Arkansas Fishing Report 4/8/2011

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 stained. Redear sunfish are biting well on redworms. Crappie are biting well around cypress trees on Crappie Stingers and minnows. Bass are biting well on Zoom lizards and black spinnerbaits. Trotlines baited with live green sunfish are producing some good flathead catfish.
Dan at Gold Creek Marina (501-607-0590) had no report.
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is slightly dingier than normal, but generators aren’t running. Rainbow trout are biting well on wax worms floated with a marshmallow and corn.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.07 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water is rising, and the surface temperature ranges from mid-50s in the main lake to mid-60s in the rivers. Largemouth bass are in front of the bushes and feeding well. Most still have not spawned. Jigs, jighead worms, Carolina rigs and Rat-L-Traps are working well. White bass are trying to run again, and are being caught up the rivers on grubs and Roadrunners. The river walleye are moving back downlake and are setting up on flats and humps. Drag a jig tipped with a minnow or nightcrawler for some decent action. Crappie are biting well in the rivers, but not in the main lake. Some bream are shallow, but it’s been slow. Try crickets and small bream flies. Catfish are biting very well on points and creeks near the rivers.
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.
Harris Brake Lake
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is murky, 41/2 feet low and 60 degrees. Crappie are fair on live minnows and white Crappie Stingers. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and black/chartreuse soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is slow.
Greer’s Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the water is low. Crappie are biting very well on minnows, Bobby Garland Baby Shads, Cajun Crickets and Butter Bellies in monkey milk, white, red/white and blue/white. PowerBait crappie tubes in red/chartreuse are working as well. Catfishing is fair in deep water on minnows and blood bait. Bass are biting very well on spinnerbaits, jigs and live minnows. Yo-yos are producing some good catfish and crappie.
Lake Overcup
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.
Brewer Lake
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.
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water level is 7.45 feet below the spillway, and the water temperature is 58 degrees. Largemouth bass are excellent on jerk baits, jigs and swim baits fished in shallow coves. Spotted bass are biting well on jigheads and grubs fished in secondary coves. The white bass run should be over by now, but it’s still going strong. There’s been great activity from Old Jolly Rogers to the end of the lake in the channels. Many limits of white bass have come from the Chimney area. Crappie are excellent near structure in 5 to 10 feet of water. They’re also moving to the banks and hitting small jigs and small pink minnows. Bream are biting well on crickets in 15 feet of water. Catfishing is good on cut shad and prepared bait. Trotlines are producing excellently.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on minnows and white Roadrunners with a Tennessee shad-colored Kalin’s grub. White bass are still excellent on the west end of the lake on 1/16-oz. pink/white Roadrunners and Beetle Spins. Largemouth bass are biting well on bream or crayfish-colored shallow running crankbaits and black or red shad worms fished around main lake points.
Lake Valencia
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, hot dogs and nightcrawlers.
Sunset Lake
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is at normal level and clarity. Bream are moving closer to the bank, and are being caught on crickets. Crappie are excellent on 2-inch, Tennessee shad-colored grubs. Bass are excellent on watermelon/chartreuse lizards and watermelon/red trick worms. Catfishing is slow.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and stained. Bream are biting well on 1/16-oz. yellow Rooster Tails. Crappie are fair on 2-inch lemon meringue-colored grubs. Bass are excellent on small white/chartreuse spinnerbaits and 4-inch green pumpkin lizards. Catfishing is slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the warm weather has really improved the fishing, but the wind cut many anglers’ trips short on Sunday. Catfishing are biting very well on live shad fished around deep holes and points of jetties. White bass are going upstream in Coppers Gap and Flagg Lake Cutoff, and are biting well on Rat-L-traps fished with a stop-and-go retrieve. Largemouth bass are biting well on green pumpkin jigs and Rapala Fat Raps fished in shallow backwater areas and bays. Spotted bass are biting well on firetiger-colored crankbaits fished around jetties. Stripers are moving to spawning areas with the white bass and can be caught on larger Rat-L-Traps. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and red/green jigs in creek arms. Drum are biting very well on live shad and crayfish around jetties.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on live minnows, white/chartreuse jigs and yo-yos at night in the backwater areas. Bream are slow to fair on crickets and redworms fished around backwater areas. Bass are biting well on bream-colored crankbaits and brown/orange jigs fished around backwater areas. Catfishing is excellent in the Maumelle River on trotlines and yo-yos baited with cut shad, cut skipjack and live bream.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
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.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said sauger are holding below Murray Lock and Dam, and are biting fairly well on large minnows near the bottom. White bass are biting well on white or chartreuse twister tails and popsicle or electric chicken-colored Kalin’s grubs. Crappie are fair to good on pink minnows fished under a slip cork or red/chartreuse or white/chartreuse tube jigs. Bass fishing is slow, but a few have been caught in Fourche Creek on shad-colored crankbaits.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is stained below Terry Lock and Dam and the surface temperature is 60 degrees. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished around backwaters near the dam. Bass are fair on jigs and crankbaits fished in backwater areas. Catfishing is fair on shad and nightcrawlers near jetties. Bream are slow.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is stained and low and the surface temperature is 63 degrees. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on black/chartreuse jigs and minnows fished in 3 to 4 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and jigs in 3 to 4 feet of water. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is low and dingy. Crappie are slow on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on jigs and spinnerbaits fished around shallow stumps. Catfishing is good on live and prepared bait. No report on bream.
