Here is your weekly Arkansas fishing report for July 5, 2013. Good luck on the water and let us know how you do.
| Central Arkansas |
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake is slightly stained but at a normal level. Bream fishing is good with red worms and crickets. Crappie are fair and have been caught in deeper water around cypress trees with minnows. Bass are good with spinnerbaits in the mornings and evenings. Shallow running crankbaits and dark-colored plastic worms have worked well during the daytime. Catfishing is excellent with nightcrawlers, stink bait and cut bait.
Dan at Gold Creek Landing said bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie are fair at the base of cypress trees closer to the main lake. Bass are doing fair on white buzz baits, Rat-L-Traps and soft-plastics. Catfishing is good nightcrawlers and livers.
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water clarity is good and one to two generators are running. Trout fishing is excellent using wax worms, Power Bait, jigs and Trout Magnets.
Lowell Myers of Sore Lip ‘em All Guide Service said Greers Ferry Lake level is close to top pool so expect minimum generation over the next few days with great opportunities to wade your favorite shoals. Hot pink Trout Magnets used on the chartreuse Trout Magnet jig heads are producing good catches for spin fisherman. Soft hackles, blue winged olive emergers, midges and sowbugs are producing good catches for the fly fisherman. Always be sure to check the Corp of Engineers and Southwest Power Administration websites for current and future water releases before planning your fishing trip. .
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 463.67 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 462.04 msl).
Jeff Mays of Anglers Outpost Guide Service (501-253-1905) said the lake level is very near normal at 462.28 with water temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s. A typical summer time pattern is taking shape with fish holding in deeper cooler water, leaving to feed in shallower areas and chase bait. Bass are holding on ledges and drop-offs in 20-30 feet of water. Look for spots that offer shallow and deep water within 100 feet. Crappie are holding on pole timber in deep water and submerged woody structure at depths of 20-25 feet. Look for bait fish and hybrids, whites and walleyes will be close.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is at 462.28 feet and falling and the temperature is in the mid 80’s. Hybrids and white bass are good when in the generating water. Stay around bait fish and use spoons, in-line spinners and swim baits in 23-35 feet of water. The crappie are biting jigs and minnows in 15-25 feet of water. The bream are biting crawlers and crickets all around the lake from right on the bank out to 15 feet of water. The walleye bite will be good soon as the water level gets stable. Try dragging crawlers in 15-27 feet of water. Catfishing is great all over the lake on a variety of baits. Bass fishing is good on the drops and shallow early on topwater baits, worms and football heads out deep.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said had no report this week.
Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the water is high and there is 2 feet of visibility. The surface water temperature is 85 to 88 degrees. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets fished around brushy areas of the bank. Crappie are in deep water and are fair on jigs. Bass are biting well on soft-plastics fished on the first drop-off from the bank. Catfishing is good on cut bait, hot dogs and stinkbait suspended from trotlines.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream fishing is excellent on nightcrawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Crappie are good on minnows, slab slay’rs, stroll’r white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse shad, bone white, cajun cricket /pink cotton candy/ bq chicken and blue/white jigs, Powerbait and crappie nibbles. Catfish are good in deep water on minnows, worms, stink bait and chicken/ turkey /rabbit livers. Bass are good on tequila sunrise, dark colored worms, spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms.
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report this week.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream fishing is fair on nightcrawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Crappie are fair on minnows, slab slay’rs, stroll’r white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse shad, bone white, cajun cricket /pink cotton candy/ bq chicken and blue/white jigs, Powerbait and crappie nibbles. Catfish are good in deep water on minnows, worms, stink bait and chicken/ turkey /rabbit livers. Bass are good on tequila sunrise, dark colored worms, spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms.
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report this week.
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) filed no new report.
Local angler Nicholas Karras had no report this week.
Jolly Roger’s Marina had no report this week.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream fishing is fair in 10-12 feet of water using red worms and crickets on the main lake points. Crappie are fair in 20-30 feet of water using minnows, red/chartreuse and white/chartreuse jigs. Bass are good all day but especially good in the early morning and late afternoon using zara spooks and buzz baits. In the middle of the day, crankbaits have worked well. Catfishing is excellent in 20-25 feet of water using chicken liver, shad and slicks.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream fishing is excellent on nightcrawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Crappie are good on minnows, slab slay’rs, stroll’r white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse shad, bone white, cajun cricket /pink cotton candy/ bq chicken and blue/white jigs, Powerbait and crappie nibbles. Catfish are good in deep water on minnows, worms, stink bait and chicken/ turkey /rabbit livers. Bass are good on tequila sunrise, dark colored worms, spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms.
