Fishing Tip of the Week: It’s hot and fish generally don’t care for sunny water. Now’s the time to break out the belly boat and seek shade, deep holes and cover if you want to catch fish that are chilling in hiding places. The state’s streams are low but they’re full of pools that hold fish. Find one, cool off and catch some bass and bream. If you don’t have a belly boat, go wading.
Arkansas and White river levels are available at: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk
For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt
For water quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality
Family and Community Fishing Ponds: Visit http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/FishingProgramsFCF.aspx for a list of program ponds. The AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program has stocked catfish in all program ponds with 10 tagged fish in each pond. Fluorescent pink tags say “Community Fishing.” Lucky anglers who catch a tagged fish should call 866-540-FISH for information on redeeming the tag for a prize package. All tags returned with a postmark on or before July 9 will be eligible for the grand prize drawing for a two-man fishing boat, trolling motor and battery, donated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. One entry per angler. For stocking information, call 1-866-540-FISH (3474), or check us out online at http://www.agfc.com/fishing/Pages/FishingProgramsFCFStock.aspx.
Central Arkansas
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) says bream are excellent in the lily pads on crickets and worms. Crappie are fair with jig and minnows near the Highway 89 bridge. Bass are excellent on topwaters early or late. Catfish are excellent on yo-yos on minnows. Lake is low and stained.
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water clarity is good but the river is low; one generator is running in the morning and again in the afternoon. Trout are good; try wax worms, Power Bait and marshmallows. Try crankbaits or spinnerbaits in the afternoon.
Greers Ferry
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 457.28 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 457.56 and falling from a normal level of 461.03. The lake temperature is around 80 to 84 degrees and rising. The hybrid and white bass fishing is good on the lake at various times of the day on spoons, in-line spinners, swim baits and top water lures. The crappie are biting off and on between the dry fronts coming through, on jigs and jigs tipped with minnows. Bream action is still good all over the lake on crickets and crawlers. Bass fishing is good in brush piles, out on summer time drops and some up in the shallow areas. Walleye continue to be a problem to catch this year, it is very sporadic. Catfishing is still very good overall on trot lines and jugs as well as rod and reels.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com had no report this week.
Greers Ferry Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides says there are plenty of low water opportunities for wade fishers. Mornings are better than afternoons with late evening coming in second. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hare’s ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or if possible a double nymph rig. Be ready to use various sizes of hopper to find what the trout are keying in on. Doubles are very possible. Water releases have been once per day in the afternoon for two to four hours at 3,000 to 4,000 cfs.
Harris Brake Lake
Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) had no report this week.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said is about 1-1/2 to 2 feet low. Crappie are biting on minnows and slab slay'r and stroll'r white/salt and pepper and red/chartreuse shad and bone white and Powerbait crappie nibbles in green or yellow. Catfish are good on minnows and worms and goldfish at night. Bass are fair on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinnerbaits, roostertails and flukes. Bream are biting on red and meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report this week.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting well on No. 6 minnows, Baby Shad, Stroll’R and Slab Slay’R in white/salt and pepper, red/chartreuse, bone white Baby Shad, and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. Bream are biting great on night crawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are hitting tequila sunrise and dark worms, spinner baits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no reports coming in this week.
Lake Cargile
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report this week.
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina had no report this week.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report this week.
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011)said crappie are good in coves and brushpiles on Baby Shad and Slab Slay’R in red/chartreuse, bone white and pearl, and orange/chartreuse, as well as No. 6 minnows and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. White bass are biting in the river channel on Rooster Tails in white or salt and pepper. Bream are great on night crawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are hitting tequila sunrise and other dark worms, spinner baits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.
Lake Valencia
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report this week.
Sunset Lake
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) had no report this week.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061)had no report this week.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo had no report this week.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report this week. Palarm Creek: No report this week.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff had no report this week.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958)had no report this week.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report this week.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report this week.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731)said the water is clear and low, although stumps aren’t yet breaking the surface. Catfish are good – they’re going for worms or liver. Bass are good on a variety of lures. Crappie and bream are slow right now.
Lake Pickthorne
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report on the lake this week.
Lake Willastein
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report this week.
