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REPORT OF THE EDUCATION COMMISSION 1964-66 D. S. KOTHARI REPORT

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Education Commission

The second Education Summit

EDUCATION COMMISSION

Labour: ‘We’ll champion middle class that wants better state school standards’

Education commission

Schools should embrace the power of tech, says Hague

It’s time to end the oxbridge obsession, says universities minister, it’s time we reinvented the classroom — here’s how.

Education commission | Letter from the editor

Tony Gallagher

The Times Education Commission: a mission for change in our schools

Two thirds believe schools are not teaching children the right skills.

Education commission | Comment

Kevin Ellis

If we want a thriving economy, we need to rethink education

Final report, we need a radical reset of education, agree experts.

analysis | Education Commission

Education needs to keep evolving for the sake of the whole country

leading article

The Times Leading Articles

Must Do Better

Tables turned as teachers rate ofsted inadequate, some primary school pupils unable to say their names, teachers report.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Time for a reset of UK education

About the commission, times education commission - how it will work.

TIMES EDUCATION COMMISSION

Meet the commissioners

Education commission summit, the skills children need for life are obvious — we just need to teach them, how professional apprenticeships can upskill our young, third of firms say workers lack basic skills, firms should prize diverse people who think diversely, it’s time to embrace the powers of ai and virtual reality.

EDITOR'S LETTER

Introducing today’s summit

Interim report, reinventing schools would boost britain by £125bn a year, an unparalleled opportunity to change course for a digital age, what the evidence teaches us, branson: i was a school dropout and we’re still killing creativity and risk, ‘it’s like they’re a cog in a giant wheel, churning out results’: the parents’ view, ‘a lack of preparation for the world of work’: the business view, ‘from a really young age there’s this drive for exam and exam and exam’: the pupils’ view.

times education commission

Stop holding us back, say mayors in demand for more education powers

From old school to no rules: how teachers create the classrooms of the future, power of thinking differently can transform pupils’ lives, lessons from europe’s best school system, four nations with four sets of problems, news & comment.

Times Education Commission

Teach languages with grades like music, says ex-education secretary

WEEKEND ESSAY

Spoon-fed pupils are far from ready for our high-tech future

White working class needs college quotas, says actor, schools ‘must act’ over futile tv watershed, i had imposter syndrome, says vaccines chief bingham, john major leads call to overhaul gcses, education needs investment and a ten-year plan, fear for children living in ‘education deserts’, cut-price education package ‘will damage children for life’.

education commission

Parents back longer day for catch-up pupils

Blair defends target of sending 50% to university, british education system ‘only average’ in international league table, exam-focused teaching discourages children’s curiosity, children will begin secondary education still unable to read.

EDUCATION COMMISSION | CASE STUDY

From gang recruitment ground to academic powerhouse

Teachers want less homework, less marking and a different job, pandemic taught students vital lessons about life, apprenticeships gain prestige as debt-free route to lucrative jobs, reform exam system for pupils’ sake, head pleads, stress and confusion take toll on students, have your say, are apprenticeships better than university, are exams at 16 still worth the effort, will a longer school day help pupils catch up.

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Financial literacy and education commission.

The Financial Literacy and Education Commission was established under the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003. The Commission was tasked to develop a national financial education web site (MyMoney.gov)  and a national strategy on financial education. It is chaired by the Secretary of the Treasury and the vice chair is the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection. The Commission is coordinated by the Department of the Treasury's Office of Consumer Policy.

VISION and MISSION

The Commission’s vision is of sustained financial well-being for all individuals and families in the U.S. In furtherance of this vision, the Commission sets strategic direction for policy, education, practice, research, and coordination so that all Americans make informed financial decisions.

Commission Member AgenciES

The Commission is made up of the heads of 24 federal agencies: Department of the Treasury (Chair), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (Vice-Chair), Commodity Futures Trading Commission, Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Interior, Department of Labor, Department of Veterans Affairs, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Federal Reserve Board, Federal Trade Commission, General Services Administration, National Credit Union Administration, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Office of Personnel Management, Small Business Administration, Securities and Exchange Commission, Social Security Administration, and the White House Domestic Policy Council.

FINANCIAL LITERACY AND EDUCATION COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING

The latest public meeting of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) was held on April 10, 2024, from 1:00 PM – 2:45 PM Eastern Time.

Treasury’s Acting Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Laurie Schaffer chaired the meeting on behalf of the Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and was joined by Rohit Chopra, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, who serves as Vice Chair of the FLEC.

The meeting featured a panel discussion on access to financial services for New Americans, including immigrants and refugees, as well as a spotlight discussion on access to financial services and products for Muslim and Arab Americans.

Click here to listen to the April 2024 FLEC Public Meeting recording

Click here for the April 2024 FLEC Public Meeting Agenda

SUBSCRIBE TO MEETING NOTIFICATIONS

Subscribe now to the Financial Education and Capability updates to receive notification of the next meeting. 

Previous Activities and Meetings

• Previous Meetings
• U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission Annual Report to Congress FY 2022 This report, also known as the Strategy for Assuring Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Report, highlights the relevant activities of the FLEC represented agencies in promoting financial literacy and education in FY 2022.  Continuing its strategic focus to coordinate, support, and encourage federal government efforts to improve financial literacy and education, the FLEC is committed to serving as a thought leader and partner in public and private sector efforts to improve Americans’ financial knowledge, skills, and decision-making and to empower Americans to use these abilities to enhance their financial well-being. 
• Higher Education Financial Education Resources Updates - 2023   Members of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) Working Group on Higher Education, with input from other FLEC members, compiled resources to provide useful information to program leaders, educators, financial aid professionals, and students. The FLEC published higher education reports in 2015 and 2019, and this factsheet represents an update to those publications, highlighting newly-available resources.
• U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission Report FY 2021  This report serves as the Financial Literacy and Education Commission’s (FLEC) Strategy for Assuring Financial Empowerment (SAFE) report for FY 2021.
• National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2020   The National Strategy details the federal government’s financial literacy priorities and underscores its plan to collaborate with state, local, and tribal governments and the private sector to strengthen financial capability for all Americans. 
• U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission Report FY 2020  This report serves as the Financial Literacy and Education Commission’s (FLEC) Strategy for Assuring Financial Empowerment (SAFE) report for FY 2020. Given the events of 2020, the report primarily focuses on the FLEC’s response to the COVID-19 national emergency.
• Best Practices for Financial Literacy and Education at Institutions of Higher Education This report provides recommendations for higher education institutions to deliver effective financial literacy education and resources to help students make informed decisions and avoid pitfalls associated with financing education.
• The National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2016 Updated is the FLEC’s latest addition to the 2011 National Strategy which established several goals for the various sectors of our economy which are seeking to improve individual financial well-being and financial literacy. This update emphasizes the progress that has been made in expanding and improving financial education, recent findings on the state of financial education and effective approaches and trends that may affect financial education in the future.
• MyMoney.gov is the federal government's website that serves as the one-stop shop for federal financial literacy and education programs, grants and other information. MyMoney.gov is available in English and Spanish.
• Call 1­800-FED­-INFO if you have a question about federal agencies, programs, benefits or services related to financial literacy and education. Our trained specialists can answer your question in English or Spanish, or refer you to the agency that can help.
• Special Issue on “Starting Early for Financial Success” – Journal of Consumer Affairs: To further share information and research that can help prepare young people for their financial lives, the FLEC requested that the Journal of Consumer Affairs dedicate a special issue to financial literacy research focused on “Starting Early for Financial Success.” Ten new academic research papers are now published and publicly available in the Spring 2015 issue. Here is a summary containing research abstracts and hyperlinks to the articles 
• The FLEC’s Resource Guide for Financial Institutions   Incorporating Financial Capability into Youth Employment Programs is aimed at financial institutions interested in enhancing youth financial capability by partnering with youth employment programs. It maps how and why financial institutions can engage in helping young people achieve greater financial well-being and employment success. 
• The FLEC's Resource Guide for Youth Employment Programs  Incorporating Financial Capability and Partnering with Financial Institutions is aimed at youth employment programs interested in enhancing youth financial capability by partnering with financial institutions. It maps how and why youth employment programs can partner with financial institutions to engage in helping young people achieve greater financial well-being and employment success. This is a companion to the Resource Guide for Financial Institutions noted above.
• Hands-On Learning to Build Financial Habits: Federal Resources to Encourage School-Based and Youth Savings Programs
• Hands-On Learning to Build Financial Habits: Research and Resources on Child Savings
• Guidance to Encourage Financial Institutions’ Youth Savings Programs and Address Related FAQs
• College Savings and Financing Resources   This document lists an array of resources for students and their families with tools and information to help make informed decisions about saving, paying, or financing their higher education. This list was compiled by members of the Postsecondary Subcommittee of the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC), and offers free resources from federal agencies .
• Opportunities to Improve the Financial Capability and Financial Well-being of Post Secondary Students  This report has been prepared by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC) and describes the state of financial education among postsecondary students. The report describes current efforts to enhance financial education in a number of institutions with regards to student understanding of financial aid and financial education topics. The body of the report describes issues facing postsecondary students regarding financial education and federal government policies and resources to address them.  Further, this report identifies programs that promote or enhance financial literacy for students, including those that involve partnerships between nonprofit organizations. The report concludes with a series of recommendations for how institutions of higher education can better equip students to make critical financial decisions.

