12-18-2008, 12:10 PM
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) had no report.<br />
Dan at Gold Creek Landing said fishing for all species has been fairly slow..<br />
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) had no report.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the only water releases at the Greers Ferry project in the past few weeks occurred on Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 8. They were all small releases with short duration. Wade fishing has been possible and productive somewhere on the Little Red every day. The average temperature of the water flowing through the turbines has been 52 degrees. The average dissolved oxygen content of that water was 4.3 parts per million with a high DO level of 6.5 ppm. Incredible spawn reports keep coming in every day. At Winkley Shoal and elsewhere, the same redds (fish "nests") are being used repeatedly. Wade fishermen report spotting at least 100 brown trout over 20 inches long with a few pushing 30 inches in body length. One angler, Ryan Burks, had a trout on his fly that took all his fly line and 100 yards of backing before it broke off. Ryan told me the trout was over 30 inches in length. Anglers are reporting catches (and releases) of over 50 brown trout per day per angler. One experienced fly fisherman commented to me that he did not have enough skill to land some of the larger ones he has been seeing. Excitement is in the air as our spawn continues into its second month. Aquatic insect hatches continue as per previous reports. Midges, caddis flies and mayflies are the primary cast of characters. The dry flies that are working, and they are working, include the midge (#22; cream or black), para Adams (#18), blue winged olive mayfly (baetis, #18-#22), tan elk hair caddis (#18-#20) and crackleback (#14). If you are testing your skills below the surface, try a sowbug (#14; UV tan, UV light gray, peacock or olive), zebra midge (#16; red or black), egg pattern (#12-#14; roe, peach, salmon or watermelon), pheasant tail (#16), gold ribbed hare's ear (#14-#16), copper john (#14-#16), San Juan worm (#12-#14; red, fl. cerise or worm brown), red butt soft hackle (#14-#16) and woolly bugger (#8-#10; olive, brown or black).<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 460.85 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is rising slightly. Bass fishing is good. Many shallow fish are being caught on crankbaits and jigs fished around any wood cover in the water. Deeper fish are being caught on football head jigs and Carolina-rigged lizards fished 15-30 feet deep. Walleye are staging around The Narrows. Crappie are biting well around pole timber on minnows and jigs. Sunny days are producing the best. White bass and hybrids are being caught on mid-lake humps with in-line spinners, spoons, hair jigs and swim baits. Find the bait and the fish will be close.<br />
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.<br />
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) had no report.<br />
Lake Overcup: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report.<br />
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) had no report.<br />
Brewer Lake: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report.<br />
Lake Maumelle: Jolly Rogers Marina said largemouths and Kentucky bass are fair in 20 feet of water on jigs and CC spoons. The best fishing is along channel drops. White bass are near the main channel. Crappie are biting fairly well on the edges of the main channel and are hitting on red/white jigs and minnows.<br />
JB's Guide Service said the last few weeks have been feast or famine. There is periodic success on crappie and bass. Just look for the tell-tale shad for a shot at a school of whites. Crappie are relatively deep. The best fishing has been between fronts.<br />
Lake Pickthorne: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop had no report.<br />
Arkansas River at Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish N' Stuff (501-834-5733) had no report because of bad weather.<br />
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) had no report.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) had no report.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the water is clearing up and there's good flow in the river. Catfishing is very good in deep holes on skipjack fillets fished 30 feet or deeper in the main channel. White bass are fair near the creek mouths late in the day. Stripers below dams 9 and 10 are fair on wobble spoons tipped with a bit of shad or skipjack. Kentucky bass are fair on Rat-L-Traps fished around 3 to 4 feet deep on jetty points.<br />
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie are biting fairly well on minnows fished under a slip-cork. Catfishing is excellent on shad and live sunfish. Stripers are biting well below the dam.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is at normal levels. Crappie are biting well on black/chartreuse jigs and minnows. All other species are slow.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is at normal level. Bream are biting well on redworms. All other fishing is slow.<br />
Peckerwood Lake: Herman's Landing said the lake is closed to fishing until Feb. 1.
