07-30-2009, 11:10 AM
Weekly Fishing Report
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission<br />
Randy Zellers (501)223-6406, e-mail: rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us<br />
Read this newsletter online
July 29, 2009 Edition
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's fishing report for July 29, 2009. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.
Fishing Tip: Many of the lakes and rivers featured in the report have links to learn more about them. Just click on the name and you will see a map or more detailed description of the body of water.<br />
Arkansas River Levels are available at:<br />
http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Re...vrs.txt<br />
White River Levels are available at:<br />
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/t...hite.shtml
Central Arkansas<br />
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Southwest Arkansas
North Arkansas<br />
Southeast Arkansas<br />
West-Central Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas<br />
South Central Arkansas<br />
East Arkansas
Central Arkansas<br />
Lake Conway:<br />
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are being caught on worms and crickets along the bank. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows. Bass are fair. Catfishing is fair using trotlines with catalpa worms and shiners.<br />
Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said fishing is fair for bream, bass and crappie with the best action coming early in the morning or late at night.<br />
Little Red River:<br />
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the fishing is very good. The water level has been low. They have been turning on one generator around 2 p.m. Power Bait, crankbaits, and wow worms seem to be the lures of choice.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House has maintained predictable, fishing-friendly water releases. Now that the lake level is back down to pool, releases are only occurring mid afternoons for an hour or two. Dissolved oxygen content, is a healthy 8.1 mg/l with an average water temperature of 54 degrees. Aquatic insect hatches have lessened. A few caddis and lot of midges are the bulk of what's hatching. The best dry flies to try include Adams (size 18), bwo (size 18-size 20), elk hair caddis (size 18-size 20), hopper patterns (size 10) and midge (size 22-32; cream or black). Sub-surface patterns that are working include sow bug (size 14-16; tan, smoky olive, UV tan or peacock), chronic (size 14), zebra midge (size 16-22; red, copper or black), red butt soft hackle (size 14-18), San Juan worm (size 14; red, hot pink or worm brown), copper john (size 14-16; red, green or copper) and woolly bugger (size 8-12; black, olive or brown). You may want to try a hopper pattern with a zebra midge dropper. This "hopper-dropper" rig is proving very productive at most shoals on the Little Red.<br />
Greers Ferry:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 461.95 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water is rising and the surface temperature is falling from the recent rain. Bass fishing is good in and around brush piles in 15-40 feet of water on Texas-rigged worms and Carolina-rigged lizards. Some bass should also be found near the bank with the rising water. Top-water lures, buzzbaits and spinnerbaits fished along windy banks will work for these fish. Crappie are biting well on jigs and minnows fished in brush and pole timber in 15-30 feet of water. Bream are biting well on crickets and night crawlers. Walleye are scattered with the rising water, but dragging a night crawler on a jig head in 27 to 40 feet of water is working fairly well. Catfishing is good on many types of live and prepared baits. Hybrids and white bass are hit-and-miss with the best action on spoons, in-line spinners and hair jigs fished under lights at night.<br />
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.<br />
Harris Brake Lake:<br />
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) had no report.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said fishing has been slow with some bream being caught on crickets and worms. Catfish are still biting at night on trotlines with.<br />
Lake Overcup:<br />
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is clear and a little low. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie and bass are slow. Catfishing is good on goldfish and large minnows.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows and red/chartreuse jigs in deep water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are biting fairly well on trotlines baited with live bait.<br />
Brewer Lake:<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and at normal level. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow, but biting on minnows near brush in 15-20 feet of water. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and top-water baits near brush and along the bank. Catfishing is fair on cut shad and night crawlers.<br />
Lake Maumelle:<br />
Jolly Roger's Marina said the water is 1.6 feet below the spillway. Largemouth bass are 15 to 20 feet deep and are biting fairly well on large spinnerbaits, jigs and tubes. Kentucky bass are 20 to 25 feet deep and biting well on tubes, jigs and deep-diving crankbaits. White bass are schooling around the east end of the lake and are fair on spoons, clear Near Nuttings and Rogues. Crappie are being caught about 19 to 25 feet deep on minnows and 1/32-oz. jigs. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets in shallow areas and the breakwater at the marina. Saugeye are fair on jigs and Rogues trolled 10 to 15 feet deep. Catfishing is good on minnows, worms and prepared baits in 8 to 15 feet of water.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is back to normal and clear. The bream are biting well on redworms. No report on crappie. Bass are biting well on soft plastics. Catfish are biting fairly well on live bream and cut bait.<br />
Lake Valencia:<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is normal and stained. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and minnows. Catfishing is good on night crawlers and package bait. No report on crappie.<br />
Sunset Lake:<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting on crickets in 15-20 feet of water. Crappie are biting fair on lemon meringue-colored two-inch grubs near brush piles. The bass are being caught in 12-15 feet of water near the brush on 7-inch red shad worms. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton:<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is at a normal level and murky. Bream and crappie are slow and there's not much to report on. Bass are biting well on top-water baits and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits in swift water. Catfishing is good on live bait in deep water.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton:<br />
Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said catfishing is good in 15 to 30 feet of water on shad. White bass are biting well with some good schooling in the late evenings around jetty tips. Pearl-colored Storm Wiggle Warts are working well on the white bass. Black bass are biting well very early in the morning on black Jitterbugs and Buzzing Toads. Bream are biting well around the grass near sandbars and riprap. Crappie are fair in 25 to 30 feet of water around deep holes near creek mouths.<br />
Arkansas River at Little Rock:<br />
Vince Miller from Fish N' Stuff (501-834-5733) said that the water is normal and clear. Catfishing is good on shad. The bass are good in the main river on worms and jigs.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on crickets, and redworms in Fourche Creek, the Maumelle River, the Little Maumelle River and Palarm Creek. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and plastics. Catfishing is good on large minnows, shad, cut bait, live bream or night crawlers.<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said at Terry Lock and Dam, the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream are biting fairly well on redworms and crickets. Bass are poor but have been caught on brush hogs and beavers. Catfish are biting well on goldfish and skipjack. Crappie are doing poor, but some have been caught in deeper water using minnows.<br />
Clear Lake:<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on redworms. Crappie are biting fairly well in deeper water on minnows and jigs near brush piles. Bass are biting fairly well on jigs. Catfishing is good on night crawlers, and crickets.<br />
Peckerwood Lake:<br />
Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is still falling and clear. Bream are slow on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow but have been caught in deeper water while trolling jigs and minnows. Catfish are biting well on just about anything. The bass are biting well.<br />
Pickthorne Lake:<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is good on night crawlers and large minnows. Bass are biting well on plastics.
