Arkansas Game and Fish Commission´s fishing report for August 5, 2009
Fishing Tip:
When the summer is in full swing, most crappie in reservoirs suspend near cover in deep water. The best way to fish for them during hot months is to slowly troll medium-diving crankbaits and jigs about 8 feet deep over any submerged timber you can find that tops out at around 15 feet. The crappie (and a few white bass) will come up to the lures in the warmer water.
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
Northwest Arkansas
Weekly Fishing Report
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Weekly Fishing Report
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Randy Zellers(501)223-6406, e-mail:
rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us
August 5, 2009 Edition
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for August 5, 2009. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.
Fishing Tip:
When the summer is in full swing, most crappie in reservoirs suspend near cover in deep water. The best way to fish for them during hot months is to slowly troll medium-diving crankbaits and jigs about 8 feet deep over any submerged timber you can find that tops out at around 15 feet. The crappie (and a few white bass) will come up to the lures in the warmer water.
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
Central Arkansas
Northeast Arkansas
Southwest Arkansas
North Arkansas
Southeast Arkansas
West-Central Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas
South Central Arkansas
East Arkansas
Central Arkansas
Lake Conway:
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846)said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are being caught on worms and crickets along the bank. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows. Bass are fair. Catfishing is fair using trotlines with catalpa worms and shiners.
Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) had no report.
Little Red River:
Lindsey’s Resort
(501-302-3139)said the fishing is very good. The water level has been low. They have been turning on one generator around 2 p.m. Power Bait, crankbaits, and wow worms seem to be the lures of choice.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said water releases from Greers Ferry are occurring every afternoon. Water coming through the turbines is 53 degrees with a dissolved oxygen content averaging 7.6 mg/l. Fishing has been extremely good. Aquatic insects are still hatching but in smaller numbers of mostly midges and blue-winged olive mayflies with only a smattering of caddis flies. Good dry flies to use include Adams (size 18), bwo (size 18-20), hopper patterns (size 10) and midge (size 22-32; cream). Other productive flies include sow bug (size 14-16; tan or smoky olive), zebra midge (size 16-22; red, copper or black), San Juan worm (size 14; red, fl. cerise or hot pink), red butt soft hackle (size 14-18) and woolly bugger (size 8-12; olive, brown or black).
Greers Ferry:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.08 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service
said the lake level is falling. White and hybrid bass are biting and can be caught on small top-water lures, grubs, bucktail jigs, spoons and in-line spinners. Try fishing from the surface down to 55 feet; after the fish go down, use your electronics to stay on top of them. Bass fishing is good in brush piles; some bass have moved to shallow water due to cooler weather. Try Texas-rigged worms, jigs and jighead worms. Try top-water baits, Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits on wind-blown and secondary points. For enticing fish in deep water, try football heads, Carolina-rigs and Texas-rigged worms. Crappie are biting well. You cannot use a jig pole. Instead, use a spinning rod and reel with minnows and jigs to fish for them in 15-25 feet of water in the pole timber and over brush piles. Catfish are biting well on just about any type of catfish bait. Bream are biting well on crickets and crawlers on points and in small pockets all over the lake.
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.
Harris Brake Lake:
Coffee Creek Landing
(501-889-2745)had no report.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bream are biting slower than last week. Catfish are biting well on live bream.
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean State Park):
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bream and redear are biting very well on crickets and night crawlers. Many anglers are catching their limits before noon in the lily pads.
Lake Overcup:
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470)said the water is clear and a little low. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie and bass are slow. Catfishing is good on goldfish and large minnows.
Overcup Landing
(501-354-9007) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows and red/chartreuse jigs in deep water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are biting fairly well on trotlines baited with live bait.
Brewer Lake:
Overcup Landing
(501-354-9007)said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow, but biting on minnows near brush in 15-20 feet of water. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and topwater baits near brush and along the bank. Catfishing is fair on cut shad and night crawlers.
