Arkansas Fishing Report 2-3-11

Kevin

Senior Fisheman
Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Location
Craig, Colorado
Best Catch
12lbs
Boat
Charger
#1
Central Arkansas Lake Conway
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is dingy. Bream are fair on worms in 3 to 4 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows and white/chartreuse crappie stingers.
Dan at Gold Creek Marina (501-607-0590) had no report.
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) had no report.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.11 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service had no report.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the lake has fallen close to a foot in the last 5 days. Water surface temperatures are in the mid- to upper-40s lake wide, with 7 to 15 feet of visibility. Last weekend’s warm weather was short-lived and many anglers were greeted with tough fishing. Most species are keying on larger shad when feeding and being at the right place at the right time is a must. Jerk baits are about the only lures consistently catching bass. You can catch a few spotted bass on shaky head worms fished along bluff banks and sheer drops. White bass, hybrids and walleyes are starting to push into the three main tributaries that feed the reservoir. Jigging spoons in 18 to 40 feet of water are catching some fish around mid morning.
Harris Brake Lake
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is low. No anglers have been fishing to give a report.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the lake is still low and fishing is slow.
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the lake is 6 to 8 feet low and fishing is slow.
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water is down to 9.4 feet below the spillway and the water temperature is 40 degrees. If you’re fishing the west end of the lake, be very careful. Old Highway 10 is only 8 inches deep and the south side to the concrete ends are only 2 inches below the surface. Despite the low water and cold, fishing is excellent. Largemouth bass are biting well on crankbaits and jigs fished off points and edges of channels in 10 to 12 feet of water. The mid-section of the lake has been the most productive. Spotted bass are biting well on jighead worms fished 12 to 20 feet deep near structure. White bass are scattered on the south side of Big Island and in front of the restricted area. Fishing early and late with Spooks and Near Nutings is working. During the day, a spoon has worked fairly well. Crappie are biting excellently on pink minnows and 1/32-oz. red/white jigs fished around structure in 18 to 20 feet of water. Catfish are slow, but some very large blue catfish and flatheads are being caught on cut shad, bream and prepared bait.
Lake Valencia
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said trout are biting well on Berkley Power Bait.
Sunset Lake
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear. All species are slow.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is low and clear. Bass are biting well on brown/orange jigs and watermelon seed grubs fished around rocky areas. All other species are slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo had no report.
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 the water is low and stained. The surface temperature is 42 degrees. Bass are fair on jigs fished around riprap and jetties. All other species are slow.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said all species are slow.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is dingy and the surface temperature is in the upper 40s to low 50s. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in shallow water.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) is open, but no anglers are on the water yet.
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 the water has been dead low since Friday. Trout are biting very well on marabou jigs, scud-pattern flies and trout worms. There’s not been any boat fishing with the low flow.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) had no report.
Guide Davy Wotton said despite some wicked cold and serious winds, those who have braved the conditions have done well. Many large brown trout have been caught, including one in the 16- to 18-pound range at the Wildcat Zone. Flows have ranged from zero to high flows, so adapting to the conditions is paramount. Water temperatures are now in the mid to low 40s, so expect the bite to be slow. The best option is to dead drift zebra, shimmer and white tail midges in deep, slow water. Gray and Tan sow bugs and olive scuds are also good bets. During periods of generation, move more toward a two-fly rig with one fly of bright color such as a red, tan or pink egg or San Juan worm. If generations are high, opt for larger 3- to 6-inch streamers into the shoreline as you drift from a boat.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said brown trout were biting excellently until the generators were turned off completely. Quite a few fish in the 17- to 20-inch range were caught on Rapalas and Rattlin’ Rogues in Black/Gold /White and Blue/Silver/Orange. The low water is ideal for numbers of trout on a ginger White River Zig Jig. Be careful, as the water has been dead low (you can get out but you may not be able to get back). One way trips with a shuttle are highly recommended during dead-water days.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said with the extremely cold temperatures, fishing is quite slow, but if a few days of warmer, sunny weather develop, fishing crawdad and minnow patterns deep and slow can produce a few fish.
