Jackson Reservoir near Little Rock: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Jackson Reservoir is set in Pulaski County, Arkansas. The bank gives way to pine and hardwood. About 21 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. For supplies, Little Rock is 5.1 miles out. North Little Rock follows at 5.9 miles, then Maumelle at 6.5 miles. Not far off: Foreman Lake at 0.5 miles, Wingate Lake lies 1.7 miles on, Twin Lakes at 2.5 miles, Second Edition Lake lies 2.9 miles on and Sandpiper Lake at 3 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Jackson Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. County-wide records name largemouth bass, longear sunfish, green sunfish, bluegill and warmouth. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Jackson Reservoir light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 82°F, while January sits near 40°F. Winter here means light layers, not lost months. Late winter and spring fish steadiest here. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. That is the shape of the year on Jackson Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. You can park half a mile away and walk in from there. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Foreman Lake at 0.5 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Jackson Reservoir carry more weight than any list.