Weekly Arkansas Fishing Report – May 18

Courtesy Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

 

Weekly Arkansas Fishing Report for May 18, 2013.

 

Central Arkansas

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets all over the lake. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished around cypress trees near deeper holes. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on stink bait and nightcrawlers hung on trotlines.

Dan at Gold Creek Landing said bluegill and redear biting well in lily pad patches away from the bank on crickets and redworms from 1½ to 3 feet deep. Crappie fair in the cypress trees. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Catfishing is good on trotlines and limb lines baited with bream.

Little Red River

Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water clarity is good and one generator is running. Trout fishing is excellent on Power Bait, wax worms and nightcrawlers. Fly-anglers are catching quite a few trout as well.

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.

Greers Ferry

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.79 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 461 msl).

Jeff Mays of Anglers Outpost Guide Service (501-253-1905) said the reservoir is close to normal pool and the water has warmed to 65-71 degrees in the Choctaw and South Fork areas. Crappie have been a bit elusive with best results coming from slow trolling and tightlining at a depth of 10-15 feet in 20-25 feet of water near timber, mouths of coves and near secondary points. Hybrids and whites are schooling and chasing baitfish to the shore and into coves. If you can get on them, just about any bait will work. Spawning largemouth and spotted bass will take top-water baits early in the shallows. Try a Carolina-rigged lizard, a jig and fluke near the bottom, or a slow-rolled large spinner bait during the day for post spawn fish in 15-25 feet of water. The walleye bite has improved and they can be caught dragging crawlers and jigs tipped with minnows around points and coves. The walleye should be getting shallower after dark. Some nice catfish are also being caught by trotlines, jugs and bank fishing. Bluegill will be making beds soon.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is falling, and the surface water temperature is in the high 60s. Bass fishing is so-so, with a lot of small fish guarding fry. Most of the fish have not made it deep, so many are in transition areas. Try soft plastics up shallow , spinner baits early and crank baits jigs and Carolina rigs out deep. There’s also a pretty good top-water bite early in the mornings. Hybrids and white bass fishing is on and off all day with some schooling early and late all over the lake. Look for bait and stay with it using top-water lures, spoons, in-line spinners and swim baits as well as Alabama rigs. A lot of crappie have not spawned in the main lake. Try dipping jigs around brush in short main lake pockets and even out to 15 feet of water on steep banks. Catfishing is good all over the lake on lines baited with a lot of different baits. Bream fishing is good all over the lake up shallow using flies, small crankbaits, crickets and crawlers. The walleye bite is picking up as they get grouped up in the main lake. Try crankbaits and jigs tipped with crawlers.

Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the surface water temperature is 64-71 degrees. The bite is exploding! Every species in the lake is starting to feed with some consistency now that water temperatures have stabilized at comfortable levels. Fish are starting to transition into early summer patterns and are biting well. Right now you can catch fish on a number of lures and presentations lake-wide.

Harris Brake Lake

Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the water is high with 2 feet of visibility. The surface water temperature is 65 to 70 degrees. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms fished along the shoreline. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on trotlines.

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are good on minnows and Slab Slay’rs and Stroll’rs in white /salt and pepper, red/chartreuse shad, bone white, Cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbecue chicken and blue/white with a green or yellow PowerBait Crappie Nibble. Catfish are good in deep water on minnows, worms, stink bait and chicken/ turkey /rabbit livers. Bass are biting well on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and Flukes. Bream are biting well on nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Redear are biting on redworms fished near the bottom.

Lake Overcup

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

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are good on minnows, Baby Shad, Stroll’rs and Slab Slay’rs in white/salt-and-pepper, red/chartreuse, bone white, barbecue chicken and blue/white tipped with a green or yellow PowerBait Crappie Nibble. Bream are in deep water and are biting on nightcrawlers, redworms, mealworms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are fair on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.

Brewer Lake

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

Lake Cargile

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

Lake Barnett

Local angler Nicholas Karras had no report.

Lake Maumelle

Jolly Roger’s Marina had no new report.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are excellent on crickets and worms fished around main lake points in 15 to 20 feet of water. Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs fished around any cover near the main channel. Bass are excellent on top-water lures, buzzbaits and Rat-L-Traps. Catfishing is excellent on chicken livers, shad, skipjack and chicken hearts.

