Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir (under renovation)
For the most up-to-date lake level, visit the U.S. Geological Survey’s Lake Conway water level site.
(updated 5-29-2025) Fishing reportedly is still going well at the Lake Conway Nursery Pond, as an alternative to Lake Conway while the big lake is drawn down for renovation. Anglers have caught harvestable bream in good numbers of late. The Lake Conway Nursery Pond has been opened for fishing in the immediate area of the big lake, and the 70-acre pond has been stocked for over a year now by the AGFC with mature bass, crappie, catfish and bream, as well as rainbow trout for the cold weather months.
Little Red River
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website or by calling (501) 362-5150). Also check the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecast generation schedule.
(updated 6-5-2025) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said the Southwestern Power Administration has kept things steady at Greers Ferry Dam. It’s running two units from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily, and that’s been the case for the past few weeks. This predictable release schedule is opening up great fishing opportunities from the dam all the way to the 305 Bridge — whether you’re wade-fishing or drifting in the boat, the whole river is fishing well right now.
There’s a chance of rain in the forecast over the weekend with scattered showers expected on and off. While some days are showing a low chance, it’s still worth keeping an eye on the weather to see how it might affect water clarity and lake levels. Fingers crossed the rain doesn’t muddy things up too much!
Mark your calendars — June 6-8 are Free Fishing Days across Arkansas. From noon on June 6 to midnight on June 8, no fishing license or trout permit is required. It’s a great time to introduce someone new to the sport or just enjoy some time on the water without the paperwork.
Fishing continues to be excellent on the Little Red! The fish have been responding well to the consistent generation schedule. The bite has been solid all along the river.
Top flies under an indicator: pink San Juan Worms, Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears, and midges – especially effective in the lower water after generation
Streamers are still getting it done, especially on cloudy days. Try working the banks with big articulated patterns when the water starts to fall out from the night before or head up near the dam in the afternoon as the water comes on. Hot streamer patterns: Double Deceivers, Sex Dungeons and Flatliners.
“Whether you’re wading or drifting, now’s a great time to be on the water. Tight lines, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you want to book a guided trip!”
(updated 6-5-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the Little Red flow is still the same as it’s been, running two generations from 11 to 11. Early morning will be best, catching the falling water. Most anglers are having success with a marabou jig and a Trout Magnet. Also, Rooster Tails, jerkbaits and a No. 5 ShadRap are solid now. Anglers can use these patterns both drifting or bank fishing for browns or rainbows. Wading is available early on before the generation. There have been a lot of people wading in the mornings near JFK Park, the Swinging Bridge and Cow Shoals.
Greers Ferry Lake
For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.
(updated 6-5-2025) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry lake is at 470.86, putting it 8.82 feet above normal pool of 462.04 feet and falling with generation — but it may come back up with rain forecasted, then should go back to falling with generation until normal pool is reached in July.
Fish remain scattered all over. Crappie are still floating around in deeper water, with jigs and minnows working best at all depths and crankbaits for trolling 12-18 feet for the mid-depth fish and 40 feet for the deeper fish. Brushpiles are really coming into play now.
Walleye are scattered everywhere. Some are deep, some shallow and all in-between — and, of course, lake fish are staying put on points, humps, etc. in 10-40 feet. Anglers having best success are trying to drag a jig tipped with minnow or crawler and/or a drop-shot. Big Minnow-style plugs are working trolled.
Catfish are eating real good all over lake and rivers. Lots of blues have been coming in. Lines and jugs are working best with a variety of baits, as well as rod and reels. Bream are showing up — try crawlers, crickets, small cranks and inline spinners. A lot of white bass and hybrid bass are in 25-35 feet, while many are still deep in the lake at 50 feet. Use Road Runners and grubs for shallow fish, spoons and in line spinners for the deeper ones.
Black bass are scattered as well. Some are in the old buckbrush line, while some are still super shallow and others have moved offshore, and more are just roaming around chasing shad in 12-20 feet. Just about any baits are working. Be safe and wear your life jacket.
(updated 6-5-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the lake is up to 9-10 feet above the normal pool. You can still go out and catch a bunch of black bass, though the bigger fish haven’t been showing up yet. Tournament results show a smaller average than a few months ago. As for numbers, you’ll get them.
Main lake points dragging a Carolina rig across those points with a Zoom watermelon seed lizard. Either main lake or in the coves, you can throw a swimbait up in the buckbrush, or flip a tube or jig up in the buckbrush.
For crappie, fishing in 15-20 feet of water in standing timber with a live minnow or any kind of natural color crappie jig will produce good results.
