are good with pink minnows, and black/chartreuse or red/chartreuse tube jigs. Bass are good with black/chartreuse jig ’n’ pigs or worms. Catfish are excellent on chicken hearts, shrimp and night crawlers.

Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)

Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said the river is too high; no fishing report.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had this report about the Burns Park area: The river is high and muddy. Crappie are good on pink minnows and red/chartreuse or white/chartreuse tube jigs. Catfish are good on skipjacks and live slicks.
At Fourche Creek: No report.
At Murray Lock and Dam: Crappie are good with white/chartreuse tube jigs and white/chartreuse or money Kalin’s Grubs. Catfish are excellent on skipjacks and live slicks. White bass are hitting white or white/chartreuse Twister Tails.

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report on fishing. The river is muddy and high.

Clear Lake

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the lake is dingy and high. Crappie are good in 4-5 feet of water with minnows and blue/white jigs.

Peckerwood Lake

Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is stained on the upper end and muddier toward the highway. Bream are fair on worms, crickets and artificial bait. Crappie are excellent on minnows and on jigs. Bass are good with minnows. Catfishing is excellent on “anything you want to use.”

Lake Pickthorne

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are fair on wax worms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows in standing timber. Bass are good with topwater baits, stick baits, tandem willow-leaf spinners and 8-inch lizards in June bug. Catfish are good. Channel cats are biting night crawlers, chicken hearts and cut shad. They’re also biting live slicks and cut shad on trotlines.


Lake Willastein
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are good on crickets, red worms and wax worms. Crappie are good in the main lake brushpiles with live minnows and pink/chartreuse tube jigs. Bass are good with June bug Senkos. Catfish are good with large minnows, night crawlers and chicken hearts.

North Arkansas


White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the river is clear. Small to medium trout are excellent. If you’re drift fishing, try river rigs, PowerBait and pink worms. Midges are working for fly anglers. Try throwing jigs and stick baits for brown trout.

Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said he had no fishing report.

Guide Davy Wotton said generation has been erratic, making it difficult to find fish and a consistent pattern. During high water, algae is flowing downstream, making it hard to keep your line and lure clean. There have been some periods of low water and some opportunities for wade fishing. Caddis are emerging during the day, offering good fishing on dry flies, soft hackles and wet flies. Scuds, sow bugs, midges, baetis and mayfly nymph imitations are working well. While fishing from a boat, drift a white tail, prism midge, hare’s ear nymph or prince nymph in low flows. For high flows, choose streamers, crayfish imitations and sculpins to search for a trophy brown trout.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185) said the White River from Buffalo City to Red’s Landng is still very colored because of muddy water from the Buffalo River and Crooked Creek. Drag PowerBaits to pick up some fish but it will get better in a few more days when the river gets that greenish/brown color to it. Fish the mouth of any feeder creek on the White and catch smallmouth, as well as some trout. The Buffalo River was about 5 feet above normal but the smallmouth bass are biting in spawning areas that have gravel and mud on them. Gitzits work well in dark colors.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides said the river level was at 18 feet and rising Wednesday morning at Arkansas Highway 14; the river was closed to floating.

Crooked Creek

Just Fishing Guides said the gauge at Kelly’s Slab was reading above 17 feet (high) and rising Wednesday morning.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 662.05 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said walleye are spawning on main lake points and biting on stick baits late during the day and at night. Bass are moving into main lake creek coves and pockets, and biting on Carolina-rigged lizards and centipedes. Crappie are in shallow water and biting on grubs and Swim N Minnows. White bass are moving into creeks and coves and biting on anything that looks like a shad.

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said the lake level was 654.1 feet and generation had been around the clock with 1-2 units (2,000 cfs and spikes to 18,000 cfs) during the week. Caddis patterns are the preferred flies now. Suggested patterns include Prince nymph, Zugbug, Hare ’n’ Copper (olive), BH Z-Wing caddis (olive), partridge and peacock soft hackle, graphic caddis and elk hair caddis, all in size 14.


Lake Norfork

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 563.30 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).

Blackburn Resort said the water level has stopped rising. Surface temperature is in the mid-40s. People are catching some nice stripers on grubs halfway back in the creeks. Crappie are also halfway back in the creeks around deep brush. Several fish have been caught on small spoons in the brush piles.

101 Grocery and Bait Tim Partin says fishing has been great this March. Bass, crappie, walleye, stripers, monster bluegills and white bass are all doing great.

