Weekly Arkansas Fishing Report – April 5, 2014

 

Weekly Arkansas fishing report for April 5, 2014. Enjoy your time on the water and catch a bunch.

Central Arkansas

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

 

(Updated 4-2-2014) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said bream are biting well on redworms and crickets on the banks throughout the lake. The crappie are starting to spawn, and they are biting well at night on yo-yos and minnows in green cypress trees. Jigs and minnows fished along bedding areas are also catching quite a few crappie when it’s not too windy. Th bass are excellent on soft-plastic worms, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and flukes fished around bedding areas. Catfishing is excellent on chicken livers and shrimp throughout the day and at night on yo-yos baited with prepared bait.
(Updated 3-26-2014) Daniel Zajac at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said crappie are biting well in 2 to 9 feet of water early in the morning and late in the afternoon on chartreuse jigs and pink minnows. Bass are fair. No report on bream or catfish.

Little Red River (Greers Ferry Tailwater)

 

(Updated 4-2-2014) Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said trout fishing was excellent last weekend on Power Bait and a wax worm/marshmallow combination. Fly fishermen seem to have the most success lately on sowbugs and zebra midges.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip ’em All Guide Service said Monday the Corps of Engineers closed two gates with two gates remaining open. Current release is about 1,550 cfs, which is slightly less than half of one unit, providing great drift fishing on the Little Red. However, rain is in the forecast later this week so releases could change if that occurs. When the lake level drops below 462 we should see 300 to 500 cfs through the turbines (instead of the spillway) until the power plant is repaired in mid-April. San Juan worms with midge or sowbug dropper are working well along with March Browns, soft hackles and streamers for fly fishers. Purple Haze and black/green Trout Magnets are working well for those spin fishing. Always check the Corps of Engineers and Southwest Power Administration websites for current and future water release before planning your fishing trip.

Greers Ferry
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.01 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 462.50 msl).

 

(Updated 4-2-2014) Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is .05 feet below normal pool and falling. The surface water temperature ranges from the high 40s to the mid-50s. Hybrid and white bass fishing has been on and off again with the passing of these fronts. Try grubs, spoons, in-line spinners, small topwater baits and crankbaits. Crappie fishing is on and off as well, with some being right on the bank and some out to 40 feet as well as some in-between, try jigs and jigs tipped with minnows. Walleye have slowed as the river run winds down. The better bite will pick up soon in the main lake as the lake walleye and river walleye get on the same places to feed; try dragging crawlers in 5 feet out to 20 feet. Bass fishing is good, but they aren’t following normal patterns much this year. Try Texas-rigged baits, jigs, Carolina rigs and Alabama rigs.

 
(Updated 4-2-2014) Cody Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said Greers Ferry is currently at normal pool and falling slightly with water releases at the dam. Water color is stained to partly stained on the north end with the south basin clearing rapidly (up to 10 feet of visibility in some locations). Water surface temperatures are ranging from 50-58 degrees depending on time and location on the reservoir. The bite on most all species is really picking up in most drains, creeks and main tributaries. Woody cover and buckbrush are holding some fish, while pole timber and cover adjacent to spawning locations are still harboring the majority of our game fish. White Bass are in full spawn up the rivers and can be caught on a variety of baits.
(Updated 3-19-2014) Jeff Mays of Anglers Outpost Guide Service (501-253-1905) said recent rains have brought the lake up about 2 feet in the last 48 hours to about normal pool. This increase dropped the temperature 2 degrees to 47.6 in the upper part of the lake.  Fishing is still good with crappie and white bass moving into and around spawning areas in the tributaries. Crappie can be caught in the pole timber in 20-26 feet of water slowly trolling minnows and jigs 4-8 feet deep. White bass and walleye should be heading into the Johnson Hole on the South Fork of the Little Red River in numbers.

Harris Brake Lake

 

(Updated 4-2-2014) Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said crappie and bass are both excellent on white/pink grubs with pink heads, either vertically jigged in brush or swam near shallow cover. Catfishing is good on live and prepared baits. The resort will be holding a kids and adults fishing derby this weekend with 100% payback. Call 501-889-2745 for more details.
(Updated 3-26-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting well on minnows, Slab Slay’rs and Stroll’rs in white, salt-and-peper, red/chartreuse shad, cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, monkey milk, barbecue chicken and blue/white with a Power Bait crappie nibble. Catfish are biting on minnows, worms, stink bait and livers. Bass are biting on dark colored worms, spinnerbaits and drop-shot worms. Bream are biting fairly well on meal worms, redworms, crickets and Rock Hopper jigs.