       Report Summary : FLEC Postsecondary Report Summary

• 2012 Research Priorities and Research Questions . This document summarizes research priorities identified by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission’s Research and Evaluation Working Group, in consultation with members of the President’s Advisory Council for Financial Capability’s Research and Evaluation Subcommittee, and other experts. The document is intended to inform members of the Commission, other federal government supports of research, and private sector and academic researchers and research funders so that they may address the most important questions facing the financial literacy and education field, reduce duplication and overlap, and make best use of limited research dollars.  2012 Research Priorities
• 2013 Research Priorities for Starting Early for Financial Success. This document updates the 2012 research priorities to identify areas where they can be connected the Financial Literacy and Education Commission’s strategic focus on Starting Early for Financial Success
• Promoting Financial Success in the United States: National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2011  was created through a process that included conversations with private, public, and non-profit representatives from the field. Articulating a vision of sustained financial well-being for individuals and families in our nation, this document sets strategic direction for policy, education, practice, research, and coordination in the financial literacy and education field.
• National Strategy Book
• National Strategy Background Report
• 2015 Strategy for Assuring Financial Empowerment (SAFE) Report
• 2016 Strategy for Assure Financial Empowerment (SAFE)  Report

Helping aspiring teachers

W E badly need the best teachers. With Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte admitting that "the Filipino learners are not academically proficient," the learning crisis is real. And resiliency is not something education has already achieved in the post-pandemic era.

The Education Commission 2 (EdCom 2) report highlighted, among various considerations, the imperative of harmonizing policies and programs across key educational bodies. These stakeholders include the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), which establishes the minimum requirements for teacher education institutions offering programs; the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC), tasked with overseeing the licensing of teachers teaching at the elementary and secondary levels; and the Department of Education (DepEd), the largest employer of teachers. In a report "Miseducation: The Failed System of Philippine Education," EdCom 2 flagged that passing rates in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) have been low, and the quality assurance of teacher education institutions is weak.

Blaming teacher education?

The Philippine Business for Education (PBEd), an advocacy group founded and funded by some of the business leaders in the country, cited the low teacher education qualification as a major factor in the low-quality education and poor performance of students. The government's socioeconomic policy think tank, the Philippine Institute for Developmental Studies (PIDS), stated that low teacher qualification was a major factor in the low-quality education and poor performance of students.

My institution, Carl Balita Review Center (CBRC), did a tracer of the LET since 2008 covering 15 years and 31 board exams, and concluded that the average passing is only 34.75 percent. CBRC concluded that for the past 10 years, from 2013 to recent 2023, the Professional Regulation Commission-Board of Professional Teachers gave the Board Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (Blept/LET) to a total of 1,116,601 graduates of Bachelor of Elementary Education where 354,802 (31.78 percent) became licensed professional teachers, and a total of 1,439,560 graduates of Bachelor of Secondary Education where 605,605 (42.07 percent) passed across eight majorship or specialization areas.

CBRC also noted that in the March 2023 Blept, out of the 1,362 colleges and universities offering teacher education, only 228 (21.15 percent) had a passing rate of more than 75 percent. One hundred sixty schools (11.75 percent) had no or zero passers in elementary education. In the same board examination, for secondary education, only 309 (15.23 percent) out of 2029 schools had a passing rate of more than 75 percent, while 292 schools (14.40 percent) had no or zero passing.

Fifty-six percent of the schools nationwide offering teacher education had below-average passing rates in the Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET) since 2010 (PBEd). Only 2 percent of schools offering teacher education were classified as high performing. Even the TEI's expected to perform best because of their accreditation status failed the expectations. Out of the 111 schools under the classifications of Center of Excellence (COE) and Center of Development (COD), more than 81 percent of COEs and 91 percent of CODs were not high performing in the licensure exams (PBEd).

Between 2012 and 2022, 77 higher education institutions (HEIs) offering Bachelor of Elementary Education and 105 HEIs offering Bachelor of Secondary Education continued operations despite having consistently zero passing rates in the LET (PBEd).

Quality in question

The teacher education graduates' poor performance in the LET puts the teacher quality into question (PBEd). And then its recommendation to phase out poorly performing teacher education institutions. Dr. Edizon Fermin, the chairman of the Teacher Education Council, mentioned in a Senate hearing the drafting of a CHEd memorandum order on the gradual phasing out of teacher education institutions (TEIs) that are low performing in the Blept and the non-complaint TEIs. And CHEd Chairman Prospero de Vera confirmed this in conversation with me.

Question for reflection

In the first place, is the LET reliable enough to be the best measure of the performance of TEIs and as the major basis for their phaseout? Is there alignment between the learning outcomes prescribed by the CHEd Teacher Education Curriculum and the Table of Specification (TOS) of the Board of Professional Teachers? For example, how do they expect Bachelor in Physical Education graduates to pass the LET with majorship in music, arts, physical education and health (Mapeh)? Also, what do we expect of the Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTED) graduates who will take the LET with Technology Livelihood Education (TLE) majorship with very wide 12 areas, mostly not covered by the specific curriculum?

Also, is the LET following the TOS in the formulation of the test questions? That is for the board and the test takers to know because the questions are not released to the public except for those alleged copies being sold (and illegally obtained) right in front of the PRC office in Morayta.

Barking up the wrong tree

While indeed teacher education needs improvement, could we be barking up the wrong tree in blaming colleges of education for the poor performance of our learners in basic education as evidenced by dismal international assessments?

