Weekly Arkansas Fishing Report – June 15

 

The weekly Arkansas fishing report for June 15, 2013

 

Central Arkansas

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water clarity is dingy to fair but the fishing has been great. Bream fishing is excellent using crickets and redworms over grass beds and lily pads. Crappie fishing is fair with fish being caught in 4-6 feet of water by cypress trees using minnows. Bass fishing is excellent using an assortment of baits. There have been reports of bass biting on topwater frogs and poppers, spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfishing is good using stink bait, shad and crickets.

Dan at Gold Creek Landing had no report this week.

Little Red River

Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water clarity is good and only one generator is running. Trout fishing is excellent using wax worms with marshmallows, power eggs or corn. Jigs and Trout Magnets have also worked well.

Lowell Myers of Sore Lip ‘em All Guide Service had no new report.

Greers Ferry

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 467.36 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 462.04 msl).

Jeff Mays of Anglers Outpost Guide Service (501-253-1905) said the water is about 5 feet above the conservation pool and has the fish scattered and on the move. Catfish and bream should be spawning, but the water levels will either help them or hinder their success. Trolling with jigs and crankbaits has worked well. Look for fish in the creeks and tributaries as they clear from the rain surge.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the lake level is a little high but falling with the surface temperature reaching the 80s. Bream fishing is excellent all over the lake on crickets and crawlers in water 6 inches to 15 feet deep. The walleye bite is getting better, and after the water gets pulled down the bite should be great. Try dragging crawlers on rocky banks in 15-27 feet of water. Crappie fishing is good using jigs and minnows in 15-25 feet of water around timber and brush piles. The bass bite has picked up on brush piles using topwater baits, small crankbaits and Texas-rigged worms. Catfishing is still great all over the lake and will continue the rest of the year on any of your favorite baits.

Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com had no report this week.

Harris Brake Lake

Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the lake was still high but the clarity is normal. Bream fishing has been good using crickets and worms. Crappie fishing is fair but there was one report of a man catching a large crappie on a cricket while bream fishing. Catfishing is good on trot lines and jugs.

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) had no report this week.

Lake Overcup

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 slow 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 slow 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) 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.

Lake Cargile

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) filed no new report.

Lake Barnett

Local angler Nicholas Karras had no report this week.

Lake Maumelle

Jolly Roger’s Marina had no report this week.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream fishing is excellent using worms and crickets at main lake points. Crappie are fair in 10-20 feet of water using minnows, white/chartreuse, red/chartreuse, and electric chicken jigs. Bass fishing is excellent using crankbaits, spooks and Big Bite Fighting Frogs. Catfishing is excellent using slicks, shad, nightcrawlers, skip jacks and hearts.

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are good and have been biting on minnows, baby shad, slab slay’r and stroll’rs in white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse in bone white shad and cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbecue chicken and blue/white with Power Bait crappie nibbles green or yellow. Bream fishing is excellent using nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are good on tequila sunrise and dark colored worms. Spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms are also working well. White bass are good on Rooster Tails and shad-colored drop-shot worms.

Lake Valencia

Hatchet jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfishing is excellent using chicken livers, nightcrawlers and hearts.

Benton City Lake

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said bream fishing is good with fish biting crickets and worms. Catfish are good and have been caught on chicken livers and minnows. Crappie are fair and have been hitting on minnows. Some small bass have been caught on minnows and small Beetle Spin-type baits.

Sunset Lake

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said catfish are being caught on no. 12 bass minnows, chicken liver, bait shrimp, Wild Cat Full Stringer stink bait and Catfish Charlie Shad scented dip bait. Bream are biting on crickets and redworms. Some bass have been caught on minnows and floating worms.

Saline River Access in Benton

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton  (501-778-6944) said the river is back down to a fishable level and some catfish are being caught on chicken livers, stink bait and worms. Bass are hitting small Texas-rigged worms and lizards and big minnows. Bream fishing is good using crickets and worms.

Lake Norrell

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton  (501-778-6944) said bream fishing is excellent and many fish have been caught on crickets and redworms. Catfish are being caught on no. 12 bass minnows and some have been caught on worms and crickets while bream fishing. Bass fishing has been fair on floating worms, Carolina-rigged lizards and topwater frogs fished close to the banks early in the morning and right at dark.

