Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir (under renovation) and Nursery Pond

(updated 7-2-2026) AGFC staff in Mayflower note that while Lake Conway is still drawn down for renovation, the Lake Conway Nursery Pond provides a nice fishing opportunity for area anglers. The 70-acre pond has been stocked by the AGFC with mature bass, crappie, catfish and bream (as well as rainbow trout for the cold weather months).
Lake Conway renovation is proceeding on schedule. Read more here, or pick up the May-June issue of Arkansas Wildlife magazine (or read online) for an in-depth look at the new weir and dam construction. 

Little Red River

For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website or by calling (501) 362-5150). Also check the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecast generation schedule.

NOTE: On Feb. 1, 2026, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission changed trout limits for the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam. Anglers may keep two trout daily; trout 14 inches or longer must be released immediately. This rule is in effect until further notice.

(updated 6-18-2026) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said, “Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! It’s a great weekend to get outside and take a kid fishing.
“The weather forecast looks a little unsettled over the next several days with chances of rain throughout the week. We’re looking at daytime highs in the mid- to upper 80s, with a few days pushing 90 degrees and plenty of humidity. The rain is much needed as Arkansas continues to battle drought conditions. It doesn’t look like a washout by any means, but be prepared for some scattered pop-up thunderstorms, especially during the hotter afternoons.
“Greers Ferry Lake has risen slightly above summer power pool thanks to the rainfall we’ve received over the past several weeks. With the lake now above power pool and summer temperatures arriving, we’re beginning to see increased generation on the Little Red River.
“On Wednesday (June 17), the Southwestern Power Administration generated two units of water for roughly 10 hours. That’s the first time this year we’ve seen that much water released for that length of time. The same projection was scheduled again for Thursday. It’s still a little early to know exactly what the weekend generation schedule will look like, but with increased power demand and the lake sitting slightly above power pool, don’t be surprised if we continue to see higher flows.
“As always, I’d recommend checking the USACE Little Rock App before heading to the river so you can stay up to date on the latest generation schedule.
“Over the last few fishing reports I’ve mentioned that the bite has been tough at times, and that still holds true. The bright spots have been JFK Park and Barnett Access, both of which have been fishing well and have received heavy trout stockings recently. Wade-fishing below the dam has been particularly productive, and Barnett Access continues to fish well.
“The rest of the river, from Lobo Landing down to the Highway 305 bridge, has been a bit hit or miss. Some days the fish are feeding aggressively, while other days can be a grind. We’re still catching fish consistently, but some days are definitely better than others.”
Mike says the hot flies under an indicator have been:

* Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles

* Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ears

* Midges

* San Juan Worms

“Focus on deeper water around moss beds and areas with steady current, especially during periods of no generation or while fishing falling water. The shoals and plunge pools below them continue to hold fish and are worth spending extra time on. If the bite gets tough, try downsizing your flies.”
“A quick reminder: Arkansas Game and Fish has implemented a two-fish daily limit for the time being, with no trout over 14 inches allowed to be kept on the Little Red River. This change was made after significant fish losses at both the Spring River and Norfork hatcheries. Signs have been posted at access points along the river, but I’ve still seen several instances of anglers unintentionally over-harvesting because they weren’t aware of the new regulations. Help spread the word and be sure to check the AGFC.com website for complete details.
“The good news is that streamer fishing has finally arrived with the increased flows we’ve been seeing.

“On Wednesday evening, fellow guide Bill Wilmert and I took advantage of the two-unit generation and spent some time throwing big articulated streamers along the banks looking for aggressive brown trout. Our preferred setup is a 9-foot, 8-weight rod paired with a 330-grain sinking line. We were throwing Flatliners and Double Deceivers in white and olive, as well as brown and yellow color combinations.
“Good luck on the river this weekend. Hope to see you out there.”

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 7-2-2026) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said in their most recent report that black bass (all three species) were active and biting around main lake points. Throw a watermelon Carolina rig with a Zoom Lizard. If there is runoff after a rain — and there will be runoff now, for sure — throw single swimbaits like a Keitech 3.8 or 4.3. Spoons are also working around cover, such as flooded timber or docks. And definitely consider using an “urchin-style” bait around main lake brushpiles, flooded timber or rocks. A Coike is a good choice there. 

