March 31, 2022
Jim Harris Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for March 31, 2022. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news. Note: msl = mean sea level; cfs = cubic feet per second. All Corps of Engineers lake and river readings were taken at 11 a.m. the day of publication (March 31).
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Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk
For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt
For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality
TOP AND LEFT: Bradley Harris, 8 years old from Paragould, caught this nice, 14.5-inch crappie on Norfork Lake on March 19. He was fishing with a minnow as bait. Photo submitted by Betsi Harris.
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
(updated 3-31-2022) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) reported that the lake maintains its normal Lake Conway stain and water is high. Bream are good on redworms, crickets or hand-tied jigs. Crappie are good using pink minnows, rosy red minnows, or a jig. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, swimbaits, 7- to 10-inch curly tail worms and 6- and 8-inch Magnum Lizards. Catfish are good using stink bait, chicken liver, dough bait, shad, nightcrawlers, goldfish, skipjack, trotline minnows and shrimp.
Little Red River
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the outflow at Greers Ferry Dam to be 6,146 cfs (both turbine and spillway). The tailwater is 275.92 feet msl.
(updated 3-31-2022) Mike Winkler, who operates Little Red River Guide Service (501-690-9166, 501-507-3688), said the Army Corp of Engineers has been running 2 units of water 24/7 for the entire week. On Wednesday the Corp of Engineers cut back the release time starting at 7am to 7pm when the lake level was 3/4 of a foot to power pool.
With more rain expected in the forecast look for the same generation schedule of 2 units of water running 24/7 till they drop the lake level to power pool. Check USACE Little Rock app for generation schedule.
A deep-water Nymph rig has been producing fish from the boat. San Juan worms, egg patterns and bead head nymphs have been productive.
The streamer bite has been good. Double deceivers in brown & yellow. Have been the most productive.
(updated 3-31-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the Army Corps of Engineers is running a lot of water at Greers Ferry Dam. Pay attention to the Corps’ reports; water is stained in some places. Trout are good on No. 7 Rapala Countdowns and Little Cleo Spoons in gold color, and on bigger jerkbaits like the Smithwick Rogue.
(updated 3-24-2022) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-230-0730) said, “We received substantial rain this past week that caused the mid- and lower sections of the river to get muddy. It also pushed the lake above normal conservation pool, which could mean upcoming heavy generation to draw the lake down. San Juan worms, pheasant tails, hare’s ear and Woolly Buggers for fly-fishing. For Trout Magnet fishing, pink and white-colored bodies on chartreuse or gold jigheads. Always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Corps of Engineers website (swl-wc.usace.army.mil) for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecasted generation schedule.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.96 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.04 feet msl, top flood elevation 487.0 msl).
(updated 3-31-2022) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said Thursday the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 463.00 feet msl, or 0.96 feet above normal pool of 462.04 feet msl. Black bass are eating a lot of baits right now. Pretty much if you can get bait in front of one, presented right, you will get bit. This is from super shallow out to 60 feet of water. Stay with structure or baitfish and it’s hard to go wrong. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps or dragging something will work.
Crappie are eating and moving and doing it all over again, from 10-40 feet. Some are shallow with more to come. Use crankbaits, jigs or minnows.
For walleye, use crankbaits or live bait and fish slow. A lot will spawn soon, while a lot have spawned, and more are coming to spawn. It’s so hard to catch them in the mood to bite; you just about have to stay with them 24/7 to learn it, and keep your bait wet. More and more bream are showing up floating around docks and the shoreline. Crawlers, crickets or a moving bait will work from shallow to 20 feet.
Hybrid and white bass are really moving and feeding. It’s really hard to stay on top of them, but they will bite spoons, inline spinners and Road Runners in shallow water out to 60 feet. Catfish are biting pretty decent, with live bait and mixed bait working.
(updated 3-31-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said water in the upper part of the lake above The Narrows is stained and muddy, and the lower part of the lake below The Narrows is stained in some places. Water temperature is ranging 48 degrees to mid-50s. Black bass fishing is pretty tough right now, they report, but fish are about to move up shallow and should bite on Wiggle Wart-style baits and crankbaits in crawfish colors, as well as on PB&J jigs and Carolina rigs with a creature bait in 10-15 feet depth.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 3-31-2022) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the lake remains is muddy and high, like it was last week. Bream are biting well around the shoreline. Use redworms or crickets. The recent inclement weather, including Wednesday’s cold front, has slowed down the crappie bite. They had no catches to report. Black bass are fair with the boating anglers, who are using minnows and crappie jigs. Catfish are fair but will pick up better on warmer days. Reports of success on noodles using minnows and goldfish have come in.
Lake Overcup
(updated 3-17-2022) Johnny “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) off Arkansas Highway 9 says water level is normal and clarity is improving. Surface temperature is around 58 degrees. Bass are doing well in shallow water. Bream have not started yet but should if the weather stays this way. Catfish are starting to be caught on trotlines and yo-yos. Crappie are starting to move up in the buckbrush and brushtops. Males are moving in while the females are still in the deeper water, around 10-12 feet.
Brewer Lake
(update 3-31-2022) David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-289-2210) says conditions and the fish bite continue to be the same as they’ve been for a couple of weeks now. The lake is slightly stained and at normal level. Bream are fair around the brushpiles on redworms and nightcrawlers. Crappie are good and are still being caught in 6-8 feet depth. Minnows and jigs will work. Anglers like the Bobby Garland jigs in Baby Shad, the patriot color and anything chartreuse. Black bass are good on jigs and anything white and spinning. They’ll bite at 6 feet depth. Catfish are also good. They’re on the bottom and biting on anything (live bait, goldfish, etc.).