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said with the extremely cold temperatures, fishing is quite slow, but if a few days of warmer, sunny weather develop, fishing crawdad and minnow patterns deep and slow can produce a few fish.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 647.44 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the water temperature on Bull Shoals has been in the lower to mid 40s. Bass have been biting on crankbaits, suspending jerk baits and jigs fished slowly along bluff walls and coves in the creek arms. Walleye are slow, but a few nice keepers can be found on chunk rock points and coves halfway back in the creek arms. Walleye are biting suspending jerk baits and live minnows. Crappie are on brush piles and standing timber and are being caught on small jigs and minnows fished on 4-lb.-test line over brush and around timber. The major winter storm should help get the lake level coming up and the creeks flowing, which should get the fish moving into the creek arms.
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said generation has been averaging 3 to 5 units, but as of 11 a.m., Jan. 28, they shut down and are still off as this was written, Jan. 31st. If you like throwing big flies for big fish, this is your time. Banging the banks, droppin’ it in the bucket, rippin’ through tailouts or probing heavy cover, try it all and you will be rewarded. Suggested patterns include zoo cougars, butt monkeys, lead eye gongas and woolly buggers.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 542.02 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
STR Outfitters said fishing was slow last weekend. Shad were a bit difficult to find and net for striper bait. There were many baitfish from the mouth of Henderson Marina to Bidwell. A few stripers were holding above the shad at 60 feet of water, but the bite was still tough.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is in the low to mid 40s. Bass are hitting jigs, suspending jerk baits and swim baits. Find schools of suspended baitfish and you’re your lures very slowly through them.
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait said surface water temperature is 40-42 degrees. Striper fishing has been fair using live bait or jigging spoons. Stripers are moving all the time, so are the bait fish. Crappie fishing has been good; most folks have been using live bait, fishing in and around any structure. Walleye fishing has been slow. Bass fishing has been good using anything from crankbaits and spinnerbaits to jigging spoons in 20-30 feet of water. White bass fishing has been good using jigging spoons.
Norfork Tailwater
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) had no report.
Charlie’s Rainbow Trout Resort had no report.
Just Fishing Guides said generation has been erratic, with some days running 4-6 hours on and 6-8 hours off, other days they’re shut down all day. Streamers are working. Nymphing with scuds, sow bugs, pheasant tails and zebra midges will produce fish as well.
Northwest Arkansas Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,110.49 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) the water is stained, so anglers should dip the tail of their bait in chartreuse dye to make it easier for the fish to find. Stripers are scattered and have moved back toward the main lake. They can be caught by bottom fishing and by running live bait about 100 to 150 feet behind the boat with a ¼- to ½-oz. weight about 2 feet ahead of a 3-4 inch live gizzard shad. If using balloons, tie the balloon on about 15 feet ahead of your bait and use no weight, allowing the bait to swim freely. Troll baits at about 1/4 to 1/2 mile an hour with baits positioned from 8-20 feet deep. When bottom fishing, position so you can fish baits in 10-25 feet of water. Use a slip sinker rig with live or cut shad. Use the wind to your favor by fishing areas the wind is blowing into. Stripers can also be taken with no. 9 Rapala Floating Minnows or Husky Jerks and/or rogues 3-5inches long trolled on planer boards about 11/2 to 2 miles an hour. The following areas are holding stripers: Indian Creek, Big Clifty Arm, Copper Mine (check near the flats and the area near Larue known as striper island), and Rocky Branch (fish the road bed to the island, the flat around the island and near the marina; also check Van Hollow and Rambo Creek arms). In the upper section of the lake try Prairie Creek (the area is holding a lot of fish around the islands, the Hwy 12 bridge and the large gravel bar south of the bridge in the Beaver Shores area); Coose Hollow; Blackburn Creek; Beaver Shores (walleye and stripers are being caught in the channel between the bluffs and the rearing pond), and Horseshoe Bend (walleye and stripers are being caught in the area known as striper alley). Walleye are concentrated in the mouth of the War Eagle River. Fish three-way rigs about 20-30 feet deep, baited with crawlers or Rapalas. Use a 14-inch dropper to your sinker and a 4-foot leader to your bait. If you are familiar with lead core or wire lines, now is the time to use them in conjunction with a Rapala or Rogue. Chart/orange color variations for your crawler harnesses and Rapalas in natural blue or black back combos are also producing. Troll crawlers and Rapalas at about 1/4 to 1/2 mph, moving just fast enough to keep your lure from hanging up. Pull the lure forward in 2-3 foot sweeps as you go just to give it action, the bite will occur on the drop back.