Arkansas Fishing Report - Dec 2, 2010

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 beginning to clear up and is at normal level. Bream are slow, but a few have been caught shallow in 2 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on pink minnows and white Crappie Stinger jigs or pearl marabou jigs with a pink head. Bass and catfish are slow.
Dan at Gold Creek Marina (501-607-0590) said crappie are biting well in the creek channel and on the bank with pink minnows and jigs. Bream are slow on redworms fished off the bottom. White bass are hitting jigs, minnows and spoons. Bass are slow. Catfishing is slow on nightcrawlers.
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and at normal level with no generators running. Trout are biting well on nightcrawlers. Fly-anglers are doing well with red zebra midges and redbutt wet flies. Brown trout are in the middle of their spawn on the Little Red.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.58 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is 6.47 feet below normal pool, and the temperature ranges from 56-62 degrees. The bass are up on the banks, turning rocks over eating crawdads before they get into hibernation and can be caught on Rat-L-Traps, spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and jigs. Some bass are suspended off the bank and can be caught with a drop shot, fluke or crankbait. Crappie are biting well in pole timber sitting in 60 feet of water. The fish are suspended about 15 feet deep and will hit and jigs tipped with minnows. The walleye are on the move and starting to stage in different places of the lake for their run upriver in a few months. Try trolling crankbaits with line weights and jigs tipped with crawlers or minnows. No report on catfish. Bream are biting in about 27 feet of water on crickets and crawlers. The hybrid and white bass are feeding on spoons, in-line spinners, hair jigs and swimbaits, look for the birds and bait to find active schools.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said Greers Ferry is currently 7 feet below normal pool with water surface temperatures in the high to mid 50s across the reservoir. Over the last week we experienced a very good bite early in the mornings as all species of game fish where schooling and chasing bait in select areas of the reservoir. Walleyes, white bass, hybrids, smallmouth, kentuckies and largemouth bass where all caught on minnow-imitating baits, such as soft-plastic swim baits, spoons, flukes and crankbaits. As the water temperature falls, look for the schooling fish to remain feeding heavily until water surface temperatures reach the upper 40s.
Harris Brake Lake
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is 5 feet lower than normal. All species are slow.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the dam has been repaired. The lanes are still being marked and the stumps are being cut. Fish habitat is still being built. The fishing has been slow, but some are still being caught. Crappie are hitting No. 6 minnows and white/chartreuse jigs. Bass have been hitting spinnerbaits. Catfish are doing fair on trotlines using shad. Bream are slow. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said bass and crappie are fair on No. 6 minnows. Catfish are being caught on trotlines and noodles baited with large minnows and chicken liver. Bream are slow. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water is 8.8 feet below the spillway. Despite low water and wind, many excellent reports have come in this week. Largemouths are excellent on crankbaits and jigs fished off points and channel swings 10 to 15 feet deep. The mid-lake section has been most productive. Many Kentucky bass are being caught on jighead worms fished around 12 to 20 feet deep around structure. White bass are fair, with schooling activity on the south side of Big Island early and late. Jigging spoons, Spooks and trolled Rogues are working best. Crappie are excellent on 1/32-oz. red/white jigs and small pink minnows. Bream are fair to slow on worms fished 10 to 20 feet deep. Catfish are fair, but some large blue and flathead catfish are being caught on cut shad and bream.
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 clear and is at normal level. Bream are slow on crickets and worms. Crappie are fair on chartreuse grubs. Bass are fair on white top-water lures and buzzbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is stained and the current level is rising from the recent rain. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on chartreuse jigs. Bass are biting well on top-water lures. Catfishing is slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the water temperature is in the mid- to low 50s. Few anglers are on the water, but catfishing is good in deep holes on shad/worm combinations. No report on any other species. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) no report.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said the water is low, but the latest rain may have helped. Crappie are fair on black/chartreuse jigs fished around brush. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs fished around brush in the backwater. No report on any other species.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are fair on jigs tipped with a minnow fished in the backwater. Bass are fair on light blue jig-and-pig combos. Catfishing is fair on worms and chicken livers. No report on bream.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is muddy and a little low. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair on soft-plastic worms. No report on catfish or bream.
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 generation has been sporadic, with four generators on Monday and no generators running Tuesday. Trout are biting fairly well on Power Bait, shrimp and small artificial lures. Most of the trout being caught are rainbows, but a few large browns have been caught.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said fishing has been excellent this week using corn. Fishing pressure has been low with only two generators running during the day.