North Arkansas<br />
White River:<br />
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the pattern on the White was for around-the-clock generation. During the night and morning we have been getting slightly lower flows. Flows have been much heavier in the afternoon during peak power demand. This created some challenging conditions for drift fishing and very limited wade fishing. The AGFC and Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin installing fish habitat in the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam around Aug. 1. This work will be done at low water levels and should take about two months to complete. It should provide some wadable water on the White River during this time. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been a mixed bag this week. While some days have been excellent, others have been a bit slow. On higher flows, fish brightly colored flies under an indicator. The hot patterns have been hot pink or red San Juan worms and orange egg patterns. Concentrate along the banks and over any sunken islands or weed beds. The section from White Hole to Cotter has been fishing well. The most effective technique has been to bang the bank with Kelly Gallop zoo cougars and other similar oversized streamers. With the heavier flows, you must use heavy full sinking or sink tip lines. Rim Shoals has fished well this past week. The best fishing was in the morning when the water was lower. The hot flies have been hot pink or cerise San Juan worms and orange eggs. The heavier flows have been reaching there around one to two o'clock, when it is best to add longer tippets and more weight. Heavily weighted flies are a plus. If you must wade, there is usually a bit of wadable water as long as the generation is less than 17,000 cubic feet per second. Contact Rim Shoals Trout Dock to arrange a water taxi to shuttle you to wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to go.<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort (870-453-2424) said fishing has been good with four to eight generators running throughout the day. Drift fishing has been good on trout worms, Power Bait, Lil Cleos and Rapalas.<br />
White River (From Buffalo City to Norfork):<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing was pretty slow fishing unless you go to the bottom and stay there with your choice of bottom baits. Any time you can find fast rippled water, throw a Rapala and you will have success. There just are not that many places available with water being relatively high due to generation.<br />
White River (From Norfork to Calico Rock):<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing has been spotty. When you find a zone or bank with fish on it stay with it until they quit biting. Power Baits on the bottom and Rapalas in the shallower parts of the middle of the river are working fairly well.<br />
Crooked Creek:<br />
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River fished well early in the week, particularly on Clouser minnows, Barr's meat whistles and crawfish patterns. Rains later in the week raised and muddied the water.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 658.78 feet MSL.<br />
Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) with Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock had no report.<br />
Lake Norfork:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 555.25 feet MSL.<br />
101 Grocery and Bait said the surface water temperature is in the low 90s. The thermocline is around 30 feet deep, and that's where the fish are hanging out. Crappie fishing is good around brush in 30 feet of water on minnows. Bluegill fishing is good on worms and crickets. Walleye fishing has been good jigging a spoon in 25-30 feet of water. Bass fishing is good on Carolina-rigged and Texas-rigged lizards. White bass fishing is good. Catfishing is fair. Striper fishing is slow.<br />
Norfork Tailwater:<br />
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation on the Norfork has declined, which has created some limited wading in the morning, but is full bore during the day. The Norfork Tailwater has been a bit slow. On high water the most effective tactic is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms or egg patterns under an indicator. If you are not in the catch-and-release section, consider using a size 14 black zebra midge as a dropper. The dissolved oxygen level on the Norfork dropped below the state standard of six parts per million. They are opening the vents on the generators and are able to get the dissolved levels up to the state standard during generation. Dry Run Creek has been a bit crowded this week with families on vacation. This is a great place to beat the heat on a steamy afternoon. It is always cool on the creek. The hot fly as always is the sow bug. Brown San Juan worms and egg patterns have also been productive.<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) id the bite is slow at best.
Northwest Arkansas<br />
Beaver Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,126.19 feet MSL.<br />
JT's Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said fishing has been tough. White bass have been the most productive if you can find a school surfacing early or late in the day. Small ¼-oz. spoons, Roadrunners and Rat-L-Traps have been the most productive lures. Bass fishing has been best at dusk and night using dark spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and Texas-rigged lizards around cover on gravel banks and points. Crappie fishing has been slow also. Trolling small deep-diving crankbaits in firetiger, white and purple/black has been effective from Hickory Creek Marina upstream into either river arm. You can also catch a few along standing timber close to bluff lines early and late on minnows. Catfishing has been good from the bank using liver and worms at the Hwy. 12 Bridge area and Prairie Creek. Bluegill have been biting crickets and worms 2 to 8 feet deep around rocks.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is about 5 feet above pool and clear, with the temperature in the mid 80s. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the brush in about 10-15 feet of water and are also doing well at night under lights. Black bass are biting well on crankbaits and in the early morning on top-water lures. White bass are biting well on top-water lures in late evening. Catfishing is slow on live bait using trotlines.<br />
Beaver Tailwaters:<br />
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said the water is low in the river and the trout are very spooky. Long fine leaders, tiny indicators and small flies are working. The best are in sizes 18-22. Midges sow bugs and copper johns seem to be the best flies.<br />
Kings River:<br />
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said river levels are fairly good for floating and fishing from last week's rain. Crawdads, minnows and top-water flies are the best bets. Larger flies are picking up smallmouth and smaller flies will catch bream.<br />
Lake Fayetteville:<br />
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is back to a normal level and murky. The bream are biting well on worms, and crickets. Black bass are doing fair on topwater or jerk baits. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver, night crawlers. The crappie are doing fair on minnows, and jigs.<br />
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said bluegill and other sunfish are biting best on the south side of the lake. Small, dark woolly buggers and popping bugs have been picking up good numbers of fish. Crappie and white bass have been hitting minnow-type flies trolled through the center of the lake.<br />
Lake Sequoyah:<br />
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report.
