Here is your weekly Arkansas fishing report for May 31, 2014. Enjoy your time on the water and catch a bunch.
Fishing Highlight of the Week: The Arkansas River (including Lake Dardanelle) is one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, but boating on it can be very dangerous because of jetties and other obstructions that can be hidden just under the water’s surface. When travelling on the river, stay in the main channel, which is marked by red and green buoys. If you’re unsure of which side of the buoy to pass, the phrase “red, right, returning” comes in handy. That means keep the red buoy on your right hand side while you’re returning upstream (going against the flow of the river).
| Central Arkansas |
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
(Updated 5-21-2014) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said bream fishing is excellent in the shallow areas on redworms. In deeper water, crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs fished around live cypress. Bass fishing is excellent in deeper water on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken livers.
(Updated 4-30-2014) Daniel Zajac at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said the landing is still open and fishing is good. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets and wax worms about 8 to 10 feet away from the bank. Crappie fishing is fair around live cypress trees. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and lizards. Catfishing is good on limblines and yo-yos.
Little Red River (Greers Ferry Tailwater)
(Updated 5-20-2014) Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the Corps is keeping the water low in the mornings, which is making for some great fly-fishing on a size 16 sowbug. Bait fishing has been good on wax worms, marshmallows and Power Bait. At 11 a.m., the generation pattern is switching to two generators. Fly-fishermen are then catching most of their fish on streamers. Spin-fishermen are doing well on Power Bait and worms drifted behind the boat.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip ’em All Guide Service said 1 or 2 units are generating daily for 10-12 hours, normally starting late in the morning. This schedule provides some wading possibilities and good drift fishing. Expect moderate to heavy water release until the lake level returns to normal. Bulldog, light pink and hot pink Trout Magnet bodies on colored jig heads are working well. Hatches are occurring on most sections of the river when water conditions and temperatures allow. Pheasant tails, caddis, midges, tan sowbugs and streamers are working well for fly fishing. We are having excellent fishing days on the Little Red, and the honeysuckle aroma is filling the air along the river.
Greers Ferry
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 465.65 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 462.04 msl).
(Updated 5-28-2014) Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is 3.14 feet above normal pool and falling. The surface water temperature is in the mid-70s. Bass fishing is still going good in and around the bushes on buzzbaits, topwater baits, spinnerbaits, swim baits and Texas-rigged soft-plastics. Catfishing is not really as good as it should be with the lower water temps. Live bait and stink bait are working well in the off-colored water. A lot of the walleye are hanging around up shallow in the bushes, but are hard to target because of the snags. Try dragging a crawler right in front of the old brush line for the best bite. Bream are biting well all over the lake from inches of water out to 27 feet deep; try small crankbaits, flies, crawlers and crickets. All the river crappie are out in deeper water, but the lake fish can still be caught shallow in the bushes. Use roadrunners and jigs tipped with minnows. Hybrid and white bass fishing is great all over the lake with them eating shad and their fry; spoons, inline spinners and swim baits are working well from 23 to 44 feet deep.
(Updated 5-21-2014) Cody Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said fishing is very good with fish shallow and in the bushes. The walleye bite over the past few weeks is as good as ever. live bait fished around brush anywhere from 4 to 22 feet deep are catching them. Spotted bass and smallmouth are schooling tightly together and are feeding well during short windows. Depths of 16 to 24 feet with some type of cover seems best. Lots of bream and shad are in the bushes, keeping the largemouths busy. Swim baits, flukes and floating worms are all producing many largemouths.
(Updated 5-7-2014) Jeff Mays of Anglers Outpost Guide Service (501-253-1905) said the lake has risen about 2 feet and the water is stained full of debris at the upper end. Surface water temperatures range 63-68 degrees and the fish are scattered with some postspawn fish suspending over the river channels. Bass and crappie are in all phases of spawn and can be caught shallow and out to 15-25 feet deep. Trolling jigs in popsicle color is working for most crappie anglers. Walleye are on the main lake flats and points.
(Updated 5-14-2014) Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the water is very high from the rain. Bream are biting excellently on worms and crickets. Crappie have slowed, but they can still be caught in deeper water. Bass are excellent along the shoreline on black buzzbaits. Catfishing is good late in the evening and at night on cut bait and prepared baits.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said the lake was just fertilized in the last day or two. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are hit-and-miss. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and drop-shot rigs. Catfishing is good on chicken liver, small bream, minnows and worms.
Lake Overcup
(Updated 4-30-2014) Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is a little high but clear. Crappie are finishing their spawn and moving to deeper water. They are being caught in 8 to 10 feet of water, but some are still shallow. A pink/chartreuse, pink/white/chartreuse and black/chartreuse jig seems to be best. Bream are starting to bed up and are being caught on crickets, redworms and wax worms. Catfish are fair on cut shad and large minnows. Bass are being caught in the shallows on lizards and black sot-plastic worms.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream fishing is excellent on crickets, redworms and Rock Hopper jigs. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs with Bobby Garland baits in bone white, barbecue chicken and blue/white.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Jan Johnson at Brewer Lake Bait Shop (501-354-4108) said the water is still a little high, but is clear and warm. Crappie are holding over brush in 10 to 15 feet of water. They are biting best on minnows, but blue/white and black/chartreuse jigs are also productive. Blues, channels and flatheads are very active day and night and feeding on almost any bait (especially black salties, large minnows and live bream). Bream and redear are bedding up and readily taking crickets and worms. Bass are slow, but still being caught along the shores on spinnerbaits.
