Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir (under renovation) and Nursery Pond
(updated 7-9-2026) 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 check out what was written in 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 7-9-2026) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said Greers Ferry Lake is sitting at 462.24 feet msl, with the summer power pool target level at 462.54 feet msl, so we’re just slightly below pool heading into this week. The weather is looking like typical July in Arkansas, with daytime highs in the mid- to upper 90s and heat indexes climbing into the 100s. There is a chance of scattered rain on Saturday and Sunday, but it doesn’t look like a washout.
“We’ve been seeing a fairly consistent generation schedule from SWPA (Southwestern Power Administration). They’ve generally been running two units for 4-6 hours, with generation usually starting around 3 p.m. each day.
“The fishing on the Little Red River has definitely improved. Over the last few reports, I’ve mentioned that the bite had been a little tough, but things are looking much better now. You can really tell the hatchery trucks have been busy stocking not only the primary access areas, but also the secondary chutes on private property from Lobo Landing down to the Arkansas Highway 305 Access. JFK Park below the dam and Barnett Access have both received heavy trout stockings, and the wade fishing at both locations has been very good. Drift-fishing from the boat has also picked up, and you can definitely tell those fresh fish are spread throughout the river.
“The best bite has been early in the morning while the water is falling from the previous night’s generation. Once the summer heat starts building, the fishing tends to slow down, so my advice is to get an early start and take advantage of that morning bite.

“Fly-wise, I’ve been catching fish on Buggy Hare’s Ears and Pheasant Tail Soft Hackles. As always, San Juan Worms, egg patterns and midges continue to produce. If the bite slows down, don’t be afraid to downsize your fly.
“Focus on the deeper runs around the moss beds, and don’t overlook the shoals and the plunge pools just below them. Those areas have been holding plenty of fish.
“Stay safe in the heat, keep plenty of water in the boat, and good luck if you’re headed to the river this week. Hope to see you on the water!”

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 7-9-2026) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) said the lake’s level has dipped to nearly 8 feet below normal pool (7.9 feet as of Thursday), while surface water temperature is in the mid-80s. Boaters are urged to trim their motors with the new ramps in place.

The black bass bite fell off somewhat this week to fair. Largemouth bass are reportedly biting best in the mornings and late in the evenings, typical of the hot part of the summer. Anglers are catching them on top as well as in 2-8 feet of water, with some others being caught in 15-20 feet. Jighead worms, drop-shots, topwater baits and soft plastics are the most successful lures now. Spotted bass (aka Kentucky bass) are fair and being caught among largemouth as well as in 12-18 feet off rock points. Jigs and drop-shots are best for spots.

Crappie and bream are both good. Crappie are reportedly stacked at 8, 10 and 12 feet depth chasing shad. Also, there are reports of crappie being found stacked on brush in 17-20 feet. Jigs, swimbaits and minnows are all working. Bream are being seen bedded on brush and being caught there. They should be anywhere from 6-12 feet deep. Use crickets or worms.

White bass are slow. Crankbaits are best for them. Catfish are fair. Some of the bass anglers reported catching catfish while they were targeting black bass. Use live bream, worms or liver.

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 6-25-2026) 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.