Lake Pickthorne
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is low. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows, red/chartreuse jigs and pink/white Roadrunners. Bass are fair on Rattling’ Rogues and tandem willow leaf spinnerbaits. Catfishing is fair on cut shad, nightcrawlers and chicken hearts.
North Arkansas White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and two generators are running. Trout fishing is excellent. Some large rainbows and browns have been caught Rogues and Rapalas. The smaller rainbows are easy to come by right now, whether you fish a Rooster Tail or Little Cleo, PowerBait or 3-inch soft-plastic trout worm.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) had no report.
Guide Davy Wotton said caddis are dancing, and so are the trout. Fishing has been good, despite the rough weather. Now is the time for some of the best dry fly fishing of the year, caddis hatches will continue for a few more weeks. Most fish will be near the surface, either taking emergers or the adults. Many combinations of caddis pupae and dries will work, provided they are of the right color combinations and size. As a rule, size 16 and 14 hooks work best. When there is no hatch, dead drift techniques with a pair of caddis pupae is a good bet. Top dries will include elk hair caddis and balloon caddis. Pupae in olive, insect green and tan will work, and SLF trans caddis emerger is a killer. Generations have been generally low or zero with early morning spikes of a few hours. Downside is rising water has been very trashy and will put the fish down in a hurry. You have to move either way upstream above the trash or downstream before it gets to you. Trout will generally hug the river bed during this time, and the only way to deal with it is going to high-visibility flies like worms and eggs.
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.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said the water levels were at 4.78 feet and 186 cfs at the Ponca Access, 5.69 feet and 1,010 cfs at Tyler Bend, and 4.24 feet and 819 cfs at Buffalo Point. The river is in great shape and the smallmouth should turn on with a little warm weather. Soft plastics, jigs, and minnows have been working. Fly-fishing is still slow, but crawdad patterns and Clouser minnows should be your best bet. Fish deep and slow.
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said the river level at Kelly’s Access is 11.10 feet and 80 cfs, excellent for floating and fishing. Both fly- and spin-fishing has been tough with cooling water, but soft plastics on the bottom and flies that imitate crawdads have been working.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 651.72 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said water temperatures fluctuate from the lower 50s to the upper 50s. Many walleye are up on the points at night, getting ready to spawn. The walleye bite usually gets going well at water temps of about 60 degrees. We have been catching walleyes casting stick baits late in the day and just after dark and trolling crankbaits during the day. Bass are biting stick baits on chunk rock points on windy days. White bass are biting well in the backs of creek arms and bays in very shallow water when the wind is blowing. Crappie have been biting around brush piles; some days, fishing over shallow brush works best and on other days, a jig and minnow fished on the bottom is the ticket.
Local Guide Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) 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.
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said generation has been averaging 0-3 units over the past week. Caddis have been either hatching or laying eggs all week. Being at the right place at the right time on the river is partly a matter of luck. During periods of generation, streamers fished from a boat can put you on some really nice fish. A few sulphur mayflies are starting to come off on the lower river, so various pheasant tail patterns should be in your nymph rotation. Midges, scuds, sow bugs and worm patterns are also working when no caddis are present.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 549.74 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
STR Outfitters said stripers are staging for their spring run. The water temperature is 50 degrees. Look for stripers in small bays and creek turns halfway up the creeks. Some good fish have been caught off Point 1 in water 20 to 50 feet deep on small threadfin and gizzard shad. The night bite is also beginning. Wait for a couple of warm evenings and hit the points with stick baits.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is in the low 50s. A few stripers and largemouths are chasing baitfish at the surface early in the morning and just before dark. The night bite is getting better on stick baits fished around windy banks.
