Central Arkansas Lake Conway
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is stained and is at normal level. Bream are biting well on redworms fished near the banks and piers. Crappie are excellent early and late in the day on pink minnows. Bass are fair. Catfish are fair.
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and low with very little generation. Trout are biting very well on egg-pattern flies.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.47 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water temperature is in the mid-50s. Walleye fishing is still not the greatest. They are bunching up in certain areas of the lake, preparing for their early spring run. Some fish are still scattered. Try jigging spoons and drop-shot rigs with finesse worms or leeches in 27 to 48 feet of water in main lake river bends and around bridge pilings. Dragging crawlers in water from 15 to 28 feet deep also will work. Bream are still biting in 27 feet of water on crawlers in the afternoons after the sun heats the water. No report on catfish. Crappie still can be caught on jigs and minnows suspended 15 to 20 feet deep around standing pole timber in 60 or 80 feet of water. Bass fishing is still good shallow using small crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps. Some bass can still be caught in 25 to 30 feet of water and even out to 50 feet deep on a Carolina-rigged Right Bite Cinko or lizard or a jigging spoon. Hybrids and white bass are fair, but the bite should pick up. There are a few areas the bite has been good but a lot of the fish have been lethargic, keep an eye out for birds and use you electronics to find bait fish anywhere from 28 to 50 feet of water.
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, spotted 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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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. One of the front ramps has been dug out and fixed, and it should be ready for launching by Dec. 9. Despite the low water and wind, there have been some excellent reports. If you are headed west, be careful. The water is very shallow and the old Highway 10 is only 8 to 12 inches deep. Largemouth bass are biting excellently on crankbaits and jigs fished off points and the edges of the channels 10 to 15 feet deep. The mid-section of the lake has been most productive. Spotted bass are biting very well on jighead worms fished 12 to 20 feet deep near structure. White bass are fair with some schooling activity on the south side of Big Island early and late. Use spooks and near nutings when the fish are surfacing. Trolling with Rogues and jigging slab spoons have worked when the fish aren’t surface feeding. Crappie are excellent on 1/32-oz. red/white jigs, light colored grubs and small pink minnows. Catfish are fair. The cold weather is producing some very large catfish on cut shad, bream and prepared bait.
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 few anglers are on the water. Catfish are moving into deep holes and are biting well on worm and shad combinations in the late evening. Spotted bass are over rocky areas and are biting fairly well on jig-and-pig combos during the warmest part of the day.
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 had no report.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on white sparkle jigs and pink minnows fished below Murray Lock and Dam. Catfishing is good. Some sauger are being caught below the dam on chartreuse jigs with a large minnow.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the cold weather has kept most anglers off the water. No report.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report because of cold weather and lack of anglers.
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 the water clarity has been good in the afternoons. Six generators have been running lately. Trout are biting well on worms and on minnow-imitating lures, such as Rapalas and Rogues.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said Rainbows are baiting fair this week on corn and yellow Power Bait. The water has been a little stained with two generators running most of the time. There has been low fishing pressure during weekdays.
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 the White River is clear all the way to Reds Landing. The fishing has been consistently good along the entire way. White River Zig Jigs and Rapalas are producing large numbers of fish. The Rapala will usually produce larger, but fewer fish.
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 650.61 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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 547.00 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
STR Outfitters said fishing has been good using live bait. Stripers are biting free-lined shad trolled slowly on a split-shot rig in 60-80 feet of water. Bass fishing has been good around 25-30 feet deep. Crappie fishing has been good, but depths have varied from 4-25 feet using minnows. White Bass fishing has been fair. Walleye fishing has been slow.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is in the upper 50s. Some stripers are up in the river and in the creeks. Find the shad and you’ll catch fish. Bass are still hitting spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, grubs and drop-shot rigs with a 4-inch worm or small 2- to 3-inch minnow-type bait. Look on the flats at night for stripers and walleye.
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait had no report.
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.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said generation has been at night, which made fishing from the bank and wade fishing during the day the way to go. Low fishing pressure gave a good chance to fish the deep holes from Dry Run Creek to the first bend. Corn and redworms have worked well fished right off the bottom in the deeper holes. The ramp at Quarry Park is open.
