Central Arkansas Lake Conway
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is low. Bream are slow to fair. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass and catfish are slow.
Dan at Gold Creek Marina said bass are biting well on jigs. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bream are slow. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers.
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low with no generation. Trout are fair on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. More brown trout are moving to their annual spawning areas, but most are average-sized.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.83 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the lake level is 6.2 feet below normal pool and falling. Water temperature is 63-68 degrees and the upper half of the lake is turning over. Bass are still scattered with the shad; try jigging spoons, football head jigs, Carolina-rigged lizards and crankbaits in deep water and spinnerbaits and small crankbaits around shallow water. A few fish can be caught on jighead worms as well. Bream are slow. Catfishing is good all over the lake on live and prepared baits. Walleye are very slow, but you can try dragging a nightcrawler in 15-27 feet for an occasional bite. White bass and hybrid bass are biting well anywhere that the turnover hasn’t happened. The larger hybrids are following the big threadfin shad in the backs of creeks. Try spoons, topwaters, hair jigs and swimbaits.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the water is falling slightly. The surface temperatures have fallen into the mid to upper 60s, and the fish are responding in a positive way. Right now you can find all species spread out from 1 foot of water to 45 feet of water with the best bite coming at greater depths with large concentrations of shad present. We are catching a mixed bag of game fish on all our trips, including smallmouth in the 3-4 lb. range and good numbers of whites and hybrids.
Harris Brake Lake
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is dropping for the annual drawdown. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting well on pink/white jigs. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the lake is still down and many good brush piles are being placed around the edge of the water. There was a lake clean-up last week, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement if anyone wants to help keep the lake clean. Crappie are still biting well around stumps on smoke and chartreuse pepper jigs. Bass are fair. Catfish are biting well. (Last update 10/20/2010)
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said fishing has been slow, but some crappie are being caught over the brush piles on small minnows white/chartreuse jigs. Bass are slow, but some are being caught on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are fair on trotlines baited with cut shad and live bream. Bream are slow. (Last update 10/20/2010)
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake is 8.4 feet below the spillway. Lake Maumelle has turned over, and fishing has slowed a bit. Launching a boat is still possible at Jolly Roger’s, but use caution as the concrete ramps are out of the water. Black bass are fair on jig-and-pig combos, crankbaits and spinnerbaits off the points and the edges of the channels. The west end of the lake has been most productive. White bass are schooling early and late in the day on the south side of Big Island; Spooks, Near Nuthings and trolled Rogues are working well. Crappie are biting well on 1/32-oz. red/white jigs and small minnows fished 15 to 20 feet deep. Bream are fair on crickets and worms in 10 to 20 feet of water. Catfishing is good with some large blues and flatheads being caught on cut shad and bream. (Last update 10/20/2010)
Lake Valencia
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
Sunset Lake
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is at normal level. Bream, crappie and catfish are all slow. Bass are fair on topwaters.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is low. Bream are excellent on small brown Rooster Tails. Crappie are slow. Bass are excellent on white buzzbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said not many people have been on the river this week. Some nice catfish have been taken in shallow water on whole shad. Spotted bass are following the shad in shallow water in the evenings. Use firetiger-colored Chatterbaits and jigs around jetties. Stripers are being caught below the dam and in Coppers Gap on live shad. Bream are in the back of Petit Jean River and Point Remove Creek. White bass are shallow and are following the shad. (Last updated 10/20/2010)
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said bream are fair on worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on crankbaits fished around rocky points and jetties. Catfishing is good on shad in the main river.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the flow is low. Bass are fair. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and chicken livers. No report on any other species.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is low. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair. No report on any other species.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) is closed to fishing for the winter and will reopen February 1, 2011
Lake Pickthorne
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
North Arkansas White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said 2 to 4 generators are running. Trout fishing is excellent on trout worms, shrimp, Little Cleos and Rooster Tails. Fly-fishermen are doing well on black/red zebra midges, woolly buggers and green caddis.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said trout are biting well on yellow Power Bait fished off the bottom in the deeper part of the river over rock flats.