Bishop Park Lake in Bryant

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton  (501-778-6944) had no report this week.

Lake Winona

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton  (501-778-6944) said crappie fishing has been good using minnows. Bream fishing is good using crickets and worms. Bass fishing is good using topwater baits at daylight and Texas- and Carolina-rigged worms and lizards after the sun starts to heat the surface of the water.

Arkansas River at Morrilton

Charley’s Hidden Harbor said the water is extremely high, fast moving and too dangerous for anyone to access until the water subsides. However, the backwaters from the flooding are full of fish and people have done really well bowfishing in fields. Bream have been biting well on crickets in overhanging brush. Bass fishing is good with fish biting Jitterbugs and other topwaters along overhanging brush. People also have had success throwing plastic worms into grass and around flooded timber. Catfishing is excellent using worms in the creeks that are flooded and in backwaters.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream fishing is excellent around trees using red worms and crickets. Crappie are fair around brush with white/chartreuse, red/chartreuse and green/ chartreuse jigs and minnows. Bass fishing is excellent in the shallows using creature baits, Senkos and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good using hearts, livers, shad, green sunfish and skipjack.

Palarm Creek: No report this week.

Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)

Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said the river is still very high and muddy and advises that people take high precaution if they choose to get out on a boat. Most fishing should be done from the bank and anglers have done very well catching catfish using dip baits like Catfish Charlie. Bream have been biting well on worms and crickets. Bass fishing from the bank has been good using Texas-rigged lizards and worms.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream fishing is fair using redworms and crickets in the backwater. Crappie are fair at jetty points using minnows, white/chartreuse, red/chartreuse and purple/chartreuse jigs. Bass fishing is excellent in the backwater using jigs, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on rod and reel and trotlines using green sunfish, shad and skipjack.

Fourche Creek: No report this week.

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is still very high and running very swiftly. The only reports of fish being caught are of catfish.

Clear Lake

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water clarity is good but it is still a little high. Bream fishing is good using worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and blue/white jigs. Bass are fair using spinnerbaits and plastic worms.

Peckerwood Lake

Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is at full stage but the clarity is good. Bream fishing is good using worms and crickets around brush piles. Crappie are fair and have moved out into deeper water. However, some have been reported being caught on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good using many types of artificial baits. Catfishing is good using livers and worms..

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) said bream fishing is good around piers using redworms and crickets. Crappie fishing is excellent around brush using minnows, red/chartreuse and white/chartreuse jigs. Bass fishing is good on the north side of the lake in grass using jigs and topwater frogs. Catfishing is good using minnows, hot dogs, hearts, livers and slicks.

North Arkansas

White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said two to three generators ran all weekend but the water clarity was good. Fly-fishing was tough because of the running water but should pick up this week with the generators being shut off. Fishing for rainbows is good using small lures and drift fishing lures. A few brown trout have been caught but nothing of great size.

Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said there has been significant 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 sowbugs. 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)

Buffalo River

Berry Brothers Guide Service said with summer here, the smallmouths are active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

Crooked Creek

Berry Brothers Guide Service said with summer here, the smallmouths are active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 665.07 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the water is a little high with temperatures in the mid-70s. Walleye are biting well in 10-30 feet of water using bottom bouncers with crawler rigs and silver/chartreuse Colorado or smile blades. Bass fishing has been good on soft plastic baits fished near the brush line and the old shore line about 15 to 20 feet deep. The early morning and late afternoon topwater bite on Spook Jrs., floating wacky worms and flukes has been good for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. White bass are schooling and are working shad on the main lake as well as the creek arms and are biting anything that looks like a shad when they come up.

Lake Norfork

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 560.49 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 552 msl, April-September – 554 msl).

Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters had no report this week.

Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said fishing continues to be outstanding and expects it to continue to be that way for the next couple of weeks. Topwater action has been great at sunrise and sunset with a lot of fish being caught on weighted flukes. Mid-day fishing is still good but you have to go deeper to catch them. The fish are in about 18-30 feet of water, so find some underwater brush at that depth and fish in it with a jig pig or a Texas-rigged worm. For night fishing, use a black spinnerbait. The catfish have moved into shallow water to feed; use shiners, small bluegill and nightcrawlers. Crappie are scattered and in deep water.

