Arkansas Fishing Report for May 4, 2013.
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is stained and at normal level. Bream are excellent on worms and crickets fished in 2 to 3 feet of water along the bank. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished along cypress trees and brush near the bank. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished along the banks near lily pad fields. Catfishing is good on yo-yos baited with nightcrawlers and minnows hung from cypress trees near the bank.
Dan at Gold Creek Landing said bream are biting fairly well on crickets and redworms, and are starting to move up on the banks. Bass are doing good on spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Crappie are doing fairly well in the cypress trees. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers or livers.
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear with one generator running. Trout are excellent on PowerBait, nightcrawlers and wax worms with marshmallow floaters. Crankbaits and Shad Raps are working well for spin fishermen.
Lowell Myers of
Sore Lip ‘em All Guide Service said we are seeing great caddis hatches along the Little Red River with caddis emergers and soft hackles working well during hatches. Tan sowbugs and dark midges have also been producing. On high water, bright micro jigs and streamers are catching fish. Purple haze and pink are the hot Trout Magnet colors. Expect to see blue wing olives over the next few weeks with warmer temperatures and lower river levels.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.39 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 461 msl).
Tommy Cauley of
Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is falling and the surface temperature is 60-70 degrees. Black bass are spawning all over the lake with many on beds. Some are even post-spawn. Try spinnerbaits, flukes, floating worms and Texas-rigged baits. Crappie are in all stages of the spawn right now. Dip jigs in brush and work them vertically. In clear water, don’t be afraid to fish as deep as 25 feet for the pre-spawn and post-spawn fish. No report on catfish. Walleye are slow. The hybrid and white bass fishing is good with many finishing their spawning run and moving back to the lake. Try in-line spinners, spoons and small swimbaits.
Cody S. Smith of
www.fishgreersferry.com said Greers Ferry is currently 5 inches over normal pool. The bite really depends on the species and the day, although catch rates are average to good across most of the reservoir. Water temperatures are finally stabilizing in the low 60s and fish are responding well. White bass are really good both in the creeks and rivers on swim baits and The Cindy K Spinner. Crappie are in front of the bushes out to 35 feet of water and have been eating small to medium shiners. Smallmouth are on a tear once you locate them and get your timing right. Some bigger bronzebacks are coming off the spawn and starting to eat moving baits well. Largemouth are in the spawn and pre-spawn stages with select creeks and pockets holding more spawning fish than others on any given day. The best bite on the reservoir is still to come for the walleyes. I’ve been catching a few each trip from the bushes out to 32 feet, they are still not schooled up in their feeding locations adjacent to the spawning areas, but it’s coming.
Harris Brake Lake
Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the water is stained and high. The surface water temperature is 70 degrees. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are excellent on soft-plastics. Catfish are biting well on cut bait.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are good on minnows and Slab Slay’rs and Stroll’rs in white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse shad, bone white, Cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbecue chicken and blue/white with a green or yellow PowerBait Crappie Nibble. Catfish are good in deep water on minnows, worms, stink bait and chicken/ turkey /rabbit livers. Bass are biting well on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and Flukes. Bream are biting well on nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Redear are biting on redworms fished near the bottom.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) filed no new report.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are good on minnows, Baby Shad, Stroll’rs and Slab Slay’rs in white/salt-and-pepper, red/chartreuse, bone white, barbecue chicken and blue/white tipped with a green or yellow PowerBait Crappie Nibble. Bream are in deep water and are biting on nightcrawlers, redworms, mealworms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are fair on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) filed no new report.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are fair on worms and crickets around main lake points. Crappie are excellent on jigs and minnows fished around shoreline brush and vegetation. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, jigs and top-water lures. Catfishing is excellent on chicken liver, shad, and green sunfish.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting well on minnows, Baby Shads and Slab Slay’rs in red/chartreuse, bone white, pearl, orange/chartreuse, Cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbecue chicken and blue/white with green or yellow PowerBait crappie nibbles. White bass are biting well in the main channel on Rooster Tails and Baby Shads in white/salt and pepper. Bream are biting well on nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are fair on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.
Hatchet jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfish are biting excellently on chicken liver, chicken hearts and nightcrawlers.
Benton City Lake
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) had no report this week.
Sunset Lake
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said the AGFC has stocked Sunset again recently with 800 catfish in the 1 to 1½-pound range. Customers have reported catches on various types of baits from live minnows to hot dogs. Crickets and redworms are still working for a few bream. Crappie fishing has been poor.