NORTH ARKANSAS<br />
White River: Sportsman's White River Resort had no report.<br />
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said with the lower flows on the White, there has been more challenging boat navigation. All of the rocks we have been flying over for the last several months are now poking out and looking for your boat. It is time to put your low water propeller back on and slow down a bit. Be on the look out for navigation hazards. Remember that the river will be changed from the flooding this spring. This will be the first time we see several spots that have been under a lot of water since then. The river from the state park down to White Hole has been fishing well in the lower water. The go-to flies during the past week have been brightly colored egg patterns. The best color seems to change every day. Be sure and carry a variety of colors that include pink, peach and orange. Other productive flies have been sowbugs, olive scuds and zebra midges. Olive woolly buggers on sink-tip lines are also producing some nice fish. The catch-and-release section at Rim Shoals also is fishing well. The fishing has been better in the morning. With the current level of generation, there is a significant amount of wading available. While a significant amount of it is available by trail even more is accessible by boat. If you do not have access to a boat, stop by Rim Shoals Trout Dock and take advantage of their water taxi. For a nominal fee they will drop you off at one of the spots available and pick you up later in the day.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 653.86 feet MSL.<br />
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 551.67 feet MSL.<br />
101 Grocery and Bait said the water temperature is in the 50-degree range. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good. Heavy water generation during the last week has dropped the water 4 feet. This has helped move the crappie and bluegill to the brush piles. White bass fishing has been good using jigging spoons. Striper fishing is slow, but some are being caught on shiners. Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing are fair. Kentucky bass are biting well. Catfishing is fair.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the fishing on the Norfork has been a bit spotty. One day it is excellent and the next day slow. The better fishing has been in the afternoon and the upper river seems to be fishing better than the lower river. The go-to flies have been micro San Juan worms in pink and worm brown. Orange egg patterns also have done very well. In the higher water, you will have to fish with substantial amounts of weight. Concentrate on fishing the banks and grass beds. Dry Run Creek is fishing well as always. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms, egg patterns and olive woolly buggers.<br />
Spring River: Spring River Fly Shop said water levels are running very low with great clarity. Tuesday's rain will help bring water levels back up to normal. There have been heavy hatches of white midges this week. Caddis and mayfly hatches have not been steady but nymphs are thick on the river bottom. Have been having great success with mayfly emergers made with ostrich herl and small white woolly buggers tied with white ostrich herl on size 12 hooks. The fish have really been concentrating on the bottom this week.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,120.03 feet MSL.<br />
JT's Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been good, despite the weather. Crayfish-colored crankbaits fished around sloping chunk rock points have worked well throughout the day. Crappie have been biting on minnows and Shinnee Hinnee jigs fished around brush piles in 15 to 30 feet of water close to creek channels. Catfish are hit-and-miss, but can be caught just off the bottom near river channels on bass minnows and liver. Bream are under docks and are biting crickets fished 6 to 15 feet deep.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) had no report.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear, but the fishing is very slow. Not many anglers are on the water.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report because of weather.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) had no report.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA: Judy Potts of Judy's Bait Shoppe said that while duck season is in mid-season, a few fishermen are having real good luck catching crappie on yo-yos and limb lines along Glaise Creek and up around Little Hurricane Lake using small to medium minnows. The main gate is closed and interior roads are flooded in places. All lakes are accessible by boat.<br />
Lake Charles: Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) had no report.<br />
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said bass fishing is actually good right now on a jig-and-pig combo fished around 10 feet deep. There aren't a lot of bass being caught each day, but the ones that are caught are good fish. A 7 lb. 6 oz. fish was brought in last week.<br />
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said no one is fishing.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Monticello: Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) with Basshunters Custom Crankbaits said bass fishing on Lake Monticello has really slowed and there are not many anglers fishing. The crappie fishing is spotty on minnows and jigs. The whites are biting when you find them on jigs, minnows and spoons.<br />
Lake Chicot: No report.<br />
Grand Lake: No report.
SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Moro Bay: Moro Bay State Park said a few bream have been caught on worms buy those seeking crappie. Nothing has been said recently of bass or catfish. Don't forget to dress warm and wear some orange.<br />
Lower Ouachita River: No report.<br />
Tri-County Lake: No report.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.83 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said vegetation and floating mats remain in Little River, due to current. As of Monday, the main lake water surface temperature ranges from 48 to 53 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Current in Little River is 1,600 CFS. Millwood State Park has one operational boat ramp and one still under repair. Not many anglers are out with the cold weather. Bass schooling activities ended about two weeks ago with the cooling temperatures. Bass from 2 to 4 pounds remain good on Rat-L-Traps fished in the late afternoon around any hydrilla remaining. War Eagle spinnerbaits are also working around the grass. Crankbaits and jigs have begun to work well on some good keepers with the jig bite improving. The best colors have been peanut butter/jelly, pumpkinseed/chartreuse and black/blue. Pitching jigs to stumps near the deep water of the river channel has worked best. White bass were found biting aggressively again between the Highway 71 Bridge and Cossatot River. The best bet has been Rooster Tails and Little Cleos. The crappie bite tapered off due to reduced water clarity and colder temperatures. The fish being caught are around 13 to 18 feet deep suspended over brush piles in Little River and in front of Mud Lake. Blue and channel catfish are good on yo-yos and trotlines baited with Catfish Charlie, cut shad and blood bait and set in 8 to 10 feet of water near river current.<br />
Cossatot River: Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park (870-385-2201) had no report.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is at normal levels. No report because of bad weather.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) had no report.<br />
White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park had no report.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was not available.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said crappie are excellent on live bait and jigs fished 17-21 feet deep. Some bass are being caught in the same areas and don't be surprised is you hook into a stray striper. Surface temperature is 53 degrees and the lake level is 537.84 msl.<br />
Lakeside Grocery had no report.<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 406.43 feet MSL.<br />
Local angler George Graves said not many anglers are braving the cold weather. A few fair crappie reports have come in late last week. Crappie are biting over brush attractors in 25 to 30 feet of water. Use 1/16-ounce jigs in red/chartreuse/white or black/chartreuse tubes. Other colors will work, but chartreuse needs to be on the jig. Live bait should be working better. Fishing has been best between Caddo Drive and Point Cedar. Some big bream are also in the brush piles and will hit redworms. Bass are still slow, but a few large Kentuckies have been taken on points and ledges in 15 to 25 feet of water. Small Texas-rigged worms and jigs have done the best. The best areas have been upriver of Arlie Moore. George would like to thank all the anglers who wanted information on building fish attractors, for details e-mail: georgegraves@cei.net.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said very few anglers are stopping by the shop. No report.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Dardanelle: Eric Pratt at Lake Dardanelle State Park said bass fishing is good with anglers reporting successful days fishing. The morning seems to be the best time to catch a limit. Successful anglers are using black spinnerbaits, black/blue jigs and slowly-retrieved shad-colored crankbaits. Crappie fishing has slowed some but should get better with the change in weather this week. Fishing with minnows in 5-10 feet of water near submerged structure and brush piles should lead to some fish in the boat. Bream fishing is fair using crickets, worms and small minnows. Catfish are slow.<br />
Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said not many people are fishing.<br />
Spadra Marina said crappie have been biting regularly for over a month. Red and clear glitter jig skirts by Southern Pro and Blue/Pearl Slab Slayers by Bobby Garland are working the best. The crappie are plentiful, but on the small side. Catfishing is best on live shad and bass minnows. Largemouth bass are biting fair on crankbaits in white and white/black. The bass are chasing shad and appear to be decent size for the most part.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) had no report.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 575.94 feet MSL.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear. Largemouth bass are still biting well on spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. Spoons are effective, fished vertically, near humps and main-lake points 20 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are fair and being caught on spoons over brush piles on main-lake points. Stripers are good on live bait with shad or trotline minnows. White ½-oz. jigs and ¾-oz spoons are still working as well. Bream are fair on worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are very good and being caught over brush and moss beds. Try brush in water 15 to 20 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Tennessee shad and white are still the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are fair and being caught on cut bait and live bait hung from jugs or trotlines.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing continues to be fair for bass and stripers. The bass are going from fall patterns to winter patterns, so get ready to throw the reliable jig-and-pig in green colors and black/blue. Stripers are fair on spoons and buck tail jigs in gray.<br />