(Updated 4-30-2014) Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and still a little low. Crappie are being caught over brush piles on white stingers and red/white/chartreuse jigs. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets and wax worms. Catfish are being caught on noodles and trotlines baited with cut shad, liver and night crawlers. Bass are fair.
Lake Cargile
(Updated 4-23-2014) Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is a little high and clear. Crappie are spawning and can be caught in shallow water on jigs and minnows. Bream are beginning to bed up and are fair on redworms and crickets. Bass are biting well on spinners and soft-plastics. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and on trotlines baited with shad or liver.
Lake Maumelle
(Updated 5-21-2014) Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water temperature is 81 degrees and fishing is very good. Largemouth bass are excellent in 5 to 10 feet of water on black and red spinnerbaits, floating worms and topwater lures. The Tuesday night tournaments are still producing limits across the board. Spotted bass are excellent on jigs and are mixed in with the largemouths in many areas. White bass are biting fairly well on crappie jigs, clear topwater lures and Rooster Tails. A few are still west, but most have moved to the east end of the lake now. Crappie are fair. They have already spawned and have moved to 10 to 15 feet of water. The crappie bite is not as good as last year, but it’s still fair – stick with minnows if you can. Bream are excellent in 10 to 15 feet of water on brush piles. Crickets and live worms will load the boat. No reports on catfishing yet but trotline season is here.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream and crappie are excellent. One customer came in with a limit of both last week, including a 1 3/4-pound redear. They are holding on humps in 10 to 12 feet of water. The bream are biting on worms and crickets. The crappie are biting on medium minnows. Bass are biting well around main lake points on Texas-rigged lizards in scuppernong color and black/chartreuse square-billed crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on trotlines baited with green sunfish and brooder minnows.
Benton City Lake
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said a few customers reported catching nice stringers of bream on crickets. Another customer told of a nice catfish he caught on a minnow. No recent reports of crappie or bass fishing.
Sunset Lake
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said catfish are still biting, but have slowed some. Stink baits, chicken liver and shrimp are preferred, but live baits are working for some as well. Bream fishing is good on crickets and redworms. Crappie fishing is slow. Bass are biting live minnows, floating worms, Texas-rigged worms and lizards and small spinnerbaits.
Saline River Access in Benton
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said bass are biting well on small Texas-rigged lizards, floating worms, small spinnerbaits and crawdad-colored crankbaits. Crappie are slow but some are still biting no. 6 and pink crappie minnows. Catfish are biting live minnows, goldfish and black salties on trotlines. Bream fishing has been good with crickets and redworms fished on small hooks and light line.
Lake Norrell
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said bream fishing is good with crickets and redworms fished around almost any structure or cover from 2 to 20 feet deep. The better ones seem to come from deeper water. Catfish are slow but are biting live minnows, nightcrawlers and chicken livers. Bass are biting fairly well on floating worms and Carolina-rigged plastics fished around docks and walls. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits have been catching a few on main lake points on windy days or when the lake gets choppy. No recent reports of crappie being caught.
Bishop Park Lakes in Bryant
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said bream and catfish are biting redworms and nightcrawlers. Catfish are biting chicken livers, stink baits and bait shrimp as well. Crappie are slow but are still biting pink minnows. Bass have been biting live minnows, floating plastic worms and small topwater baits early in the morning.
Lake Winona
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said customers have been catching crappie on no. 6 and no. 12 minnows. Bream are biting crickets and redworms fished in shallow coves and around rocky points. Bass fishing is good with floating worms, Carolina-rigged lizards, shallow-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits fished on main and secondary points. Catfish are biting late in the day on chicken livers and nightcrawlers tightlined on shallow ledges and 3-6 ft. deep on steep sloping bottoms.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
(Updated 5-7-2014) Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo said the fronts have made fishing hit-and-miss lately. Bass fishing has been good in 4 to 8 feet of water around wood with a green pumpkin lizard. A lot of the grass was out of the water because of low water conditions over the weekend. White bass and stripers were holding around the mouths of Petit Jean River and Point Remove Creek. When the flow was low, a CC spoon worked well on the white bass and stripers, when the flow was high, a wobble spoon produced well. Brea are biting well around sandbars on crickets. Catfishing is picking up, with many catfish beginning to move shallow for spawning.