Saline River Access in Benton
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said the Saline River is notorious for producing mixed stringers and that has recently been the case. Minnows have been working for everything from a few crappie to some fat bass to a mess of nice catfish. The bass are being caught on plastic lizards and worms as well. Bream and small sunfish will gladly eat a cricket or redworm and provide you with fishing fun all day long. Use light line and tackle with a small hook and split-shot to increase catches in clear water.
Lake Norrell
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said some nice redear and bluegill are being caught on crickets but are still deep. Fishermen are catching several small bass around docks and brush piles on minnows and Texas-rigged lizards and Baby Brush Hogs. Some catfish have been caught recently on trotlines baited with no. 12 bass minnows and goldfish. No reports of crappie being caught.
Bishop Park Lake in Bryant
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said crickets are working for a few decent bream. Crappie fishermen are telling us the bass are quick to hit their minnows and small jigs and the crappie are slow.
Lake Winona
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said many small to medium-sized bass are being caught on crappie minnows and small plastics. Bream are scattered, but will bite a cricket or redworm when given the chance. Catfishing has been slow to fair using nightcrawlers and chicken livers. Crappie fishing is slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo filed no report.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting excellently on worms and crickets around standing timber in the Little Maumelle and Maumelle rivers. Crappie are biting excellently on jigs and minnows in the Little Maumelle and Maumelle rivers. Bass are excellent on flukes and spinnerbaits in the shallows of Little Maumelle. Catfishing is excellent on shad, nightcrawlers and sunfish near the mouth of the Maumelle River.
Palarm Creek: No report this week.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said the water is muddy and high. The surface water temperature is 65 degrees. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished near brush. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and soft-plastic lizards fished near rocky points and jetties. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on jigs fished around jetty points near Burns Park. Bass are biting well in the backwater areas on Brush Hogs and crankbaits. Catfishing is excellent near the main channel on shad, skipjack and green sunfish.
Fourche Creek: No report this week.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and high. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is fair on shad.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471)said the water is murky and high. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is high and dingy. Crappie are fair on jigs. Bass are slow. Catfishing is good on yo-yos baited with minnows.
Lake Pickthorne
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) had no new report.
White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water clarity is good and three to four generators are running. Trout fishing is excellent on shrimp and Power Bait. Large brown trout are biting fairly well on stick baits.
Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said the most prolific insect hatch of the year, the Rhyacophilia caddis, is still active, though waning. This is a size 14 bright green aquatic insect. Before the hatch, concentrate on fishing caddis pupae patterns in green. My favorite is the fluttering caddis. When you observe fish feeding near the surface but see no insects, the trout are keying in on the emergers. The best fly for this phase is my green butt (size 15). Then, when you observe insects on the surface of the water and trout keying in on them, you switch over to the adult insect fly. My hands down choice is the elk hair caddis in green (size 14). On the White, we have had no wadable water. The hot spot has been the Catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam. 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 beadheaded nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise).
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185)
Buffalo River
Berry Brothers Guide Service said the river is navigable. Smallmouth are beginning to get active. Look for water that’s warmed to 55 degrees for the best activity.
Crooked Creek
Berry Brothers Guide Service said the river is navigable. Smallmouth are beginning to get active. Look for water that’s warmed to 55 degrees for the best activity.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 659.97 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the water temperature is in the mid-50s to low 60s. Bass fishing is pretty good most days with stick baits, grubs and lizards in less than 20 feet of water. White bass are biting on shad-colored jigs, spinners and crankbaits in the backs of the creeks with colored water on windy days. Walleye have mostly finished spawning and are moving to chunk rock banks in less than 20 feet of water; they are starting to bite on spinner rigs, stick baits and crankbaits.
Lake Norfork
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 557.59 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 552 msl, April-September – 554 msl).
Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters said we have had lots of rain the last few days and the lake has risen 2 feet and should rise a couple of more feet. For May that is good news, the higher water covers up some of the buck brush and lets the newly spawned fry have some hiding places and the shad a place to spawn. I saw last week the first spawn of threadfin, with the warmer weather coming the shad will spawn in earnest. This will happen all over the lake and bring the stripers out into the open water and near the banks. The lower end from Diamond Bay to the dam and up Big Creek and Brushy will see lots of top-water action and stripers chasing shad. The afternoon bite will kick in. Fish the points and make sure you stay out until dark. The stripers will get very active the last hour of light.