Hatchet jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfishing is excellent using chicken hearts, livers and worms.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said there’s been one report of a few nice catfish caught on nightcrawlers and then released over the weekend. Some small bream were caught among the catfish and released as well. No reports of crappie or bass being caught recently.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said catfishing is good early in the morning and right before or after dark. Wild Cat Full Stringer stink bait, chicken liver and #12 bass minnows have been effective. Bream are biting crickets and red worms around the lake with the better ones coming from 6-10ft. deep. Bass fishing has been slow with a few being caught on live minnows and floating worms. One fisherman reported catching a really nice bass on a white buzz bait while making a few casts one morning before he had to leave for work.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said the river is low and the water is clear. Bass fishing has been good and Zoom 4 inch pumpkin and green pumpkin lizards, Texas rigged on a 2/0 G-Lock hook with a 1/8oz. bullet weight and 8lb. test clear line have worked well. A 1/16oz. jig head with a #2 hook and a Kalins 2in. triple threat grub in Tennessee Shad color has also caught fish. Catfishing is good on trotlines using black saltys and #12 bass minnows.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said catfishing is fair and some decent catfish have been caught on black salty’s and brooder minnows on trotlines but no big numbers. Bream fishing is good using crickets and worms. The bass are hitting floating worms,Carolina-rigged lizards or live minnows early in the morning.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said fishing has been fair to slow this week with a few mixed stringers being caught here and there. Lake Charles should be stocked early this week for The Bryant Fest Fishing Derby on July 4th. For more info on that call Bryant Parks and Recreation at 501-847-7275.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said crappie fishing slowed a little but a few have been found deep and caught on #6 crappie minnows and Kalins Electric Chicken grubs. Catfish have been caught on night crawlers and #12 bass minnows fished along steep bottom drops from 3-12ft. Bream are biting crickets and worms with the bigger ones coming off the bottom in 3-6ft of water. Some bass have been caught on live minnows, Texas rigged worms and lizards and spinner baits.
Charley’s Hidden Harbor Charley’s Hidden Harbor had no report this week.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are fair and have been caught on white/chartresue, green/ chartreuse and money colored jigs. Bass fishing is good at jetti points using Texas-rigged creature baits and Sinko worms. Catfishing is excellent on slicks, skip jacks, shad and nightcrawlers.
Palarm Creek: No report this week.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said the flow has slowed down and the water level is normal. Bream fishing is good using worms and crickets. Crappie are poor but some have been caught over toward brush piles. Bass fishing is excellent using crankbaits and creature baits on the main river. Catfishing is good using worms and cut bait.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are fair and have been caught on white/chartresue, green/ chartreuse and money colored jigs. Bass fishing is good at jetti points using Texas-rigged creature baits and Sinko worms. Catfishing is excellent on slicks, skip jacks, shad and nightcrawlers.
Fourche Creek: No report this week.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said bream fishing is good with worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is poor. Bass are good using crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfishing is good using snagging poles and cut shad.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water clarity is good and fishing has been good. Bream are good using worms and crickets. Crappie are poor but some have been caught with minnows and jigs. Bass are good using spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfishing is good on cut shad and chicken livers.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water clarity is good and the level is low. Bream fishing is fair using crickets. Crappie fishing is poor. Bass are good. Catfishing is good with crickets.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report on the lake this week.
Lake Willastein
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream fishing is excellent off of the fishing piers using redworms and crickets. Bass are good on the north said of the lake in the grass flats using topwater frogs, jigs and buzz baits. Catfishing is excellent in the evenings using hot dogs, livers, hearts and minnows.
| North Arkansas |
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and four to six generators are running. Trout fishing is excellent using wax worms, Power Bait, shrimp, spoons and rooster tails. When fly fishing, aim to find a spot with less current.
Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said we have had no wadable water and periods of high levels of generation. The lakes in the White River system are all above the top of power pool and we are getting more generation. Our major mayfly hatch, the sulphurs, is coming off. So far, this hatch has been very sparse. Before the hatch, concentrate on fishing mayfly nymphs like the copper John. When you observe fish feeding near the surface but see no insects, try a partridge and orange soft hackle. The hot spot has been Rim Shoals. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. Midday can be slow. The hot flies were prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold ribbed hare’s ears and sow bugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). Some anglers have been fishing large streamers on the heavy flows we have been getting most afternoons and having success. This requires heavy sink tip lines, heavy rods (8-weight or better) and advanced casting skills. The hot flies have been large articulated streamers in various colors. Hopper season has begun. These are tempting morsels for large trout. You need a stiff 6-weight rod and a stout 7½-foot 4X leader. My favorite hopper patterns are the Western style foam hoppers with rubber legs and a bright quick sight patch on the back. Dave’s hoppers are also a good choice but be sure to dress them with plenty of fly floatant to ensure that they ride high.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185)
Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are navigable and both are receiving a lot of pressure. With summer here, the smallmouths are active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are navigable and both are receiving a lot of pressure. With summer here, the smallmouths are active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 662.60 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service had no report this week.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 558.75 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 552 msl, April-September – 554 msl).
Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters had no report this week.
Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort had no report this week.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is in the upper 70s to the low 80s and fishing is good. The stripers are starting to go deeper in the 30-40 foot range. There are still a few fish busting baitfish in the mornings. Zara Spooks and soft jerk baits have worked well. The bass are coming up early and just before dark, feeding on baitfish. They will hit any topwater bait, but the most popular baits have been spooks and soft jerk baits. If the wind is blowing, crankbaits and spinnerbaits have been effective. Look for the white bass in coves about 25-40 feet deep and use a jigging spoon. Some walleye and catfish have been reported being caught on crickets and worms while bream fishing.
Campground News: Jordan Campground on Norfork Lake is open April 1-Oct. 1 and managed by Jordan Marina. Formerly run by the Army Corps of Engineers, Jordan Campground is a favorite of families camping on the south end of Norfork Lake and is the gateway to Sand Island and Jordan area beaches. This area also is a favorite of scuba divers, with 30 dive sites within 2 miles of the campground. Jordan Campground has 41 RV and tent sites; sites with 50-amp service and 30-amp service are available for $20 per night. The campground, adjacent to Jordan Marina, also features a swimming beach, picnic pavilion, boat launch and two restrooms. For more information, call (870) 499-7223 or Jordan Marina at (870) 499-7348.
Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said there has been wadable water on the Norfork almost every day. The action has picked up somewhat and, with no wadable water on the White, it can get crowded. Fish early to avoid crowds. The most productive flies have been small (size 20 or smaller) midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and Dan’s turkey tail emerger or soft hackles like my green butt or the partridge and orange. There has also been a sparse hatch of very small mayflies; reliable hatches of midges (try a size 22 parachute Adams for both), some smaller caddis (size 18) and the crane flies are still coming off. Grasshoppers have started producing fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Olive woolly buggers have also accounted for a lot of trout. Dry Run Creek has fished well. School is out and there is much more traffic on the stream. Fish early or late to avoid the crowds. The hot flies have been sow bugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective.
| Northwest Arkansas |
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,124.05 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120 msl).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said stripers are biting well, but are scattered. Live shad (8-12 inches long) fished on down lines set 20-25 feet deep will work well, as will umbrella rigs with white grubs in clear water and chartreuse grubs in stained water. Three-way rigged Rapala no. 9 Husky Jerks, and Rogues in black- or purple-backed colors will pick up some stripers as well. Be sure to check out the following hot spots for stripers: Indian Creek (past Lost Bridge and the mouth of the creek); Rocky Branch (check the channel between the front of the marina and the road bed that extends to the island.) Most walleye are about 15-20 deep and can be caught using a variety of methods. You can flat-line troll with Cotton Cordell Spots, Hot ‘N’ Tot’s, Wiggle Warts, Rapala Tail dancers, Shad Raps, Reef Runners or Ripstiks in natural blue or black back combos in clear water or chartreuse/orange and clown colors in areas of stained water. Slow death rigs featuring orange and chartreuse beads are working very well on a bottom bouncer. Jigging spoons around brush and rock piles are also producing. Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water clarity is good and is 80 degrees. Bream fishing is good using worms and crickets. Crappie are fair and have mostly been caught at nights under light using minnows, jigs and shad. Black bass are good especially at night using spinner baits, crank baits and plastic worms. Catfishing is good with worms, chicken livers and other live bait on trot lines.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the lake clarity is good and temperatures are now in the 70s. Bream fishing is excellent using worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good especially at night under lights using jigs, plastic tubes in black and white colors and 2 inch grubs fished off of deep banks. Bass fishing is fair at night using black spinnerbaits. During the day, use plastic worms and topwater baits in the mornings. Catfishing is fair on jugs and trotlines baited with gold fish.