Northwest Arkansas Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,115.07 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said striper fishing has been good. The fish are scattered and you will have to check multiple locations to get your fish. Stripers are feeding near the surface, however with the cold fronts they are also keying on the bottom. Free lining and balloons are the methods to use for surface fish and down lines for bottom-oriented fish. They will either be on the flats or near the adjacent channel depending temperature and weather conditions. Look for fish from surface down to about 25 feet. Live gizzard shad are the go-to bait for Trophy Stripers. Most of the fish are upriver. On the upper section of the lake, check the islands on the flats around Prairie Creek, the flats around Beaver Shores, in Horseshoe Bend around the rocky shoreline on the far side and flats near the swimming area and the old pond. The flats around Hickory Creek and the mouth of War Eagle are producing some walleye and stripers. Also check War Eagle Marina and holes upriver from the Highway 412 Bridge, including Cedar Bluff. Walleye are biting well from Monte NE to Hickory creek. Most walleye will be about 10 feet deep on the flats and along the channel. Three-way rigs fished with crawlers or natural blue or black/silver Rapalas. Rogues in clown flash foil colors are working as well. Troll crawlers and cranks about ¾ to 11/4 mph with a lift-drop presentation. Banana-style crankbaits are working well trolled 11/2 to 2 mph along channel contours.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said it’s cold, but fishing remains good for all species. Bass have been biting hula grubs and jigs alongside docks and close to standing timber in 15 to 30 feet of water. Cranking crawdad-imitating crankbaits has also been productive along gravel to chunk rock banks. Crappie have been taking minnows or slowly fished tube jigs alongside brush or standing timber in 20 to 40 feet of water. The best colors have been yellow/white, red/chartreuse and black/chartreuse. Blue Springs, Eden’s Bluff, Monte-NE and Hickory Creek have all been productive. White bass have been schooling on overcast days on main lake flats and suspending on main lake points during sunny days. Jigging spoons have been productive. Catfish have been biting liver and worms from the bank late in the day into the night. Bluegill have been holding under docks and in standing timber 3 to 20 feet deep and can be caught on crickets or worms.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is 6 feet low and clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs tipped with a minnow. Bass are slow to fair on spoons, crankbaits and slow-rolled spinnerbaits. Catfishing is fair on minnows.
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. Sow bug/scuds are good bets also. Don’t forget your small streamers such as Woolly Buggers in olive and black. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the boat dock will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 14. After Jan. 14, people can pick up their season passes for the dock. No one has been fishing in the last week.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at 50 degrees. Bream are fair on worms and crickets fished around brush and stumps in 3 to 5 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and tube jigs fished in 3 to 5 feet of water. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits in the same areas as the crappie. Catfishing is fair in 8 to 12 feet of water on minnows, chicken liver or worms.
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. The wind has kept the surface choppy. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished around docks and brush piles in 12 to 15 feet of water. Most bites are coming from lures suspended at 5 to 6 feet.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is low. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers. No other reports due to lack of anglers.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are running just over 240cfs and the water is clear. Trout have been biting Y2K’s and woolly buggers well. The best fishing has been during overcast or dreary days. When weather fronts move through the area, trout tend to turn off. As soon as the front moves through the trout will begin to bite. Good hatches are happening during sunny days when water temperature increases a few degrees. Spin-fishermen have been using salad shrimp, Rooster Tails and live minnows.
Southeast Arkansas Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park had no report.
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said crappie are still biting well on minnows and the catfish are still biting well on trotlines and limb lines.