Lake Overcup
(Updated 3-26-2014) Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said all work is complete on the dam, and the new water control structure is in place. The water is a little high, but is falling. The surface water temperature is 54 degrees, and rising. Crappie are being caught on yo-yos and noodles baited with minnows. A few crappie also are being caught on white/chartruese and pink/white/chartreuse jigs. Catfishing is good on large minnows and cut shad. Bass are slow. Bream are slow.

 
(Updated 3-26-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are beginning to pick up on minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shad, Stroll’Rs and Slab Slay’Rs in white/salt-and-pepper, red/chartreuse, bone white, barbecue chicken and blue/white with a Power Bait crappie nibble. Bream are slow on nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms and crickets. Bass are slow on dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits and drop-shot worms.

Brewer Lake
(Updated 3-26-2014) Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is still a little low and clear. Crappie are being caught on yo-yos and noodles baited with minnows. Catfishing is fair on trotlines baited with cut shad. Bass and bream are slow.

 

Lake Maumelle
(Updated 4-2-2014) Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water temperature is 54 degrees and the water level is above the spillway. Fishing is picking up. Largemouth bass are excellent on jigs and jerkbaits fished around grass in 5 to 8 feet of water; there are still a few 5-fish tournament limits up to 20 pounds being caught lately. Spotted bass are in 5 to 10 feet of water and are excellent on jigs and shaky head worms. White bass are excellent up the creek. They are spawning, and there are reports of limits coming in on Rooster Tails, crappie jigs and minnows. Crappie are biting well on brightly colored jigs fished around grass in 1 to 5 feet of water. Bream are excellent in 5 to 10 feet of water on live worms and crickets.

(Updated 4-2-2014) Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream fishing is slow, but a few have been caught on redworms. Crappie fishing is excellent on 1/8-oz. Johnson spoons, white/chartreuse and red/chartreuse jigs and pink minnows. Bass are excellent in the morning and evening on shad-colored spinnerbaits, Zara Spooks and shallow-diving crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on green sunfish, shad, skipjack and minnows.

Benton City Lake
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said some crappie were caught this week on No. 12 bass minnows. Customers report they were scattered and shallow. Bream and catfish are biting redworms and nightcrawlers. Some small bass were caught on live minnows.

Sunset Lake
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said catfish, catfish, catfish! Fishing for cats has been nothing short of excellent this week. Chicken liver, bait shrimp and worms have produced some limits and some big ones. A few tagged fish have been caught this week as well. Remember, the limit is 3 per person. Bream are biting redworms and crickets. Crappie and bass are slow but some have been biting minnows.

Saline River Access in Benton
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said the river has been a little high and stained lately and few have tried fishing it. The few have reported catching smallmouth, spotted and large mouth bass on No. 12 and brood minnows. Crappie have been biting No. 6 minnows and pink minnows in some back waters off the main river. Catfish have been caught on No. 12 bass minnows fished at the mouths of creeks when the water is first starting to rise. Bream can be caught on crickets and redworms any time the river is safe to fish. Always be careful but especially when waters are higher than normal.

Lake Norrell
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) has been hearing more than usual about crappie being caught on the lake. No. 6 crappie minnows are working for some customers fishing way back in the coves. Catfish are biting on cut bait and live minnows. Bass fishing has been fair throwing plastic worms and lizards around the docks and rock walls. Bream are big and deep as usual and are biting well on redworms, meal worms and crickets fished around deep brush piles.

Bishop Park Lakes in Bryant
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said crappie are biting pink minnows and No. 6 crappie minnows. Catfish have been biting chicken livers, bait shrimp and worms. Bream are biting crickets fished on bottom in the deeper water. Bass are hitting live minnows, floating worms and small spinnerbaits.

Lake Winona
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said customers report catching some crappie and bass on live minnows. The better fish are biting larger No. 12 bass minnows. Catfish are biting nightcrawlers and chicken livers. Bream fishing has been fair on crickets tightlined in deep brush. A few walleye have been caught recently on No. 12 bass minnows in the upper end of the lake.

Arkansas River at Morrilton
(Updated 1-29-2014) River Valley Outdoors said a few people are catching some crappie on jigs, but overall the fishing has been very slow.