Jason Piper of JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said the night time is the best option for bass. Dark colored crawdad imitating soft plastics and large worms either Texas-rigged or on a shaky head have worked well fished along sloping gravel to chunk rock banks. Bass can also be picked off early and late in the day by using top water plugs or buzz baits in and around the flooded brush along the bank. During the day a Carolina rigged tube, lizard or worm fished over points and flats has been effective. Monte-NE, Prairie Creek, Big Ventris and both Clifty arms have all been good. Crappie fishing has been best early in the day. Look for them to be suspending under large docks, between timber and a bluff lines and along pole timber close to a channel. Most fish have been down 15 to 20 feet over 25 to 35 feet of water. Small curl tail grubs or tube jigs on a 1/16 oz jighead worked slowly from the bottom up in those areas has been effective. Trolling Hot “N” Tot or Bandit crankbaits over main lake flats has also been effective. Night fishing has also been good under lights close to channel bends or bluff lines in 25 to 50 feet of water. White River, Eden Bluff, Horseshoe Bend and Monte-Ne have all been good places to fish. White bass have been biting well at night under lights on minnows or shad along bluff lines close to the channel and under the 12 bridge. During the day they can be found schooling on main lake flats and can be caught using Kastmaster spoons once a school is located. Catfish have been caught using liver or worms from the bank at 12 bridge, Monte-NE, Hickory Creek and the 412 bridge access.
Beaver Dam Store had no report this week.
Lake Elmdale
Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat had no report this week.
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is stained and at normal level. Bream are biting excellently on worms and crickets in water less than 5 feet deep. Bass are biting well on soft-plastic worms, top-water lures and crankbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the lake is clear and 85 degrees. Bream fishing is good with worms and crickets. Crappie are good in deep water using minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good using spinner baits, crank baits and topwater baits. Catfishing is good using chicken livers and shad.
Dennis Kruse (479-444-3475) said some good catches of catfish were brought in on live bait such as worms, minnows and small bream. Crappie are deep, but are still being caught on minnows. Bream continue to be good on crickets and worms.
| Northeast Arkansas |
Lake Poinsett State Park said fishing is still fair on the north end of the lake. Bream are still hitting on crickets well around 2½ to 3 feet deep. Catfish are still biting on just about anything you throw in the water. Bass are still hitting and an occasional crappie will hit on minnows. The best bite is early in the morning.
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said said the water clarity is good and the lake is at a normal level. Bream fishing is good using crickets. Bass fishing is good with topwater baits. Catfishing is good with chicken livers and shrimp.
Lake Frierson State Park said the lake level is falling slightly, but still near normal pool with water temperatures in the upper 70’s to lower 80’s. Bass have been fair on soft plastics and crankbaits during the day. Try a chartreuse or white buzzbait early or late near schooling shad in the mouths of coves or the main lake channel for some action. Bream are still being caught all around the lake, try small pieces of nightcrawlers or redworms fished under a float at varying depths. Catfish are still wrapping up the spawn and have been fair. Blue catfish have been biting well on cut bait or nightcrawlers and several fish over 15 pounds have come in over the last week. Channels and flatheads have been slow, but should be ready to feed soon after spawning.
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said the river is low and clear with water levels running at 311 cfs. Fishing has been excellent over the last week on Olive woollies, Brownies, Y2k’s and Guppies. The water has become more clear over the last few weeks, causing the trout to be a little more picky about presentation. If you’re running a fly past a big trout you can see and it keeps refusing it, just start stripping the fly back to you as it gets right in front of the fish. The trout love it when the food runs for cover. Hot pink and orange trout magnets are doing well for spin fishers.