Guide Davy Wotton said erratic generation coupled with low temperatures have made fishing tricky, but the bite is generally good if you figure out how to work with rising and falling water levels. Trout generally prefer a more settled water level, but may well bite well on a rise depending on the current. There have been plenty of options for wade and drift fishing. Wade fishing has been best with nymphs, wet flies and streamers. During low water, look for riffles and other areas where water is flowing. Midges and BWOs in sizes 18 to 20 are working. Otherwise, white tail, prism and shimmer midges, coupled with sowbugs or olive scuds have done well. When drift fishing, find faster water and use San Juan worms, dynamite and prism worms in red, claret, and tan. Worms are a good bet coupled with eggs in areas where two flies are legal.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said from Buffalo City to Reds Landing, the water has been pretty stained. Fishing has been hard, unless you fish the bottom with Power Bait or redworms. When the water clears, the artificial bite has been excellent. Olive woolly worms have worked well for fly-anglers. Countdown Rapalas and White River Zig Jigs have been the ticket for spin-fishermen.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said the river level at Hwy. 7 is 3.70 feet, 19 cfs. Water temperatures throughout the system are 50 degrees. Levels are very low in the upper river, but fishing is still good. Smallmouth are still feeding heavily for the winter slowdown. Fish slow and deliberate in the deeper holes and hit the shallows as the sun heats up the water. Crayfish and minnow patterns such as Gitzits, Crazy Dads, Shenk’s Minnow and Clouser Minnows should be your main flies.
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said the river level is 10.83 feet, 65 cfs, 2 feet below the low-water bridge at Kelly’s Access, and the water temperature is 50 degrees. Levels are very low, but fishing is still good. Smallmouth are still feeding up for winter slowdown. Fish slow and deliberate in the deeper holes and hit the shallow, faster water as the sun heats the water. Crayfish and minnow patterns such as Gitzits, Crazy Dads, Shenk’s Minnow and Clouser Minnows should be your main flies.
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 bass are biting fairly well on jigs and tubes fished in 10-30 feet of water around bluff ends. Wiggle Wart crankbaits in natural colors are catching large smallmouth bass on bluff wall transitions. Be sure to down size your line and slow your retrieve. Some really nice walleyes are being caught on live bait and jigging spoons on the outside of main lake brush piles and drop offs. Water temps are in the upper 50s and suspending stick baits can catch some really good size walleyes and striped bass. Crappie are hit-and-miss, and biting better when we have a few days of stable weather.
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said the lake level is 651 feet and generation has been low to moderate. Fishing is good throughout the system with streamers and nymphs. There is still some activity with dries, especially in the afternoon with midges and cricket patterns. Hare’s ears, Copper Johns, Princes and Pheasant tails are the best nymphs. Don’t forget egg patterns and San Juan worms.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 547.27 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
STR Outfitters said the bad weather finally got to shallow stripers, and fishing slowed quickly. The fish are still around Point 9 in 25 to 35 feet of water, but would not hit. If we can get some stable weather they should start feeding again.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is in the upper 50s. Look for bass on the banks with the wind blowing onto them and throw a spinnerbait or crankbait with some green on it. Look on the ends of bluffs early for bass chasing shad to the surface. Bass are hitting jigs and grubs in 15-30 feet of water. There are stripers upriver and in the creeks. Look for them on the flats at night in 20 to 35 feet of water and work a stickbait very slowly. Some walleye are on the flats, too.
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait had no report.
Norfork Tailwater
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the generators have been off much more than on, making fishing a little tough due to the constant up and down of the water level. On the lower end of the river, the Zig Jig in ginger or green/ginger work well; just make sure it gets close to the bottom prior to working it in.
Charlie’s Rainbow Trout Resort had no report.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said fishing has been excellent from the bank and wade fishing with little to no generation during the day. Low fishing pressure this week gave anglers the chance to fish their favorite spots from Dry Run Creek to Long Hole.
Northwest Arkansas Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,115.33 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 and are keying on shad in the 4 to 5 inch range. They are feeding near the surface. Free-lining and balloons are the best methods to use on flats where shad are feeding. Live gizzard shad is the go-to for trophy-size stripers, but smaller shad produce more action.

On the mid and lower sections check out these areas:
Rocky Branch – Check Fords Creek and Striper Island.
Copper Mine – Check around the gravel bar and the "tailings pile."
In the upper section, try:
The islands on the flats around Prairie Creek.
The flats at Beaver Shores.
The rocky shore line at Horseshoe Bend on far side and the flats near the swimming area.