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting well on minnows, Baby Shads and Slab Slay’rs in red/chartreuse, bone white, pearl, orange/chartreuse, Cajun cricket, pink cotton candy, barbecue chicken and blue/white with green or yellow PowerBait crappie nibbles. White bass are biting well in the main channel on Rooster Tails and Baby Shads in white/salt and pepper. Bream are biting well on nightcrawlers, redworms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are fair on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.

Lake Valencia

Hatchet jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfish are biting excellently on chicken liver, chicken hearts and nightcrawlers.

Benton City Lake

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said a few bream are being caught on crickets and red worms, but, other than that, fishing has been slow.

Sunset Lake

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said catfish are still biting pretty well on chicken liver, minnows and stink bait. Bream are being caught on redworms and crickets in shallow water and are trying to get on the beds. Some bass have been caught on floating worms and live minnows. Crappie fishing has been slow.

Saline River Access in Benton

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton  (501-778-6944) said some decent to large crappie were caught a couple of days last week on no. 6 crappie minnows fished around fallen trees in 3-6 feet of water. Another customer is keeping some lines baited with no. 12 bass minnows and brood minnows and has been taking home some good messes of catfish, including a couple of really nice flatheads. Bass fishing has slowed a little but you can still pick up a smallmouth or spotted bass or two on a live minnow, crawfish or a green pumpkin lizard. Crickets or redworms on a small hook and light line will produce all the bream and small sunfish you want to catch.

Lake Norrell

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton  (501-778-6944) said bream are big and beginning to move to the beds, but you can still catch the bigger ones around deep brush on redworms and crickets. Some decent catfish were caught recently on trotlines baited with no. 12 bass minnows and black salties. Bass are hitting floating worms and Carolina-rigged lizards fished around docks and retaining walls. Crappie fishing is tough as usual on the lake.

Bishop Park Lake in Bryant

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton  (501-778-6944) said one customer and his daughters reported catching several medium-sized crappie on minnows at Lake Norman while fishing beside the road. Another reported catching some small bass and bream by fishing all around the lake with minnows as well.

Lake Winona

Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton  (501-778-6944)said some catfish and bream were caught last week on nightcrawlers while fishing the banks around the boat ramp and parking area. Bass fishing has been fair on floating worms and white spinnerbaits. No reports of crappie being caught.

Arkansas River at Morrilton

Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo said fishing is beginning to pick up. Bream are biting around the banks where sandbars and grass meet. They are also biting excellently on small black Rooster Tails fished along rocky areas. White bass are biting well below dams 9 and 10 on Rat-L-Traps and other shad-colored crankbaits where you have about 10 feet of water. Largemouth bass are biting very well on large soft-plastic worms and jigs fished in 3 to 8 feet of water. Spotted bass are biting well on pearl-colored Fat Raps fished along jetties.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is muddy and high. The surface water temperature is 65 degrees. Crappie are biting well on minnows, jigs and grubs fished in 4 to 10 feet of water. Bass are excellent on crankbaits, jigs and lizards. Catfishing is good on cut bait and nightcrawlers.

Palarm Creek: No report this week.

Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)

Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said the water is muddy and high. The surface water temperature is 65 degrees. Crappie are biting well on minnows, jigs and grubs fished in 4 to 10 feet of water. Bass are excellent on crankbaits, jigs and lizards. Catfishing is good on cut bait and nightcrawlers.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting fair in the main channel on minnows and very well below Murray Lock and Dam on curly tailed jigs. Bass are biting excellently around jetties on jigs and Texas-rigged creature baits. Catfishing is good on the main river and excellent below Murray Lock and Dam on skipjack, shad, worms and green sunfish.

Fourche Creek: No report this week.

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is high and clear. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and curly tailed grubs. Catfishing is fair on shad. No report on bass.

Clear Lake

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is high and clear. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. No report on catfish.

Peckerwood Lake

Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is high and dingy. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well. Catfishing is good on yo-yos.

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 are biting very well on worms and crickets around the piers. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows. Bass are biting well on top-water frogs and buzzbaits fished along the grass. Catfishing is good on hot dogs, worms and chicken livers.

