After three years of renovation work, the gates of Lake Conway are finally scheduled to close on December 2, allowing water to begin refilling the lake. The milestone marks a turning point in a renovation project that forced local anglers and lakeside residents to put their routines on hold while crews rebuilt aging dams and reinforced water control systems.
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission announced the timeline during a public meeting at Mayflower High School, as reported by KATV. Closing the gates will begin the refilling process, though the speed of the recovery ultimately depends on rainfall.
Replacing Decades of Wear Below the Waterline
The previous manual dam and drain pipes have been completely replaced with a passive spillway and an auxiliary structure. These upgrades will allow for future management drawdowns and maintenance.
Nick Feltz, AGFC fisheries supervisor at the Mayflower field office, noted that the water control structures are functional and most infrastructure work below the waterline is complete.
Because enduring a three-year wait and sacrificing familiarity can test people’s patience, AGFC Deputy Director Ben Batten noted that undertakings of this nature present considerable challenges. Batten pointed out that the project is ahead of schedule.
For residents whose properties border the basin, the return of the water brings hope of returning to a familiar routine. Michael Grandjean, a resident living at Adams Lake Landing who moved to the area because of the fishing, watched the water recede. Now, he anticipates the return of a familiar routine.
The Long Road to Rebuilding the Fishery
Refilling the basin does not mean fishing will immediately return to its previous condition. AGFC hatchery crews have already begun stocking about 200,000 golden shiners into areas with enough remaining water last week. These baitfish will help establish the food supply for sport fish.
According to AGFC, fathead minnows, bluegill, and redear sunfish will be stocked this winter. Officials typically wait 6 to 8 months before they stock gamefish to give the forage a head start. If water conditions cooperate, sport fish stocking could begin in late spring or early summer 2027. Under that timeline, Feltz said the lake could have a reasonably fishable population by fall 2028.
Fishing would initially be catch and release, with harvest generally expected to return around summer 2030. Officials noted that limited harvest opportunities could be considered if monitoring shows the fish population can support them.
Landowners Rush to Finish Dock Work Before Gate Closure
Landowners and anglers still have a window to finish remaining dock, boathouse, and shoreline work before the gates close. Feltz cautioned that rain after the closure could cause water levels to rise quickly.
Other improvements include expanded boat lanes, repaired and additional boat ramps, fish habitat, and upgraded access areas. To provide enhanced shoreline fishing opportunities, crews selectively dredged certain popular angling banks and piers to increase their depth slightly. However, special federal regulations that protect wetlands from damage prevented crews from making islands.
As the water fills in the lake, the contractor will return to complete driving about 50 or so utility poles, primarily south of Highway 89 and in Gold Creek west of I-40. Once those markers are set from the surface, Lake Conway will begin its transition back to its normal water level.