Guide Davy Wotton said temperatures are dropping. The Bull Shoals Dam Zone is now closed to fishing for the spawn, and the area below the dam zone to the State Park now is catch-and-release only. Most brown trout are in spawning zones, digging redds and spawning. Please leave these fish alone so they can have a successful spawn for the health of the fishery. The best options during lower water flows are midge patterns in sizes 14 to 20 if fish are seen feeding on the surface. White-tail, prism, shimmer and zebra midges are the go-to flies. Sow bugs and scuds in gray, gray/olive and orange have produced during overcast conditions. Afternoons have been good for fishing both soft hackles in the riffle zones and small streamers in deeper water. When drift fishing moderate generations, combinations of midge, prism and San Juan worms have been very good, if fishing colored water and when overhead light is diminished then you may need to add hi-vis flies such as eggs and worms.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said water levels continue to be steady and somewhat lower than usual. Fishing has been steady as well. Fish your favorite stretches of the river but pay special attention to any places that offer faster water, shoals and quick runs. Fly-fishing these spots with woolly buggers in Olive or olive/black is working well. White River Zig Jigs are working for spin-fishermen.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said all sections of the river are very low, and no floating opportunities are available in the upper ¾ of the river. Wade fishing is good if you don’t mind walking. Fish are biting well on Clouser minnows and crawdad patterns. Spin fishermen are using soft plastics and crankbaits in brown and green shades. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said the water is low and floating is difficult. Wade fishing at public access points is very good. Smallmouth are excellent on Clouser minnows, Shenk’s white streamers, crazy ‘dads and sneaky Petes. Spin fishermen are catching plenty of smallmouth on tubes, brush hogs and lizards in watermelon, green pumpkin and black. Smallmouth are also being caught on small jerkbaits and crankbaits. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 651.58 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said black bass are biting spinnerbaits and crankbaits on windy banks halfway back in the creek arms. Walleyes are biting in areas with shad, some days on the main channel points and other days back in the creek arms. Trolling crankbaits on leadcore line in 36-42 feet of water is catching some nice fish of all species. Jigging spoons are working well in 30-60 feet of water, catching a mixed bag of fish. Catfish are biting well on bluff ends and in coves. Crappie are biting jigs worked though standing timber along bluffs about 10 feet deep. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said generation is around the clock with 1-2 units. Some wade fishing is available in certain areas, but drift fishing is a better option. The trophy area below the dam is closed. A variety of tactics are working, including nymphing, swinging soft hackles and stripping streamers. Brown trout are in various stages of spawning, so be on the lookout for redds and don’t wade through them. Suggested patterns include: humpback scud, BH simple sow, pheasant tail, copper john, BH caddis, partridge/yellow, partridge/orange, partridge/peacock, San Juan worm, zebra midge, woolly bugger, zoo cougar, KC’s barred sculpin, sparrow and .56er.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 549.42 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said crappie are biting fairly well on minnows fished around the docks near Henderson Bridge.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is 70. Watch for fish chasing shad to the surface and they will hit any topwater bait. Try throwing a grub, shallow crankbait or a small swim bait also. Look for fish suspended 30-50 feet down and fish live bait or a spoon in front of them. With the water temperature dropping, the fish will start putting on the feed bag getting ready for winter. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait said fishing is good. The surface temperature is in the low 70s. Crappie fishing has been good using minnows and tube jigs. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Catfish have been doing well. Striped bass are spread throughout the lake. Walleye fishing has been fair on nightcrawlers and medium-sized shiners. Bass fishing is good using a variety of soft-plastics and jigs. White bass are being caught using rooster tails and jigging spoons. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Norfork Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said some periods of no generation are allowing some wade fishing. Various tactics are producing good numbers of fish. Nymphing, soft hackles, dries and streamers are all working. Brown trout are spawning, so watch out for redds. Suggested patterns include: humpback scud, BH simple sow, pheasant tail, copper john, zebra midge, Y2K, San Juan worm, partridge/yellow, partridge/orange, partridge peacock, woolly bugger, sparrow and .56er.
Charlie’s Rainbow Trout Resort said fishing is good in early fall. The big browns will start moving in any day now and will fatten up. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said fish are hitting corn and yellow Power Bait fished off the bottom. Go with brightly colored bait this time of year due to all of the leaves in the water.
Northwest Arkansas Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,115.78 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said striper fishing has been fair. The stripers have pushed upriver in pursuit of bait that has moved to warmer water. Stripers are feeding near the surface. Free lining shad and balloon rigs are the best methods to use. The stripers are keyed on flats where they find shad feeding. Fish location is greatly influenced by lake level and current flow, current in the lake from generation will generally position fish on upstream or downstream edges of structure. The following areas will hold stripers at different times during the day:
The Goat Island area of Rocky Branch — N36*20.562, W93*56.107 and N36*20.881, W93*55.179.
The bluff at the escarpment — N36* 19.983’ W93* 54.972’.
The water intake — N36.326241, W93.893409 and N36.336267, W93.885341.
Point 6 — N36.32548, W93.906798 and N36.319879, W93.90182.
Also check around the islands on the flats of Prairie Creek, the flats of Beaver Shores and the rocky shoreline in Horseshoe bend near the swimming area. War Eagle and the White River are producing some fish from the mouth to the sidewalk hole. Walleye and crappie are in the 10-20 feet of water on the shoals in Prairie Creek and Beaver Shores to Monte-Ne. Slow troll No. 11 Rapalas in black/silver or blue/silver on three-way rigs with bottom bouncers. Trolled Hot ‘n’ Tots in chartreuse/orange and natural colors are also working. Troll about 1.5 to 2 mph and run baits a foot off the bottom for best results. Pay special attention to the areas around Deer and Bear islands. Crawler harnesses are also producing on bottom bouncers, trolled at 1.5 mph and slower. These fish are scattered and on the move, so no GPS coordinates are available for them.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been biting crawdad-colored medium-diving crankbaits fished along rocky banks with a slight slope. Bass have also been caught on hula grubs fished along pole timber and docks. Crappie fishing has been outstanding! Fish yellow/white, pink/white or red/white tube jigs on a 1/16-oz. jighead along pole timber or brush piles in 20 to 35 feet of water. Fish have been suspending 6 to 18 feet deep. White bass are few and far between. Check main lake points and flats by trolling small crank baits in shad or firetiger colors. Catfish have been biting well after dark on liver or worms. Bluegill have been biting crickets around pole timber and blow down trees in 2 to 10 feet of water.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and 60 degrees. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around deep brush. White bass are fair on jigs, in-line spinners and spoons. Catfishing is slow.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said there’s been low water all day for wade fishing. Indicator nymphing and streamer fishing are producing good numbers with a good shot at large fish. Watch out for redds (spawning beds) as browns are spawning and try not to wade through them. Fishing below the redds with egg patterns is producing nice fish. Suggested patterns include: humpback scud, BH simple sow, zebra midge, Y2K, San Juan worm and various streamers like woolly buggers, zoo cougars, KC’s barred sculpins, sparrows and .56ers.
