Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report Brings Relief to Anglers as Water Levels Shift and Conway Prepares to Refill
Fall has finally arrived in Arkansas, bringing cooler weather and comfortable temperatures after a summer of excessive heat.
The biggest structural shift on the horizon sits at the Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir. While the primary lake remains drawn down for an extensive renovation project, the 70-acre Lake Conway Nursery Pond in Mayflower has stepped up as a reliable local fallback. AGFC fisheries staff note that the pond has been stocked with mature bass, crappie, catfish, bream, and cold-weather rainbow trout. Use has been steady, with families pulling in steady catches of bream and smaller bass as winter approaches. More importantly for the broader ecosystem, the Lake Conway renovation remains precisely on schedule, with crews set to close the gates on the brand-new dam structure on December 2 to finally let the reservoir begin refilling.
Tailwater Adjustments on the Little Red River
Up north, the dropping temperatures have altered power demand, directly reshaping the generation schedule below Greers Ferry Dam.
Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips said, “Finally, fall has arrived here in Arkansas! After the excessive heat we dealt with all summer, it sure feels good to have some cooler weather,” noting that the current generation schedule has provided excellent wadeable water throughout the river, particularly around the JFK Park and Swinging Bridge access points.
Anglers hitting the water by boat are focusing on deeper sections, moss beds, and plunge pools below the shoals where fish are holding despite the lower flows. On warm, sunny afternoons, small midges are hatching throughout the river, bringing trout to the surface to smash San Juan Worms and egg patterns.
Anyone hitting these waters needs to keep a close eye on the regulations. Trout limits below Greers Ferry Dam changed earlier in 2026, restricting anglers to a two-trout daily bag limit while mandating the immediate release of any fish measuring 14 inches or longer until further notice.
Low Water Strains Central Arkansas Pockets
Not every fishery is enjoying comfortable conditions. Across several central regional lakes, persistent low water levels are forcing boaters to exercise extreme caution or leave their trailers parked altogether.
At Harris Brake Lake, Bing Watkins reports that the lake is very low. Despite the extreme drawdown, an adventurous angler recently pulled a string of largemouth bass weighing in the 3-to-4-pound range by working floating jigs near the shoreline early in the morning.
Brewer Lake is facing parallel challenges; while the south ramp remains technically viable, Nick Feltz, supervisor in the Mayflower office, urges visitors to use extreme caution when boating through the shallowing coves for crappie and largemouth bass.
Meanwhile, competitive anglers are still finding ways to put fish in the livewell. The Arkansas Crappie Trail held a tournament on Lake Overcup, where Lamar Bunting and Gene Neumeier fought through tough conditions to secure a winning five-fish bag of 9.12 pounds, anchored by a 2.37-pound specimen. The trail is scheduled to visit Lake Nimrod next.
Anglers Target Crappie and Bass on the Little Maumelle River
On the Little Maumelle River, Ray Hudson of River Valley Marina reports that water levels remain normal, with crappie aggressively taking jigs fished at three feet around timber in six feet of water. Black bass are holding tight to shallow structure in two to three feet, responding well to soft plastics and crankbaits. For catfish enthusiasts, Hudson suggested that anglers try throwing noodles with persimmons on hooks under the persimmon trees to catch channel and blue cats in the 3- to 5-pound range.
Farther east, anglers eyeing Peckerwood Lake will have to wait. Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing confirms the fishery is officially closed to the public until February, as the acreage transitions into a designated waterfowl rest area for regional duck hunting clubs.