Only licensed teachers are qualified to apply for ranking and hiring by the DepEd. Only the best 1,315,209 (51 percent) of these 2,556,161 LET takers since 2013 became available to teach in our government's basic education system. Why blame teacher education, judged for its poor LET performance, for the poor performance of our learners in basic education who are taught by the passers of the LET?

Solutions we offer

The CBRC conducted the National Aptitude Normative Test for Educators (Nante) among 23,177 graduating education students in 296 TEI's (54 percent private, 46 percent public) across 17 regions in April 2024. The Nante used two sets of questionnaires, professional education and general education, across 10 subject areas each. The Nante was aligned with the CHEd prescribed competencies (CMO 74-75, series of 2017) and the board's TOS (Resolution 11, series of 2022), with reference to recent recall questions from the actual board. Test construction passed through the rigors of item analysis and processes to ensure validity and reliability. The passing rate was set at 70 percent in consideration of factors.

Findings indicated that the national passing rate is 56.49 percent (12,485 out of 23,177). The passing rate is 53.87 in general education and 56.33 in professional education. The overall national mean score is 71.14 percent (70.85 percent in General Education, 71.32 percent in professional education). Schools in Region 2 or Cagayan Valley (71.89 percent) and the National Capital Region (71.6 percent) performed highest. Statistical analyses indicated significant differences in the performances of schools across subjects as classified per subject, per region and TEI classifications. In general education, examinees performed highest in the subject Art Appreciation (75.69) and Life and Works of Rizal (72.31), and lowest in reading in Philippine History and Society (66.79), and English Communication (68.51).

In professional education, examinees scored highest in Foundations of Special and Inclusive Education (75.26), and Methods and Strategies of Teaching (73.65), and lowest in The Teacher and School Curriculum (65.82), and Field Studies (66.42).

The findings will be presented to education stakeholders as contribution to data that may guide policymaking. The findings are analyzed to provide national, regional, provincial norms for participating schools to serve as a guide for curricular and instructional improvements. The test-takers will be given guidance on their individual performance relative to institutional, provincial, regional and national norms across the subject areas.

The CBRC has also rolled out writeshops on TOS-alignment and metacognitive test construction to enable faculty to prepare the aspiring teachers not only for the competencies teaching but also for the board examination.

There is hope in education, if we help the teachers.

Acknowledgement to the CBRC Mancom and Nante team headed by Iah Seraspi, Mariz Tadle, Jayson Jimenez and the whole of CBRC for this Nante.

Times Education Commission publishes full report

Published on 15 June 2022

The Times Education Commission, of which IFS Director Paul Johnson is a member, has published its final report.

The Times Education Commission, of which IFS Director Paul Johnson is a commissioner, has published its final report , a comprehensive inquiry into the UK's education system. 

The report follows a year-long review chaired by Rachel Sylvester and took evidence from more than 600 experts across fields including business, the arts and education.  Its conclusions include a 12-point plan and 45 recommendations to transform education and assessment in the UK. 

The full report is available to read here .

Announcement details

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Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report

BY Jim Harris

ON 05-02-2024

May 2, 2024

Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine

Jeff Berg (left) and Tim Keeble, both from the Kansas City area and who are longtime White River angling visitors, caught trout (Jeff with the brown trout, Tim with the rainbow) while fishing with Cotter Trout Dock guide Eric Beecher this past week.

Reports are updated weekly, although some reports may be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news..

Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk

For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt

For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality

Download the Fish Brain app and follow AGFC at:  https://join.fishbrain.com/agfc-page

Quick links to regions:

Central Arkansas

North arkansas, northwest arkansas, northeast arkansas, southeast arkansas, southwest arkansas, south-central arkansas, west-central arkansas, east arkansas.

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir For the most up-to-date lake level, visit the U.S. Geological Survey’s Lake Conway water level site.

NOTE: The next public cleanup for the lake (the second of three planned by the AGFC and its partners in the renovation of Lake Conway) is scheduled for Thursday-Saturday (three days only), May 16-18. The hours for the May cleanup will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. For more information, call 501-604-0492 or email [email protected].

(updated 5-2-2024) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said bream seem to be picking up very well. They are biting mostly on redworms, and they have been spawning. “If the water would just stay one level, it would be great,” a Bates angler tells us. “They’ll come up in the beds, come up in there, then the water goes down. They’re trying, but you can still catch them.”

Crappie are good on the north end of the lake on jigs and minnows both. Use jigs in white/chartreuse or that have some chartreuse in them, as well as the crappie minnows. “I haven’t heard much on bass , they kind of disappeared on me,” our anglers tells us. “I think they are hitting, but not like they were about two weeks ago.” If you go trying for bass, consider using some kind of plastic now, like a soft plastic worm or lizard. “One day they were hitting crankbaits and the next day a spinnerbait. Everything is weird with the lake now. I’m not sure the bass know what to do either. Everything else those has been going good, especially the bream now.”

Catfish fishing is still going strong. Use nightcrawlers or cut bait for the cats.

Lake Conway has no creel or length limits while the lake is in its drawdown phase as part of the AGFC’s renovation project. Also, the Lake Conway nursery pond is open for fishing with the AGFC stocking various sport fish there. The pond is more than 60 acres and has bass , crappie and bream.

Little Red River For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website or by calling (501) 362-5150 ). Also check the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecast generation schedule.

(updated 4-25-2024) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips / Little Red River Fly Guides (501-507-3688) said that with Greers Ferry Lake holding steady at power pool level and Southwestern Power Administration taking a break from water releases, the river’s running low these days. “It’s a bit unusual for April, but hey, that’s fishing for you!”

“Now, here’s the scoop: We’ve got rain on the forecast this weekend, which should bump up the lake levels a bit. But for now, take advantage of the low river levels for some prime wading opportunities. It’s not every day you get these conditions in April! “As for the fishing itself, it’s been solid lately. Caddis flies are out and about, especially in the warmer parts of the day. Try hitting the river with a nymph rig, using a Pheasant Tail soft hackle or a Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear under an indicator. And keep an eye out for those rising fish later in the day — an Elk Hair Caddis might just do the trick when they start sipping bugs off the surface. “So, grab your gear and hit the water while the conditions are right. And if you need any more info or want to book a trip, you know where to find me!”

(updated 4-11-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday the Little Red has been fishing really well of late. Rooster Tails, Rapala Countdowns and Maribou Jigs each have been bringing them in in good numbers. Also, a pink or white Trout Magnet will be a good call.

Wading is possible, you just have to pay attention to the generation schedule (see sources linked above). Pick and choose when they are running water.

Greers Ferry Lake For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website . 

(updated 5-2-2024) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 463.06 feet msl, or 1.02 feet above normal pool. The shad spawn going on in various places around the lake and rivers; when you find them stay with them for good catches of all species. 

Crappie seem somewhat confused these days, as with the other species — try super shallow and out to 30 feet and use jigs, minnows or crankbaits. 

Walleye are eating in the main lake and a few are left up rivers. Drag a crawler or crankbaits 10-22 feet. Some walleye are following under big schools of whites and hybrids; bass use a spoon for those. Hybrids and white bass are trying to get set up in the main lake and set up for the summer, while a lot are still traveling, but ones that are set, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swim baits in 15-35 feet. Catfish are starting to show up more regularly. The usual stuff is working in the lake and rivers. Some bream are shallow but most are still around 8-15 feet. Crickets and crawlers are working fine as well as inline spinners. Some black bass are spawning; more are on their way to spawn, and some have finished. Use Caroline rigs, topwater lures, wake baits, drop-shots, crankbaits and spinnerbaits for best action — there are too many baits that will work right now to mention. Work them super shallow out to 30 feet. 