Lake Maumelle:
Jolly Roger’s Marina
said the water is 1.6 feet below the spillway. Largemouth bass are 15 to 20 feet deep and are biting fairly well on large spinnerbaits, jigs and tubes. Kentucky bass are 20 to 25 feet deep and biting well on tubes, jigs and deep-diving crankbaits. White bass are schooling around the east end of the lake and are fair on spoons, clear Near Nuttings and Rogues. Crappie are being caught about 19 to 25 feet deep on minnows and 1/32-oz. jigs. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets in shallow areas and the breakwater at the marina. Saugeye are fair on jigs and Rogues trolled 10 to 15 feet deep. Catfishing is good on minnows, worms and prepared baits in 8 to 15 feet of water.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is back to normal and clear. Bream are biting well on redworms. No report on crappie. Bass are biting well on soft plastics. Catfish are biting fairly well on live bream and cut bait.
Lake Valencia:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is normal and stained. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and minnows. Catfishing is good on night crawlers and package bait. No report on crappie.
Sunset Lake:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061)said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting on crickets in 15-20 feet of water. Crappie are biting fair on lemon meringue-colored two-inch grubs near brush piles. The bass are being caught in 12-15 feet of water near the brush on 7-inch red shad worms. Catfishing is slow.
Saline River Access in Benton:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061)said the water is at a normal level and murky. Bream and crappie are slow and there’s not much to report on. Bass are biting well on top-water baits and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits in swift water. Catfishing is good on live bait in deep water.
Arkansas River at Morrilton:
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo had no report.
Arkansas River at Little Rock:
Vince Miller from Fish N’ Stuff(501-834-5733) said that the water is normal and clear. Catfishing is good on shad. Bass are fair in the main river on worms and jigs.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on crickets, and redworms in Fourche Creek, the Maumelle River, the Little Maumelle River and Palarm Creek. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfishing is good on large minnows, shad, cut bait, live bream or night crawlers.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.
Clear Lake:
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.
Peckerwood Lake:
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) had no report.
Lake Pickthorne:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and large minnows. Bass are biting well on plastics.
North Arkansas
White River:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Servicesaid the AGFC and Corps of Engineers is installing fish habitat in the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam. This work will be done at low water levels and should take about two months to complete. It should provide some wadable water on the White River during this time.
Sportsman’s White River Resort
(870-453-2424)said fishing has been fair in any current seems on trout worms, Power Bait, Lil’ Cleos and Rapala Minnows.
White River (From Buffalo City to Norfork):
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185) said fishing was pretty slow unless you go to the bottom and stay there with your choice of bottom baits. Any time you can find fast rippled water, throw a Rapala and you will have success.
White River (From Norfork to Calico Rock):
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185) said fishing has been slow. Power Bait works the best when water is stained, but you still have to find the areas that are holding fish. Rapalas in black, gold or white have been effective.
Crooked Creek:
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Servicesaid Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River fished well early in the week, particularly on Clouser minnows, Barr’s meat whistles and crawfish patterns. Rains later in the week raised and muddied the water.
Bull Shoals Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 656.52 feet MSL.
Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) with Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dockhad no report.
Lake Norfork:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 554.79 feet MSL.
101 Grocery and Bait
said the surface water temperature is in the low 90s. The thermocline is around 30 feet deep, and that’s where the fish are hanging out. Crappie fishing is good around brush in 30 feet of water on minnows. Bluegill fishing is good on worms and crickets. Walleye fishing has been good jigging a spoon in 25-30 feet of water. Bass fishing is good on Carolina-rigged and Texas-rigged lizards. White bass fishing is good. Catfishing is fair. Striper fishing is slow.
Norfork Tailwater:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Servicesaid the most effective tactic is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms or egg patterns under an indicator. If you are not in the catch-and-release section, consider using a size 14 black zebra midge as a dropper. The dissolved oxygen level on the Norfork dropped below the state standard of six parts per million. They are opening the vents on the generators and are able to get the dissolved levels up to the state standard during generation. Dry Run Creek has been a bit crowded this week with families on vacation. This is a great place to beat the heat on a steamy afternoon. It is always cool on the creek. The hot fly as always is the sow bug. Brown San Juan worms and egg patterns have also been productive.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185) said generation has been produced in the late morning or early afternoon. When generation lapses, Zig Jigs work in the first mile from the confluence. However, fishing slows once generation resumes.