Lou Gabric of
Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said fishing is taking off, finally. The extreme weather changes during April have made for some interesting fishing. The crappie should have been spawning a week or two ago, but it appears they have moved to the banks again and this time to stay. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have started to move to their beds over the last few days. We are a couple of weeks behind where we normally are, but for a positive note, this delay should make for a fantastic May bite. May is typically a good fishing month, but I think this year should be outstanding. All this said, I am assuming the air temperature is going to get back to normal and start to warm the lake. The other positive lake effect is that the water has risen a little and the buckbrush is getting submerged. With this lake level the shad will move into the brush and the fish will follow making for a great shallow bite. Threadfin shad that I netted this morning are really fat, telling me they are ready to spawn. With all the brush in the water they will be all over the lake spawning. The fish will start to move out of the major creeks to feed on the spawning shad. This morning was a fantastic striper bite. I caught my limit is less than an hour. I was using gizzard and threadfin shad and the fish were coming up to get the bait. This weekend I had several boats out crappie fishing and even with the cool front and a lot of rain the crappie seemed to stay on the banks and on shallow brush. Try using a light weight hair jig, a paddle tail or twister tail grub. For best results tip with a crappie minnow or some crappie niblets. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have also started to move onto their beds over the last several days. They are coming up for Spooks, Rogues and Flukes. You will also find some good top-water action early and late in the day. The main lake from Mallard Point to the bridges and beyond is very clear. Hummingbird Hideaway’s cove did get somewhat stained over the gin clear conditions of three days ago. Great fishing color in the coves and creeks. The surface water temperature has fallen to the upper 50s, again. This should warm and stabilize over the next few days with our current beautiful weather forecast. Over all the lake is in great shape.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temp is in the upper 50s to the low 60’s. The stripers are up in the creeks but a few have migrated to the main lake. The water is stained up in the creeks and it’s a little warmer. There are a few coming up chasing baitfish so keep a top-water rod handy. Whites, hybrids and some bass are coming up also. The night bite is getting better. Just remember to reel your stickbaits slowly. There have been a few walleye hitting stickbaits at night, too.
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. Norfork Tailwater 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. With no wadable water on the White, it has been very crowded, particularly on the weekends. You should fish early or late to avoid the 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) and some smaller caddis (size 16). The crane flies have also been active (try a size 14 light Cahill or a partridge and yellow soft hackle). Olive woolly buggers have also accounted for a lot of trout. The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday. Dry Run Creek has fished well. Spring break is mostly over and the stream is not too crowded. Now is a good time to take a kid fishing there. 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.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,121.01 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120 msl).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said water surface temperature is in the low 50s. Striper activity is picking up and the white bass run is on. Beaver lake striper fishing is good with striper taken on live shad fished on free lines and down lines from the surface to 40 feet deep. Troll small umbrella rigs with white grubs in clear water and chartreuse in stained water for some good action. Flat line trolling, and trolling three-way rigs with Rapalas and Rogues are also producing. Beaver lake stripers will be located in area’s holding bait near the main channel. Live shad as always on Beaver Lake when fishing for trophy Stripers is the go-to approach. Stripers are hitting larger shad in the 8-12 inch range. Check the following hot spots for stripers: Indian creek past lost bridge and in the mouth of Indian creek; Point 6 (look for birds working the surface and check the channel and treetops from 25 to 45 feet deep); Rambo Creek Arm (birds are working the area and stripers have been caught toward War Eagle Cavern on umbrella rigs and jerk baits); Highway 12 bridge (check the cove at Serenity Point and work your way toward Prairie creek); Prairie Creek (stripers will be using this area frequently to avoid the dirty water), and Coose Hollow (try both arms of Coose Hollow, there have been schools of whites working their way through here). Walleye are being caught in Blackburn Creek (on flats near the channel), Beaver Shores and Horseshoe Bend. Most walleye are about 4-8 deep and are headed back down river to the main lake after visiting spawning grounds. The rain slowed them down a bit, but they are recovering nicely and starting to feed. 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 stained water. Jigging spoons around brush and rock piles are also producing. White bass are piled up in every major creek upriver.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is stained and high. The surface water temperature is 57 degrees. Bream are biting fairly well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and worms in 2 feet of water. Bass are biting well on top-water lures and other artificial baits fished near the bank. No report on catfishing.
