04-05-2011, 11:10 AM
Featured Fisheries Improvement: AGFC Stream Teams recently worked to stabilize the shoreline and open a channel around Kelley's Slab in Crooked Creek near the Fred Berry Conservation Education Center in Yellville. The project will enable fish to move freely between sections of the creek. Fish already are responding well, moving into areas of the stream along the new trees and cover used in the shoreline stabilization project. For more information on the project, contact Randy Zellers, 501-223-6406. For more information on Arkansas Stream Teams, click here.
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/?n=whiteriverbasin<br />
Family and Community Fishing Ponds: Trout stockings Family and Community Fishing Program ponds have ended for the year, but catfish are being stocked in Family and Community ponds. Anglers can find bream, bass, catfish and some lingering trout in the ponds that are ready to bite.<br />
Visit http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/Fishin...msFCF.aspx for a list of program ponds.
Central Arkansas<br />
North Arkansas<br />
Northwest Arkansas<br />
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Southeast Arkansas<br />
Southwest Arkansas<br />
West-Central 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 at normal level. Redear are biting well around Pierce Creek and Hog Island on redworms. Crappie are biting fairly well on yo-yos baited with minnows and on pink minnows around Pierce Creek, Hog Island and Adam's Lake. Bass are fair on crankbaits and soft-plastics. Catfishing is good on trotlines baited with live and cut bait.<br />
Dan at Gold Creek Marina (501-607-0590) had no report.<br />
Little Red River<br />
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low and clear. Generators are running early. Trout are biting well on the south side of the river, away from the wind. Small jigs, Power Bait and corn are working well for the anglers braving the weather.<br />
Greers Ferry<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 458.44 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the lake level at Greers Ferry is 2.4 feet below normal pool and rising. The surface temperature is 51 to 57 degrees. The walleye have been pretty inconsistent in the rivers, but a few have been caught in the main lake on jigheads tipped with minnows and trolled crankbaits and Rogues. Bass are biting well on jerk baits, swimbaits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits in shallow water. Carolina-rigged lizards and football head jigs are catching some nice bass in deep water as well. The bream are starting to show up in shallow water and are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie are still biting well in the pole timber and over brush piles. A lot of crappie are suspended in brush close to the bank as well. Catfish are on the move, and are biting well on bream fished in the rivers and creeks. The white bass and hybrids are eating up the rivers and the main lake. Try grubs, swimbaits and in-line spinners.<br />
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the water is rising from recent rains. Water surface temperatures have cooled over the last week from the mid to upper 50s down to the upper 40s. Cooling surface temperatures and pressure changes have affected the largemouths the most. The best bite over the last week has been with smallmouth and walleye in 6 to 14 feet of water. Jerk baits, jigs and live bait rigs are all catching some good fish.<br />
Harris Brake Lake<br />
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is still 4 to 5 feet low and fishing is poor for all species.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the water is low. Crappie are fair on minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shads, Cajun Crickets or Bubble Bellies in Monkey Milk, white, red/white and blue/white colors. Power Bait crappie tubes in red/chartreuse are working as well. Catfishing is fair around deep water on minnows and blood bait. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, jigs and minnows. Yo-yos are catching bass, catfish and crappie at night.<br />
Lake Overcup<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said Lakeview Landing is the only place to launch a boat. The crappie are building beds and are in shallow water. Anglers have been catching them on minnows and orange/chartreuse jigs, fished about a foot deep. Catfish are biting well on trotlines baited with large minnows and cut bait. Bass are biting well. Bream are fair.<br />
Brewer Lake<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is about 6 feet low, and the crappie are shallow, trying to spawn near brush and stumps. Bass have been biting well. No report on bream or catfish.<br />
Lake Maumelle<br />
Jolly Roger's Marina said the water is 7.65 feet below the spillway and the water temperature is 58 degrees. Largemouth bass are excellent on jerk baits and swim baits in most coves. Spotted bass are biting well in secondary coves on jig heads with a grub. White bass are excellent from the old marina to the west end of the lake in the channels. There have been many limits taken from the chimney area. Crappie are excellent in 11 feet of water on structure near the channels. Small jigs and grubs or small pink minnows will catch some good crappie. Bream are biting well, but are deep in the channels still. Catfishing is good on cut shad and prepared bait. Some trotlines are producing limits, with catfish up to 40 pounds being caught.<br />
Crappie are biting well on Kalin's Triple Threat grubs in popsicle, Tennessee shad and electric chicken colors in 12 to 14 feet of water. White bass are spawning at the far west end of the lake. White horsehead spinners, Beetle Spins and tightlined minnows are catching the white bass in the shallow water. Catfishing is good on cut bait and live bream. A few Saugeye have been caught by crappie fishermen on jigs and minnows in 12 to 14 feet of water. Bass are fair to good on shallow-running crankbaits and Carolina-rigged black/red worms fished on main lake points.<br />
Lake Valencia<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said trout are still biting well on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Catfish are biting well on chicken hearts and nightcrawlers.<br />
Sunset Lake<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair on crickets in 8 feet of water. Crappie are excellent on Tennessee shad Kalin's grubs in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bass are excellent on watermelon seed/red trick worms and green pumpkin lizards. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is stained and at normal level. Bream are biting well on black, 1/16-oz. Rooster Tails. Crappie are biting well on 2-inch lemon meringue grubs. Bass are excellent on small white/chartreuse spinnerbaits and green pumpkin tubes. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton<br />
Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the weather has kept anglers off the water. Catfishing is fair on whole shad fished near shallow water. Crappie are moving up Petit Jean River, Point Remove Creek, Coppers Gap and Flagg Lake Cutoff. Minnows fished in 6 to 10 feet of water are producing crappie. White bass are moving up the creek mouths and are holding on sandbars and drops in the channels. Sassy Shads are working well on the white bass. Largemouth bass are on jetties and secondary drops in creeks. Flipping a jig to the bank and working it back to 8 to 10 feet of water is working well on the largemouth and spotted bass.<br />
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well in the Little Maumelle and Maumelle rivers on Bobby Garland Shads in ghost minnow and chartreuse/white colors. Crappie also are biting well on live minnows. Bass are fair to good on spinnerbaits, black/chartreuse jigs and firetiger jerk baits in the backwater areas. Catfishing is good on cut bait and chicken hearts strung from trotlines and yo-yos near creek channels near the main river.<br />
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)<br />
Vince Miller from Fish 'N Stuff said the water is at normal level. Bream are fair on small jigs and live bait fished around brush in the backwater. Crappie are fair to good on jigs fished around woody cover and brush in the backwater areas. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits fished around brush in creeks and backwater areas. Catfishing is fair on worms.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said below Murray Lock and dam, anglers are catching crappie on live pink minnows or red/chartreuse jigs fished under a slip-cork. Catfishing is good on shad and live green sunfish. White bass are biting well on little Georges, CC spoons and white or chartreuse twister tail grubs. Largemouth bass and spotted bass are biting fairly well on lipless crankbaits and Carolina-rigged lizards fished on the backside of jetties.<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said catfish are fair on chicken liver and nightcrawlers below Terry Lock and Dam. No other reports.<br />
