The 625-acre Bear Creek Lake was constructed atop Crowley's Ridge in east central Arkansas in 1938. It lies within the north end of the St. Francis National Forest, and two national scenic byways - the Great River Road and the Crowley's Ridge Parkway - pass nearby. This USDA Forest Service lake on Crowley’s Ridge has more than 15 miles of shoreline, and this makes for an abundance of good fishing for big bluegill and redear when the fish are in shallow water on the spawning beds. Look for beds of spawning fish on the gradually sloping banks, particularly near points, and also in the backs of the wider (and therefore shallower) coves. The peak of spawning activity usually occurs during the new moon in April and again on the new moon in May.  Adjacent to nearby Storm Creek Lake.

Local anglers recommend dark colored plastic worms and/or crickets out on this water.

The best baits for this lake

Big Bite Baits Craws & Creatures Chick Magnet Swirl Kamikaze Swimon

Craws

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Bobby Garland Jigs Bobby Garland Overbite Sickle Jig

Fishing Jigs

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Strike King Finesse baits Dirt Perfect Plastic Finesse Worm

Finesse Baits

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Blitz Lures Topwater Watermelon Buzz Frog

Frogs

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MONSTERBASS Topwater Sexy Cracks Mad Max Popper

Topwater

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Gene Larew Worms Minnesota Flash Ned Rig Inch Worm

Worms

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