Fishing Tip:: When fishing with live worms during the summer, keep them in an ice chest to make them last longer and remove any sickly or dead worms when you find them. Leaving dead worms in the container may cause others to die as well.
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Program Report: Fishing for catfish with livers was excellent last weekend with the break in the weather. All regular program ponds were stocked with catfish last week. These will be the last catfish stockings in the Family and Community Fishing Program ponds for 2006. However, there are always plenty of catfish to enjoy in the ponds. Hybrid striped bass will be stocked in selected ponds this fall, and trout stockings will resume in November for northwest Arkansas and in December for central Arkansas.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream said the lake is being drawn down and it has been too hot to fish.
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort said the water has been low in the mornings. Generators run around 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. In the morning, try wax worms with marshmallows, Power Eggs, corn or nightcrawlers around deep holes. During generation, try casting crankbaits and spinners around banks.
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.03 feet MSL.
Shiloh Marina said fishing has been very slow. Whites and hybrids have been schooling early in the morning. Crappie are only biting at night. Kentucky bass are biting on small crawfish around the deep ends of main-lake points.
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing said the lake is a little lower than normal. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on trotlines baited with live bream.
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing said the water is low and not many people have been fishing. Bream are biting on red worms, crickets and wax worms.
Toad Suck Lock and Dam: Bates Field and Stream said there is no flow and it has been too hot to fish. Some catfish are biting.
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait said the lake looks normal and fishing is slow. Bream are biting on crickets and worms. Catfish are biting on slip-sinker rigs baited with live shad or prepared baits.
Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake level is 3.2 feet below the spillway. Saugeye are biting fairly well on crankbaits 15 to 20 feet deep. Black bass are biting well on crankbaits and spinnerbaits around points. Drop shot finesse worms have also been working well around points and ledges where the deep and shallow water meet. Kentucky bass are biting well on 3-inch Pumpkin Grubs, worms and flipping tubes 15 to 25 feet deep. White bass are schooling on the east end of the lake in Timber Cove and are biting well on CC spoons, Near Nuttins and Smithwick Rogues with orange bellies. Also try trolling with orange-and-yellow crankbaits. Crappie are biting some on chartreuse jigs with minnows around brush or rock structures 15 to 25 feet deep. Catfish are biting well on large minnows, large Canadian nightcrawlers and chicken livers in deep water. Bream are biting very well on crickets 10 to 15 feet deep.
Arkansas River: Charlie’s Hidden Harbor said the flow from Lock 9 is 900 with a headwater of 285.33 and a tailwater of 264.52. Black bass are biting well around wood structure 4 to 8 feet deep. Kentucky bass are biting around rocks. For both fish, try black Jitterbugs before daylight then switch to white and black spinnerbaits or white and black ¾-inch Rooster Tails. Catfish are biting very well at night and early mornings on jugs baited with cut skipjack or live bream 6 to 25 feet deep in the main channel. During the day, switch to rod-and-reel baited with live bait and fish in front of jetties. Bream are biting very well on riprap and crickets around grass. Whites are schooling early and late in the day around Rock Island, Coppers Gap across from the Petit Jean River and around the Flagg Lake cut-off. Stripers are on the edges of the schooling whites. For both fish, try Mister Champs and Hopkins spoons. Crappie are biting well on yellow and black beetle spins around hanging brush.
Arkansas River (Little Rock area): Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bass are biting fairly well on Bandit crankbaits around jetties. Catfish are biting well in the current on shad fillets, goldfish and bream.
Outdoor Super Store said the river has no flow. Bream are biting well on red worms and crickets. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfish are biting well on cut shad, Catfish Charlie and shrimp.
Pickthorne Lake: Outdoor Super Store said the lake is muddy and at normal levels. Bream are biting well on red worms and crickets. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and plastic worms fished around stumps. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait and chicken livers.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on wax worms and crickets. Crappie and bass aren’t biting much. Catfish are biting fairly well at night on chicken hearts and nightcrawlers.
Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfish are biting well on nightcrawlers, chicken hearts and livers.
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports said the water is clear and lower than normal. Bream are biting on crickets. Crappie and catfish aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on plastic worms around brush piles 4 to 6 feet deep.