STR Outfitters Tom Reynolds says rain has triggered stripers to begin biting. The stripers are in deep water – 50-80 feet – but are in the 30-foot range, so stay in deep water but fish shallow during the day. Early daylight and evenings the stripers are moving to shore, feeding on crawdads. A 25, 18, 16 and two 12s were caught on shiners and shad recently.

Hummingbird Hideaway Resort Lou Gabric says the Norfork Lake “night bite” is in full swing from what I experienced this evening. I ended up landing two stripers, four hybrids and a handful of largemouth and spotted bass. I could hear fish breaking the surface all around me. The fish started to bite around 8 p.m. and it didn’t stop until I had to quit about 10:30. I noticed it was already 10:30 p.m., which is later than I normally fish. The surface water temperature was in the upper 50s. I was throwing a bone/orange Rogue. On another note, the whites have started their run and are being found back in the creeks.

Guide Steve Olomon said the striper bite has been hit and miss but the bite should get good any day, and the night bite will only get better in the weeks ahead. There are a few stripers and hybrids chasing baitfish to the surface in the morning. I had my wife out yesterday and she caught four bass that weighed a little over 16 pounds. They were caught on a single swim bait. She also lost a good striper on a swim bait. We also caught a few smallies (one was 4½ pounds) on the swim bait and Bass Assassins. We found a pocket that had hybrids in it and they were caught on the same baits. Earlier in the week, a client caught a 5½-pound largemouth and a 4-pound smallie on a Bass Assassin. Remember that when you fish at night for stripers, if you use a stick bait, reel it slowly. Look in the back of the creeks for some activity.

Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) had no report.

Norfork Tailwater

Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) ) said he had no fishing report.

Just Fishing Guides said the lake level was 552 feet and generation had been continuous with flows to 3,000 cfs and peaks to 6,000 cfs. Over the weekend, it was continuous at 3,000 cfs. Midges and caddis are what the trout are keying on predominately now. Look for midging trout late morning and switch to caddis patterns sometime in the early afternoon. Suggested patterns include zebra midge (black, gray and rusty brown), parachute Adams, sow bug (gray and tan), scud (olive, gray and tan), prince nymph, zugbug, BH Z-wing caddis (olive), hare ’n’ copper (olive), partridge and peacock soft hackle, graphic caddis (olive) and olive elk hair caddis.

Northwest Arkansas


Beaver Lake

As of Tuesday, ththe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,125.42 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 1,120 MSL).

Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said striper fishing is fair with the fish making a second run upriver for spawning. They can be taken on live shad fished on free lines 150 feet back and lightly weighted balloon lines trolled 50-100 feet back and 10-35 feet deep. The rain runoff has put a damper on the white bass run. White bass can be caught with white Rooster Tails, spoons, small Curly Tail grubs in various colors and live bait fished under a cork. Most walleye are 8-12 feet deep; fish are being taken off flats near the channel. Try trolling the flats with a "slow death rig.” Move slowly, less than 1 mph. Prarrie Creek and near points 12, 9, 8 and 7 have been producing walleye. Flat-line troll with Hot ’NTots, Rapala Tail Dancers, Shad Raps, Reef Runners or Ripsticks in natural blue or black back combos or chartreuse/orange and clown. Jigging spoons around brush and rock piles are also producing. Rooster Tails in white are catching walleye; also try CountDown Rapalas.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) ) said bass can be caught by using 3/8-ounce spinner baits in front and along the flooded grass and brush. Another option is to work a drop shot or Carolina-rigged Finesse worm in small pockets and their adjacent points with timber as these bass are in prespawn mode. Crappie can be caught by fishing 2-inch swim baits on 1/32-ounce jigheads under a cork 2 to 5 feet deep along laydown trees and timber close to a channel. Prespawn females can be found suspended in channel bends of small creeks and runoff ditches close to timber. A chartreuse swim bait or Curly Tail on a 1/16-ounce jighead can be used to catch these fish as they suspend 8 to 15 feet down in 20-30 feet of water. Monte Ne, Hickory Creek and Piney Creek have been good places to fish. White bass have been biting well in the back of windblown coves and up both river arms. Small casting spoons, Shiney Hineys and Curly Tail grubs have worked best.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear in the main lake but the river arms are stained. The lake is about 4 feet high. Bream are fair on crickets and worms. Crappie and white bass are biting well on crawdads and Lit’l Fishies. Bass are good on spinners, swim baits, Wiggle Warts, jigs or jerk baits. Catfish are poor. Walleye are hitting stick baits, little crankbaits and live minnows.

