Sports
Arkansas weekly fishing report
By Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Jun 11, 2010
Fishing Tip: As the summer heats up, fishing during the middle of the day can be uncomfortable and unproductive. The best fishing of the day during summer is typically when the sun is low in the sky. Get to the water before the sun and fish top-water lures for some fast action, then enjoy a lazy day on the water. When sunset approaches, it’s time to get fishing again.
Arkansas River Levels are available at:
http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Reports/Daily/Pao_rvrs.txt
White River Levels are available at:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml
Family and Community Fishing Ponds: Catfish stockings are in full swing around the state and most ponds have healthy populations of bream to keep young anglers interested.
Central Arkansas
Lake Conway:
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is murky and at normal level. The bream are spawning and are biting very well on redworms and crickets in shallow water. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around open water near creek channel breaks. Bass are fair on frogs, stick baits and soft-plastic stick baits fished around the lily pads. Catfishing is fair on bream.
Little Red River:
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and generation is beginning around noon each day. Trout are excellent on wax worms and yellow Power Bait.
Greers Ferry:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 463.48 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said black bass are in their summer pattern. They are out on ledges, river bends and creek bends. A few are still shallow, chasing bream, but the deeper bite is the best bet. Deeper fish can be caught with Texas-rigged worms, football head jigs and Carolina rigs. Shallow fish can be caught on top-waters early and late. Bream are excellent in the shallows on nightcrawlers and crickets. Catfish are biting all over the lake. Flatheads are in full spawn. Try live bream on trotlines and jugs and prepared bait for all the other species. Crappie are biting in the pole timber suspended in 15-20 feet of water over 60 feet of water and in brush piles in 15-20 feet of water on the bottom of points; try jigs tipped with minnows. The whites and hybrids are good. Some small fish are schooling with a few bigger fish under them; the better fish are on point tips, humps and river bends. Try spoons, in-line spinners and some top water baits. The walleye bite is still off. Some fish are shallow and some are out at 28 feet. The best bet for walleye is dragging crawlers on jigheads in 13-28 feet.
Cody Smith of Fish Greers Ferry and Trout Troller Guide Service (501-691-5701) said the water is falling and the surface temperature is in the mid 80s lakewide. The overall bite on most species is sporadic with some decent catch rates coming in over the last week. The catfish bite is still going well in 3 to 9 feet of water on nightcrawlers. Walleye are starting to push deeper in the column but are still feeding during the day with the best bite coming on 1/8-oz. leadhead jigs with crawlers or drop-shot rigs. All three species of bass are loading up on the crawfish that have invaded the shallows. Small crawfish can be found lakewide on mixed rock and 45-degree banks. Small, compact jig and chunk combos like the Strike King Bitsy Bug paired with a smaller plastic chunk will boat you some good fish in these locations. Hybrids and whites are hit-and-miss with only limited amounts of surfacing going on.
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) said the water temperature is 80 degrees and the water is at normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows. No other reports.
Harris Brake Lake:
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished around open water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken livers.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no report.
Lake Overcup:
(Updated 5-19-2010) Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said bass are biting around the banks on black plastic worms. Crappie can be found in 12 to 15 feet of water using triple ripple tube jigs fished 4 to 5 feet deep. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms fished around the docks and just off the bank. Catfish are a little slow, but some have been caught with trotlines and jugs using bream and cut bait.
Brewer Lake:
(Updated 5-19-2010) Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said bass fishing has been fair on jigs and plastic worms. Crappie are biting on small minnows and white/chartreuse jigs fished in brush piles. Catfish are fair on trotlines using cut skip jack and bream for bait.
Lake Maumelle:
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water is 0.3 inches above spillway and the water temperature is 80 degrees. Black bass are biting well on floating worms, jerk baits and spinnerbaits in 4-12 feet of water and on the edge of the grass. In the afternoon, fish deeper around the points. White bass are breaking water and being caught in the North shore area of the lake on small crappie jigs, Rooster Tails and minnows. Crappie are hitting well on 1/32-oz. jigs and minnows and shad-colored grubs in 15-20 feet of water. Bream are excellent in 15-20 feet of water on crickets and redworms. Catfishing is excellent on cut shad, bream and prepared bait. Trotlines are producing well on the blue catfish. Saugeye are excellent on crappie jigs, Rogues and minnows trolled around the points in the mornings and afternoons.
