This week’s Arkansas fishing report includes contributions from all corners of the state, and one noticeable mention that seemed consistent, especially in the big reservoirs, was the early “prespawn” activity seen in some largemouth bass and walleye. Fish can get as confused as the anglers about the weather.

Guide Jon Conklin at Beaver Lake noted walleye action beginning as the water temperature there hit 50 degrees. The similarly warming temps at Millwood Lake in southwest Arkansas had some male largemouth bass checking out the flats where they’re typically found spawning in the spring.

Walleye (like in the photo above) seem to be the target in other spots as the surface temps edge up to 50, such as in the Beaver Lake tailwater, according to guide Austin Kennedy. Kennedy says the trout have turned off for now.

Bass, stripers and crappie are the fish most biting at Lake Ouachita these days, and not so the walleye, according to the guides at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa.

Rainbow and brown trout are being seen around Cotter, according to Cotter Trout Dock, but low water downstream near Calico Rock is making the fishing tougher, though rainbows and browns can be had there, according to Dave McCulley at Jenkins Fishing Resort. Bull Shoals remains a few feet below normal pool, but the early spring effect was felt there, too, according to guide Del Colvin.