 
(Updated 3-12-2014) Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo said a few people are finally getting out on the river. White bass are biting well on firetiger crankbaits fished below dams 9 and 10. Catfishing below lock 9 with skipjack fillets  in deep holes in the afternoon as been fair. Spotted bass are on the tops of jetties in 4 to 8 feet of water and are biting well on jig-and-craw combos.

Little Maumelle River
(Updated 4-2-2014) River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said bass fishing is good on soft plastics and jerkbaits. Catfishing also is good on minnows and chicken liver. Very few crappie are biting, but some may be caught occasionally in deeper water. The river is still a bit muddy after the rains from early in the week.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
(Updated 4-2-2014) Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie fishing is excellent in backwaters on pink minnows, red/chartreuse jigs and Beetle Spins. Bass are excellent on shad-colored spinnerbaits and chartreuse/black shallow-diving crankbaits in backwater areas. Catfishing is excellent on minnows, chicken hearts, livers and worms.

Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
(Updated 4-2-2014) Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said the river is muddy to clear and the water is still cold. Crappie are fair, but bass fishing has picked up in the shallow areas around jetties and backwater areas. Square-billed crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, chatterbaits and lizards are working well on the bass. Tuesday night tournaments on the river are getting underway soon. Give Fish ‘N Stuff a call for details.

 
(Updated 4-2-2014) Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie fishing is excellent on white/chartreuse jigs and chartreuse twister tails on 1/8 ounce jigheads fished around brush. Crappie also are excellent below Murray Lock and Dam on black/yellow jigs.  Bass fishing is excellent in the backwaters and on jetty points on Texas-rigged lizards and Zoom Brush Hogs. White bass are excellent on chartreuse twin-tailed jigs and spoons below Murray Lock and Dam. Catfishing is excellent on skipjack, shad, sunfish and minnows.
 
(Updated 3-12-2014) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing has been good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Some catfish are being caught on cut bait.

Clear Lake
(Updated 3-26-2014) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said crappie fishing is excellent on minnows and jigs. Bass are excellent on spinnerbaits.

Peckerwood Lake
(Updated 4-2-2014) Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the lake is pretty dingy and the water is still a little cold for this time of year. Crappie fishing is good, but catfishing has been excellent lately. Catfish have been caught on a combination of minnows on a jig or plain minnows, mostly by crappie anglers.

North Arkansas

Bull Shoals

 

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 659.03 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).
(Updated 4-2-2014) Ken Minsky of Ken Minksy’s Loch Leven Guide Service said the main lake surface water temperature is still in the mid 40s at mid-lake (Point 24), but rises to the mid-50s as you go up the creek arms and find the shallower water. White bass are starting to get in the mood for a spawning run, but it’s hit-or-miss so far. It is going to take some steady warmer temperatures to get them going. Bass fishing has been hit-or-miss as well, but the sides of secondary points not too far back from the main lake are holding smallmouths, spotted bass and largmouths. For fly-fishermen, pink/white Clouser minnows and small, weighted crawfish patterns are working well cast to shore with the boat sitting in 35 feet of water. Most hits are occurring close to the boat when the presentation is kept super slow.
(Updated on 3-26-2014) Mike Worley’s Guide Service said surface water temperatures are in the 40s. Walleye are starting to move to the rocky main lake points and a few are being caught on suspending stickbaits, Alabama rigs and jigs. A warm rain should get the bite going after the cold winter we have had.
(Updated 1-8-2014) Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock had no report.

White River (Bull Shoals Tailwater)

 

(Updated 4-2-2014) Newland’s Resort below Bull Shoals said water conditions are trending toward the high side, with 4-5 generators all day long – except on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, when there is minimum flow. Popular baits have been shad, sculpins, nightcrawlers and Rapalas. Several nice browns were caught last week, ranging from 3-7 pounds. Be sure to visit the Projected Water flow page and live web cam at Newland’s web site.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water level is high because the generators ran all week last week, except for Sunday. There’s a shad kill going on at Bull Shoals and the White, the best in nine years. The good news is that this puts trout, especially big brown trout, on a tear. The bad news is that the fish will get full quickly. The only way to catch trout in these conditions is to key on the shad they’re eating and try to mimic them.
 