Dave Lindhag at Striped Bass Adventures said the stripers are biting pretty well. Some decent size fish are coming on small- to medium-sized live bait fished at 25 feet deep using light sinkers. All fingers of the lake are productive, but the fish really aren't in the main lake. Some mornings, fishing has been fast and other mornings, it's been a slow start. Most of the fish caught have been in the 7 to 12 pound range. Some sporadic topwater action is happening, but it's rare.<br />
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing is good on green pumpkin Carolina-rigged centipedes and crayfish-colored crankbaits fished around clay banks.<br />
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, said that constant generation has been the norm for the last week. Boaters must use extreme caution navigating the channels as the winter drawdown has exposed many islands and sandbars. Rainbow trout fishing has been productive for fly-fishermen casting small white streamers and red San Juan worms. Bank anglers have done well on nightcrawlers and redworms fished under a bobber in areas of slow current. Anglers trolling the channels with shallow-running crankbaits have landed some trout longer than 15 inches. Trout stockings will intensify in January, which should make for a great season of trout fishing below Carpenter Dam.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the lake is in pretty good shape. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished 12 to 15 feet deep with occasional fish coming from 20 feet deep. Bass are biting well.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is clear and low. Bream are fair. Crappie are biting well. Bass have slowed. Catfish are biting well on live and prepared bait cast from the bank.
EAST ARKANSAS<br />
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box (870) 534-1948 had no report.<br />
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report.<br />
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on medium-diving crankbaits.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) had no report because of low angler turnout.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water clarity is good. Bream are fair. Crappie are fair. Bass fishing is poor. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait.<br />
Island 40 Chute: Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water clarity is good and the water is low. No anglers are visiting the water because of cold weather and duck season.
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) had no report.<br />
Dan at Gold Creek Landing said fishing for all species has been fairly slow..<br />
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) had no report.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the only water releases at the Greers Ferry project in the past few weeks occurred on Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 8. They were all small releases with short duration. Wade fishing has been possible and productive somewhere on the Little Red every day. The average temperature of the water flowing through the turbines has been 52 degrees. The average dissolved oxygen content of that water was 4.3 parts per million with a high DO level of 6.5 ppm. Incredible spawn reports keep coming in every day. At Winkley Shoal and elsewhere, the same redds (fish "nests") are being used repeatedly. Wade fishermen report spotting at least 100 brown trout over 20 inches long with a few pushing 30 inches in body length. One angler, Ryan Burks, had a trout on his fly that took all his fly line and 100 yards of backing before it broke off. Ryan told me the trout was over 30 inches in length. Anglers are reporting catches (and releases) of over 50 brown trout per day per angler. One experienced fly fisherman commented to me that he did not have enough skill to land some of the larger ones he has been seeing. Excitement is in the air as our spawn continues into its second month. Aquatic insect hatches continue as per previous reports. Midges, caddis flies and mayflies are the primary cast of characters. The dry flies that are working, and they are working, include the midge (#22; cream or black), para Adams (#18), blue winged olive mayfly (baetis, #18-#22), tan elk hair caddis (#18-#20) and crackleback (#14). If you are testing your skills below the surface, try a sowbug (#14; UV tan, UV light gray, peacock or olive), zebra midge (#16; red or black), egg pattern (#12-#14; roe, peach, salmon or watermelon), pheasant tail (#16), gold ribbed hare's ear (#14-#16), copper john (#14-#16), San Juan worm (#12-#14; red, fl. cerise or worm brown), red butt soft hackle (#14-#16) and woolly bugger (#8-#10; olive, brown or black).<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 460.85 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is rising slightly. Bass fishing is good. Many shallow fish are being caught on crankbaits and jigs fished around any wood cover in the water. Deeper fish are being caught on football head jigs and Carolina-rigged lizards fished 15-30 feet deep. Walleye are staging around The Narrows. Crappie are biting well around pole timber on minnows and jigs. Sunny days are producing the best. White bass and hybrids are being caught on mid-lake humps with in-line spinners, spoons, hair jigs and swim baits. Find the bait and the fish will be close.<br />