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides said the river is too low to float without a lot of dragging. Wade fishing is good at public access points. Fly anglers are doing well with minnow and crawdad imitations, such as Clouser minnows and crazy ‘dads. Spin fishermen are doing well on soft-plastics, jerkbaits, buzzbaits and crankbaits fished along deeper runs and tailouts of pools with good rock or wood cover. The best baits have been Zoom tubes and brush hogs in watermelon, green pumpkin and black, Zoom Flukes in white, Rebel crawfish crankbaits and Heddon Tiny Torpedoes. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are biting well on worms, crickets and small jigs. Everyone in the area is out of crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting fairly well on artificial lures. White bas are biting well on spoons bounced off the bottom.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is low. No report on any species except catfish. Catfish are biting well on cut bream.
Northeast Arkansas Lake Poinsett
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett is still down significantly, but fishing is still very good. Many anglers have had luck with bass and crappie. The boat ramp in the park is not usable as the cove is almost dry. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is low and clear. Crappie are biting well on minnows in shallow water. Bass are biting well on Rapala DT 10 crankbaits in 10 feet of water. No report on any other species.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and low. Catfishing is good on chicken liver. No report on any other species.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said the river is running at 255 cfs, and the water is clear. Leaves are still falling and cold temperatures are in the forecast for the rest of the week. Caddis and mayfly hatches are heavy in early morning when the sun first hits the water and late evening as the sun goes down. Watch for trout rising, it is not common on the Spring but does happen from time to time. An elk hair caddis or parachute Adams will usually do the trick. Big flies normally catch big fish but with such clear water conditions, more technical mayfly and caddis patterns are working great.
Southeast Arkansas Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park said catfishing is still slow, but steady. Bream have been slow as well. (Updated 10/6/2010)
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said fishing at Cane Creek Lake has picked up. Crappie are biting well on minnows and curly tail jigs in about 4 to 4.5 feet of water. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Monticello
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said the surface temperature hasn’t changed much in the last week or so. It is still between 68 and 71 degrees, depending on area and time of day. The bass are biting in the shallows on plastic worms and Senkos in earth-tone colors. There are a few bass being caught on crankbaits on and around points. Bass are starting to chase shad a little more than in previous days, but there still is not a consistent schooling bite. Be careful running around the woody areas of the lake. The lake is low and running is dangerous in the creeks. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Southwest Arkansas Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 255.70 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level is consistent from last week and is 46 inches below normal pool and falling, with current in Little River at 191 CFS. Surface temps dropped to 65 to 70 degrees, dependent on location and time of day. Use extreme caution at boat ramps, and navigation on Millwood during the four foot drawdown in effect through Feb 2011. Stumps and boat ramps are very shallow. Some cutover boat lanes through timber on main lake are inaccessible during drawdown conditions, and merely inches of depth remain. The bass bite continues to be very good with the cooler nighttime temperatures. Many schools of largemouths, white and spotted bass are randomly surface breaking along Little River and the oxbows, chasing schools of shad. The best times for schoolers has shifted to mid-day and early afternoon. Most bass are concentrating near almost any major creek junction with Little River and are biting Fat Free Shad and Bomber Crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, Shad Assassins and curly tail grubs on jig heads. When the bass begin schooling inside lily pads or other vegetation, a Johnson chrome spoon with white or smoke curly tail grub trailer works well. Large schools of white bass are randomly breaking topwater in Little River in front of Hurricane Creek, Jack’s Isle, Mud Lake’s first and second entrances, White Cliffs and the Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows. In subsurface schools, Rat-L-Traps or Little Georges and white Rooster Tails will catch these fish as well. The crappie bite improved this week with the improved water clarity. Best spots along Little River are over planted brush in 15-20 feet and once you find the school stacked over brush on your electronics, jigs w/smoke paddle-tail grubs, or Blakemore Roadrunners in white are the better baits. Channel catfish remain fair and consistent over the last week on trotlines in Little River and yo-yo’s hung from cypress tree branches in 14-18 feet of water using cut shad, Catfish Charlie and catalpa worms, along Little River and in Mud Lake or Horseshoe Oxbows.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are biting well on shiners and jigs. Bass are fair to good. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 537.37 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is dingy, low and 60 degrees. Bream and crappie are slow, and not many anglers are fishing for them. Bass are fair on crankbaits, topwaters and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is slow. Walleye and stripers are slow.
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Jeff Guerin of www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com said the next six weeks may be my favorite time of the year to fish. The March Brown hatch in the spring is pretty awesome, but mostly because of the number of fish in the river at the time. The Light Cahill hatch of autumn is just as prolific and the fish are much better quality. With the latest storm coming up from the Gulf, it’s showery and mild. Totally different from the weekend! I was out for just a little while yesterday and the fog was so thick I was getting vertigo and having a hard time spotting the water much less the fish. The fish were fairly active and I talked about a dozen into taking the new fly and landed about six of those. There are still a lot of fish hanging around Sycamore Run, but they have been just about as tough as the fish up in the Park. We’re getting into a better generation pattern; this week they backed off to just noon to 6 p.m. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Cossatot River
Cossatot River State Park said the water level is at 2.04 feet and rising slowly due to some rains and the loss of foliage around the river. The temperature has remained fairly constant. Wade fishing has produced many rock bass on black Beetle Spins. The water is very clear now and the whole river is starting to come alive with fall color. Live minnows or crawdads are always a sure thing with the smallmouth bass. Keep in mind when fishing on Cossatot River the smallmouth limit is two and the length has to be a minimum of 12 inches. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
DeGray Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 395.36 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).
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.