North Arkansas

White River

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and two generators are running. Trout are excellent on wax worms and Power Bait. Spin fishermen are doing very well using Rattling Rogues and Rooster Tails. Fly-fishing is great as well.

Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said we had significant generation and no wadable water. The lakes in the White River system are all above the top of power pool and we are getting much more generation. I expect this trend to continue for the next few weeks. Our most prolific hatch of the year, the Rhyacophilia caddis, is on the wane a bit. Our major mayfly hatch, the sulphurs, are next to come off. Before the hatch, concentrate on fishing mayfly nymphs. My favorite is the copper John. When you observe fish feeding near the surface but see no insects, the trout are keying in on emergers. The best fly for this phase is a partridge-and-orange soft hackle. Then, when you observe insects on the surface of the water and trout keying in on them, you switch over to the adult insect fly. My hands down choice is the sulphur parachute (14). On the White, we have had no wadable water. The hot spot has been the section from Wildcat Shoals down to Cotter. 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 beadheaded nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise).

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185)

Buffalo River

Berry Brothers Guide Service said the Buffalo River is navigable, but with the impending rain I would carefully monitor the water level before venturing out. With spring here, the smallmouth are beginning to get active. Look for water temperatures over 55 degrees.

Crooked Creek

Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek is navigable, but with the impending rain I would carefully monitor the water level before venturing out. With spring here, the smallmouth are beginning to get active. Look for water temperatures over 55 degrees.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 663.05 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).

Mike Worley’s Guide Service had no new report this week.

Lake Norfork

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 558.74 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 552 msl, April-September – 554 msl).

Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters had no new report this week.

Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort had no new report this week.

Guide Steve Olomon said the surface water temperature was in the upper 60s until the last cold front, when it dropped back to the low 60s. There were a few fish coming up earlier in the week when the water started warming. The night bite is picking up on Rouges for stripers, hybrids and a walleye or two. Some bass are on beds. They are hitting swimbaits, Spooks , Pop-Rs, Carolina rigs, soft jerk baits and jigs.

Campground News: Jordan Campground on Norfork Lake is open April 1-Oct. 1 and managed by Jordan Marina. Formerly run by the Army Corps of Engineers, Jordan Campground is a favorite of families camping on the south end of Norfork Lake and is the gateway to Sand Island and Jordan area beaches. This area also is a favorite of scuba divers, with 30 dive sites within 2 miles of the campground. Jordan Campground has 41 RV and tent sites; sites with 50-amp service and 30-amp service are available for $20 per night. The campground, adjacent to Jordan Marina, also features a swimming beach, picnic pavilion, boat launch and two restrooms. For more information, call (870) 499-7223 or Jordan Marina at (870) 499-7348.

Norfork Tailwater

Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said there has been wadable water on the Norfork almost every day. The action has picked up somewhat. With no wadable water on the White, it has been very crowded, particularly on the weekends. You should fish early or late to avoid the crowds. The most productive flies have been small (size 20 or smaller) midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and Dan’s turkey tail emerger or soft hackles like my green butt or the partridge-and-orange. There has also been a sparse hatch of very small mayflies; reliable hatches of midges (try a size 22 parachute Adams for both) and some smaller caddis (size 16). The crane flies have been hit or miss (try a size 14 light Cahill or a partridge and yellow soft hackle). Olive woolly buggers have also accounted for a lot of trout. The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday. Dry Run Creek has fished well for the youngsters. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective.

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,122.97 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 stained and high. The surface water temperature is in the 60s. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and tube jigs. Bass are biting well on top-water lures and tube baits fished near the bank. Catfishing is fair. White bass are biting well on minnows.