Harris Brake Lake

(updated 7-2-2026) Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said fishing is “kind of slow right now. It’s too hot for people fishing.” Nevertheless, some anglers are taking advantage of an open lake with a decent bream and catfish bite now. Most anglers are catching bream on crickets; Bing says they’ve sold a lot of crickets in recent days. Trotlines are the go-to for folks seeing catfish. “Bank fishing is not going very well,” she said. Mainly, she notes, the bank is not where it should be with the lake still very low. None of the recent rains have helped the lake level much.

“You can still launch a boat, though, no problem,” she said. Also, she’s heard of a good bream bite in the area opposite the resort, where “the water is a little deeper over there.”

Use baby bream if you use trotlines, she said.

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

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

(updated 6-25-2026) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) off Arkansas Highway 9 (501-354-9007) said in his most recent report that water level is about normal and the clarity is good. Crappie were being caught in 8-10 feet of water, but mostly at night. Bass were slow, but anglers are catching some decent fish. Catfish were being caught on trotlines and jugs using bream and nightcrawlers. Bream should pick up. 

Lake Maumelle
(updated 7-2-2026) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) said the lake’s surface water temperature was around the mid-80s. Lake level keeps dropping slightly and is 7.8 feet below normal pool. Boater operators, remember to trim your motor. New ramps are open.
The black bass bite is good again this week. Largemouth bass are biting best in the morning and late in the evening. Anglers are seeing a good topwater bite at those times, as well as in 2-8 feet of water, with some being picked up in 15-20 feet of water. Jighead worms, drop-shots, your favorite topwater lure and soft plastics reportedly are all working. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are being found mixed in with the largemouths, as well as being caught in 12-18 feet off rocky points. Jigs and drop-shots are best for the spots.

Crappie have picked back up and the reports are good. Anglers say they are stacked at 8-, 10- and 12-feet depths chasing shad. Also, there are reports of crappie being found stacked on brush in 17-20 feet. Jigs, swimbaits and minnows are working.
Bream are good, and that was expected with Monday’s full moon and the big, low moon earlier this week. There are reports of bream bedding on brush and biting crickets and worms. Look for bream anywhere from 6-12 feet.

White bass have been fair. Your best bet may be trolling on the roadbed to catch a few, and use crankbaits. Catfish are fair, with reports coming in of some cats snagging anglers’ lines. Bream, worms and liver should attract the catfish.

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 7-2-2026) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said that not many people have been fishing in the past few days, but the ones who have are doing really well catching bass both early in the day and late. “One fellow caught some crappie in 7 feet of water on minnows. But overall, it’s nothing great. It’s kind of slowed down. The water is clear and normal, but it’s so hot out. They’re out early and gone by noon.”
Bass anglers are fishing topwater baits early, then moving to plastic worms. Try a white buzzbait or white spinnerbait early; Ray says purple is the color of choice for your soft plastic worms.

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 6-25-2026) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said in their most recent report that bass were starting to get more out on the main channel of the river. Shad-colored square bills have been the bait to use, with anglers having success fishing along the jetties perpendicular to the bank. When you get up in the grass, turn to weightless flukes, and use white or black buzzbaits around grass or wood.

Crappie were also active around wood. Your best bet there is a black and chartreuse jig.

The flow at Murray Dam through the Little Rock Pool continues to run fast. As of Thursday afternoon, the flow was over 100,000 cfs, and that calls for a small craft advisory until it gets back below 70,000. Anglers and boaters are urged to stay off the water during the higher flows.

Peckerwood Lake 

(updated 6-18-2026) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (501-626-6899) said anglers there are doing fair on largemouth bass and good on bream and catfish. 

The bass have been hit or miss, she added. Crappie aren’t doing anything now. “I haven’t had anybody trolling that much. Mainly bream fishermen right now,” she said.

Use the dependable crickets and worms to attract the bream. Hot dogs are the bait of choice for catfish here. Bass anglers keep their baits to themselves, but this should be a great time to try the topwater lures early and late, and a soft plastic worm or crankbait at other times.

Overall, fishing has been slow for much of the year, she said. The lake, though, is level full and clear for Peckerwood, she said.