Local angler George Graves said the water temperature is in the mid-60s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is good with quite a few nice catches reported. Some surface activity was reported in the mornings in the backs of creeks and major pockets. Look for shad and the bass will be nearby. Use a surface lure such as a Zara Spook, Sammy, Pop R or a Fluke. Sometimes throwing a spoon at the "breakers" will get a bite. However the best reports are coming from those who are fishing worms and jigs down steep points and ledges. The fish are near the bottom in 24 to 28 feet. Use a Texas-rigged finesse worm, or a heavy jig with plastic trailer. Best worm colors have been green pumpkin or green pumpkin/red glitter. Try pumpkin or crawfish jig patterns. Now is the time for big spotted bass. Try rocky bluffs and once again use the jigs and worms fished down to about 30 feet. Most anywhere in the lake is producing bass, but the most productive areas have been between Edgewood and Shouse Ford. Crappie fishing is still slow and will not pick up much until the water comes up and covers the attractors. Hybrid fishing has been fair with the fish scattered between DeRoche Ridge to Alpine Ridge. There are still some fish positioned at about 35 feet down in deep water (60 to 90 feet) around standing timber. Good areas have been the points by the big cove just above Point 2 and around the islands across from the State Park. Early morning is the best time for the deep bite. There is also a fair afternoon bite in the Alpine Ridge area. These fish are off deep points around the islands in about 30 feet. Bream fishing is fair around exposed attractors. Catfishing is good at night for anglers who don’t mind the cold. The best areas have been between Point 10 and up Brushy Creek. Use either live bream or big minnows.
West-Central Arkansas Lake Nimrod
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 337.16 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no new report.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said the water is low. Bass fishing is good on minnows. No report on any other species.
Lake Dardanelle
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said crappie are still biting very well around downed treetops in 6 to 10 feet of water on minnows and red/chartreuse jigs. Anglers are reporting limits on nearly every trip. Catfish have been biting well on shad and bass minnows. The large catfish are on the move and have been easier to catch on rod-and-reel lately. Bass continue to be slow, with no significant reports.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.1 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the store is closed until spring 2011. No report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 568.22 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass fishing is excellent on black/blue jigs fished around grass and rocks. Bass are schooling in creek channels and can be caught on a ½-oz. spoon as well. Stripers are still slow but should pick up with the cooler weather.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 66-72 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass are good on topwater baits and jigs. Try Zara Spooks, Pop-Rs and buzzbaits over main lake and secondary points. Football jigs are working well in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are biting very well on spoons fished around brush in 20-25 feet of water. Stripers are fair on live bait and hair jigs. Bream are still fair on worms or crickets in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are excellent near brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep on minnows or Tennessee shad-colored crappie grubs. Catfish are still good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.
Lake Hamilton
Darryl Morris from Family Fishing Trips said the fall feeding frenzy is getting started on Lake Hamilton. Crappie are good to excellent and should improve this week. A few stripers are being caught around shad schools as well. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said the 5-foot winter drawdown for Catherine will begin Nov. 6. The tailrace below Carpenter Dam will be treacherous in times of heavy generation so boaters and wade fishermen alike should take the proper precautions. Rainbow trout stocking is scheduled to begin sometime between Nov. 16-30. All stockings are posted in two-week time periods, which gives trout a better chance to survive and dodge hungry fishermen. Presently, water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 65 degrees during periods of slack water and drops into the mid-50s while the turbines are running. Clarity is good from the dam to the bridge. White and hybrid bass are still being caught, but action has slowed considerably. With cooler weather coming and rainfall in the near future should enable longer generation times to be use, which will bring baitfish into the shallows, and good numbers of game fish will follow. When the turbines are running, bass are feeding in the current and have been taken on jerkbaits in black and silver, jigs in white or grey, and 1/8-ounce Rooster Tails in white or brown. Most of the fish are small with the occasional 3 to 5 pound hybrid bass caught. Some striper action has taken place below the bridge on brood or gizzard shad fished with a balloon rig.
Lake Atkins
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said fishing has been very good in all areas of the lake. The water temperature has dropped from 70 degrees to around 62 to 64 degrees, which will really help bring bigger crappie to the banks. They’re still being caught on jigs, but those who know how and like to use minnows are catching them as well. The bream have picked up using worms and crickets, with more redear being caught than we’ve seen in a long while. They’re catching them off the pier and along the banks as well the boats. The catfish are still slow unless you’re using trotlines or yo-yos. They’re still catching small bass, but not as many. More 2 to 3 pound bass are being caught under the 16-inch length and more anglers are keeping their 4-fish limit. The best bass bite has been on Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits.
South-Central Arkansas Moro Bay
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the Ouachita River is at 64.50 feet (Normal low is 65 feet). Bream are slow on worms and crickets. Catfish are fair on worms. Crappie are fair on small tube jigs. (Updated 10/20/2010)
Ouachita River Oxbows
Jaret Rushing said most of oxbows have gone completely stagnant and the only action is coming from bowfin, pickerel, gar and other rough fish. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing said the lake is about 3 feet lower than usual, which exposed a lot of the stumps in the middle of the lake. Crappie and bass are fair on those stumps. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
East Arkansas Arkansas River at Pine Bluff
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair on crankbaits in the main river. Catfishing is fair on cut bait.
White River
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report.
Maddox Bay
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and low. Bream are fair on worms, but not many anglers are fishing for them. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished in 3 feet of water near the bank. Bass are fair on crankbaits.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is low. Crappie are biting well on red or pink/white jigs fished around stumps in 2 to 3 feet of water on the Shiloh side of the chute. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits. No report on bream or catfish.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is at normal levels and is clear. Bream are biting well around lily pads and cypress trees on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows in 17 feet of water. Catfishing is good on minnows. Bass are slow.