JB’s Guide Service had no report.
Lake Valencia:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfish are biting excellently on chicken hearts and nightcrawlers. There was no report on bream, crappie or bass.
Lake Willastein:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Bream are biting excellently on crickets, wax worms and redworms. Catfishing is excellent using minnows and chicken hearts.
Sunset Lake:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the bream are moving deeper and fishing is fair. Crappie fishing is slow. Bass are biting well on top-water lures in the mornings. Catfishing is fair in 6 to 8 feet of water on prepared bait.
Saline River Access in Benton:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on top-water lures. Catfishing is fair on live and prepared bait in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Arkansas River at Morrilton:
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the flow is just about perfect for fishing. Kentucky bass are biting well on jetties and the new riprap near the bait shop. Chatterbaits are working well on the Kentuckies. Largemouth bass are holding near wood in 6 to 10 feet of water and are biting well on crayfish-colored jigs. White bass are chasing shad schools and can be found around current breaks on pearl-colored crankbaits and Sassy Shads. Catfishing is good on whole shad in shallow water. Bream are biting well and are trying to bed up on sandbars.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool):
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said on Big Maumelle Creek bream are biting excellently on wax worms and crickets. Crappie are fair with a minnow on a slip-cork rig. Bass are fair on top-water stick baits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent with trotlines, limb lines, yo-yos and jugs using cut bait, bream, and brood minnows for bait. For the Little Maumelle River, use the same baits as Big Maumelle Creek. At Palarm Creek, crappie are fair on minnows on a slip-cork rig. Bass are biting well on black/chartreuse jig and pigs. Catfish are biting excellently on cut shad and bream using trotlines and limb lines. Bream are biting well on crickets and wax worms.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool):
Vince Miller from Fish N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) said the water is at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets around rocky areas in the backwaters. Bass are biting well on crankbaits, jigs and worms on the main river. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken liver.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said at Murry Lock and Dam, crappie are good on white/chartreuse mini jigs and a minnow on a slip-cork rig. Catfish are biting excellently on skipjacks and bream. Bass are biting on chartreuse twin tails and puddle jumpers. There was no report on bream. At Burns Park, crappie are biting well on minnows fished in the backwater. Bass are fair on crankbaits and smoke/red flake tubes fished around jetty points. Catfishing is excellent with cut bait and skipjack. There was no report for Fourche Creek.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said below Terry Lock and Dam the water has slowed. Bream are biting well on redworms. Crappie are fair on jigs. Bass are fair on soft-plastics fished around grass mats. Catfishing is excellent on chicken liver and skipjack.
Clear Lake:
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are excellent on redworms and crickets. Crappie are slow on jigs. Bass are fair on jigs. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers.
Peckerwood Lake:
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is clear and is falling. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on trolled jigs and minnows. Bass are biting well on top-water lures. Catfishing is excellent on live and prepared bait.
Lake Pickthorne:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream fishing is excellent with crickets, redworms and wax worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair to good in the early morning or evening with Gillmore Jumpers and Tiny Torpedoes. Catfishing is excellent with nightcrawlers and chicken hearts. Crappie are slow.
North Arkansas
White River:
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said trout fishing is good on Power Bait, spinners and jigs. Fly-fishing has also been good at times.
Cotter Trout Dock said fishing is very slow. The best time to try to get a bit is early morning or just after dark. Fishing during the first hour of generation may produce a bite. Fishing for stripers by the dam is recommended.
Guide Davy Wotton said options for wade fishing may be somewhat limited for a while, because of power demand causing increased generation. Aside from the continued aggravation of the suspended moss and algae, fishing has been very good with many trophy browns and rainbows being caught. If fishing in trashy water conditions, use brightly colored flies such as eggs, dynamite, prism and San Juan worms in red, pink, orange and tan. If fishing clean, clear water, use sow bugs and scuds in gray and tan. Prism, whitetail and zebra midge in size 12, hares ear and PTNs, have been catching many fish. Some anglers have also reported good dry fly fishing with hoppers, red and black ants and stimulators. Check out also the slower back water zones, trout will often congregate in these zones during high water generations. Simply the deal is when nymph fishing high water is to get the fly well down and this will require added weight and distance from indicator to fly and maintain boat drift speed at the same pace as the river flow. Streamer fishing has also been a good bet working into slower water zones. Spin fishing has also been productive with top-water lures early and late and deep water baits during the day. Stick baits, Rooster Tails and Mepps spinners have been doing well. Bait fishing with natural baits, sculpins, shrimp and crawdad tails has been good, Power Bait and Power Worms have also been good if you are able to drift drag over clean river bottom, which may be a problem with the algae.