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:<br />
Judy's Bait Shoppe (870-347-8717) has moved to Augusta and is open for business. At Henry Gray WMA, the water was rising but crested Saturday night. The fish were not biting well at all. Honey Lake and Big Bell Lake both reported that fish were sluggish in biting. Three to four fish caught per person was the norm. Mallard Lake had several boats on it. The road to Hurricane was closed due to water over the road there. It should be opened up by mid week as the river levels are dropping. A few fish were being caught on Whorl Lake using yo-yos with medium-sized minnows.<br />
Crown Lake:<br />
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow. Bass are slow on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on chicken liver and night crawlers.<br />
Lake Frierson:<br />
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is high and muddy. The bream are biting well on worms and crickets. The crappie and bass seem to be doing well on jigs. Catfishing is good on stink bait.<br />
Spring River:<br />
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the water is running clear and a little low. White ostrich buggers seem to be producing better than other patterns. This week fishing can be good one day and slow the next. Traditional hare's ears and elk hair caddis patterns (weighted to sink) are working well.
Southeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Chicot:<br />
Lakeshore Motel and Marina (870-265-9901) had no report.<br />
Lake Monticello:<br />
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said with the cooler temperatures, the soft plastic bite is ruling. The fish seem a little more scattered with bass being a little shallower than they have been. There are still fish on the drops in 12 to 14 feet, but the 6- to 8-foot range has produced well. Texas- and Carolina-rigged worms in tequila and black/red flake seem best. Schooling fish are surface feeding early and late and on overcast days. Lucky Craft Gunfish and Sammys are working on top.
Southwest Arkansas<br />
Millwood Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 256.02 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said as of Monday, surface water temps are in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Exercise extreme caution running Little River during low light conditions as there are still numerous river buoy markers pushed out of place or missing, due to recent current and pool fluctuations. The lake is being drawn down and will remain 4-feet low until February 2010. Main lake visibility is 8-10 inches away from any remaining current in Little River. The campground at lower Beards Bluff is closed. During the drawdown, boaters should exercise extreme caution because submerged stumps and shallow areas have begun to appear. Also, boaters should be cautious when launching because of damage or sediment buildup that may have occurred at the ends of the ramps. Bass are in typical seasonal summer patterns on Millwood and are steadily improving their appetites. The best bite over the past few weeks is ranging from daylight until about 10 or 11 a.m. The best bass bite has been on buzzbaits, crankbaits, YUM frogs, Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Shad Daddy, and Purple Haze colors. Many pods of schooling fish have been found near most any creek mouth junction with Little River, in the lily pads and any remaining vegetation. Bass Assassin shads, Johnson spoons, Heddon Baby Moss Bosses and spinnerbaits are working around the vegetation. Medium-diving crankbaits like Bomber or Excalibur cranks in brown back/orange belly crawfish or white shad, or citrus shad colors are taking some keeper size bass. Once the sun is up, the best option is to switch to a 10-inch worm in Black, Blue Fleck, Peanut Butter 'n Jelly, or Plum. White bass were biting well last week in Mud Lake and Horseshoe Oxbow. Crappie are fair on Blakemore Roadrunners, Southern Pro Crappie Tubes and live shiners in oxbows close to cypress trees in 17-25 feet of water. Channel Catfish are biting well on cut shad, hot dogs, Catfish Charlie and chicken livers on yo-yos hung from cypress trees in the oxbows near 8-12 feet of water and on trotlines in Little River.<br />
White Oak Lake:<br />
Local angler John Tilley said fishing has been very spotty with quickly changing weather conditions affecting the catch. Bass have been caught during schooling spurts in deeper water. Small top-water lures in shad colors are working best. Bass also are being taken early and late on buzzbaits in shallow water near bream spawning beds. Bream still are being taken on crickets around visible beds. Mostly large males remain on beds. No report on crappie. Catfishing has been decent on trotlines in deeper water using live bait.<br />
Lake Greeson:<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said the lake level is 543.59 msl and the surface temperature has cooled to the mid-80s. All fish are shallower than normal for this time of year. Dissolved oxygen can be found above 15-foot and below 35-foot. Avoid the band of water with low oxygen. Crappie catches are fair from 0-15 feet deep. Surface action is good for spotted bass on shallow points. A bottom-bouncing lure such as a spoon will also work well under the surface feeding. Catfish are being caught using all techniques 8-10 feet deep. Stripers are holding 35-55 feet deep and biting fairly well on buck-tailed jigs and live shad.<br />
Cossatot River:<br />
Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park said the water level is 4.97 feet, with the surface temperature ranging from 70 to 75 degrees. Fishing has all but shut off. Some catfish can be caught in slack water on night crawlers. Some bream have been caught on worms bounced off the bottom in the current below the low-water bridges. Bass are tough, with none being reported. Kayaking however has an unexpected rise for this time of year. Be sure to wear a helmet if you plan on kayaking.<br />
DeGray Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 404.16 feet MSL.<br />
Local angler George Graves said hybrid fishing remains good in the lower part of the lake. Several good reports are coming from DeRoche Ridge. The fish have moved offshore and are suspending over the flooded timber in 70 to 80 feet of water. The best lures are jigging spoons, heavy in-line spinners and heavy swim baits. Try to keep your lure just above the trees, which are about 30 feet down. The best time is between first light and 8 a.m. There have also been a few reports of fish in the state park marina area.<br />
Bass fishing is fair at best. Look for any breaking fish on main-lake points in the early morning and try to hit them with a swim bait or Fluke. Also try a big Texas-rigged worm in 10 to 20 feet of water. Green pumpkin or red shad are some of the better colors. Try the off shore humps across from the state park. Crappie fishing has been fair early in the morning with fish being taken from brush piles in the mid-lake area, between Caddo Drive and Yancey Creek. Look for brush in about 20 feet of water. Use a 2-inch grub in Tennessee shad or Arkansas shad on a 1/16-oz. jig head. Live minnows also are a good bet. Bream fishing is holding up well. Fish in 8 to 15 feet and use either crickets or redworms. The area all around the state park has been very productive. Try bottom fishing for the bigger bream.
