Conway Fishing Guides
Conway fishing guides put anglers on a steady freshwater bite, with quick access to Lake Conway, the Arkansas River, and Ozark foothill creeks for largemouth, crappie, and catfish.
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Conway, AR Fishing Guide
Conway sits in central Arkansas, surrounded by fishable water on nearly all sides. Most chartered trips here are freshwater-based, targeting nearby lakes and river systems—especially Lake Conway, Arkansas’s largest Game and Fish Commission lake. Trips are typically half-day or full-day depending on how far you want to go or how much water you want to cover. Guides run bass boats and jon boats rigged with trolling motors, ideal for picking apart shallow cover and timber.
Lake Conway itself is a shallow, stump-filled fishery known for big largemouth bass and slab crappie. There’s a no-ski zone across most of the lake, keeping pressure down and making it a great match for slow, structure-oriented fishing. Most guides launch from public ramps off Prince Street or Highway 89, with short runs to productive creek channels and brush piles. The lake rarely requires more than a 15-minute ride to get on fish.
Charters also run north toward Greers Ferry Lake or west to the Arkansas River if clients want deeper water or a shot at striped bass and blue catfish. The Arkansas River offers tailwater action below dams near Little Rock, and many captains make the trip for full-day outings. Anglers based in Conway also sometimes link up with guides operating out of Hampton Bays and the surrounding backwaters, especially during peak spawning runs in spring.
Live minnows, shiners, and nightcrawlers are common go-to baits, especially for crappie and catfish. For bass, expect to throw soft plastics, frogs, and spinnerbaits tight to timber and submerged vegetation. Spring and fall bring the hottest bite windows, but winter crappie and summer catfish keep the rods bending year-round. Whether it’s pitching docks or slow-trolling open water, Conway fishing charters offer a dependable, down-home bite that’s easy to access and hard to beat.
Fishing Seasons in Conway
Spring (March–May)
Spring is prime time across Conway’s lakes and rivers, with warming water pulling fish shallow. Largemouth bass spawn along stumps, lily pads, and shoreline grass. Crappie move into the shallows in big numbers, staging around brush and laydowns. Catfish begin to stir too, especially on warm afternoons. This is the best season for fishing around Lake Conway’s timber. Light tackle, jigs, and live minnows dominate. Expect guides to focus on precision casts and sight fishing in the clearer backwaters.
Summer (June–August)
Summer heat pushes bass and crappie deeper, but catfish action stays strong. Many Conway guides switch to night trips or focus on early morning and evening hours. Catfish are targeted with cut bait and stinkbait in deeper holes and river channels. Bass will take topwaters early and move to deeper ledges by midday. On bigger water like Greers Ferry, striped bass start running baitfish schools offshore. It’s a slower bite mid-day, but the action’s still there for those willing to chase it.
Fall (September–November)
Fall brings cooler temperatures and active fish. Bass begin feeding heavily ahead of winter, smashing spinnerbaits and buzzbaits around grass and brush. Crappie school up again and move toward mid-depth structure, perfect for vertical jigging or tight-lining minnows. Catfish remain catchable, especially in the evening. Many guides in Conway prefer fall for its stable weather, light boat traffic, and reliable multi-species action. Fish tend to be scattered early, but group up tight as temps fall.
Winter (December–February)
Winter fishing in Conway is slower but steady, especially for crappie and catfish. Crappie stack up over deep brush piles, and guides often use electronics to hover right on top of them. Catfish feed intermittently but can be caught using slow presentations with fresh cut bait. Bass become lethargic but still hit jigs and jerkbaits near steep drops. Cold fronts can shut the bite down temporarily, but sunny days often produce some of the best quality fish of the year.
Gamefish in Conway
- Largemouth Bass – 1–6 lbs. Caught year-round in Lake Conway and nearby creeks; targeted using soft plastics, frogs, and spinnerbaits around timber and grass.
- Crappie – 0.5–2 lbs. Best in spring and winter; jigged or fished with live minnows over brush piles and laydowns.
- Channel Catfish – 1–10 lbs. Caught summer through fall; hit on cut bait, chicken liver, or stinkbait in deeper holes and channels.
- Blue Catfish – 5–30 lbs. Found in the Arkansas River and deeper lakes; fished with fresh cut bait on bottom rigs.
- White Bass – 1–3 lbs. Caught in spring and fall during runs; caught trolling or casting small crankbaits in moving water.
- Striped Bass – 5–20 lbs. Available in Greers Ferry and the Arkansas River; targeted by trolling shad or casting spoons near baitfish.
Conway Fishing FAQs
What types of fishing guides are available in Conway?
Most fishing charters in Conway focus on freshwater species and run half-day or full-day trips on Lake Conway, the Arkansas River, or Greers Ferry Lake.
When is the best time to fish Lake Conway?
Spring and fall are the most productive seasons, especially for bass and crappie, but winter crappie and summer catfish also draw steady interest.
Do Conway fishing guides provide gear?
Yes, most local guides provide rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Live bait like minnows or shiners may be included or available for an extra fee.
Where do fishing outfitters usually launch in Conway?
Most trips launch from Lake Conway boat ramps near Prince Street or Highway 89. River trips may launch closer to Little Rock or Mayflower depending on water levels.
Can I keep the fish I catch?
Yes, most guides allow you to keep fish within legal size and bag limits. Crappie and catfish are commonly kept for eating, while bass are often catch-and-release.
Is Lake Conway suitable for kids or beginner anglers?
Absolutely. The shallow, structure-heavy lake is ideal for learning to cast, fish live bait, and catch plenty of action from panfish and catfish.
How far are fishing spots from town?
Lake Conway is within minutes of central Conway. Greers Ferry is about an hour northeast, and river launches are 20–40 minutes away depending on flow.
Are there deep water fishing options in Conway?
While Lake Conway is shallow, Greers Ferry Lake and the Arkansas River offer deeper water opportunities, especially for striped bass and big blues.
Do Conway guides fish other regions like Hampton Bays?
Some charter captains travel to other Arkansas fisheries or may have connections with guides operating out of places like Hampton Bays when fish are moving or conditions change.