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been taking watermelon- or pumpkin-colored jigs with a matching craw along sloping banks under docks and around standing timber or laydowns. Suspending stick baits have also worked well along main lake points with timber. Crappie have been biting well in the afternoons 3 to 6 feet deep with a jig or minnow under a float. Look for crappie to stay close to channels and above man made brush, along pole timber and in laydown trees. On cloudy days, fish have moved a bit deeper and can be caught just off the bottom close to cover in 20 to 30 feet of water. Good fishing has been reported from Monte-NE south into both river arms. White bass have been holding in their normal winter spots in the mouths of coves, along channel bends and on main lake points. Fish should be most active where shad are dying; look for the gulls. Small jigging spoons, curly tail grubs and Rat-L-Traps should do the trick. Catfish have been biting cut shad and liver from the bank late in the day. Monte-NE, 12 bridge and Prairie Creek have all been good.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is still low and clear. The water temperature is 41 to 43 degrees. Crappie are biting well on black/chartreuse jigs in 4 to 5 feet of water. Bass are biting well on MegaBass and Lucky Craft jerk baits and on Wiggle Warts. No report on bream or catfish.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said there were few water releases last week. Fishing was good using midge and scud patterns. The best flies were no. 14 dark olive beadhead scuds and no. 16-18 black/silver zebra midges. Secondary flies were no. 14 charcoal gray scuds and no. 16-18 olive zebra midges.
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides had no report.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is frozen. No fishing report.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and 38 degrees. Crappie were slow last weekend on jigs. No report on any other species.
Northeast Arkansas Lake Charles
Lake Charles State Park said the water temperature is hovering around 38 degrees and fishing is slow. A few bass may be caught on a jig-and-pig combo worked very slowly.
Lake Poinsett
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett is still very low. The state park boat ramp is unusable. No report.
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is 37 degrees. The lake is low and the water is stained. Crappie are fair on minnows in extremely deep water. Bass are fair on jigs. Quite a few anglers were out during the warm weather, but the fishing’s shut off with the latest front.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and low. No one is fishing. No report.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said the flow is at 220 cfs, and the water is clear. The river received some much needed rain last week. Trout have been biting best during the early mornings and during the day if the sun comes out. San Juan worms, scuds and emergers have been the go-to flies. On overcast days, the trout are biting better. Live minnows are the main course for catching walleye in deep holes with rocky bottoms. This weekend shows temps getting back to bearable ranges.
Spring River Fly Shop said the river is running at 218 cfs. This has ding the river easier than normal. Now is the time to get on the river and explore areas that are normally too deep to wade. Thmade wae reports from anglers are that large streamers like the Mad Olive and Wooly Mammoth are working well.
Mammoth Spring Campground (870-625-3006) said the river is running low and clear with deeper holes being the best places to fish. Woolly mammoths and mad olives are working well. Bait anglers are catching trout on shrimp. Walleye are beginning their spawning run and can be caught on minnows and minnow-imitating lures.
Southeast Arkansas Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park said bream fishing has been fair, and crappie fishing has been good. Bream are being caught mostly on crickets. Crappie are being caught on minnows. Catfish are biting well on crickets and blood bait. Bass are slow, but a few have been caught on black soft-plastic worms.
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said crappie are being caught on minnows in and around the trees and stumps. Some bass have been reported being caught close to the spillway.
Lake Monticello
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said cold, wet weather has kept most anglers off the lake. No report.