West-Central Arkansas<br />
Lake Nimrod:<br />
Lake Nimrod Bait and More II (479-272-4025) had no report.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bass and crappie are fair on small spinnerbaits. Some bass are being caught on Texas-rigged brush hogs as well.<br />
Lake Dardanelle:<br />
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said catfish have been doing very well in the Cabin Creek area. Cut shad and DK Blood Bait seem to be the choice baits. Bass have slowed, but fishermen report that they are still able to find them in the usual spots on watermelon seed mini lizards and Ultra Vibe Speed Craws. White bass were running for a few days last week, and there have even been reports of crappie biting in the mornings. The water is about a foot low.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 386.10 feet MSL.<br />
Teresa at CD's Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on large minnows. Catfishing is good on chicken liver.<br />
Ozark Pool:<br />
Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clearing and low. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in deep water. Catfishing is good on minnows, night crawlers and chicken liver. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and baby brush hogs. White bass and stripers are slow on jigs below the dam.<br />
Lake Ouachita:<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said striper fishing is excellent. The dam is the place to go to get a quick limit, but the fish are running a little on the small side. Check the main lake for the bigger fish. The fish are biting almost anything you put in front of them. Bass fishing is good with some quality fish being caught on Revenge spinnerbaits and chatterbaits over the grass.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the lake level is 574.34 and the water is clear; the water temperature fluctuates between 84-90 degrees. Largemouth bass are still good and can be caught with big Texas-rigged worms fished in brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water. Watermelon/red, bloodline and red shad are still the best colors. Walleye are still very good and being caught on bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses on main lake points or humps near deep water in depths of 16 to 24 feet. Jigging spoons are working well on suspended fish in the same areas. Stripers are good on live shad and trotline minnows. Main lake points near creek channels and open water humps near the east end of the lake are the best areas. Bream are very good with worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are fair and being caught near brush or over moss. Try brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep and moss flats 20 to 25 feet deep. Catfish are biting well on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the surface temperature is in the low 80s. Top-water lures around points seem to work well. Also try a Texas-rigged worm in brush in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bluegill are biting well on crickets in the backs of pockets. Stripers are biting live bait in the early morning.<br />
Lake Hamilton:<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the surface temperature is in the low 80s and the water color is stained from rain. A top-water lure or buzzbait should work great with all the new water coming into the lake. Anglers are finding schooling fish in the mouths of most major creeks. After dark a Texas-rigged worm is best in the brush. Bluegill are excellent in the back of most pockets.<br />
Lake Catherine:<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that a flash flood Sunday raised the lake about one foot in just over an hour. Entergy has opened flood gates at Carpenter Dam in an effort to keep Lake Hamilton down as more heavy rainfall has fallen. High water conditions will exist at all area dams until the flood waters have been removed. Boaters and wade fishermen are advised to use extreme caution when navigating these dangerous areas. Little fishing has gone on this past week, but some fish have been caught. Rainbow trout fishing remains very slow, which is normal for this time of year. Night crawlers and redworms work best fished just off the bottom or under a bobber. Wax worms used with marshmallows have taken a few trout in areas protected from the current. Power Bait is another quality presentation that will draw strikes and stays on the hook very well in heavy current. Fishermen chasing stripers and hybrids play a cat and mouse game below the dam. When the threadfin shad schools are present in the tailrace - there will be stripers present. The bottom line is "No Shad = No Stripers." These predator fish also feed heavily on the rainbow trout population so large baits that imitate trout in size and color are highly effective. Large gizzard shad work well fished under a balloon rig for the live bait enthusiast. White or grey jigs in 1/4 ounce sizes have taken some of the largest fish this year when the turbines are turning.<br />
Lake Hinkle:<br />
Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is at normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow on minnows fished in the deeper water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and bass minnows. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken liver from the bank.<br />
Lake Atkins:<br />
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on cut bait.
South Central Arkansas<br />
Moro Bay:<br />
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the river is 65.6 feet above sea level which is only half a foot above summer normal. Bream fishing has been great this summer but it's finally starting to taper off. Crickets seem to be working better than worms and people are catching them in boats and off the bank. Some catfish are being caught on trotlines in the main river channel. Live bream work best as trotline bait but worms and hot dogs seem to work as well. Some crappie are being caught, but since the bream are biting so well most people seem to be bream fishing. Several fishermen have reported catching largemouth on crankbaits and buzzbaits but few of the bass caught exceed the new 14-inch minimum length limit.<br />
Tri-County Lake:<br />
Not many anglers are on the lake. No report.<br />
Ouachita River Oxbows:<br />
Cooks Lake fished well between the rain. Bass are biting well on medium-diving crankbaits and drop-shot rigs fished along deeper channels. Bream are biting fairly well on small Beetle Spin-style spinners along channels near the bank.
East Arkansas<br />
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:<br />
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is up a little and clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows in 12 to 18 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on skipjack.<br />
White River:<br />
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is high and clear. Fishing is very poor with the water fluctuating so much.<br />
Maddox Bay:<br />
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is at a normal level but rising and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets near the brush in about 2-8 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the main channel. Catfishing is good on minnows using trotlines and stink bait. Bass are biting well on crankbaits in the running water.<br />
Island 40 Chute:<br />
Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting on worms and crickets near stumps on the island side in about 2-2 ½ feet of water. Crappie are biting well in about 2-3 feet of water on the island side on minnows and chartreuse jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and dark-colored plastics in deep water. Catfishing is good on Doc's stink bait and plastic worms.<br />
Horseshoe Lake:<br />
Judy's Bait Shoppe (870-347-8717) said good numbers of crappie and bream were being caught.<br />
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and normal. All fishing is slow but you can catch a bream on worms, and crickets in the shallow water near lily pads and cypress trees. The crappie can be caught near the piers on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting spinnerbaits near the lily pads. Catfishing is slow, but some can be caught on cut bait and shrimp.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission<br />
Randy Zellers (501)223-6406, e-mail: rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us<br />
Read this newsletter online
July 29, 2009 Edition
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's fishing report for July 29, 2009. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.