Clear Lake<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and black/chartreuse tube jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Peckerwood Lake<br />
Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is still low. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is fair on yo-yos.<br />
Lake Pickthorne<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on pink minnows and red/pink/white tube jigs. Bass are fair to good on jigs and jerk baits on warmer days. Catfishing is slow.<br />
North Arkansas<br />
White River<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is murky and four generators are running. Trout are biting well on Rapalas, Rattling Rogues, Rooster Tails and Little Cleo spoons. Power Bait is working well on the rainbow trout. Brown trout are biting well on white marabou jigs. Fly anglers are doing well on sow bugs, copper Johns and zebra midges in red, green or black.<br />
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) had no report.<br />
Guide Davy Wotton said anglers are beginning to see the early stages of the caddis hatches, which will offer some excellent surface fishing. Fly fishers will have many choices of dry caddis patterns to choose, with elk hair caddis being the best. The SLF trans caddis also is a particularly deadly fly. Partridge and green and green pea pupae also are good bets. Many variations of soft hackles, such as partridge and hares ear and green tail will work when fished with slow strips and pauses. Best options for fishing the surface are with a 4/5 weight dry line and a 9-foot 4x tippet. Dry/dropper techniques can be very good as fishing a pair of soft hackles or a pupa soft hackle combination.<br />
During low water look for the riffle zones and the flats below. During high water, wet flies that will be a must include Invicta, hares ear, Grannom, Whickhams and silver Invicta.<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said generation is very low, and fishing has been good. Spin fishermen are doing well with Zig Jigs. Fly anglers are doing the best on Woolly Buggers, San Juan worms and egg patterns.<br />
Buffalo River<br />
Just Fishing Guides said the water levels were at 4.62 feet and 147 cfs at the Pruitt Access, 5.46 feet and 846 cfs at Tyler Bend Access and 4.13 feet and 742 cfs at Buffalo Point. Temperatures have peaked at 61 degrees. Smallmouth fishing should really begin to kick on. Best flies to use have been crawdad patterns and minnow patterns. Colors should mimic natural baits, but have the colors at the opposite ends available - chartreuse, white, black. If you spin fish, soft plastics are the way to go. Fish slowly and on the bottom with baits like Zoom 4-inch lizards, tube baits, Gitzits and hula grubs.<br />
Crooked Creek<br />
Just Fishing Guides said water levels are in the good fishing and floating range with flows at Kelly's Access at 11.51 feet and 101 cfs. Water temperatures are heating up and smallmouth fishing should be heating up as well. Water temperatures have ranged from 50 to 61 degrees. When the temperatures stay in the 60-degree range, the fishing should be on. Best flies have been crawdad patterns such as the crazy dad, creek creature, sparkle grub and the simple craw. Natural colors like green, brown and tan are best, but have chartreuse, black and white handy.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 652.09 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).<br />
Mike Worley's Guide Service said largemouth bass are biting well on crankbaits, jigs and jerk baits in 3 to 5 feet of water. White bass and crappie are in the backs of creek arms and are biting well on minnows and jigs. Walleye fishing is slow, but should improve as the fish finish their spawn.<br />
Bob Pauletti at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said the fishing on the lake is on fire. If any one is thinking of fishing Bull Shoals, now is the time. White bass are very active in the backs of the major creeks. Small white jigs, Road Runners and crankbaits are all producing fish. Crappie are on brush piles and can be caught on a jig-and-minnow or small stick bait. Spotted bass are close to spawning, and are feeding on live bait in 15 to 20 feet of water. Smallmouth bass also are close to spawning and have the feed bag on. Fishing the major creek arms with tube baits is working well. Largemouth bass are excellent on jerk baits fished around windy areas or crayfish-imitating baits. Walleye are on the banks at night, but are only thinking of spawning. Very soon, a nightcrawler dragged behind a White River rig will produce during the day and a jerk bait fished along the bank will work at night.<br />
Bull Shoals Tailwater<br />
Just Fishing Guides said generation was off Wednesday through Sunday. Midges and sow bugs were working well in the upper catch-and-release area. Caddis nymphs, scuds, sow bugs, midges and medium-size streamers were all viable options from White Hole to Rim Shoals. Most of the caddis were hatching on the lower river from Buffalo Shoal to Reds Landing. Suggested patterns include humpback scud, swimming scud, tailwater sow bug, zebra midge, BH Z-wing caddis, hare 'n copper(olive and hares ear colors), graphic caddis(olive), partridge & green soft hackle, elk hair caddis(olive), slumpbuster, zoo cougar and woolly bugger.<br />
Lake Norfork<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 548.44 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).<br />
Blackburns Resort said surface temperature has dropped to 50 degrees. The lake is very clear and the best fishing is early in the morning and after dark, where you can find stained water. Stripers are fair on stick baits and grubs. Crappie are fair on minnows.<br />
Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said striped bass, hybrids, white bass, black bass and crappie are starting to get very active with the warming of the lake. Crappie are on the brush and should be close to their spawn. Live bait on a slip bobber should be the most active bait, but throwing a small jig tipped with a minnow will entice a few fish.<br />
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait said fishing has been fair for the most part, due to the fluctuating weather. Crappie are hitting minnows as well as small soft-plastic jigs. A lot of small fish are being caught. Stripers and walleye are doing best at night and early in the morning. Bass are hitting jerk baits and crankbaits. White bass fishing has been off and on. As long as the weather stays nice, fishing and catching should explode for the crappie, sunfish, stripers and whites as well as the bass and walleye. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Norfork Tailwater<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) had no report.<br />
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said no generation last week with low fishing pressure made for excellent fishing from a boat and wading. Large catches of rainbows and browns in the 13- to 18-inch range have come on corn and nightcrawlers fished on White River rigs fished on 4- to 6-pound-test line with size 6 to 8 bait hooks.<br />
Just Fishing Guides said no generation for over a week has meant plenty of wade fishing all along the river. Midges, scuds and sow bugs in that order should be your first choices. Some caddis are starting to hatch in the middle and lower sections of the river. Try fishing small to medium size (8-12) streamers if fish are not responding to dead-drifted nymphs.<br />
Northwest Arkansas<br />
Beaver Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,113.88 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).<br />
Bailey's Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said striper fishing has been excellent. The white bass run is on, and many are being caught on spoons, jigs and Rooster Tails. Stripers are being caught on free lines and balloons fished 15 feet deep. Bait can still be found in the backs of coves looking for warm water flowing in. Stripers are near any cove holding bait. Stripers can also be taken with no. 9 Rapala originals or Husky Jerks and/or Rogues 3 to 5 inches long, flat-line trolled. Use planer boards to spread lines and cover shallow water near the bank as you troll. Move Rapalas at about 2-2.5 mph. During the spawning run, many stripers and hybrids are mistaken for white bass, so know your species and make sure you identify any fish you keep. Live shad in the 4- to 6-inch range are working well, but if you want a big fish, try a shadzilla in the 10- to 14-inch range. In the mid- to lower lake try the flats in Indian Creek, upriver in the Big Clifty arm, and Larue Cove and Striper Island in Rocky Branch. In the upper section of the lake, look in the back of Prairie Creek and the flats near the main river channel. Also look at Avoca Hollow. Birds, bait and fish have congregated around Coose Hollow and Ventris, and there are some good stringers being caught. Look in the back of Blackburn for large schools of shad and free line the cove for striper. Around the mouth of Monte-Ne, look for shad and stripers around the flats. The walleye are spawning in War Eagle and are being caught from the mouth of the creek, upriver as far as you can get a boat. As the walleye run ends, the fish will begin moving downstream. Most walleye will be about 5 to 10 feet deep around points and on mid stream humps. Cast spoons, Rooster Tails and jigs in white, chartreuse, orange and silver. Flat line troll over shallow bars with Rapalas in natural blue or black back or Rogues in clown flash.<br />