Jason Piper of
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass can be found shallow preparing to spawn. Look for beds up close to the bank in 3 to 12 feet of water, depending on clarity around flooded cover. A split-shot rigged lizard or tube worked around the bed will entice a bite. Also, try a spinnerbait or swimbait worked parallel to the bank along sloping gravel banks with timber. Little Clifty, Van Winkle Hollow, Ventris, Monte-Ne and the White River arm have all been good. Crappie are in all modes of the spawn. Most are on the bank now and can be caught around shallow weed beds, lay down trees and flooded logs along sloping banks and pockets. A 2-inch swimbait or tube on a 1/32-oz. jighead 2 to 5 feet under a small cork worked in those areas has been very effective. Pre- and post-spawn crappie can still be caught suspending 10 feet deep around timber not far from spawning grounds by using a 2-inch curly tail grub on a 1/16-oz. jighead worked close to the timber. Monte-Ne, Piney Creek, White River upstream from War Eagle Marina and the coves around Eden Bluff have all been producing limits. White bass are biting well up both river arms and in the backs of main creek arms throughout the lake. They are biting anything that resembles a shad. Catfishing has been slow, but a few can be caught in the evening using liver or cut bait. Hickory Creek, 12 Bridge and the 412 Bridge access have all been good places to fish..
Beaver Dam Store said walleye and white bass are moving up the river. Several walleye have been caught on grey/white Clouser minnows, Flicker Shads, nightcrawlers and small minnows. Many good reports of trout have come from fly-anglers, spin-fishermen and bait anglers. Phesant tails and Prince nymphs both are catching fish. Midge fishing early and late in the day is working well, as are scuds. Olive and a white micro jigs have gotten good results for spin-fishermen, as have Colorado spoons and Rapalas. For the bait fishermen, white PowerBait with a wax worm is hard to beat. Try a night crawler while the walleye and whites are coming up.
Lake Elmdale
Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said the water is up. It’s hard to establish a pattern on the crappie. But they haven’t spawned yet. Small jigs fished 5-6 feet under a bobber worked, as have minnows. Bass fishing has picked up. Green pumpkin finesse worms and jigs are working well on largemouth. Bluegill are biting well on redworms and crickets most days.
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky and at normal level. The surface water temperature is 64 degrees. Bream are fair on worms and crickets fished in 10 to 12 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on jerk baits. Catfishing is slow on chicken liver. White bass are fair on shad-imitating artificial lures.
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is dingy and high. The surface temperature is 63 degrees. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in 1 to 4 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on live shad and chicken livers.
Dennis Kruse (479-444-3475) Dennis Kruse said bass were the main show last weekend, as good numbers and sizes were brought in. Plastic worms and spinnerbaits were the go-to lures, with stickbaits and swimbaits accounting for their share as well. Crappie were slow, but those caught came on minnows fished in 3-6 feet of water. Try crickets fished shallow for bream. The lake is open Sat-Sun, 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
Lake Poinsett State Park said this is about the favorite time of the year for anglers. Many bass are being caught on a variety of lures. Many crappie are being caught in shallow, calm water. Bream are biting well on crickets. One 32-pound flathead catfish was caught on Saturday.
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is high and dingy. The surface water temperature is 60 degrees. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs fished 8 to 10 feet deep. Bass are excellent on top-water lures and jerk baits. Catfishing is good on chicken livers.
Lake Frierson State Park said the lake is at normal pool and slightly less stained than normal. Temperatures have been ranging from 56-68 degrees, depending on the day and weather. Bass have been fair to good on a variety of baits; top-water baits, such as white buzzbaits and various color poppers have been producing some fish early and late, spinnerbaits with a single Colorado blade, square-billed or shallow-running crankbaits, and a variety of soft plastics are producing bass in 1-4 feet of water. Some nice crappie have been caught, but no numbers; try jigs tipped with minnows at various depths until you find the fish. Channel and blue catfish have been good on minnows, nightcrawlers and stink bait; jugs and trotlines have been producing nice catches as well as rod and reel from the bank near the levee. Bream have been caught on crickets and small jigs in various colors; if you catch a few and they stop biting, change jig colors and/or adjust fishing depth. No report on flatheads or saugeye.
Mark Crawford with
Spring River Flies and Guides water levels are running at 357 cfs at the spring and water clarity has been mostly clear. The fishing just seems to keep getting better. Trout are biting Guppies, Brownies and most anything crawfish-colored. Hot pink and orange Trout Magnets and Rooster Tails are doing great. Last week a big walleye was caught on a spinning rod with a crayfish-colored stick bait. This is truly a great time to come and fish the Spring River. Canoe season has not started up yet and it is a wonderful time to be on the water.