Guide Steve Olomon said the lake level is up a little from last week and temperatures are in the mid-70s. Largemouth and stripers are still hitting topwater baits early in the morning and at sunset. Use a Zara Spook or a soft jerkbait. For fish that are suspended throw a jigging spoon.

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 here has been wadable water on the Norfork almost every day. The action has picked up somewhat. With significant wadable water on the White, the crowding has eased somewhat. 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 18). Grasshoppers have started producing fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Olive woolly buggers have also accounted for a lot of trout. The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,125.55 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120 msl).

Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said striper fishing is fair with fish being caught on live shad fished on free lines and down lines from the surface to 25ft deep. Troll with small umbrella rigs with white grubs for clearer water, chartreuse for stained water. Three way rigs with Rapalas and Rogues are also producing. Try Rapala no. 9 Husky Jerks in black back or purple back colors and Smithwick Rogues in similar colors in 5-6 inch models. Casting Redfins and small umbrella rigs on windblown points is also producing some nice stripers. Casting Redfins, Rapalas and Rouges around rock piles on points and near timber are catching fish at night. Walleye are 4-8 feet deep and are headed back down river to the main lake after visiting spawning grounds. The rain slowed them down but they are recovering nicely and starting to feed. You can flatline troll with Cotton Cordell Spots, Hot-n-Tot’s, Wiggle Warts, Rapala Tail Dancers, Shad Raps, Reef Runners or Ripstiks in natural blue or black back combos in clear water or chartreuse/orange and clown colors in areas of stained water. Jigging spoons around brush and rock piles are also producing.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is about 3 feet above normal but the clarity is good and the temperature is hovering around 70 degrees. Bream fishing is good using worms and crickets. Crappie are in the postspawn phase and are fair in 10-15 feet of water using minnows and jigs. Most crappie have been caught trolling around steep banks and around bluffs. The bass have settled into their summer patterns and are good throughout the day using topwater baits in the morning and then switching over to soft plastics as the afternoon wears on. Night fishing has picked up on the lake and many bass have been caught with dark spinner baits. Catfishing is good using goldfish and small bream.

Jason Piper of JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been good in the mornings and evenings using topwater plugs or buzz baits in and around the flooded brush along the bank. During the day, a Carolina rigged tube, lizard or worm fished over points and flats has been effective. Night fishing has picked up, and anglers have been successful using black/blue hula grubs along sloping gravel to chunk rock banks. Crappie fishing has been good and anglers can find them suspended around pole timber and over brush piles half way back in coves where the water hits 20 to 40 feet deep. A curly tail grub on a 1/16 oz. jighead has been producing well. At night, look for docks that have a light shining on the water, a few crappie can be caught in these locations using dark colored tubes and curly tail grubs or a minnow under a cork 5 to 10 feet deep. White River, Piney Creek, Eden Bluff, Monte-Ne and Ventris have all been good places to find crappie. Catfishing has picked up and fish have been caught using liver or worms from the bank at 12 bridge, Monte-Ne, Hickory Creek and the 412 bridge access.

Beaver Tailwater

Beaver Dam Store had no report this week.

Lake Elmdale 

Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat had no report this week.

Lake Fayetteville

Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water clarity is good and at a normal level. Bream fishing is good using worms and crickets. The crappie are biting fair on minnows and jigs. The black bass are biting good on many artificial baits, and some white bass have been caught when people have been crappie fishing.

Lake Sequoyah

Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at a normal level with a surface temperature of 74 degrees. Bream fishing is good using worms and crickets all over the lake. Crappie are good in 2-6 feet of water using minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is excellent with several 5-6 pound fish being caught on spinner baits and plastic worms. Topwater baits have also worked well in the mornings. Catfishing is excellent using livers and shad on the weed beds.

Prairie Grove Lake

Dennis Kruse (479-444-3475) had no report this week.

Northeast Arkansas

Lake Poinsett

Lake Poinsett State Park said fishing is slow but there are some reports of good fishing on different parts of the lake. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms on the shallow end of the lake. Catfishing is good using a variety of baits but they seem to be hitting goldfish and minnows the most right now. Some small bass have been caught on minnows and artificial lures.