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is low. Bream are slow to fair. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass and catfish are slow.
Dan at Gold Creek Marina said bass are biting well on jigs. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bream are slow. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers.
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low with no generation. Trout are fair on nightcrawlers and Power Bait. More brown trout are moving to their annual spawning areas, but most are average-sized.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.83 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the lake level is 6.2 feet below normal pool and falling. Water temperature is 63-68 degrees and the upper half of the lake is turning over. Bass are still scattered with the shad; try jigging spoons, football head jigs, Carolina-rigged lizards and crankbaits in deep water and spinnerbaits and small crankbaits around shallow water. A few fish can be caught on jighead worms as well. Bream are slow. Catfishing is good all over the lake on live and prepared baits. Walleye are very slow, but you can try dragging a nightcrawler in 15-27 feet for an occasional bite. White bass and hybrid bass are biting well anywhere that the turnover hasn’t happened. The larger hybrids are following the big threadfin shad in the backs of creeks. Try spoons, topwaters, hair jigs and swimbaits.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the water is falling slightly. The surface temperatures have fallen into the mid to upper 60s, and the fish are responding in a positive way. Right now you can find all species spread out from 1 foot of water to 45 feet of water with the best bite coming at greater depths with large concentrations of shad present. We are catching a mixed bag of game fish on all our trips, including smallmouth in the 3-4 lb. range and good numbers of whites and hybrids.
Harris Brake Lake
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is dropping for the annual drawdown. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting well on pink/white jigs. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the lake is still down and many good brush piles are being placed around the edge of the water. There was a lake clean-up last week, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement if anyone wants to help keep the lake clean. Crappie are still biting well around stumps on smoke and chartreuse pepper jigs. Bass are fair. Catfish are biting well. (Last update 10/20/2010)
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said fishing has been slow, but some crappie are being caught over the brush piles on small minnows white/chartreuse jigs. Bass are slow, but some are being caught on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are fair on trotlines baited with cut shad and live bream. Bream are slow. (Last update 10/20/2010)
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake is 8.4 feet below the spillway. Lake Maumelle has turned over, and fishing has slowed a bit. Launching a boat is still possible at Jolly Roger’s, but use caution as the concrete ramps are out of the water. Black bass are fair on jig-and-pig combos, crankbaits and spinnerbaits off the points and the edges of the channels. The west end of the lake has been most productive. White bass are schooling early and late in the day on the south side of Big Island; Spooks, Near Nuthings and trolled Rogues are working well. Crappie are biting well on 1/32-oz. red/white jigs and small minnows fished 15 to 20 feet deep. Bream are fair on crickets and worms in 10 to 20 feet of water. Catfishing is good with some large blues and flatheads being caught on cut shad and bream. (Last update 10/20/2010)
Lake Valencia
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
Sunset Lake
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is at normal level. Bream, crappie and catfish are all slow. Bass are fair on topwaters.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is low. Bream are excellent on small brown Rooster Tails. Crappie are slow. Bass are excellent on white buzzbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said not many people have been on the river this week. Some nice catfish have been taken in shallow water on whole shad. Spotted bass are following the shad in shallow water in the evenings. Use firetiger-colored Chatterbaits and jigs around jetties. Stripers are being caught below the dam and in Coppers Gap on live shad. Bream are in the back of Petit Jean River and Point Remove Creek. White bass are shallow and are following the shad. (Last updated 10/20/2010)
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said bream are fair on worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on crankbaits fished around rocky points and jetties. Catfishing is good on shad in the main river.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the flow is low. Bass are fair. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and chicken livers. No report on any other species.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is low. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair. No report on any other species.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) is closed to fishing for the winter and will reopen February 1, 2011
Lake Pickthorne
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
North Arkansas White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said 2 to 4 generators are running. Trout fishing is excellent on trout worms, shrimp, Little Cleos and Rooster Tails. Fly-fishermen are doing well on black/red zebra midges, woolly buggers and green caddis.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said trout are biting well on yellow Power Bait fished off the bottom in the deeper part of the river over rock flats.