Jason Piper of JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass can be found up shallow spawning. Look for beds close to the bank in 3 to 12 feet of water, depending on clarity, around flooded cover in backs of pockets, coves and along sloping banks. A split-shot rigged lizard or tube worked around the bed will entice a bite. Also, try a spinnerbait or swimbait worked parallel to the bank along sloping gravel banks with timber. Little Clifty, Van Winkle Hollow, Ventris, Monte-Ne and the White River arm have all been good. Crappie are in all modes of the spawn process. Most are suspending 10 feet deep around timber or above brush piles in 20 to 30 feet of water, not far from their spawning grounds. These fish can be caught by swimming a 2-inch curly tailed grub on a 1/16-oz. jig head through the cover. Some are still on the bank and can be caught around shallow weed beds, lay down trees and flooded logs along sloping banks and pockets. A 2-inch swim bait or tube on a 1/32-oz. jig head 2 to 5 feet under a small cork worked in those areas has been very effective. Monte-Ne, Piney Creek, White River upstream from War Eagle Marina and the coves around Eden Bluff have all been producing limits. White bass are biting well up both river arms and in the backs of main creek arms throughout the lake. They are biting anything that resembles a shad. Catfishing has been slow, but a few can be caught in the evening using liver or cut bait. Hickory Creek, 12 Bridge and the 412 Bridge access have all been good places to fish.

Beaver Tailwater

Beaver Dam Store said the walleye and white bass slowed down again this week. Hopefully a couple of warmer days and they will be moving back upriver. I did very well using a grey over white Clouser minnow. Flicker shad, night crawlers, and small minnows are also working. Many decent trout reports have come from everyone from the fly guys to the bait fishermen. Table Rock Lake is back at normal power pool. This takes away some access and slows the water down. With the higher and slower water, try larger (size 12 and 14) prince nymphs. Fish a soft hackle in the slower water by stripping it. Midge fishing early and later with scuds are catching fish. Fire Tiger Flicker Shad are fun to fish and work well. We used an olive and a white micro jig with good results. Colorado spoons are a great choice. Gold spoons, micro jigs and Rapalas are doing good for the spin fishermen. For the bait fishermen white PowerBait with a wax worm is hard to beat. Try a nightcrawler while the walleye and whites are coming up for a chance to catch a couple of different species of fish.

Lake Elmdale 

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

Lake Fayetteville

Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is dingy and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on artificial lures. No report on catfish.

Lake Sequoyah

Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is muddy and at normal level. Surface water temperature is 70 degrees. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is good on chicken livers. No report on bass or bream.

Prairie Grove Lake

Dennis Kruse (479-444-3475) said fishing picked up a bit this weekend, and hopefully will get better as the weather stabilizes. Bass are spawning, and several large fish were caught this weekend. Anglers used soft plastics and jigs for the best success. Crappie are still sporadic, and have not completed their spawn yet. Minnows fished 7-10 feet deep are the best bet. Bluegill and redear are up on their spawning beds, biting very well on crickets and worms. Several nice catfish were caught by bream fishermen using crickets and minnows as well.

Northeast Arkansas

Lake Poinsett

Lake Poinsett State Park said there was a 5 pound, 2 ounce bass caught last week using a top-water lure. Crappie are slowing, but some anglers are catching their limits. We haven’t heard anything about the bream, but we are selling a lot of crickets. Catfishing is still very good.

Crown Lake

Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is dingy and at normal level. The surface water temperature is 59 to 66 degrees. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on soft-plastics. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers and chicken livers.

Lake Frierson

Lake Frierson State Park said the weather is finally cooperating and fishing has picked up. The lake is slightly above normal pool, and temperatures are ranging into the upper 60s and low 70s on warm days. A bass tournament on the 11th took a 14.18 lb. five-bass bag to win. Many bass over 4 lbs. were caught and most competitors had a limit. Bass were caught on spinnerbaits and crankbaits mainly fished around bushes. Some have also been caught on soft plastics around bushes and cover as well as with minnows in various locations and depths. Make repeated casts to areas with cover to get a reaction bite. Catfishing has been good to excellent. Many anglers are using jugs baited with minnows and having good success. Several nice stringers have been caught and many fish around 10 lbs. have been caught, including an 18 lb. flathead. This is the first week that flathead have been showing up and this trend should continue to improve over the coming weeks. Minnows have produced for bank anglers as well; try using a float and running the minnows about 2-3 feet under the float. Nightcrawlers and dip bait have been producing as well and should continue to improve as the weather warms more. Bream are being caught all along the shoreline on redworms, crickets and pieces of nightcrawlers; the bigger fish appear to be a little further away from shore and a little deeper. Crappie have been sporadic with a few nice fish caught, but no numbers. Several saugeye were also caught last week on minnows and crankbaits. Try along the levee and on deeper points. A reminder to jug anglers: The limit for floatation devices is 20 a person and they must be labeled with either the user’s name and address, driver’s license number, or current vehicle tag number. A phone number is also a good idea, although not a requirement. These devices may only be left unattended from sunset to sunrise. Any floatation devices left unattended after sunrise are subject to fines. Yo-yos also must be within “sight and hearing” during daylight hours.