Be safe and wear your life jacket.

(updated 5-2-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood says the bass are up fairly shallow in about 1-4 feet of water. You can catch them flipping a green pumpkin Texas rig or a shaky head up shallow. You can catch the smallmouth out further with a drop-shot or a Ned rig.

Harris Brake Lake (updated 5-2-2024) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said catfish are doing pretty well. Flatheads , blues and channel cats are all being caught either with rods and reel or via the trotlines. One young angler caught a 28-pound flathead in recent days. Anglers fishing from the shoreline or dock are using worms and chicken liver, while people are baiting trotlines with bass minnows and goldfish. The production off the trotlines is more along the smaller size of cats (3-4 pounds).

Also, bream are starting to pick up (last week was a full moon). Anglers are purchasing crickets and worms. 

Largemouth bass are good. They’re biting on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits. Some bass were caught right off the shoreline.

Boat anglers were bringing in some nice black crappie this week, and some appeared decent-sized (14-15 inches). Minnows were the bait of choice. Anglers tell them the crappie still don’t appear to have started a big spawn there yet.

The water temperature is steady at 72 degrees. Clarity is muddy from the recent rain, with more rain in the forecast.

Lake Overcup (updated 5-2-2024) John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said the water level is still about a foot high but clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 70-ish degrees. Crappie are being caught in 5-10 feet of water using jigs and minnows. 

Bass are doing well on buzzbaits and plastic frogs since the spawn. Bream are starting to get on their beds and are doing well. Catfish are being caught on jugs using nightcrawlers and bass minnows. “I am gearing up to start running trotlines again,” John said. 

“Come see us at Overcup Landing off Highway 9, Morrilton.” 

Lake Maumelle (updated 5-2-2024) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported that w ater temperature is in the 67- to 70-degree range. The largemouth bass bite this week has been good. Reports of the bass in post-spawn and starting to move out in 8-12 feet. Try points and drop- offs. Jigs, crankbaits and swim baits are working, and try jerkbaits shallow in the afternoon. Spotted bass ( Kentuckies ) are also good. Reports of them being found on points in 8-12 feet depth as well as around drop-offs. Try jigs. In Tuesday night’s black bass tournament, 29 of 31 boats caught 5-stringer limits. Jeremy Cole and Billy Wright caught a 5-bass stringer of 13.46 pounds to win, with Brandon Crain and Matt Hedrick right behind with 12 pounds. Brandon Slaughter hauled in the Big Bass of 4.17 pounds.

No reports on white bass this week. Try using twister tails; there are a few stragglers on the west end of the lake. Crappie are fair. Some reports of crappie being found suspended on brush anywhere from 16-21 feet and catching a bunch of small ones. Try using jigs or minnows. Bream are good. They’ll be moving up shallow now preparing for the spawn on the next full moon. They can be found around 7-10 feet as well as in shallow water (3-5 feet). Crickets, worms and drop-shots are all safe bets. No reports on catfish this week, but the flatheads spawn is just around the corner. They will head to the flats soon. Try using bream, liver and worms.

Arkansas River at Morrilton For the real-time water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam and Morrilton stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website . 

Little Maumelle River (updated 5-2-2024) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said anglers can catch just about anything but crappie these days on the Little Maumelle, and the black bass are still doing great. “I don’t know how you could say it any better than that,” he said. “Bass are on fire.”

The bass are biting crankbaits, plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Besides the quantity of bass caught, there’s good quality too. “It’s right in the middle of spawning right now, and they’re catching a lot of the big females,” Ray said.

Water is normal, fairly clear.

Crappie are probably done with the spawn, he reports and no one has caught much on crappie lately. Anglers are catching bream on crickets and worms now. One regular on the dock there has caught some catfish this week.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool) For the real-time water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .  

Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools) For the real-time water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam and David D. Terry Lock and Dam, as well as the Little Rock pool stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

(updated 5-2-2024) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said anglers fishing the river are finding bass in 6-8 feet of water off the main river banks, fishing off the rocks. Use a crankbait in solid black or chartreuse with black back. In the backwaters, anglers are having success flipping a black-and-blue half-ounce jig, or a Texas rig with a quarter-ounce tungsten weight with a black/blue or Junebug color flipping bait.

Peckerwood Lake (updated 5-2-2024) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing ( 501-626-6899) reports that the fishing is pretty good, with bream and catfish biting really well. Anglers are still catching a few crappie , too. Crappie are biting minnows and jigs (“everyone has their favorite color,” she notes of her crappie anglers). Crickets are the go-to on bream now. Catfish will bite “a little bit of everything,” she said. Hot dogs and minnows seem to always work well here.

Nobody has been saying anything about bass , but Donna says when everything else is biting, the bass are biting too. The bass anglers tend to hang out on the opposite (north) side of Peckerwood from Herman’s.

White River (updated 5-2-2024) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the recent rains have increased the activity from the dams in the White River watershed, so prepare for faster water over the next few days. This provides the opportunity to reacquaint yourself with your favorite jerkbaits — maybe a No. 9 Rapala Countdown or a Smithwick Rogue. 

Bull Shoals Lake is at power pool while moderate generation continues, varying between 2,000 cfs to 14,000 cfs (one to four units). The lake level now is 660 feet msl, up a couple of feet from last week.

Deeper water in the afternoon means more drift-fishing and limited wading opportunities, but trout love lots of water and bubbles. Look for structures on the riverbed that oxygenate the area and you’ll find a hangout for trout. Anglers have been nabbing lots of 12- to 13-inch rainbows — best if you decide to keep any and absolutely perfect for lots of action, making some forever memories. Shrimp and PowerBait are a must in your bait bucket, but for larger fish and for the browns the guides say you can’t beat the real thing: live river minnows trapped fresh in the morning or some shad recently picked up in the lake.

The brown bite has been fantastic this week. They’ve shown up for sculpins, minnows, shad and even a random artificial pink mousetail worm. We’re definitely seeing springtime temperatures — waking up to 60 degrees, give or take a few, with mostly blue skies ushering in the warmer afternoon temperature. Aside from showers now and again, our trout anglers have been blessed with gorgeous weather this week. 

“Natural (State) fishing is pure fun and excitement. Come visit Arkansas!”

( updated 5-2-2024) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, said that late last week and through the weekend the fishing was tremendous, with several above-average rainbow trout caught as well as some nice brown trout measuring 22 inches or more. Success was had using many different baits and lures. The go-to lures continue to be quarter-ounce spoons (Thompson Colorado in nickel/gold or Little Cleo in silver or silver with fire stripe). Rapala Countdowns in rainbow trout and brown trout colors worked well. Uncommon Bait UV Neo pink eggs with corn or shrimp worked well for catching rainbow trout . 

As the rain and storms moved through the area the river was dingy Monday and muddy Tuesday and into Wednesday. With the Buffalo River clearing up and Bull Shoals Dam’s increased generation Tuesday afternoon, by Wednesday afternoon the river was still high at almost 10 feet but the water cleared a lot. 

“Late this week and into the weekend I expect the river will continue to clear up,” Dave said. “This week we had one stocking when the AGFC pontoon raft stocked 1,000 rainbow trout between Calico Rock and Mt. Olive and another 1,000 rainbow trout between Mt. Olive and Sylamore Creek.”

