Stan Warren.

JULY
Tri-County Lake Spotted Gar
The shadows lurking under the surface of timber-filled Tri-County Lake in south Arkansas are often spotted gar slyly waiting to ambush a baitfish. If the plentiful crappie, bluegill and catfish in this 280-acre lake won’t cooperate, salvage the day by dragging a bit of ski rope or a minnow past gars’ snouts.

Harris Brake Lake Bluegills
The fishing in this 1,300-acre Perry County Lake has steadily improved in recent years thanks to better water quality and game fish management. Harris Brake is now one of our best places to teach youngsters how to dunk crickets next to stumps with cane poles. The lake yields plenty of thick-shouldered 1-pounders.

Lower Buffalo National River Smallmouth Bass
While water on the upper Buffalo National River dwindles at this time of year, plenty of water and husky smallmouth bass remain in the lower river, from Gilbert to its confluence with the White River in Marion County. Ultralight crankbaits imitate sculpins, crawfish and minnows for spin-fishermen, while fly-fishers prefer crawfish and baitfish patterns on 6-weight gear.

Bayou Bartholomew Bowfins
Anglers often spout unprintable words when they hook bowfins --or grinnel -- instead of other game fish. The Bayou Bartholomew Alliance, dedicated to restoring the 375-mile stream that runs through eastern Arkansas from Pine Bluff into Louisiana, says it teems with grinnel that deserve our respect for their superb fighting ability. Tangle with these ornery characters by fishing the bayou as if you’re after bass.

Lake Atkins Largemouth Bass
Arkansas’ heat and humidity make daytime bass fishing miserable, but Florida-strain largemouths that lurk in Lake Atkins’ well-marked brushpiles make for lively fishing, even in triple-digit temperatures. A floating worm on a standup 1/8-ounce jig works wonders here. Expect numerous taps from smaller fish punctuated by occasional thumps from 4- to 5-pounders.

Spring River Rainbows
Because law officers have cracked down on rowdy behavior that had made the Spring River less friendly toward families in recent years, it’s now a great place for a cool day of float-fishing before the kids return to school. Rainbow trout thrive in 58-degree water from Mammoth Spring, greedily taking corn, red worms and salmon eggs. The best trout water is above Hardy in Sharp County.

SEPTEMBER
Lake Greeson Bream
Scenic Lake Greeson, a 7,000-acre impoundment on the Little Missouri River in Pike County, has fewer recreational boaters and anglers than larger Corps of Engineers reservoirs. That makes it perfect for a leisurely day of belly-boating and casting popping bugs to bluegills and green sunfish. Enjoy these pint-sized fighters by tossing poppers into shady coves with a 3- to 5-weight fly rod, floating line and 3X leader.

Mirror Lake Rainbow Trout
Corn or red worms fished under bobbers entice hatchery-reared rainbows in Mirror Lake, 15 miles north of Mountain View in the Ozark National Forest. Water from nearby Blanchard Springs keeps the lake cool enough for trout year-round. A handicapped-accessible walking trail and fishing platform make it comfortable for all anglers, and you can get out of the heat in nearby Blanchard Springs Caverns, which have a constant temperature of 58 degrees.

Lake Charles Largemouth Bass
Most bassers practice catch-and-release, but you’re encouraged to keep a limit at Lake Charles in northeast Arkansas. It’s overstocked with undersized bigmouths, and biologists ask anglers to thin the herd -- pleasant work with topwater lures this month. Nearby Lake Poinsett is also choked with 11- to 14-inch bass.