Fishing Lake Millwood

AKA: Millwood State Park Lake

Popular Fish Species
Lake Millwood Fishing Video
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Lake Millwood, AR

Popular Fish Species Lake Millwood, AR

Lake Millwood Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

As a popular bass fishing tournament lake, Lake Millwood is well known to locals and anglers in the region as a good bass lake. Both weekend and tournament anglers have been catching bass in good numbers, and fish over 4 pounds are not uncommon. Anglers can also catch spotted bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Fishing for largemouth bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being caught. In Lake Millwood, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Decades of careful fisheries management by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery here.

Crappie Fishing

When fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. With a history of good crappie fishing, Lake Millwood continues to impress crappie enthusiasts this year. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Lake Millwood Popular Fish - Channel Catfish

Channel Catfish Fishing

Lake Millwood is populated with channel catfish in the 10 to 20 pound range and anglers are urged to catch and keep a full limit. For weekend anglers, most any rod and reel will work for catching channel catfish, as long as the line is strong enough. For serious catfish enthusiasts, using the right equipment enhances success, especially when you hook one of the big boys. A medium action, to medium-heavy action rod is ideal, in the 6' to 7' range. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with popular catfish baits on at least 10-pound line. Use sharp hooks with bait holders on the shank, or circle hooks for live bait. The state record channel catfish is over 35 pounds, and Lake Millwood holds some pretty big ones. Flathead catfish also reside in the lake and fishing for them is often good as well. Night fishing for catfish often delivers better results than daytime fishing. Fishing for channel catfish is often most productive around any kind of structure in the area. In Spring channel catfish migrate toward incoming water, so stay up river away from the main lake. In early summer look for rocky banks, the bigger the rocks the better. In summer and winter deeper structure is where to look. The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin.

Lake Millwood Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, bluegill, redear sunfish, white bass, striped bass and hybrid striped bass at Norfork Lake in Arkansas.

Largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie are the headliners at Lake Millwood, a 30,000-acre lake located in the far southwest corner of the state, immediately west of Saratoga. Backwater marshes and standing timber create an excellent fishery for all species, but really enhance the bass and crappie fishing.

Bream, sunfish and white bass also reside here and are worth the effort, as the fishing is usually good. This fishing haven is wrapped in over 60 miles of shoreline. Due to the thick forest around the lake, fishing from the bank is best at campgrounds, boat landing and public access areas. Millwood State Park, on the south shore, has a marina, boat ramp, restrooms and camping.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Millwood

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Millwood Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Beard's Bluff Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off State Route 32, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Cottonshed Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Cottonshed Lane, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Jack's Isle Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Old Jacks Isle Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Millwood State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off State Route 32, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Okay Landing Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off Okay Landing Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Paraloma Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off State Route 234, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Saratoga Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off State Route 234, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Southlake Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Westview Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

White Cliffs Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, north side, off State Route 317, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Yarborough Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off Liars Loop, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.