Northwest Arkansas
Beaver Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,124.26 feet MSL.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service
(479-640-3980) said bass have been biting well in the early morning on buzzbaits and poppers close to fallen trees. A hula grub worked slowly along fallen trees and docks also has been effective. Crappie have been biting well around brush piles 15 to 30 feet deep along bluff lines and under docks. Minnows have been the best bait choice. White bass have been schooling early and late in the day along flats all over the lake. Small shad-imitating baits have worked best. Catfishing has been good from the bank using liver or worms in Monte-NE and at the Highway 12 Bridge after dark.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148)said the water is about 5 feet above pool and clear, with the temperature in the mid 80s. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the brush in about 10-15 feet of water and are also doing well at night under lights. Black bass are biting well on crankbaits and in the early morning on top-water lures. White bass are biting well on top-water lures in late evening. Catfishing is slow on live bait using trotlines.
Beaver Tailwaters:
The Corps began drawing down Beaver Lake on Saturday morning and is currently releasing water full bore through both turbines at Beaver Dam, making fishing near impossible.
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guidessaid the water is low in the river and the trout are very spooky. Long fine leaders, tiny indicators and small flies are working. The best are in sizes 18-22. Midges, sow bugs and copper johns seem to be the best flies.
Kings River:
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guidessaid river levels are fairly good for floating and fishing. Crawdads, minnows and top-water flies are the best bets. Larger flies are picking up smallmouth and smaller flies will catch bream.
Lake Fayetteville:
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky. The bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Black bass are doing fairly well on top-water lures or jerk baits. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver, nightcrawlers. The crappie are doing fair on minnows, and jigs.
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said bluegill and other sunfish are biting best on the south side of the lake. Small, dark woolly buggers and popping bugs have been picking up good numbers of fish. Crappie and white bass have been hitting minnow-type flies trolled through the center of the lake.
Lake Sequoyah:
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475)had no report.
Northeast Arkansas
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:
Judy’s Bait Shoppe (870-347-8717) said the water is higher than normal. Fish are not biting very well. At Big Bell Lake and Honey Lake, bream are biting on crickets and worms, and some crappie are biting on jigs and minnows. The road to Hurricane Lake has opened up, but few anglers have been impressed with the fishing.
Horseshoe Lake (Woodruff County):
Judy’s Bait Shoppe (870-347-8717) said bream and crappie have been biting better than average. Crickets have been the choice of bait for bream, while medium-sized shiners entice crappie and bass. Several coves along the White River have produced some nice catfish on rice field slicks, night crawlers and cut bait. Rain has been a big hindrance to fishing in this area and the WMA.
Crown Lake:
Boxhound Marina
(870-670-4496) had no report.
Lake Frierson:
Lake Frierson State Park
said the water is high and muddy. The bream are biting well on worms and crickets. The crappie and bass seem to be doing well on jigs. Catfishing is good on stink bait.
Spring River:
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shopsaid as of Monday, the river has been fine. The water is stained but has cleared up well. Grandma’s brownie, a crawfish imitation, is working the best. The snail pattern is also working well. A so-called “minner,” which is an adaptation of a woolly bugger, has been very productive when all else fails.
Southeast Arkansas
Lake Chicot:
Lakeshore Motel and Marina
(870-265-9901) had no report.
Lake Monticello:
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.comsaid the surface temperature is 86 degrees. Bass are not biting as well as in previous weeks. Bites on crankbaits have all but disappeared. Soft plastics seem to be best in 6 to 8 feet and 10 to 14 feet of water. Lures like black/red and tequila sunrise Ole Monsters and crawtubes are catching some fish. There is still a schooling bite early and late in the day. A few bass are biting on frogs in the pads.
