The Overall Picture:

As of Monday, 20 Jan, the lake level is approx 4 inches above normal conservation pool and falling. There is decreased current of Little River with the gates releasing around 10,000 CFS as of Friday. The release was not updated on Monday due to the Holiday. Surface water temps remained consistent over the past week. Not as many fishermen on the lake over the past few weeks. Lots of debris is coming down Little River with the increased release and current at the dam. Use caution.

Surface temps as of Monday, 20 Jan are ranging 42ºF early to 45ºF range, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location, and time of day.

Lake level as of Monday 20 Jan is currently is 259.53 mfsl, and falling with increased river current, which is approx 4 inches above normal conservation pool. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was unavailable due to the Federal Holiday. As of Friday total discharge around 10,000 CFS . The tailwater level as of Monday was 236.8 mfsl.

Clarity and visibility not much different this week, in most areas on main lake. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity & visibility ranges approx 5-8 inches. Little River's visibility ranges 4-6 inches depending on location and current. The oxbow's clarity improved over the weekend, ranging approx 15-20 inches depth of visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds, rain, or thunderstorms.

To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Tony Porter at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive project updates, daily lake level information updates, gate release flows, tailwater information, park and campground information, or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free Millwood Project information line at 888-697-9830 or the US Army Corps of Engineers' main number to verify another Corp of Engineers project is open, at 877-444-6777.

The Details:

Largemouth Bass: metabolism improved over the past week with warmer daytime high temperatures and slightly higher water temps. Jigs, Magnum Tubes with rattles, suspending jerk baits, and slow moving crankbaits remain the best bet. Tail spinners such as Rat-L-Traps Spin Traps, Little Cleos, Little Georges, rooster tails, and Rocket Shads are still catching all species of Bass, but much slower and slightly deeper. Best colors of tail spinner hard baits like the Little Georges continue to be white, chartreuse, or a combination of those. Best colors of the Rooster Tails seem to be white/red or red/chrome combinations. Jigging spoons on points with timber or stumps were taking a few bass over the past week with the improved water temps but water clarity and current kept most of the fish behind the points or scattered and deeper.

Slow moving crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps worked slower out of current in creek channel bends, deflecting off stumps and timber are still taking a few random bass in the clearest water you can find away from river flow. Recent daytime highs in the 60's and 70's have improved fish metabolism and feeding this week. Bass are still hitting the crankbaits, just slower and they are locating in the clearest water you can find, in the outer turns and deeper sections of creeks over the past week.

Cordell Red Fins, Smithwick Rouges, and suspending jerk baits worked very slowly were catching some nice fish over the past couple weeks. Large 1oz size Rat-L-Traps worked much slower and deeper in the creek channels, over the past few weeks, have been taking some 2-4 pound Largemouths. Best colors with the improved water clarity away from Little River current over the past week have been Toledo Gold, Chartreuse/Black Glass, or Black Bone Nova, around 8-12 feet depth creek channel swings, deflecting off stumps. Bomber and XCalibur crankbaits worked slowly, in Citruese, Threadfin Shad, or Firetiger were working for the Largemouths & Kentucky Bass, but much slower. Bomber Flat A's in Firetiger, or Black/Chartreuse are also catching Bass, but the trick continues to be working very slowly and deflecting off stumps in the creeks. Get as far away from River current and muddy water and locating water temperatures 2-4 degrees warmer, seems to be key in locating bass in a feeding mood.

Real Deal Custom Tackle jigs are working in deeper sections of creek channels in same areas as the magnum size tubes. Best colors of jigs over the past week continue to be the Texas Craw, Voodoo, or Okeechobee Spice. Rattles help the Largemouths to find the jigs and tubes in the stained but improving, water clarity.

White Bass: Schools of Whites disappeared with all the muddy water and current in Little River

Crappie: Remain scattered with the muddy current in the river.

Cats: Continue biting well with the current around 10,000CFS in Little River. Cut Buffalo, Carp or other rough fish, chicken hearts and gizzards were working on trot lines set in outer bends of increased current from 12-15 feet deep.


Lake Level & River Conditions Report

Surface temps as of Monday, 20 Jan are ranging 42ºF early to 45ºF range, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location, and time of day.

Lake level as of Monday 20 Jan is currently is 259.53 mfsl, and falling with decreased river current, which is approx 4 inches above normal conservation pool. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate was around 10,000 CFS on Friday and unavailable on Monday due to the Holiday. The tailwater level as of Monday was at 236.8 mfsl.

Clarity and visibility as of Monday still heavy stain most areas and muddy in others over the past few days but slightly improved, more especially the oxbows. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity & visibility ranges approx 5-8 inches. Little River's visibility ranges 5-6 inches depending on location and current. The oxbow's clarity also began to stain over the weekend with the thunderstorms, ranging approx 15-20 inches depth of visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds, rain, or thunderstorms.

To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Tony Porter at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive project updates, daily lake level information updates, gate release flows, tailwater information, park and campground information, or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830 or the US Army Corps of Engineers' main number to verify another Corps of Engrs project is open, at 877-444-6777.

Wear your Life Jacket and kill switch!! If you are suddenly or unexpectedly thrown from your boat, it could be your only chance of survival. Use caution navigating Little River in low light conditions, SLOW DOWN, and pass friendly to other boaters! As always, careful watch for any random floaters and debris in Little River's current, and wearing your PFD and kill switch is a requirement!

Visit with us on our website, YouTube, and on Facebook, for the most current Millwood Lake fishing and water conditions report, updated weekly. See some great catch and release photos, sponsor links, tons of great information and resources on the lake available to you, along with excellent related direct links to Arkansas' State Parks, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Black Bass Program, The US Army Corps of Engineers, Arkansas.com and tons more great fishing stuff....

'Til next week, hope to see you on the lake,