The Overall Picture:

As of Monday, 03 Feb, the lake level is approx 9 inches above normal conservation pool and rising. There is increased current of Little River with the gates releasing around 1981 CFS as of Monday. Water temps remained fairly constant over the past week. Not as many fishermen on the lake over the past few weeks. Lake level jumped quickly over the past few days with the rain in sw Arkansas.

Surface temps as of Monday, 03 Feb are ranging 39ºF early to 44ºF range, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location, and time of day.

Lake level as of Monday, is currently is 259.95 mfsl, and rising with increased river current, which is approx 9 inches above normal conservation pool. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was 1981 CFS. As of Monday the tailwater level was 231.64 mfsl.

Clarity and visibility worsened this week, in most areas on main lake. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity & visibility ranges approx 2-5 inches. Cottonshed and northeast section of the lake is muddy. Little River's visibility ranges 3-5 inches depending on location and current. The oxbow's clarity is ranging approx 10-12 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: Large, slow-rolling War Eagle spinner baits in firetiger or Spot Remover are randomly working around dead lily pads. Chrome and blue Johnson Jigging spoons on points with timber or stumps were taking a few bass over the past few weeks in the river prior to the recent muddy water rise and thunderstorms. Muddy current and increase of discharge has again shifted the bass to behind points, moving into deeper sections of Little River out of the current. Real Deal Custom Tackle jigs in Texas Craw, Voodoo, or Okeechobee Spice colors were working prior to the recent muddy increase in lake level and Magnum Tubes with rattles, suspending jerk baits, and slow moving crankbaits were taking bass on points and in creek mouths.

Slow moving crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps worked slower out of current in creek channel bends, deflecting off stumps and timber were taking a few random bass in the clearest water you can find away from river flow. Bass are still hitting the crankbaits, just slower and they are locating in the clearest water you can find, out of river current in the outer turns and deeper sections of creeks over the past couple weeks.

Cordell Red Fins in gold G-finish, Smithwick Rouges in clown or gold, 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 Largemouths. Best colors away from Little River current over the past week have been Toledo Gold, Red Shad, Pinch'n Peach, or Candy Craw, around 6-9 feet depth creek channel swings, deflecting off stumps in the clearest water you can locate away from muddy water.

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. Locating water temps 2-4 degrees warmer, seems to be key in locating bass in a feeding mood over the past couple weeks.

White Bass: Schools of Whites disappeared with the recent rise and current in Little River and have not been relocated.

Crappie: were beginning to return to deeper planted brush from 12-17 feet but disappeared with the muddy incoming water and increased current of Little River over the past few days.

Cats: Few catfishermen out this week, no report.



Lake Level & River Conditions Report

Surface temps as of Monday, 03 Feb are ranging 39ºF early to 44ºF range, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location, and time of day.

Lake level as of Monday is currently is 259.95 mfsl, and falling with decreased river current, which is approx 9 inches above normal conservation pool. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate was around 1981 CFS on Monday. The tailwater level as of Monday was at 231.64 mfsl.

Clarity and visibility as of Monday worsened with all the rain and incoming muddy water. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity & visibility ranges approx 2-3 inches at best. Cottonshed and Saline in the northeast section of the lake is muddy. Little River's visibility ranges 3-5 inches depending on location and current. The oxbow's clarity also began clearing over the weekend ranging approx 10-12 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,