Southwest Arkansas
Millwood Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 257.84 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service
said as of Monday, surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Exercise extreme caution when running Little River during low light conditions, as there are still numerous buoy markers pushed out of place or missing due to recent current and pool fluctuations. The lake is being drawn down and will remain four-feet low until February 2010. Main lake visibility is 3 to 5 inches away from any remaining current in Little River. The campground at lower Beards Bluff remains closed. During the drawdown, boaters should exercise extreme caution because submerged stumps and shallow areas have begun to appear. Also, boaters should be cautious when launching because of damage or sediment buildup that may have occurred at the ends of ramps. Bass are in an aggressive mood, chasing shad schools. The best bite is ranging from daylight until about 11 a.m. and then again between 6 and 8 p.m. The best bite has been on Baby Torpedoes, Cordell Crazy Shads, Baby One Minus, Big O crankbaits, YUM Buzz Frogs, Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps in Diamond Dust, Shad Daddy, and transparent colors. Many pods of schooling fish have been found with bass near most any creek mouth junction with Little River, in the lily pads and any remaining vegetation. Once the sun is up, the best option is to switch to a 10-inch worm in Black, Blue Fleck, Peanut Butter ‘n Jelly or Plum. The white bass bite has improved. White bass can be found schooling in Little River between Jack’s Isle and Yarborough. The crappie bite has gotten worse with the increase in muddy water inflow and current. Blakemore Roadrunners, Southern Pro Crappie Tubes, and live shiners have recently been the best lures and baits, but it’s been slow. Catfish are biting well on cut shad, hot dogs, Catfish Charlie and chicken livers on yo-yos hung from cypress trees in the oxbows over 8 to 12 feet of water and on trotlines in Little River.
White Oak Lake:
Local angler John Tilley said fishing has been very spotty with quickly changing weather conditions affecting the catch. Bass have been caught during schooling spurts in deeper water. Small top-water lures in shad colors are working best. Bass also are being taken early and late on buzzbaits in shallow water near bream spawning beds. Bream still are being taken on crickets around visible beds. Mostly large males remain on beds. No report on crappie. Catfishing has been decent on trotlines in deeper water using live bait.
Lake Greeson:
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Servicesaid fishing is excellent. Crappie and bass are biting on live bait. Stripers are biting excellently on live bait 55 to 65 feet deep.
Cossatot River:
Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park said fishing has not changed from last week’s report due to high water.
DeGray Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 406.90 feet MSL.
Local angler George Graves said water is clear with a surface temperature in the mid 80s. Hybrid fishing remains good, but fish are scattered because of the high water. The best place to fish is in deep water (90 to 100 feet) off DeRouche Ridge, where fish are suspended over the submerged timber at 30 to 40 feet. The best lures are big in-line spinners, jigging spoons and heavy swim baits. Large minnows tight-lined 30 feet down also are working. Fish are biting best at daybreak; after 8 a.m. the fishing is practically over. Bass fishing is fair. Some bass are breaking on main lake points early in the morning. The best area is all along the south side of the state park. Try using either a swim bait or spinner bait when fishing around the island at the mouth of Brushy Creek. A Texas-rigged worm in red shad fished in deep water also is worth trying. Crappie fishing is fair. Crappie can be found in brush piles or fish shelters, the best being 20-feet deep. Try fishing the big coves between Caddo Drive and Yancey Creek; Brushy Creek can also be productive now. Bream fishing is still good on secondary points 10 to 15 feet deep. Nearly any point in big coves in the lower lake will produce; try using either worms or crickets.
West-Central Arkansas
Lake Nimrod:
Lake Nimrod Bait and More II (479-272-4025) had no report.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bass and crappie are fair on small spinnerbaits. Some bass are being caught on Texas-rigged brush hogs as well.
Lake Dardanelle:
Regina Olson at Spadra Marinasaid catfish have been doing very well in the Cabin Creek area. Cut shad and DK Blood Bait seem to be the choice baits. Bass have slowed, but fishermen report that they are still able to find them in the usual spots on watermelon seed mini lizards and Ultra Vibe Speed Craws. White bass were running for a few days last week, and there have even been reports of crappie biting in the mornings. The water is about a foot low.
Blue Mountain Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 386.06 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) had no report.
Ozark Pool:
Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clearing and low. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in deep water. Catfishing is good on minnows, night crawlers and chicken liver. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and baby brush hogs. White bass and stripers are slow on jigs below the dam.
Lake Ouachita:
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Servicesaid striper fishing is excellent. The dam is the place to go to get a quick limit, but the fish are running a little on the small side. Check the main lake for the bigger fish. The fish are biting almost anything you put in front of them. Bass fishing is good with some quality fish being caught on Revenge spinnerbaits and chatterbaits over the grass.