Berry Brothers Guide Service said the water level on 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 has not begun and the few boaters still around should not prove to be a problem. The hot spot is the Dam Three Access. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.
Geoff Wright at Cane Creek State Park’s said catfish are biting well at Cane Creek Lake. Most anglers are using chicken livers or dough bait. We saw several catfish over 30 lbs. this weekend. Largemouth bass are still being caught as well. We had one 9-pounder brought in this weekend.
Millwood Lake
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 2 inches above normal conservation pool and steady. Surface temperatures range 68 to 78 degrees. Discharge rate as of Monday was a total discharge of 1,555CFS. Clarity and visibility drastically improved over the past week. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity & visibility ranges 6-10 inches. The USACE upgrade project and maintenance work including installation of a new bypass valve at the River Run East recreational area below the spillway is completed and River Run East park at the spillway is now open. The bass improved their attitude toward top-water surface feeding, since most largemouth are post spawn. Best bite of the day currently is running from daylight hours through mid-afternoon. The best reaction baits lately have been Zara Spooks, Spitn’ Images and Bass Assassin Shads. Buzzbaits in Pine Cone, Bleeding Bluegill and Avocado Dip colors are beginning to get reaction strikes. Largemouths continue hitting the Rat-L-Traps in 6-8 foot drop-offs of flats with stumps nearby. The most productive colors of Rat-L-Traps over the past few weeks are Liv-N-Chrome, White Zombie, Clear, or Threadfin Shad. 6-inch lizards in black, black/blue tail and green pumpkin are working, as are 6- to 10-inch worms, near previous bedding areas. Chatter baits in chartreuse/white, or black/blue and War Eagle spinnerbaits have been taking some nice size bass as well, up Little River in the oxbows around vegetation lines and lily pads. White bass have finished their annual spawning runs up Little River near Patterson shoals. Crappie continue improving around cypress trees and some continue spawning. Several crappie in the 2-3 pound range have been caught over the past week moving from bedding areas back toward creek channels and depressions between 8-12 feet depths on jigs and tubes in white, white/red, and hair jigs in white/gray with silver tinsel. Catfish improved on trotlines with chicken hearts, gizzards, livers, blood bait and cut shad in the outer bends of Little River placed from 8-12 feet deep.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) had no report this week.
Lake Erling
Joshua and Jacob Bass of Sarepta, La., filed no new report.
Lake Greeson
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 546.19 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
Cossatot River State Park As of Wednesday, the Vandervoort gauge was at 2.26 and the gauge at De Queen was at 2.33.
DeGray Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 406.75 feet msl (flood pool – 408 msl).
Local angler George Graves said the surface water temperature is in the high 60s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is very good with many limits reported. However most of the fish are on the small side with lots of “slots” and only a few good size fish. Look for fish in the backs of spawning coves in 4 to 6 feet of water. The best pattern has been shallow- or medium-running crankbaits or jerk baits in the morning and evening. The Alabama rig has been producing well when the fish are schooling. Load the rig with white or albino 4-inch swim baits. Back off the bank somewhat and throw a Texas- or Carolina-rigged worm or lizard during the bright part of the day. The biggest fish are being taken by throwing a worm or lizard across the beds. Right now most any area in the lake will produce bass, but the best areas are between Edgewood and Cox Creek. Also Yancey, Brushy and Big Hill Creeks have been big producers. Only a few reports of crappie. A few fish are still spawning in the lower end of the lake between Caddo Drive and Iron Mountain. Fish the shallow cover on the south side between the mouth of Brushy Creek and Point 2. Throw a 2-inch curly tail grub in Tennessee shad to visible shallow cover which should produce a few fish. Hybrids are still a no show. No “breaking” fish reported and only a few fish marked on the sonar. The usual build up in the Shouse Ford area in April has not materialized this year. Only a couple of small fish reported in the Arlie Moore and Alpine Ridge areas. Bream fishing is improving with the warmer water. The fish are starting to school in the shallow pockets and coves, with some bedding activity under the full moon. Set the float to about 4 feet and bait with redworms or crickets. No reports on catfish.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 345.63 feet msl (flood pool – 373 msl).
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting well on minnows, Baby Shads, Slab Slay’rs and Stroll’rs in white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse, bone white shad, Cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, Barbecue chicken and blue/white with green or yellow PowerBait crappie nibbles. Bream are biting well on nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are biting well on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and Flukes. Catfish are biting on nightcrawlers and chicken /turkey/rabbit livers.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream are biting well on nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Catfish are biting well on redworms, nightcrawlers, minnows, stink bait and chicken/turkey/rabbit livers. Bass are fair on dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the river is stained. Crappie are biting well in coves on minnows, white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse shad, Cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbeque chicken and blue/white Bobby Garland soft plastics with a green or yellow PowerBait crappie nibble. Catfish are biting well on stink bait, minnows and chicken/turkey/rabbit livers. Bass are fair on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419)had no report this week.