Bull Shoals Lake For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Bull Shoals Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

(updated 5-2-2024) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake said the lake level Wednesday was 661 feet msl. “We shot up about a foot,” Del said. “Temps are around 64 degrees give or take, depending on where you are at.” Del reports the bass are spawning and they are already catching a few post-spawn. Fishing has been good and everyone is catching them, but it will definitely slow down after a cold front. Be sure to fish the conditions. If it’s cloudy, rainy and/or windy you can powerfish shad-style baits, a square bill, spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits in the runoff. Make sure you’re covering water on windblown transition banks and swings. If it’s flat and sunny, fish swings and secondary points, as well as south-facing spawning pockets. Try a green pumpkin or puke tube, C-rig or a shaky head Senko, or a floating worm. Also a Jewel finesse jig and a Ned rig are all working. Best colors are green pumpkin orange/red variants. On tough days or clear water you’re going to want to keep the boat out deep, 25-30 feet, and slow down. In the dirty water you can get real skinny if it’s warm. The shad balls are definitely broken up, so if you’re fishing open water you’re going to have to pay attention — a lot of fish are moving into pockets. If shad are present, try a 2.8 swimbait, fluke or Tater Shad 2.8. Small topwater poppers and the Lucky Craft Gunfish are starting to produce, all in white or natural shad. 

Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.

(updated 5-2-2024) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) reports that walleye fishing has been steadily getting better. Fishing methods have not changed. If contour trolling, try stick baits or shad-style baits slow and shallow just before dark and after daybreak in 8-14 feet of water. Slide out to deeper water, 20-40 feet, after daylight. If open water trolling for suspended fish, find shad and try trolling with snap weights from 35-50 feet deep over 80 feet or more of water while using Berkley No. 9 Flicker Minnows or No. 7 Flicker Shads. Rapala Deep Husky Jerks and Reef Runner 800 series trolled over the old river channel at 1.2-1.8 mph should put some fish in the boat.

(updated 5-2-2024) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) reports crappie are spawning but seemed to be pretty scattered with the water level down. Fish are moving in and out on staging structures to beds, and we have started catching spawned-out females. Use minnows and one-sixteenth-ounce and one-eighth-ounce jigs with the Tater Baits, Thump Minnow or Tater Shad Jr.

Norfork Lake For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Norfork Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website . 

(updated 5-2-2024) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at Blackburn’s Resort and Boat Rental said the lake level was 555.92 feet msl and has risen 1.75 inches in the last 24 hours with the one operating generator running for about 8 hours and spillway gates open to an equivalent of another one-third of a generator when he came in at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The rise is from the heavy rain from the Norfork River Basin in the Ava, Missouri, area. It is up 2.3 feet since last week but has not hurt anything as far as fishing is concerned. There is some small debris floating out from the shore in the creeks but the main lake is still very clear. Almost too clear. The surface water temperature is 67 degrees in the main lake and 70 in the creeks. The topwater bite has started and will really get better when the threadfin shad spawn starts and it will be soon. They like 70-degree-plus water. Next week will be a good time to catch fish. Fish shadowy banks part way back in the creeks on creature baits for bass . Many crappie , bluegill , bass and catfish just moved in under Blackburn’s dock Wednesday. Things are changing quickly. This is the time. 

Visit blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve’s blog for daily updates and more information. 

(updated 5-2-2024) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort (870-492-5113) said Wednesday, “It was a pretty good early morning of fishing for me and others. I have been fishing the night shift as I have needed to be back at the resort no later than 7:30 a.m. So, I have been starting to fish at 3 a.m. Sleep is overrated. 

“You have heard it before, if you find the bait you will find the fish, especially if the bait is spawning. That was the case today. I found large schools of bait that attached their eggs to my boat and trolling motor. Little bumps all over it. The bait was 20 feet thick from the surface to 20 feet down. The stripers were 10-25 feet down. I dropped a key lime Tater Baits Tater Shad, through the baitfish very slowly and the fish picked it up on the fall. What a blast! I also was casting out my 3.5-inch swimbait through the baitfish and got to land this nice 17-pound striped bass. It was a heavy, hard fighting fish. I landed four other stripers with many white bass and a nice 20-inch walleye . John, an angler guest of the resort, was fishing another part of the lake and had great success. He was casting out a Tater Shad, letting it sink, then giving it a twitch and the fish would hammer it. Other Hummingbird Hideaway Resort guests had guided trips Wednesday with Norfork Bayou Fishing and Rising Water Guide Service. Both had success on the topwater bite in different parts of the lake and had a lot of fun.”

The surface water temperature was a little over 67 degrees in the main lake. The lake level is on a slow rise due to all the rain that our watershed received from up in Missouri. The lake level currently sits at 555.84 feet msl.

“We have cabins available throughout the spring and summer. Give us a call to make your fishing and/or family vacation plans. Happy fishing and enjoy Norfork Lake in the Arkansas Ozarks!”

Lou posts fishing reports almost every day to his blog on the Hummingbird Hideaway Resort webpage.

Beaver Lake For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Beaver Lake Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

(updated 5-2-2024) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said, “ Well, there have been some major changes this last week. This area had a ton of rain. Watching the gauges close to the Arkansas Highway 45 bridge showed a rise from 4 feet o near 14 feet. That’s a huge push of water, mud and debris. As of yesterday the mud/debris was approaching Monte Ne. Also they have been generating, which will pull the mudline further north. The spawn is on and the good news is water is coming up, not being pulled down, which should help with the spawn. Before all the rain and severe weather the striper bite was kicking into high gear, but now we will have to relocate the striper when all settles. My gut feeling is the fish will start showing up near Prairie Creek and further north a little sooner with the mud down south pushing them north. Crappie are scattered, as some have spawned and some haven’t. Same with black bass . Smallmouth and spots have been pretty good from Point 6 into all the arms from there north. Catfish should really perk up all over the lake. Water has come up nearly 3 feet in the last two weeks, so keep an eye out for floaters and other debris. “Be safe and good luck!” Visit Jon’s Facebook page for the latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR .

Beaver Tailwater (updated 4-25-2024) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) says, “ Well, our water levels are starting to come up and the bite has been improving on all fronts. I wish I could say I have been the one out there, but due to home construction, my other guides are getting the reports to me. I am being told quality white bass and some decent male walleye are being caught between Houseman Access and Beaver town. Most white bass and walleye are being caught with jigs tipped with a Pautzke Fire Worm, along with casting mid-diving cranks. As for the trout , they are pretty spread out; however, most are being caught with Fire Bait fished with light terminal tackle. Look for the deeper holes for the trout. The generation schedule has been a little bipolar, but drifting Fire Minnow and tubes will definitely put fish into the boat. Hope you all have been enjoying the weather, let’s get out there and fish! 

Follow Austin’s fishing Facebook page ( Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service ) for updates.

Lake Fayetteville (updated 5-2-2024) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says we’re catching a lot of crappie and bluegill . Crappie are biting jigs and minnows. Try one with a pink head that they sell at the boat dock. Bluegill are biting crickets.

Nothing has been reported to them on bass or catfish. Crappie, they report, appear to be bedding, according to some anglers.

Water clarity is clear. 

Lake Charles (updated 4-25-2024) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the bream and crappie are providing a lot of good action for anglers, while she heard no reports from black bass , white bass or catfish this past week. Even with cool mornings, the crappie were still biting. Jigs and worms were working best for crappie Reports were coming in for bream starting to hit redworms and jigs, and crickets were also popular.

The water temperature Sunday morning was 64.5 degrees. Water level is normal and the clarity is the usual murky.

Good “moon times” for fishing are expected this week through April 26, she said.