White River (From Buffalo City to Red’s Landing):
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said generation is back to somewhat of a normal level of four generators. The moss severely impeded fishing and the high water added to the difficulty factor. When the water gets to its highest, cast as close to the bank as you can get with Rapalas or Rogues. The larger fish gravitate towards the bank to get out of the heavy flow and if you will stay with it you can pick up some larger than average fish. As soon as the levels come back down, go back to the fly rod with pink jigs or San Juan worms in hot pink or the White River Zig Jig in ginger or olive/orange.
Buffalo River:
(Updated 5-26-2010) Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said the river is at 6.88 feet. The surface temperature ranges between 65 and 72 degrees. Spin fishing has been successful with soft plastics and heavy weights.
Crooked Creek:
(Updated 5-26-2010) Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said the water level is still high around Yellville. The water temperature is between 65 and 72 degrees and is slightly off color. Large plastic lures have worked well in green and brown colored water. In the mid section, the water is too high for fly fishing, but anything above Pyatt has been producing good fish.
Bull Shoals Lake:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 665.34 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).
Bob Pauletti at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock had no new report.
Lake Norfork:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 559.64 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).
101 Grocery and Bait (870-467-5223) said the surface temperature is in the mid 70s. The fishing has been good overall on Lake Norfork. Bluegill are biting well on crickets. Crappie are good on minnows fished along the bluffs and around brush piles. Bass are biting well on any plastic baits, spinnerbaits and buzz baits. White bass are fair using spoons and inline spinnerbaits. Stripers are biting well on live bait such as shiners and shad, crankbaits, Road Runners and spoons. The best time to fish for stripers is in the morning or late evening. Catfishing has been good using worms, shiners and stink bait.
Guide Steve Olomon (870-491-5142) said the lake has risen a foot from last week. The water temperature is on the rise also; it is in the upper 70s. There are still a few stripers and hybrids coming up chasing shad early in the morning. Bass are coming up as well. Watch for the surface activity near points as well as along bluffs. Look for fish suspended at 40-60 feet and drop a jigging spoon.
Guide Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (877-246-4896) said the 6A area is producing some stripers. The fish are at 35 to 45 feet and some are on the bottom at 55 feet. With the moon coming up late in the evening it’s time to fish the afternoon/evening. The fish were singles but would hit the bait really hard.
Norfork Tailwater:
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the confluence area with the White continues to produce fish. When there is no generation, use a White River Zig Jig and work it close to the bottom. As usual, there are quite a few larger fish under the two bridges, but you have to make sure you let the jig go all the way to the bottom. Smaller fish are available the next quarter mile upstream as well.
(Updated 5-26-2010) Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said generators are running at least eight hours a day providing low water wade fishing. Nymphing with various patters has been the most productive method. Scuds, sow bugs, midge, caddis and mayfly patterns are all producing successful fishing. Observe how fish are feeding to determine which fly to fish.
Northwest Arkansas
Beaver Lake:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,125.58 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 1,120 MSL).
Bailey's Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said the stripers are moving back to the lower section of the lake, and are actively feeding. Spooks, Redfins and Rapalas are getting bites at daybreak, dusk and at night. They have begun their summer pattern and most are found in 10 to 25 feet of water. The best bite has been early in the morning with most fish being caught by 8 a.m. For daily Beaver Lake levels and flow data go Bailey’s Web site and click on the Daily Beaver Lake Level and Flow info link.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been very good early, late and at night on top-water baits in and around flooded cover. During the day try soft plastics worked along bluff faces and steep shaded banks. At night work dark colored plastics along gravel banks. Crappie fishing has been good early, late and at night on jigs or minnows fished 10 to 20 feet deep over brush piles and standing timber in 25 to 40 feet of water. At night try fishing under lights along creek channels close to brush in 25 feet of water. Good places to night fish have been in Prairie Creek, Monte-NE and Eden's Bluff. White Bass have been biting well at night along any bluff line that is close to the main channel. Good places to fish have been 12 Bridge, Hickory Creek, Horseshoe Bend and Eden's Bluff. Catfish have been biting well from the bank lakewide on cut bait, liver and nightcrawlers. Bluegill have also been biting well on crickets around the shade of docks and bluffs.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is stained and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and small crankbaits fished around brush. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, top-water lures and jigs fished in shallow water. No report on catfish.