North Arkansas
White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and low with light generation in the morning and heavier generation in the afternoons. Trout fishing is good, especially with PowerBait; try yellow or pink. Pink trout worms, Rooster Tails and Little Cleos are working.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185)had this report for Buffalo City to Red’s Landing: The water level remains somewhat low but is beginning to pick up a little bit each day. The fishing is definitely limited to specific areas. When you find an area that is holding fish, be sure to fish it repeatedly. There are many areas that just don’t hold fish. Try Rapalas in the faster water, Zig Jigs everywhere else or Power Baits on the bottom. Do yourself a favor and get out on the water early. The extremely high temperatures are dangerous and should be watched closely. Fish early in the day and quit at noon. You will catch plenty of fish and it will be much safer for you.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said as of Tuesday, the river was continuing to go down. Ponca was very low at 1.43 feet, Pruitt was very low at 3.18 feet, Tyler Bend was low at 3.28 feet and Buffalo Point was low at 2.57 feet. Water temperature was averaging in the upper 70s. The river level is extremely low for floating; the water is clear. Most of the Ozark streams are about 20 percent of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with good with baitfish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, wooly buggers, Clouser minnows. The top water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, wooly buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up fish with white or gray flukes, four-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crank baits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also.
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said the gauge at Kelley’s Slab was reading 9.51 feet Tuesday, a good level for wade fishing. Most of the Ozark streams are about 20 percent of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with good with baitfish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, wooly buggers, Clouser minnows. The top water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, wooly buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up fish with white or gray flukes, four-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crank baits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also. Flows are at 140 cfs.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 652.59 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service had no report this week.
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said mornings are better than afternoons. Mornings are better than afternoons with late evening coming in second. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hare’s ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or if possible a double nymph rig. Be ready to use various sizes of hopper to find what the trout are keying in on. Doubles are very possible. Water releases have been all day but heaviest in the afternoons for 8 to 10 hours at 6,000 to 12,000 cfs.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 549.41 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 552 msl, April-September – 554 msl).
STR Outfitters - Tom Reynolds said stripers are off the points in the main lake and migrating towards the dam in larger numbers each day. I'm catching stripers on down lines, in water from 28 to 60-foot depths. My baits are set at 27-feet. They are feeding on shad and crawdads. I have been fishing between deep and shallow water.
Guide Steve Olomon of Steve’s Guide Service said the water temp is in the mid 80s. The lake level is 549.6 feet. In May the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission released 24,000 striper fingerlings and 44,200 hybrid fingerlings in the lake. This week we caught some hybrids suspended (20 to 30-feet) on a ¼ ounce jighead with a three-inch green grub by casting out and swimming it back to the boat and we also used a jigging spoon. There were some nice whites running with them. (two to three pounds). Bass are chasing baitfish to the surface early will hit any topwater lure. We had better luck on a white Zara Spook Jr. After the topwater bite is over throw a jig, worm, drop shot rigged with a four-inch worm or a jigging spoon. Most of them will be 23 to 25-feet deep hanging on the bottom or just off the bottom. We also caught some on the grub that was mentioned earlier.
Campground News: Jordan Campground on Norfork Lake had no report this week.
Norfork Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said mornings are better than afternoons with late evening coming in second. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hare’s ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or if possible a double nymph rig. Be ready to use various sizes of hopper to find what the trout are keying in on. Doubles are very possible. Water releases have been once per day in the afternoon for four to eight hours at 3,000 to 6,000 cfs.
Northwest Arkansas
Beaver Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,115.47 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120 msl).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) had nor report this week.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) had no fishing report this week.
Jason Piper of JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980)said bass fishing has been best at night. Try fishing a six-inch black lizard or an eight-inch ringtail worm on a 3/8 ounce shaky head or Texas-rig and fish them along sloping gravel to chunk rock banks. Crappie fishing has been best very early in the day as the sun comes up. Fish have been suspended just off the bottom close to brush or timber not far away from a channel in 20 to 40 feet of water. One-and-a-half-inch tube jigs on a 1/16 ounce jig head has been most productive in the shadiest areas possible. Eden Bluff, upstream from War-Eagle Marina and Monte-NE have all been good places to fish. White bass have been schooling each evening lakewide on main lake flats and adjacent points. Kastmaster spoons in ¼ ounce to ½ ounce have been the best lure choice. Catfishing is best at night from the bank using liver or worms.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said mornings are better than afternoons with late evening coming in second. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hare’s ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or if possible a double nymph rig. Be ready to use various sizes of hopper to find what the trout are keying in on. Doubles are very possible. Water releases have been once per day in the afternoon and evening for two to four hours at 4,000 to 7,000 cfs.