Lake Poinsett (updated 5-2-2024) Jonathan Wagner at Lake Poinsett State Park said anglers have mostly been catching bream . Most accounts say they are using crickets and “fuzzy” baits, likely imitating the tent caterpillars that are abundant right now. They have reported catching good-sized bream in good numbers from various locations around the lake from the shoreline. “One angler we saw, waiting for his friend to put in the boat from the park ramp, decided to throw out a frog lure and caught a nice bass in a short time,” Jonathan said. “I have had requests for white/milky colored baits and jigs for the crappie . Bass and crappie continue to be catch-and-release.”

Remember that while bass and crappie are catch-and-release only , bream and catfish may be kept at daily state limits.

Spring River (updated 4-25-2024) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are low at 220 cfs (350 is average) and water clarity is clear. The area is in bad need of some rain. Lack of rain has the river very low, creating some great Hopper Dropper action, and possible dry fly action in the evening. With the clearer conditions, anglers might have to use lighter tippet and smaller nymphs on tough days.

The stocking for the summer season has ramped up with really nice-sized rainbows being stocked at all locations. All of the campgrounds are open now, offering more wade-in options. This is the time to fish before the summer crowd starts up. 

It’s a great time to chase smallies before the spawn, but they will start spawning soon to create more wonderful smallies for us to catch. “Gonna be a good season for smallies and rock bass ,” Mark says.

The river is looking great, it’s just getting really low and warm too early in the year. River conditions can change with springtime thunderstorms. Always check the blog for the latest river conditions on the Spring River on Mark’s website linked above.

White River For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time gauge level and flow from the White River stages at Batesville, Newport and Augusta and all other sites within the White River basin in Arkansas, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool) For the real-time water flow at the Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam and Maynard Lock and Dam, as well as the Pine Bluff pool stage level, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

(updated 5-2-2024) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no new reports.

Cane Creek Lake (updated 5-2-2024) Teresa Atchley at Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said anglers have been fishing with redworms and crickets for “anything that bites” as well as using minnows for crappie. Others were using crickets for bream, but the bream bite has been slow. As bait, however, bream were being used to catch catfish in fair numbers. Crappie were biting earlier this week on minnows. As last weekend came to a close, one angler mentioned he had caught 12-13 catfish, a few bream and a bass at the spillway dock, releasing all of them. He was fishing with nightcrawlers for the catfish. The next year, a couple of anglers were using redworms at the exterior pier and caught bass and bream. Wednesday, the only fishing was for catfish, using nightcrawlers.

Lake Monticello (updated 5-2-2024) Anglers are reminded that if they venture out for some fishing on Lake Monticello now while the lake refills after being renovated, that all fish caught must be released immediately. 

Millwood Lake For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from Millwood Lake Dam, visit the Corps Little Rock office website .

(updated 5-2-2024) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday that Millwood continues to rise, with lake elevation near 13 inches above normal pool — 260.3 feet msl and rising. Millwood Lake Dam is releasing about 6,700 cfs and the tailwater is holding near 234 feet msl and rising. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or the Army Corps of Engineers website linked under “Millwood Lake,” for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. Watch for random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on Little River and Millwood Lake.

Surface temps were stable this week, ranging 68 degrees early to 75 degrees later in the day along Little River, depending on location and the time of day. Clarity along Little River is stained this week with above-normal pool elevation and increased river current. Heavy to moderate stain is found in most locations, with some areas further up Little River being heaviest. River clarity ranges 5-8 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity of oxbows will vary widely from heavy stained to fair visibility from 10-20 inches, and we observed around 2 feet visibility in a few wind and current protected areas like McGuire Oxbow. 

Mike offered these updates on the fishing this week on Millwood: * Most largemouth bass are coming off the beds and are in post-spawn condition. A few beds are still being seen near Millwood State Park, South Hickory Slough and golf course pockets near cypress trees, with males guarding the fry in a few locations. Activity is consistent with last week, not much change this week. Many large female bass between 6-9 pounds each have been caught and released over the past couple weeks, as well as in local tournaments on Millwood. The males and females continue moving in and around bedding areas and guarding beds with fry, near 1-5 feet on flats near grass, cypress trees and buckbrush. Best activity is being seen in mornings near creek channel swing and in flats of 1-6 feet depth that are holding fresh lily pad blooms and vegetation. Soft plastic frogs, 5-inch Bass Assassin Shads, plastic lizards, Brush Hogs and buzzbaits are drawing reactions from 12- to 16-inch bass from 2-6 feet depths. Bill Lewis crankbaits like the MR-6, Echo 1.75 and SB-57 MDJ Crankbaits continue getting random reaction bites these past few weeks from the active roaming bass (and white bass, too) in the deeper sections of creek channels or drops from the flats into 8-12 feet structure, and on primary points with stumps present. Best responses are during the heat of the day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. We caught good numbers of males and females from 3 to 6 pounds each over the past several weeks on the 5-inch Bass Assassin Shads, lizards and spinnerbaits in the shallow lily pads, grass and buckbrush.

The best largemouth bites and activity continue to be much more reliable in the oxbows of McGuire, Horseshoe, Mud and Clear lakes where the water clarity is drastically better. The water temps were slightly warmer, further away from river current. Salty Beavers, creature baits, lizards and Baby Brush Hogs have been taking some decent 14- to 17-inch bass roaming flats in the clearer water sections of the oxbows, away from current while guarding the fry near beds. In and near shallow stumps, cypress knees, and cover around 5-8 foot depth flats with vegetation, fresh lily pad blooms, you can find a few decent males roaming early and reacting to a topwater frog or jerkbait, near to a quick creek bend structure or a drop into 8-12 feet of depth. South Hickory golf course pockets are still active with post-spawn bass, and we saw males guarding the fry near beds. Those locations gave up some fair-sized largemouths in the 15- to 18-inch range (around 3-4 pounds) over the past couple of weeks. We got several good reactions from 3- to 5-pound bass over the past week or so with Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and lizards around cypress tree knees.

Best reaction colors for Chatterbaits and spinnerbaits have been Spot Remover, the Millwood Mayhem Bream, and black/blue. Best depth zones to target are cypress tree knees from 4-9 feet, with 12-15 feet of depth nearby. Lizards in 6- to-8-inch size in in Blackberry, Blue Fleck, Grape and Junebug colors have been picking up random cruising bass near stumps on 5-7 feet drops near 10-feet deep structure. * The white bass continue scattering from their recent spawning run up Little River and are breaking into random schools moving back downriver. Two anglers we stopped and talked with a few days ago said they caught 15 white bass that were piled up on points, at mouths of the oxbows and creek dumps into Little River between White Cliffs and Cemetery Slough. 

