Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report: January 8, 2026

Attention all fishing enthusiasts! Get ready for an exciting journey through the waterways of Arkansas, where the fish are biting and the stories are ripe for the telling.

The Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report is your trusted guide to the best fishing spots and techniques across the state. In this edition, we dive into the latest updates and insights from our expert contributors, ensuring you're equipped with the knowledge to reel in some memorable catches.

But here's where it gets controversial: with varying weather conditions and ever-changing fish behavior, our fishing reports are not just about the facts; they're a blend of science, art, and a dash of luck. So, grab your rod, and let's explore the intricacies of fishing in Arkansas together!

Central Arkansas:

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir is currently under renovation, but fear not! The nearby Nursery Pond is open for fishing, offering a great opportunity to catch bream and trout. AGFC has stocked the pond with mature bass, crappie, catfish, and rainbow trout, making it a winter fishing hotspot.
Lake Conway's renovation is on track, with the old dam being demolished and plans for a new dam and weir in place. Keep an eye out for updates on the AGFC website.
Biologists from AGFC's Mayflower regional office report excellent crappie fishing from the bank and fishing piers in Lake Overcup and Harris Brake Lake. Don't miss out on the chance to land a good crappie bite at Lake Atkins near Russellville.

Little Red River:

For real-time outflow reports from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website or call their office. Stay updated with the Southwestern Power Administration's website for generation schedule forecasts.
Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips shares his recent report, highlighting the impact of variable weather on the generation schedule. He recommends keeping an eye on the USACE Little Rock app before heading out.
The brown trout spawn is in full swing, so be mindful of your wading spots. Avoid stepping on spawning beds and handle spawning fish with care.
Under an indicator, egg patterns (apricot and orange), midge patterns, and soft hackles are hot flies. Streamer fishing has also been productive during generation, with Double Deceivers, Flatliners, and sculpin patterns producing top results.

Greers Ferry Lake:

Visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website for real-time lake level and outflow reports from Greers Ferry Dam.
Fish 'N Stuff in Sherwood reports excellent largemouth and spotted bass fishing in 10-15 feet of water on chunk rock banks. Anglers are catching them with half-ounce football jigs and SPRO Rock Crawler.
Crappie are biting in about 20 feet of water on the tops of brushpiles with a 1.8-ounce white jighead. Crappie anglers are also having success with threadfin shad-color plastic.

Harris Brake Lake:

Bing Watkins at Harris Brake Lake Resort reports a great fishing week, especially over the weekend. Anglers caught decent-sized crappie from boats and along the banks.
Boating anglers are catching crappie near the bottom, about 7 feet deep, while bank anglers are catching them about 5 feet off the shoreline and in 1-2 feet of water. Minnows and jigs are working well.
The water is clear, and Bing says you can see the bottom of the lake from the dock. Water from Harris Brake Lake is used for the nearby WMA for waterfowl habitat.
There have been occasional bass catches, but not many. One angler caught a bass at the dock.
"There are lots of shad around the bank right now," Bing said. "You can see all the shad from the dock. Lots of birds are out because of the shad, too. Pelicans, seagulls, lots of birds."
Follow Harris Brake Lake Resort on Facebook for more updates.

Lake Overcup:

John "Catfish" Banks at Overcup Landing reports bass still chasing shad and being caught on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Bream are biting with crickets and redworms.
Catfish are doing well on nightcrawlers and bass minnows. Crappie are caught in 10-12 feet of water about 6 feet down.

Lake Maumelle:

WestRock Landing in Roland reports water temperatures hovering around 48-50 degrees and the lake level at 7.5 feet below normal pool. New launch ramps are open, but users are advised to have four-wheel drive for the back launch ramp.
Black bass fishing is good to fair. Largemouth bass are biting deep in 15-25 feet as well as shallow in 2-8 feet. Jigs, Alabama rig, and crankbaits are recommended. Spotted bass are fair and mixed in with largemouths in 15-20 feet. Drop-shot, Carolina rigs, jigs, and cranks seem to work best.
Crappie are good, with reports of them roaming around the channel. Try jigs and minnows in 20-30 feet deep.
No reports for white bass, bream, or catfish. White bass should react to Twister Tails and cranks, bream might take a jig or worm, and catfish can typically be caught on Lake Maumelle using bream, chicken liver, and worms.

Arkansas River at Morrilton:

Visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website for real-time water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam and Morrilton stage level.

Little Maumelle River:

Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina reports excellent crappie fishing. Water is clear, and crappie are about 8-9 feet deep. Catch them on jigs and minnows. Bobby Garland jigs and tube jigs in primarily shad colors have been successful.
Bass are also fairly deep, catching them on deep-running crankbaits. Bream-colored cranks will work best.
Nothing reported on catfish or bream.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool):

Visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website for real-time water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam.

Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools):

Visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website for real-time water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam, David D. Terry Lock and Dam, and the Little Rock pool stage level.
Fish 'N Stuff reports catfish (channels and blues) biting mainly just off the dam side on the edge of the current using cut shad or nightcrawlers, and a 5- or 6-ounce bank sinker.

Peckerwood Lake:

Donna Mulherin at Herman's Landing reports Peckerwood Lake is closed to fishing until the end of waterfowl season while serving as a waterfowl rest area for migrating birds. The lake will reopen for fishing on February 9.

North Arkansas:

Emergency Trout Regulations are in place! Read more on the AGFC website.
The proclamation calls for catch-and-release of all trout in the 45 miles of tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam to the White River's confluence with the North Fork River, as well as catch-and-release only on the entirety of the Norfork Dam tailwater. Normal length and daily limits apply below the confluence, with a two-trout-only limit.
Tackle restrictions for the regular Bull Shoals and Rim Shoals catch-and-release areas on the White and the usual Norfork catch-and-release area still apply (artificial tackle only, and barbless hooks).

White River (Cotter Area):

Cotter Trout Dock reports Bull Shoals Lake is below power pool elevation; expect low generation most of each day. Always keep an eye on releases for safe wading.
With significant weather fluctuations, you'll be most successful baiting your No. 6 or No. 8 trout hook with a mashup of shrimp and scented PowerBait. Sculpins, river minnows, and shad have been effective.
Lunker brown fishing is just around the corner with the official end of the spawn. Unpack those Rapala Countdowns or floaters for really low water levels in gold/black, silver/black, or the rainbow pattern.
Trout fishing tip: Keep a taut line, leave your rod alone as much as possible, and refrain from reeling except to keep the line tight until you get a bite. Listen to your guide and take their advice!
Happy New Year! Enjoy the great outdoors in The Natural State of Arkansas in 2026.

White River (Calico Rock Area):

Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service, hopes everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. The mild weather and low river conditions have made for pleasant fishing.
With low and clear water, quarter-ounce Colorado spoons in nickel/gold have worked well, resulting in nice limits of rainbows and brown trout. Fly-fishing and other methods have also been effective.
There is a potential for storms moving through the area on Thursday and Friday. Hopefully, the river won't become muddy.
If you're in the Little Rock area this weekend, swing by the Marine Expo at the Statehouse Convention Center and stop by our booth.

Bull Shoals Lake:

Visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website for the real-time outflow report from Bull Shoals Dam.
Fishing guide Del Colvin reports the lake level at 655 feet msl; water temp is 51 degrees. Bass fishing has been good to fair. Power fishermen are having success with Wiggle Wart and SPRO Rock Crawler patterns.
Work the steeper, 45-degree nasty rock and ledges, transition banks, and chunk rock ledges in the wind. Covering water with wind and clouds. If it's flat and sunny, come out some, get off the bank.
Try a Jewel ⅝-ounce jig for bass. If you're out deep around 30-35 feet, try green pumpkin with orange or PB&J variants. On the swings and long run-out points along the channel, try pulling off ledges and bluff ends.
Try your crank around banks. Offshore, looking at them has been the predominant pattern working for me.
Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site or website for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.
Southernwalleye Guide Service says walleye fishing patterns have not changed this past week. Best fishing has been right before passing fronts. Try fishing in 8-35 feet of water by drop-shotting a live crawler or minnow.
A few fish are being caught trolling during early mornings and late evenings. When trolling, try a 5-inch jerkbait like a Rattlin' Rogue or Rapala Husky Jerk. Trolling in 8-15 feet of water at 1.2 mph seems to be a good speed for a reaction bite.
Fishing a 110+1-style jerkbait in 8-15 feet of water on main lake and secondary points and steeper-sided channel swing banks is where the fish are holding.
Crappie 101 Guide Service says they're catching some nice crappie on standing timber and main lake brush in 15-30 feet of water using minnows and Small Fry baits on a 1/16-ounce jig.

Norfork Lake:

Visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website for the real-time outflow report from Norfork Dam.
Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters guides out of Tracy Ferry Marina. Tom hasn't had any new reports since the lake turned very hot and stripers were struggling with the conditions. Visit his website for more information.