Little Maumelle River
(Updated 5-28-2014) River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said bream fishing is excellent on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting excellently on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is excellent on chicken livers.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
(Updated 5-28-2014) Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are fair on Cajun Cricket-colored Bobby Garland Baby Shad jigs and minnows fished in 12 to 15 feet of water at the mouth of the Little Maumelle. Bass are biting very well around jetties in the main river channel on Texas-rigged lizards and beaver-style baits in black/blue and scuppernong. They are also biting very well on shad, citrus shad and black/chartreuse square-billed crankbaits behind the jetties. When fishing jetties, stay about 20 yards below them, because many have rock walls that come up just under the surface and can damage trolling motors and lower units. Catfishing is excellent on trotlines set near jetties with wood on the main channel and baited with skipjack and green sunfish.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
(Updated 5-28-2014) Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said bream are biting well on crickets. Largemouth bass are holding around main river grass beds and around rocky jetties. Catfishing is good on cut bait and worms fished around eddies near the main channel.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are fair on red/chartreuse and purple/chartreuse tube jigs fished below Murray Lock and Dam. White bass are fair below the dam on white/chartreuse tube jigs and chartreuse Mr. Twister twin tail spinnerbait trailers fished on a jighead. Bass are biting very well around jetties in the main river channel on Texas-rigged lizards and beaver-style baits in black/blue and scuppernong. They are also biting very well on shad, citrus shad and black/chartreuse square-billed crankbaits behind the jetties. When fishing jetties, stay about 20 yards below them, because many have rock walls that come up just under the surface and can damage trolling motors and lower units. Catfishing is excellent below the dam on snagging rigs and on poles baited with skipjack, green sunfish, cut shad and brood minnows. Catfishing is excellent on trotlines set near jetties with wood on the main channel and baited with skipjack and green sunfish.
(Updated 5-28-2014) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well around rocky points below Terry Lock and Dam. Catfishing is excellent on shad and cut bait.
Clear Lake
(Updated 5-28-2014) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said bream fishing is excellent on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting excellently on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is picking up on shad and cut bait.
Peckerwood Lake
(Updated 5-14-2014) Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said bream, bass and catfishing are all good, but crappie have slowed considerably. Bream are hitting worms and crickets. Anglers are being tight-lipped about what the best lures for bass and catfish have been the last few days.
Lake Pickthorne
(Updated 5-28-2014) Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie fishing is good in the stump field on the north side of the lake on minnows and red/chartreuse jigs. No report on any other species.
Lake Valencia in Maumelle
(Updated 5-28-2014) Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfishing is excellent on nightcrawlers, minnows and livers.
Lake Willastein in Maumelle
(Updated 5-28-2014) Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said redear and bluegill are on fire; they are biting excellently on redworms and crickets. Bass are biting well around grass mats on bone white Super Spook Jr.’s and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on bass minnows, nightcrawlers and chicken livers.
| North Arkansas |
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 661.18 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).
(Updated 5-28-2014) Ken Minsky of Ken Minksy’s Loch Leven Guide Service said Bull Shoals is fishing well with mid-lake temperatures in the mid-70s, up several degrees from just a week ago. There was a definite slump in action late last week when the weather pattern shifted from 20 mph winds to hot and flat calm. The hot calm days warmed the lake surface several degrees in just a couple days and marked the end of most game fish spawning activities in the mid-lake area. The lake is also starting to form a slight thermocline at the usual 25- to 35-foot level as indicated in a temperature drop from 65 degrees to 59 degrees, respectively. Many species have or are migrating from the back of creek arms to the main creek arms and the main lake. Walleyes are hitting exceptionally well on overcast days and dusk on offerings presented in the 12- to 35-foot level on the main lake bluffs and points. Shad-patterned flies and jigs are the bait of choice. Crappies are doing well over brush piles at 25 to 35 foot depths in creek arms near major creek arms and the main lake, as well as secondary points in creek arms. Largemouth bass are making a showing on the main lake near shoulders of cuts at 12 to 18 feet. Catfish are also biting well on trotlines along the main lake bluffs, as well as stretched across larger main lake cuts that drop to the 25 to 35 foot level.
(Updated 5-14-2014) Bull Shoals Boat Dock said fishing has continued to improve with rising water temperatures. Surface temperatures are in the mid- to upper 60s around the lake. Bass fishing is excellent, but anglers will catch many smaller fish to get to the big ones. Crappie are fair on 1/32-oz. and lighter jigs and small minnows fished in brush piles 20 to 35 feet deep. White bass are still back in the creeks, and there have been some reports of schooling white bass during the day. The walleye seem to be done spawning and are scattered in different depths. There are reports of them being caught during the day in 25 to 25 feet of water off the points on plastics on the bottom. There is also some being caught on stick baits late in the day. I would also think working a spoon on the points during the day would work. Bottom bouncing and flatline trolling should start any day.