(Updated 4-2-2014) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said the hot spot has been the section from Wildcat Shoals down to Cotter. The hot flies are 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 ruby midge pattern suspended below it). The Corps of Engineers have been running a bit more water than they have in the previous week and that has been an advantage to streamer fishermen. Bang the bank and strip the fly back to the boat. Effective patterns have been sex dungeons and circus peanuts. We have had a few reports of caddis hatches. Though sparse, the trout did key in on them, it is a harbinger of spring and a promise of what is to come.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Ken Minsky of Ken Minksy’s Loch Leven Guide Service said the White is producing nice rainbow trout and brown trout on just about anything you want to throw at them lately. Green, brown and black woolly buggers are producing well, and the caddis hatch is not too far off. Be sure to bring some soft hackles with a little green in them and let them swing in the current; expect the hit to happen at the end of the swing, as the fly rises. Bring some small dry flies with you too.

Lake Norfork

 

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 553.62 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 552 msl, April-September – 554 msl).
(Updated 4-2-2014) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters said Norfork Lake is at normal pool. The water temperature is in the high-40s and rising. The water visibility is stained. The lake is warming up fast and the stripers are moving to the banks. The big fish have moved up the creek and are starting to feed. Shad have started moving to the banks and the stripers are following. The lake should be in the mid-50s by the beginning of the next week. I had five outings without a striper bite but this week we are catching limits and having lots of action. The stripers are being caught on 7-inch gizzard shad. Stripers are looking for big baits right now, so if you are throwing rouges make sure you use 5 inch or bigger. Crappie are biting on minnows, small spoons and jigs and minnows on brush piles in 10 feet of water in the mornings. As the day warms up the crappie are moving shallow. The walleyes will be spawning now that the water is warming. The best spots are at the state line, Liner Creek, Udall Marina, and from Bridges Creek to the 160 bridge.
(Updated 3-26-2014) Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said another cool front arrived yesterday, but the weather outlook is now back to spring temperatures, which will help to warm the water and get the fish active. Striper fishing has been picking up every day. The best locations to find stripers are backs of major creeks where the water is warmer. Look back in the Bennett’s area, upriver around the state line, and more than likely back in Big Creek. The night bite has started with suspending jerk baits. Both a bone color or firetiger have been working well. Live bait fishing has been slow, but it appears that is starting to pick up. The cool water temperature also is affecting black bass fishing. Some fish are coming shallow to feed, but the bigger fish are holding out in deeper water and may be starting to stage for their spawn. Jigging a spoon or small grub in brush is working, and jerk baits are starting to work. Crankbaits are picking up some nice fish. For shallow fish you will need to get back in the warmer stained water. Crappie fishing has also been affected by the cooler water, but I have noticed an increase in the numbers of fish starting to be caught. Look for brush in 20-30 feet of water. Walleye should be up the river and back in the major creeks spawning. It will not be long until they start to move out and the night feeding bite will begin for walleye. White bass are being found back in the warm water mainly in the afternoon after the sun has warmed up the shallow water. Small spinnerbaits are working.
(Updated 3-12-2014) Guide Steve Olomon said It seems Old Man Winter just doesn’t want to leave. The surface water temp is in the mid 40s and the lake level is 551.6. There are baitfish dying all over the lake. This hasn’t happened for a few years because the last few winters have been mild. Spring fishing will be better because of all the dying baitfish. The jerk bait bite for bass will be good. There are some bass hitting them along with crankbaits along the shore in 5-10 feet of water. For deeper fish, drop a jigging spoon or fish a jig very slowly.

North Fork River (Norfork Tailwater)
(Updated 4-2-2014) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said there has been some wadable water on the Norfork, but it has been very crowded. 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 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). There have been reliable hatches of small midges and very small caddis (try a size 24 Adams parachute).The fishing is much 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 to great effect. With spring break and the Sowbug Roundup, there has been a lot of action on Dry Run Creek. Now would be a great time to fish it. The weather has warmed substantially 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 4-2-2014) Berry Brothers Guide Service said the Buffalo National River is navigable and clear. With the cool temperatures, smallmouth are inactive. 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 4-2-2014) Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek is navigable and clear. With the cool temperatures, the smallmouth are inactive. 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

Beaver Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,120.99 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120 msl).