Beaver Tailwater:
(Updated 5-26-2010) Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said there is very little flow and the tailwater level is high from Table Rock Lake being back up. The tailwater level is 918 feet. There is not much wading available due to the high water unless you are near the dam. Spin fishing has been best with rainbow and brown trout colored Rebel minnow patterns. For fly fishing, black/silver zebra midges and charcoal gray beadhead scuds have been the best lures.
Kings River:
(Updated 5-26-2010)Just Fishing Guides said the water level is at 5.16 feet, and is slightly off color. The water is a little high for fly fishing, but spin fishing has been good. Spin fishing with tubes and lizards fished on the bottom has been successful. Watermelon Red and Green pumpkin seed colored lures are the best.
Lake Fayetteville:
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the lake will be closed from June 6-June 13 for boat races. The water is clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on trolled crankbaits and jigs. Bass are biting well on jigs. Catfishing is good on chicken livers at night.
Lake Sequoyah:
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water clarity is good and the water is at normal level. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on top-water lures and soft-plastics. Catfishing is good on chicken livers.
Northeast Arkansas
Lake Poinsett:
Lake Poinsett State Park had no new report.
Crown Lake:
(Updated 5-26-2010) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets around brush. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around rocky points near open water. Bass are biting well on top-water lures in the mornings. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver and stink bait.
Lake Frierson:
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is murky and at normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on stink bait. No report on bream.
Spring River:
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the river is running at 460cfs and is a little cloudy. There have been good hatches of caddis flies and mayflies during the early morning and just before sunset. There are a higher number of trout stocked at this time of year, so the fishing is good. Fluorescent fly patterns such as Cotton Candy and Y2ks have been producing catches. Snails and black woollies are also doing well. Check out Mark's Blog for daily updates on river conditions and what they might be biting.
Southeast Arkansas
Lake Chicot:
Lake Chicot State Park (870-265-5480) said catfish have been biting well on crickets and worms. Bream have also been doing well on crickets. Crappie and bass have been slow.
Cane Creek Lake:
(Updated 5-26-2010)Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said bream are biting well on crickets and worms, and many have been caught off piers around the lake. Catfish are doing well with worms. Bass are biting well on frogs and soft-plastic lures.
Lake Monticello:
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said surface temperature on Lake Monticello is in the mid 80s and the bass are fairly active. Bass seem to be chasing shad in wolf packs and busting all over the lake. If an angler is lucky enough to be within casting distance when they come up, he or she can clean up in a hurry. Many of these bass are 3 to 6 pounds. Swim baits and topwaters are taking a lot of these bass. The structure bite is kind of hit or miss. There are some fish out there in 8 to 16 feet of water, but it’s not as good as it will be in the near future. Worms and jigs are working on these bass.
Southwest Arkansas
Millwood Lake:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.53 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake is 3.4 inches above normal pool and falling, with decreased current in Little River. Water surface temperature ranges from 77 to 85 degrees, depending on location and time of day. USACE has decreased the discharge, for a total discharge of 173CFS (cubic feet/ second). Clarity slightly improved; the oxbows clarity ranges from 18 to 30 inches of visibility, depending on location. Millwood's next 4-foot drawdown is scheduled to begin July 5, to control unwanted aquatic vegetation, make scheduled repairs and complete other projects, such as shoreline improvements. It will take 14 days and lower the water level to 255.2 feet and the project will last until February 2011. The best bite for largemouth bass has shifted to early and mid-morning. Good numbers of bass from 3-5 pounds continue being caught and released, with many from 5-8 pounds being found. Upriver, largemouths are in normal summer patterns. Fish shallow around vegetation such as coontail, hydrilla, pondweed, and lily pads with Twitch Assassins and Bass Assassin Shads in salt and pepper/silver phantom and gold pepper shiner colors. Lizards and 10-inch Power Worms in blue fleck or peanut butter and jelly and buzz baits are also working well. Toads are beginning to work around lily pads for a few bass ranging from 13-18 inches in length. Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Gold Tennessee Shad and Bull Bream continue working well around new pondweed grass, creek channel mouths, standing timber and stumps. Crappie up to 3 pounds are biting well over planted brush in 15-17 feet of water on live shiners, jigs, smoke grubs and Blakemore Roadrunners. Longnose gar continue to roam shallow and spawn. We continue seeing large fish shallow, and in groups of 4-8 roaming very shallow flats, making perfect opportunities for bowfishermen. Try backs of creeks and oxbows up Little River for some really big gar. McGuire had several schools of gar in the 40-60 pound range surfacing. Bluegill continue biting very well around Millwood State Park, boat docks, and up Little River at Jack's Isle off the bank on crickets, red worms and grubs. Blue and channel cats are biting best on cut shad, homemade dough bait, and blood bait, by either anchoring and tight-lining, or trot-lines along Little River between Jack's Isle and Mud Lake in 9 to 15 feet of water.
White Oak Lake:
Local angler John Tilley said the water level is low and the temperature has warmed up over the past week. Bass fishing has slowed due to the rise in the temperature, but some are still biting on plastic worms fished in deeper water. Crappie are biting on white jigs and minnows fished in deep water. Bream are slow, but there still is a chance of catching a few. Catfishing is good, some have been caught is shallow water with crickets while trotlines with live bait are still producing.
Lake Columbia:
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is at normal levels. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Bass are biting well on soft-plastic worms and spinnerbaits. No report on crappie or catfish.
Lake Erling:
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is at normal level. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on chicken livers. No report on crappie.
Lake Greeson:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 545.36 MSL (Flood pool – 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is clear and the surface temperature is 88 degrees. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are slow on minnows and jigs fished around brush in 25 to 30 feet of water. Bass are slow, but a few have come on jigs and soft-plastic worms fished around main points in 15 to 25 feet of water. Catfishing is slow on minnows and bream suspended from jugs or noodles. Walleye are slow.
Cossatot River:
Cossatot River State Park said the water level is at 2.76 feet. The water has remained swift and murky due to all the rain in May. Catfishing has been good using live bait or cut bait. Rock bass are biting well on sunset-colored Beatle Spins with a slow retrieve, fished during the evening hours. The fish may be more active when the sun is overhead. Smallmouth bass will bite on soft plastics, live minnows or crawdads. Remember to be careful walking over rocks when wade fishing, and keep a lookout for snakes.
DeGray Lake:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 407.12 feet MSL (Flood pool – 408 MSL).
Local angler George Graves said the water temperature is in the mid 80s and the lake is clear throughout. Crappie fishing is fair with the fish scattered in the shelters/attractors. Look for attractors in the 20 to 25 foot range. The key to catching crappies now is to fish early, even before sunrise. Fish a 1/16-ounce jighead with a Tenn. shad grub or tube over the thickest part of the brush. Fish slowly because the fish are not very aggressive in this warm water. Some of the best locations are Alpine Ridge, Brushy Creek and the coves around Arlie Moore. Bass fishing is fair and the best bet are the breaking fish early in the morning. The fish will be breaking and feeding on shad off most any long point just about anywhere in the lake. Try a top-water such as a Zara Spook, Fluke or jerk bait. One of the better methods is to hit the breaking fish with a swim bait. You have to place the lure right on the feeding fish and just let it sink; they will hit it on the way down. After sunup, pull a Texas-rigged worm or Carolina-rigged lizard down sharp breaks on main lake points. Green pumpkin and red shad are good color choices. Some good bass are also coming from very deep water, 35 to 40 feet. Fish offshore islands, ledges and deep points with a short Carolina rig. Hybrid fishing is good and quite a few big fish are being reported. It is strictly an early morning bite even before sunup and is pretty much over by 8 a.m. Look for breaking fish and hit them with a top-water plug or a Rat-L-Trap. A heavy spoon or in line spinner cast beyond the breaking fish and reeled up under the fish works very well. Good areas have been the south side of the State Park from DeRoche Ridge to Caddo Bend, Iron Mountain area around the marina and the coves on the south side between points 2 and 4. Bream fishing is good in most any cove in the lake. Try water depths from 8 to 10 feet. If you can find any shade such as a tree, that is where the fish are most likely to be. Worms and crickets are always the best baits. No report on catfish.
West-Central Arkansas
Lake Nimrod:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 345.04 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no new report.