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.<br />
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) had no report.<br />
Lake Overcup: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report.<br />
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) had no report.<br />
Brewer Lake: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report.<br />
Lake Maumelle: Jolly Rogers Marina said largemouths and Kentucky bass are fair in 20 feet of water on jigs and CC spoons. The best fishing is along channel drops. White bass are near the main channel. Crappie are biting fairly well on the edges of the main channel and are hitting on red/white jigs and minnows.<br />
JB's Guide Service said the last few weeks have been feast or famine. There is periodic success on crappie and bass. Just look for the tell-tale shad for a shot at a school of whites. Crappie are relatively deep. The best fishing has been between fronts.<br />
Lake Pickthorne: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop had no report.<br />
Arkansas River at Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish N' Stuff (501-834-5733) had no report because of bad weather.<br />
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) had no report.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) had no report.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the water is clearing up and there's good flow in the river. Catfishing is very good in deep holes on skipjack fillets fished 30 feet or deeper in the main channel. White bass are fair near the creek mouths late in the day. Stripers below dams 9 and 10 are fair on wobble spoons tipped with a bit of shad or skipjack. Kentucky bass are fair on Rat-L-Traps fished around 3 to 4 feet deep on jetty points.<br />
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie are biting fairly well on minnows fished under a slip-cork. Catfishing is excellent on shad and live sunfish. Stripers are biting well below the dam.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is at normal levels. Crappie are biting well on black/chartreuse jigs and minnows. All other species are slow.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is at normal level. Bream are biting well on redworms. All other fishing is slow.<br />
Peckerwood Lake: Herman's Landing said the lake is closed to fishing until Feb. 1.
NORTH ARKANSAS<br />
White River: Sportsman's White River Resort had no report.<br />
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said with the lower flows on the White, there has been more challenging boat navigation. All of the rocks we have been flying over for the last several months are now poking out and looking for your boat. It is time to put your low water propeller back on and slow down a bit. Be on the look out for navigation hazards. Remember that the river will be changed from the flooding this spring. This will be the first time we see several spots that have been under a lot of water since then. The river from the state park down to White Hole has been fishing well in the lower water. The go-to flies during the past week have been brightly colored egg patterns. The best color seems to change every day. Be sure and carry a variety of colors that include pink, peach and orange. Other productive flies have been sowbugs, olive scuds and zebra midges. Olive woolly buggers on sink-tip lines are also producing some nice fish. The catch-and-release section at Rim Shoals also is fishing well. The fishing has been better in the morning. With the current level of generation, there is a significant amount of wading available. While a significant amount of it is available by trail even more is accessible by boat. If you do not have access to a boat, stop by Rim Shoals Trout Dock and take advantage of their water taxi. For a nominal fee they will drop you off at one of the spots available and pick you up later in the day.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 653.86 feet MSL.<br />
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 551.67 feet MSL.<br />
101 Grocery and Bait said the water temperature is in the 50-degree range. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good. Heavy water generation during the last week has dropped the water 4 feet. This has helped move the crappie and bluegill to the brush piles. White bass fishing has been good using jigging spoons. Striper fishing is slow, but some are being caught on shiners. Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing are fair. Kentucky bass are biting well. Catfishing is fair.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the fishing on the Norfork has been a bit spotty. One day it is excellent and the next day slow. The better fishing has been in the afternoon and the upper river seems to be fishing better than the lower river. The go-to flies have been micro San Juan worms in pink and worm brown. Orange egg patterns also have done very well. In the higher water, you will have to fish with substantial amounts of weight. Concentrate on fishing the banks and grass beds. Dry Run Creek is fishing well as always. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms, egg patterns and olive woolly buggers.<br />