Guide Davy Wotton said temperatures are dropping. The Bull Shoals Dam Zone is now closed to fishing for the spawn, and the area below the dam zone to the State Park now is catch-and-release only. Most brown trout are in spawning zones, digging redds and spawning. Please leave these fish alone so they can have a successful spawn for the health of the fishery. The best options during lower water flows are midge patterns in sizes 14 to 20 if fish are seen feeding on the surface. White-tail, prism, shimmer and zebra midges are the go-to flies. Sow bugs and scuds in gray, gray/olive and orange have produced during overcast conditions. Afternoons have been good for fishing both soft hackles in the riffle zones and small streamers in deeper water. When drift fishing moderate generations, combinations of midge, prism and San Juan worms have been very good, if fishing colored water and when overhead light is diminished then you may need to add hi-vis flies such as eggs and worms.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said water levels continue to be steady and somewhat lower than usual. Fishing has been steady as well. Fish your favorite stretches of the river but pay special attention to any places that offer faster water, shoals and quick runs. Fly-fishing these spots with woolly buggers in Olive or olive/black is working well. White River Zig Jigs are working for spin-fishermen.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said all sections of the river are very low, and no floating opportunities are available in the upper ¾ of the river. Wade fishing is good if you don’t mind walking. Fish are biting well on Clouser minnows and crawdad patterns. Spin fishermen are using soft plastics and crankbaits in brown and green shades. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said the water is low and floating is difficult. Wade fishing at public access points is very good. Smallmouth are excellent on Clouser minnows, Shenk’s white streamers, crazy ‘dads and sneaky Petes. Spin fishermen are catching plenty of smallmouth on tubes, brush hogs and lizards in watermelon, green pumpkin and black. Smallmouth are also being caught on small jerkbaits and crankbaits. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 651.58 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said black bass are biting spinnerbaits and crankbaits on windy banks halfway back in the creek arms. Walleyes are biting in areas with shad, some days on the main channel points and other days back in the creek arms. Trolling crankbaits on leadcore line in 36-42 feet of water is catching some nice fish of all species. Jigging spoons are working well in 30-60 feet of water, catching a mixed bag of fish. Catfish are biting well on bluff ends and in coves. Crappie are biting jigs worked though standing timber along bluffs about 10 feet deep. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said generation is around the clock with 1-2 units. Some wade fishing is available in certain areas, but drift fishing is a better option. The trophy area below the dam is closed. A variety of tactics are working, including nymphing, swinging soft hackles and stripping streamers. Brown trout are in various stages of spawning, so be on the lookout for redds and don’t wade through them. Suggested patterns include: humpback scud, BH simple sow, pheasant tail, copper john, BH caddis, partridge/yellow, partridge/orange, partridge/peacock, San Juan worm, zebra midge, woolly bugger, zoo cougar, KC’s barred sculpin, sparrow and .56er.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 549.42 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said crappie are biting fairly well on minnows fished around the docks near Henderson Bridge.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is 70. Watch for fish chasing shad to the surface and they will hit any topwater bait. Try throwing a grub, shallow crankbait or a small swim bait also. Look for fish suspended 30-50 feet down and fish live bait or a spoon in front of them. With the water temperature dropping, the fish will start putting on the feed bag getting ready for winter. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait said fishing is good. The surface temperature is in the low 70s. Crappie fishing has been good using minnows and tube jigs. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Catfish have been doing well. Striped bass are spread throughout the lake. Walleye fishing has been fair on nightcrawlers and medium-sized shiners. Bass fishing is good using a variety of soft-plastics and jigs. White bass are being caught using rooster tails and jigging spoons. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Norfork Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said some periods of no generation are allowing some wade fishing. Various tactics are producing good numbers of fish. Nymphing, soft hackles, dries and streamers are all working. Brown trout are spawning, so watch out for redds. Suggested patterns include: humpback scud, BH simple sow, pheasant tail, copper john, zebra midge, Y2K, San Juan worm, partridge/yellow, partridge/orange, partridge peacock, woolly bugger, sparrow and .56er.
Charlie’s Rainbow Trout Resort said fishing is good in early fall. The big browns will start moving in any day now and will fatten up. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said fish are hitting corn and yellow Power Bait fished off the bottom. Go with brightly colored bait this time of year due to all of the leaves in the water.
Northwest Arkansas Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,115.78 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said striper fishing has been fair. The stripers have pushed upriver in pursuit of bait that has moved to warmer water. Stripers are feeding near the surface. Free lining shad and balloon rigs are the best methods to use. The stripers are keyed on flats where they find shad feeding. Fish location is greatly influenced by lake level and current flow, current in the lake from generation will generally position fish on upstream or downstream edges of structure. The following areas will hold stripers at different times during the day:
The Goat Island area of Rocky Branch — N36*20.562, W93*56.107 and N36*20.881, W93*55.179.
The bluff at the escarpment — N36* 19.983’ W93* 54.972’.
The water intake — N36.326241, W93.893409 and N36.336267, W93.885341.
Point 6 — N36.32548, W93.906798 and N36.319879, W93.90182.
Also check around the islands on the flats of Prairie Creek, the flats of Beaver Shores and the rocky shoreline in Horseshoe bend near the swimming area. War Eagle and the White River are producing some fish from the mouth to the sidewalk hole. Walleye and crappie are in the 10-20 feet of water on the shoals in Prairie Creek and Beaver Shores to Monte-Ne. Slow troll No. 11 Rapalas in black/silver or blue/silver on three-way rigs with bottom bouncers. Trolled Hot ‘n’ Tots in chartreuse/orange and natural colors are also working. Troll about 1.5 to 2 mph and run baits a foot off the bottom for best results. Pay special attention to the areas around Deer and Bear islands. Crawler harnesses are also producing on bottom bouncers, trolled at 1.5 mph and slower. These fish are scattered and on the move, so no GPS coordinates are available for them.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been biting crawdad-colored medium-diving crankbaits fished along rocky banks with a slight slope. Bass have also been caught on hula grubs fished along pole timber and docks. Crappie fishing has been outstanding! Fish yellow/white, pink/white or red/white tube jigs on a 1/16-oz. jighead along pole timber or brush piles in 20 to 35 feet of water. Fish have been suspending 6 to 18 feet deep. White bass are few and far between. Check main lake points and flats by trolling small crank baits in shad or firetiger colors. Catfish have been biting well after dark on liver or worms. Bluegill have been biting crickets around pole timber and blow down trees in 2 to 10 feet of water.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and 60 degrees. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around deep brush. White bass are fair on jigs, in-line spinners and spoons. Catfishing is slow.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said there’s been low water all day for wade fishing. Indicator nymphing and streamer fishing are producing good numbers with a good shot at large fish. Watch out for redds (spawning beds) as browns are spawning and try not to wade through them. Fishing below the redds with egg patterns is producing nice fish. Suggested patterns include: humpback scud, BH simple sow, zebra midge, Y2K, San Juan worm and various streamers like woolly buggers, zoo cougars, KC’s barred sculpins, sparrows and .56ers.