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.
Norfork Tailwater
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) had no report.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said generators have been running in the mornings until 9 a.m. Trout are holding in deeper holes. Some nice browns have been caught on nightcrawlers fished off the bottom.
Just Fishing Guides said generation has been light or off all week. Low water has given anglers ample opportunity to get out and enjoy warm spring weather and fish dry flies for trout. Caddis are either hatching or laying eggs from below Gene’s pool to the handicap access. Size 14 elk hair caddis with a soft hackle or pupae in olive green is working well when caddis are on the water and fish are looking up. Midges, scuds and sow bugs are working if caddis aren’t present. Zebra midges in black and gray, Ozark swimming scud and humpback scud in olive, gray or tan and Ozark tailwater sow bug are a few patterns to try.
Northwest Arkansas Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,114.28 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said cold fronts put a damper on fishing last week but stripers are picking up. The stripers are in their usual spring patterns. Break out your spoons, jigs and Rooster Tail’s. The white bass run is on! White bass start their run when water temps reach the 53-65 degree range. The males are first to move in and then the females aren’t far behind, usually in the 62-67 temp range. 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 holding on main lake structure near any cove that is holding shad. Stripers can also be taken with no. 9 Rapala originals, Husky Jerks and Rattling Rogues 3-5inches long flat line trolled. Use planer boards to spread your lines and fish shallow water near the bank as you troll. Move Rapalas at a speed of about 2-2.5mph. 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.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been taking spinnerbaits or crankbaits fished around blown down trees or standing timber along the bank. Green pumpkin jigs or hula grubs have been productive around boat docks. Crappie have been biting very well late in the day on jigs fished under a cork set 2 to 5 feet deep. Fish have been holding in the mouths of small coves and along channel bends getting ready to spawn. Best color jigs have been black/chartreuse, red/chartreuse, chartreuse and pink/white. White bass have been caught far up each river arm. Fish a 1/16-oz. Shineee Hineee jig along channel bends and in deeper pools. Catfishing has been good late in the day from the bank using liver. Highway 12 bridge, 412 bridge, Hickory Creek and Rocky Branch have all been good places to find some catfish.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is low and cold. Crappie are biting well in shallow brush piles on minnows and tube jigs. Bass are biting very well on jerk baits, crankbaits and jigs. White bass are biting well from Point 12 up in the river arms. Walleye are biting well in the rivers on Lil’ Fishies swimbaits. No report on catfish.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said there’s been little to no generation for the past several weeks. Midges, scuds and sow bugs dead drifted under an indicator are providing good numbers of fish. Small streamers, sized 8-12 are working on days when the fish are more aggressive. Suggested patterns include zebra midges (sizes 16-20 in olive, gray, brown and black), humpback scud and Ozark swimming scud (sizes 12-16 in olive, tan and gray), Ray Charles Sow Bug and Ozark Tailwater Sow Bug (sizes 14-18), Slumpbusters, Sparrows, .56ers and Woolly Buggers (sizes 8-12).
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides said water levels are at 4.27 feet and 744 cfs at Grandview Bridge. Water temperatures average 52 degrees. The warmer weather over the weekend pushed up the high temperature to 62.6 degrees. Hopefully this will be the last cold spell and the fishing will get better. Soft plastics continue to be the best baits. Tube baits and brush hogs in greens and browns are the best colors. Fly fishing is tough as the water is still a bit high.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are fair. White bass are slowing down, but largemouth bass are picking up. A few bream have been caught on crickets, but it’s been slow overall.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and the surface temperature is 63 degrees. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around brush and treetops in 1 to 4 feet of water. Bass are excellent on spinnerbaits and topwaters fished in shallow water. Catfishing is fair on chicken livers and minnows.
Northeast Arkansas Lake Charles
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.
Lake Poinsett
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.