The flat near the old pond and the island between Horseshoe Bend and Monte-Ne. Walleye and crappie are holding around 10 to 20 feet deep on the shoals of Prairie Creek and Beaver Shores to War Eagle. Fish three-way rigs with No. 11 Rapalas or Hot ’N’ Tots in chartreuse/orange. 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 in chart. /orange combinations fished on bottom bouncers, trolled at speeds less than 1.5 mph. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been biting crawdad, firetiger and shad colored crankbaits along gravel and chunk rock banks. They also have been hitting hula grubs and jig-and-pig combos alongside standing timber and docks in water 10 to 25 feet deep. Crappie have been biting Shinee Hinee jigs and yellow/white, pink/white or red/white tube jigs. Crappie have been holding close to brush in 20 to 40 feet of water. Monte-NE, Hickory Creek, Piney Creek, and Friendship Creek have all been good places. White bass have been coming to the surface late in the day. Highway 12 bridge, Point 11, Point 12 and the flat across from the southern water intake have been good places to find schooling whites. Quarter-ounce Rat-L-Traps or Kastmaster spoons have been working well. Catfish have been hitting liver and worms from the bank late in the day and at night. Monte-NE, Hickory Creek, 12 and 412 bridge have all been good.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is low. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and brightly colored jigs fished around brush. Stripers are fair on top-water lures and large shiners. No report on catfish. Many anglers are putting out brush piles for next year.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said the lake level is 115.37 feet and there is very little to no generation. Midge pupa patterns in gray, tan and olive are working best. Sowbug/scuds are good bets also. Don’t forget your small streamers such as Woolly Buggers in olive and black.
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides said the river level is 2.95 feet, 132 cfs with temperatures in the low 50s. Levels are low, but fishing is still good. Floating is possible over most of the lower river. Smallmouth are still feeding up for winter slowdown. Fish slow and deliberate in the deeper holes and hit the shallows as the sun heats up the water. Crayfish and minnow patterns such as Gitzits, Crazy Dads, Sparkle Grubs and Clouser Minnows should be your main flies. Go with muted, natural colors first, then switch to brighter colors if those don’t work.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clearing and is at normal level. Bream are slow to fair, but a few have been caught on microjigs in 12 feet of water. Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock will be closed from Dec. 23 until Jan. 15.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the wind and hunting season have kept most anglers off the lake. Bream are slow, but a few have been caught on worms in 3 to 4 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows fished 3 to 5 feet deep around brush and stumps. Bass are slow on spinnerbaits and jigs fished around brush in 3 to 5 feet of water. Catfishing is slow.
Northeast Arkansas Lake Poinsett
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett is still very low, but those that are fishing seem to be doing fairly well on crappie and bass. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is low and clear. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Few anglers are on the water.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is low. No report due to lack of anglers.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said the water is running low and clear, and the fishing could not be better. With temperatures dropping, it seems the big fish are on the prowl and are feeding. Large streamers have been the big producers. Sight fishing has been at its best. Over the last month, the nastier the weather has been, the better the fishing. Sunny days can be slower, but that is when the better hatches come off the water. Bundle up in layers and get out and fish.
Southeast Arkansas Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park had no report.
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park had no report.
Lake Monticello
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said the surface temperature continues to fall. The bite has been pretty tough, with jigs taking a few nice bass here and there. The crankbait bite is still producing, but is spotty. Shad-pattern cranks have performed best. Finesse fishing with small worms has produced bass over the last few weeks and continues as the water cools. The bites are few and far between on Lake Monticello right now.
Southwest Arkansas Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 255.63 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level remains consistent from last week, and is 43.3 inches below normal pool and falling, with little current in Little River of 191 CFS. Surface temperatures dropped to 53-60 degrees. Use extreme caution at boat ramps and navigation on Millwood during the 4-foot drawdown in effect through February. 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 excellent with the cooler nighttime temperatures which have again reduced surface 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 schooling action is mid-day and early afternoon near almost any major creek junction with Little River. These fish are hitting Bomber Fat Free Shad Crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, curly tail grubs on jig heads and occasionally a spinnerbait. Johnson chrome spoons with a white curly tail grub trailer continue working inside the lily pads and vegetation. Work the crankbaits slowly for the best results. The best jig colors are white or Texas Craw, and are catching bass on cypress trees and stumps in deeper sections of the creek channels and on points in the river. White bass are excellent and very large schools continue roaming Little River in front of Hurricane Creek, Jack’s Isle, Horseshoe and other oxbows. The crappie bite is back on again. Limits can be caught on jigs in just a few hours. Channel catfish remain consistent over the past week on trotlines in Little River and yo-yos hung from cypress tree branches in 14-18 feet of water on cut shad, Catfish Charlie and catalpa worms.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are slow on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Bass are slow. Catfish are fair.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are fair to slow on worms. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair. Catfish are fair.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 537.45 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is low, but up a little since the rain. All species are slow. A few smallmouth may move into the lake from the river during winter.