Dad’s is a 24/7 self-serve bait shop.
Lake Maumelle
(updated 3-24-2022) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) said the water temperature is in the high 50s. White bass are good. They are 6-8 feet deep on the spawn run in pockets on the west end of the bridge.
Largemouth bass are good. Some reports of the bass being found inside the grass 4-12 feet early in the morning and going deep after the sun comes out (scattered at all depths). They are hitting on Chatterbaits, Rat-L-Traps and Rock Crawlers. Kentucky bass (spotted bass) are fair. Some reports of them being found near drop-offs around 16-20 feet and off rocky banks, and other reports of them being found on brushpiles. Try using Texas rig on brush or jigs.
Crappie are good. You can find them in shallow water hugging the banks; use swim jigs. No reports this week on bream or catfish. Try using worms or crickets for bream, while catfish should take chicken liver, worms or crayfish.
(updated 3-17-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said bass are good between 10-20 feet of water on Alabama rigs and on 3.3-size swimbait.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam was 100,875 cfs with a pool elevation of 285.10 feet msl. The stage is up at 18.43 feet. Flow further upriver at Dardanelle Lock and Dam was 124,093 cfs.
Little Maumelle River
(updated 3-31-2022) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) says the water is stained and a little low. Crappie are biting well, especially at night on yo-yos. The crappie appear to be moving shallower. Try minnows or jigs. Black bass are good in 3-5 feet of water. Chatterbaits were working recently. No other reports.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam was 89,369 cfs with a pool elevation of 264.47 feet msl.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam was 82,607 cfs, and the stream gauge stage was at 8.38 feet. Pool elevation is 248.71 feet msl. Flow at the Terry Lock and Dam was 66,429 cfs with a pool elevation of 226.16.
(updated 3-31-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said a small craft advisory is still in effect, and they haven’t been on the river. The most recent rain will make things difficult in the pool in terms of flow. At reporting time the flow was at 76,000 cfs. They have heard no fishing reports.
(updated 3-31-2022) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) said crappie good in the backwaters on minnows and jigs. White bass are running well below the dams and biting white shad baits. Catfishing is fair below both dams; use the typical catfish bait. Anglers report catching a few stripers in the pool.
(updated 3-24-2022) Hatchet Jack’s Sports Shop at Crystal Hill (501-758-4958) said the water is high. White bass are trying to start their run; it depends on where you area. Catfish are high or miss, but they are full of shad.
Clear Lake (off Arkansas River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 3-31-2022) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said crappie anglers are doing well here. The bite is good on minnows and jigs, and some really good-sized crappie are being caught. They had no other reports, including lake conditions.
Peckerwood Lake
(update 3-31-2022) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the lake is dingy but the water level is normal. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish continue to bite well on “pretty much anything,” she said. No other reports.
White River
(updated 3-31-2022) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said Bull Shoals Lake is on the rise after Wednesday’s rainstorm. The lake was sitting at 659.26 feet msl; expect an increase of at least a few feet in the next week, which means continued generation at the dam. A steady flow, whether high or low, makes for the best fishing because the trout settle down and (we hope) begin to pay attention to the baits you've chosen to cast.
“Old fishing adage: You can't catch one if your line isn't in the water, so come on over and drop a line (6-pound test, green monofilament is a good start). Local fishing adage: March is the best time to catch a brown. This year's March made a believer out of me –we're closing out the month with a bang. We've netted more browns than rainbows some days, and the trout we've netted have been healthy and are providing a lot of action. Most were caught with a sculpin, but don't leave the minnows at home. Shad is a great treat for the browns, but it might be past prime as we move into April. It might surprise you to find that a gold Little Cleo hasn't lost its allure to the browns. We saw a 32-inch brown caught off guard by a quarter-ounce Cleo; netted, pictured and returned before he knew he was out of the water.
“Use a heavier weight to float your baits nearer the bottom in this deeper water we're expecting after spring rains; cast near the banks where the trout don't have to fight the current. We've had a lot of success with spoons, in addition to the Cleo, especially the red/bold Thomas Buoyant quarter-ounce Spoon. Redworms have rewarded lots of anglers during afternoon rises.
“The redbuds are blooming, the pear trees are decked out in white buds and spring has sprung here in our beautiful Ozark Mountain region of Arkansas. You're invited to come join us.”
(updated 3-31-2022) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said it has been another good week of fishing in the Calico Rock area. “We have seen more brown trout caught this week in the 18- to 23-inch range, with a 15-pound 32-inch whopper caught Sunday. It wasn’t unusual for guided fishing trips to catch 50 or more trout in one day, allowing the fisherman to be selective on the trout they put in the live well. Sunrise and orange Power Eggs worked well this week with and without gold or silver inline spinners. If focusing on bigger fish, use sculpins. Silver and rainbow-colored CD9 Rapala Countdowns had success this week.
“This early spring weather has been chilly in the morning and warming up during the day. Dress in layers and be prepared for what Mother Nature might have in store for the day. Most importantly, get out and enjoy the beauty of the White River.”
(updated 3-31-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said that during the past week they had about half-inch of rain in Cotter, warmer temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals remained steady at 0.2 foot below power pool of 659 feet msl. This is 36.2 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose 0.9 foot to rest at 0.5 foot below power pool and 16.5 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose 0.2 foot to rest at 0.4 foot below power pool or 10 feet below the top of flood pool. The White had no wadable water. Norfork Lake remained steady at 0.8 foot below power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 27 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork tailwater had some wadable water for a few days.