Chuck Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-774-9117) said bass from Horsehead and upriver can be caught on black/blue jigs and dark rootbeer crankbaits. From Horsehead to Caney Creek, bass have been caught on buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs and crankbaits in chartreuse, green, and orange. In the Spadra area, bass were being caught on spinnerbaits, lizards, jigs and swimbaits. In Cabin Creek bass were caught on lizards, watermelon/red worms and jigs. Shoal Bay bass were caught with swimbaits and frogs. Piney Bay area bass were caught with frogs, lizards and jigs. Goose Island bass were caught with black/blue jigs and lizards. Crappie are slow but can be caught around the cattails. Bream are plentiful in the lily pad stems. White bass and stripers are being caught in creeks and by the dam. For the bowfishermen, gar and carp are thick in the backwater.
AAs of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 387.60 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 577.80 feet msl (flood pool – 578 msl).
Todd Gadberry at
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and the surface water temperature is 62 to 66 degrees. Black bass are still excellent on floating worms, brush hogs, and some top-water action has started. Walleye are biting well. Spoons and inline spinners will work for these fish as well as bottom bouncing nightcrawlers near structure 15-25 feet deep. Stripers are very good and are being caught on C-10 Redfins and live bait. Bream are still fair and being caught with crickets or worms in 20-25 feet of water. Crappie are very good and are being caught near and over brush. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Catfish are still very good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines set 15-30 feet deep.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 53 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Lake level has returned to normal with a highly reduced generation schedule. Rainbow trout fishing is excellent with quality limits of fish taken daily. Bank fishermen using redworms, nightcrawlers, wax worms or meal worms have done well presenting these baits with a bobber or just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. Boaters trolling the main channels with shallow-running crankbaits have quickly recorded limits of trout in the 14-inch range. Spin fishermen casting Trout Magnets, Super Dupers and Little Cleos have had success in the reduced current. Crappie continue to inhabit the tailrace although the spawn is almost over. Live minnows and small jigs have been the baits of choice this season and have accounted for the best catches. A few walleye remain feeding and resting for the move downstream to the main body of the lake. These fish can still be caught trolling and fishing Carolina rigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers below the bridge. Large freshwater drum are spawning below the dam and are being caught on minnows and crawfish. Many of these fish are over 20 pounds and are ferocious fighters. Striper activity is low. Thousands of shad are moving into the tailrace to spawn every day, but little top-water action has been observed.
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.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Team said the river came up over the weekend. No report on fishing activity. 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 Jaret Rushing said the water is finally receding, so fishing for bass, bream and crappie should pick up. Once the waters recede in the Ouachita River Oxbows, anglers should try to target warmer water pockets. Temperatures are hovering around the low 60s right now in some places, but there are shallower pockets that are getting up into the mid-60s. Anglers should throw fast-moving topwater baits. Baitfish seem to be moving up, so throwing something with a flash, like a spinnerbait, should trigger a good bite, too. Tri-County Lake Jaret Rushing said bass are hitting Brush Hogs on the points of the fingers and around docks. Fishermen seem to be using watermelon-colored brush hogs and 1/16-ounce weights to keep the bait in the strike zone longer. As with the oxbows, the shallower pockets of this lake should be warming up drastically, and you can probably get some great reaction strikes on top-water baits in the backs of coves where the water is 2 to 4 feet deep.
Bear Creek Lake Mississippi River State Park said the water is at normal level and clear. Bass are good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Crappie are biting on minnows fished around brush. Catfish are biting on rice slicks. Bream are biting on worms. Storm Creek Lake Mississippi River State Park said the lake is at normal level and stained. Bass are picking up on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Bream are biting on worms. No word on catfish or crappie. White River Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around brush. Bass are fair on soft-plastic worms. Walleye are slow, but a few have been caught on nightcrawlers. No report on catfishing or bream. Maddox Bay Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and high. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair. Catfishing is excellent on stink bait. Horseshoe Lake Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and low. Bream are biting well on worms fished around lily pads and piers. Crappie are fair in deep water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished around lily pads. Catfishing is excellent on yo-yos.
Loading ...