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are moving around the docks, but no one is catching many, yet. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on jerk baits and crankbaits. Catfish are also being seen around the docks, but no good reports of catching catfish have come in yet.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is murky and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and nightcrawlers. Catfishing is good on stinkbait and nightcrawlers. No report on crappie or bass.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are normal, around 320 cfs. Water clarity is good. Spring stocking is in full swing and high numbers of trout are being stocked up and down the river. The campgrounds are open, and the area is loaded with really nice trout. Now is the time to get out and fish the Spring River. Y2Ks, brownies, mayfly emergers and beadhead woolly boogers are doing great. Stripping and swinging with nymph and streamer techniques are the ticket. Trout Magnets in chartreuse and hot orange are also hot. Just make sure you dead drift under an indicator, or float, when fishing the Trout Magnets.
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.
Southeast Arkansas Lake Chicot
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.
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said bass continue to bite well on minnows and topwater lures. Fishing soft-plastics on a Texas-rig with a very small weight is working well on bass. Crappie are hitting well on minnows and jigs. Trotlines baited with live bait were producing catfish last week.
Lake Monticello
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said spring is here and the fishing is picking up. Bass are hanging out in the shallows, and many are still cruising and bedding. Soft plastics have been the best bet for cruising and bedding fish in deeper water. Sight fishing is still working well, but finding spawners is a bit more difficult than usual. There is a live bait bite with shiners and black salties.
Southwest Arkansas Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.30 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said surface temperatures are rising, and are currently 61 to 75 degrees, dependent on location and time of day. Discharge at the dam is 783 cfs, and clarity on the main lake worsened with the high wind. Largemouth, spotted and white bass continue to bite fairly well. Largemouth bass are in various stages of the spawn and are in back of creek channels and oxbows along Little River. The best baits for bass have been Rat-L-Traps, jigs, lizards, Bass Assassin Shads, and trick worms. White bass continue roaming Little River, and were good in numbers near White Cliffs, McGuire between the State Highway 71 bridge and upriver to Patterson Shoals. Rocket Shads, Bomber Fat Free Shads, Rat-L-Traps, Cordell Gay Blades, Cordell CC spoons, grubs on lead head jigs, Little Georges and white/red Rooster Tails all are catching good numbers of whites. The crappie bite died with the muddy water and wind. Channel catfish continue feeding well on trotlines and tight lines along Little River. Blues and channel cats were biting well on redworms, chicken hearts and Catfish Charlie, in 14-20 feet of Little River on outer break lines in the current.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is clear and low. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on medium shiners. Bass are excellent on spinnerbaits in 4 feet of water. No report on catfish.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Crappie are biting well on small shiners. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic lizards. No report on bream or catfish.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 541.15 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is clear, low and the surface temperature is 60 degrees. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around brush in 7 to 15 feet of water. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft-plastics in 6 to 12 feet of water. A few walleye have been caught on crankbaits. White bass have slowed, but some are biting in the evenings on small bucktail jigs. Catfishing is slow. No report on bream.
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)
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
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 396.57 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 low 60s and the lake is clear up to Point 14. Bass fishing is good on secondary points and in the spawning coves. Several good catches have been reported in the mornings on surface lures and swim baits. Look for shad and feeding fish and throw a Zara Spook, Pop R, Rat-L-Trap or swim bait over the fish. Later in the day, try a medium-running crankbait or jig with a plastic trailer. Some large spotted bass are biting along steep rocky shores or points. Fish a 3-inch swim bait on a ¼-oz. jighead, and let it drop to about 20 feet deep before beginning a slow retrieve. Look for bass in the upper end of the lake between Arlie Moore and Point Cedar. Also Big Hill Creek has been fairly productive. Crappie are still excellent, but the best fish are coming from deep water. Fish exceeding 17 inches are being taken from water as deep as 50 feet. The fish are suspended in small schools about 12 to 14 feet down. The best way to catch them is to slowly troll a ¼-ounce chartreuse jig head with a Tennessee shad 2-inch grub at about 1 mile per hour. Look for these fish on the edges of creek channels between Point 15 and Shouse Ford. Midday seems to be the best time for deep-water trolling. Crappies also are on the attractors in 12 to 14 feet of water. Use a 1/16 ounce jighead with a 2-inch Tennessee shad grub or tube. Just work the lure slowly over the thickest part or the brush. From Lenox Marcus to Point Cedar has been the best area. Hybrid fishing is fair with the deep water crappie fishermen picking up quite a few. A few also have been caught on ½-oz. silver or chartreuse spoons. 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 345.57 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said the water is at normal level. Crappie and catfish are biting excellently on minnows. Catfish are also biting very well on worms, stink bait and PowerBait.