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s said the water is clear and lower than normal. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie and catfish aren’t biting much. Bass are biting well on top-water lures such as Pop R’s.
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said fishing has been slow because of the heat. Catfish are biting at the bottom on cut shad.
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center said the lake is low and fishing is slow. Bream are biting on crickets around stumps and logs 4 to 5 feet deep. Bass are biting early and late in the day on topwaters and white buzzbaits. Catfish are biting fairly well on nightcrawlers.
Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing said the lake dropping because of irrigation. Bream aren’t biting much. Crappie are biting well off channels around stumps. Bass are beginning to school. Catfish are biting well.
Murray Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said fishing has been slow because of the heat. Catfish are biting at the bottom on cut shad.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfish are biting fairly well on shad fillets, chicken hearts and bream. Stripers are biting on Twistertails, CC Spoons, and clear Heddon Torpedoes. Bream and crappie aren’t biting much.
Little Maumelle Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on crickets and wax worms around lily pad beds. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well early and late in the day on stick baits, Zoom flukes or tubes. Catfish are biting well on minnows and bream.
Palarm Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bass are biting well on minnows, black/chartreuse mini jigs, red/chartreuse mini jigs, black/chartreuse plastic worms and black 200-series Bandits. Catfish are biting very well on chicken hearts and livers and on nightcrawlers.
NORTH ARKANSAS:
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said the rise in temperature kept the generators running more than usual last week. Anywhere from one to three units were running by noon each day. Morning fishing has been the best and the most comfortable. Bait fishermen have been doing the best on Power Eggs, wax worms and nightcrawlers. Spin fishing has been good on Mepps spinners and Little Cleo Spoons. The best flies are Hank’s Razzle Dazzle nymph, sow bugs, woolly buggers and black ants. Be ready because the fish are rising fast in the current during generation.
Wilderness Trail said that during light generation, trout are biting on yellow or Sunrise Berkley Power Eggs and Berkley Power Wigglers. During generation, try Buoyant Spoons, Super Dupers, Little Cleos and rooster tails. Fly fishermen have done well using Wooly Buggers, Zebra Midges and San Juan worms during light generation. Brown trout are biting on shad raps, suspending rogues and nightcrawlers.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 652.98 feet MSL.
Wilderness Trail said the lake level is 1¼ feet below normal. The thermocline has moved to 28-35 feet. Most game fish have moved into 30 to 40 feet. Night fishing has been the most productive. Try 8-inch to 10-inch Texas-rigged worms, jig-and-pig combos or tubes along the bluffs and brush piles. During the day, crappie are biting on minnows and tubes 15 to 18 feet deep. Largemouth bass are biting on Texas-rigged worms, tubes and jigs in shallow water near ledges, brush piles and docks in pockets and in the backs of creeks. Smallmouth bass are biting on Spider Jigs, tubes or Zoom trick worms on a Mojo rig around main lake points, secondary pea rock points and chunk rock points until 10 a.m. Later, try Shakey head finesse worms or a drop-shot rig with 4-inch finesse worms around 40 feet away from the bank casting toward the bank. Kentucky bass are biting on spoons and drop shot rigs around bluff ends, flooded timber, deep-water points and main-lake cuts and coves 40 to 55 feet deep. Walleye are biting in the morning on crawler harnesses and leech harnesses on bottom bouncers around points and in front of pea rock banks 30 feet out. Long liners are doing well using Reef Runners and Bandit crankbaits. When it is very hot, the walleye are moving below the thermocline onto the deep flats and are biting on spoons.
Sugar Loaf Harbor said the lake looks clear and is lower than normal. Walleye are biting on worms and bottom bouncers 32 to 35 feet deep. Trolling with spoons has also been working well. Crappie are around brush piles 25 feet deep. Jugs have been working well to catch catfish. Bass aren’t biting much.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 549.44 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Quik Stop said bream are biting very well on red worms, crickets and nightcrawlers. Trolling in 30 to 55 feet of water with Rapala Glass Shads, Reef Runners or Hot N’ Tots has been a great way to catch some walleye. Crappie aren’t biting much, but some anglers have caught them with minnows around brush piles 25 to 30 feet deep. Bass are biting well on black/blue jigs and Carolina-rigged 8-inch hooktail worms. Topwaters and spoons are best early or late in the day.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene’s Trout Dock said the river level is normal and generators have been running all day long. Brown trout are biting on corn, worms and nightcrawlers.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,111.99 feet MSL.
