The Weekly Arkansas Fishing Report for June 1, 2013
| Central Arkansas |
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is stained and at normal level. Bream are excellent on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows fished around cypress trees. Bass are good on soft plastics and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on yo-yos and trotlines.
Dan at Gold Creek Landing said bream are biting well on crickets, redworms and wax worms. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, worms, frogs and lizards. Crappie are fair on the main lake cypress trees. Catfishing is good nightcrawlers and livers.
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear with one generator running. Trout are biting well on wax worms and Power Bait. Fly-fishermen are having good success (the sow bug and San Juan worm are year-round favorites).
Lowell Myers of Sore Lip ‘em All Guide Service said with the current generation schedule, there is plenty of opportunity to wade fish shoals and drift fish from a boat on the Little Red. Pink and white Trout Magnets used on gold and chartreuse Trout Magnet heads are producing good catches. Fly-fishing the San Juan worm, pheasant tails, and sowbugs are producing good catches as well. Always check the Corps of Engineers and Southwest Power Administration websites for current and future water release before planning your fishing trip.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.42 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 462.04 msl).
Jeff Mays of Anglers Outpost Guide Service (501-253-1905) said conditions on Greers Ferry have not changed much this week. Water temperatures are nearly all in the 70s with crappie and bass still in spawn stages and catchable by a variety of methods. Hybrids and whites are still schooling and chasing shad in the coves and to the shore. The walleye bite has improved with evening fishing producing numbers in 10-15 feet of water. Try trolling crankbaits near the bottom. The recent storm will increase turbidity and may push some fish shallow until the lake settles and clarifies.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is 0.39 feet above normal pool and falling with generation, and the surface temperature is in the mid-70s. The white and hybrid bass are roaming all over the lake, feeding on shad, and it is hard to stay on top of them. Top-water baits, spoons, inline spinners and swim baits will work in 25 to 35 feet of water. Some crappie are still spawning and can be caught shallow as others have moved or moving out deeper.Catfishing is going good all over the lake on lines and jugs. Walleye are roaming as well; when the water warms just a tad more they will be more settled. Try crankbaits, and if generation is going, use crawlers on jigheads. The walleye will be anywhere from 5 to 27 feet of water. Bass fishing is on one day and off the next. Some bass are still shallow spawning and eating bream, some are in the mid depths and the rest are headed for the big breaks and brush piles. Try Texas-rigged worms, football head jigs, top-water baits, spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and pitching soft plastics to the bushes. The bream are bedding and can be caught on crickets.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com had no report this week.
Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the water is high with about 2 feet of visibility. Bream are excellent on crickets in six feet of water around docks and around the shoreline. Crappie are fair to good on jigs in the channels. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is excellent on trotlines using live and prepared 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 excellent on nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Redear are biting on redworms fished near the bottom.
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is at normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Bass are biting well on spinners and plastic worms. Catfish are fair on trotlines and noodles using cut shad and live bream. Crappie are slow, but some are being picked up in deep water using Stinger Shads and minnows.
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.
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is a little high and clear. Bass are good on spinners and buzzbaits around the bank. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Catfish are fair on limb lines and noodles using bass minnows and live bream. Crappie are being caught over brush piles on white and white/chartreuse Crappie Stingers.
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) filed no new report.
Local angler Nicholas Karras said bass are biting well early in the morning and late evening on top-water baits and finesse worms. Bream are biting well on crickets. Catfish are good on minnows in the late evening and just after dark. A few crappie have been caught on minnows. The water has risen to just above the handicapped-access platform. Look for levels to drop a foot or two over the next week.
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake is at full level with water is steadily flowing over the spillway. The surface water temperature is 70 degrees in the main lake and 73 degrees in the coves. Largemouth and spotted bass are excellent along the edges of grass. Floating worms, top-water lures and swim baits are working well. Spotted bass can also be caught on the first drop from the shallows on jigs, finesse worms and small crankbaits. White bass are biting well in the mid-section of the lake. Rogues, Rooster Tails, Rat-L-Traps and grubs are all working well. Crappie are biting well on dull colored jigs fished in 15 to 20 feet of water near bends in the river channel with cover. Bream are excellent on worms and crickets in 4 to 10 feet of water. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and prepared bait.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report this week.
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 and on drop-shotted worms. Bream are excellent 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.