Berry Brothers Guide Service said the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season is in full swing, so fish the upper river at the Lassiter Access. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.
| Southeast Arkansas |
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Team said water was 1/2 a foot low on Friday. Water temperature in the mid-80s. Visibility in Lake Langhofer and other backwaters is around 1-1½ feet. Visibility on the main channel is clearing but is still less than 1 foot. There is still moderate flow on the river, but it is slowing. Fish were biting well on rock banks and brushpiles in Lake Langhofer despite having to use slow-moving lures. The bite on the main channel has improved now that the current has slowed. The key seems to be a slow and methodical approach. We’re not catching many fish on “water covering” lures like spinnerbaits and crankbaits lately. WARNING – Trim up while approaching Regional Park’s south ramp. Lower-units can bump the rocks lining the lip of the washout at the bottom of that ramp when water is 1/2 foot low.
Geoff Wright at Cane Creek State Park’s said bream fishing is good at Cane Creek Lake right now. Bream have been caught all over the lake – outside lily pad fields, around stumps in open water, and along structure near shore. Some hot spots are at Cane Creek State Park’s exterior fishing pier and near the lake’s spillway. Fish crickets and worms and move until you find a bed. They’ll hit within a few seconds of dropping the lure in the water if they’re there.
Lake Chicot State Park said bream are being caught on crickets around brush piles. Catfishing is good all over the lake on worms and cut bait. Bass are good on ledges using shad colored King Cranks and flash mob rigs (Alabama rigs.) White spinnerbaits and sinko worms are also working well around docks.
Jesse James Charter Fishing (870-355-7800) said bass are biting well on white Bionic Custom spinnerbaits fished around docks with a burning retrieve. One-ounce Seven-Fifteen Brand Swimbaits also are working around docks for bass. Bream are biting well on crickets fished next to cypress trees. Catfishing is good on cut bait practically anywhere on Chicot right now.
| Southwest Arkansas |
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.40 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.2 msl).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level is approximately 3.5 inches above normal conservation pool and stable. Surface temperatures are ranging from 78 degrees early to 87 degrees, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Bass fishing is good and continues to improve on the lake. The surface feeding continues to be good from dawn to around 10am under cypress trees, in lily pads and out of the direct sunlight. The majority of bass continue their surface feeding activity aggressively at dawn until mid-morning or until the sun begins heating the surface from overnight lower temps. The best reaction baits at dawn lately continue to be Bass Assassin Shads, Buzz baits, Arborgast Jitterbugs, Moss Bosses and soft frogs. Frog strikes around new lily pad growth and hydrilla and stumps continuesto improve. Buzz baits in black, pine cone or blue glimmer colors are getting good reaction strikes from solid Largemouths at dawn. Jitterbugs in black or coachdog are good choices, along with Moss Bosses in white. Salty Rat Tails in purple smoke or watermelon-red colors are good rigged wacky style. War Eagle Spinnerbaits in Firetiger or Spot Remover are working along hydrilla and coontail moss or most any vegetation lines. Largemouths continue hitting Rat-L-Traps in Wild Shiner or gold/black back colors, around 2-3 foot flats with stumps/grass/pads nearby. 10″ Power Worms in black grape, plum or blue fleck continue working near cypress trees and stumps. Jumbo Gizit tubes are working around cypress trees in the oxbows from 5-9′ depths. Best reactions we have had lately on the tubes are on smoke/black/red flake, or black/blue tail with rattles inside. Bass Assassin Shads in salt and pepper silver phantom, or gold shiner colors continue taking some nice size bass as well, up Little River in the oxbows around vegetation lines and lily pads. Bass Assassin’s Jingle Bugs in Okeechobee, watermelon/red and June bug colors continue working along drop offs from flats into the stumps from 5 to 9 feet deep in the better water clarity areas and farthest from current if you can find those areas.
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) had no report this week.
Joshua and Jacob Bass of Sarepta, La., had no report this week.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 546.58 feet msl (Flood pool – 548 msl).
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Cossatot River State Park had no report this week.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 406.40 feet msl (flood pool – 408 msl).