Crown Lake

Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water clarity is good and the lake is at a normal level. Bream fishing is good using crickets and worms. Crappie fishing is fair in deep water as deep as 18 feet. Bass fishing is good using topwater baits and 10 inch worms. Catfishing is fair and a few have been seen caught around their beds.

Lake Frierson

Lake Frierson State Park said the water is at a normal level and the temperature is in the 70s. Catfish have been good on nightcrawlers, cut bait, minnows and dip bait. Blue cats and channel cats are being caught on the bottom and under floats about 2-5 feet deep. Flatheads are starting to bite better on jugs baited with small bream, minnows and goldfish. Bass have been fair to good with most of the fish being caught in shallow water on soft plastics and crankbaits. Bream have been good all along the shoreline on crickets and small pieces of nightcrawlers or redworms.

Spring River

Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are running at 360 cfs and water clarity is clear. The game and fish are stocking some really nice size trout and the fishing has been great on guppies and brownies. Shrimp and hot pink Trout Magnets are also doing great with spinning gear.

Berry Brothers Guide Service said the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season will began last weekend, so 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

Cane Creek Lake

Geoff Wright at Cane Creek State Park’s had no report this week.

Lake Chicot

Lake Chicot State Park filed no new report.

Southwest Arkansas

Millwood Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.60 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.2 msl).

Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the water is about 7 feet above normal level and rising with poor clarity. Bass fishing at dawn using topwater baits is still good and the best bite of the day is early to late morning before the sun starts to heat up the water surface. Buzz baits, Spit’n Images, Spooks, Arborgast Jitterbugs, Ken-Pops, frogs and Bass Assassin Shads have all worked well. White bass are being caught on main lake points of Little River and in grass beds on spinnerbaits. White Bass continue to bite Rat-L-Traps in Chrome /black or chrome/blue black and Millwood Magic. Crankbaits in shad patterns are working between McGuire Lake oxbow and Highway 71 bridge behind points and in sloughs. The crappie have scattered due to the muddy water and swift current from Little River and the bite has been slow. Catfish are very good on trotlines with chicken hearts, gizzards, livers and cut shad in the outer bends of Little River placed from 6-12 feet.

Lake Columbia

Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) had no report this week.

Lake Erling

Joshua and Jacob Bass of Sarepta, La., had no report this week.

Lake Greeson

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 547.89 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 had no report this week.

DeGray Lake

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 the lake is getting back to normal elevation and just about all the boat ramps are now open. However, there is still debris and wood floating around, so be careful running a boat. The lake clarity is clear and the surface temperature is 80 degrees. Bass fishing is fair and with the receding water, the fish have moved deeper to 8 to 10 feet. Fish main and secondary points with a medium running crank bait in natural shad in clear water and something with chartreuse where the water is dis-colored. Zara Spooks, Sammy’s, Flukes and 4 inch swim baits have also been producing. Crappie fishing is fair and a few fish can be taken from deep attractors in 18 to 25 feet of water. Use a 2 inch curly tail grub or tube on a 1/4 ounce jig head just above the brush. Hybrid fishing is excellent, and many limit catches have been reported. Look for fish in or near the major coves on the South side of the lake between points 2 and 4. The fish will be up in the early morning and trolling crank baits, swim baits, heavy spoons and the 5 arm umbrella with 3 inch curly tail grubs have been producing. Later in the morning, the fish will go deep to about 35 feet. One of the most productive methods for catching these fish has been throwing a heavy 2 ounce spoon and letting it sink to below the fish and jigging up through the school. The best colors on the spoon have been pink and chartreuse. Bream fishing is good with fish now showing in most any cove with some cover. Use a float set to about 3 feet and use crickets or red worms. Catfishing has been good on noodles and trot lines. Set the lines and noodles at night on long points and coves baited with hot dogs, soap, night crawlers, Catfish Charlie, liver or cut shad. Try live small bream and big minnows for bigger cats.

West-Central Arkansas

Lake Nimrod

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 363.74 feet msl (flood pool – 373 msl).

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are good and have been biting on minnows, baby shad, slab slay’r and stroll’r in white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse, bone white, cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbecue chicken or blue/white with a PowerBait Crappie Nibble in green or yellow. Bream fishing is excellent using nightcrawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are good on tequila sunrise and dark colored worms. Spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms are also working well. Catfishing is good using nightcrawlers and chicken, turkey and rabbit livers.

Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream fishing is excellent using nightcrawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Catfishing is good on red worms, nightcrawlers, minnows, stink bait and chicken, turkey and rabbit livers. Bass fishing is good on dark colored worms, spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms.

Fourche La Fave River

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the river is stained but fishing is good. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in white/ salt and pepper, red/chartreuse, Cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbecue chicken and blue/white with green or yellow PowerBait Crappie Nibbles. Catfishing is good using stink bait, livers and minnows. Bass are good on tequila sunrise and dark colored worms. Spinnerbaits, rooster tails, flukes and drop worms are also working well.

Lake Hinkle

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

Lake Dardanelle

Chuck Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-774-9117) said the water is high, muddy and fishing is slow. Mid-river bass have been caught in creeks on frogs, jigs, sweet beavers and worms. Some bass have been caught in the bays on Rat-L-Traps and worms. Lower river bass have been caught off drops, brush piles and chunk rocks using worms, jigs and sweet beavers. Use frogs and buzzbaits in early morning in the vegetation. Bream fishing is excellent in creeks using worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is slow but some fish can be caught in creeks using minnows. Catfish are being caught on cut perch and liver.

Blue Mountain Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 390.70 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.

Lake Ouachita

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 583.21 feet msl (flood pool – 578 msl)..

Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clearing and ranges from 74 to 78 degrees. Black bass are good on jig head worms, brush hogs and top water Super Spook Jr’s. Walleye are excellent on spoons and shad raps fished over main lake points and humps. Stripers are good and are still being caught on top water C-10 Redfins and live bait. These fish have moved to main lake humps and points near major creek. Bream are excellent and have been caught with crickets or worms in 8-15 feet of water. Crappie are fair and are being caught near and over brush with minnows or crappie grubs. Catfishing is excellent and fish have been caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trot lines from 10-20 feet deep.

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs said the surface water temperature is in the mid-70s to low 80s. The water is stained.  Black bass are being caught shallow on shallow-running  crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, or anything you want to throw in flooded brush. Also a Texas-rigged worm in the buckbrush is working.  Crappie are in 6 to 8 feet of water and biting jigs and minnows. Bream are biting well, but are a little deeper than you might think. Try in the gut of a pocket with a tight lined cricket or worm.

Lake Hamilton

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports in Hot Springs said the surface water temperature is in the mid to upper 70s to low 80s and the lake level is full. The color is stained due to all the rain. Black bass are biting shallow-running crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and any other lure fished in 5 feet of water and less. White bass are schooling in the mouths of most major creeks and biting on shad-type lures. Crappie are in 7 feet of water and less biting on jigs and minnows. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms.

For a report on the crappie fishing at Lake Hamilton, visit Family Fishing Trips.

Lake Catherine

For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.

Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service said high flows and stained water dominate the tailrace making boating unsafe and fishing unproductive. Lake Ouachita is still well above flood pool and 24 hour generation has been scheduled at all area dams to bring the big lake down below this level where normal periods of flow can resume. This process will take as long as 7 to 10 days so boaters and anglers alike should stay off the water until the tailrace returns to normal.

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.

Lake Atkins

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 the water temperature is around 80 degrees with visibility about 1 foot in backwaters and Lake Langhofer. The main channel current is still very strong, but fish can still be caught close to rocks and brush piles with jigs, worms and shad-colored crankbaits.

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 Jaret Rushing had no report.

Tri-County Lake

Jaret Rushing had no report.

East Arkansas

Bear Creek Lake

Mississippi River State Park had no report this week.

Storm Creek Lake

Mississippi River State Park had no report this week.

White River

Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report this week

Maddox Bay

Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the river is still very dirty and high. Fishing has been extremely slow and there hasn’t been much of a report other than a couple of people catching a few catfish. Overall catfishing should be considered fair.

Horseshoe Lake

Local angler Clyde Gregory said the lake clarity is good and at a normal level. Bream fishing is good in the shallows using wax worms and crickets. Crappie are good and have been biting on minnows and on black/chartreuse jigs near piers and cypress trees. Bass fishing is good near lily pads and cypress trees using spinner baits and grape colored plastic worms. Catfishing is excellent using worms and cut bait.

 

Courtesy Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

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