Spring River

Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are running at 405 cfs at the spring and water clarity is clear. Mayflies and caddis flies have been hatching heavily during morning hours. Mayfly emergers and caddis emergers are very productive during this time of day. Y2Ks and woolly buggers are great later in the day. Purple haze and white Trout Magnets and yellow and black Rooster Tails are working great for spin fishing. If you’re after walleye, use large stick baits imitating baitfish and trout.

Berry Brothers Guide Service said the water level is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season has not begun and the few boaters still around should not prove to be a problem. The hot spot is the Dam Three Access. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Southeast Arkansas

Cane Creek Lake

Geoff Wright at Cane Creek State Park’s filed no new 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 259.30 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.2 msl).

Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake is 3 inches above normal conservation pool and steady. Surface temperature ranges from 69 to 77 degrees. Discharge rate as of Monday was a total discharge of 2,798CFS. Clarity and visibility drastically improved over the past week. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity and visibility ranged 10-20 inches. Largemouth bass improved their attitude toward surface feeding. The best bite is occurring around daybreak, and best reaction baits lately continue to be buzzbaits, Spooks, Spitn’ Images, Chug Bugs, Pop-R’s and Bass Assassin Shads. Frogs are beginning to draw strikes around new lily pad growth. Buzzbaits in Casper Ghost, Blue Glimmer, or Black Bayou colors are getting reaction strikes from solid Largemouths at dawn. Chatterbaits in white shad, lizards in blackberry or green pumpkin, Yum Dingers in watermelon red, and War Eagle Spinnerbaits in Spot Remover or blue herring 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 6-8 foot drop-offs of flats with stumps nearby. White bass have finished their annual spawning runs up Little River near Patterson Shoals. Whites are roaming the deeper sections of Little River now, and Rat-L-Traps in chrome/black or chrome/blue back and Millwood Magic are randomly working between White Cliffs and Highway 71 bridge. Crappie continue improving around cypress trees and some are finishing their annual spawning rituals. Several crappie in the 2-3 pound range have been caught over the past week moving from bedding areas back toward creek channels and depressions between 8-12 feet deep on jigs and tubes in white or white/red, and on hair jigs in white and gray with silver tinsel. Channel Cats 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 8-12 feet deep.

Lake Columbia

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

Lake Erling

Joshua and Jacob Bass of Sarepta, La., filed no new report.

Lake Greeson

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 546.09 feet msl (Flood pool – 548 msl).

For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.  

Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)

Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.

Cossatot River

Cossatot River State Park As of Wednesday, the Vandervoort gauge was at 2.26 and the gauge at De Queen was at 2.33.

DeGray Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 406.76 feet msl (flood pool – 408 msl).

Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is in the low 70s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is going great with many double-digit catches reported. The best pattern has been secondary points in the backs of big coves. Fish a shallow- or medium-running crankbait near the bank in water 4 to 5 feet deep. A few fish are still bedding and some fish are being taken by sight fishing. Floating worms and Flukes are also producing. The top-water bite is beginning early in the morning on long shallow points. Zara Spooks, Sammy’s and Flukes are hard to beat. The upper and mid lake areas have been the best areas. No reports on crappie, as it seems most everyone is bass fishing. Hybrids are scattered from Point Cedar to Edgewood with very little schooling activity. A few fish are being taken by trolling medium-running crankbaits, swim baits and small five-arm umbrella rigs with 4-inch curly tail grubs. Some spotty surface activity was reported in the Shouse Ford area in the evening and early morning. Most fish are small (in the 2- to 4-pound range). Large fish have been scarce all spring. Bream fishing is good and will only get better with the full moon this month. The fish are now in the shallow coves with some cover. Some bedding activity was reported. Use a float set to about 3 feet and bait with crickets or redworms. Some catfish have been caught on trot lines set across small coves. Set the lines at night and bait with liver, hot dogs or cut shad.