Beaver Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said there had been low water for wade fishing morning and afternoon. Generation has been once per day with flows to 8,000 cfs in the late evening. Streamers early and late and nymphing during the middle of the day are typical tactics now. Suggested patterns include .56ers, Sparrows, Woolly Buggers, Zonkers, sow bug (tan and gray), scuds (olive, tan and gray), pheasant tails, zebra midges (gray, red, black, cream, olive and rusty brown), and egg and worm patterns.

Lake Elmdale

Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said conditions are good. Water temperature is in the 60s and clear, with a 6-inch rise in pool elevation . Suspending jerk baits , Wiggle Warts in crawdad colors, and spinner baits are working well for bass. Shiney Hiney crappie jigs cast from a boat and red/chartreuse tube jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles (vertical jigging at 7 feet) have caught large stringers of crappie. Crickets and worms have been good for bluegill. For catfish, use cut and stressed bluegill strips. Live perch work best for flatheads.


Kings River

Just Fishing Guides said the river gauge near Grandview was at 13 feet (high) and rising Wednesday.

Lake Fayetteville

Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are good on worms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bass are good with a variety of lures, including spinners and jerk baits. Catfish are fair with chicken liver. White bass might be caught while anglers are after crappie with minnows and jigs. Les and Debbie Burlison caught two limits of crappie, some up to 15 inches.

Lake Sequoyah

Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and normal. Bream are good shallow on crickets and worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs 1-4 feet deep on brush piles. Bass are good with spinners, crankbaits and buzz baits. Catfish are good on worms, chicken livers and milk worms. Walleye are hitting live bait, artificials and grubs below the dam.

Upper White River (Twin Bridges area)

Just Fishing Guides said flows were at 415 cfs. White bass are staging along sandbars and creek mouths for their annual spawning run. The run is in full swing near the mouth of Richland Creek. Use sink-tips with 4-foot leaders ending in 6- to 8-pound test. Suggested flies include Clouser minnow (size 4-6), lead-eyed woolly buggers (olive, brown, chartreuse, yellow and white), crazy dads (olive, brown and tan) and KC’s Slider. Temperatures have been averaging over 60 degrees for several days.

War Eagle Creek

War Eagle Canoe ’n’ Outfitters said white bass are in the War Eagle Mill area and are biting Rooster Tails, spoons and live crawdads. Smallmouth bass are biting spoons in the current upriver and 4-inch plastic worms where the depths are at 3 feet and start to drop. Water will be clear by Friday and will offer a great opportunity for fisherman to catch some good fish this weekend.


Northeast Arkansas


Lake Charles

Lake Charles State Park had no report.

Lake Poinsett

Lake Poinsett State Park said water temperature is rising, and crappie fishing is picking up. Most of the crappie are being caught on minnows in 5 to 10 feet of water. Bass are excellent on crankbaits fished around shallow water. Catfish are biting well on worms and stinkbait.

Crown Lake

Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and normal. Bream are good on wax and red worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bass are good on Trick Worms and Yum Dingers. Catfish are good on chicken livers.

Lake Frierson

Lake Frierson State Park said water clarity is good and the level is normal. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are excellent on spinners, crankbaits, minnows and soft plastics. Bass are moving toward beds. Catfish are good on night crawlers and stink baits. Saugeye are good on crankbaits. Lake Frierson State Park now has a full supply of bait and tackle.

Spring River

Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said the water level is 485 cfs at the spring and the water clarity is fair. The river is up and everyone should be careful when wading. The fishing has been excellent even with just fair water clarity. Old Yellers and Y2Ks have been the go-to flies. Even with all of the rain last week, the Spring River is looking really good. The big trout like off-color water. Just remember to use big flies for the big trout. A heavier fly may be needed to get down. Red and white Trout Magnets have been the go-to for spin fishermen.

Southeast Arkansas


Lake Chicot
Local angler Jessie James (870-355-7800) said bream are all over the lake; crickets are the bait of choice. Catfish have been caught on cut bait and worms all over the lake. Crappie are bedding; use white or black 1/8-ounce spinner baits. White and black baits are working for bass on beds. Some bass are still coming up to spawn. A stringer of more than 20 pounds won a bass tournament last Saturday.

Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com had no report.

Lake Chicot State Park had no report.

Cane Creek Lake

Cane Creek State Park had no report.

Lake Monticello

Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com had no report.