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides said the river is too low to float without a lot of dragging. Wade fishing is good at public access points. Fly anglers are doing well with minnow and crawdad imitations, such as Clouser minnows and crazy ‘dads. Spin fishermen are doing well on soft-plastics, jerkbaits, buzzbaits and crankbaits fished along deeper runs and tailouts of pools with good rock or wood cover. The best baits have been Zoom tubes and brush hogs in watermelon, green pumpkin and black, Zoom Flukes in white, Rebel crawfish crankbaits and Heddon Tiny Torpedoes. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are biting well on worms, crickets and small jigs. Everyone in the area is out of crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting fairly well on artificial lures. White bas are biting well on spoons bounced off the bottom.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is low. No report on any species except catfish. Catfish are biting well on cut bream.
Northeast Arkansas Lake Poinsett
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett is still down significantly, but fishing is still very good. Many anglers have had luck with bass and crappie. The boat ramp in the park is not usable as the cove is almost dry. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is low and clear. Crappie are biting well on minnows in shallow water. Bass are biting well on Rapala DT 10 crankbaits in 10 feet of water. No report on any other species.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and low. Catfishing is good on chicken liver. No report on any other species.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said the river is running at 255 cfs, and the water is clear. Leaves are still falling and cold temperatures are in the forecast for the rest of the week. Caddis and mayfly hatches are heavy in early morning when the sun first hits the water and late evening as the sun goes down. Watch for trout rising, it is not common on the Spring but does happen from time to time. An elk hair caddis or parachute Adams will usually do the trick. Big flies normally catch big fish but with such clear water conditions, more technical mayfly and caddis patterns are working great.
Southeast Arkansas Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park said catfishing is still slow, but steady. Bream have been slow as well. (Updated 10/6/2010)
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said fishing at Cane Creek Lake has picked up. Crappie are biting well on minnows and curly tail jigs in about 4 to 4.5 feet of water. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Monticello
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said the surface temperature hasn’t changed much in the last week or so. It is still between 68 and 71 degrees, depending on area and time of day. The bass are biting in the shallows on plastic worms and Senkos in earth-tone colors. There are a few bass being caught on crankbaits on and around points. Bass are starting to chase shad a little more than in previous days, but there still is not a consistent schooling bite. Be careful running around the woody areas of the lake. The lake is low and running is dangerous in the creeks. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Southwest Arkansas Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 255.70 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level is consistent from last week and is 46 inches below normal pool and falling, with current in Little River at 191 CFS. Surface temps dropped to 65 to 70 degrees, dependent on location and time of day. Use extreme caution at boat ramps, and navigation on Millwood during the four foot drawdown in effect through Feb 2011. Stumps and boat ramps are very shallow. Some cutover boat lanes through timber on main lake are inaccessible during drawdown conditions, and merely inches of depth remain. The bass bite continues to be very good with the cooler nighttime temperatures. Many schools of largemouths, white and spotted bass are randomly surface breaking along Little River and the oxbows, chasing schools of shad. The best times for schoolers has shifted to mid-day and early afternoon. Most bass are concentrating near almost any major creek junction with Little River and are biting Fat Free Shad and Bomber Crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, Shad Assassins and curly tail grubs on jig heads. When the bass begin schooling inside lily pads or other vegetation, a Johnson chrome spoon with white or smoke curly tail grub trailer works well. Large schools of white bass are randomly breaking topwater in Little River in front of Hurricane Creek, Jack’s Isle, Mud Lake’s first and second entrances, White Cliffs and the Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows. In subsurface schools, Rat-L-Traps or Little Georges and white Rooster Tails will catch these fish as well. The crappie bite improved this week with the improved water clarity. Best spots along Little River are over planted brush in 15-20 feet and once you find the school stacked over brush on your electronics, jigs w/smoke paddle-tail grubs, or Blakemore Roadrunners in white are the better baits. Channel catfish remain fair and consistent over the last week on trotlines in Little River and yo-yo’s hung from cypress tree branches in 14-18 feet of water using cut shad, Catfish Charlie and catalpa worms, along Little River and in Mud Lake or Horseshoe Oxbows.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are biting well on shiners and jigs. Bass are fair to good. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 537.37 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is dingy, low and 60 degrees. Bream and crappie are slow, and not many anglers are fishing for them. Bass are fair on crankbaits, topwaters and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is slow. Walleye and stripers are slow.
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Jeff Guerin of www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com said the next six weeks may be my favorite time of the year to fish. The March Brown hatch in the spring is pretty awesome, but mostly because of the number of fish in the river at the time. The Light Cahill hatch of autumn is just as prolific and the fish are much better quality. With the latest storm coming up from the Gulf, it’s showery and mild. Totally different from the weekend! I was out for just a little while yesterday and the fog was so thick I was getting vertigo and having a hard time spotting the water much less the fish. The fish were fairly active and I talked about a dozen into taking the new fly and landed about six of those. There are still a lot of fish hanging around Sycamore Run, but they have been just about as tough as the fish up in the Park. We’re getting into a better generation pattern; this week they backed off to just noon to 6 p.m. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Cossatot River
Cossatot River State Park said the water level is at 2.04 feet and rising slowly due to some rains and the loss of foliage around the river. The temperature has remained fairly constant. Wade fishing has produced many rock bass on black Beetle Spins. The water is very clear now and the whole river is starting to come alive with fall color. Live minnows or crawdads are always a sure thing with the smallmouth bass. Keep in mind when fishing on Cossatot River the smallmouth limit is two and the length has to be a minimum of 12 inches. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
DeGray Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 395.36 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).
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.