Hatchet jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report this week.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) had no new report.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said it’s been hit-or-miss on the catfish, but if you stick with them you can catch a mess on a number of different baits. Bream fishing has been fair with crickets and worms and crappie fishing has been slow. Bass are fairly easy to catch on minnows or floating worms but must be released immediately.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said catfish are being caught on trotlines and limb lines baited with minnows, black salties and small live bream. Spotted and smallmouth bass are hitting Texas-rigged 4″ lizards in green pumpkin and watermelon seed. No recent reports of crappie being caught. Bream and other small sunfish will almost always bite a worm or cricket on a light line and small hook.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said bream are moving to the beds and some nice stringers are being caught on crickets and redworms. Some catfish are being caught around the bream beds while bream fishing and just add weight to the stringer and fun to the trip. Bass fishing remains fair on floating worms and spinnerbaits fished around docks and walls.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said crappie fishing seems to have slowed, but a few are still being caught on minnows and Kalin’s Tennessee shad grubs. Bream fishing has been pretty good. Some big ones were caught last week on crickets fished out toward the middle of the smaller lake about 3 feet under a cork. No reports of catfish or bass.
Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said some customers have been taking crickets and minnows to Winona but only smile when we ask if they’re catching any.
Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo had no report this week.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report this week.
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 74 degrees. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished around brush. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs and soft-plastics fished close to grass. Catfishing is good on shad and nightcrawlers.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report this week.
Fourche Creek: No report this week.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is high and stained. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on cut bait.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is high and stained. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are good on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish are fair on shad and minnows.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is clear and normal. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie fishing is slow. Bass are fair. Catfishing is good on minnows and crickets.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report on the lake this week.
Lake Willastein
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said had no report this week.
| North Arkansas |
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water clarity is stained with five generators running. Trout are good on jigs, spinners, drift rigs and shrimp.
Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said there has been some wadable water. The hot spot has been Wildcat Shoals. The best time to fish is early morning or late in the afternoon. Midday can be slow. The hot flies were prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold ribbed hare’s ears and sow bugs. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper john or pheasant tail) suspended 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)
Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are navigable. With spring here, the smallmouths are active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are navigable. With spring here, the smallmouths are active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 663.17 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the surface water temperature is in the mid-70s. Water clarity is very clear to slightly stained in the creek arms. Bass fishing has been great this week with smallmouth bass biting in 5 to 20 feet of water on soft plastics like swim baits, crankbaits, lizards and tubes. Largemouth bass are also biting these baits as well as top-water baits like Zara Spooks and Flukes. Walleye fishing has really picked up with good catches in 5 to 30 feet of water on crawler rigs fished on bottom bouncers, split-shot and trolled Carolina rigs. Jigs and jigging spoons fished vertically on brush piles in 20 to 30 feet of water are also working. White bass are still being caught in the backs of the creeks and large coves. With the main channel water being gin clear, look for the better bite to be in the back half of the creeks where the water is slightly stained and use as light of line as you can.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 558.61 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 552 msl, April-September – 554 msl).
Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters said stripers are still waiting on the weather. The water temperature is in the mid-60s. We should see 70 degree water by the weeks end and the shad should spawn. Once the shad begin spawning, the stripers will move to the clear lake points to feed on the shad. There are some fish being caught off the points in the Cranfield area but it’s hit-or-miss. The top-water bite should begin once the south winds start. Look towards the end of this week to see a big improvement in fishing.
Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said fishing was good nine days ago and has only gotten better. I anticipate that fishing will continue to improve with top-water action getting better and better. I have been using three main baits – a fluke or bass assassin with a 5/0 worm hook un-weighted, a Heddon Zara Spook junior size and live shad. You can use large shiners if you don’t have a shad tank. Rogues, or a similar type of suspending jerk bait, are working the best for walleye. The best bite has been at sunrise and at sunset. If you are fishing mid-day, you may need to go a little deeper for all species. A jig-and-pig has been working well for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. All species are showing up in the same areas. Fish are being found from the mouths of the major creeks to halfway back into the creeks. Some fish have started to move out to main lake points. The shad are in the buck brush, possibly spawning. I have found shad just going crazy on the shore because the fish have them cornered and are having a buffet.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is in the low to mid-70s. Watch for stripers, hybrids and whites busting shad and keep a rod ready with a top-water bait. Some bass are blowing up on points also. Throw a swim bait when you don’t see any surface activity or a soft jerk bait. The bass will hit the swim bait, too. We caught some whites on a jigging spoon suspended 30 to 38 feet deep in 40 feet of water.