Spring River: Spring River Fly Shop said water levels are running very low with great clarity. Tuesday's rain will help bring water levels back up to normal. There have been heavy hatches of white midges this week. Caddis and mayfly hatches have not been steady but nymphs are thick on the river bottom. Have been having great success with mayfly emergers made with ostrich herl and small white woolly buggers tied with white ostrich herl on size 12 hooks. The fish have really been concentrating on the bottom this week.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,120.03 feet MSL.<br />
JT's Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been good, despite the weather. Crayfish-colored crankbaits fished around sloping chunk rock points have worked well throughout the day. Crappie have been biting on minnows and Shinnee Hinnee jigs fished around brush piles in 15 to 30 feet of water close to creek channels. Catfish are hit-and-miss, but can be caught just off the bottom near river channels on bass minnows and liver. Bream are under docks and are biting crickets fished 6 to 15 feet deep.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) had no report.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear, but the fishing is very slow. Not many anglers are on the water.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report because of weather.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) had no report.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA: Judy Potts of Judy's Bait Shoppe said that while duck season is in mid-season, a few fishermen are having real good luck catching crappie on yo-yos and limb lines along Glaise Creek and up around Little Hurricane Lake using small to medium minnows. The main gate is closed and interior roads are flooded in places. All lakes are accessible by boat.<br />
Lake Charles: Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) had no report.<br />
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said bass fishing is actually good right now on a jig-and-pig combo fished around 10 feet deep. There aren't a lot of bass being caught each day, but the ones that are caught are good fish. A 7 lb. 6 oz. fish was brought in last week.<br />
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said no one is fishing.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Monticello: Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) with Basshunters Custom Crankbaits said bass fishing on Lake Monticello has really slowed and there are not many anglers fishing. The crappie fishing is spotty on minnows and jigs. The whites are biting when you find them on jigs, minnows and spoons.<br />
Lake Chicot: No report.<br />
Grand Lake: No report.
SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Moro Bay: Moro Bay State Park said a few bream have been caught on worms buy those seeking crappie. Nothing has been said recently of bass or catfish. Don't forget to dress warm and wear some orange.<br />
Lower Ouachita River: No report.<br />
Tri-County Lake: No report.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.83 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said vegetation and floating mats remain in Little River, due to current. As of Monday, the main lake water surface temperature ranges from 48 to 53 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Current in Little River is 1,600 CFS. Millwood State Park has one operational boat ramp and one still under repair. Not many anglers are out with the cold weather. Bass schooling activities ended about two weeks ago with the cooling temperatures. Bass from 2 to 4 pounds remain good on Rat-L-Traps fished in the late afternoon around any hydrilla remaining. War Eagle spinnerbaits are also working around the grass. Crankbaits and jigs have begun to work well on some good keepers with the jig bite improving. The best colors have been peanut butter/jelly, pumpkinseed/chartreuse and black/blue. Pitching jigs to stumps near the deep water of the river channel has worked best. White bass were found biting aggressively again between the Highway 71 Bridge and Cossatot River. The best bet has been Rooster Tails and Little Cleos. The crappie bite tapered off due to reduced water clarity and colder temperatures. The fish being caught are around 13 to 18 feet deep suspended over brush piles in Little River and in front of Mud Lake. Blue and channel catfish are good on yo-yos and trotlines baited with Catfish Charlie, cut shad and blood bait and set in 8 to 10 feet of water near river current.<br />
Cossatot River: Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park (870-385-2201) had no report.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is at normal levels. No report because of bad weather.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) had no report.<br />
White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park had no report.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was not available.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said crappie are excellent on live bait and jigs fished 17-21 feet deep. Some bass are being caught in the same areas and don't be surprised is you hook into a stray striper. Surface temperature is 53 degrees and the lake level is 537.84 msl.<br />
Lakeside Grocery had no report.<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 406.43 feet MSL.<br />