Local angler George Graves said the water temperature is in the mid-60s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is good with quite a few nice catches reported. Some surface activity was reported in the mornings in the backs of creeks and major pockets. Look for shad and the bass will be nearby. Use a surface lure such as a Zara Spook, Sammy, Pop R or a Fluke. Sometimes throwing a spoon at the "breakers" will get a bite. However the best reports are coming from those who are fishing worms and jigs down steep points and ledges. The fish are near the bottom in 24 to 28 feet. Use a Texas-rigged finesse worm, or a heavy jig with plastic trailer. Best worm colors have been green pumpkin or green pumpkin/red glitter. Try pumpkin or crawfish jig patterns. Now is the time for big spotted bass. Try rocky bluffs and once again use the jigs and worms fished down to about 30 feet. Most anywhere in the lake is producing bass, but the most productive areas have been between Edgewood and Shouse Ford. Crappie fishing is still slow and will not pick up much until the water comes up and covers the attractors. Hybrid fishing has been fair with the fish scattered between DeRoche Ridge to Alpine Ridge. There are still some fish positioned at about 35 feet down in deep water (60 to 90 feet) around standing timber. Good areas have been the points by the big cove just above Point 2 and around the islands across from the State Park. Early morning is the best time for the deep bite. There is also a fair afternoon bite in the Alpine Ridge area. These fish are off deep points around the islands in about 30 feet. Bream fishing is fair around exposed attractors. Catfishing is good at night for anglers who don’t mind the cold. The best areas have been between Point 10 and up Brushy Creek. Use either live bream or big minnows.
West-Central Arkansas Lake Nimrod
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 337.16 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no new report.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said the water is low. Bass fishing is good on minnows. No report on any other species.
Lake Dardanelle
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said crappie are still biting very well around downed treetops in 6 to 10 feet of water on minnows and red/chartreuse jigs. Anglers are reporting limits on nearly every trip. Catfish have been biting well on shad and bass minnows. The large catfish are on the move and have been easier to catch on rod-and-reel lately. Bass continue to be slow, with no significant reports.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.1 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the store is closed until spring 2011. No report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 568.22 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass fishing is excellent on black/blue jigs fished around grass and rocks. Bass are schooling in creek channels and can be caught on a ½-oz. spoon as well. Stripers are still slow but should pick up with the cooler weather.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 66-72 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass are good on topwater baits and jigs. Try Zara Spooks, Pop-Rs and buzzbaits over main lake and secondary points. Football jigs are working well in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are biting very well on spoons fished around brush in 20-25 feet of water. Stripers are fair on live bait and hair jigs. Bream are still fair on worms or crickets in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are excellent near brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep on minnows or Tennessee shad-colored crappie grubs. Catfish are still good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.
Lake Hamilton
Darryl Morris from Family Fishing Trips said the fall feeding frenzy is getting started on Lake Hamilton. Crappie are good to excellent and should improve this week. A few stripers are being caught around shad schools as well. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said the 5-foot winter drawdown for Catherine will begin Nov. 6. The tailrace below Carpenter Dam will be treacherous in times of heavy generation so boaters and wade fishermen alike should take the proper precautions. Rainbow trout stocking is scheduled to begin sometime between Nov. 16-30. All stockings are posted in two-week time periods, which gives trout a better chance to survive and dodge hungry fishermen. Presently, water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 65 degrees during periods of slack water and drops into the mid-50s while the turbines are running. Clarity is good from the dam to the bridge. White and hybrid bass are still being caught, but action has slowed considerably. With cooler weather coming and rainfall in the near future should enable longer generation times to be use, which will bring baitfish into the shallows, and good numbers of game fish will follow. When the turbines are running, bass are feeding in the current and have been taken on jerkbaits in black and silver, jigs in white or grey, and 1/8-ounce Rooster Tails in white or brown. Most of the fish are small with the occasional 3 to 5 pound hybrid bass caught. Some striper action has taken place below the bridge on brood or gizzard shad fished with a balloon rig.
Lake Atkins
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said fishing has been very good in all areas of the lake. The water temperature has dropped from 70 degrees to around 62 to 64 degrees, which will really help bring bigger crappie to the banks. They’re still being caught on jigs, but those who know how and like to use minnows are catching them as well. The bream have picked up using worms and crickets, with more redear being caught than we’ve seen in a long while. They’re catching them off the pier and along the banks as well the boats. The catfish are still slow unless you’re using trotlines or yo-yos. They’re still catching small bass, but not as many. More 2 to 3 pound bass are being caught under the 16-inch length and more anglers are keeping their 4-fish limit. The best bass bite has been on Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits.
South-Central Arkansas Moro Bay
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the Ouachita River is at 64.50 feet (Normal low is 65 feet). Bream are slow on worms and crickets. Catfish are fair on worms. Crappie are fair on small tube jigs. (Updated 10/20/2010)
Ouachita River Oxbows
Jaret Rushing said most of oxbows have gone completely stagnant and the only action is coming from bowfin, pickerel, gar and other rough fish. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing said the lake is about 3 feet lower than usual, which exposed a lot of the stumps in the middle of the lake. Crappie and bass are fair on those stumps. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
East Arkansas Arkansas River at Pine Bluff
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair on crankbaits in the main river. Catfishing is fair on cut bait.
White River
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report.
Maddox Bay
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and low. Bream are fair on worms, but not many anglers are fishing for them. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished in 3 feet of water near the bank. Bass are fair on crankbaits.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is low. Crappie are biting well on red or pink/white jigs fished around stumps in 2 to 3 feet of water on the Shiloh side of the chute. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits. No report on bream or catfish.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is at normal levels and is clear. Bream are biting well around lily pads and cypress trees on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows in 17 feet of water. Catfishing is good on minnows. Bass are slow.