Fishing Tip: Many of the lakes and rivers featured in the report have links to learn more about them. Just click on the name and you will see a map or more detailed description of the body of water.<br />
Arkansas River Levels are available at:<br />
http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Re...vrs.txt<br />
White River Levels are available at:<br />
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/t...hite.shtml
Central Arkansas<br />
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Southwest Arkansas
North Arkansas<br />
Southeast Arkansas<br />
West-Central Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas<br />
South Central Arkansas<br />
East Arkansas
Central Arkansas<br />
Lake Conway:<br />
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are being caught on worms and crickets along the bank. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows. Bass are fair. Catfishing is fair using trotlines with catalpa worms and shiners.<br />
Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said fishing is fair for bream, bass and crappie with the best action coming early in the morning or late at night.<br />
Little Red River:<br />
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the fishing is very good. The water level has been low. They have been turning on one generator around 2 p.m. Power Bait, crankbaits, and wow worms seem to be the lures of choice.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House has maintained predictable, fishing-friendly water releases. Now that the lake level is back down to pool, releases are only occurring mid afternoons for an hour or two. Dissolved oxygen content, is a healthy 8.1 mg/l with an average water temperature of 54 degrees. Aquatic insect hatches have lessened. A few caddis and lot of midges are the bulk of what's hatching. The best dry flies to try include Adams (size 18), bwo (size 18-size 20), elk hair caddis (size 18-size 20), hopper patterns (size 10) and midge (size 22-32; cream or black). Sub-surface patterns that are working include sow bug (size 14-16; tan, smoky olive, UV tan or peacock), chronic (size 14), zebra midge (size 16-22; red, copper or black), red butt soft hackle (size 14-18), San Juan worm (size 14; red, hot pink or worm brown), copper john (size 14-16; red, green or copper) and woolly bugger (size 8-12; black, olive or brown). You may want to try a hopper pattern with a zebra midge dropper. This "hopper-dropper" rig is proving very productive at most shoals on the Little Red.<br />
Greers Ferry:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 461.95 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water is rising and the surface temperature is falling from the recent rain. Bass fishing is good in and around brush piles in 15-40 feet of water on Texas-rigged worms and Carolina-rigged lizards. Some bass should also be found near the bank with the rising water. Top-water lures, buzzbaits and spinnerbaits fished along windy banks will work for these fish. Crappie are biting well on jigs and minnows fished in brush and pole timber in 15-30 feet of water. Bream are biting well on crickets and night crawlers. Walleye are scattered with the rising water, but dragging a night crawler on a jig head in 27 to 40 feet of water is working fairly well. Catfishing is good on many types of live and prepared baits. Hybrids and white bass are hit-and-miss with the best action on spoons, in-line spinners and hair jigs fished under lights at night.<br />
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.<br />
Harris Brake Lake:<br />
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) had no report.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said fishing has been slow with some bream being caught on crickets and worms. Catfish are still biting at night on trotlines with.<br />
Lake Overcup:<br />
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is clear and a little low. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie and bass are slow. Catfishing is good on goldfish and large minnows.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows and red/chartreuse jigs in deep water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are biting fairly well on trotlines baited with live bait.<br />
Brewer Lake:<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and at normal level. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow, but biting on minnows near brush in 15-20 feet of water. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and top-water baits near brush and along the bank. Catfishing is fair on cut shad and night crawlers.<br />
Lake Maumelle:<br />
Jolly Roger's Marina said the water is 1.6 feet below the spillway. Largemouth bass are 15 to 20 feet deep and are biting fairly well on large spinnerbaits, jigs and tubes. Kentucky bass are 20 to 25 feet deep and biting well on tubes, jigs and deep-diving crankbaits. White bass are schooling around the east end of the lake and are fair on spoons, clear Near Nuttings and Rogues. Crappie are being caught about 19 to 25 feet deep on minnows and 1/32-oz. jigs. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets in shallow areas and the breakwater at the marina. Saugeye are fair on jigs and Rogues trolled 10 to 15 feet deep. Catfishing is good on minnows, worms and prepared baits in 8 to 15 feet of water.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is back to normal and clear. The bream are biting well on redworms. No report on crappie. Bass are biting well on soft plastics. Catfish are biting fairly well on live bream and cut bait.<br />
Lake Valencia:<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is normal and stained. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and minnows. Catfishing is good on night crawlers and package bait. No report on crappie.<br />
Sunset Lake:<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting on crickets in 15-20 feet of water. Crappie are biting fair on lemon meringue-colored two-inch grubs near brush piles. The bass are being caught in 12-15 feet of water near the brush on 7-inch red shad worms. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton:<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is at a normal level and murky. Bream and crappie are slow and there's not much to report on. Bass are biting well on top-water baits and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits in swift water. Catfishing is good on live bait in deep water.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton:<br />
Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said catfishing is good in 15 to 30 feet of water on shad. White bass are biting well with some good schooling in the late evenings around jetty tips. Pearl-colored Storm Wiggle Warts are working well on the white bass. Black bass are biting well very early in the morning on black Jitterbugs and Buzzing Toads. Bream are biting well around the grass near sandbars and riprap. Crappie are fair in 25 to 30 feet of water around deep holes near creek mouths.<br />
Arkansas River at Little Rock:<br />
Vince Miller from Fish N' Stuff (501-834-5733) said that the water is normal and clear. Catfishing is good on shad. The bass are good in the main river on worms and jigs.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on crickets, and redworms in Fourche Creek, the Maumelle River, the Little Maumelle River and Palarm Creek. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and plastics. Catfishing is good on large minnows, shad, cut bait, live bream or night crawlers.<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said at Terry Lock and Dam, the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream are biting fairly well on redworms and crickets. Bass are poor but have been caught on brush hogs and beavers. Catfish are biting well on goldfish and skipjack. Crappie are doing poor, but some have been caught in deeper water using minnows.<br />
Clear Lake:<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on redworms. Crappie are biting fairly well in deeper water on minnows and jigs near brush piles. Bass are biting fairly well on jigs. Catfishing is good on night crawlers, and crickets.<br />
Peckerwood Lake:<br />
Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is still falling and clear. Bream are slow on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow but have been caught in deeper water while trolling jigs and minnows. Catfish are biting well on just about anything. The bass are biting well.<br />
Pickthorne Lake:<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is good on night crawlers and large minnows. Bass are biting well on plastics.