White River (Bull Shoals Tailwater)
(Updated 5-28-2014) Newland’s Resort below Bull Shoals said water conditions are trending toward moderate flows (30 to 40 percent capacity), with minimum flow on weekends. Popular baits have been shad, sculpins, Power Bait (white, sunrise and yellow), Little Cleo spoons and shrimp. Be sure to visit the Projected water flow page and live web cam at Newland’s web site.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the river is at minimum flow, and trout fishing is excellent. Shad, shrimp and pink minnows are all catching plenty of fish. Fly-fishing is picking up with some dry fly action at the surface.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said last week, we had a minor rain event (about a quarter inch in Cotter), warmer temperatures and heavy winds (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals fell 2.2 feet. On the White, the hot spot was Cotter. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers, Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, ruby midges, pink and cerise San Juan worms, and sowbugs. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective (try a cerise or pink San Juan worm with a caddis pattern (prince nymph) suspended below it). Caddis hatches are on the wane but with lower water the trout have been keying in on them. The sulphur hatch should begin any day. It normally occurs in May and June. It is a size 14 or 16 insect and is yellowish orange. Before the hatch I fish mayfly nymphs. My favorites are copper Johns and pheasant tails (some guides are already fishing flashback pheasant tails). As the insects begin their emergence, I switch over to a partridge and orange or partridge and yellow soft hackle.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 556.82 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 552 msl, April-September – 554 msl).
(Updated 5-21-2014) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters said Norfork Lake has risen 2 feet over the last 10 days, but the lake still is in the normal range. The water temperature is in the mid-60s. The visibility is stained. Before the front, there was a lot of topwater action at Cranfield and Diamond Bay but the strong north winds moved out the stripers. This week should see an increase in the striper activity with the switch to south winds and warm weather. The stripers are still off the main lake and secondary points all over the lake. I caught stripers on a flat in the Big Creek area. They were hitting small shad. I was long lining about 40 feet behind my boat using just a small split shot and small gizzard shad. Crappies are done spawning and are suspended over brush piles in 15 to 30 feet of water. They are on minnows, small spoons and jigs on the brush piles.
(Updated 4-9-2014) Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said fishing is heating up. Stripers, bass and crappie are all starting to bite. The fish are moving to the banks to feed both in the day as well as in the dark. The lake surface water temperature has consistently been in the low to upper 50s. The best bite for striped bass is still back in the creeks. A few fish are starting to move out into the main lake, but the water temperature needs to rise more for a consistent main lake bite. Live bait is working very well; shiners, threadfin shad and gizzard shad are all working. If you are live bait fishing, make sure you have several lines out with no weights. It will not be long before fluke and spook fishing will start to take off. Over the last several days bass fishing has become much better. Largemouth, spots and smallmouth bass are moving into the shallows feeding on baitfish. Stick baits, swimming minnows, crankbaits and plastics are all starting to work. Crappie have started to move into shallow water over brush. The water is pretty clear so when you are fishing brush piles you will need to stay away and cast into them. The fish will not be very deep, so you don’t want to spook them. Live bait with a slip cork or small paddle tail baits tipped with a minnow work great. Walleye, white bass and catfish fishing should start to heat up very soon. Look for these species on shallow flats and main lake points. Currently the walleye and white bass are back in the creeks and will be moving out. Catfish will be starting their spawn soon if not already so look shallow.
(Updated 5-21-2014) Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is in the mid-60s and rising. Stripers are hitting live bait and swim baits; if you mark some suspended be sure to drop a jigging spoon. At night throw a Rogue up to the bank and reel it back slowly. You want it to slowly wobble side to side. There are a few coming up early chasing baitfish. Throw a top water like a Zara Spook, soft jerkbait or a Cordell Redfin. Bass will come up and hit these baits also. Bass are hitting worms, jigs and Carolina-rigged lizards with a 24- to 36-inch leader.
North Fork River (Norfork Tailwater)
(Updated 5-28-2014) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said the Norfork has fished poorly of late. At the time I am writing this the siphon to accommodate minimum flow has been off for three days and the flows are very low. With substantial wadable water on the White, there have been fewer anglers on the Norfork. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles like the green butt. 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). There have been reliable hatches of small midges (try a size 24 Adams parachute) and caddis (try a size 18 elk hair caddis).The fishing is better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday. Some anglers have been fishing heavy articulated streamers on sink tip lines on the higher flows. With warmer weather, there has been a lot of action on Dry Run Creek. Now would be a great time to fish it. The weather has been perfect on some days and it is more comfortable for young anglers. The hot flies have been sowbugs, Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise).
Buffalo River
(Updated 5-21-2014) Berry Brothers Guide Service said the Buffalo National River is navigable and clear. With the warmer weather, the smallmouths are active. The most effective flies are Clouser minnows and crawfish patterns. 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.
Crooked Creek
(Updated 5-21-2014) Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek is navigable and clear. With the warmer weather, the smallmouths are active. The most effective flies are Clouser minnows and crawfish patterns. 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.
| Northwest Arkansas |
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,120.82 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120 msl).