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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 is 42.6 inches below normal pool and falling, with current in Little River of 191 CFS. Surface temps dropped last week and are currently ranging 50 to 55 degrees. Use extreme caution at boat ramps and navigating Millwood during the 4-foot drawdown in effect through Feb 2011. Stumps and boat ramps are very shallow. Some cutover boat lanes through timber on main lake are inaccessible during drawdown conditions. The bass bite continues to be very good. Many schools of largemouths, white and spotted bass have slowed on surface breaking along Little River and the oxbows, but they are still following huge schools of shad and baitfish. The best time for bass fishing is mid-day to early afternoon. The fish are concentrating near almost any major creek junction with Little River and are hitting Bomber Fat Free Shad Crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, curly tail grubs on jig heads and War Eagle spinnerbaits. The best Rat-L-Trap colors have been the Millwood Magic, gold, and Tennessee Shad. The best Bomber Fat Free Shad colors continue to be Tennessee Shad, white, or Citrus Shad. A curly tail grub on a 1/4 to 3/8 oz jighead, or a Jig’N-Trap, works well in timber from 8 to 15 feet deep with a vertical yo-yo retrieve. The best jig colors are white or Texas Craw, and jigs are catching bass on cypress trees and stumps in deeper sections of the creek channels and on points in the river. Black craw trailers are working for the Texas Craw jig colors, and a white split tail trailer for the white jigs. White bass are excellent and very large schools numbering in the thousands continue roaming Little River. Whites remain in the immediate vicinities of Hurricane Creek, Jack’s Isle, Horseshoe and other oxbows that connect with the Little River and the dumps into the river, over the past several weeks. These subsurface schools are hitting Bomber Fat Free Shads, Rat-L-Traps, Cordell Gay Blades, Cordell CC Spoons, Little Georges and white/red Rooster Tails. Crappie improved over the past week. 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, baited with cut shad, Catfish Charlie and catalpa worms.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair. Catfish are fair.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair. Catfish are fair.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 537.41 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water surface temperature is 47 degrees. Fishing is slow for all 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 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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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 394.62 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 low 50s and is the same temperature at 20 feet deep. The lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing has slowed with the cold weather and only a few catches have been reported. The best bet is to fish a Texas-rigged finesse worm or jig and plastic trailer down steep points, ledges and sunken islands from 10 to 25 feet deep on the main lake between Caddo Drive and Shouse Ford. No report on crappie, but they should still be in brush piles 20 feet deep near the main lake. Try between Arlie Moore and Point Cedar. Some hybrid activity has been reported in the upper lake between Point 14 and the big flat just above Goat Island. Look for large schools of shad and the hybrids should be near. There has been a little surface activity in the late afternoon. Throw a Rat-L-Trap, spoon or in-line spinner to the breaking fish. This fishing will only get better as more hybrids move upriver in winter.
No reports on bream, but they can be caught by fishing deep from 15 to 20 feet near the bottom with worms or crickets. Look for steep drops with some wood or rock cover.
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 337.07 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no new report.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said no anglers are on the water. 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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.24 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 567.80 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said stripers are starting to bust the surface. Look for shad near the surface and cast Redfins. When the surface action dies, use a spoon. Bass fishing is good with many fish being caught on spinnerbaits fished around points and jigs fished around deep timber.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 54 to 58 degrees and is stained. Largemouth bass are biting very well on peanut butter and jelly or green pumpkin football jigs fished 10 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are biting well on spoons fished 20 to 25 feet deep around brush. Stripers are still fair on live bait and downrigged hair jigs. Bream are slow on worms or crickets in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are still excellent on minnows or Tennessee shad crappie grubs fished near brush 20 to 30 feet of water. Catfish are very good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on 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.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports had no report.
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said rainbow trout continue to be stocked below Carpenter Dam and are being caught with more consistency. November trout are difficult to pattern and are widely scattered throughout the tailrace. Mid-December rainbows are more numerous and are easier to access. Fly fishermen are targeting moving water and having success casting San Juan worms in red or hot pink under a strike indicator. Woolly buggers in olive or black are also working well, but shad imitation flies are hooking the quality fish. Bank fishermen have recorded limits of trout this week on redworms and wax worms fished under a bobber in the main channel. Spin fishermen continue to catch fish on Rooster Tails in brown or white in 1/16 ounce sizes around visible structure. Boater’s braving the shallow waters have done well trolling small crankbaits below the bridge. Crappie and white bass are present below the dam in fair numbers but are difficult to catch due to the lack of a regular generation schedule. Gray and white jigs, silver and black jerkbaits and live minnows are the best techniques to use when searching for these fish. Hybrid bass are mixed in with the white bass. Stripers have been caught in the 10 to 12 pound range below the bridge on brood and gizzard shad under a balloon rig.
Rick Sawyer at Dozhier’s Rainbow Landing (501-262-2825) said the trout are biting well below Carpenter Dam.
Lake Atkins
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the lake is still low, but crappie fishing on Lake Atkins has been excellent the last few weeks! Those who know how to fish for crappie have no problem catching their limit within a few hours. Most have been caught on jigs fished in the coves and along the banks. Many small bass are still being caught as well. The redear have really picked up with large fish, some over one pound being weighed in. They are biting on crawlers and redworms. Catfishing is slow.
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 had no report.
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing had no report.
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 and clear. Most fish are deep now. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished on the deep ends of the docks. Bass are fair on crankbaits fished around brush and rocky areas. Catfishing is slow.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is dingy. The cold weather and wind have kept most anglers off the water. Crappie are fair on jigs fished around willow trees and stumps in 2 feet of water on chartreuse/white and bright pink jigs.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Catfish are good on chicken liver. Bass and crappie are slow.