For the past several weeks, the whites have begun to scatter and move back down Little River from the spawning pockets and rocks above U.S. Highway 71. Good numbers of 2- to 3-pound whites can still be caught as they break into various schools migrating back down Little River near Brown’s Slough, Black’s Branch and Cemetery Slough. The two anglers we spoke with were having the best luck on half-ounce to three-quarter-ounce hammered Cordell, Kastmaster and homemade spoons with white bucktails on the rear hook. The week before last, we caught a few decent white bass at the mouth of Hurricane Creek on three-quarter-ounce Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, chrome/blue or Splatterback colors. Bomber Fat Free Shads, or Fingerlings, and Bill Lewis MR-6 Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad were working behind points along Little River, and we caught some decent whites in those locations that ranged from 7-12 feet deep on and behind those primary points. Vertical-jigging a chrome three-quarter-ounce Cordell Hammered Spoon with a red/white hair bucktail behind primary points near the bottom, where stumps were located on the backside of points, was working for us for a few nice-sized 2- to 3-pound whites. Swimming a hair jig with a heavy-thumping tail swimbait trailer picked up a few whites in 10-14 feet of water by swimming and dropping the bait. * The crappie bite has improved over the past few weeks with water clarity improving in many locations. One day it’s on fire, and the next day they run from a minnow on Livescope! Our planted brush piles in Pugh Slough, Horseshoe, Bee Lake and Millwood State Park continue to hold nice 12- to 15-inch crappie, and those brush piles gave up some nice 2-pound slabs over the past couple of weeks. The crappie bite continues to be best using minnows one day and jigs the next, or jigs tipped with a minnow, in planted brush piles in 10-16 feet depth. Best color jig during the past couple of weeks has been Monkey Milk one day, Electric Chicken the next, while a smoke-colored grubs with a chartreuse tip tail on a light wire jighead would pick up a few extra bites. * We did see two bream fishermen in Hurricane Creek a few days ago, and they said they were having fair luck with crickets and worms on slip corks, but said they haven’t seen any bream on beds yet.

* Catfishing has improved over the past week with the increased river current on trotlines and yo-yos. Baiting trotlines with King’s Punch Bait, chicken liver or hearts was working in Mud Lake a few days ago as long as you could keep the alligators away. We talked to a guy who said he was using the yo-yos we saw in Mud Lake, baiting them with minnows and big white grubs, and he said he had to stay within 100 feet to beat the water with a boat paddle to scare the alligators away from his yo-yos and from stealing his catfish. Guys were running trotlines 12-14 feet deep in Little River, and yo-yos were hung in cypress trees over 7-9 feet of depth in Mud Lake.

Lake Erling (updated 5-2-2024) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) had no new reports.

Check out Friends of Lake Erling on Facebook for more fishing information on the lake and photos, too.

Lake Greeson Tailwater For the most updated Narrows Dam generation schedule from SWEPCO, click here .

Lake Greeson For the most updated lake level at Lake Greeson, click here .

(updated 5-2-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs said on the weekly “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz that Lake Greeson is 9.5 feet below full pool with no water in the buckbrush. So what is the strategy for bass fishing this lake now in lower water conditions? Kastner notes that Greeson is completely different than most lakes. For one, there’s no grass, no moss other than the slime stuff growing and that doesn’t count, he says. With it being as low as it is, that just lends you to looking for rocks and brush … or timber, whatever you can find along the shoreline. Any lake that you go into in the spring, you’re looking for wood. You’re looking for fallen-down trees, you’re looking for buckbrush, and you’re fishing that structure. That’s where nests are. Fish in the guts of pockets. You want to stop halfway and slow roll that black spinnerbait right down the gut of it, and catch a lot of fish.

DeGray Lake For the most updated lake level at DeGray Lake, click here .

(updated 5-2-2024) John Duncan of YoYo Guide Service at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Hey folks, it’s fishing time! Water level is at 404.52 feet msl with a slight drop. “Ready for this? Water temperature at my last writing was still in the 60s. I saw surface water temperature on Tuesday of 74-plus degrees. Wow!

“There was a crappie tournament last weekend on DeGray and the last I

heard, the largest weight (at that time, weighing in was in progress) was 8.66 pounds for five fish. Nice fish.

“Most of the reports for crappie that I have are from open-water fishing with front-facing sonar. The only things in the brush piles are small and lots of bream . Small ones.

“Crappie should be rock ’n’ rolling on the spawn. Slip bobbers and minnows around brush for the bedding ones. Fish 6 inches off the bottom. Or front-facing sonar in open water. The fish that have gone into spawn will be returning to the open water.

“The full moon cycle for the bream has provided good reports, anglers say, but will be winding down soon. Use side imaging to find the beds and the drop-shot will be great. “Reports I’m getting is that the black bass spawn is about done. New techniques to come out now. Also, hybrid bass were surfacing around Yancey this last weekend.”

(updated 5-2-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said that at both lakes Ouachita and DeGray, where he has been doing most of his fishing lately, t he spawn this year has been a tough one on the crappie and bass . Now that we are entering a post-spawn period they are stacking up on nearby habitat. You can find them on staging brush piles fished 8-12 feet deep in 18-24 feet of water. Get a minnow or jig in front of them and harvest your limit.

De Queen Lake For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from De Queen Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

Dierks Lake For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from Dierks Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

White Oak Lake Area No reports.

Lake Atkins (updated 4-18-2024) Reba’s Marina Bait & RV Park @ Lucky Landing (479-237-5218), previously known as Lucky Landing Marina, i s under the new ownership of businessmen Kevin Pierce of Paragould, who has relocated to the area. Last Friday’s conditions were 72 degrees ambient temperature with a surface water temp of 65.1 degrees, perfect for bass and crappie fishing . Extremely windy conditions Thursday led to just one brave soul fishing about an hour before giving up. The bait shop has live bait (bass, crappie, black salties, nightcrawlers, redworms, shad, crickets and more in stock, along with the latest and greatest lures. They also feature the Bonefish Bucket Eatery food trailer for hungry visitors/anglers (open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.).

They have a Facebook page with regular updates . Reba’s will be hosting a first (and planned for annual) youth fishing tournament on Monday, May 27 (Memorial Day), from 9 a.m.-noon. Signup sheets at Reba’s and Sun Kissed Tanning. Top three winners will receive big prizes: First place, a bicycle; second place, fishing pole; third place, tackle box with lures and more. Every child who signs up will receive a T-shirt. The event is open to 13 years old and younger.

Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam) For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro

(updated 5-2-2024) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service , reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 63 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Both lakes Hamilton and Catherine are at normal summertime pool. Due to the latest storm fronts moving through Arkansas, Entergy has run round-the-clock generation to lower area lakes in anticipation of heavy rainfall. More rain is expected later this week before drier conditions are forecast. 

Bad weather forces Entergy to run large amounts of generation from area dams to control lake levels and this process creates dangerous boating and fishing conditions. Before fishing below a hydroelectric dam, it is a good idea to check the weekly generation schedules and plan your outings accordingly. The Entergy website features a hydroelectric page for the general public to view current lake levels and conditions. Below Carpenter Dam, fly-fishermen can still wade to areas that hold good numbers of trout and can have success casting micro-jigs in white or black under a strike indicator. This presentation perfectly matches the injured shad drawn through the turbines from Lake Hamilton. San Juan Worms offer feeding trout a different look and will often work equally well when fished in the same manner. Trout Magnets should not be overlooked by fly-anglers and often make the difference between a successful outing and an unsuccessful one. Bank fishermen casting waxworms or mealworms with a small bobber or fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater will catch rainbows. Boaters can anchor in and around sandbars and rock structure and catch trout using small inline spinners such as a Rooster Tail or Mepps Spinner in brown or silver colors. 

Conditions are favorable now for trolling to be effective against the current. Rainbow trout fishing will dominate the area for months to come as big numbers of fish will congregate in many areas of the tailrace. However, trout will not be the only game fish available to target. The walleye spawn is now complete on Lake Catherine but numbers of male and female walleye remain to rest and feed before making the move downstream to the main body of Lake Catherine. These fish can be caught by trolling shallow-running crankbaits against the current on both sides of the river below the dam. Shad or crayfish imitations work best as both of these are present in large numbers in the lake and offer game fish a solid food source throughout the year. Trout will be scarce where spawning walleye were established as rainbow trout are known egg eaters and are attacked by walleye when crossing over into bedding areas. 