Campground News: Jordan Campground on Norfork Lake is open April 1-Oct. 1 and managed by Jordan Marina. Formerly run by the Army Corps of Engineers, Jordan Campground is a favorite of families camping on the south end of Norfork Lake and is the gateway to Sand Island and Jordan area beaches. This area also is a favorite of scuba divers, with 30 dive sites within 2 miles of the campground. Jordan Campground has 41 RV and tent sites; sites with 50-amp service and 30-amp service are available for $20 per night. The campground, adjacent to Jordan Marina, also features a swimming beach, picnic pavilion, boat launch and two restrooms. For more information, call (870) 499-7223 or Jordan Marina at (870) 499-7348.
Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said there has been wadable water on the Norfork almost every day. The action has picked up somewhat. With limited wadable water on the White, it can get crowded on the Norfork tailwater, particularly on weekends. 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 a green butt or 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 been hit or miss (try a size fourteen 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. 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. Use at least 4X tippet to increase your chances of landing these big fish.
| Northwest Arkansas |
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,124.72 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120 msl).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said water surface temperature is in the mid-60s. Striper activity is fair. The stripers are scattered but on the feed, and they are still quite shallow. The white bass run is about done and the whites are working their way back downriver. Stripers have been taken on 8- to 12-inch live shad fished on free lines and down lines from the surface to 15 feet deep. Trolling small umbrella rigs with white grubs for clearer water and chartreuse for stained water and flat line, 3-way rigged Rapalas and Rogues also are producing. Casting Redfins and Small umbrella rigs on windblown points also will produce some nice stripers. Casting Redfins, Rapalas, rouges around rock piles on points and near timber are producing fish at night. Check the following hot spots for stripers: Indian creek past lost bridge and in the mouth of Indian creek; Point 5 (cast jerk baits on points with timber for striper and walleye; Highway 12 bridge (check the cove at Serenity Point and work your way toward Prairie creek); and Prairie Creek (fish are being taken in the channel between the creek and the islands. Walleye are also being taken on Kastmaster spoons fished near the bottom). Walleye are being caught on gravel bars in Big Clifty, Point 5, Point 6, Rocky Branch, Larue and Prairie Creek. They are being caught closer to the channel on crankbaits in Blackburn Creek, 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.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and at normal level. Surface temperature is 70 degrees. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Smallmouth bass are fair on Rooster Tails fished near Twin Bridges. Catfishing is fair on cut bait.
Jason Piper of JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said a few bass can still be found in the backs of pockets and coves on spawning beds. Lightly weighted plastics on a 3/0 hook worked over the beds have been working well. Most bass have moved out a bit and can be caught using spinnerbaits and Alabama rigs fished along sloping banks with timber. Another good option is to work Texas-rigged plastics in and around boat docks. Both Clifty arms, Rambo, Ventris and Monte-Ne have all been good places to fish. Most crappie have completed the spawn process with the exception of a few males left on beds. Look for crappie to be holding along creek and run off channels close to brush piles and timber suspending 8 to 15 feet deep over 20 to 35 feet of water. Small, 2-inch swim baits and curly tail grubs have been working well to pick these fish off. Avoca, Prairie Creek, Monte-Ne, Eden Bluff and Piney Creek have all been good places to fish. White bass have been biting well in the backs of windblown coves using shad-imitating lures. Night fishing under lights has also picked up along bluff walls close to the river channel and the Highway 12 Bridge. Catfishing has picked up and catfish have been caught using liver or worms from the bank at Highway 12 Bridge, Monte-Ne, Hickory Creek and the Highway 412 bridge access.
Beaver Dam Store said a Clouser minnow in gray over white or olive over white is working pretty well in the deeper water. Weighted flies and mostly streamers seem to be working best. There’s still a midge hatch daily. Try the standard red, olive or black midges. For the bait fishermen, the higher water and rain dictates using a nightcrawler and bumping it along the bottom. With the high, slow water flies like a no. 12 and 14 prince nymph or larger wooly buggers. Fish a soft hackle in the slower water by stripping it. Try midge fishing early and switch to scuds later in the day. Firetiger Flicker Shad are fun to fish and work well during these conditions. Gold and nickel Colorado spoons are a great choice as well.