Southwest Arkansas Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 256.00 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level dropped slightly this week, and is 41 inches below normal pool and falling, with consistent current in Little River of 2,750 CFS. The 4-foot drawdown will end Feb. 11. Surface temperatures last week were 41 to 45 degrees, dependent on location and time of day. Clarity on the main lake slightly improved to 12-18 inches, depending on location. The largemouth bass bite was fair last week, until the cold front blew in. Bass remain near major creek junctions and points along Little River. These fish are hitting Fat Free Shad crankbaits, large 1 oz. Rat-L-Traps, jigs, and War Eagle spinnerbaits worked very slowly. The best Rat-L-Trap colors are Millwood Magic, Red Shad and Toledo Gold. The best Bomber Fat Free Shad crankbait colors are Tennessee Shad and Citrus Shad. Spinnerbaits in Spot Remover or chartreuse/white continue working along any remaining vegetation. The best jig colors are junebug, black/blue/purple and Texas craw. Southern Pro Fattbut Gitzits with rattles are also working on stumps and drops in Little River. White bass are roaming Little River in the immediate vicinities of Hurricane Creek, White Cliffs, McGuire and oxbows that connect with Little River. The crappie bite improved last week on vertically jigged tubes, minnows and tiny Rooster Tails along Little River above White Cliffs campground. Catfish improved over the last week as well. Many catfishermen out running trotlines and tight lines along Little River baited with cut shad, Catfish Charlie, hot dogs and dog food chunks in 15-20 feet of water.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass and catfish are fair.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass and catfish are fair.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 538.84 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is dingy and 44 degrees. Bream and crappie are extremely slow. Bass are fair in shallow water on soft-plastics and shallow-running crankbaits. In deeper water, spoons and jigs are working well. No report on any other species.
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 had no report.
Cossatot River
Cossatot River State Park had no report.
DeGray Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 394.37 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 short warm up had fish and fishermen getting a bit more active on DeGray. Bass fishing was fair with several decent catches reported. Most of the fish are still holding on the deep winter pattern with a few fish moving a little shallower on sunny steep banks. The best patterns have been a jig and trailer, Texas-rigged worm and Carolina-rigged worm or lizard. Fish the main lake points and creek channel ledges at 20 to 40 feet down. Work the lures very slowly because the water is still very cold. Several fish were taken on deep-running crankbaits along sunny rock bluffs at about 10 feet. However this pattern will probably cease due to the cold weather returning. When fishing the depths, use a dark color, such as green pumpkin, motor oil or red shad. The best areas for bass have been the main lake between Arlie Moore and Cox Creek. Crappie fishing is fair at best. Find attractors or brush piles in 16 to 20 feet and fish the thickest part of the brush. Use a 1/16-ounce jig and a 2-inch grub or tube lure. Drop the lure straight down to just above the brush at 12 to 15 feet and just hold it still. Winter crappies do not like the have the lure jigged. Move around the brush very slowly and pay close attention to your line. Tenn. shad is the best color for both the grub and tube. Don’t forget to add the crappie nibble, it could make the difference of fish or no fish. Upriver areas around Shouse Ford are always best in winter. Also brush along the creek channel of Big Hill Creek can hold some nice fish. The hybrids and white bass are still schooled on the big flat between Goat Island and Point Cedar. Look for fish with sonar lying on the bottom in 16 to 20 feet of water. The fish are not hard to find because there are some really big schools. Ignore the suspended fish because they will not bite, and try to find fish on the bottom. Drop a ½-ounce chartreuse spoon to just above the fish and just keep working it. Sunny days seem to be best because the sun puts the fish on the bottom. Also some fish are moving shallow to about 6 to 8 feet at dusk. These fish are feeding and are much easier to catch. Look for fish on windy points and throw a 3-inch chartreuse grub. No reports on bream or catfish.
West-Central Arkansas Lake Nimrod
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 341.30 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no report.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said the water is clear and low. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on minnows in 2 to 3 feet of water.