 
(Updated 4-2-2014) Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said walleye are done spawning and the white bass are right behind them. Stripers are on the prowl for warmer water and food; they are biting throughout the day with peaks at dusk and dawn. Fishing is fair with stripers taken on live shad fished from the surface to 25 feet deep. Trolling small umbrella rigs with white grub, Rapalas, Bomber 15-16As or spoons on flat lines with planer boards near the channel are also producing. Watch for schooling fish and have a spoon or Redfin plug ready! Check the following hot spots: At Lost Bridge North, walleye and white bass are being caught on medium-diving crankbaits; Highway 12 Bridge, walleye are being caught on medium-diving crankbaits, spinner rigs with nightcrawlers and minnows and jigs, and white bass are being caught in numbers; at Prairie creek, medium-diving plugs, jigs and spinner rigs with nightcrawlers are catching good walleye. War Eagle and the junction of War Eagle and the White River are producing walleye and white bass, as well as plenty of stripers. Blue Springs is producing stripers, walleye and white bass on medium-diving crankbaits, jigs and spinner rigs with minnows.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the lake level is normal and stained around the river arms. Some crappie are being caught and a few striped bass have been caught on guided trips. White bass seem to be biting Alabama rigs with small swimbaits, small crankbaits and jerkbaits. Walleye are biting well on deep-diving crankbaits and minnows.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Jason Piper of JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said the river arms upstream from Point 12 have been the best areas to target bass lately; the water has averaged 5 to 10 degrees warmer there. Try fishing a slow-rolled spinnerbait or jig-and-craw combo around visible cover along the channel or sloping banks. Crappie fishing has been best up either river arm, primarily upstream from the 412 bridge. Fish a baby shad-type bait on a 1/32-oz. jighead under a small cork 2-4 feet down around log/tree jams, pole timber or lay down trees close to the main channel. A minnow under a cork will work as well. On the main lake look for fish to be suspending 2 to 6 feet down over water deeper than 20 feet under docks and along bluff lines. Upstream from 412 bridge has produced good numbers of crappie, Eden Bluff and Monte-NE has also been producing a few fish. White bass have begun to make their way up the river arms and main coves. Look for them to stay close to the channel along bends, points or flats. Anything that resembles a shad will do the trick. The spawn is still at least two weeks out. There haven’t been many reports on catfish. The best bank action should be at Hickory Creek or the 412 Bridge access using liver or worms. Late afternoon into the evening would be best.

Beaver Tailwater

 

(Updated 3-26-2014) Scott Branyan at Ozark Fly Flinger  said there is a bit of a fishing slump on the tailwaters with the increased releases, cold water temperatures and high feeder streams the past week. Some warmer weather, sunshine and stable water conditions will improve the fishing. Fishing on Beaver tailwater was slow the end of last week. Water temperature was 41 degrees with the prolonged generation. Some afternoon shutdown returned beginning Sunday, but weather has been cold. There were no signs of shad coming through last week with the peak in generation. Shad patterns did not produce well either. Darker streamers work better although catch rates were way down. Generation early in the morning and again late in the day continues this week.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Beaver Dam Store said walleye fishing is picking up downstream from Houseman Access to Holiday Island. Drifting crappie-size minnows along the bottom or trolling a firetiger Flicker Shad crankbait at 2-3 mph looks like the ticket. A customer brought a picture of a 28″ Brown caught with a a streamer last Sunday. Midges, pheasant tails, peacock herl soft hackles and woolly buggers will get some attention. Nickle and gold Colorado spoons are hard to beat. We have some GULP maggots that will work when nothing else will on a micro jig.

Lake Elmdale
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said fishing continues to improve slowly. The lake is at normal level and the water is fairly clear. The surface temperature is 49 to 51 degrees. A few crappie are being caught on minnows fished 7 to 8 feet deep. Large bluegill are being caught on redworms fished near the bottom at 10 feet deep. A few have been caught on crickets fished 4 feet deep, but only during the warmest part of the day.  Bass fishing has been slow to normal. Jerkbaits and jigs seem to be the best choice of bait, but no word on any big ones being caught.

Lake Fayetteville
(Updated on 3-26-2014) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said some small crappie are being caught, but no big keepers lately. A few largemoutt bass are showing up. Catfishing is very good on nightcrawlers. Slip rental fees are due for everyone keeping a boat at the dock.

Lake Sequoyah
(Updated on 4-2-2014) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water level is high and pretty muddy since the rain. The only fish really biting right now are catfish on worms, chicken livers and shad. All other species are slow.