John says, “Streamer season fishing is upon us. Now that the brown trout spawn is over, they are moving back to their regular locations. It is a good time to target them. Fishing is best with heavy generation. Bang the bank with big streamers on sink tip lines. White is my current favorite color.”
On the White, the hot spot has been the State Park below Bull Shoals Dam. There are still a few shad coming through on occasion. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold-ribbed hare’s ears and sowbugs. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try an orange egg with a size 18 purple zebra midge or a girdle bug.
Remember that the White and North Fork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
(updated 3-24-2022) White River Trout Club (870-453-2424) says the river flow is relatively stable. Trout are good. Cloudy days are better on midges and jigs around the bank. Four to five generators have been running at the dam.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 660.07 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 659.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 695.00 feet msl). Total outflow from the dam is 12,145 cfs. The reported lake elevation at Table Rock Lake at 10 a.m. was 915.21 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 915.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 931.0 feet msl).
(updated 3-31-2022) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said his report this week is the same as last week. Warmer temps have been good for bass fishing. Generation has been steady. The deep bite is going away. Shad are moving into the creeks if you’re going to do it. Graph to look for shad and look for loons. Fish a 2.8 Keitech on a quarter-ounce Ballhead, or swim a grub/darter. Active diving loons will trigger feeding. Jerkbait, Damiki Moon Eye and Rapala Jigging Rap will work. As more fish move up and leave the shad, crawfish are on the menu. Dragging a jig, shaky head, Ned rig in green pumpkin variations in 5-20 feet on secondary points or in channel swings. Fish in the spots leading to spawning areas. Over the next couple of weeks, key in on areas outside of spawning areas, around south-facing pockets; creeks with stain are doing a little better. Temps rise and fish are seeing red. Rock Crawlers or Wiggle Warts on windy or steeper ledges and nasty rock transitions with stained water and wind. If you find warm, stained runoff, use a bright spinnerbait, Chatterbait or square bill.
White bass and walleye are spawning. Fish the conditions.
Visit Del’s YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.
Norfork Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 555.09 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 553.75 feet msl; April-Sept. 555.75 feet msl; top flood elevation 580.0 feet msl). Total outflow from Norfork Dam is 6,006 cfs.
(updated 3-31-2022) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at Blackburn’s Resort said the lake level Wednesday was is 552.97 feet msl and had risen a half-inch in the last 24 hours. “They run both generators for a few days, cut to one for a couple of days and have now completely quit since (Tuesday) night. The White River at Newport is at 19 feet and dropping. They always seem to quit generating when it rains and we are to get 1-2 inches (Wednesday).
“The lake level has actually been very stable for the last several weeks. The water color is still stained green and you can see your lure down about 2-3 feet, and it is clearer near the bank but the wind is keeping everything stirred up. The surface water temperature was 53 (Tuesday) afternoon and it has also been stable or hovering around that also for several weeks, but is creeping up. The wind has been incessant all week and has made it hard to fish the main lake. Some male crappie have moved to the backs of creeks and are staging for spawn, but there has been no evidence of either bass or crappie making nests yet. I found some schools of crappie on main lake points on brush from 18-25 feet but it has been hard to stay on them in the wind. If you use the anchor on your trolling motor to stay on the brush, it continues to hunt and spooks the fish. Go against the wind and use the motor as sparingly as possible, especially on the shallower fish.
“Bass are on the same brush but are on the bottom and they are mostly Kentucky bass. Tap the bottom with your spoon or creature bait while vertical-jigging.
“Some stripers are schooled after the spawn simulation and trollers are catching them on shad but are working hard to find them. Crappie are wanting to spawn bad and bass are a little behind them. Some warm weather and warm nights will bring everything along. All of March has been windy with cold fronts coming through every week slowing fishing but not stopping it. I am glad April is coming but it brings storms. Stable water levels bring good spawns.
For a daily fishing report and lake condition go to www.blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve's Blog.
(updated 3-24-2022) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said Norfork Lake has had some fishing ups and downs due to the ever-changing weather patterns. But overall, the bite continues to be good for most species. Yes, you do have to look for bait to find the species that follow the bait fish, but typically once you find the bait, the fish will not be far away. The bait moves from very shallow water out to deep water then the cycle begins again.
Striped and hybrid bass are being found all over the lake. “Today I found them in the back of a medium-size cove where the strong southwest wind was blowing straight in. There were big schools of bait at the mouth of the cove, but once I passed the points of the cove, I found that the bait was scattered out. The fish were in 15-25 feet of water feeding on shad. The fun part of this area was that the largemouth, spotted and white bass were all feeding heavily on the surface. I also located a few scattered out striped/hybrid bass in 60 feet of water just outside of the main river channel. The bait was scattered out so, of course, the fish were scattered out as well. I am catching the shallower stripers either by casting out a small 3.5-inch paddle tail swimbait or a Kastmaster with a feather trailer. I have been catching all species on these two baits when I find them in relatively shallow water. The deeper stripers, I have been vertical-jigging a 3-inch plastic jig, but you can vertical-jig a spoon.”
As stated above, the bass are getting very energetic. Topwater action is starting and will only get better as the water temperature continues to warm. This will happen when the cool fronts stop and the area starts getting some stable weather. Crankbaits, swimbaits, spinners, A-rigs and topwater baits are all working. After a rain, head back into creeks that have some flowing water and you will find some nice bass.