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bream are biting excellently on crickets and worms. Catfishing is fair on worms and minnows.
Fourche La Fave River
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said yo-yos and trotlines are producing catfish on minnows and stink bait. Strike King jugs baited with live bait also are catching some good catfish. Crappie are biting well on minnows.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said the water is low and clear. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on live minnows and jigs. Catfishing is slow, but a few have been caught on nightcrawlers. No report on bream.
Lake Dardanelle
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said crappie have been trying to get on the banks, but the weather is being very uncooperative. Anglers report that they are doing best on minnows in deeper water, and jig fishermen are using anything with red as well as chartreuse and black. Catfish are biting well, but shad have been hard to find. Minnows and worms are working well on the catfish. Largemouth bass have been biting best on chartreuse/white shallow-diving crankbaits.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 386.14 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. The lake is still low.
Lake Ouachita
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 570.49 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass are still biting well, and a second wave of spawning fish is moving into shallow pockets. Trick worms and Senkos are working well on the spawning and post-spawn fish.
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.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and 58 to 62 degrees. Largemouth bass are excellent on Carolina-rigged lizards and floating worms in watermelon, green pumpkin and watermelon candy colors. Jerk baits fished over main lake points and humps are still getting good results as well. Walleye are biting well on fluorescent jigs fished around brush in 12 to 15 feet of water around the river channels. Stripers are excellent on live bait, soft-plastic grubs and white or gray hair jigs. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms in brush 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are still excellent and being caught near and over brush in water 8 to 12 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Catfish are still biting well on jugs and trotlines baited with cut bait and live bait.
Lake Hamilton
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.
For a daily fishing report from Darryl Morris, visit Family Fishing Trips.
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said water temperature has risen to 49 degrees in the tailrace below Carpenter Dam with clear conditions extending for several miles downstream. Moss growth remains low. Rainbow trout fishing continues to be the focal point of Lake Catherine. Bank fishermen usually gather as close to the dam as possible, but there are many areas that hold catchable trout all the way to the bridge and beyond. Wax worms or redworms work very well under a bobber or floated off the bottom with a marshmallow. Nightcrawlers that are cut in half are a good substitute for these baits when not available. Corn fished in the same manner will hook limits of trout. Spin fishermen are doing quite well casting Super Dupers in silver or gold. Countdown Rapalas have taken fish over 17 inches during generation. Crappie are slow and the unpredictable weather hasn’t helped. As more stable weather sets in, the bite will pick up. Live minnows tightlined around visible structure and deeper holes with rock cover will be the areas to target once things begin to improve. Small white or yellow jigs will also catch crappie when a school is found. White bass are spawning and are being caught on jigs and minnows. Striper activity has been on the increase below the bridge in the main channel. Big stripers have been hooked and lost on C-10 Redfins in rainbow trout colors and white ¼-ounce jigs.
Rick Sawyer at Dozhier’s Rainbow Landing (501-262-2825) said trout fishing is excellent below the dam.
Lake Atkins
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.
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 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.
Tri-County Lake
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.
East Arkansas Bear Creek Lake
Mississippi River State Park said bass are biting well on crankbaits. Crappie are biting well on jigs. Bream are fair on beetles and crickets.
Storm Creek Lake
Mississippi River State Park said crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are slow on crankbaits. Bream are biting well on crickets.
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) had no report.
White River
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is clear, but the backwaters are murky. Crappie are moving up to 10 feet of water and shallower and are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on jigs and trick worms fished around 5 feet of water. No report on bream, catfish or walleye.
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.
Maddox Bay
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and high. Bream are fair on micro-jigs. Crappie are slow to fair on jigs and minnows. Bass are fair on crankbaits. Catfishing is good on yo-yos and trotlines baited with live minnows and shad.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is high. No report on any species.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is slightly higher than normal and the clarity is good. Bream are biting well around lily pads on redworms. Crappie are slow. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits bumped against cypress trees and knees and around lily pads. Catfishing is good on cut bait and nightcrawlers.