Southtown Sporting Goods said whites are starting to school and are biting on topwaters, spoons and 100-series Bandits. Bass are biting at night on large plastic worms around structure 20 to 25 feet deep. Stripers aren’t biting much. Trolling small Bandit crankbaits has been a good method for catching crappie. Catfish are biting well on jugs baited with goldfish, minnows or bream.
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock said it has been too hot for fishing.
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock said the lake is clear and at its normal level. Bream are biting on worms and crickets around brush piles, stumps and treetops 4 to 8 feet deep. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows, jigs and Roadrunners around brush piles, stumps and treetops 12 feet deep. Bass are biting fairly well on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits around stumps, logs and mossy points 4 to 8 feet deep. Catfish are biting some on chicken livers 12 feet deep.
Beaver Tailwaters: McLellan’s Fly Shop said generators have been running an hour or two in the middle of the afternoon, leaving most of the day and late evening for wading. Scuds and sow bugs as well as midge pupa patterns have been very productive; however, small cream midge adult patterns have hooked several trout, too.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Spring River: Many Islands Camp said the water is clear and at its normal level. Trout are biting on salmon eggs and corn. Bass are biting on minnows.
Eleven-Point River: Woody’s Canoe Rental and Campground said the water looks dingy and is at its normal level. Anglers have been catching walleye, smallmouth bass and catfish.
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina said the water looks clear and is at its normal level. Bream are biting on red worms and crickets. Crappie aren’t biting much but some have been caught with a jig-and-minnow combination in very deep water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and poppers early and late in the day. Catfish are biting very well on stinkbait, chicken livers and goldfish.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Cane Creek Lake: Cane Creek State Park said bream and catfish are biting well.
Lake Chicot: Local fishermen report that the lake is lower than normal. Most anglers are trying to catch bream and catfish. Largemouth bass are biting on spinnerbaits and crankbaits in deeper water.
Grand Lake: Local anglers report that catfish are biting late in the evening on chicken livers.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 258.95 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service said current in Little River is slow. Bass are active from daylight to 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Largemouth bass are biting on War Eagle spinnerbaits in aurora color, buzzbaits in blue glimmer, Bass Assassin Shads in salt and pepper silver phantom, and Johnson spoons with white grub trailers around grass, lily pads and vegetation. Bass are schooling from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. around vegetation and lily pads along Little River and from Yarborough Landing to the Highway 71 Bridge. Try Johnson spoons, soft plastic Bass Assassin Shads, Rocket Shads and Little Georges. White bass are schooling between White Cliffs and the Highway 71 Bridge and are biting on Little Cleos, Rooster Tails, Rocket Shads in white and chartreuse, Shad Assassins and Rat-L-Traps in chrome/black or chrome/green. Later in the day, try Eager Beavers in watermelon red or green pumpkin and Snag Proof frogs around 5 to 6 feet from cypress knees. Crappie are biting before 10 a.m. on shiners around lily pads less than 9 feet deep along Little River and in oxbows. Catfish are biting at night and early morning on trotlines baited with cut shad, dog food and hot dogs. They are also biting on shiners baited on yo-yos under cypress trees 7 to 10 feet deep around Jack’s Isle and Mud Lake.
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine said bream are biting well on worms and crickets 3 to 5 feet deep. Crappie are biting fairly well after midnight on small shiners 15 to 20 feet deep. Bass are schooling intermittently and are biting very well on diving crankbaits, Spots and Rat-L-Traps in silver and blue. Catfish are biting well on trotlines baited with stinkbait or live baitfish 10 to 20 feet deep. After dark, they are biting on chicken livers 5 feet deep.
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine said bream are biting well on worms and crickets 2½ to 5 feet deep. Crappie are biting fairly well on suspended shiners or Mississippi jigs 10 to 20 feet deep. Bass are biting well on Rat-L-Traps and June Bug 10-inch worms. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait 10 feet or deeper.
White Oak Lake: Charlie’s One Stop said bream and crappie are biting very well on red wigglers and crickets. Bass are biting fairly well late in the evening on artificial lures like spinnerbaits. Catfish aren’t biting much.