West-Central Arkansas

Lake Nimrod

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 345.32 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.

Fourche La Fave River

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.

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 temperature is in the upper 70s in some places, and the clarity in the river is 3 feet. Upriver bass are spawning and can be caught on lizards, spinnerbaits and jigs in the backwater. Some bass have pulled out to the jetties and can be caught on a jig, swim bait, crankbait or spinnerbait. Mid-river bass are being taken on jigs, lizards and swim baits. On windy days, try a spinnerbait in the backwater. Many anglers are having excellent success on frogs as well. In the lower river, bass have been taken off frogs, swim baits, jigs and crankbaits. Spotted bass are still on wood cover. White bass and stripers can still be taken in the creeks in the backwaters upriver on tailspins, inline spinners, small Rat-L-Traps and white jigs. Crappie have been slow, but you can still catch them on stumps and treetops with jigs and minnows. Bream can be taken in the creeks in the backwater on crickets and worms. Catfishing is good on liver, worms and cut shad from dam to dam.

Blue Mountain Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 387.30 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 577.49 feet msl (flood pool – 578 msl).

Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and 66 to 70 degrees. Black bass are still excellent on floating worms, brush hogs and Super Spooks. Walleye are very good on spoons, inline spinners and small green soft-plastic lizards and worms fished near cover 15 to 25 feet deep. Stripers are still very good and are being caught on C-10 Redfins and live bait. These fish have moved to main lake humps and points near major creek basins. Bream are good and being caught with crickets or worms in 8-15 feet of water. Crappie are good and are being caught near and over brush. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Catfish are still very good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines set 15-30 feet deep.

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.

Lake Hamilton

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.

Lake Catherine

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

Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 58 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Moss and grass growth is extremely heavy in all areas but hasn’t affected the fish. Minimum flow from the dam is the norm every day until some heavy rainfall occurs. Rainbow trout fishing is very good for May with quality limits taken daily. Live bait presentations are key as artificial lures are ignored by wary rainbows. Redworms, wax worms, meal worms and nightcrawlers fished off the bottom with a marshmallow floater has been the most effective means of catching trout over 14 inches. Brightly colored PowerBait also works very well. The crappie spawn is ending and few fish have been caught. White bass are slow even though the spawn is in full swing. Bream are everywhere in the tailrace and are being caught on redworms and crickets under a bobber. Freshwater drum are present in good numbers with many of these fish over 20 pounds. Minnows and crawfish are a favorite prey item for these huge fish. No striper action has been observed below the dam and no reported catches of hybrid bass.

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 water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 60s after last week’s cold snap. Visibility is around 6 inches on the main channel and gradually clearing to around 1 foot as you go further into Lake Langhofer. There is light flow on the river. Bass in the backwaters and Lake Langhofer are biting well on shallow running shad-imitating lures. Slower moving worms and jigs are also working when the bite slows. Darker colored plastics and jigs are important with the muddier water. Bass have not yet made the transition to offshore brush piles, and they are still keying heavily on rocks.

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 had no report.

Tri-County Lake

Jaret Rushing had no report.

East Arkansas

Bear Creek Lake

Mississippi River State Park said bass are schooling in the middle of the lake and are being caught on light-colored spinner baits, Rat-L-Traps, jigs and deep-diving crankbaits. Shellcrackers are biting well on worms. Crappie are being caught around the bank on live worms. Catfish are fair early in the morning or late in the evening under brush on livers.

Storm Creek Lake

Mississippi River State Park said crappie are being caught on blue/white jigs close to the banks and brush. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and top-water baits. Catfish are biting on chicken livers. No word on bream.

White River

Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around brush. Bass are fair on creature baits and Senkos. No report on catfish, walleye or bream.

Maddox Bay

Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is high and clear. Catfishing is fair on trotlines baited with stink bait. All other fishing has been very slow.

Horseshoe Lake

Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is high and clear. Bream are biting well on worms fished in shallow water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished on the edges of lily pads. Catfishing is good on cut bait and stink bait.

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