Lake Elmdale
Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat (479-871-6305) had no report this week.
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides said the river gauge near Grandview was reading 2.34 feet and 7.3 cfs Tuesday. Most of the Ozark streams are about 20 percent of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with good with baitfish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, wooly buggers, Clouser minnows. The top water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, wooly buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up fish with white or gray flukes, four-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crank baits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear and normal. Bream fishing is fair with crickets and worms. Bass are fair on a variety of lures in grassy areas. Catfish are fair – they’re hitting crickets and other baits. Crappie are slow.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report this week.
Upper White River (Twin Bridges area)
Just Fishing Guides said warm-water streams and rivers have been fishing very well (although HOT!) lately with both quantity and quality fish being caught. Mornings are better than afternoons with late evening coming in second. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hare’s ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or if possible a double nymph rig. Be ready to use various sizes of hopper to find what the trout are keying in on. Doubles are very possible.
War Eagle Creek
Just Fishing Guides said most of the Ozark streams are about 20 percent of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with good with baitfish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, wooly buggers, Clouser minnows. The top water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, wooly buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up fish with white or gray flukes, four-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crank baits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also. Flows are at 9.9 cfs.
Northeast Arkansas
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) had no report this week.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park had no report this week.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides had no report this week.
Southeast Arkansas
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park’sGeoff Wright said the lake has some really good bream fishing right now. Crickets and worms seem to be working the best. Try fishing early in the morning or late evening around underwater logs and around the lily pads. Trot lines are still producing some good catfish catches as well. Highlight.
Southwest Arkansas
Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 255.07 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.2 msl).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said surface water temperature as of Monday were 82-89 degrees. Discharge rate as of Monday with one gate open was 174 cfs. The tailwater level as of Monday was 223.97 msl. Clarity and visibility on main lake structure improved in the last week; water is stained somewhat in the river; visibility ranges 10-15 inches. Clarity and visibility is fair to good depending on location, as of Monday on main lake structure over the past week; clarity is stained somewhat in the river; visibility ranging approximately 10-15 inches in the river depending on location. The oxbow's clarity is better, albeit, with light stain, ranging from 20 to 36 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms. The best largemouth bass bite over the past week continues to be around dawn through mid-morning hours, then again a couple hours prior to dusk. Numerous techniques are catching bass, including buzz baits, soft plastic Bass Assassin shad jerk baits, soft plastic Frogs and Toads are working around grass and lily pads. Points in Little River and her oxbows continue to hold the most active fish at dawn. Creature and hog baits like Brush Hogs, Pit Bosses, Wooly Bugs, bulky 10-inch worms, spinnerbaits, and jigs around stumps, and grass on these points, are catching fish with some Largemouth Bass in the 14 to 18-inch class. War Eagle spinner baits in spot remover or aurora colors and Siefert's buzz baits in limetreuse shad, chartreuse firecracker, and morning glory colors, are working at dawn. Berkley 10-inch worms in cherry seed, plum, and blue fleck are working for 13 to 17-inch bass. Yum Wooly Bugs and Berkley Pit Bosses in watermelon red or California are best colors for bass over the past several weeks. For 15 to 19-inch bass on stumps in 10 to 12-foot depths along Little River, try the same 10-inch worms on points near 15 to 18-foot drops or magnum/over-sized gizit tubes with rattles. Best colors of tubes in clearer water back in the oxbows are purple smoke, or smoke/black/red flake. For the heavier stained clarity water along Little River black/red flake or pumpkinseed/chartreuse tail colors are better in those oversized gitzit tubes. Some days rattles are mandatory to get bit. StrikeWorks Jigs in watermelon magic, pumpkinseed/brown/orange, or Texas craw colors around stumps, laydowns, and in lily pad stems were taking 17 to 19-inch size Bass along Little River creek dumps and points. Dead-sticking Bass Assassin Shads on a light wire hook have been catching solid bass in the 2 to 3 pound range, worked extremely slowly around almost any new vegetation, or grass. Best Shad Assassin colors over the past few weeks with the improved water clarity have been the salt and pepper or black shad colors. Bomber Crankbaits in Citrus Shad, or Foxy Shad colors continue catching Largemouth Bass along Little River, where the water clarity has improved over the past couple weeks. Deflection-type retrieves off stumps, is working for the cranks on points, creek mouth dumps into Little River, and defined creek channels adjacent to flats early in the morning hours. Bites happen just after the moment of deflection on the stump or timber, with a purposed pause. Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crankbaits will still get you a hit from random and aggressive white bass roaming the oxbows in large broken schools over the past few weeks, chasing shad. Whites are scattered along Little River and the oxbows in loose and broken schools, and can still be found trolling crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps in the Little River and the oxbows. Several broken schools were busting shad at the surface in McGuire and Horseshoe oxbow lakes up Little River over the past few weeks. Daylight is the best time for these broken schooling fish. Crappie have slowed with the recent heat, and are scattered, but continue holding in 15 to 20-feet around planted brush piles and can be located with electronics in 15 to 18-foot depths on jigs and grubs on light wire jig heads in brush piles and standing timber. Smoke colored Cordell paddle tail grubs on 1/8 ounce jig heads were working early morning hours over the past couple weeks. Catfish have been fair to slow over the past couple weeks mainly due to reduced current in Little River. Trot lines, yo-yos, and tight lines, in any remaining current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River are the best bet. Blues and channel cats were biting best on punch bait, cut shad, and cottonseed mill cake in 18 to 22-feet of Little River on the outer break lines in any remaining current or on yo-yos tied along the Little River and also hung from cypress tree limbs in 10 to 15-foot depths of the oxbows. Minnows were catching some nice blues in McGuire and Mud Lake, on yo-yos over the past week.
Lake Greeson
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 545.61 feet msl (Flood pool – 548 msl).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304)had no report this week.
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.
DeGray Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 403.4 feet msl (flood pool – 408 msl).
Local angler George Graves says surface water temperture is in the high 80s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is fair with just about all action in the early morning hours or at night. Look for surface feeding fish on points and in coves all along the south side of the state park from Caddo Bend to DeRoche Ridge. Throw a surface lure such as a Zara Spook, Sammy, Pop R or Fluke/Swimming Fluke. Also try a four-inch swim bait and just let it fall where you see the fish break. If the bass are schooling, the Alabama rig with Swimming Flukes is hard to beat. With the hot clear weather, action is over by 9 a.m., so be on the water early even before sunup. Night fishing is pretty good, especially after midnight. Use a big black spinnerbait and slow roll it over main lake points. Best bass fishing now is between Edgewood and the Spillway. Crappie fishing is really in the doldrums, with very few fish reported. Best bet now for crappie is to fish the main lake attractors with minnows and a slip float or 1/16-ounce jig heads with either a minnow or a two-inch Tennessee shad grub or tube. Fish vertically over attractors at 20 to 25-feet deep and just above the thickest part of the brush. The best time is early in the morning even before sunup. Look for attractors between Edgewood and Iron Mountain, also try Brushy Creek. Hybrid fishing is very good with the fish stacked in the thermocline which is at 20 feet. Most every cove on the south side of the state park will have hybrids with the best ones at the lodge causeway and the state park marina. The easiest way to find the fish is to slow troll, (with the trolling motor) a five-arm umbrella rig with three-inch curly tail grubs. Once the school is located, just stop and throw chartreuse spoons and big in-line spinners to the fish. Make sure you let the lure go under the fish, (to about 30 feet) and work it up through the fish. Like all other fish right now, early morning is best and the fishing is over by 8:30 a.m. Bream fishing remains good with fish in most any cove with some rock or wood cover. Red worms and crickets are the best baits. Bream are a school fish so keep moving until you find the school. Catfish are fair with some decent catches coming at night on noodles and trot lines. Set the trot lines in coves off the main lake and drop the noodles over standing timber. Use Catfish Charlie, blood bait, night crawlers and hot dogs with soap for channels and big minnows or live bream for the bigger blues and flatheads. Tip: Run three hooks spaced about three feet apart on your noodles and have the top hook about 15 feet down.