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 543.69 feet MSL.
Lakeside Grocery, Motel/Bait Shop said fishing is only fair because it is hot and the lake is full of people.
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 402.28 feet MSL.
DeGray One Stop said bream are biting fairly well on crickets and red worms 20 to 30 feet deep. Crappie aren’t biting much. Black and Kentucky bass are schooling on the south end of the lake and are biting well on top-water baits, Rooster Tails and CC Spoons. Hybrid and white bass are schooling in the central to south end of the lake and are biting well on Rooster Tails, CC Spoons, Boy Howdies and top-water baits. Catfish are biting fairly well on trotlines and noodles baited with live bait.
Little Missouri River: Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri Flyfishing said trout from the May stocking are looking good and are taking midge patterns stripped just under the surface of the water. The cooler weather has helped the fishing, and there are trout everywhere along the river.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Early Bird Outfitters said they haven’t seen anyone fishing because of the heat.
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 386.30 feet MSL.
CNC’s End of the Line said the water looks fairly clear and is at its normal level. Crappie are biting on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting on minnows and lures. Catfish are biting on chicken livers, worms and minnows.
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart said they need rain and cool weather. Crappie are in deep water. Bream and black bass are biting fairly well early and late in the day. Catfish are biting fairly well below the dam.
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 573.01 feet MSL.
Mountain Harbor Resort said largemouth bass are biting on Texas-rigged 10½-inch Ol’ Monster worms and grass jigs around moss flats, standing timber and points. After dark, try fishing main-lake and secondary points. Walleye are biting on silver jigging spoons 15 to 30 feet deep around brush piles on main-lake points. Stripers are biting on gizzard shad and minnows around main-lake points and rock bluffs near or in the river channel. Bream are biting on crickets and worms around structure. Crappie are biting on minnows around brush piles and standing timber 18 feet deep. Catfish are biting on cut bait, live bait and nightcrawlers around pockets and moss flats 10 to 20 feet deep.
Lake Catherine: Diamondhead Marina said the lake level is normal. Stripers are schooling by the Carpenter Dam Bridge. White bass are schooling late in the morning and early in the evening.
Lake Hamilton: Poorman’s Tackle and Guide Service said bream are biting fairly well 12 to 15 feet deep. Crappie aren’t biting much. Catfish are biting fairly well. Bass are biting at night and early and late in the day. Stripers are biting on trout-colored lures.
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop said the lake looks clear and is at its normal level. Bream are biting on crickets. Crappie are very deep. Bass are schooling. Catfish are biting well on trotlines baited with worms, chicken livers or perch.
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing said bream are biting well on crickets. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on worms, crickets and minnows.
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 343.87 feet MSL.
Lake Nimrod Bait ‘n’ More II said the lake looks good. Crappie are biting well in deep water. Bass are biting well on top-water lures such as Gilmore Jumpers. Catfish are good.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Felsenthal: Hale’s One Stop said the water is mossy and is at its normal level. Bream are biting well on red wrigglers. Crappie are biting fairly well. Bass are biting well.
EAST ARKANSAS:
Island 40 Chute: Daily’s Boat Dock said catfish are biting well on jugs baited with nightcrawlers, stinkbait or chicken livers.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box said bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows in deep water. Bass and catfish are biting well on worms.
River City Sporting Goods said bream are biting fairly well on crickets and red wrigglers around brush piles 4 to 6 feet deep. Crappie aren’t biting much. Black bass are biting on crankbaits and plastic worms around brush piles 8 feet deep. Catfish are biting fairly well on cut shad 30 to 40 feet deep.
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing said the lake is lower than normal and the fish aren’t biting much.
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors said bream are biting on worms and crickets.
Six Rivers Sport Center said it has been too hot to fish.
Horseshoe Lake: Local fisherman Clyde Gregory said the water is lower than normal. Bream are biting well on red worms, crickets and wax worms 3 feet deep. Crappie aren’t biting much but a few have been caught with jigs and minnows in deep water around piers. Bass are biting early and late in the day on spinnerbaits in shallow water. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait and nightcrawlers.
Bond’s said the water is lower than normal. Bream are biting fairly well. Crappie aren’t biting much. Catfish are biting well.