Mountain Harbor Resort
said the lake level is 573.98 and the water is clearing; the water temperature fluctuates between 86-90 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well. These fish can be caught with big Texas-rigged worms fished in brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water. Ole Monsters and paddle worms in watermelon/red, bloodline and red shad are the best baits. Walleye are biting well on bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses on main lake points or humps near deep water in depths of 16 to 24 feet. Jigging spoons are working well on suspended fish in the same areas. Stripers are still good on live shad or trotline minnows. Main lake points near creek channels or open water humps are the best areas. The east end of the lake — from point 3 to the dam — seems to be the best area. Bream are biting very well on worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are fair and being caught near brush or over moss. Try brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep and moss flats 20 to 25 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Tennessee shad and white are the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are biting well on cut and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports
said the surface temperature is in the low 80s. Top-water lures around points seem to work well. Also try a Texas-rigged worm in brush in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bluegill are biting well on crickets in the backs of pockets. Stripers are biting live bait in the early morning.
Lake Hamilton:
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports
said the surface temperature is in the low 80s and the water color is stained. A top-water lure or buzzbait should work great with all the new water coming into the lake. Anglers are finding schooling fish in the mouths of most major creeks. After dark a Texas-rigged worm is best in the brush. Bluegill are excellent in the back of most pockets.
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said record rainfall has caused Entergy to open flood gates and implement heavy generation at Carpenter Dam to keep Lake Hamilton down to manageable levels. Tailrace waters have been swift and stained. Very little fishing has been done this past week. Mild temperatures have kept the shallow water in the low 60s, which is good for summer fishing. Rainbow trout fishing is poor and will not improve until November when the fall stocking program begins. Anglers should stick to night crawlers, redworms and wax worms used with marshmallows fished just off the bottom. While the numbers caught are low, the fish taken average over 15 inches. Stripers and hybrids are biting well in the oxygen-rich water near the dam; they are in and out of the tailrace chasing trout and threadfin shad. August is typically a good month for striper schooling, and fishermen should be on the lookout for topwater activity. Casting 5-7 inch soft plastic jerk baits in white or rainbow trout colors works extremely well. Brood and gizzard shad fished under a balloon below the dam have enticed stripers over 30 pounds.
Lake Hinkle:
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719)said the water is at normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow on minnows fished in the deeper water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and bass minnows. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken liver from the bank.
Lake Atkins:
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615)said the water is clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on cut bait.
South Central Arkansas
Moro Bay:
Moro Bay State Park
at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said recent rains have brought the river level up. Fishing has slowed considerably. However, bass fishing in areas where baitfish congregate can be very rewarding. A few such areas exist in Raymond Lake and Moro Bay. Catfishing can be good when the water is high. If you’re tight-lining, a large weight is necessary to keep bait on the bottom. If you’re fishing with a trotline, constant monitoring and adjusting to the water level are necessary. Crappie and bream are hard to catch in high water, but occasionally good numbers can be caught from the bank using crickets.
Tri-County Lake:
Not many anglers are on the lake. No report.
Ouachita River Oxbows:
No report.
East Arkansas
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is up a little and clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows in 12 to 18 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on skipjack.
White River:
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is high and clear. Fishing is very poor with the water fluctuating so much.
Maddox Bay:
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is at a normal level but rising and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets near the brush in about 2-8 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the main channel. Catfishing is good on minnows using trotlines and stink bait. Bass are biting well on crankbaits in the running water.
Island 40 Chute:
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478)said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting on worms and crickets near stumps on the island side in about 2-2 ½ feet of water. Crappie are biting well in about 2-3 feet of water on the island side on minnows and chartreuse jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and dark-colored plastics in deep water. Catfishing is good on Doc’s stink bait and plastic worms.
Horseshoe Lake:
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and normal. All fishing is slow but you can catch a bream on worms, and crickets in the shallow water near lily pads and cypress trees. The crappie can be caught near the piers on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting spinnerbaits near the lily pads. Catfishing is slow, but some can be caught on cut bait and shrimp.
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» Fishing » Fishing Reports » Weekly Fishing Report
Weekly Fishing Report
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Randy Zellers(501)223-6406, e-mail:
rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us
August 5, 2009 Edition
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for August 5, 2009. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.
Fishing Tip:
When the summer is in full swing, most crappie in reservoirs suspend near cover in deep water. The best way to fish for them during hot months is to slowly troll medium-diving crankbaits and jigs about 8 feet deep over any submerged timber you can find that tops out at around 15 feet. The crappie (and a few white bass) will come up to the lures in the warmer water.