April was the beginning of the crappie spawn, adding another quality game fish for the public to target. In a cold-water situation like below Carpenter Dam, spawning times are much later than what occur in main lake bodies. Small jigs and live minnows are a best bet when targeting these spawning fish. 

As temperatures warm and threadfin shad are no longer stunned by cold temperatures, there will be a dramatic decrease in the amount of prey for fish to feed on. Several days of this reduction in food will force fish to actively search for prey, which will create a good situation for anglers to be successful. Despite the safer conditions and warmer weather, it is extremely important to remember that fish in the tailrace have proven difficult to catch this entire year. Trout can be caught but not in the numbers that were expected in past years. Normal pool levels will bring a more consistent bite from the rainbow trout population. 

Patience is a must this year for anglers to have success due to the flooding and heavy flows the lake has experienced. Always wear a life jacket when on the water and remember to follow all park and boating regulations. Pick up after yourself, as the number of trash cans are limited in this area. Always cooperate with all wildlife officials and law enforcement. 

Lake Dardanelle For the Army Corps of Engineers’ outflow and gauge level reports from Dardanelle, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

No reports.

Lake Hamilton No reports.

Lake Nimrod For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow reports from Nimrod Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

(updated 5-2-2024) Sheila Ferrebee, owner of Carter Cove Bait-N-More (479-272-4025), had no new reports. Carter Cove has a Facebook page, and the email address is [email protected] , with updates and photos. Stop in for live bait, tackle, cabin rentals, pizza, burgers, sandwiches and more.

Lake Ouachita For the current lake level at Blakely Dam, click here .

(updated 5-2-2024) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are good. Try a topwater bait near main lake and secondary points. Just get out and throw your favorite lure!

Walleye are fair and being caught on shad-style baits. Stripers are still good. These fish are being caught in the western portion of the lake and can be caught on C-10 Redfins, live bait or Alabama rigs.

Bream are still good and being caught on crickets and worms in the 15-25 foot range; these fish are starting to move shallow. Crappie are fair. These fish can still be targeted on structure with minnows or small jigs.

Jugs and trotlines are still producing quality catches of catfish over main lake points with live or cut bait. Water temperature is ranging 66-70 degrees and the clarity is clearing. Lake level Thursday was 576.70 feet msl, about 1.3 feet below normal level. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.

(updated 5-2-2024) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said at both lakes Ouachita and DeGray, where he has been fishing lately, t he spawn this year has been a tough one on the crappie and bass . Now that we are entering a post-spawn period they are stacking up on nearby habitat. You can find them on staging brush piles fished 8-12 feet deep in 18-24 feet of water. Get a minnow or jig in front of them and harvest your limit.

(updated 4-25-2024) Philip Kastner of Trader Bill’s Outdoors in Little Rock and Hot Springs said on the April 25 edition of “Wild Side Show” on KABZ-FM, 103.7 The Buzz that Ouachita is about a foot below normal pool and being held there. The big conversation among anglers now is, how far back into a pocket do you go with this lake level. The consensus, Kastner says, is two-thirds of the way back; don’t go to the back third. The back third is pretty stale and stagnant right now the way they are controlling the lake level. So, you want to fish the front two-thirds of the pockets, not the back one-third. That’s where the majority of the fish are being caught.

Blue Mountain Lake For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow reports from Blue Mountain Lake, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

White River/Clarendon Area For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time gauge level and flow from Clarendon, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website .

Horseshoe Lake (updated 5-2-2024) Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) said the water temperature is hovering close to 70 degrees and the water is clear. The lake level is still about 2 feet low. The crappie are spawning. Some have spawned but there’s more to come in. We checked eggs on a few females this week and found some with few eggs, some that still need a week or so and some that were turning gray. These fish should stay in the shallows for a few more weeks. Look for crappie in 2-4 feet of water around trees or brush. Jig colors are all over the place: pinks, oranges, whites and chartreuse were popular colors. The bass spawn is probably getting close. We caught a few males up in the shallows near the crappie beds. Catfish are biting. Not many folks utilize the catfish population with rods and reels but this is a good time to check out the lake and catch some catfish. They are feeding on the shad in the shallows and are easy targets. We have caught some on every trip the past couple of weeks. Bream are shallow as well. As the sun gets overhead, look under the piers in 1-3 feet of water. 

White River/Arkansas River (Pool 2) (updated 5-2-2024) Webb’s Sporting Goods (870-946-0347) in DeWitt said this week the Arkansas River is on the rise. Down below Wilbur Mills Dam, lots of water flows out of the gates and the hydroelectric portion. Catfishing should be excellent these next few days. As for the lakes on Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge, bream are biting in the cypress knees. Crappie are moving to deeper water and to structures. 

“We are about to wrap up the 2024 turkey season and it’s been a good one, lots of birds harvested! Thanks for shopping at Webb’s Sporting Goods! Look for us on Highway 1 on the south end of town.”

Cook’s Lake (updated 4-25-2024) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321) said he had nothing new to report. The lake is low and disconnected from the river, allowing it to hold steady for the last week or so. There is still not much fishing activity, “but I don’t know why it shouldn’t be getting good soon!”

Cook’s Lake is nestled in the heart of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge near Arkansas County. This fertile oxbow has slab crappie , black bass , bream and every species of catfish and receives very little fishing pressure due to being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers who must possess the AGFC mobility-impaired access permit, and up to two guests (who may also fish), during the specified fishing season. Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. Fishing will be allowed only on Fridays and Saturday through August, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., water level pending. Before launching, please check in at the Nature Center classroom and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, please call the center at 501-404-2321.

Note: msl is mean sea level; cfs is cubic feet per second.

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Education policy conference committee expected to approve report

Changes to the Read Act, allowing military connected schools to add a Purple Star designation, and putting a ban on book bans are part of a conference committee report that appears to be all but official.

The education policy conference committee made its way through the final differences Monday but members are awaiting nonpartisan staff to put the final language together before conferees take a final vote and sign the report.

Rep. Laurie Pryor (DFL-Minnetonka) and Sen. Steve Cwodzinski (DFL-Eden Prairie) sponsor HF3782 / SF3567 *, which is expected to be approved in the coming days.

Access to library materials

The agreement would prohibit banning, removing, or otherwise restricting access to an otherwise age-appropriate book or other material from a school library based solely on the viewpoint, content, message, idea, or opinion conveyed.

A school’s governing body would need to adopt a policy that would establish procedures for selection of and reconsideration of library materials. The policy could not impair or limit the rights of a parent, guardian or adult student to request a curriculum content challenge to the material.

Purple Star School Designation

House-only language would allow a school to receive a Purple Star School designation if it has, among other things, a designated staff member serving as a military liaison, offers professional development opportunities for staff members on issues related to military-connected students and recognizes the Month of the Military Child or Military Family Month with relevant events hosted by the school.

Many technical and language changes would be made to the Read Act, including requiring evidence-based literacy intervention models for schools to adopt, the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board to conduct an audit of teacher training programs and an ongoing review of literacy materials to ensure a “non-static curriculum,” according to Sen. Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley).

Rep. Peggy Bennett (R-Albert Lea) said the Read Act is, “Moving in the right direction,” but there are things she would change.

“I wish the language really stressed the science of reading more because there are certain educators that are trying to get around that a bit,” she said. “I don’t think we’re being direct enough sometimes, but I think this on definitely the right track.”

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