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is stained and is at normal level. Bream are biting well on redworms fished near the banks and piers. Crappie are excellent early and late in the day on pink minnows. Bass are fair. Catfish are fair.
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and low with very little generation. Trout are biting very well on egg-pattern flies.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.47 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water temperature is in the mid-50s. Walleye fishing is still not the greatest. They are bunching up in certain areas of the lake, preparing for their early spring run. Some fish are still scattered. Try jigging spoons and drop-shot rigs with finesse worms or leeches in 27 to 48 feet of water in main lake river bends and around bridge pilings. Dragging crawlers in water from 15 to 28 feet deep also will work. Bream are still biting in 27 feet of water on crawlers in the afternoons after the sun heats the water. No report on catfish. Crappie still can be caught on jigs and minnows suspended 15 to 20 feet deep around standing pole timber in 60 or 80 feet of water. Bass fishing is still good shallow using small crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps. Some bass can still be caught in 25 to 30 feet of water and even out to 50 feet deep on a Carolina-rigged Right Bite Cinko or lizard or a jigging spoon. Hybrids and white bass are fair, but the bite should pick up. There are a few areas the bite has been good but a lot of the fish have been lethargic, keep an eye out for birds and use you electronics to find bait fish anywhere from 28 to 50 feet of water.
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, spotted 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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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. One of the front ramps has been dug out and fixed, and it should be ready for launching by Dec. 9. Despite the low water and wind, there have been some excellent reports. If you are headed west, be careful. The water is very shallow and the old Highway 10 is only 8 to 12 inches deep. Largemouth bass are biting excellently on crankbaits and jigs fished off points and the edges of the channels 10 to 15 feet deep. The mid-section of the lake has been most productive. Spotted bass are biting very well on jighead worms fished 12 to 20 feet deep near structure. White bass are fair with some schooling activity on the south side of Big Island early and late. Use spooks and near nutings when the fish are surfacing. Trolling with Rogues and jigging slab spoons have worked when the fish aren’t surface feeding. Crappie are excellent on 1/32-oz. red/white jigs, light colored grubs and small pink minnows. Catfish are fair. The cold weather is producing some very large catfish on cut shad, bream and prepared bait.
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 few anglers are on the water. Catfish are moving into deep holes and are biting well on worm and shad combinations in the late evening. Spotted bass are over rocky areas and are biting fairly well on jig-and-pig combos during the warmest part of the day.
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 had no report.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on white sparkle jigs and pink minnows fished below Murray Lock and Dam. Catfishing is good. Some sauger are being caught below the dam on chartreuse jigs with a large minnow.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the cold weather has kept most anglers off the water. No report.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report because of cold weather and lack of anglers.
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 the water clarity has been good in the afternoons. Six generators have been running lately. Trout are biting well on worms and on minnow-imitating lures, such as Rapalas and Rogues.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said Rainbows are baiting fair this week on corn and yellow Power Bait. The water has been a little stained with two generators running most of the time. There has been low fishing pressure during weekdays.
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 the White River is clear all the way to Reds Landing. The fishing has been consistently good along the entire way. White River Zig Jigs and Rapalas are producing large numbers of fish. The Rapala will usually produce larger, but fewer fish.
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 650.61 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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 547.00 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
STR Outfitters said fishing has been good using live bait. Stripers are biting free-lined shad trolled slowly on a split-shot rig in 60-80 feet of water. Bass fishing has been good around 25-30 feet deep. Crappie fishing has been good, but depths have varied from 4-25 feet using minnows. White Bass fishing has been fair. Walleye fishing has been slow.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is in the upper 50s. Some stripers are up in the river and in the creeks. Find the shad and you’ll catch fish. Bass are still hitting spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, grubs and drop-shot rigs with a 4-inch worm or small 2- to 3-inch minnow-type bait. Look on the flats at night for stripers and walleye.
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait had no report.
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.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said generation has been at night, which made fishing from the bank and wade fishing during the day the way to go. Low fishing pressure gave a good chance to fish the deep holes from Dry Run Creek to the first bend. Corn and redworms have worked well fished right off the bottom in the deeper holes. The ramp at Quarry Park is open.