Walleye are hungry, and a drop-shot with a nightcrawler in roughly about 20 feet of water is the way to go. Fish around the main lake points.
Water clarity is stain up in the rivers but clear in the main river.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 5-22-2025) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said this last week has been a big one for catfish, both in catches and in several large cats brought in. They’ve been biting trotlines baited with baby bream and minnows, with channel cats and flatheads from 2 to 5 pounds reported.
Also, one of Harris Brake’s veteran anglers was fishing from the shoreline trying for bream with crickets when a 9-pound flathead jumped on instead. The same angler noted that he even had a catfish bite a trotline hook with no bait on it.
Obviously, the cats are hungry. This is typically a great time for flatheads, as catfish begin to spawn.
Bream have been biting. People have been catching them on worms and crickets, reporting that some of them were “pretty big-sized,” Bing said. Bream are in their spawn and males are guarding the nests.
Some crappie are being caught by anglers on boats out in deeper water and using a Fish Finder, we’re told. Some of these anglers who are stopping into the shop have indicated they’ve shifted from fishing Lake Conway, which is drained for renovation, and have been finding lots of crappie willing to bite. Minnows are working best now, and reportedly some big crappie (white crappie and black crappie) are being caught.
Black bass have been “kinda slow,” she says. “I haven’t heard any reports in the last couple of weeks on bass.”
Follow more from Harris Brake Lake Resort on its Facebook page.
Lake Overcup
(updated 5-29-2025) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said water level is about 2 feet high and clarity is good. “We also have green algae bloom around the lake.”
Surface temperature is around 78 degrees.
Black bass are doing well on crankbaits and plastic worms around brushtops. Crappie are doing well in 8-12 feet of water using jigs and minnows. Catfish are doing well on jugs and trotlines using perch and shad. Bream are slow but should pick up with the warmer weather.
Lake Maumelle
(updated 6-5-2025) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reports that water level has been on the rise and stands 3.5 below normal pool. “Ramps are open,” they say. Water temperature is ranging 78-80 degrees.
Black bass fishing is fair. The largemouths are fair in 10-20 feet depth. Try using Carolina rigs, jigs, drop-shots and crankbaits. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) also are fair and being found in 10-20 feet mixed in with the largemouths. Try using drop-shot, jigs and cranks.
In this week’s Tuesday night bass tournament, Cody Bryant and Brad Lequieu brought in a five-bass stringer totaling 15.29 pounds to win. Ben Burke and Randall Clark were helped by the Big Bass of 4.63 pounds and were second with 14.97 pounds total.
White bass were found schooling toward the west end this week. The catch results were fair. Twister tails and crankbaits will work.
Crappie fishing is good. The last report said they are off of the banks and scattered around brush and rock piles 15-20 fee. Try using jigs.
Bream are great. Reports of bluegill bedding this week on brush and about to move off. Try using crickets and worms.
Catfish are good. Reports of the blues being found on the bank in 2-4 feet. Try using bream, liver and worms.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
For the real-time water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam and Morrilton stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.
Little Maumelle River
(update 5-22-2025) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) says water is normal height but is on the stained side after a big rain earlier this week. It was murky on Wednesday but some anglers still caught a few. He says the water should be good in a couple of days.
Bream are still bedded and anglers are still catching them on crickets and worms. You can find them in about 1½ feet of water.
Anglers have been catching a lot of bass on topwater now, as well as with worms and crankbaits. “You can catch bass now with just about anything you can get in front of them right now,” he said.
After the rain and the water starting to move, catfish got to biting. Chicken liver and, around the docks, hot dogs are the best baits to use.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
For the real-time water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools)
For the real-time water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam and David D. Terry Lock and Dam, as well as the Little Rock pool stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.
(updated 6-5-2025) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the river is still no place to be with a small craft with the serious flow still moving through. It’s been over being over 200,000-plus cfs and will be a while before it can get down under 70,000 cfs and be safer for small craft.
So the best they can advise for regular anglers for now is to stay off the river, while they also note that there are other, safer places to catch fish now (see their reports from Greers Ferry Lake and Little Red River, as well as newer ones from Lake Ouachita, the Buffalo River and DeGray Lake).
Peckerwood Lake
(updated 6-5-2025) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said they anglers are doing well on bass, catfish and bream. Also, they are catching crappie now trolling and spider-rigging. Some may still be trying to jig, but most crappie anglers coming out now are coming to spider-rig, she reports.
Catfish are going for worms, hot dogs, liver. “When they are on they will hit anything,” she said.
As for bream, most everyone is using crickets and worms. Bream are up shallow and have been spawning.