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 fishing has been decent. The new trout in the tailwater are actively hitting flies such as the smidge, but getting hooked up with the strikes has been a bit difficult. When fishing for these new fish, it’s best to set the hook by tightening the line without raising the rod. The fish will stick themselves.
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 394.84 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 surface water temperature is in the mid-50s. The water is clear throughout the lake. Bass fishing is very good with many good catches reported. The best pattern has been a ½-oz. to ¾-oz. jig or Texas-rigged worm with a ¼-oz. weight fished down steep points from 10 to 25 feet. The best colors have been green pumpkin/red glitter, red bug or red shad. Try main lake and major creek points, creek ledges and offshore islands. Sometimes the bass will school on the bottom in 25 to 30 feet in ditches and off ledges. Check for these fish with the sonar and drop a heavy white or chartreuse jigging spoon. This time of year, a bright sunny day is best and afternoons can be better than the morning. The best areas have been between Edgewood and Shouse Ford. Crappie fishing is only fair because the low water has exposed most of the attractors. If you can find a sizable brush pile in 20 to 25 feet of water, it should have fish on it. Fish a 1/16- or 1/32-ounce jig head with a Tennessee shad 2-inch grub very slowly over the thickest part of the brush. Bright sunny days are best because the bright sun puts the fish tighter to the cover. Look for attractors on the main lake between Arlie Moore and Point Cedar. Hybrids are really scattered now and nobody is fishing for them.
No reports on bream, but they are most always in the brush from 10 to 20 feet deep. Use either redworms or crickets. No reports on catfish.
West-Central Arkansas Lake Nimrod
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 337.23 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 too low for anglers to get out and fish. No report.
Lake Dardanelle
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said crappie anglers are doing well. Several fishermen are catching their fish on minnows around treetops in the backwaters. Catfishing was great during the rain on bass minnows. Bass fishing is decent, but most of the fish are small and few anglers are on the lake.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.22 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 567.92 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass fishing is excellent on spoons worked off creek channel points. A few walleye are mixed in with these bass. Stripers are hit-and-miss.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and is 60-64 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well on top-water baits and jigs. Try Zara spooks, Pop-R’s and buzzbaits over main lake and secondary points. Football jigs are woking well in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are biting well on spoons 20-25 feet deep around brush. Stripers are fair on live bait and down-rigged hair jigs. Bream are still slow 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 very good and being caught on cut bait and live bait hung from jug lines and trotlines.
Lake Hamilton
Lake Hamilton has been lowered 3 feet for its annual winter drawdown. Navigation can be dangerous in some areas of the lake, as humps and points are only a few inches below the surface. Use caution while boating.
Darryl Morris from Family Fishing Trips had no report.
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said water temperature below Carpenter Dam has fallen into the mid-50s as more generation has taken place with the recent rainfall. Rainbow trout are in the tailrace and being caught on corn combined with marshmallows. Wax worms and meal worms will also catch trout fished in the same manner. Nightcrawlers cut in half work well used with a Carolina rig in the current. Fly fishermen are able to move around with ease during the drawdown and can locate feeding fish. Green or olive woolly buggers cast with a strike indicator have recorded limits of rainbows in current. San Juan worms in red are another good fly to use with trout actively searching for food. Spin fishermen are having success casting Rooster Tails in brown or white. With colder nights on the way, threadfin shad will be a main forage for tailrace fish so anglers need to concentrate on artificial lures that imitate injured baitfish. White bass and crappie are also present and feeding heavily during generation. Jerkbaits in black and silver, jigs in white or grey and live minnows are very good techniques to catch these fish.
Rick Sawyer at Dozhier’s Rainbow Landing (501-262-2825) the trout are biting well below Carpenter Dam.
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 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 the water is at normal level and clarity is good. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and electric chicken-colored jigs fished in 4 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits fished around rocky areas. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
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. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs in 3 feet of water. Bass are fair on shallow-running crankbaits in 3 feet of water. No report on bream or catfish.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is low. Crappie are fair on jigs. Bass are fair on crappie jigs. All other species are slow and few anglers are out.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around piers. Bass are slow, but a few have been caught near the lily pads on frogs and soft-plastics.