West-Central Arkansas
Lake Nimrod
As of Tuesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 344.25 feet msl (flood pool – 373 msl).
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting around brush piles and in the Upper Fourche River on minnows, baby shad and slab slay'r and stroll'r white /salt and pepper and red/chartreuse and bone white shad and powerbait crappie nibbles green or yellow. Bream are biting great on red and meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are good on tequila sunrise/dark colored worms, spinnerbaits, roostertails and flukes.
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said bream are biting great on red and meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Catfish is biting well on worms and minnows and goldfish. Bass are good on dark colored worms, spinnerbaits, roostertails and flukes.
Fourche La Fave River
Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the river is stained and very low. Crappie are hitting minnows and white/salt and pepper and red/chartreuse Baby Shad, and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. Catfish are fair. Try stink bait, livers and goldfish in the river. Bass are going for tequila sunrise and dark worms, spinner baits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419)said the lake is clear and normal. Bream are good, mostly on crickets. Crappie have been slow but try minnows in deep water. Bass have been good with crankbaits, plastic worms and jigs. Catfish are good with chicken liver and worms.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 386.10 feet msl (flood pool – 419 msl).
Lake Ouachita
As of Tuesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 573.7 feet msl (flood pool – 578 msl).
Mountain Harbor Resort (870-867-2191) says largemouth bass are good on crank baits and big Texas-rigged worms. Try fishing near brush in water 25-30 feet deep. Black spinnerbaits have been working after dark near the main lake points. Walleye are very good. These fish are being caught on jigging spoons near humps and main lake points with brush. Trolling deep diving crankbaits, using shad colors, has been very effective in the 20-28 foot range. Stripers are good and being caught with live bait. Main lake points are the best locations for these fish. Bream are very good and being caught on crickets or worms 20 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are good and being caught near and over brush. Try brush in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are working best. Tennessee shad and rainbow trout are the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are still very good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trot lines from 20 to 30 feet deep. Water temperature is 82 to 86 degrees and water is clear.
Lake Hamilton
For a daily fishing report from Darryl Morris, visit Family Fishing Trips.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that the water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 60 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Moss growth is heavy where rock structure is present and is even problem over some sand bars. Regular generation times have kept water temperatures steady and provides a stable environment for area fish species that live in the tailrace. Rainbow trout remain very slow with small numbers of trout caught the past month. This trend will be the norm until mid-November when the stocking program begins again. Anglers fishing from boats are better able to target areas that still hold trout - most of which are out of casting range from the bank. Live bait presentations such as nightcrawlers and redworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater along with wax worms and minnows have accounted for the rainbow trout caught around the dam. Artificial lures are often ineffective as trout are extremely wary this time of year. White and hybrid bass are cruising the shallow water chasing shad schools and are being caught on white and yellow jigs. Periods of current are best which normally occur in the afternoon. Spinnerbaits in white or black are also working well in the current, as well as, crankbaits that imitate shad or crawfish. Trolling these lures is recommended to find schools of feeding bass and greatly minimizes the time needed to locate fish. Black bass are also migrating towards the dam in search of food. These fish are mixing in with the schools of white and hybrid bass and will strike the same lures. Striper activity has improved with fish in the 20 pound class observed below the bridge in the main channel. Brood or gizzard shad fished with a balloon rig will attract large stripers and has hooked fish in the 30 pound range. Anyone visiting Carpenter Dam is encouraged to know the generation schedules and should always follow all boating and park regulations.
East Arkansas
Bear Creek Lake
Mississippi River State Park said the water is low but clear. Shellcrackers are still good in shaded areas using crickets and jigs. Bass are fair on plastic worms and topwater lures in the early mornings. Catfish are biting on chicken liver and crickets. No word on Crappie.
Storm Creek Lake
Mississippi River State Park said fisherman at Storm Creek Lake say bream are good on plastic worms and crickets early in the morning. Bass are fair on topwater lures early in the morning and late in the evening. Catfishing is good on trotlines using chicken liver. Crappie are slow.
White River
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122)had no report this week.
Maddox Bay
said the water is clear and low. Bream are god, especially with crickets. Crappie reports have been slow; try trolling minnows and jigs. Bass are good on crank baits. Catfish are fair with stink bait.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory had no report this week.