(Updated 5-28-2014) Roger Cravens of JT’s Crappie Guide Service (254-315-2927) said The topwater and fluke bite near spawning areas is picking up at dawn and dusk. Look for bass to be most active near spawning areas, secondary points and pockets. Monte-Ne, Blackburn, Prairie Creek, Both Clifty’s and Van Winkle have all been good. Crappie are post-spawn, but will be on the bottom or suspended over brush piles in 15-25 feet of water. A 1/32- or 1/16-oz. jig or minnow will work best. Most recent catches required fishing a shad-like jig or minnow 8-15 feet under a slip cork to trigger the strike. Fish also can be found suspended 8-15 feet under shaded docks in 30 feet of water. For deeper fish, look along a channel close to brush piles or timber in 15 to 30 feet of water. A curly tail jig on a 1/16-oz. jig head will work in those areas. White River upstream from point 12, Piney Creek, Monte Ne, Joe’s Creek, Blackburn, Prairie Creek, Coose Hollow, and Ventris have all been good for crappie. White bass continue to bite well in the back of windblown coves and far up each river arm. Anything that resembles an injured shad will do the trick. Indian Creek, Coose Hollow, Monte-Ne, Hickory Creek, War Eagle and the White River have been good. Catfishing has been good late in the day into the evening using liver and worms in Monte-Ne, Hickory Creek and the 412 bridge.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said the surface water temperature is in the mid 70s, and stripers are on the prowl for food. The top water bite is on, so break out your Redfins and Zara Spooks. Fishing is good on live shad fished from the surface to 25 feet deep. Trolling small umbrella rigs with white grubs, or flat-line trolling Rapalas Bomber 15As or spoons on planer boards near the channel is working. Check main lake structures and secondary points around Point 1. The mouth of Indian Creek also has been holding some stripers. Walleye and white bass are being caught around Lost Bridge North on trolled crankbaits. Around Rocky Branch, try the channel between the front of the marina and the road bed that extends to the island for stripers. Also check the channel around the little islands in front of the Larue boat ramp. Walleye are here as well. Copper Mine is producing walleye on medium-diving plugs, spinner rigs and jigs baited with minnows or nightcrawlers. Stripers also are scattered around Copper Mine and Ventris and are being caught in good numbers. The hottest spot of the lake for stripers is at the mouth of Prairie Creek and the north side of Deer Island.
(Updated 5-21-2014) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said bream are biting very well on crickets. Crappie are sporadic, but a few are coming on minnows tightlined around deep brush piles. Bass are fair on topwater lures walked over shallow water. Catfishing is fair on cut bait and live bait.
Beaver Tailwater
(Updated 5-28-2014) Beaver Dam Store said the fishing has been excellent. Many trout and walleye have been caught. Flicker Shads or nightcrawlers or minnows drug along the bottom are working well. White bass keep running up and down the river, depending on the fronts. I saw a very large school of stripers in the special regulation area. Midges, pheasant tails or peacock herl soft hackles and woolly buggers will get some attention too. Nickel and gold Colorado spoons are hard to beat. PJ’s Jig or a micro jig under a casting bubble will catch a few as well, especially when tipped with GULP maggots.
Lake Elmdale
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said the redear and bluegill fishing has been really hot. Many fishermen are catching their daily limits using crickets or redworms. Large clusters of beds are scattered all over the lake. The crappie were biting well on Arkie lures Shinnie Hinnie white/silver jigs. Cast near the grass pads and, keeping your rod tip high, retrieve your jig while keeping it within two feet of the surface. Largemouth Bass are hitting black/blue jigs with a black or green frog as a trailer. Fish the shoreline and grass mats. A green or black topwater frog is getting big strikes early and late. If it’s cloudy and rainy, use it all day. No word on any catfish being caught, but liver or power bait will work.
Lake Fayetteville
(Updated on 5-28-2014) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is a bit stained from a little bit of algae bloom. Bluegill and redear are biting well on worms and crickets, mostly crickets. Largemouth bass are biting well.
Lake Sequoyah
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is dingy and at normal level. The surface water temperature is 72 degrees. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Largemouth bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and topwater lures. Catfishing is good on shad and chicken livers.
Prairie Grove Lake
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lake Manager Dennis Kruse said bream fishing is on top this weekend, as many bluegill and redear are being caught on crickets, worms and small jigs. Several large catfish were caught on live minnows and small bream. Bass fishing remains good as well; try flukes, Rogues and spinnerbaits.
Crystal Lake
(Updated 5-28-2014) Jake Knoedl at Knoedl’s Outdoor Tech in Hiwasse (479-344-6131) said bluegill and redear are starting to bed up. They can be caught on crickets, redworms and nightcrawlers. Crappie are slow, but a few are being caught deep around the bluffs. Bass are hitting worms, spinnerbaits and some topwater lures. Catfish can be caught on nightcrawlers, chicken livers and stink bait.
Lake SWEPCO
(Updated 5-21-2014) Jake Knoedl at Knoedl’s Outdoor Tech in Hiwasse (479-344-6131) said the water temperature is near 85 degrees. Catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers, large minnows and stink bait. Bream are trying to bed, but the bigger fish are still in deeper water. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and shaky head jigs rigged with green pumpkin finesse worms.
| Northeast Arkansas |
Lake Poinsett
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lake Poinsett State Park said fishing is still fair at Lake Poinsett. The afternoons have been better than the mornings. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Catfish are still biting just about anything you drop in the water, especially overnight on yo-yos and trotlines. Bass fishermen have been doing well on both live bait and spinnerbaits. Crappie have been off and on the last few days. Minnows continue to be the bait of choice for crappie anglers. They are still staying in water about 3 feet deep. Drop by the state park bait shop for the latest info while you load the bait bucket.