Prairie Grove Lake
Lake Manager Dennis Kruse said the lake is open for the season. The water temperature is in the low 50s. As the water warms, look for crappie to start moving shallow and be ready with a jig, minnow or both. ass are becoming more active. Soft-plastics and jigs worked slowly along dropoffs have been doing well. jerkbaits and slashbaits, such as X-raps and Rattling Rogues have also done well.

Northeast Arkansas

Lake Poinsett
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lake Poinsett State Park said crappie have been a little slow this past week with all the wind out on Lake Poinsett. Those that have been caught are fair sized. They are biting on both jigs and minnows. The bass and flathead catfish are still biting well. We have seen a few really nice flatheads caught lately.  Don’t forget the Fishin’ the Ridge Tournament coming up on April 12th at Lake Poinsett State Park.  Contact the park at 870-578-2064 for more information.

Crown Lake
(Updated 4-2-2014) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is dingy and 47 degrees on the surface. Crappie fishing has been good in 18 to 30 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing has been good on crankbaits, soft-plastics and jigs. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers. Fishing is picking up, but it’s not Katy, bar the door just yet.

Lake Frierson
(Updated 4-2-2014) Lake Frierson State Park said water temperatures are creeping into the 50s, and fishing is heating up. Some nice channel catfish have been caught under jugs and from the bank. A variety of lures have been producing, such as nightcrawlers, chicken liver, dip baits and minnows. These fish appear to be 5-10 foot deep. Crappie have been spotted in the flooded brush on the north end of the lake. Try minnows at the end of a cane pole to fish in the bushes. A few bass have been caught on soft plastics and crankbaits. The bite should be improving over the next few weeks as the warmer weather settles in. No reports of flathead, bream or saugeye.

Spring River

 

Work to restore Dam No. 3 near the hatchery began March 24 and will continue through September. Water will be diverted from the main channel to the north channel of the spring river during repairs. This will result in an approximate 2-foot rise in the water level at the public access at Dam No. 3 during normal flows. The area will remain open for launching, fishing, loading and unloading, but parking will be restricted to AGFC property on the north side of the railroad crossing during busy periods (Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon). The dam is 100 years old and the gates have been inoperable since 2009. This much needed change is needed to continue producing trout at the hatchery in larger numbers.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are running 390 cfs at the spring and water clarity has been clear. The river has come down some and is looking great. Over the last week the numbers of trout stocked have increased and the catching has been great. Y2Ks, Grandma’s Brownies, and Mark’s emerger have been hot. Hot pink Trout Magnets and brown and red Rooster Tails have been working well with spin fishers.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said the water level on the Spring River is higher and stained. This is a great place to wade fish, when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. 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.

Southeast Arkansas

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
(Updated 3-26-2014) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Team said the surface water temperature is right around 60 degrees in Lake Langhofer and other protected backwaters; the main channel of the river is a few degrees cooler. Visibility is about 1 foot in Lake Langhofer and protected backwaters, and around half a foot on the main channel. There is a little flow on the river, just not very fast. The bass are shallow and hungry. Moving lures such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits and chatterbaits have been catching fish in less than 5 feet of water. On slow days, jigs and soft plastics have been working as well. Catch rates have been improving for several weeks, it’s finally time go have some fun on the water!

Cane Creek Lake
(Updated 3-26-2014) Seth Boone at Cane Creek State Park in Star City said the crappie are biting shiners at a depth of 6 feet. This is particularly true around submerged stumps and standing timber. The bass have continued to go shallow to prepare for spawning, Watermelon/chartreuse worms are recommended. Catfish are biting as well, one local angler caught a 50-pound blue catfish on chicken liver using a pole. With the weather warming up, things should only get better.

Lake Chicot
No report.

Southwest Arkansas

Millwood Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.40 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.60 msl).