Lake Dardanelle
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said crappie have been sporadic. Once you hit a good spot you can expect to catch 10 or more easily, but you have to find them first. Many big crappie have come from Lake Ludwig and out of Pottsville. Bass seem to be picking up. Catfish have been slow, but some shad are beginning to come in, so the catfish should pick up.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.64 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 568.41 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said some good bass are being caught, but you have to be in the right spot at the right time. Jerk baits and jigs fished off creek channel points are the best options.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the water temperature is in the low 40s. The lake level is very low and the water is clear. Bass are being caught on jerk baits fished very slowly. A Rat-L-Trap or spinnerbait fished slowly around points is working also. Keep the Rat-L-Trap or spinnerbait in 10 to 15 feet of water. A crankbait worked slowly around timber also is picking up a few fish. Crappie are biting on jigs and minnows fished in 12 to 15 feet of water.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and 40 to 44 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well on peanut butter and jelly, black/blue and green pumpkin football jigs in 25 feet of water. Walleye are fair on spoons fished around brush in 20 to 25 feet of water. Stripers are biting well on live bait, soft-plastic grubs and white or gray hair jigs. Crappie are fair to good near brush in 20 to 30 feet of water on minnows or Tennessee shad crappie grubs. Catfish are still fair trotlines and jug lines baited with cut bait and live bait.
Lake Hamilton
Entergy reports that the water level on Lake Hamilton will begin to rise March 5 and fill to normal pool by March 13.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the water temperature is in the low 40s, and the water is clear. The lake is down 3 feet at winter pool. Bass are being caught on slow-moving lures, such as jigs and jerk baits. Also try a spoon in the guts of creeks in 20 to 30 feet of water. Crappie are being caught in 10 to 12 feet of water on jigs or minnows under floats. Don’t give lures much action, just move them slowly.
Daryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said bass and crappie are good on live bait and jigs. Larger fish are showing up with the cold weather.
Lake Catherine
Entergy reports that the water level on Lake Catherine will begin to rise March 5 and fill to normal pool by March 13.
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 43 degrees with clear conditions. Moss growth has subsided, but areas of heavy growth are still present. Water levels are fluctuating in the tailrace almost 2 feet during the day, so fishermen need to be aware and take precautions when navigating the area. Rainbow trout fishing is excellent with quality stringers caught daily. Fly-fishermen are able to wade to areas where trout are holding and having success casting San Juan worms and egg patterns in orange and white under a strike indicator. Small white or gray streamers are catching larger trout. Bank fishermen are able to catch limits of fish quickly with wax worms floated just off the bottom with a marshmallow or used under a bobber. Nightcrawlers cut in half and presented in the same manner will also catch rainbows. Spin fishermen using shad-imitating crankbaits and spinners are easily recording limits of trout by concentrating on points and sandbars with current. Super Dupers in silver or gold have produced good results when the turbines were turning. Stripers are feeding on shad below the bridge in the main channel in the late evening. Trout-colored Super Spooks and C-10 Redfins are getting vicious strikes from these fish.
Rick Sawyer at Dozhier’s Rainbow Landing (501-262-2825) said the weather has kept many anglers away from the lake, but the fishing is good and trout stocking has continued.
Lake Atkins
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) had no report.
South-Central Arkansas Moro Bay
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay had no report.
Ouachita River Oxbows
Jaret Rushing said the oxbows of the Ouachita are starting to get right for early season bass fishing. On warmer days, the bass seem to be suspended in about 3-6 feet of water and are looking for that quick grab before spawning season rolls around. Fishing a ¼-oz. spinnerbait slowly around the trees or a shallow-running crankbait should yield a few big fish for that early season angler.
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing said fishermen are starting to get their yo-yos out, which shows that the crappie and catfish are starting to pick up. The water level is still really low. The lake had a monstrous drawdown last summer, so the water is still murky and warmer than most other nearby lakes. Use baits that have a lot of flash and vibration to draw a reaction strike from bass.
East Arkansas Arkansas River at Pine Bluff
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) had no report.
White River
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said fishing is slow and no anglers are on the river.
Maddox Bay
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is low and clear. A few small bass were caught last weekend on crankbaits fished around docks. Crappie fishing was slow. No report on any other species.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is clear and is 38 degrees. Crappie are fair on black/chartreuse, red/white and red jigs in 2 feet of water around stumps on the island side of the chute. Crappie anglers are catching quite a few bass on crappie jigs as well. Now that duck season is winding down, there should be more anglers on the water.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is high and is 50 degrees. Crappie were excellent last weekend on black/chartreuse jigs fished around piers and minnows trolled in the middle of the lake. All other species were slow.