Crown Lake
(Updated 5-14-2014) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is a little murky and up 6 inches from the rain. The bluegill and redear sunfish are biting well on crickets and minnows. Bass are excellent on soft-plastic finesse worms. Catfishing is good where the water is running on stink bait and nightcrawlers.
Lake Frierson
(Updated 5-28-2014) Lake Frierson State Park said the water is very high after recent rains. Water temperatures are in the upper 60s and should rise more this week. Bass are fair to good with fish still being caught close to shore in spawning areas. Bass are in all stages of the spawn and are being caught with dark-colored soft plastics, black/blue jigs, crankbaits and buzzbaits or topwaters early in the morning. Channel catfish have been good on chicken livers, dip baits, nightcrawlers and minnows. Jug fishermen have had some luck with goldfish, minnows and worms for flatheads and blues. Bream are moving toward the banks and can be caught with redworms, small pieces of nightcrawlers and crickets. Vary your depth under a float to find where the fish are. A few saugeye were caught last week on crankbaits near the levee. No reports of crappie this week.
The renovation of Dam No. 3 on the Spring River is underway. Accesses at Lassiters, Cold Spring and Bayou are available for the Spring River, and anglers may have better success launching at these places during heavy traffic periods.
(Updated 5-28-2014) Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are at 400 cfs at the spring and water clarity is partly cloudy. The water clarity has been off all week, but it has not affected the bite. The trout have been biting hot and heavy. There are a lot of caddis and mayflies hatching. Brownies, Mark’s emergers and Y2Ks have been hot all week. Some days the trout will chase Guppies on the tail out stripped back upstream. Hot pink Trout Magnets and white and yellow Rooster Tails are working great on spinning rods.
| Southeast Arkansas |
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
(Updated 5-28-2014) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Team said water temperature is in the mid- to upper 70s. Water clarity is just under 1 foot to about half a foot in the main channel. There is a little flow on the main channel. Fishing has improved now that the post-spawn effects are wearing off. Largemouth and spotted bass (and drum) are biting pretty well on the main channel but it should continue to improve. Fishing in Lake Langhofer remains a little slower, but fish are starting to move to their offshore brush piles. The majority of good fish caught lately have been caught with jigs.
Cane Creek Lake
(Updated 4-23-2014) Seth Boone at Cane Creek State Park in Star City said bass fishing has been very good on soft-plastic worms and real nightcrawlers. Crappie have been hit-or-miss with the weather. Catfishing is good.
Lake Chicot
(Updated 5-21-2014) Geoff Wright at Lake Chicot State Park said people are really catching catfish at Chicot. We’ve seen catches in the hundreds. They’re being caught on everything from nightcrawlers to dough bait and minnows to hot dogs. Yo-yos are productive as well as rod-and-reel. Bream fishing is picking up as well, mostly on crickets.
| Southwest Arkansas |
Millwood Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.50 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.60 msl).
(Updated 5-28-2014) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said as of Monday, the lake level is 2 inches above normal conservation pool and falling. There is reduced current of Little River with the gates releasing around 9,380 cfs Friday. Navigation is much improved, near normal for Little River. Surface temperatures range from 68 to 80 degrees, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Clarity improved in most areas of the main lake and Little River. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity ranges 5 to 8 inches. Cottonshed and the northeast section of the lake remain heavily stained to muddy. Little River’s visibility ranges 5-6 inches depending on location and current. Little River above McGuire oxbow is very muddy. Largemouth bass are returning to normal conditions. Large worms, jigs, Rat-L-Traps, frogs, and Bass Assassin Shads again are the go-to baits, taking bass on flats with stumps, and in creek channels over the past week. Finding clearer water away from current has been the key. Black/blue/bruiser, Texas Craw and Cinnamon Raisin Real Deal Custom Tackle jigs and Bass Assassin Shads have been catching Bass in the 2-4 pound class over the past week, and plastic frogs are drawing reactions in the new pad growth. Best colors of Rat-L-Traps have been Millwood Magic, Sunrise Perch, or Chrome Black Zombie. White bass are post-spawn and are still scattered in schools along Little River’s oxbows and the river. Crappie scattered when the lake rose over a foot and was muddy with current, and have not produced any reliable pattern lately. Blue and channel catfish were biting well in the current in Little River over the past week on trotlines set 10-12 feet deep in creek mouths and outer bends of the river. Best baits were cut shad, buffalo, chicken livers, and stink balls on trot lines. Yo-yos were taking some 2-4 pound blues in Mud Lake oxbow up Little River using live shiners last week under cypress trees in 8-12 feet depths.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 407.37 feet msl (flood pool – 408 msl).