 
(Updated 4-2-2014) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the water level is 3 inches above normal conservation pool and rising. Surface water temperature ranges from 59 to 67 degrees. Discharge rate as of Monday was increased to near 8,132 cfs. Clarity was 8-10 inches of visibility away from current. Cottonshed and the northeast section of the lake are still muddy. Bass kicked it up a notch, and are in spawning mode.  We are seeing male and female bass on beds the last few weeks. Bass up to 9 pounds have been caught this week. Plastic lizards, Rat-L-Traps, chatterbaits and suspending hard jerk baits have been taking staging bass on flats with stumps, ditches, and in creek channels. The key is finding water 5-8 degrees warmer than surrounding areas. Real Deal Custom Tackle jigs in Texas Craw, Watermelon Candy-Red, or Green Pumpkin Candy colors with a Berkley Pit Boss or Yum Wooly Bullee trailer are taking a few prespawn bass in the 4-7 lb. class.  Chatterbaits were catching nice bass in Mud Lake oxbow over the past couple weeks in dead lily pad stems and new pad blooms. Rat-L-Traps worked slow, and deflecting off stumps and timber in 4 to 8 feet of water in the creek channels, over the past couple weeks have been taking some healthy Largemouths.  Red Shad Zombie, Toledo Gold, Pumpkin Craw, or Creole Craw have been the best colors. White bass continue staging above Ark. Highway 71 bridge for the spawn. Points along inflow ditches and creek channels protruding into Little River were giving up a few whites mid-week on chrome/blue, Millwood Magic, or Smokey Joe Rat-L-Traps. Several anglers reported good numbers of whites and hybrids early this week. A few more crappie fishermen continue to venture out over the past week, and have been catching prespawn black and white Crappie around 3- to 6-foot depth creek channels around cypress trees. White, chartreuse and black Blakemore Roadrunners, Beetle Spins, Little Cleos, and H & H spinners have worked best. Blue catfish and channel catfish improved with the increase of current in Little River. The best bite was on trotlines run 7-10 feet deep in Mud Lake and other oxbows upriver, baited with chicken hearts, gizzards, liver, live shiners and homemade cheese dough balls.

Lake Greeson

 

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 548.01 feet msl (Flood pool – 548 msl).
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.

Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.

DeGray Lake

 

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 407.49 feet msl (flood pool – 408 msl).
(Updated 4-2-2014) Local angler George Graves said the surface water temperature is in the high 50s. The lake is clear up to Point 14 and has a moderate stain on up. Overall fishing remains slow as the water temperature is very slow to climb. Bass fishing is probably the best bet now, even though that fishing is only fair.  Best areas are upriver between Point 15 and Cox Creek. Throw medium-running crankbaits and spinnerbaits to the bank at secondary points outside spawning coves. If you see any schooling activity, try a five-arm Alabama rig with 4-inch swim baits.  Also try Texas-rigged 4-inch finesse worms along bluff banks for Kentuckies; good bluffs are at Point 14 and across from Point 15. Crappie fishing remains poor with no reports of any fish anywhere. Hybrid and white bass fishing is very slow with only a couple fish reported coming from far up the Caddo River. No reports on catfish or bream.
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 4-2-2014) Stacey Jackson at White Oak Lake State Park (870-685-2748) said catfish are biting on trotlines in the lower lake and bream are biting on crickets and worms. (Remember, the catfish limit is only 5 for the lower lake, bream daily limit is 50 and all other species are catch and release only in the lower lake). On the upper lake, bream are biting well on crickets and worms early in the morning and evening. Catfishing is good on worms during the day and on trotlines at night. Bass are a little slow, but can be picked up in the mornings and evenings on artificial lures. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs.

West-Central Arkansas

Lake Nimrod

 

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 345.48 feet msl (flood pool – 373 msl).
(Updated 4-2-2014) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) said crappie fishing is excellent. Many folks are cathing their limits on minnows and jigs in shallow areas right now. Catfishing is fair.
(Updated 3-26-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting very well in 4 to 10 feet of water on minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shad, Slab Slay’rs, Stroll’rs and split tails in white/salt and pepper, red/chartreuse, cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbecue chicken and blue/white tipped with a yellow or green crappie nibble.  Bream are biting on nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms, crickets and Rock Hopper jigs. Bass are fair on tequila sunrise worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and drop-shot worms. Catfish are biting on nightcrawlers and livers.

Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)
(Updated 3-26-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream are fair on redworms, nightcrawlers and Rock Hopper jigs. Catfishing is fair on stinkbait and livers. Bass are fair on dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits and Rooster Tails.

Fourche La Fave River
(Updated 3-26-2014) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the river is stained and low. Crappie are biting well on minnows and Bobby Garland baits in red/chartreuse, cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbecue chicken and blue/white. Catfish are slow on stink bait, livers and minnows. Bass are slow on tequila sunrise worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and drop-shot worms.

Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) had no report this week.