JT's Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been biting fairly well on slow-rolled spinnerbaits and crawdad-colored crankbaits fished along gravel to chunk rock banks with timber or blown down trees. Crappie fishing has been very good on Arkie Lures Shineee Hineee jigs and tube jigs fished under a cork 2 to 5 feet deep around blown down trees, timber or brush piles close to a channel. The best places to try have been Blue Springs, Piney Creek, Kelly Creek and the Eden's Bluff area. White bass have backed off their run. Try fishing upstream from the 412 bridge or the sidewalk hole and target channel bends. The best lures for white bass have been Tiny Traps or Shineee Hineee jigs. Catfishing has been good in the evening from the bank using liver or worms. The Highway 12 or 412 bridges have both been good.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is cold and 6 to 7 feet low. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and tube jigs fished around brush in 2 to 10 feet of water. White bass are fair to good on crankbaits. Walleye are biting well in the river arms. Catfishing is slow. Black bass are fair on jerk baits and crankbaits.<br />
Beaver Tailwater<br />
Just Fishing Guides said plenty of low water has made for excellent wade fishing. Scuds, sow bugs, midges and small streamers are all working at any given time over the course of the day. Habitat work is occurring from the first campground to just above the Cane Break Access. Suggested patterns include humpback scud and swimming scud, sizes 12-16 in olive, gray or tan; tailwater sow bug, Ray Charles sow bug, zebra midge, sizes 16-20 in olive, gray, black and brown, and woolly bugger, sparrow, slumpbuster and 56er, sizes 6-10 in olive, black, brown and gray.<br />
Kings River<br />
Just Fishing Guides said the river levels are good at 4.29 feet and 759 cfs. This is just a little high for fly fishing, but spin fishing with soft plastics like lizards, hula grubs and tube baits should pick up fish. Best colors are watermelon red, green pumpkinseed and motor oil. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s.<br />
Lake Fayetteville<br />
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky and at normal level. Bream are fair on micro-jigs and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. White bass are biting well on minnows. Catfishing is good on live and prepared baits.<br />
Lake Sequoyah<br />
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is cold and clear. No anglers are on the water because of the weather.<br />
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Charles<br />
Lake Charles State Park said crappie have started to bite on live bait. There have been several reports of bass being caught on crankbaits. The water temperature ranges from the upper 40s to the low 50s. Slow down your presentation for better results on bass and crappie.<br />
Lake Poinsett<br />
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett has finally risen enough to allow the boat ramp at the park to be used. No report on the fishing.<br />
Crown Lake<br />
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and 53 degrees. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on jerk baits and crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver.<br />
Lake Frierson<br />
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well. Catfishing is good on worms.<br />
Spring River<br />
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said the rain has brought water levels higher, but it's still fairly clear in the river. Trout fishing has been great, with bigger flies like big emergers and woolly buggers. Dark and fluorescent colors are the best producers. Caddis and mayfly hatches have been steady when the sun pops out, early morning and late evening. High stick nymphing and streamer fishing with sink-tip lines are go-to techniques.<br />
Spring River Fly Shop said fishing has been pretty good at the bayou and at the campground in the afternoons. Y2ks, Mad Olives and the Mad Hack are some good fly patterns. Corn or Power Bait worked the best for bait casters. The river water level is better than it has been, but after the rain it has been running green with a muddy look to it.<br />
Southeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Chicot<br />
Lake Chicot State Park bream fishing has been fair on crickets. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows. Catfish are biting well on crickets and cold worms. Bass are biting slowly on black plastic worms.<br />
Cane Creek Lake<br />
Cane Creek State Park said bass are being caught in good numbers on topwater plugs and soft plastics. Crappie are fair to good on minnows. Catfish can be caught using both live bait and livers.<br />
Lake Monticello<br />
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com had no report.
Southwest Arkansas<br />
Millwood Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.60 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).<br />
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood is now about 5 inches above normal pool and falling, with reduced current in Little River of 783 CFS. Surface water temperature continues rising, and is 61 to 75 degrees. Clarity is 4-8 inches at best in the river, depending on location. Largemouth bass are fair, but are improving daily. The fish are in various stages of pre- and post-spawn upriver. The bass bite continues to be best during heat of the day. Male bass are tending beds with females in spawning areas, and are fair to good, but finicky. Pre-spawn and post spawn female bass are roaming in creek channels during the heat of the day, cruising in and out of the shallows and creek ditches. These cruising fish are either going to or coming from bedding areas and are willing to hit Cordell Redfins or Smithwick Rouges, War Eagle Spinnerbaits in Spot Remover colors, Rat-L-Traps in Red and shad patterns. Jigs in black/blue or Texas Craw continue taking for heavy females, as are lizards in June bug, black neon, or chartreuse-pumpkin. White bass continue roaming Little River, and were schooled up around White Cliffs, McGuire and between the Highway 71 bridge and upriver to Patterson Shoals. The crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on vertically jigged grubs over brush and tiny Rooster Tails along Little River above White Cliffs campground. Channel catfish continue biting well on trotlines baited with chicken livers, hot dogs and homemade blood dough in 18-25 feet of water in Little River on outer current breaks.<br />
Lake Columbia<br />
Steve's Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low and clear. The surface temperature is 65 degrees. Southshore Landing is the only landing open. Bream are biting well on crickets in one 1-3 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and orange/gray/chartreuse jigs when the water warms. Bass are fair on lizards and brush hogs. Catfishing is good on live bait hung from trotlines around deep snags.<br />
Lake Erling<br />
Steve's Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is about one or two feet low. Bream are biting well. Crappie are near the upper end of the lake in 18 inches to 3 feet of water. Bass are fair. Catfishing is good on cut bait.<br />
Lake Greeson<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 541.01 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).<br />
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is low. Crappie are fair on minnows, but have been hard to locate. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, soft-plastics and top-water lures. No report on any other species.<br />
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake's website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.<br />
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)<br />
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.<br />
Cossatot River<br />
Cossatot River State Park had no report.<br />
DeGray Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 396.82 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).<br />
Due to the low water, boaters should use extreme caution when navigating DeGray. Many unmarked islands and humps are just under the surface, which can cause serious damage and harm if struck.<br />
Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is in the high 50s. The lake is clear up to Point 15 and slightly discolored to Cox Creek. Bass fishing is fair but has slowed somewhat with the cold weather. The fish are at 10 to 15 feet and holding tight to cover. The best pattern is a Texas- or Carolina-rigged worm or a jig with plastic trailer. Work the lures slowly close to wood or rock cover. The best areas for bass have been the upper reaches of the lake from Point 14 to Cox Creek. Several decent catches have been reported from Brushy Creek. Crappie fishing remains good, but has slowed with the cold weather and falling water temperature. The fish have moved to the deeper attractors at 14 to 16 feet, outside the spawning coves. Fish over the thickest part of the brush with a 1/32- or 1/16-ounce chartreuse jig head and a Tennessee shad 2-inch grub. The Shouse Ford area is still the best bet. Hybrid fishing is fair with a couple of decent catches coming from Shouse Ford. The fish are suspended about 10 to 15 feet down in water 20 to 30 feet deep. Look with your sonar for fish off points and at the mouths of coves. Use a ½-ounce jigging spoon or a ¼-ounce chartreuse jig head with a 2-inch Tennessee shad grub. Just slow troll the jig with the trolling motor at less than 1 mile per hour on a long line. Bream are fair and are moving to the shallow cover and coves. No reports on catfish but there are trotlines all over the place. Use small bream, night crawlers or big minnows in Arlie Moore and Yancey Creek.<br />
West-Central Arkansas<br />
Lake Nimrod<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 345.47 feet MSL.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said water is at normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows and Power Bait tubes. Catfishing is good on worms and stink bait.<br />
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Catfishing is fair on worms and minnows.<br />
Fourche La Fave River<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said yo-yos and trotlines are producing catfish on minnows and stink bait. Crappie are biting well on minnows.<br />
Lake Hinkle<br />
Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said the water is clear and very low. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on chartreuse spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfishing is fair on worms and chicken liver.<br />
Lake Dardanelle<br />
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said catfish have been biting very well on shad and bass minnows. Crappie have been sporadic, but when you find the right hole, you can do extremely well. Popular lures have been black/chartreuse and red/white jigs. White bass are moving into the creeks as well. Largemouth bass are biting well, but are all on the small side.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 385.92 feet MSL.<br />
Teresa at CD's Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. The lake is still low.<br />
Lake Ouachita<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 570.49 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass fishing is still excellent. Many fish are spawning, and trick worms and Carolina-rigged green pumpkin lizards are working well in 4 to 8 feet of water. Striper fishing is fair, but the stripers are scattered in the creeks with no real pattern or lure preference.<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the water temperature is in the mid 50s. The lake level is very low, and the water is clear on the main lake and stained in the creeks. Bass are being caught on jerk baits, Rat-L-Traps, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits over moss. The key to catching fish on Ouachita is to fish over moss. The best moss is in the northeast corner of the lake. Crappie are biting on jigs and minnows in 5 to 10 feet of water.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and is 56 to 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are excellent on crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps and jigs. Jerkbaits fished over main lake points and humps are getting good results. Floating worms and Carolina-rigged lizards are producing some quality catches on warm days. Walleye are still fair and being caught on fluorescent jigs in brush 12 to 15 feet deep. These fish are spawning up the river channels. Stripers are still excellent on live bait, soft-plastic grubs and white or gray hair jigs. Bream are still biting well on crickets or worms fished 15 to 25 feet deep near brush. Crappie are excellent around brush in 15 to 20 feet of water on minnows and Tennessee shad crappie grubs. Catfish are good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.<br />
Lake Hamilton<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the water temperature is in the low to mid 50s, and the water color is clear. The lake has been raised to normal summer pool. Bass are being caught in creeks where the water is warmest. Try a crankbait on rocks being warmed by the sun or a lipless lure on sunny flats in the afternoon. After a rain, fish spinnerbaits in the backs of creeks where fresh water is flowing into the lake. Crappie are being caught in 5 to 8 feet of water on jigs and minnows.<br />
For a daily fishing report from Darryl Morris, visit Family Fishing Trips.<br />
Lake Catherine<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 46 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Moss growth remains low. Water levels are back to normal and navigating the area has become much safer. Rainbow trout fishing is excellent. Bank anglers are catching limits of trout on wax worms, redworms or corn fished under a bobber or floated off the bottom with a marshmallow. Spin fishermen are having success casting silver or gold Super Dupers or Rooster Tails in brown or white around sandbars and visible structure when current is flowing. Small crankbaits are deadly trolled against the current in the main channel. Crappie are spawning, but the bite is on-and-off with the changing weather. Live minnows tightlined or fished under a bobber have taken the biggest crappie right beneath the dam. Small white or yellow jigs have also caught fish when the turbines are running. White bass are on the move into the tailrace as their spawn is about to begin. Some large stripers have been taken, but there's very little schooling activity. C-10 Redfins in rainbow trout colors and live shad fished under a balloon are musts for striper anglers.<br />
Rick Sawyer at Dozhier's Rainbow Landing (501-262-2825) said trout fishing is still good below the dam, but all other fishing is slow because of the weather.<br />
Lake Atkins<br />
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the crappie are picking up again on minnows and jigs. Bream and redear are biting well on worms and crickets. Many large white bass have been caught. Catfishing is slow on the banks, but yo-yos and trotlines are producing some good catfish. Bass are biting fairly well on crankbaits and worms. Several bass from 6 to 9 pounds have been caught lately.<br />
South-Central Arkansas<br />
Moro Bay<br />
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay had no report.<br />
Ouachita River Oxbows<br />
Jaret Rushing said bass fishing is good in the oxbows, and a lot of bowfin are being caught by bass anglers as well. Small, light-colored crankbaits, and watermelon Baby brush hogs were the best baits to use.<br />
Tri-County Lake<br />
Jaret Rushing said Tri-County still hasn't produced many reports. A few folks caught a few crappie on Beetle Spins, but were very tight-lipped about color and depth.<br />
East Arkansas<br />
Bear Creek Lake<br />
Mississippi River State Park said bass are biting well on crankbaits. Crappie are biting well on jigs. Bream are fair on beetles and crickets.<br />
Storm Creek Lake<br />
Mississippi River State Park said crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are slow on crankbaits. Bream are biting well on crickets.<br />
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff<br />
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) had no report.<br />
White River<br />
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on live minnows and soft-plastic worms.<br />
Adam Mount, avid fisherman and guide, said the water conditions between lock 1 and 2 are excellent. The river is at a real nice boating level and the black bass and crappie are starting to spawn. Fishing is excellent on shiners, green sunfish and worms fished with a float set 2 feet deep. White bass are biting well on shiners drifted around rocks and flats. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits.<br />
Maddox Bay<br />
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear in the backwater, but stained in the main channel. Crappie are fair on minnows. Some very nice bass have been caught around shallow brush and logs. Catfishing is fair on stinkbait.<br />
Island 40 Chute<br />
Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is extremely high, and the road going to the dock is closed. No report.<br />
Horseshoe Lake<br />
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is cool and at normal level. Bream are biting well on redworms fished around piers in shallow water. No report on any other species.
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/?n=whiteriverbasin<br />
Family and Community Fishing Ponds: Trout stockings Family and Community Fishing Program ponds have ended for the year, but catfish are being stocked in Family and Community ponds. Anglers can find bream, bass, catfish and some lingering trout in the ponds that are ready to bite.<br />
Visit http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/Fishin...msFCF.aspx for a list of program ponds.
Central Arkansas<br />
North Arkansas<br />
Northwest Arkansas<br />
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Southeast Arkansas<br />
Southwest Arkansas<br />
West-Central 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 at normal level. Redear are biting well around Pierce Creek and Hog Island on redworms. Crappie are biting fairly well on yo-yos baited with minnows and on pink minnows around Pierce Creek, Hog Island and Adam's Lake. Bass are fair on crankbaits and soft-plastics. Catfishing is good on trotlines baited with live and cut bait.<br />
Dan at Gold Creek Marina (501-607-0590) had no report.<br />
Little Red River<br />
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low and clear. Generators are running early. Trout are biting well on the south side of the river, away from the wind. Small jigs, Power Bait and corn are working well for the anglers braving the weather.<br />
Greers Ferry<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 458.44 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the lake level at Greers Ferry is 2.4 feet below normal pool and rising. The surface temperature is 51 to 57 degrees. The walleye have been pretty inconsistent in the rivers, but a few have been caught in the main lake on jigheads tipped with minnows and trolled crankbaits and Rogues. Bass are biting well on jerk baits, swimbaits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits in shallow water. Carolina-rigged lizards and football head jigs are catching some nice bass in deep water as well. The bream are starting to show up in shallow water and are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie are still biting well in the pole timber and over brush piles. A lot of crappie are suspended in brush close to the bank as well. Catfish are on the move, and are biting well on bream fished in the rivers and creeks. The white bass and hybrids are eating up the rivers and the main lake. Try grubs, swimbaits and in-line spinners.<br />
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the water is rising from recent rains. Water surface temperatures have cooled over the last week from the mid to upper 50s down to the upper 40s. Cooling surface temperatures and pressure changes have affected the largemouths the most. The best bite over the last week has been with smallmouth and walleye in 6 to 14 feet of water. Jerk baits, jigs and live bait rigs are all catching some good fish.<br />
Harris Brake Lake<br />
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is still 4 to 5 feet low and fishing is poor for all species.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the water is low. Crappie are fair on minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Shads, Cajun Crickets or Bubble Bellies in Monkey Milk, white, red/white and blue/white colors. Power Bait crappie tubes in red/chartreuse are working as well. Catfishing is fair around deep water on minnows and blood bait. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, jigs and minnows. Yo-yos are catching bass, catfish and crappie at night.<br />
Lake Overcup<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said Lakeview Landing is the only place to launch a boat. The crappie are building beds and are in shallow water. Anglers have been catching them on minnows and orange/chartreuse jigs, fished about a foot deep. Catfish are biting well on trotlines baited with large minnows and cut bait. Bass are biting well. Bream are fair.<br />
Brewer Lake<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is about 6 feet low, and the crappie are shallow, trying to spawn near brush and stumps. Bass have been biting well. No report on bream or catfish.<br />
Lake Maumelle<br />
Jolly Roger's Marina said the water is 7.65 feet below the spillway and the water temperature is 58 degrees. Largemouth bass are excellent on jerk baits and swim baits in most coves. Spotted bass are biting well in secondary coves on jig heads with a grub. White bass are excellent from the old marina to the west end of the lake in the channels. There have been many limits taken from the chimney area. Crappie are excellent in 11 feet of water on structure near the channels. Small jigs and grubs or small pink minnows will catch some good crappie. Bream are biting well, but are deep in the channels still. Catfishing is good on cut shad and prepared bait. Some trotlines are producing limits, with catfish up to 40 pounds being caught.<br />
Crappie are biting well on Kalin's Triple Threat grubs in popsicle, Tennessee shad and electric chicken colors in 12 to 14 feet of water. White bass are spawning at the far west end of the lake. White horsehead spinners, Beetle Spins and tightlined minnows are catching the white bass in the shallow water. Catfishing is good on cut bait and live bream. A few Saugeye have been caught by crappie fishermen on jigs and minnows in 12 to 14 feet of water. Bass are fair to good on shallow-running crankbaits and Carolina-rigged black/red worms fished on main lake points.<br />
Lake Valencia<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said trout are still biting well on Power Bait and nightcrawlers. Catfish are biting well on chicken hearts and nightcrawlers.<br />
Sunset Lake<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair on crickets in 8 feet of water. Crappie are excellent on Tennessee shad Kalin's grubs in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bass are excellent on watermelon seed/red trick worms and green pumpkin lizards. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is stained and at normal level. Bream are biting well on black, 1/16-oz. Rooster Tails. Crappie are biting well on 2-inch lemon meringue grubs. Bass are excellent on small white/chartreuse spinnerbaits and green pumpkin tubes. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton<br />
Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the weather has kept anglers off the water. Catfishing is fair on whole shad fished near shallow water. Crappie are moving up Petit Jean River, Point Remove Creek, Coppers Gap and Flagg Lake Cutoff. Minnows fished in 6 to 10 feet of water are producing crappie. White bass are moving up the creek mouths and are holding on sandbars and drops in the channels. Sassy Shads are working well on the white bass. Largemouth bass are on jetties and secondary drops in creeks. Flipping a jig to the bank and working it back to 8 to 10 feet of water is working well on the largemouth and spotted bass.<br />
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well in the Little Maumelle and Maumelle rivers on Bobby Garland Shads in ghost minnow and chartreuse/white colors. Crappie also are biting well on live minnows. Bass are fair to good on spinnerbaits, black/chartreuse jigs and firetiger jerk baits in the backwater areas. Catfishing is good on cut bait and chicken hearts strung from trotlines and yo-yos near creek channels near the main river.<br />
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)<br />
Vince Miller from Fish 'N Stuff said the water is at normal level. Bream are fair on small jigs and live bait fished around brush in the backwater. Crappie are fair to good on jigs fished around woody cover and brush in the backwater areas. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits fished around brush in creeks and backwater areas. Catfishing is fair on worms.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said below Murray Lock and dam, anglers are catching crappie on live pink minnows or red/chartreuse jigs fished under a slip-cork. Catfishing is good on shad and live green sunfish. White bass are biting well on little Georges, CC spoons and white or chartreuse twister tail grubs. Largemouth bass and spotted bass are biting fairly well on lipless crankbaits and Carolina-rigged lizards fished on the backside of jetties.<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said catfish are fair on chicken liver and nightcrawlers below Terry Lock and Dam. No other reports.<br />
Clear Lake<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and black/chartreuse tube jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Peckerwood Lake<br />
Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is still low. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is fair on yo-yos.<br />
Lake Pickthorne<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on pink minnows and red/pink/white tube jigs. Bass are fair to good on jigs and jerk baits on warmer days. Catfishing is slow.<br />
North Arkansas<br />
White River<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is murky and four generators are running. Trout are biting well on Rapalas, Rattling Rogues, Rooster Tails and Little Cleo spoons. Power Bait is working well on the rainbow trout. Brown trout are biting well on white marabou jigs. Fly anglers are doing well on sow bugs, copper Johns and zebra midges in red, green or black.<br />
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) had no report.<br />
Guide Davy Wotton said anglers are beginning to see the early stages of the caddis hatches, which will offer some excellent surface fishing. Fly fishers will have many choices of dry caddis patterns to choose, with elk hair caddis being the best. The SLF trans caddis also is a particularly deadly fly. Partridge and green and green pea pupae also are good bets. Many variations of soft hackles, such as partridge and hares ear and green tail will work when fished with slow strips and pauses. Best options for fishing the surface are with a 4/5 weight dry line and a 9-foot 4x tippet. Dry/dropper techniques can be very good as fishing a pair of soft hackles or a pupa soft hackle combination.<br />
During low water look for the riffle zones and the flats below. During high water, wet flies that will be a must include Invicta, hares ear, Grannom, Whickhams and silver Invicta.<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said generation is very low, and fishing has been good. Spin fishermen are doing well with Zig Jigs. Fly anglers are doing the best on Woolly Buggers, San Juan worms and egg patterns.<br />
Buffalo River<br />
Just Fishing Guides said the water levels were at 4.62 feet and 147 cfs at the Pruitt Access, 5.46 feet and 846 cfs at Tyler Bend Access and 4.13 feet and 742 cfs at Buffalo Point. Temperatures have peaked at 61 degrees. Smallmouth fishing should really begin to kick on. Best flies to use have been crawdad patterns and minnow patterns. Colors should mimic natural baits, but have the colors at the opposite ends available - chartreuse, white, black. If you spin fish, soft plastics are the way to go. Fish slowly and on the bottom with baits like Zoom 4-inch lizards, tube baits, Gitzits and hula grubs.<br />
Crooked Creek<br />
Just Fishing Guides said water levels are in the good fishing and floating range with flows at Kelly's Access at 11.51 feet and 101 cfs. Water temperatures are heating up and smallmouth fishing should be heating up as well. Water temperatures have ranged from 50 to 61 degrees. When the temperatures stay in the 60-degree range, the fishing should be on. Best flies have been crawdad patterns such as the crazy dad, creek creature, sparkle grub and the simple craw. Natural colors like green, brown and tan are best, but have chartreuse, black and white handy.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 652.09 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).<br />
Mike Worley's Guide Service said largemouth bass are biting well on crankbaits, jigs and jerk baits in 3 to 5 feet of water. White bass and crappie are in the backs of creek arms and are biting well on minnows and jigs. Walleye fishing is slow, but should improve as the fish finish their spawn.<br />
Bob Pauletti at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said the fishing on the lake is on fire. If any one is thinking of fishing Bull Shoals, now is the time. White bass are very active in the backs of the major creeks. Small white jigs, Road Runners and crankbaits are all producing fish. Crappie are on brush piles and can be caught on a jig-and-minnow or small stick bait. Spotted bass are close to spawning, and are feeding on live bait in 15 to 20 feet of water. Smallmouth bass also are close to spawning and have the feed bag on. Fishing the major creek arms with tube baits is working well. Largemouth bass are excellent on jerk baits fished around windy areas or crayfish-imitating baits. Walleye are on the banks at night, but are only thinking of spawning. Very soon, a nightcrawler dragged behind a White River rig will produce during the day and a jerk bait fished along the bank will work at night.<br />
Bull Shoals Tailwater<br />
Just Fishing Guides said generation was off Wednesday through Sunday. Midges and sow bugs were working well in the upper catch-and-release area. Caddis nymphs, scuds, sow bugs, midges and medium-size streamers were all viable options from White Hole to Rim Shoals. Most of the caddis were hatching on the lower river from Buffalo Shoal to Reds Landing. Suggested patterns include humpback scud, swimming scud, tailwater sow bug, zebra midge, BH Z-wing caddis, hare 'n copper(olive and hares ear colors), graphic caddis(olive), partridge & green soft hackle, elk hair caddis(olive), slumpbuster, zoo cougar and woolly bugger.<br />
Lake Norfork<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 548.44 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).<br />
Blackburns Resort said surface temperature has dropped to 50 degrees. The lake is very clear and the best fishing is early in the morning and after dark, where you can find stained water. Stripers are fair on stick baits and grubs. Crappie are fair on minnows.<br />
Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said striped bass, hybrids, white bass, black bass and crappie are starting to get very active with the warming of the lake. Crappie are on the brush and should be close to their spawn. Live bait on a slip bobber should be the most active bait, but throwing a small jig tipped with a minnow will entice a few fish.<br />
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait said fishing has been fair for the most part, due to the fluctuating weather. Crappie are hitting minnows as well as small soft-plastic jigs. A lot of small fish are being caught. Stripers and walleye are doing best at night and early in the morning. Bass are hitting jerk baits and crankbaits. White bass fishing has been off and on. As long as the weather stays nice, fishing and catching should explode for the crappie, sunfish, stripers and whites as well as the bass and walleye. Catfishing is slow.<br />
Norfork Tailwater<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) had no report.<br />
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said no generation last week with low fishing pressure made for excellent fishing from a boat and wading. Large catches of rainbows and browns in the 13- to 18-inch range have come on corn and nightcrawlers fished on White River rigs fished on 4- to 6-pound-test line with size 6 to 8 bait hooks.<br />
Just Fishing Guides said no generation for over a week has meant plenty of wade fishing all along the river. Midges, scuds and sow bugs in that order should be your first choices. Some caddis are starting to hatch in the middle and lower sections of the river. Try fishing small to medium size (8-12) streamers if fish are not responding to dead-drifted nymphs.<br />
Northwest Arkansas<br />
Beaver Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,113.88 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).<br />
Bailey's Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said striper fishing has been excellent. The white bass run is on, and many are being caught on spoons, jigs and Rooster Tails. Stripers are being caught on free lines and balloons fished 15 feet deep. Bait can still be found in the backs of coves looking for warm water flowing in. Stripers are near any cove holding bait. Stripers can also be taken with no. 9 Rapala originals or Husky Jerks and/or Rogues 3 to 5 inches long, flat-line trolled. Use planer boards to spread lines and cover shallow water near the bank as you troll. Move Rapalas at about 2-2.5 mph. During the spawning run, many stripers and hybrids are mistaken for white bass, so know your species and make sure you identify any fish you keep. Live shad in the 4- to 6-inch range are working well, but if you want a big fish, try a shadzilla in the 10- to 14-inch range. In the mid- to lower lake try the flats in Indian Creek, upriver in the Big Clifty arm, and Larue Cove and Striper Island in Rocky Branch. In the upper section of the lake, look in the back of Prairie Creek and the flats near the main river channel. Also look at Avoca Hollow. Birds, bait and fish have congregated around Coose Hollow and Ventris, and there are some good stringers being caught. Look in the back of Blackburn for large schools of shad and free line the cove for striper. Around the mouth of Monte-Ne, look for shad and stripers around the flats. The walleye are spawning in War Eagle and are being caught from the mouth of the creek, upriver as far as you can get a boat. As the walleye run ends, the fish will begin moving downstream. Most walleye will be about 5 to 10 feet deep around points and on mid stream humps. Cast spoons, Rooster Tails and jigs in white, chartreuse, orange and silver. Flat line troll over shallow bars with Rapalas in natural blue or black back or Rogues in clown flash.<br />
JT's Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been biting fairly well on slow-rolled spinnerbaits and crawdad-colored crankbaits fished along gravel to chunk rock banks with timber or blown down trees. Crappie fishing has been very good on Arkie Lures Shineee Hineee jigs and tube jigs fished under a cork 2 to 5 feet deep around blown down trees, timber or brush piles close to a channel. The best places to try have been Blue Springs, Piney Creek, Kelly Creek and the Eden's Bluff area. White bass have backed off their run. Try fishing upstream from the 412 bridge or the sidewalk hole and target channel bends. The best lures for white bass have been Tiny Traps or Shineee Hineee jigs. Catfishing has been good in the evening from the bank using liver or worms. The Highway 12 or 412 bridges have both been good.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is cold and 6 to 7 feet low. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and tube jigs fished around brush in 2 to 10 feet of water. White bass are fair to good on crankbaits. Walleye are biting well in the river arms. Catfishing is slow. Black bass are fair on jerk baits and crankbaits.<br />
Beaver Tailwater<br />
Just Fishing Guides said plenty of low water has made for excellent wade fishing. Scuds, sow bugs, midges and small streamers are all working at any given time over the course of the day. Habitat work is occurring from the first campground to just above the Cane Break Access. Suggested patterns include humpback scud and swimming scud, sizes 12-16 in olive, gray or tan; tailwater sow bug, Ray Charles sow bug, zebra midge, sizes 16-20 in olive, gray, black and brown, and woolly bugger, sparrow, slumpbuster and 56er, sizes 6-10 in olive, black, brown and gray.<br />
Kings River<br />
Just Fishing Guides said the river levels are good at 4.29 feet and 759 cfs. This is just a little high for fly fishing, but spin fishing with soft plastics like lizards, hula grubs and tube baits should pick up fish. Best colors are watermelon red, green pumpkinseed and motor oil. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s.<br />
Lake Fayetteville<br />
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky and at normal level. Bream are fair on micro-jigs and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. White bass are biting well on minnows. Catfishing is good on live and prepared baits.<br />
Lake Sequoyah<br />
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is cold and clear. No anglers are on the water because of the weather.<br />
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Charles<br />
Lake Charles State Park said crappie have started to bite on live bait. There have been several reports of bass being caught on crankbaits. The water temperature ranges from the upper 40s to the low 50s. Slow down your presentation for better results on bass and crappie.<br />
Lake Poinsett<br />
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett has finally risen enough to allow the boat ramp at the park to be used. No report on the fishing.<br />
Crown Lake<br />
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and 53 degrees. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on jerk baits and crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver.<br />
Lake Frierson<br />
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well. Catfishing is good on worms.<br />
Spring River<br />
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said the rain has brought water levels higher, but it's still fairly clear in the river. Trout fishing has been great, with bigger flies like big emergers and woolly buggers. Dark and fluorescent colors are the best producers. Caddis and mayfly hatches have been steady when the sun pops out, early morning and late evening. High stick nymphing and streamer fishing with sink-tip lines are go-to techniques.<br />
Spring River Fly Shop said fishing has been pretty good at the bayou and at the campground in the afternoons. Y2ks, Mad Olives and the Mad Hack are some good fly patterns. Corn or Power Bait worked the best for bait casters. The river water level is better than it has been, but after the rain it has been running green with a muddy look to it.<br />
Southeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Chicot<br />
Lake Chicot State Park bream fishing has been fair on crickets. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows. Catfish are biting well on crickets and cold worms. Bass are biting slowly on black plastic worms.<br />
Cane Creek Lake<br />
Cane Creek State Park said bass are being caught in good numbers on topwater plugs and soft plastics. Crappie are fair to good on minnows. Catfish can be caught using both live bait and livers.<br />
Lake Monticello<br />
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com had no report.
Southwest Arkansas<br />
Millwood Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.60 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).<br />
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood is now about 5 inches above normal pool and falling, with reduced current in Little River of 783 CFS. Surface water temperature continues rising, and is 61 to 75 degrees. Clarity is 4-8 inches at best in the river, depending on location. Largemouth bass are fair, but are improving daily. The fish are in various stages of pre- and post-spawn upriver. The bass bite continues to be best during heat of the day. Male bass are tending beds with females in spawning areas, and are fair to good, but finicky. Pre-spawn and post spawn female bass are roaming in creek channels during the heat of the day, cruising in and out of the shallows and creek ditches. These cruising fish are either going to or coming from bedding areas and are willing to hit Cordell Redfins or Smithwick Rouges, War Eagle Spinnerbaits in Spot Remover colors, Rat-L-Traps in Red and shad patterns. Jigs in black/blue or Texas Craw continue taking for heavy females, as are lizards in June bug, black neon, or chartreuse-pumpkin. White bass continue roaming Little River, and were schooled up around White Cliffs, McGuire and between the Highway 71 bridge and upriver to Patterson Shoals. The crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on vertically jigged grubs over brush and tiny Rooster Tails along Little River above White Cliffs campground. Channel catfish continue biting well on trotlines baited with chicken livers, hot dogs and homemade blood dough in 18-25 feet of water in Little River on outer current breaks.<br />
Lake Columbia<br />
Steve's Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low and clear. The surface temperature is 65 degrees. Southshore Landing is the only landing open. Bream are biting well on crickets in one 1-3 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and orange/gray/chartreuse jigs when the water warms. Bass are fair on lizards and brush hogs. Catfishing is good on live bait hung from trotlines around deep snags.<br />
Lake Erling<br />
Steve's Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is about one or two feet low. Bream are biting well. Crappie are near the upper end of the lake in 18 inches to 3 feet of water. Bass are fair. Catfishing is good on cut bait.<br />
Lake Greeson<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 541.01 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).<br />
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is low. Crappie are fair on minnows, but have been hard to locate. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, soft-plastics and top-water lures. No report on any other species.<br />
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake's website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.<br />
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)<br />
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.<br />
Cossatot River<br />
Cossatot River State Park had no report.<br />
DeGray Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 396.82 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).<br />
Due to the low water, boaters should use extreme caution when navigating DeGray. Many unmarked islands and humps are just under the surface, which can cause serious damage and harm if struck.<br />
Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is in the high 50s. The lake is clear up to Point 15 and slightly discolored to Cox Creek. Bass fishing is fair but has slowed somewhat with the cold weather. The fish are at 10 to 15 feet and holding tight to cover. The best pattern is a Texas- or Carolina-rigged worm or a jig with plastic trailer. Work the lures slowly close to wood or rock cover. The best areas for bass have been the upper reaches of the lake from Point 14 to Cox Creek. Several decent catches have been reported from Brushy Creek. Crappie fishing remains good, but has slowed with the cold weather and falling water temperature. The fish have moved to the deeper attractors at 14 to 16 feet, outside the spawning coves. Fish over the thickest part of the brush with a 1/32- or 1/16-ounce chartreuse jig head and a Tennessee shad 2-inch grub. The Shouse Ford area is still the best bet. Hybrid fishing is fair with a couple of decent catches coming from Shouse Ford. The fish are suspended about 10 to 15 feet down in water 20 to 30 feet deep. Look with your sonar for fish off points and at the mouths of coves. Use a ½-ounce jigging spoon or a ¼-ounce chartreuse jig head with a 2-inch Tennessee shad grub. Just slow troll the jig with the trolling motor at less than 1 mile per hour on a long line. Bream are fair and are moving to the shallow cover and coves. No reports on catfish but there are trotlines all over the place. Use small bream, night crawlers or big minnows in Arlie Moore and Yancey Creek.<br />
West-Central Arkansas<br />
Lake Nimrod<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 345.47 feet MSL.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said water is at normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows and Power Bait tubes. Catfishing is good on worms and stink bait.<br />
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Catfishing is fair on worms and minnows.<br />
Fourche La Fave River<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said yo-yos and trotlines are producing catfish on minnows and stink bait. Crappie are biting well on minnows.<br />
Lake Hinkle<br />
Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said the water is clear and very low. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on chartreuse spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfishing is fair on worms and chicken liver.<br />
Lake Dardanelle<br />
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said catfish have been biting very well on shad and bass minnows. Crappie have been sporadic, but when you find the right hole, you can do extremely well. Popular lures have been black/chartreuse and red/white jigs. White bass are moving into the creeks as well. Largemouth bass are biting well, but are all on the small side.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 385.92 feet MSL.<br />
Teresa at CD's Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. The lake is still low.<br />
Lake Ouachita<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 570.49 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass fishing is still excellent. Many fish are spawning, and trick worms and Carolina-rigged green pumpkin lizards are working well in 4 to 8 feet of water. Striper fishing is fair, but the stripers are scattered in the creeks with no real pattern or lure preference.<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the water temperature is in the mid 50s. The lake level is very low, and the water is clear on the main lake and stained in the creeks. Bass are being caught on jerk baits, Rat-L-Traps, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits over moss. The key to catching fish on Ouachita is to fish over moss. The best moss is in the northeast corner of the lake. Crappie are biting on jigs and minnows in 5 to 10 feet of water.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and is 56 to 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are excellent on crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps and jigs. Jerkbaits fished over main lake points and humps are getting good results. Floating worms and Carolina-rigged lizards are producing some quality catches on warm days. Walleye are still fair and being caught on fluorescent jigs in brush 12 to 15 feet deep. These fish are spawning up the river channels. Stripers are still excellent on live bait, soft-plastic grubs and white or gray hair jigs. Bream are still biting well on crickets or worms fished 15 to 25 feet deep near brush. Crappie are excellent around brush in 15 to 20 feet of water on minnows and Tennessee shad crappie grubs. Catfish are good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.<br />
Lake Hamilton<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the water temperature is in the low to mid 50s, and the water color is clear. The lake has been raised to normal summer pool. Bass are being caught in creeks where the water is warmest. Try a crankbait on rocks being warmed by the sun or a lipless lure on sunny flats in the afternoon. After a rain, fish spinnerbaits in the backs of creeks where fresh water is flowing into the lake. Crappie are being caught in 5 to 8 feet of water on jigs and minnows.<br />
For a daily fishing report from Darryl Morris, visit Family Fishing Trips.<br />
Lake Catherine<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 46 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Moss growth remains low. Water levels are back to normal and navigating the area has become much safer. Rainbow trout fishing is excellent. Bank anglers are catching limits of trout on wax worms, redworms or corn fished under a bobber or floated off the bottom with a marshmallow. Spin fishermen are having success casting silver or gold Super Dupers or Rooster Tails in brown or white around sandbars and visible structure when current is flowing. Small crankbaits are deadly trolled against the current in the main channel. Crappie are spawning, but the bite is on-and-off with the changing weather. Live minnows tightlined or fished under a bobber have taken the biggest crappie right beneath the dam. Small white or yellow jigs have also caught fish when the turbines are running. White bass are on the move into the tailrace as their spawn is about to begin. Some large stripers have been taken, but there's very little schooling activity. C-10 Redfins in rainbow trout colors and live shad fished under a balloon are musts for striper anglers.<br />
Rick Sawyer at Dozhier's Rainbow Landing (501-262-2825) said trout fishing is still good below the dam, but all other fishing is slow because of the weather.<br />
Lake Atkins<br />
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the crappie are picking up again on minnows and jigs. Bream and redear are biting well on worms and crickets. Many large white bass have been caught. Catfishing is slow on the banks, but yo-yos and trotlines are producing some good catfish. Bass are biting fairly well on crankbaits and worms. Several bass from 6 to 9 pounds have been caught lately.<br />
South-Central Arkansas<br />
Moro Bay<br />
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay had no report.<br />
Ouachita River Oxbows<br />
Jaret Rushing said bass fishing is good in the oxbows, and a lot of bowfin are being caught by bass anglers as well. Small, light-colored crankbaits, and watermelon Baby brush hogs were the best baits to use.<br />
Tri-County Lake<br />
Jaret Rushing said Tri-County still hasn't produced many reports. A few folks caught a few crappie on Beetle Spins, but were very tight-lipped about color and depth.<br />
East Arkansas<br />
Bear Creek Lake<br />
Mississippi River State Park said bass are biting well on crankbaits. Crappie are biting well on jigs. Bream are fair on beetles and crickets.<br />
Storm Creek Lake<br />
Mississippi River State Park said crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are slow on crankbaits. Bream are biting well on crickets.<br />
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff<br />
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) had no report.<br />
White River<br />
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on live minnows and soft-plastic worms.<br />
Adam Mount, avid fisherman and guide, said the water conditions between lock 1 and 2 are excellent. The river is at a real nice boating level and the black bass and crappie are starting to spawn. Fishing is excellent on shiners, green sunfish and worms fished with a float set 2 feet deep. White bass are biting well on shiners drifted around rocks and flats. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits.<br />
Maddox Bay<br />
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear in the backwater, but stained in the main channel. Crappie are fair on minnows. Some very nice bass have been caught around shallow brush and logs. Catfishing is fair on stinkbait.<br />
Island 40 Chute<br />
Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is extremely high, and the road going to the dock is closed. No report.<br />
Horseshoe Lake<br />
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is cool and at normal level. Bream are biting well on redworms fished around piers in shallow water. No report on any other species.