Local angler George Graves said the surface temperature is in the low 80s and the lake is clear. Walleye fishing is good early in the morning in the big coves on the South side between markers two and four. The fish are suspended at about 50 feet near standing timber. Sassy shad in natural shad color have been working. Several fish have also been caught in the big cove at the lodge causeway in 40 feet of water off of points on heavy jigging spoons. Bass fishing is fair with some surface activity early in the morning along the State Park between DeRoche Ridge and Caddo Bend. Try points in the big coves and throw surface lures such as Zara Spooks, Sammy’s Flukes and 4 inch swim baits to “breaking fish”. Shallow running crank baits have also been producing. A few fish reported coming from the big coves on the South side between points 2 and 6 on spinner baits and buzz baits worked around the standing timber. During the bright part of the day, think deep, (15 to 25 feet) and work a Texas or Carolina-rigged worm slowly along the bottom on points mostly along the State Park. For bigger bass try 10 and 11 inch worms. Red shad and green pumpkin are good colors. Crappie fishing is slow with only a few fish reported coming from deep attractors on the main lake in the Arlie Moore/Caddo Drive areas. Fish a 2 inch grub or tube on a 1/16 ounce jig head vertically over the thickest part of the brush. Early in the morning is about the only time they bite in the Summer. Hybrid fishing is good with some nice catches coming from deep water in the Iron Mountain area. The fish are suspended in small schools from 30 to 50 feet down in 100 feet of water. Use the sonar to locate the fish and drop a jigging spoon to just above the fish. Best colors on the spoon have been green/chartreuse, yellow/chartreuse and green/white. The best and only time is early in the morning. Bream fishing is good with fish being caught in most any cove with some cover. Use red worms and crickets and a float for blue gills and fish near the bottom in about 15 to 25 feet of water with red worms for red ears. Bream are a school fish so keep moving until you find the concentrations. Catfish are good on both trot lines and noodles at night. Set the trot lines across deep coves and drop the noodles over standing timber in deep water. Bait with cut shad, chicken liver, hot dogs/soap, Catfish Charlie and night crawlers. Also try small bream and big minnows for bigger cats.
| West-Central Arkansas |
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 348.01 feet msl (flood pool – 373 msl).
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream fishing is excellent on nightcrawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Crappie are good on minnows, slab slay’rs, stroll’r white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse shad, bone white, cajun cricket /pink cotton candy/ bq chicken and blue/white jigs, Powerbait and crappie nibbles. Catfish are good in deep water on minnows, worms, stink bait and chicken/ turkey /rabbit livers. Bass are good on tequila sunrise, dark colored worms, spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms.
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream fishing is excellent on nightcrawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Catfish are good in deep water on minnows, worms, stink bait and chicken/ turkey /rabbit livers. Bass are good on tequila sunrise, dark colored worms, spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream fishing is excellent on nightcrawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Crappie are good on minnows, slab slay’rs, stroll’r white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse shad, bone white, cajun cricket /pink cotton candy/ bq chicken and blue/white jigs, Powerbait and crappie nibbles. Catfish are good in deep water on minnows, worms, stink bait and chicken/ turkey /rabbit livers. Bass are good on tequila sunrise, dark colored worms, spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms.
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419)had no report this week.
Chuck Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-774-9117) said the creeks and bays are clear, but the main channel is murky. The surface water temperature is 85 degrees. Upriver, bass are in the backwaters and are being caught on top-water walking baits, such as Zara Spooks. They are also being caught on dark-colored crankbaits and jigs. In the middle section of the lake, bass are still hanging in the backwater, but are being taken on frogs and weightless lizards fished around vegetation. Some good bass have been taken on points, drops and humps as well on jigs, Texas-rigged brush hogs and crankbaits. In the lower section of the lake, around Illinois Bayou, bass are being found on deep rock piles and brush and are being caught on flutter spoons, swim baits and crankbaits. Some good bass are also being caught on Spooks and frogs in the backwaters. Stripers and white bass are still being caught in the creeks with current on jerk baits and Spooks. Bream are excellent on crickets and worms in the shallows. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is good on liver, worms and cut shad.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 387.18 feet msl (flood pool – 419 msl).
Blue Mountain Lake is now full and lake can be accessed at all concrete ramps. Things should start picking up with the warm weather. Many new fish attractors were placed during the drawdown, so it’s a great time to get out and motor around the lake marking new spots on the GPS.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 577.68 feet msl (flood pool – 578 msl).
Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and is 76 to 80 degrees. Black bass are biting well on jig head worms, brush hogs and Texas-rigged Ol’ Monster or U-tail Zoom worms. Walleye are excellent on spoons and Shad Raps fished over main lake points and humps. Stripers are good and are being caught on live bait and large hair jigs near main lake humps and points. Bream are excellent on crickets or worms in 8-15 feet of water. Crappie are fair near and over brush on minnows or crappie grubs. Catfishing is excellent on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines set 10-20 feet deep.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs had no new report.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs had no report this week.
