The Overall Picture:

As of Monday, 13 Jan, the lake level is approx 19.7 inches above normal conservation pool and falling. There is increased current of Little River with the gates releasing around 15,356 CFS as of Monday. Little River and the oxbows clarity worsened this week somewhat from all the rain and incoming stained water of several days of thunderstorms over the past week. Surface water temps dropped 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, 13 Jan are ranging 40ºF early to 42ºF range, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location, and time of day.

Lake level as of Monday 13 Jan is currently is 260.4 mfsl, and falling with increased river current, which is approx 19.7 inches above normal conservation pool. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was a total discharge of 15,356 CFS . The tailwater level as of Monday was 242.78 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 4-5 inches. Little River's visibility ranges 3-5 inches depending on location and current. The oxbow's clarity also stained over the weekend, ranging approx 12-14 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: slow, but fair, with the cooler weather and water temps. Jigs and wacky rigged Salty Rat Tails, Magnum Tubes with rattles, 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 some 2-3 pound Largemouths and Spotted Bass over the past week, but water clarity worsened with all the increased current, and incoming muddy water.

Crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps worked much slower have been the go-to bait for Bass for several weeks. Recent overnight lows below the freezing mark have continued to reduced surface temperature, and have reduced feeding and metabolism but slower and methodical presentations can still get a few good bass in the boat. Bass are still hitting the crankbaits, just slower and they are beginning the move to deeper sections of creeks over the past few weeks.

Cordell Red Fins, and suspending jerk baits worked very slowly were catching some nice fish last week. Large 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 stain water conditions over the past week have been White Zombie, Red Shad, and Millwood Magic colors around 8-12 feet depth creek channel swings, deflecting off stumps. Spin-Traps in Chrome/Blue back or Diamond Dust were taking Largemouth and White Bass along side the Hybrids mid day on points with stumps and in creek mouths prior to the muddy rise and current in Little River. 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 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 have been the Texas Craw, Black/blue, or Voodoo. Rattles help the Largemouths to find the jigs and tubes in this stained to dirty water clarity.

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

Crappie: Scattered with the muddy current in the river.

Cats: Improved with the increase of current in Little River. Home made blood bait, cut shad, chicken hearts and gizzards were working on trot lines set in outer bends of increased current from 9-12 feet deep.

}><(((º> Lake Level & River Conditions Report <º)))><{

Surface temps as of Monday, 13 Jan are ranging 40ºF early to 42ºF range, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location, and time of day.

Lake level as of Monday 13 Jan is currently is 260.84 mfsl, and rising with increased river current, which is approx 19.7 inches above normal conservation pool. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate was 15,356 CFS Monday. The tailwater level as of Monday was at 242.78 mfsl.

Clarity and visibility continued heavy stain and muddy over the past few days most locations. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity & visibility ranges approx 4-5 inches. Little River's visibility ranges 3-5 inches depending on location and current. The oxbow's clarity also began to stain over the weekend with the thunderstorms, ranging approx 12-14 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,