Northwest Arkansas Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,115.07 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said striper fishing has been good. The fish are scattered and you will have to check multiple locations to get your fish. Stripers are feeding near the surface, however with the cold fronts they are also keying on the bottom. Free lining and balloons are the methods to use for surface fish and down lines for bottom-oriented fish. They will either be on the flats or near the adjacent channel depending temperature and weather conditions. Look for fish from surface down to about 25 feet. Live gizzard shad are the go-to bait for Trophy Stripers. Most of the fish are upriver. On the upper section of the lake, check the islands on the flats around Prairie Creek, the flats around Beaver Shores, in Horseshoe Bend around the rocky shoreline on the far side and flats near the swimming area and the old pond. The flats around Hickory Creek and the mouth of War Eagle are producing some walleye and stripers. Also check War Eagle Marina and holes upriver from the Highway 412 Bridge, including Cedar Bluff. Walleye are biting well from Monte NE to Hickory creek. Most walleye will be about 10 feet deep on the flats and along the channel. Three-way rigs fished with crawlers or natural blue or black/silver Rapalas. Rogues in clown flash foil colors are working as well. Troll crawlers and cranks about ¾ to 11/4 mph with a lift-drop presentation. Banana-style crankbaits are working well trolled 11/2 to 2 mph along channel contours.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said it’s cold, but fishing remains good for all species. Bass have been biting hula grubs and jigs alongside docks and close to standing timber in 15 to 30 feet of water. Cranking crawdad-imitating crankbaits has also been productive along gravel to chunk rock banks. Crappie have been taking minnows or slowly fished tube jigs alongside brush or standing timber in 20 to 40 feet of water. The best colors have been yellow/white, red/chartreuse and black/chartreuse. Blue Springs, Eden’s Bluff, Monte-NE and Hickory Creek have all been productive. White bass have been schooling on overcast days on main lake flats and suspending on main lake points during sunny days. Jigging spoons have been productive. Catfish have been biting liver and worms from the bank late in the day into the night. Bluegill have been holding under docks and in standing timber 3 to 20 feet deep and can be caught on crickets or worms.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is 6 feet low and clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on jigs tipped with a minnow. Bass are slow to fair on spoons, crankbaits and slow-rolled spinnerbaits. Catfishing is fair on minnows.
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. Sow bug/scuds are good bets also. Don’t forget your small streamers such as Woolly Buggers in olive and black. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the boat dock will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 14. After Jan. 14, people can pick up their season passes for the dock. No one has been fishing in the last week.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at 50 degrees. Bream are fair on worms and crickets fished around brush and stumps in 3 to 5 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and tube jigs fished in 3 to 5 feet of water. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits in the same areas as the crappie. Catfishing is fair in 8 to 12 feet of water on minnows, chicken liver or worms.
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. The wind has kept the surface choppy. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished around docks and brush piles in 12 to 15 feet of water. Most bites are coming from lures suspended at 5 to 6 feet.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is low. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers. No other reports due to lack of anglers.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are running just over 240cfs and the water is clear. Trout have been biting Y2K’s and woolly buggers well. The best fishing has been during overcast or dreary days. When weather fronts move through the area, trout tend to turn off. As soon as the front moves through the trout will begin to bite. Good hatches are happening during sunny days when water temperature increases a few degrees. Spin-fishermen have been using salad shrimp, Rooster Tails and live minnows.
Southeast Arkansas Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park had no report.
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said crappie are still biting well on minnows and the catfish are still biting well on trotlines and limb lines.