Lake Dardanelle
(Updated 4-2-2014) Chuck Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-774-9117) said bass fishing has been good from dam to dam. Some bass and crappie are moving up for the spawn, and you can catch them from one to six feet deep. Bass can be taken on jigs, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits as well as buzzbaits later in the day. Crappie have been biting on jigs and minnows. Stripers have been biting well on bucktailed jigs, crankbaits and 3-inch grubs, while white bass ahve been good on jigs, tailspinners and small crankbaits. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets and worms around stumps in backwater areas. Catfishing has been very good on cut skipjack and green sunfish.

Blue Mountain Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 387.56 feet msl (flood pool – 419 msl).

Lake Ouachita

 

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 576.31 feet msl (flood pool – 578 msl).
(Updated 3-5-2014) Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs  said the surface water temperature is in the mid-40s and the lake level is well into the buckbrush and rising. Black bass are being caught on Alabama rigs in the guts of pockets. Slow your retrieve down and keep it near the bottom. Also try a 3/4-oz. football jig in the areas that have too much cover for an A-rig. Crappie are in 12 to 15 feet of water around cedar trees and man made brush.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort said the water temperature is 55 to 59 degrees and clearing. Black bass are still biting very well. Jerkbaits, Rat-L-Traps and crankbaits are working well, and the Carolina rig and floating worm bite is starting to turn on. Walleye are moving back to the main lake; lipless crankbaits and fluorescent jigs are working well around cover. Stripers are excellent  on live shad, large grubs, hair jigs and Alabama rigs in major creek basins and up the rivers. Topwater striper action is right around the corner. Bream are still fair and being caught around brush in 20 feet of water. Crappie are excellent on minnows and crappie jigs fished over brush in 6 to 14 feet of water. Catfish are still fair and being caught on trotlines near main lake and secondary points.

Lake Hamilton
(Updated 3-5-2014) Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs  said the water temperature is in the lower 40s. Black bass are biting Alabama rigs and jigs over brush piles in 8 to 12 feet of water. In the afternoons, if the sun comes out, fish rocky banks where the sunlight is warming the shore  with crankbaits. Crappie are in 10 to 12 feet of water around brush. Use a float and fish a straight tailed jig slowly.

Lake Catherine

 

For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
(Updated 4-2-2014) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is fluctuating from 43 to 49 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Rainbow trout fishing is excellent with quality catches from bank fishermen and boaters recorded daily. Periods of slack water favor bank fishermen who are doing well on Power Bait, wax and meal worms, redworms, nightcrawlers and corn. Boaters are able to access areas that hold big numbers of trout and are having success using these same baits. In times of current flow, spin fishermen casting small jigs, crankbaits, and Super Dupers have quickly taken trout in the 15-inch class around rock structure and sand bars. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits below the bridge has accounted for the largest rainbows. The walleye spawn is almost over with few fish caught this year. A combination of muddy water and little fishing pressure created a season where low numbers of walleye were caught. The crappie spawn is in full swing with fish being caught on live minnows and 1/16- or 1/8-ounce jigs around rock structure and deep water close to the dam. The late evening has been the best time to target these fish. White bass are also making a spawning run, but the main migration of these fish will be in another week to 10 days. Jerkbaits in bright colors have produced some good catches of white bass, but the fish are small. Trolling has been the best technique to locate bass and catch larger whites that are preparing to spawn. No hybrid or striper action has been reported. April and May normally mark the beginning of big striper season.

Lake Atkins
(Updated 3-19-2014) Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the lake is clear and up a little at Lake Atkins. Several bass over 7 lbs. have been caught over the past few days. There also have been reports of crappie being caught below the spillway on minnows. Catfish and some bream are biting in very deep waters on crawlers and redworms.

East Arkansas

Bear Creek Lake
(Updated 1-8-2014) Mississippi River State Park had no new report.

Storm Creek Lake
(Updated 1-8-2014) Mississippi River State Park had no report.

White River
(Updated 4-2-2014) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is clear and the surface temperature is at 48 degrees. Crappie are fair on minnows in the brush piles along the channel. Bass are fair on soft-plastic worms and creature baits. Walleye seem to have disappeared lately.

Maddox Bay
(Updated 3-26-2014) Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is still on the rise and dingy. The surface water temperature is 58 degrees. Crappie and catfish are fair on yo-yos baited with minnows. There haven’t been many good reports on crappie or catfish by pole fishermen. Bass are excellent.

Tags: