Largemouth Bass

Lincoln, Arkansas, offers some surprisingly good largemouth bass fishing in its small lakes and ponds, and the nearby Illinois River. While you won't find trophy-sized giants consistently, the area offers consistent action, especially for anglers who enjoy bank fishing smaller, more secluded locations. Spring and fall are prime times, with the prespawn and postspawn periods in April-May and the cooling waters of October-November providing the most active bite. Focus on areas with submerged timber or rocky outcroppings. A local tip: Check out Lake Lincoln City Park, a small but accessible lake right in town. Also, the Illinois River near Highway 62 has some promising spots, but be mindful of water levels and currents. The largemouth in these waters are generally healthy, albeit on the smaller side, averaging 1-3 pounds. Using weedless lures and Texas-rigged worms can be effective due to the vegetation in many of these spots.