Northwest Arkansas:

Beaver Lake:
- Visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website for the real-time outflow report from Beaver Lake Dam.
- Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service says Beaver Lake has come down to 1,117.34 feet msl, or 0.4 feet below normal level. Fishing has really fired up this last week.
- Stripers are good, but they are keying in on half-inch shad, so trolling with smaller hooks is the key.
- Good places to look are Monte Ne out front of Hickory Creek and Point 12. Look for the massive bait returns on graph.
- Crappie are on structure in 10-17 feet of water. Jigs are working.
- Walleye have begun to move, and these water temps dictate that.
- Love this weather, but I know winter is near! Always is this time of the year!
- May 2026 be YOUR year!
- Visit Jon's Facebook page for the latest updates between weekly reports.

Beaver Tailwater:

Guide Austin Kennedy says winter is settling into the Ozarks, bringing cold mornings and pushing the most productive fishing windows later into the day. The upcoming week features classic temperature swings.
Fishing continues to improve from late morning through the afternoon as sunlight warms the water. Light tackle remains the top producer, with Pautzke Fire Bait, PowerBait, and small spoons performing well.
Anglers using artificials should downsize and slow everything down - small jerkbaits and Rooster Tails fished with long pauses are drawing the most strikes.
This should be your weekly game plan: Fish deep and slow on cold mornings, move slightly shallower during warmer afternoons, use natural colors under clouds; add flash when the sun is out.
Winter rewards patience on the Beaver tailwater. Adjust to the conditions, fish methodically, and you'll find consistent opportunities even in the cold.
For regular updates, check out Austin's Facebook page.

Lake Fayetteville:

Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock will be closed until January 14. The city of Fayetteville is changing the operation of the boat dock, but no concrete plans are in place at this time.

Northeast Arkansas:

Lake Charles:
- Shelly Jeffery reported from Lake Charles State Park that the water level was very low. Besides the lack of recent rain, Lake Charles' water is redirected to Shirey Bay Rainey Brake WMA during waterfowl season.
- The only boat ramp with water is the upper parking lot off Arkansas Highway 25.
- Park guests walking to the water said black bass are hitting well, but they did not report the types of bait used. We expect crankbaits and soft plastic worms would be working.
- Fishing is good from and around the shoreline.
- The water is murky.

Lake Poinsett:

Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park did not have a new report in the new year, but his last report before 2025 ended was that Lake Poinsett had seen a steady stream of anglers despite the up-and-down temperatures.
Anglers out on boats were having luck with minnows catching bass. It was also reported that some were getting catfish with minnows too!
Shoreline fishing has been a little slower as the fish retreat to deeper waters, but not totally absent.
Lake Poinsett State Park has a bait shop at the park's visitor information center, selling minnows, redworms, nightcrawlers, and other various artificial baits and tackle.

Spring River:

Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com said water flow at the Spring is at 215 cfs, while water clarity is clear. Very low river flow for this time of year.
With low and clear conditions, fishing has been tough with lighter tippet and generally smaller fly patterns than normal. Lot of caddis and other bugs hatching for great nymph action, and great conditions for dry fly action.
Catching a few browns on streamer action using Woollies. Working the banks with deeper water near the current. If you like catching smallies, use the same flies, just fish them deep below falls and riffles.
Clouser-style Woollies work well for getting down fast. Water levels are too low for needing sink tips. Long leaders with high sticking techniques will get the fly down.
Olive is the color most days, but with all of the baitfish in the Spring, a white baitfish pattern can be very productive, especially on sunny days. Crawfish and leeches are also in the water and are easy to imitate.
For spin-fishing, Trout Magnets in red, pink, and Purple Haze are working for numbers. For smallies, D2 hair jigs fished just off the bottom will work. Olive, black, and white are go-to colors on the Spring with hair jigs.
On the tough days when a bite is hard to find, a Y2K with a nymph dropper can turn the day around. Low river conditions make for easier wading, but be safe - the rocks are slick. A wading staff can keep you upright when it matters.
The weather has been crazy: warm days mixed with cold days. Dress warm and stay dry; the cold days can be dangerous, so be careful.
Visit Mark's blog for updates, videos, and conditions on the Spring River.

White River:

Visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website for the real-time gauge level and flow from the White River stages at Batesville, Newport, and Augusta, and all other sites within the White River basin in Arkansas.

Southeast Arkansas:

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool):
- Visit the Army Corps of Engineers' Little Rock office website for the real-time water flow at the Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam, Maynard Lock and Dam, and the Pine Bluff pool stage level.
- The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports water temperature in the mid-50s and river pool visibility at 6-8 inches. Black bass are biting well on shad-colored bladed jigs, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and shallow-diving crankbaits on wind-blown points of sand flats and rocky banks.
- Small dark-colored jigs and soft plastics are effective in calmer weather, especially near wood and docks.
- If things turn very cold next week as forecast, expect things to get really slow until spring.

Cane Creek Lake:

Shelley Burr at Cane Creek State

Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report: January 8, 2026 - Best Spots & Tips (2026)