(Updated 5-28-2014) Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is in the mid 70s and the lake is clear throughout. Overall fishing was just fair last week with no outstanding catches reported. Only a few decent catches of bass reported with the fish scattered and the spawn winding down. A few fish were taken on topwater lures such as Zara Spooks, buzzbaits, Sammies and swim baits. Try the long main lake points in the early morning. There is a fairly good bite on crankbaits thrown across secondary points in major coves. Once again this is mostly early morning action. During the bright part of the day, a Texas- or Carolina-rigged worm or lizard on points in 10 to 25 feet of water is working. A few crappies reported coming from the deep attractors (20 to 25 feet) between Arlie Moore and Edgewood. The best bet is a 2-inch curly tail grub in Tenn. shad on a 1/16-ounce jig head. Fish the jig vertically just above the brush while moving slowly around the cover. Be there early, even before sunrise. Hybrid fishing is slow with the fish scattered between Caddo Bend and Shouse Ford and very little surface activity. Trolling no. 7 Shad Raps, big in-line spinners, 4 inch swim baits, heavy spoons or small umbrella rigs loaded with 4-inch curly tail grubs. White and chartreuse are the best colors. Troll a long line about 120 to 150 feet because the boat spooks the fish in the clear water. Lots of white bass are schooling on the south side between the mouth of Brushy Creek and Point 4. They are feeding on the small shad fry. Throw small top waters or spoons. Early in the morning is the best time for both hybrids and white bass. Lots of catfish are coming on trotlines set across points in 20 to 30 feet of water. The area around Point 10 and Brushy Creek have been good locations. Bait with cut shad, nightcrawlers, chicken livers, Catfish Charlie or hot dogs. Also try big minnows or small live bream for bigger cats. Bream fishing is good in coves with some cover. The fish are up shallow in 3 to 8 feet of water. Use a float and bait with crickets or redworms. Fish a bit deeper and close to the bottom for shell crackers and use red worms.
| South-Central Arkansas |
Moro Bay
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay, had no report this week.
Ouachita River Oxbows
(Updated 4-2-2014) Local angler Jaret Rushing said the Ouachita River Oxbows are beginning to see an influx of new water from the rains we had last weekend. This should slow bass down from moving into spawning stages. Bass are still actively hitting slower moving “shad-like” baits and jigs. Again, color selection is key when targeting bass in these lakes and tributaries. Anglers should match their color choices based on water clarity. Crappie are still biting well on minnows and lighter colored jigs fished around outstretched trees in about 4 feet of water. Their bites are somewhat light, so pay attention and use fluorocarbon lines if possible to help detect the strike.
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing had no report this week.
White Oak Lake
(Updated 5-28-2014) Stacey Jackson at White Oak Lake State Park (870-685-2748) said on the lower lake the catfish daily limit is 5, Bream daily limit is 50, and all other fish are catch-and-release only. Bream are biting on crickets and red wigglers early in the morning and late in the evenings. Catfish are biting well on trotlines and tight lining using worms, minnows and catfish baits. On the upper lake bream are biting well on crickets and worms early in the morning and evening. Catfish are biting well on trotlines and tight lining using worms, minnows and catfish baits. Bass are a little slow but can be picked up in the mornings and evenings on artificial lures. Crappie are biting on minnows and jigs.
| West-Central Arkansas |
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 345.56 feet msl (flood pool – 373 msl).
(Updated 5-21-2014) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) said the water is very high, but is dropping back out of flood stage. The campsites are all underwater. Once the water level drops things should get back to normal. Crappie were biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass also were biting well on crankbaits. Catfishing is pretty good on chicken livers and stinkbait.
(Updated 5-21-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the water is high. Bream are excellent on redworms, and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and Bobby Garland Slab Slay’rs and Baby Shads in 3 to 8 feet of water. Bass are biting well on worms and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and chicken livers.
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)
(Updated 5-21-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream are excellent on worms, crickets, nightcrawlers and Rock Hopper jigs. Bass fishing is hit-and-miss on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on redworms, minnows, stinkbait and chicken livers.
Fourche La Fave River
(Updated 5-21-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the water is stained and at normal level. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shad. Bass are hit-and-miss right now on spinnerbaits, topwater baits and worms. Catfishing is good on chicken liver, minnows and stink bait. Bream are excellent on crickets and redworms.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) had no report this week.
Lake Dardanelle
(Updated 5-28-2014) Chuck Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-774-9117) said the water temperature is in the high 70s to low 80s, and the water is stained with sporadic flow rates. Topwater lures, such as frogs, prop baits, buzzbaits and poppers are working fairly well around pepper grass and lily pads. At mid-morning, square-billed crankbaits, jigs and worms fished around points or drops are getting a few bites. In the early afternoon, large worms, deep-diving crankbaits and jigs are working in deep water. Stripers and white bass can be found in current up the creek and in the river when there’s flow; fish the blowouts in the jetties and current breaks with a topwater bait, jerkbait, tailspinner or swim bait. Crappie have been biting well in the creeks on minnows and dark-colored jigs fished 4 feet deep. Bream have been good in the river and creeks on worms and crickets. Catfish are good from dam to dam on live bait for flatheads, cut bait for blue cats and worms for channel catfish
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 388.84 feet msl (flood pool – 419 msl).