North Arkansas<br />
White River:<br />
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the pattern on the White was for around-the-clock generation. During the night and morning we have been getting slightly lower flows. Flows have been much heavier in the afternoon during peak power demand. This created some challenging conditions for drift fishing and very limited wade fishing. The AGFC and Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin installing fish habitat in the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam around Aug. 1. This work will be done at low water levels and should take about two months to complete. It should provide some wadable water on the White River during this time. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been a mixed bag this week. While some days have been excellent, others have been a bit slow. On higher flows, fish brightly colored flies under an indicator. The hot patterns have been hot pink or red San Juan worms and orange egg patterns. Concentrate along the banks and over any sunken islands or weed beds. The section from White Hole to Cotter has been fishing well. The most effective technique has been to bang the bank with Kelly Gallop zoo cougars and other similar oversized streamers. With the heavier flows, you must use heavy full sinking or sink tip lines. Rim Shoals has fished well this past week. The best fishing was in the morning when the water was lower. The hot flies have been hot pink or cerise San Juan worms and orange eggs. The heavier flows have been reaching there around one to two o'clock, when it is best to add longer tippets and more weight. Heavily weighted flies are a plus. If you must wade, there is usually a bit of wadable water as long as the generation is less than 17,000 cubic feet per second. Contact Rim Shoals Trout Dock to arrange a water taxi to shuttle you to wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to go.<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort (870-453-2424) said fishing has been good with four to eight generators running throughout the day. Drift fishing has been good on trout worms, Power Bait, Lil Cleos and Rapalas.<br />
White River (From Buffalo City to Norfork):<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing was pretty slow fishing unless you go to the bottom and stay there with your choice of bottom baits. Any time you can find fast rippled water, throw a Rapala and you will have success. There just are not that many places available with water being relatively high due to generation.<br />
White River (From Norfork to Calico Rock):<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing has been spotty. When you find a zone or bank with fish on it stay with it until they quit biting. Power Baits on the bottom and Rapalas in the shallower parts of the middle of the river are working fairly well.<br />
Crooked Creek:<br />
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River fished well early in the week, particularly on Clouser minnows, Barr's meat whistles and crawfish patterns. Rains later in the week raised and muddied the water.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 658.78 feet MSL.<br />
Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) with Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock had no report.<br />
Lake Norfork:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 555.25 feet MSL.<br />
101 Grocery and Bait said the surface water temperature is in the low 90s. The thermocline is around 30 feet deep, and that's where the fish are hanging out. Crappie fishing is good around brush in 30 feet of water on minnows. Bluegill fishing is good on worms and crickets. Walleye fishing has been good jigging a spoon in 25-30 feet of water. Bass fishing is good on Carolina-rigged and Texas-rigged lizards. White bass fishing is good. Catfishing is fair. Striper fishing is slow.<br />
Norfork Tailwater:<br />
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said generation on the Norfork has declined, which has created some limited wading in the morning, but is full bore during the day. The Norfork Tailwater has been a bit slow. On high water the most effective tactic is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms or egg patterns under an indicator. If you are not in the catch-and-release section, consider using a size 14 black zebra midge as a dropper. The dissolved oxygen level on the Norfork dropped below the state standard of six parts per million. They are opening the vents on the generators and are able to get the dissolved levels up to the state standard during generation. Dry Run Creek has been a bit crowded this week with families on vacation. This is a great place to beat the heat on a steamy afternoon. It is always cool on the creek. The hot fly as always is the sow bug. Brown San Juan worms and egg patterns have also been productive.<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) id the bite is slow at best.
Northwest Arkansas<br />
Beaver Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,126.19 feet MSL.<br />
JT's Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said fishing has been tough. White bass have been the most productive if you can find a school surfacing early or late in the day. Small ¼-oz. spoons, Roadrunners and Rat-L-Traps have been the most productive lures. Bass fishing has been best at dusk and night using dark spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and Texas-rigged lizards around cover on gravel banks and points. Crappie fishing has been slow also. Trolling small deep-diving crankbaits in firetiger, white and purple/black has been effective from Hickory Creek Marina upstream into either river arm. You can also catch a few along standing timber close to bluff lines early and late on minnows. Catfishing has been good from the bank using liver and worms at the Hwy. 12 Bridge area and Prairie Creek. Bluegill have been biting crickets and worms 2 to 8 feet deep around rocks.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is about 5 feet above pool and clear, with the temperature in the mid 80s. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the brush in about 10-15 feet of water and are also doing well at night under lights. Black bass are biting well on crankbaits and in the early morning on top-water lures. White bass are biting well on top-water lures in late evening. Catfishing is slow on live bait using trotlines.<br />
Beaver Tailwaters:<br />
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said the water is low in the river and the trout are very spooky. Long fine leaders, tiny indicators and small flies are working. The best are in sizes 18-22. Midges sow bugs and copper johns seem to be the best flies.<br />
Kings River:<br />
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said river levels are fairly good for floating and fishing from last week's rain. Crawdads, minnows and top-water flies are the best bets. Larger flies are picking up smallmouth and smaller flies will catch bream.<br />
Lake Fayetteville:<br />
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is back to a normal level and murky. The bream are biting well on worms, and crickets. Black bass are doing fair on topwater or jerk baits. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver, night crawlers. The crappie are doing fair on minnows, and jigs.<br />
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said bluegill and other sunfish are biting best on the south side of the lake. Small, dark woolly buggers and popping bugs have been picking up good numbers of fish. Crappie and white bass have been hitting minnow-type flies trolled through the center of the lake.<br />
Lake Sequoyah:<br />
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report.