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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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 is 42.6 inches below normal pool and falling, with current in Little River of 191 CFS. Surface temps dropped last week and are currently ranging 50 to 55 degrees. Use extreme caution at boat ramps and navigating Millwood during the 4-foot drawdown in effect through Feb 2011. Stumps and boat ramps are very shallow. Some cutover boat lanes through timber on main lake are inaccessible during drawdown conditions. The bass bite continues to be very good. Many schools of largemouths, white and spotted bass have slowed on surface breaking along Little River and the oxbows, but they are still following huge schools of shad and baitfish. The best time for bass fishing is mid-day to early afternoon. The fish are concentrating near almost any major creek junction with Little River and are hitting Bomber Fat Free Shad Crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, curly tail grubs on jig heads and War Eagle spinnerbaits. The best Rat-L-Trap colors have been the Millwood Magic, gold, and Tennessee Shad. The best Bomber Fat Free Shad colors continue to be Tennessee Shad, white, or Citrus Shad. A curly tail grub on a 1/4 to 3/8 oz jighead, or a Jig’N-Trap, works well in timber from 8 to 15 feet deep with a vertical yo-yo retrieve. The best jig colors are white or Texas Craw, and jigs are catching bass on cypress trees and stumps in deeper sections of the creek channels and on points in the river. Black craw trailers are working for the Texas Craw jig colors, and a white split tail trailer for the white jigs. White bass are excellent and very large schools numbering in the thousands continue roaming Little River. Whites remain in the immediate vicinities of Hurricane Creek, Jack’s Isle, Horseshoe and other oxbows that connect with the Little River and the dumps into the river, over the past several weeks. These subsurface schools are hitting Bomber Fat Free Shads, Rat-L-Traps, Cordell Gay Blades, Cordell CC Spoons, Little Georges and white/red Rooster Tails. Crappie improved over the past week. 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, baited with cut shad, Catfish Charlie and catalpa worms.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair. Catfish are fair.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair. Catfish are fair.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 537.41 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water surface temperature is 47 degrees. Fishing is slow for all 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 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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
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 394.62 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 low 50s and is the same temperature at 20 feet deep. The lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing has slowed with the cold weather and only a few catches have been reported. The best bet is to fish a Texas-rigged finesse worm or jig and plastic trailer down steep points, ledges and sunken islands from 10 to 25 feet deep on the main lake between Caddo Drive and Shouse Ford. No report on crappie, but they should still be in brush piles 20 feet deep near the main lake. Try between Arlie Moore and Point Cedar. Some hybrid activity has been reported in the upper lake between Point 14 and the big flat just above Goat Island. Look for large schools of shad and the hybrids should be near. There has been a little surface activity in the late afternoon. Throw a Rat-L-Trap, spoon or in-line spinner to the breaking fish. This fishing will only get better as more hybrids move upriver in winter.
No reports on bream, but they can be caught by fishing deep from 15 to 20 feet near the bottom with worms or crickets. Look for steep drops with some wood or rock cover.
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 337.07 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no new report.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said no anglers are on the water. 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. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.24 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 567.80 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said stripers are starting to bust the surface. Look for shad near the surface and cast Redfins. When the surface action dies, use a spoon. Bass fishing is good with many fish being caught on spinnerbaits fished around points and jigs fished around deep timber.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 54 to 58 degrees and is stained. Largemouth bass are biting very well on peanut butter and jelly or green pumpkin football jigs fished 10 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are biting well on spoons fished 20 to 25 feet deep around brush. Stripers are still fair on live bait and downrigged hair jigs. Bream are slow on worms or crickets in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are still excellent on minnows or Tennessee shad crappie grubs fished near brush 20 to 30 feet of water. Catfish are very good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on 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.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports had no report.
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said rainbow trout continue to be stocked below Carpenter Dam and are being caught with more consistency. November trout are difficult to pattern and are widely scattered throughout the tailrace. Mid-December rainbows are more numerous and are easier to access. Fly fishermen are targeting moving water and having success casting San Juan worms in red or hot pink under a strike indicator. Woolly buggers in olive or black are also working well, but shad imitation flies are hooking the quality fish. Bank fishermen have recorded limits of trout this week on redworms and wax worms fished under a bobber in the main channel. Spin fishermen continue to catch fish on Rooster Tails in brown or white in 1/16 ounce sizes around visible structure. Boater’s braving the shallow waters have done well trolling small crankbaits below the bridge. Crappie and white bass are present below the dam in fair numbers but are difficult to catch due to the lack of a regular generation schedule. Gray and white jigs, silver and black jerkbaits and live minnows are the best techniques to use when searching for these fish. Hybrid bass are mixed in with the white bass. Stripers have been caught in the 10 to 12 pound range below the bridge on brood and gizzard shad under a balloon rig.
Rick Sawyer at Dozhier’s Rainbow Landing (501-262-2825) said the trout are biting well below Carpenter Dam.
Lake Atkins
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the lake is still low, but crappie fishing on Lake Atkins has been excellent the last few weeks! Those who know how to fish for crappie have no problem catching their limit within a few hours. Most have been caught on jigs fished in the coves and along the banks. Many small bass are still being caught as well. The redear have really picked up with large fish, some over one pound being weighed in. They are biting on crawlers and redworms. Catfishing is slow.
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 had no report.
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing had no report.
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 and clear. Most fish are deep now. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished on the deep ends of the docks. Bass are fair on crankbaits fished around brush and rocky areas. Catfishing is slow.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is dingy. The cold weather and wind have kept most anglers off the water. Crappie are fair on jigs fished around willow trees and stumps in 2 feet of water on chartreuse/white and bright pink jigs.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Catfish are good on chicken liver. Bass and crappie are slow.