Lake Elmdale
Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said the water is high and fairly clear. Many redear sunfish and bluegill are being caught on the beds with redworms or crickets fished 16 inches under a bobber. Beds are all over the lake in shallow water. Another method is to fish with a 1/32-oz., white jig head , tipped with a one inch piece of redworm, under a weighted bobber about 6 feet deep. This has produced many crappie as well. Bass fishing has been good on spinnerbaits and on wacky worms.
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is stained and is at normal levels. Bream are excellent on crickets and worms fished in shallow water. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. No report on catfish.
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at normal levels. The surface water temperature is 70 to 75 degrees. Bream are good on worms and crickets in four feet of water around shorelines. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished in two to eight feet of water. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwater baits. Catfishing is good on chicken livers and shad. White bass are excellent on crankbaits.
Dennis Kruse (479-444-3475) said bream continue to be the hot ticket, as many 50-fish limits were brought in last weekend. Crickets, worms and jigs all caught their share of bream. Catfish are also being caught on crickets and worms. Bass are rebounding from the spawn and are being caught on Flukes, plastic worms, spinnerbaits and Rattling Rogues.
| Northeast Arkansas |
Lake Poinsett State Park had no report this week.
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and at normal level. The surface water temperature is 71 degrees. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on chicken livers.
Lake Frierson State Park said recent rains will have the lake several feet over normal pool for much of the next week. Before the storms, catfishing was good to excellent; fish are being caught on almost all baits with a slight edge for nightcrawlers, minnows and dip bait. Jug fishermen are having good luck with cut bait, live minnows and goldfish. Bank anglers seem to be doing better with nightcrawlers and minnows under floats. Bass have been a little harder to catch this week as they are recovering from the spawn. Some fish are still being caught on topwaters early and late as well as spinnerbaits and crankbaits during the day; however soft plastics repeatedly cast to cover are starting to produce fish as well. Try the edges of creek channels and main lake points. Bream have been all around the shoreline and being caught on crickets and pieces of worms; small jigs are producing some as well. No reports of crappie this week, a couple saugeye were caught on crankbaits and minnows. With changing water levels, anglers will need to adjust depths for all species until they find the sweet spot.
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are running at 360 cfs and water clarity is clear. The trout have been biting excellently on just about anything. Many trout are being stocked now for the summer season. The canoe season has started up, so the best time to be on the water is during the week.
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 will begin this weekend and the canoeists can a problem. Fish the upper river at the Lassiter Access to avoid them. 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 |
Geoff Wright at Cane Creek State Park’s said catfishing at Cane Creek Lake is very steady on trotlines, mostly with doughbait or live bait. We have seen lots of bream anglers lately. They are doing well all over the lake with worms and crickets. Crappie are still being caught, especially near the spillway, on minnows, jigs and worms.
Lake Chicot State Park filed no new report.
| Southwest Arkansas |
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.50 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.2 msl).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level is 6 inches above normal conservation pool and rising. There is consistent current in Little River. Surface water temperatures crept upward again last week. Surface temperatures range 71 to 78 degrees. Discharge rate on Monday was a total discharge of 2,798CFS. Clarity and visibility worsened with thunderstorms and high wind. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, visibility ranges 5 to 6 inches. Largemouth bass continue to improve around daybreak on buzzbaits, Chug Bugs, Arborgast Jitterbugs, Ken-Pops and Bass Assassin Shads. The frog bite is improving around new lily pad growth, hydrilla and stumps. Buzz Baits in Bleeding Bluegill, Pumpkinseed Bream, or Avocado Dip colors are getting good reaction strikes from solid largemouths at dawn. Chatterbaits in sexy shad, lizards in blackberry or green pumpkin, Yum Dingers or Salty Rat Tails in watermelon red, and War Eagle Spinnerbaits in Hot Mouse or Firetiger continue getting good reactions over the past couple weeks. Largemouths continue hitting the Rat-L-Traps in Transparent or Spring Bream colors in clearer water of the oxbows, around 3-5 foot drop-offs of flats with stumps, grass or pads nearby. Ten-inch Power Worms in Blue Fleck, Junebug, and Black Grape are working near cypress trees and stumps. Bass Assassin Shads in salt and pepper/silver phantom, gizzard shad or gold shiner colors have been taking some nice size bass as well around vegetation lines and lily pads. Bass Assassin’s Eager Beavers in Watermelon Red or Pit Bosses in California colors continue working along drop offs from flats into the stumps from 5 to 9 feet deep in the better water clarity areas. White bass have finished their annual spawning run up Little River near Patterson shoals. Whites are being caught on main lake points of Little River and in grass beds on spinnerbaits. Whites also continue biting Rat-L-Traps in Chrome/black or chrome/blue back and Millwood Magic. Crankbaits in shad patterns are randomly working between White Cliffs and McGuire Lake oxbow. Crappie continue finishing their annual spawn. Several crappie in the 2 to 3 pound range have been caught over the past couple weeks, moving from bedding areas back toward creek channels and depressions between 8 to 12 feet deep on jigs and tubes in white, white/red and hair jigs in white and gray with silver tinsel. Channel catfish and flatheads are good on trotlines with chicken hearts, gizzards and livers, blood bait, and cut shad in the outer bends of Little River placed from 8 to 12 feet deep.