Crappie have started to school on tops of brush and are starting to roam back into their spawning areas. “This is the time when I start trolling Berkley Flicker Minnows in size 7 and 9. Find a cove that has a lot of brushpiles and start trolling throughout the cove. You will pick up some really nice fish. There will still be some crappie in the brush, typically on the tops of the brush. Use a small plastic jig. Live bait drifted over the brush is also working great.
“This is a great time of year to catch most species in Norfork Lake.”
The surface water temperature was close to 53 degrees. The water level is rising slowly due the rain last weekend. The current level is 553.38 feet msl. The water is stained due to the rain, but is a great fishing color.
“I post almost daily on Facebook. If you want more frequent information please visit and like Hummingbird Hideaway Resort’s Facebook page. Happy Fishing and enjoy Norfork Lake.”
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 3-31-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake remained steady at 0.8 foot below power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 27 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork tailwater had some wadable water for a few days.
John says, “Streamer season fishing is upon us. Now that the brown trout spawn is over, they are moving back to their regular locations. It is a good time to target them. Fishing is best with heavy generation. Bang the bank with big streamers on sink tip lines. White is my current favorite color.”
There has been some wadable water on the Norfork during the day and it fished poorly. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Grasshoppers have produced fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead-headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.
Dry Run Creek has fished particularly well. Weekends can get a quite crowded. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. Carry a large net, as most fish are lost at the net.
Remember that the White and North Fork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
John also said, “I write a lot about fishing on Dry Run Creek. The reason is simple. I love teaching people, and children especially, how to fish, and there is no better place to do this than Dry Run Creek. The stream is small and easily waded and the fish are huge. My key to success has always been close personal attention.
“Last week a repeat customer moved me out of my comfort zone. He wanted me to guide his three grandchildren aged 10-15. Normally when this happens I get my wife, Lori, to help me. Unfortunately she was in Kansas City attending a dog show with our Labrador retrievers (our male, Ghillie had a major win). Now when you are guiding three kids at once, one is tangled, one has their fly in a tree, and one is fighting a trophy rainbow.
“Granddad had fished with me before and agreed to keep an eye on his 12-year-old grandson, Luke, and net his fish. All I had to do was put him in a good spot, rig his rod and deal with tangles and lost flies. Luke had fished with me before and is a good angler; he would not require much attention.
“Granddad wanted me to concentrate on Lattie, his 15-year-old granddaughter. She is on the cross country track team and loves to hunt and fish. She wanted to fish Dry Run Creek before she turns 16 this year. Her dad accompanied us to assist.
“Kayliegh, the 10-year-old granddaughter, was to join us later in the day with her mother and grandmother when it warmed up. She was not as interested in fishing as the others. I was to help her once Lattie got the hang of it.
“I got Luke started and then took Lattie to a nearby spot. She was a natural. She was into fish immediately and took instruction well. She landed a trophy rainbow and several large trout.
“Kayliegh arrived and I began working with her. I had her on a good spot where Lattie had been fishing, and moved Lattie to a nearby spot that was fishing well, where I could watch them both. I was coaching Kayliegh and she began picking up the technique. Luke showed up. He had lost his fly. As I was repairing his rig, Lattie hooked a nice fish. I sent dad to assist. Then Kayliegh hooked a trophy trout. The net was with dad. I called to him to hurry up and get the net to me. This was Kayliegh’s first trout and it was important to land it. It was also a trophy. I carefully coached her and she performed flawlessly. I got the net and scooped the trout.
“Though it got busy at times, they all landed at least one trophy and had a great time doing it. Life is good!”
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 3-31-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are still navigable. With colder temperatures, the smallmouths are not active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
Beaver Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,121.29 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,120.43 feet msl; top flood elevation is 1,130.0 feet msl). Total outflow from Beaver Dam is 1,396 cfs.
(updated 3-31-2022) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is still fluctuating around normal level. Water temps are in the lower 50s in most areas. The temps up the river arms reached mid-50s yesterday. “As I write this we are having some serious storms and had lots of rain and possible tornado in Springdale. Pray all are OK.
“On to the fishing report. Stripers last week really had an uptick. Look from Hickory Creek up into the White and War Eagle arms. Trolling shad and brooders are putting fish in the boat. I have seen some topwater on stripers in the backs of larger arms. Look for shad and you will find the fish. White bass are starting to pick up towards Twin Bridges. People throwing A-rigs and fishing swimbaits are starting to put some numbers up. Walleye are great some days and slow down the next, but that’s how walleye roll. They are very off and on, so stick with them and you should find some. Troll flicker shad and use a size 5 or 7 in Firetiger or any color with some purple in it.
“Walleye are spawning as I write. Look on shoals in the upper reaches of the river arms.
“Crappie are really good, as the prespawn bite is on. Look for brush or structure in 10 feet or less. Jigs and minnows are working well. Some really big crappie for Beaver are being caught.
“We will have to see how much the storms raise the rivers. Hopefully it doesn’t blow out and muddy up as the bite was just firing up. Black bass are good and staging near spawning areas. All methods are working for them. Be safe and good luck!”
Visit Jon’s Facebook page for latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.
(updated 3-31-2022) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) reported that walleye are really good on jigs fished on the bottom, as well as grubs and minnows. Bream have appeared and are biting fair on redworms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows and small jigs. Black bass are good on crankbaits, jerkbaits and jigs. Catfish are fair on chicken liver of cut bait. The lake’s clarity appears dirty as of Thursday morning after Wednesday’ storm front passed through, and surface water temperature is 51 degrees. Water level is normal.
Beaver Tailwater
(updated 3-24-2022) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said that with the generation schedule and the water levels going down, getting on the bite has been a little bit of a struggle, but definitely possible. The best response has been with light terminal tackle and various PowerBaits. Hitting the deeper holes and moving around will keep you on the bite.
“Drifting has done good as well, but not as good as fishing the deep holes and slack water,” Austin said. “I have not tried it yet, but with the low water levels, you may try to fish downstream from Houseman Access. Try pulling F-7s, S-R 5s and Flicker Shads. You may end up catching something other than a trout. Since the bite is spread out, there really has not been a real hot spot, just hit the deeper water. Good luck and catch some fish.”
Visit Austin’s fishing Facebook Page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) for fishing videos and more tips on the tailwater.
Lake Fayetteville
(updated 3-31-2022) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said white bass are starting to pick up. Bream are good using redworms, crickets and jigs. Crappie picked up again after the cold front with good results; use minnows and jigs. Black bass are good using crankbaits or plastic worms. No reports on catfish. The lake remains “really murky,” they report, and the level is normal.
Lake Sequoyah
(updated 3-31-2022) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) says walleye are good below the dam for anglers throwing white swimbaits or bass minnows. Bream are fair on redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair using minnows or goldfish. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. No reports on catfish. The lake’s clarity is muddy and the level is high.
Lake Charles
(updated 3-31-2022) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said fishing was fair all around this past weekend, but she notes that we’re heading into good fishing days based on moon times – April 1-4 should be best days to get out and wet the hook. The lake is its usual murky and his high. Surface water temperature on Monday was 54.1 degrees. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are fair on minnows, jigs and worms. Black bass are fair on plastic worms and topwater lures. Catfishing is fair using worms, bloodbait and stink bait. No reports on white bass.
Lake Poinsett
(updated 3-31-2022) Lake Poinsett is in the process of refilling, but is rainfall dependent. The fishing now is predominantly catch-and-release for bream. They seem to be biting on crickets and worms.
The gate at the dam at Lake Poinsett was closed in late 2020 following the completion of a three-year renovation project, and the lake began to refill. The lake has been undergoing an extensive renovation with a new water control structure, more than 10,000 linear feet of shoreline work, more than 100 habitat structures placed on the lakebed, and nearly 100 trees anchored for fish habitat.
Other forage species that were stocked last year include fathead minnows, golden shiners and threadfin shad. They have been added in huge numbers to the lake to build up the food supply for the predators, which will be stocked this year.
Crown Lake
(updated 3-31-2022) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the lake is dingy with a surface water temperature in the mid-50s. The level is high by 1 foot. Crappie fishing is good on the usual crappie baits. Black bass are good, though no baits were suggested (we can suggest spinnerbaits and jerkbaits here at this time, however). No reports on catfish or bream.
Spring River
(updated 3-24-2022) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said the Spring River has been flowing above average flows at around 480 cfs (350 cfs is average) and water clarity has been green tinted and mostly clear. Plenty of rain over the last month has kept the river flowing strong at about a foot above average flow. Tougher wading lately, but the hatchery stocking higher numbers getting ready for the spring season has plenty of rainbows coming in. From now till summer is a great time to get out and catch a lot of fish.
Egg patterns and Woollies in white and olive have been hot. Great on overcast dreary days and plenty on the warm sunny days, you just have to get the fly down deeper. Maybe even a split shot in fast water to get down to the fish.
For spin-fishers, trout cranks and crankbaits are doing well. Spoons in silver and gold can work well. You can never go wrong with a hot pink Trout Magnet on the Spring River, through you might need an extra piece of split shot.
“As the weather only gets better the Spring River will only get better. Get out and have a great time!”
Visit Mark’s blog at springriverfliesandguides.com/blog for the latest updates.
(updated 3-31-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and North Fork rivers. Canoe season is over and the canoes are mostly gone. Fish the upper river at the Lassiter Access to avoid them or fish Dam 3 late in the afternoon, after they have left the area. Wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff – there is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive Woolly Buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.
White River
The Army Corps of Engineers reported Thursday that the White River stage at Batesville was rising and at 10.41 feet, about 4.5 feet below the flood stage of 15.0 feet. The Newport stage was falling at 18.73 feet, or more than 7 feet below the flood stage of 26.0 feet. The stage at Augusta is steady at 30.81 feet, which is about 4.8 feet above the flood stage of 26.00 feet.
(updated 3-31-2022) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) in Batesville reported that the river is high and muddy, and they had heard no fishing reports.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam at Pine Bluff was 79,785 cfs. The pool elevation is 195.50 feet msl and the stage at Pine Bluff is 31.69 feet (flood stage is 42 feet). Further upriver at the C.D. Maynard Lock and Dam near Redfield, the flow was 65,037 cfs. The pool elevation is 212.37 feet msl.
(updated 3-31-2022) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reported water temperatures are in the upper 50s to lower 60s on the main channel and within Lake Langhofer. Protected backwaters are into the mid-60s. Visibility is less than 12 inches throughout with water levels around normal. Black bass are biting well and are in all phases of spawn (pre-, active, post-) right now. Shad-colored spinnerbaits are producing very well, as are shallow/lipless crankbaits, along wind-blown rock banks and staging areas leading into spawning areas. Topwaters are starting to produce over shallow flats and should continue to improve as we transition into the shad spawn period in a few weeks.
Cane Creek Lake
(updated 3-31-2022) Jeff Shell, the superintendent at Cane Creek State Park, said had no new reports from Cane Creek Lake.
Lake Monticello
(updated 3-31-2022) Dam repair work has been completed by the city of Monticello’s contractor, while the AGFC has been rebuilding the lake bottom and areas near where the shoreline will be for fish habitat when the lake is refilled, which will mostly be done by rainfall collection. The gates on the dam are closed and the lake refilling is underway, but it is rainfall dependent. Many artificial fish habitat structures have been created and put in place, and the AGFC has pumped several of the small ponds and has added rotenone to those areas for the elimination of unwanted species (i.e. grass carp, yellow bass), before the refilling of the lake began.
Millwood Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 259.65 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl; top flood elevation is 287.0 feet msl). Total outflow at the dam is 7,909 cfs.
(updated 3-31-2022) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said that as of Tuesday, Millwood Lake is 7 inches above normal pool at 259.77 feet msl and falling, and clarity is heavy stain to chocolate milk in a few areas along Little River. The thunderstorms that were expected to roll in Wednesday will change that drastically. Millwood Lake tailwater elevation was near 238 feet msl with gate discharge at the dam around 12,580 cfs in Little River, according to the Army Corps and Engineers. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. Watch for random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on Little River and Millwood Lake.
Surface temps were stable this week, ranging 58-61 degrees depending on location and the day. Lots of Little River buoy markers along the main lake channel have been replaced, yet MAY HAVE MOVED with recent gate changes at the Millwood Dam and high wind but are in process of being replaced by the USACE on Wednesday along main lake channels.
Current along Little River stained this week with discharge release at the dam, and river clarity ranging 2-4 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows at 5-10 inches depending on location. Further up Little River near White Cliffs and Wilton Landing has heavier stain/muddy conditions. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms.
As for fishing specifics, Mike said:
* The largemouth activities have been slowly getting better each week recently. Numerous male bass and a few fat prespawn females, continue to be found roaming flats from 2-6 feet deep where bedding areas exist, searching out new bedding sites. For the last 2-3 weeks, these roaming Largemouths have been quick to strike on Lizards, Brazalo Spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, Trick Worms, Senkos, salty rat tails and Bass Assassin Shads.
The shallow cruising male Largemouth Bass we found roaming bedding areas over the past couple weeks, were around 2.5-3 pounds, and fairly spooky anywhere you can find the clear water, and continue moving in and out of 2-6' deep flats with stumps and grass present near creek channel drops from 4-9 feet deep, near vertical structure. We have coaxed a few to hit a Chatterbait, a Brazalo Spinnerbait in Spot Remover or sexy Shad, or a black and blue salty rat tail and Bass Assassins over the past week.
Warmer days with bright skies continue to be best daily conditions. The best locations are near vertical structure and deeper drops with 3-8 feet deep flats in close proximity. Over the past week, Bass were fair on swim jigs with thumper-tail trailers, Chatterbaits, jigs, and heavy thumping 1-Knocker Rat-L-Traps deep in the creek channel outside bends near stumps and standing timber. The best bite of the day for Largemouths, continue during the heat of the day, sunny, clear days when water temps will rise a few degrees in mid-day and early afternoons.
Anywhere a creek channel runs into the deeper creek bends or vertical structure and drops into the oxbows, where stumps and creek mouths drop, have held some decent sized bass over the past week. The best bite continues during heat of the day from 12pm-3pm as the Bass continue to stage for spawning in the flats at backs of the creeks and pockets.
Cordell or Kastmaster spoons, are finding vertical suspended Bass from 10-15 feet on ledges or deep creek, outside bends, with stumps present.
Lizards have been getting a fair reaction in the oxbows near bedding areas by males and female bass alike. Best lizard colors for us have been June Bug, Blackberry, black/blue tail, pumpkinseed/chartreuse tail and white. Southern Pro Flipping Tube or Tournament Tube in Black/Blue tail, Smoke/black/red flake w/ chartreuse dipped tail, Smoke Purple flake w/ chartreuse dip tail, will connect with 2-4lb male Bass, over the past several weeks near dead pad stems, near stumps from 8-10 feet deep in Little River's oxbow lakes and creek channels, upriver, near where creek junctions and on tapering points where they will eventually pull into the creek channels to spawn.
Salty Rat Tails, Senkos, and Trick worms are working in the stained water, one day on cypress trees, and the next in the dead lily pad stems. Best colors we have found are the Methylate, Black/blue tail, black grape, and California 420.
* White bass continue schooling up for their spawning run. All the creek dumps into Little River from Browns Creek up to Cemetery Slough are holding good schools of White Bass on their annual migration to spawn at Patterson Shoals. Two fishermen caught over 50 White Bass in a few hours late last week and the weekend. Best reaction lures were the Bomber Fat Free Shad, Bill Lewis MR-6, Little Cleo and Little Georges, and red Rooster tails. Tennessee Shad, Citrus Shad, Sexy blue back Herring, Millwood Magic and Green Gizzard Shad were best crankbait colors over the past week. Spoons were working from 9-15 feet deep until the last torrential 4-inch rainfall downpour and flash flooding hit the river and turned it into chocolate milk.
* Crappie continue to improve this week with the warmer temperatures, and have been stacked up in planted brushpiles from 8-12 feet deep. A few nice 2 to 2.5-pound crappie have been hitting jigs and minnows over the last week.
* Catfish improved this week with the increase of river current. Best on yo-yos and limb lines over the past few weeks with cut buffalo, homemade blood meal, chicken hearts and livers. Cats from 4-8 pounds have been caught over the past few weeks.
Lake Columbia
No reports.
Lake Erling
(updated 3-31-2022) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) reports the lake is murky and is back to a normal level. Bream have begun to appear. Anglers report good catches on redworms and crickets. Crappie picked back up. Good catches are coming mostly from around the shoreline. Use minnows, jigs or hand-tied jigs. Black bass were schooling around the bridges and the bite has been fair. Catfish are good on any kind of bait.
Lake Greeson Tailwater
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Lake Greeson
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Narrows Dam was 544.04 feet msl (full pool: 548.00 feet msl).
DeGray Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 407.21 feet msl (full pool: 408.00 feet msl).
(updated 3-31-2022) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said that like fishing at Lake Ouachita where Darryl also has been getting out, the water temp on DeGray his most recent visit was 58 degrees. That means crappie and black bass are beginning their spawn. “We’ve been catching small females on staging brushpiles and the bigger males and females are in the banks. During the spawn, your catch can slow because their interest is on the spawn and not eating. So, don’t become discouraged and have a great time during postspawn.”
De Queen Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 438.87 feet msl (full pool: 437.00 feet msl).
Dierks Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 531.34 feet msl (full pool: 526.00 feet msl).
White Oak Lake Area
No reports.
Lake Atkins
(updated 3-24-2022) Donald Ramirez at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said that the lake is clear and the level is high. No temperature was recorded. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass fell back slightly to fair results. They are on the bed and “noting biting great yet,” Donald said. Use a jerkbait. Catfish are good; use minnows and set up limblines or jigs. No reports on bream.
Lake Catherine
(updated 3-24-2022) Slycked Back Fishing, home of the world’s strongest and quality fishing products and built in Hot Springs, reports Lake Catherine’s temps at or about 55 degrees. Water levels are back to normal and slightly off-color. Bass have begun moving up shallow already in the last week since the river’s level returned to normal. Lots of lake areas have been cut off to spawning fish until recently. Floating worm presentations along with wacky-rigged Senko-style worms fished weightless have been doing well and getting bites. Right now, especially, fish will stage on a 6-12 feet dock or brushpile near the spawning pocket (maybe just inside) and feed. A Slycked Back Rowdy Ravager or Dirty Money Jig pitched up to these structures does a great job finding “unseen” prespawn fish.
With the onset of heavy rains at the beginning of this week, Lake Catherine will turn muddy, no doubt. Chatterbaits, Whopper Ploppers and Colorado-bladed spinners in very light or very bright colors are the only way to go in these conditions. Fish will be shallow and eager to ambush something noisy put right on top of them. It’s a reflex and they just can’t help it.
“Good luck to everyone and stay safe out there! Live to fish another day.”
Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 3-31-2022) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below the dam is 46 degrees with stained conditions in the tailrace. Spring storms have kept Lake Catherine conditions a day-to-day event with heavy downpours and extreme temperature changes. Entergy has completed the refill of lakes Hamilton and Catherine, with each lake now at normal summertime pool.
Rainbow trout are everywhere in the Carpenter Dam tailrace and thriving in the nutrient-rich waters of Lake Catherine. The AGFC stocked an additional 9,700 rainbow trout in March. An additional 4,320 fish are scheduled for stocking in April. It is important to remember that while trout numbers are in the many thousands – the bite can be unpredictable and always subject to rapid change due to weather and lake conditions. A very good bite pattern can disappear in a matter of hours, so anglers should be aware of this potential problem and have an alternative plan of action. Bank anglers should stick to basic patterns of live bait such as waxworms or mealworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. Nightcrawlers will also work when cut into 2-inch sections presented in the same manner. PowerBait can save a fishing trip due to the fact that this presentation is designed to capitalize on a trout's inborn instinct to feed on fish eggs. Fly-fishermen casting egg patterns in white or yellow under a strike indicator have caught and released decent numbers of rainbow trout in the tailrace where current is present. Micro-jigs and Woolly Buggers have taken trout over 14 inches, although there has been a huge influx of smaller trout. The San Juan worm in hot pink has accounted for nice catches of trout especially when the fish are in a slower bite pattern.
White bass have been observed breaking in the early morning hours chasing threadfin shad below the bridge. Casting one-eighth ounce spinnerbaits and jigs has been the best presentation to catch these fish. Hybrid bass often school alongside white bass and can be caught on the same techniques. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits against the current has been productive catching white bass and hybrids, as well as walleye in the 2-pound class. Walleye thrive in the tailrace in the summer and early winter months as these fish prefer colder water temperatures than other area game fish. The walleye spawn below Carpenter Dam is now in full swing with smaller males being caught in the 1½-pound range. Some larger females have also been taken in the 3- to 4-pound class. The best action has taken place during times of generation.
The muddy conditions have slowed all game species below the dam, but the water is slowly clearing. Entergy will be generating below all area dams to control the lake levels, so caution on waterways must be used during this time.
Finally, it cannot be stressed enough that anglers will experience dramatic changes in bite patterns as cold fronts move in and out of our area. Temperatures can change as much as 30 degrees or more in less than a day. Rapid temperature change shuts down many fish species until consistent weather resumes. Rising and stained water spells the death sentence for quality rainbow trout fishing. Trout despise muddy conditions and often refuse to feed for days and sometimes weeks.
Always wear a life jacket when on the water and continue to follow park rules and regulations. The daily possession limit for rainbow trout is five fish per person. Don't make the mistake of attempting to keep more than the legal limit of any fish species from Arkansas waters. Always have your fishing license up-to-date and be ready to cooperate with our game officials when asked.
Lake Dardanelle
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s flow at Dardanelle Lock and Dam as 124,093 cfs. Elevation was 337.98 feet msl, with the tailwater at 298.27 feet msl. (Top navigation pool is 338.2 and bottom pool is 336.0.) The stage is rising almost 7 feet in a 24-hour period to 17.09 feet (flood stage is 32 feet).
Lake Hamilton
(updated 3-24-2022) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred Xpress, all-welded aluminum fishing boats in Hot Springs, reports, “We got a chance to fish over the weekend with the beautiful weather and enjoyed some bass fishing! Water temps were in the mid-50s all over and the water was clear. Bass, both spotted and largemouth, are moving up to shallower areas and positioning themselves on the interior corners of points. Most fish have not moved all the way back in the pockets. We had good success with a floating worm (in any bright color) under and around docks and other manmade structures. Fish seem to position on the gangplank to the dock and not the dock itself.
“Things have drastically changed since this weekend. We have received no less than 4 inches of rain so far this week and the lake is high and muddy. This is the perfect time to get a white or chartreuse bladed jig out and start banging away at structure that is visible. Fish will get shallow and right up against any structure. Some really big fish get caught in conditions like we have now!
“Crappie are moving shallow, moving from submerged structure in reverse of the fall patterns. Time to connect the dots! Minnows or slow-rolled jigs in shallower areas have been getting bites, but this is secondhand information.”
No catfish or bream report. Pleasure boat traffic is very high on nice days, so be aware and keep your head on a swivel not only for other boats, but also the massive wakes those types of boats leave. God Luck and Go Greeson.”
Lake Nimrod
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 346.07 feet msl (normal pool: 342.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 373.0 feet msl).
(updated 3-31-2022) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said Thursday morning that the lake is muddy and the level is high. Surface water temperature dropped some this week and was 51 degrees Thursday morning. Crappie are good. They are being caught in 3-7 feet depth below the dam and off the shoreline on minnows and chartreuse jigs. Black bass are fair. Best baits now are a white spinnerbait, crankbait or a floating worm in motor oil green color. Catfish are fair on limblines and yo-yos with minnow; hang them in the brush. Bream have not begun to bed, they report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Blakely Dam was 575.58 feet msl (full pool: 578.00 feet msl).
(updated 3-31-2022) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) said black bass are very good. Try a lipless crankbait or jerkbait over main lake points for these fish, or in runoffs use a spinnerbait. Floating worm and Carolina-rigging season are here! Walleye are making their way back down to the lake. A swim jig or Shad Rap should work to find and catch these fish. Stripers are excellent. Trolling an Alabama rig or throwing a topwater C-10 Redfin are producing quality catches. Bream are still fair on crickets or worms 20-25 feet deep on brush. Crappie are very good on small jigs or minnows. Try brushpiles in the 18-30 foot depth range. Catfish are very good on juglines or trotlines with stink bait, shad or nightcrawlers. Water temperature is up to the 56- to 60-degree range. Water clarity is stained. The lake level is 575.05 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.
(updated 3-31-2022) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said that like fishing at DeGray, where Darryl also has been getting out, the water temp his last time out here was 58 degrees. “So, that means the crappie and black bass are beginning their spawn. We’ve been catching small females on staging brushpiles and the bigger males and females are in the banks. During the spawn, your catch can slow because their interest is on the spawn and not eating. So, don’t become discouraged and have a great time during postspawn.”
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 391.92 feet msl (full pool: 384.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 419.0 feet msl).
No fishing reports.
White River/Clarendon Area
The Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday reported the Clarendon gauge is steady at to 27.60 feet, or 1.6 feet above the flood stage of 26.00 feet.
Horseshoe Lake
(updated 3-31-2022) Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) said that he found the water temperature at 54 degrees on Sunday. “With the weather fronts continuing, look for the lake temperature to slowly rise. Hopefully the wind will lay a couple days a week to allow for some fishing.”
Crappie were still holding over deeper water. Most fish were caught 10-12 feet deep, but some were caught as deep as 18 feet. “Slowly the fish are scattering, which means it won’t be long before they head to the shallows. Males are starting to show some color as well. A variety of techniques will still work, with most people opting for spider-rigging and others are using advanced electronics. Baits are about the same, with minnows, jigs or a combination of the two working.
“As for black bass, once again no official report, but I am still seeing some bass fishermen working the shallows in the warmer part of the day.”
No reports on catfish or bream.
Cooks Lake
(updated 3-31-2022) Wil Hafner, facility manager at Potlatch Cooks Lake Nature Center (870-241-3373), said there has been no change here. The White River is holding at 27 feet at Clarendon, and Cooks Lake fishing is inaccessible.
Cook’s Lake is a 2-mile long oxbow off of the White River, nestled in the heart of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge near Casscoe in Arkansas County. This fertile oxbow receives very little fishing pressure due to being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing. The scenic lake is full of slab crappie, giant bluegills, largemouth bass, and catfish of all species. Under current guidelines, Cook’s Lake will be open to fishing during normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., water level pending. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers and up to two helpers (who may also fish). Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. To comply with current guidelines, please call ahead at least a day in advance to register to fish. Before launching, please check in at the Conservation Education Center, and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, call the center at 870-241-3373.
Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake
(updated 3-31-2022) Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040) had no new reports.