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
Central Arkansas
Northeast Arkansas
Southwest Arkansas
North Arkansas
Southeast Arkansas
West-Central Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas
South Central Arkansas
East Arkansas
Central Arkansas
Lake Conway:
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846)said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are being caught on worms and crickets along the bank. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows. Bass are fair. Catfishing is fair using trotlines with catalpa worms and shiners.
Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) had no report.
Little Red River:
Lindsey’s Resort
(501-302-3139)said the fishing is very good. The water level has been low. They have been turning on one generator around 2 p.m. Power Bait, crankbaits, and wow worms seem to be the lures of choice.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said water releases from Greers Ferry are occurring every afternoon. Water coming through the turbines is 53 degrees with a dissolved oxygen content averaging 7.6 mg/l. Fishing has been extremely good. Aquatic insects are still hatching but in smaller numbers of mostly midges and blue-winged olive mayflies with only a smattering of caddis flies. Good dry flies to use include Adams (size 18), bwo (size 18-20), hopper patterns (size 10) and midge (size 22-32; cream). Other productive flies include sow bug (size 14-16; tan or smoky olive), zebra midge (size 16-22; red, copper or black), San Juan worm (size 14; red, fl. cerise or hot pink), red butt soft hackle (size 14-18) and woolly bugger (size 8-12; olive, brown or black).
Greers Ferry:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.08 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service
said the lake level is falling. White and hybrid bass are biting and can be caught on small top-water lures, grubs, bucktail jigs, spoons and in-line spinners. Try fishing from the surface down to 55 feet; after the fish go down, use your electronics to stay on top of them. Bass fishing is good in brush piles; some bass have moved to shallow water due to cooler weather. Try Texas-rigged worms, jigs and jighead worms. Try top-water baits, Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits on wind-blown and secondary points. For enticing fish in deep water, try football heads, Carolina-rigs and Texas-rigged worms. Crappie are biting well. You cannot use a jig pole. Instead, use a spinning rod and reel with minnows and jigs to fish for them in 15-25 feet of water in the pole timber and over brush piles. Catfish are biting well on just about any type of catfish bait. Bream are biting well on crickets and crawlers on points and in small pockets all over the lake.
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.
Harris Brake Lake:
Coffee Creek Landing
(501-889-2745)had no report.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bream are biting slower than last week. Catfish are biting well on live bream.
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean State Park):
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bream and redear are biting very well on crickets and night crawlers. Many anglers are catching their limits before noon in the lily pads.
Lake Overcup:
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470)said the water is clear and a little low. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie and bass are slow. Catfishing is good on goldfish and large minnows.
Overcup Landing
(501-354-9007) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows and red/chartreuse jigs in deep water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are biting fairly well on trotlines baited with live bait.
Brewer Lake:
Overcup Landing
(501-354-9007)said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow, but biting on minnows near brush in 15-20 feet of water. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and topwater baits near brush and along the bank. Catfishing is fair on cut shad and night crawlers.
Lake Maumelle:
Jolly Roger’s Marina
said the water is 1.6 feet below the spillway. Largemouth bass are 15 to 20 feet deep and are biting fairly well on large spinnerbaits, jigs and tubes. Kentucky bass are 20 to 25 feet deep and biting well on tubes, jigs and deep-diving crankbaits. White bass are schooling around the east end of the lake and are fair on spoons, clear Near Nuttings and Rogues. Crappie are being caught about 19 to 25 feet deep on minnows and 1/32-oz. jigs. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets in shallow areas and the breakwater at the marina. Saugeye are fair on jigs and Rogues trolled 10 to 15 feet deep. Catfishing is good on minnows, worms and prepared baits in 8 to 15 feet of water.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is back to normal and clear. Bream are biting well on redworms. No report on crappie. Bass are biting well on soft plastics. Catfish are biting fairly well on live bream and cut bait.
Lake Valencia:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is normal and stained. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and minnows. Catfishing is good on night crawlers and package bait. No report on crappie.
Sunset Lake:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061)said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting on crickets in 15-20 feet of water. Crappie are biting fair on lemon meringue-colored two-inch grubs near brush piles. The bass are being caught in 12-15 feet of water near the brush on 7-inch red shad worms. Catfishing is slow.