Lake Dardanelle:
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said water levels are normal and still just a little cold. Catfishing has been slow, but there are more flatheads than normal caught on trotlines. Many people are baiting trotlines this year with bass minnows, most likely due to the lack of available shad. Largemouth bass are starting to pick up in the evenings, but continues to be very slow during the day. White spinners and green plastics are the preferred choice, while cranks are starting to work well. White Bass have been running in Spadra Creek. Crappie are still biting reasonably well for this time of year on red/chartreuse jigs. Fishermen are reporting a very good bream season; some say the best in about four years. Crickets and redworms are the preferred baits.
Blue Mountain Lake:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 387.08 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said crappie are biting well on minnows. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken liver. Catfishing with trotlines is good on shad.
Lake Ouachita:
As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 577.73 MSL (Flood pool – 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass fishing is fair. Bass are in their summer patterns, pulling out onto the ledges and humps. Plum-colored Old Monster worms and jigs are producing some quality fish. Striper fishing is good on big swim baits in trout colors.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 78 to 84 degrees. Largemouth bass are good on Texas-rigged worms, football jigs and creature baits. Top-water action is still good on Zara Spooks and Boy Howdies. Walleye are good and being caught on deep jerk baits and spoons. Stripers are good with live bait and downrigged hair jigs. Large shad-colored swim baits are working as well. Bream are still excellent on worms or crickets in water 10 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are good and being caught near brush in water 15 to 20 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Tennessee shad and white are the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are very good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.
Lake Hamilton:
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports had no report.
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, (501-624-8757) said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 55 degrees. Rainbow trout fishing should improve as Lake Ouachita is now out of the flood pool and Entergy has scheduled periods of time each day for no generation. These times are crucial for trout to feed and are best for fishermen to be on the water. Bank fishermen should stick to proven techniques for positive results. Wax worms and meal worms floated just off the bottom with marshmallows are a deadly presentation for hungry trout, as well as, nightcrawlers and redworms. Thousands of threadfin shad are spawning in the tailrace, so baits that imitate worms, snails or fish eggs are highly sought after by trout. White bass are going strong in the current and are being caught on spoons, crankbaits and jigs. Live minnows work best around visible structure protected from the current somewhat. Trolling below the bridge has proven to be very successful in hooking large white bass in the 2 to 3 pound range. Some hybrid bass are also mixed in with these feeding white's with most of these fish weighing from 3 to 4 pounds. Striper activity is hit and miss with the majority of action occurring below the bridge in the late evening.
Lake Hinkle:
Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs, but they are moving deeper in the lake. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, soft-plastic worms and top-water lures. Catfishing is good on chicken livers and soap.
Lake Atkins:
Ken Vinson at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is at normal level and is very clear. Fishing is picking up for bass, bream and catfish. Crappie are a little slow, but they are stuck to the bottom. Bass are biting fairly well on many different types of bait in 5 to 10 feet of water. Give Ken or Tammy a call at the bait shop and they’ll be happy to help you figure out the bite.
South Central Arkansas
Moro Bay:
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the Ouachita River is only a few feet higher than normal and is falling slowly. Bream fishing is the best it’s been in the last several years. Most anglers report catching from 50 to 100 big bream on crickets in the bay. Some are also catching bream in the lake. Catfish have been hitting shad and bream on trotlines in the bay as well. Crappie and bass fishing have been slow.
Ouachita River Oxbows:
Things are picking up. Crappie are starting to bite in the oxbows on blue/chartreuse jigs about 4 feet deep. People have been catching some nice redear sunfish on fly rods and popping bugs around the cypress trees. Bass have been hitting well. Early morning top-water bites are a given, but during the day, bass seem to be moving to the front of the trees and are hitting better on either brush hogs or shallow-running crankbaits.
Tri-County Lake:
No report.
East Arkansas
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are excellent on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow on jigs. Bass are excellent on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, top-water lures and soft-plastics fished around the jetties on the river.
White River:
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and at normal levels. No one is fishing, and the fishing is slow for all species.
Maddox Bay:
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is high. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Catfishing has been good on trotlines and yo-yos. Crappie are biting well. There was no report on bass.
Island 40 Chute:
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is high. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished around brush on the island. Catfishing is good on stinkbait and chicken livers. Bream and crappie are slow.
Horseshoe Lake:
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on wax worms and crickets in shallow water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around shallow cypress trees and lily pads. Bass are biting well on white spinnerbaits fished around shallow cypress trees and lily pads. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and cut bait in deep water.