Jeremy Wells, ath the Blue Mountain Lake Project Office said the lake is still pretty high, so there hasn’t been much fishing, but the water level is dropping to a more fishable level.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 577.64 feet msl (flood pool – 578 msl).
(Updated 5-15-2014) Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs said the water temperature is in the 60s and the lake level is in the buckbrush. Black bass are wrapping up the spawn and are guarding fry. Good fish are still being caught on floating worms, Carolina rigs and jerk baits on the south side of the lake. A jighead worm fished in the guts of the creek also works. Get the topwaters ready, because the warmer days will bring some great action on the surface. Crappie are in brush about 7 feet deep and less. Bream are spawning, so look for beds on the banks. Catfish are spawning and are excellent on live and prepared bait.
(Updated 5-13-2014) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is stained and the surface water temperature is 68 to 72 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well on jighead worms and Texas-rigged worms. Bass are also picking up on Zara Spooks and Zoom Super Flukes. Walleye are biting very well on Shad Raps and swimbaits fished on main lake points. Stripers are excellent on C-10 Redfins with some great topwater action along main lake points in all three river basins. Bream are biting well near brush in 10 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and crappie jigs fished around brush in 8 to 14 feet of water. Catfishing is excellent on trotlines and jug lines baited with cut bait and fished in large bays and major creek basins.
Lake Hamilton
(Updated 5-15-2014) Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs said the water temperature is in the 60s and the lake is full. The water color is stained from the rains and is clearing slowly. Black bass have moved off the beds and are guarding fry. Good fish are being caught on floating worms, jerk baits and Carolina rigs. Topwater season is right around the corner. Crappie are shallow and are being caught around brush in 6 feet of water and less. Bream are on the banks bedding and being caught on crickets and worms. Catfish also are spawning.
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
(Updated 5-21-2014) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service said Lake Ouachita is now out of the flood pool and a more normal generation schedule has been set for Carpenter Dam. Water temperature is 55 degrees in the tailrace with clear conditions from the dam to the bridge. Rainbow trout fishing is very good with quality catches being recorded by bank and boat fishermen alike. Wax worms, meal worms, redworms, nightcrawlers and crickets are all proven live bait presentations fished under a bobber or just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. Spin fishermen casting 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jigs in white or smoke are having success hooking rainbows in the 14-inch class while the turbines are running. Little Cleos and Super Dupers in silver or white are also working well in the current. Hungry trout are keying on the threadfin shad schools that have migrated into the area to spawn. Trolling shallow running crankbaits against the current is also effective in finding schools of trout and targeting trophy fish that are feeding on large minnows. Late May and June are good white bass months since they coincide with the spawn and the shad migrations. Jerkbaits in bright colors cast or trolled will be highly effective in times of generation. Live minnows tightlined over deep water will account for the biggest numbers of white bass and also the larger fish taken. A few crappie are still in the tailrace, resting and feeding from the spawn and are being caught on minnows and small jigs in the main river channel. Walleye are located below the bridge on both sides of the lake chasing shad in the deeper water. Trolling crankbaits that run just above the bottom have caught fish, but Carolina rigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers have been the most productive means of taking walleye. Late evening is a key time to fish for walleye when the current is stable. No striper action has been observed close to the dam.
Lake Atkins
(Updated 4-23-2014) Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) had no report.
| East Arkansas |
Horseshoe Lake
(Updated 5-21-2014) Big River Marine Xpress, Excel and Alweld dealer (870-635-0202) said bream are crappie are biting well around the willow trees near the east side of the lake. Bream can be found on the beds, but the crappie are holding under the docks and piers. A few anglers have reported catching some catfish on limblines baited with cut bait, shad or dough bait. Catfishing is also good on jugs or noodles baited with live or prepared bait.
Mississippi River Oxbows
(Updated 5-21-2014) Big River Marine Xpress, Excel and Alweld dealer (870-635-0202) said at Midway in Hughes, the bream are on the beds and are biting very well. Crappie are biting well on spider rigged minnow rigs with jigs in the middle of the spread. Catfishing is good on yo-yos and limblines at night. Crappie are biting well on jigs and minnows in Big Killdeer and Little Killdeer in open water.
Wapanacca Refuge
(Updated 5-21-2014) Big River Marine Xpress, Excel and Alweld dealer (870-635-0202) said bream are bedding up in the shallows around brush and cypress trees and are biting well. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs drifted near the middle of the lake.
Bear Creek Lake
(Updated 5-21-2014) Big River Marine Xpress, Excel and Alweld dealer (870-635-0202) said Bluegill and shellcrackers are biting crickets and Bream Killer flies near their beds. Crappie are biting well near brush tops in 10 feet of water.
Storm Creek Lake
No report.
White River
(Updated 4-23-2014) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report this week.
Maddox Bay
(Updated 5-21-2014) Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is still very high, causing very poor fishing conditions.
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