Local angler George Graves said not many anglers are braving the cold weather. A few fair crappie reports have come in late last week. Crappie are biting over brush attractors in 25 to 30 feet of water. Use 1/16-ounce jigs in red/chartreuse/white or black/chartreuse tubes. Other colors will work, but chartreuse needs to be on the jig. Live bait should be working better. Fishing has been best between Caddo Drive and Point Cedar. Some big bream are also in the brush piles and will hit redworms. Bass are still slow, but a few large Kentuckies have been taken on points and ledges in 15 to 25 feet of water. Small Texas-rigged worms and jigs have done the best. The best areas have been upriver of Arlie Moore. George would like to thank all the anglers who wanted information on building fish attractors, for details e-mail: georgegraves@cei.net.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said very few anglers are stopping by the shop. No report.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Dardanelle: Eric Pratt at Lake Dardanelle State Park said bass fishing is good with anglers reporting successful days fishing. The morning seems to be the best time to catch a limit. Successful anglers are using black spinnerbaits, black/blue jigs and slowly-retrieved shad-colored crankbaits. Crappie fishing has slowed some but should get better with the change in weather this week. Fishing with minnows in 5-10 feet of water near submerged structure and brush piles should lead to some fish in the boat. Bream fishing is fair using crickets, worms and small minnows. Catfish are slow.<br />
Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said not many people are fishing.<br />
Spadra Marina said crappie have been biting regularly for over a month. Red and clear glitter jig skirts by Southern Pro and Blue/Pearl Slab Slayers by Bobby Garland are working the best. The crappie are plentiful, but on the small side. Catfishing is best on live shad and bass minnows. Largemouth bass are biting fair on crankbaits in white and white/black. The bass are chasing shad and appear to be decent size for the most part.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) had no report.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 575.94 feet MSL.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear. Largemouth bass are still biting well on spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits. Spoons are effective, fished vertically, near humps and main-lake points 20 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are fair and being caught on spoons over brush piles on main-lake points. Stripers are good on live bait with shad or trotline minnows. White ½-oz. jigs and ¾-oz spoons are still working as well. Bream are fair on worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are very good and being caught over brush and moss beds. Try brush in water 15 to 20 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Tennessee shad and white are still the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are fair and being caught on cut bait and live bait hung from jugs or trotlines.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing continues to be fair for bass and stripers. The bass are going from fall patterns to winter patterns, so get ready to throw the reliable jig-and-pig in green colors and black/blue. Stripers are fair on spoons and buck tail jigs in gray.<br />
Dave Lindhag at Striped Bass Adventures said the stripers are biting pretty well. Some decent size fish are coming on small- to medium-sized live bait fished at 25 feet deep using light sinkers. All fingers of the lake are productive, but the fish really aren't in the main lake. Some mornings, fishing has been fast and other mornings, it's been a slow start. Most of the fish caught have been in the 7 to 12 pound range. Some sporadic topwater action is happening, but it's rare.<br />
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing is good on green pumpkin Carolina-rigged centipedes and crayfish-colored crankbaits fished around clay banks.<br />
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, said that constant generation has been the norm for the last week. Boaters must use extreme caution navigating the channels as the winter drawdown has exposed many islands and sandbars. Rainbow trout fishing has been productive for fly-fishermen casting small white streamers and red San Juan worms. Bank anglers have done well on nightcrawlers and redworms fished under a bobber in areas of slow current. Anglers trolling the channels with shallow-running crankbaits have landed some trout longer than 15 inches. Trout stockings will intensify in January, which should make for a great season of trout fishing below Carpenter Dam.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the lake is in pretty good shape. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished 12 to 15 feet deep with occasional fish coming from 20 feet deep. Bass are biting well.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is clear and low. Bream are fair. Crappie are biting well. Bass have slowed. Catfish are biting well on live and prepared bait cast from the bank.
EAST ARKANSAS<br />
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box (870) 534-1948 had no report.<br />
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report.<br />
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on medium-diving crankbaits.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) had no report because of low angler turnout.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water clarity is good. Bream are fair. Crappie are fair. Bass fishing is poor. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait.<br />
Island 40 Chute: Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water clarity is good and the water is low. No anglers are visiting the water because of cold weather and duck season.