Southwest Arkansas


Millwood Lake


Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level continues falling. There is a marked Increased current in the river. Largemouth bass have begun to spawn in the river. Little River's oxbows have much-improved water clarity. Water surface temperatures are 62-75 degrees. Lake level as of Monday was 260.80 mfsl, and falling, 19 inches above normal. Numerous techniques are catching bass, including buzz baits, Rat-L-Traps, crankbaits, spinner baits, Smithwick Rogues, and soft-plastic Bass Assassin shad jerk baits. We continue to see 3- to 5-pound male largemouths making beds and some 5- to 8-pound females on beds, some fish spawning on top of cutover stumps, over the past week. For these bedding bass, StrikeWorks jigs in pumpkinseed/chartreuse, diablo or bruised turtle, and Lake Fork Super Tubes and lizards in black, plum, or black and blue are working. For the oxbows, Trick worms and salty rat tails, in Houdini, watermelon red or smoke/purple are working around stumps, laydowns and in lily pad stems. White bass continue to congregate above Arkansas Highway 71 bridge on points and cuts, and are hitting Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crankbaits. Crappie are hitting jigs worked around cypress trees and knees. Some slabs were taken this week in 1- to 2-foot depths in the oxbows up Little River. Catfish remain very good on trot lines, yo-yos and tight lines along current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River. Blue and channel cats were biting best on cut shad, chicken liver and blood bait in 18-22 feet of Little River on the outer break lines in current, or on yo-yos tied along the Little River at 14- to 15-foot depths.

Lake Columbia

Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) had no report.

Lake Erling

Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) had no report.

Lake Greeson

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 547.49 feet MSL (Flood pool – 548 MSL).

Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is clear but dingy toward the river. Water temperature is 70 degrees. Bream are biting well on crickets in 3-6 feet of water, especially among buckbrush. Crappie are good in 3-10 feet of water on minnows. Bass are good topwaters, crankbaits and plastic worms and lizards. Catfish are good on worms and chicken livers under jugs 10-15 feet deep. Walleye are good on crankbaits in shallow water.

For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.

Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)

Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.

Cossatot River

Cossatot River State Park had no report.

DeGray Lake

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 409.78 feet MSL (Flood pool – 408 MSL).

Local angler George Graves said the surface water temperature is 70 degrees and the lake is clear up to Point 15 and discolored in the upper reaches. Bass fishing is good with lots of nice catches reported. The fish are shallow off points in coves. Best approach has been square-bill crank-baits fished in the shoreline brush. The square bill works better because it doesn't get hung in the brush as badly as other crankbaits. Best color has been most any shad pattern except where the water is really discolored, then chartreuse or lime work well. Also the jig with a plastic "critter" trailer is hard to beat, especially in the real thick brush. Most any dark color will do the job for the jig. Morning and evening are the best times to work the shoreline brush. During the day, a Texas-rigged worm in green pumpkin worked in the deeper cover is hard to beat. Look for bass between Edgewood and Point Cedar. Crappie fishing is terrible, with virtually no decent reports. Lots of fishermen but the fish just are not biting and no one seems to know why; looks like the high water has scattered the fish. Hybrid fishing is very good with lots of big catches coming from the Shrouse Ford area. The fish are coming back to the main lake from the river after their "false" spawn. Look for feeding fish and throw a half-ounce silver spoon over the fish and retrieve it fast to keep it near the surface. If fish aren’t breaking, slow troll the U-rig with 3-inch white Twister Tail grubs. Fish the U-rig with no weight because the fish are suspended very shallow, less than 10 feet down. Best time now for hybrids is late in the evening. Bream fishing is good and getting better with the warmer water. Most any shoreline cover in coves will hold bream. Use a float set to 4 or 5 feet and throw a red worm or cricket next to the brush. No reports on catfish, but lots of trot lines in the lake, especially around Lenox Marcus.

West-Central Arkansas


Lake Nimrod

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 360.53 feet MSL.

Whiskers Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said crappie were biting great around brush piles at the dam area and upper Fourche River around low-water bridge in Sunlight Bay area on No. 6 and No. 8 minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shad, Slab Slay’R and Stroll’R in white/salt and pepper, red/chartreuse and bone white shad, and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. Bream are biting worms, crickets and rock hoppers.

Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)

Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Opello said crappie are strong on minnows. Bream are biting well on crickets.

Whiskers Sporting Good (501-889-2011) said bream are biting worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Catfish are hitting worms, minnows and goldfish.

Fourche La Fave River

Whiskers Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said the river is stained and high. Crappie are biting on minnows and worms in run-off areas like the Duck area and rivers; white/salt and pepper, and red/chartreuse shad and Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow are working. Catfish are biting stink baits, goldfish and livers. Other species are slow.

Lake Hinkle

Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) filed no report.