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:<br />
Judy's Bait Shoppe (870-347-8717) has moved to Augusta and is open for business. At Henry Gray WMA, the water was rising but crested Saturday night. The fish were not biting well at all. Honey Lake and Big Bell Lake both reported that fish were sluggish in biting. Three to four fish caught per person was the norm. Mallard Lake had several boats on it. The road to Hurricane was closed due to water over the road there. It should be opened up by mid week as the river levels are dropping. A few fish were being caught on Whorl Lake using yo-yos with medium-sized minnows.<br />
Crown Lake:<br />
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow. Bass are slow on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on chicken liver and night crawlers.<br />
Lake Frierson:<br />
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is high and muddy. The bream are biting well on worms and crickets. The crappie and bass seem to be doing well on jigs. Catfishing is good on stink bait.<br />
Spring River:<br />
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the water is running clear and a little low. White ostrich buggers seem to be producing better than other patterns. This week fishing can be good one day and slow the next. Traditional hare's ears and elk hair caddis patterns (weighted to sink) are working well.
Southeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Chicot:<br />
Lakeshore Motel and Marina (870-265-9901) had no report.<br />
Lake Monticello:<br />
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said with the cooler temperatures, the soft plastic bite is ruling. The fish seem a little more scattered with bass being a little shallower than they have been. There are still fish on the drops in 12 to 14 feet, but the 6- to 8-foot range has produced well. Texas- and Carolina-rigged worms in tequila and black/red flake seem best. Schooling fish are surface feeding early and late and on overcast days. Lucky Craft Gunfish and Sammys are working on top.
Southwest Arkansas<br />
Millwood Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 256.02 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said as of Monday, surface water temps are in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Exercise extreme caution running Little River during low light conditions as there are still numerous river buoy markers pushed out of place or missing, due to recent current and pool fluctuations. The lake is being drawn down and will remain 4-feet low until February 2010. Main lake visibility is 8-10 inches away from any remaining current in Little River. The campground at lower Beards Bluff is closed. During the drawdown, boaters should exercise extreme caution because submerged stumps and shallow areas have begun to appear. Also, boaters should be cautious when launching because of damage or sediment buildup that may have occurred at the ends of the ramps. Bass are in typical seasonal summer patterns on Millwood and are steadily improving their appetites. The best bite over the past few weeks is ranging from daylight until about 10 or 11 a.m. The best bass bite has been on buzzbaits, crankbaits, YUM frogs, Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Shad Daddy, and Purple Haze colors. Many pods of schooling fish have been found near most any creek mouth junction with Little River, in the lily pads and any remaining vegetation. Bass Assassin shads, Johnson spoons, Heddon Baby Moss Bosses and spinnerbaits are working around the vegetation. Medium-diving crankbaits like Bomber or Excalibur cranks in brown back/orange belly crawfish or white shad, or citrus shad colors are taking some keeper size bass. Once the sun is up, the best option is to switch to a 10-inch worm in Black, Blue Fleck, Peanut Butter 'n Jelly, or Plum. White bass were biting well last week in Mud Lake and Horseshoe Oxbow. Crappie are fair on Blakemore Roadrunners, Southern Pro Crappie Tubes and live shiners in oxbows close to cypress trees in 17-25 feet of water. Channel Catfish are biting well on cut shad, hot dogs, Catfish Charlie and chicken livers on yo-yos hung from cypress trees in the oxbows near 8-12 feet of water and on trotlines in Little River.<br />
White Oak Lake:<br />
Local angler John Tilley said fishing has been very spotty with quickly changing weather conditions affecting the catch. Bass have been caught during schooling spurts in deeper water. Small top-water lures in shad colors are working best. Bass also are being taken early and late on buzzbaits in shallow water near bream spawning beds. Bream still are being taken on crickets around visible beds. Mostly large males remain on beds. No report on crappie. Catfishing has been decent on trotlines in deeper water using live bait.<br />
Lake Greeson:<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said the lake level is 543.59 msl and the surface temperature has cooled to the mid-80s. All fish are shallower than normal for this time of year. Dissolved oxygen can be found above 15-foot and below 35-foot. Avoid the band of water with low oxygen. Crappie catches are fair from 0-15 feet deep. Surface action is good for spotted bass on shallow points. A bottom-bouncing lure such as a spoon will also work well under the surface feeding. Catfish are being caught using all techniques 8-10 feet deep. Stripers are holding 35-55 feet deep and biting fairly well on buck-tailed jigs and live shad.<br />
Cossatot River:<br />
Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park said the water level is 4.97 feet, with the surface temperature ranging from 70 to 75 degrees. Fishing has all but shut off. Some catfish can be caught in slack water on night crawlers. Some bream have been caught on worms bounced off the bottom in the current below the low-water bridges. Bass are tough, with none being reported. Kayaking however has an unexpected rise for this time of year. Be sure to wear a helmet if you plan on kayaking.<br />
DeGray Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 404.16 feet MSL.<br />
Local angler George Graves said hybrid fishing remains good in the lower part of the lake. Several good reports are coming from DeRoche Ridge. The fish have moved offshore and are suspending over the flooded timber in 70 to 80 feet of water. The best lures are jigging spoons, heavy in-line spinners and heavy swim baits. Try to keep your lure just above the trees, which are about 30 feet down. The best time is between first light and 8 a.m. There have also been a few reports of fish in the state park marina area.<br />
Bass fishing is fair at best. Look for any breaking fish on main-lake points in the early morning and try to hit them with a swim bait or Fluke. Also try a big Texas-rigged worm in 10 to 20 feet of water. Green pumpkin or red shad are some of the better colors. Try the off shore humps across from the state park. Crappie fishing has been fair early in the morning with fish being taken from brush piles in the mid-lake area, between Caddo Drive and Yancey Creek. Look for brush in about 20 feet of water. Use a 2-inch grub in Tennessee shad or Arkansas shad on a 1/16-oz. jig head. Live minnows also are a good bet. Bream fishing is holding up well. Fish in 8 to 15 feet and use either crickets or redworms. The area all around the state park has been very productive. Try bottom fishing for the bigger bream.