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) had no report this week.
Joshua and Jacob Bass of Sarepta, La., said catfishing is good on Erling with cut up bream and stink bait in the morning and evening. Both channel catfish and blue catfish can be caught on yo-yos and poles tightlining on the bottom in 6-9 feet of water from the dam as high up as Mize’s camp.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 547.99 feet msl (Flood pool – 548 msl).
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Cossatot River State Park As of Wednesday, the Vandervoort gauge was at 2.26 and the gauge at De Queen was at 2.33.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 408.24 feet msl (flood pool – 408 msl).
Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is in the mid-70s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is very good with plenty of catches all over the lake. There is a pretty decent top-water bite early in the morning in the upper end of the lake between Arlie Moore and Point Cedar. Look for breaking fish on points in big coves. Throw topwaters such as a Sammy, Zara Spook, Pop R or Zoom Fluke. Color is not too important, but the cast has to be right in front of the feeding fish. If there’s no surface activity, try a medium-running crank bait in natural shad patterns also fished in pockets and coves. During the bright part of the day, a Texas- or Carolina-rigged worm or lizard in green pumpkin or red shad is hard to beat. Fish the plastics slowly along the bottom off points and ledges in 10 to 20 feet of water. A few nice fish reported coming on spinner baits fished next to visible cover. Crappie are slow with only a few reports of fish coming from the deeper attractors. Look for fish on brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water outside the spawning coves. Drop a 2 inch curly tail grub or tube on a 1/16-ounce jig head in natural shad patterns to just above the brush. Early in the morning is your best chance of catching a few. Look for attractors at mid-lake between Edgewood and Alpine Ridge. Also some activity reported in the Brushy Creek area. Hybrid activity is picking up nicely with quite a few good catches reported. The fish are schooling between Point 14 and Shouse Ford. There are very few breaking fish, as most are suspended 15 to 20 feet down. Use the electronics to locate the schools. Trolling has been the best way to locate fish. Best trolling lures have been crankbaits such as Shad Raps and Fat Free Shad, heavy spoons, 5-inch swim baits and the five-arm umbrella rigs with 4-inch grubs. Natural shad patterns and white are the best colors. When the fish are located, now is the time to throw spoons and big in-line spinners. The best and probably the only time is early in the morning until about 8 a.m. Bream fishing is good with most any cove with cover producing fish. Look for schools up shallow in water 5 to 8 feet deep. Set the float to about 3 feet and bait with redworms or crickets. Catfishing is picking up, especially on trotlines set on long points in 20 to 30 feet of water. Set the lines at night and bait with catfish charlie, hot dogs, liver, nightcrawlers or cut shad. Also some catches reported coming from the shore around the state park.
| West-Central Arkansas |
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 346.63 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.
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)
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 water temperatures are in the mid-80s. Upriver, bass can be taken on jigs, lizards, frogs, buzzbaits and crankbaits in the back water and main river near wood. White bass and stripers have been caught on tailspinners and white hair jigs. Crappie are slow, but some larger fish have been caught on minnows in 5 feet of water. In the mid-section of the river, bass can be taken on stick worms, frogs, buzzbaits and jigs in creeks and main river points. White bass and crappie are being taken in the creeks on jigs, tailspinners and small Rat-L-Traps. In the lower section of the lake, bass can be taken on jigs, frogs, buzzbaits, crankbaits, swim baits and stick worms on riprap, brush piles and new vegetation. White bass and stripers can be taken with small Rat-L-Traps on tailspinners and jerk baits fished near current. Catfishing is good from dam to dam on liver, cut shad and redworms.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 387.38 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 578.09 feet msl (flood pool – 578 msl).
Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort had no report this week.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs said the surface water temperature is in the mid-60s and the water is in the buckbrush. The water color is stained in the creeks to clear on the lower main lake. Black bass are being caught shallow. Try any shallow-running lure, like a jerk bait, spinnerbait, floating worm or anything you want to throw in pockets. The spawn is most of the way done, but you can find beds on the southeast end of the lake. White bass are running in the river and most major creeks. Crappie are in 6 to 8 feet of water and are biting jigs and minnows.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs said the lake temperature is in the mid to upper 60s and the lake level is full. The color is stained and there is trash floating from the rains. Bass are 75 percent through with bedding. Black bass are biting shallow-running lures like jerk baits, floating worms, shallow crankbaits, and any other lure fished in 8 feet of water and less. White bass are running in most major creeks and biting on shad-type lures. Crappie are in 7 feet of water and less biting on jigs and minnows.
For a report on the crappie fishing at Lake Hamilton, visit Family Fishing Trips.
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service said water temperature below Carpenter Dam has fallen to 52 degrees due to the non-stop generation schedule that started last week after the heavy rains. Heavy flows from the dam have cleared much of the thick moss growth in the tailrace making it much easier for fishermen to present baits on the bottom. Clear conditions prevail and a more normal generation schedule is now in place. Few rainbow trout have been caught in the fast current, but good numbers of fish are present and will begin a consistent feeding pattern as soon as periods of slack water are scheduled. Live bait presentations will give anglers the best chance to have success as many artificial lures are ignored by rainbows this late in the season. Power Bait in bright colors, nightcrawlers and redworms, wax and meal worms are all consistent baits and will catch trout in current or still water. White bass have been much better with limits taken on live minnows and jerk baits in a black/silver pattern. These fish will be present in the area all of June and can be caught consisently in the current. Crappie are gone for the year. A few walleye have been caught by white bass fishermen, but the spawn is well over. Drum are chasing shad as their spawn nears its end. Now that the hot weather is present, striper schools will move toward the dam to live in the oxygen-rich waters of the tailrace and feed on shad and trout. Brood or gizzard shad presented under a balloon rig has always been the best method of taking large stripers.
Drawdown Update: Entergy Arkansas says winter drawdowns began Nov. 3. Lake Hamilton will drop 5 feet and Lake Catherine will drop 3 feet. Water released at the dams will be used to generate hydroelectric power. Both lakes will return to their normal summertime levels in March 2013. The annual drawdowns help with shoreline maintenance and inspection, and are part of a plan to help control nuisance aquatic vegetation. Entergy Arkansas coordinates the annual winter drawdown with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) had no new report.
| South-Central Arkansas |
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Team said water temperature is in the upper 70s. Water clarity on the main channel is around 6 inches, clearing to around 1 foot the farther you go into Lake Langhofer and other backwaters. The river is flowing strong; too fast for most trolling motors to hold in the full current. The increased water flow and post-spawn slump has slowed the bite, but fish can still be caught on rocky shorelines and brush piles offshore in Lake Langhofer.
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay, had no report this week.
Jaret Rushing had no report.
Jaret Rushing had no report.
| East Arkansas |
Mississippi River State Park said the water is normal and clear. Crappie are slowing down. Bass are biting on spinnerbaits in 13-15 feet of water. Bream are biting on worms, crickets and black beetles. Catfish are doing great on yo-yos and trotlines.
Mississippi River State Park said the water is murky. Bass are biting on spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished slowly along cover. Bream are picking up on worms and crickets. Catfish are fair on stinkbait.
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and high. Bream are good on crickets and worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair. No report on catfish. Walleye are slow.
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said overall, fishing is slow. The water is high and fairly clear. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are slow on yo-yos. Bass are slow. Catfishing also is slow.
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water clarity is good and the water is at normal level. The surface water temperature is 70 degrees. Bream are biting well on worms fished near lily pads in shallow water. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished next to piers and cypress trees. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms fished around lily pads. Catfishing is good on yo-yos hung from cypress trees and baited with cut bait.
Courtesy Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
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