For a report on the crappie fishing at Lake Hamilton, visit Family Fishing Trips.
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service said the water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 60 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. At present, Entergy has scheduled 10 hour generation periods which has kept the area cooled and cleared of heavy moss growth. Rainbow trout are thriving in the area in these conditions and are being caught in good numbers on guided trips. Trout in the 15 inch class are common and trophy fish weighing over 5 pounds have been caught and released in the last week. July will be the last good month of trout fishing as the heat of August will cause water temperatures to rise above 70 degrees below the dam and force trout to migrate downstream. Live bait presentations are the ticket to success used in slack water periods. Nightcrawlers, redworms, wax and meal worms floated just off the bottom or fished under a bobber will give anglers the best chance to catch trout. Thousands of threadfin shad are in the tailrace and wary rainbows eagerly bite other live prey other than shad. Patience is a must this time of year as trout are finicky feeders and move around in small schools searching for food and shelter. White bass are still present in the tailrace chasing shad below the bridge. The bite is best during periods of current flow in the late evening. Small crankbaits that imitate shad or crawfish work well and enable fishermen to cover large areas easily. Jerkbaits and small jigs have proven to be equally effective when casted from an anchored boat or from the bank. Catfish have finished their spawning run and are migrating downstream. Freshwater drum are chasing shad in the current and have been caught on nightcrawlers and crawfish. For some reason, no striper activity has been observed in weeks below the dam. The shad schools are thick but no topwater action has occured. This could change in moments as striped bass are highly migratory and ofen seek the cooler waters provided by hydro-electric facilities. Brood or gizzard shad fished with a balloon rig is a best bet for large striper. Anyone visiting Carpenter Dam is urged to be aware of the generation schedules and must always wear a life jacket when navigating the tailrace.
Drawdown Update: Entergy Arkansas says winter drawdowns began Nov. 3. Lake Hamilton will drop 5 feet and Lake Catherine will drop 3 feet. Water released at the dams will be used to generate hydroelectric power. Both lakes will return to their normal summertime levels in March 2013. The annual drawdowns help with shoreline maintenance and inspection, and are part of a plan to help control nuisance aquatic vegetation. Entergy Arkansas coordinates the annual winter drawdown with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) had no new report.
| South-Central Arkansas |
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay, had no report this week.
Jaret Rushing said water levels have dropped tremendously over the past several days so there are new habitat structures starting to emerge. There are also new grass and moss beds inhabiting areas not previously inhabited by aquatic vegetation which gives fish cover and food sources. Bass have been caught on these new aquatic structures on black/chartreuse spinnerbaits with gold blades and topwater frogs. Bream are slowing down so fishermen need to be patient. There are still schools of larger bream that are hanging around bedding areas but catching them is tricky now. For fishermen that like throwing live bait, they might want to try something new in throwing a small spinner jig or rooster tail as these fish are starting to get more aggressive towards a reaction strike.
Jaret Rushing said people are catching small bass throughout the day on a variety of different baits. Early in the morning, you can catch bass in the shallow flats on the north side of the lake or among the inlets on either a shallow-running crankbait or spinnerbait in blue/chartreuse. Toward mid-morning, bass are deepening up around boat docks and the deeper channels on the rock banks. You have to slow your presentation down to get them to hit by using some form of soft plastic with a weight light enough to give the bait a slow fall. A few crappie have been caught early in the morning in the channels of the main lake 4-6 feet deep using a lighter colored jig.
| East Arkansas |
Mississippi River State Park said bass are in 8 to 10 feet of water and are biting on soft-plastic worms. The best bite seems to be in the evening. Bream are biting on worms and crickets. Crappie and catfish are slow.
Mississippi River State Park said bass are biting on spinnerbaits in deep water. Bream are biting on worms and crickets. Catfish are good on stinkbait and chicken liver.
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is clear but still a little high. Bream fishing is fair using crickets. Bass are also fair using soft plastics.
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water clarity is fair and is high. Bream fishing is good with crickets. Crappie are good with minnows. Bass are good using crank baits. Catfishing is good with stink bait.
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water clarity is good and the temperature is in the 70s. Bream fishing is good around the cypress trees and lily pads using wax worms and crickets. Crappie are fair using minnows and jigs around the piers. Bass are fair around the lily pads using spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Catfishing is excellent around the cypress trees using blood bait, stink bait and cut bait.
Courtesy Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
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