West-Central Arkansas<br />
Lake Nimrod:<br />
Lake Nimrod Bait and More II (479-272-4025) had no report.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bass and crappie are fair on small spinnerbaits. Some bass are being caught on Texas-rigged brush hogs as well.<br />
Lake Dardanelle:<br />
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said catfish have been doing very well in the Cabin Creek area. Cut shad and DK Blood Bait seem to be the choice baits. Bass have slowed, but fishermen report that they are still able to find them in the usual spots on watermelon seed mini lizards and Ultra Vibe Speed Craws. White bass were running for a few days last week, and there have even been reports of crappie biting in the mornings. The water is about a foot low.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 386.10 feet MSL.<br />
Teresa at CD's Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on large minnows. Catfishing is good on chicken liver.<br />
Ozark Pool:<br />
Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clearing and low. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in deep water. Catfishing is good on minnows, night crawlers and chicken liver. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and baby brush hogs. White bass and stripers are slow on jigs below the dam.<br />
Lake Ouachita:<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said striper fishing is excellent. The dam is the place to go to get a quick limit, but the fish are running a little on the small side. Check the main lake for the bigger fish. The fish are biting almost anything you put in front of them. Bass fishing is good with some quality fish being caught on Revenge spinnerbaits and chatterbaits over the grass.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the lake level is 574.34 and the water is clear; the water temperature fluctuates between 84-90 degrees. Largemouth bass are still good and can be caught with big Texas-rigged worms fished in brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water. Watermelon/red, bloodline and red shad are still the best colors. Walleye are still very good and being caught on bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses on main lake points or humps near deep water in depths of 16 to 24 feet. Jigging spoons are working well on suspended fish in the same areas. Stripers are good on live shad and trotline minnows. Main lake points near creek channels and open water humps near the east end of the lake are the best areas. Bream are very good with worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are fair and being caught near brush or over moss. Try brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep and moss flats 20 to 25 feet deep. Catfish are biting well on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the surface temperature is in the low 80s. Top-water lures around points seem to work well. Also try a Texas-rigged worm in brush in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bluegill are biting well on crickets in the backs of pockets. Stripers are biting live bait in the early morning.<br />
Lake Hamilton:<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the surface temperature is in the low 80s and the water color is stained from rain. A top-water lure or buzzbait should work great with all the new water coming into the lake. Anglers are finding schooling fish in the mouths of most major creeks. After dark a Texas-rigged worm is best in the brush. Bluegill are excellent in the back of most pockets.<br />
Lake Catherine:<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that a flash flood Sunday raised the lake about one foot in just over an hour. Entergy has opened flood gates at Carpenter Dam in an effort to keep Lake Hamilton down as more heavy rainfall has fallen. High water conditions will exist at all area dams until the flood waters have been removed. Boaters and wade fishermen are advised to use extreme caution when navigating these dangerous areas. Little fishing has gone on this past week, but some fish have been caught. Rainbow trout fishing remains very slow, which is normal for this time of year. Night crawlers and redworms work best fished just off the bottom or under a bobber. Wax worms used with marshmallows have taken a few trout in areas protected from the current. Power Bait is another quality presentation that will draw strikes and stays on the hook very well in heavy current. Fishermen chasing stripers and hybrids play a cat and mouse game below the dam. When the threadfin shad schools are present in the tailrace - there will be stripers present. The bottom line is "No Shad = No Stripers." These predator fish also feed heavily on the rainbow trout population so large baits that imitate trout in size and color are highly effective. Large gizzard shad work well fished under a balloon rig for the live bait enthusiast. White or grey jigs in 1/4 ounce sizes have taken some of the largest fish this year when the turbines are turning.<br />
Lake Hinkle:<br />
Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is at normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow on minnows fished in the deeper water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and bass minnows. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken liver from the bank.<br />
Lake Atkins:<br />
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on cut bait.
South Central Arkansas<br />
Moro Bay:<br />
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the river is 65.6 feet above sea level which is only half a foot above summer normal. Bream fishing has been great this summer but it's finally starting to taper off. Crickets seem to be working better than worms and people are catching them in boats and off the bank. Some catfish are being caught on trotlines in the main river channel. Live bream work best as trotline bait but worms and hot dogs seem to work as well. Some crappie are being caught, but since the bream are biting so well most people seem to be bream fishing. Several fishermen have reported catching largemouth on crankbaits and buzzbaits but few of the bass caught exceed the new 14-inch minimum length limit.<br />
Tri-County Lake:<br />
Not many anglers are on the lake. No report.<br />
Ouachita River Oxbows:<br />
Cooks Lake fished well between the rain. Bass are biting well on medium-diving crankbaits and drop-shot rigs fished along deeper channels. Bream are biting fairly well on small Beetle Spin-style spinners along channels near the bank.
East Arkansas<br />
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:<br />
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is up a little and clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows in 12 to 18 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on skipjack.<br />
White River:<br />
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is high and clear. Fishing is very poor with the water fluctuating so much.<br />
Maddox Bay:<br />
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is at a normal level but rising and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets near the brush in about 2-8 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the main channel. Catfishing is good on minnows using trotlines and stink bait. Bass are biting well on crankbaits in the running water.<br />
Island 40 Chute:<br />
Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting on worms and crickets near stumps on the island side in about 2-2 ½ feet of water. Crappie are biting well in about 2-3 feet of water on the island side on minnows and chartreuse jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and dark-colored plastics in deep water. Catfishing is good on Doc's stink bait and plastic worms.<br />
Horseshoe Lake:<br />
Judy's Bait Shoppe (870-347-8717) said good numbers of crappie and bream were being caught.<br />
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and normal. All fishing is slow but you can catch a bream on worms, and crickets in the shallow water near lily pads and cypress trees. The crappie can be caught near the piers on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting spinnerbaits near the lily pads. Catfishing is slow, but some can be caught on cut bait and shrimp.