Lake Dardanelle

Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said fishing was excellent before the rain. Largemouth bass are biting well on black/blue jigs and tubes, red/orange lipless crankbaits and watermelon/red flake Texas-rigged lizards. Many anglers report limits of catfish being caught in a few hours on shad, bass minnows and night crawlers. Crappie are biting well on No. 1-size crappie minnows and on green or silver jigs. White bass are making a spawning run in Spadra Creek, and many have been caught on yellow beetle spins.


Blue Mountain Lake

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 403.44 feet MSL.

Lake Ouachita

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 580.66 feet MSL (Flood pool – 578 MSL).

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said Largemouth bass are biting well on Senkos fished in 5 to 10 feet of water. Stripers are in the creeks and river arms, but are hit-or-miss.

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports had no report.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water temperature is 55-59 degrees and water is stained. Largemouth bass are excellent on a pig-and-jig in watermelon seed or black and blue. Alabama rigs are producing fish at 25-40 feet deep with shad-colored baits attached. Walleye are slow; they’re in the middle of spawning. Stripers are very good and being caught with live bait and trolling large hair jigs or crank baits 18-25 feet deep. Alabama rigs are working very well for these fish up the river channels and in major creek basins. Bream are fair and being caught on crickets or worms 20-25 feet deep. Crappie are good and being caught near and over brush. Try brush in water 15-25 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are working best. Tennessee shad and rainbow trout are the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are fair and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trot lines from 20-30 feet deep.

Lake Hamilton

For a daily fishing report from Darryl Morris, visit Family Fishing Trips.

Lake Catherine

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

Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service said Entergy is running very heavy generation below Carpenter Dam, combined with flood-gate openings, to bring Lake Ouachita out of flood pool after heavy rain. Water temperature is 53 degrees below the dam with clear conditions. Very little fishing has taken place this week. Rainbow trout fishing remains extremely slow. Heavy currents tend to push rainbows closer to the bank. Bank fishermen that find areas protected from the current have had success with PowerBait in orange or white fished with a Carolina rig. Wax worms and red worms with a marshmallow floater have taken. Spin fishermen have caught small numbers of fish casting Rooster Tails in brown or silver over sandbars. Trolling is out of the question with the powerful current. White bass and crappie are attempting to spawn below the dam. Live minnows floated a couple of feet below a bobber have accounted for crappie in the 2-pound class. Jigs in the 1/16-ounce size will hook fish in pockets of slower water. These two fish are mixed together in the turbulent waters and can be caught using the same techniques. Stripers have been caught below the bridge in the main channel in the late evening. Fishermen need to look for breaking fish and cast Alabama or Yumbrellas into the action. Gizzard or brood shad cast under a balloon rig will attract feeding stripers.

Lake Atkins

Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is still high and the surface temperature is 49 degrees. Crappie fishing has picked up. Anglers are catching their limits on jigs and minnows. Bream are biting fairly well on worms. Bass are slow.

South-Central Arkansas


White Oak Lake

No Report.

Moro Bay

Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay had no report.

Ouachita River Oxbows

Jaret Rushing said warm weather has turned on fish. In Ouachita River oxbows, bass are biting crankbaits extremely well. Running crankbaits about 4 feet deep around submerged timber has yielded some nice fish that are almost ready to spawn. Crappie also are starting to fire up. They’re being caught on fallen tops 4-6 feet deep on dark jigs and shiners.

Tri-County Lake

Jaret Rushing said some largemouth bass are starting to bed in shallows as weather warms.

East Arkansas


Bear Creek Lake

Mississippi River State Park said crappie are biting well on minnows in about 5-8 feet of water. Bream fishing is really picking up; they’re biting red worms. Catfishing is good on yo-yos with minnows and stink bait. Good-size bass are being caught on Alabama rigs and spinner baits in shallow water.

Storm Creek Lake

Mississippi River State Park said crappie are being caught on minnows and jigs. Bream are biting on crickets early in the morning. Bass are fair to good on spinner baits and Gitzits. Catfish are fair on trotlines.

White River

Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is muddy and high. No fishing report.

Maddox Bay

Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is murky and high. Crappie are fair on yo-yos and minnows. Catfish are fair on stink baits.

Horseshoe Lake

Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are good, especially on worms around piers. Crappie are good on minnows and chartreuse and black jigs around piers. Bass are good with spinners fished in lily pads. Catfish are good on cut bait and night crawlers from limb lines around cypress trees.


Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
2 Natural Resources Drive | Little Rock, AR 72205 | (800) 364-4263 - (501) 223-6300 | www.agfc.com