Saline River Access in Benton:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061)said the water is at a normal level and murky. Bream and crappie are slow and there’s not much to report on. Bass are biting well on top-water baits and white/chartreuse spinnerbaits in swift water. Catfishing is good on live bait in deep water.
Arkansas River at Morrilton:
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo had no report.
Arkansas River at Little Rock:
Vince Miller from Fish N’ Stuff(501-834-5733) said that the water is normal and clear. Catfishing is good on shad. Bass are fair in the main river on worms and jigs.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on crickets, and redworms in Fourche Creek, the Maumelle River, the Little Maumelle River and Palarm Creek. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfishing is good on large minnows, shad, cut bait, live bream or night crawlers.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.
Clear Lake:
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.
Peckerwood Lake:
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) had no report.
Lake Pickthorne:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and large minnows. Bass are biting well on plastics.
North Arkansas
White River:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Servicesaid the AGFC and Corps of Engineers is installing fish habitat in the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam. This work will be done at low water levels and should take about two months to complete. It should provide some wadable water on the White River during this time.
Sportsman’s White River Resort
(870-453-2424)said fishing has been fair in any current seems on trout worms, Power Bait, Lil’ Cleos and Rapala Minnows.
White River (From Buffalo City to Norfork):
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185) said fishing was pretty slow unless you go to the bottom and stay there with your choice of bottom baits. Any time you can find fast rippled water, throw a Rapala and you will have success.
White River (From Norfork to Calico Rock):
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185) said fishing has been slow. Power Bait works the best when water is stained, but you still have to find the areas that are holding fish. Rapalas in black, gold or white have been effective.
Crooked Creek:
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Servicesaid Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River fished well early in the week, particularly on Clouser minnows, Barr’s meat whistles and crawfish patterns. Rains later in the week raised and muddied the water.
Bull Shoals Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 656.52 feet MSL.
Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) with Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dockhad no report.
Lake Norfork:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 554.79 feet MSL.
101 Grocery and Bait
said the surface water temperature is in the low 90s. The thermocline is around 30 feet deep, and that’s where the fish are hanging out. Crappie fishing is good around brush in 30 feet of water on minnows. Bluegill fishing is good on worms and crickets. Walleye fishing has been good jigging a spoon in 25-30 feet of water. Bass fishing is good on Carolina-rigged and Texas-rigged lizards. White bass fishing is good. Catfishing is fair. Striper fishing is slow.
Norfork Tailwater:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Servicesaid the most effective tactic is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms or egg patterns under an indicator. If you are not in the catch-and-release section, consider using a size 14 black zebra midge as a dropper. The dissolved oxygen level on the Norfork dropped below the state standard of six parts per million. They are opening the vents on the generators and are able to get the dissolved levels up to the state standard during generation. Dry Run Creek has been a bit crowded this week with families on vacation. This is a great place to beat the heat on a steamy afternoon. It is always cool on the creek. The hot fly as always is the sow bug. Brown San Juan worms and egg patterns have also been productive.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185) said generation has been produced in the late morning or early afternoon. When generation lapses, Zig Jigs work in the first mile from the confluence. However, fishing slows once generation resumes.
Northwest Arkansas
Beaver Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,124.26 feet MSL.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service
(479-640-3980) said bass have been biting well in the early morning on buzzbaits and poppers close to fallen trees. A hula grub worked slowly along fallen trees and docks also has been effective. Crappie have been biting well around brush piles 15 to 30 feet deep along bluff lines and under docks. Minnows have been the best bait choice. White bass have been schooling early and late in the day along flats all over the lake. Small shad-imitating baits have worked best. Catfishing has been good from the bank using liver or worms in Monte-NE and at the Highway 12 Bridge after dark.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148)said the water is about 5 feet above pool and clear, with the temperature in the mid 80s. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the brush in about 10-15 feet of water and are also doing well at night under lights. Black bass are biting well on crankbaits and in the early morning on top-water lures. White bass are biting well on top-water lures in late evening. Catfishing is slow on live bait using trotlines.
Beaver Tailwaters:
The Corps began drawing down Beaver Lake on Saturday morning and is currently releasing water full bore through both turbines at Beaver Dam, making fishing near impossible.
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guidessaid the water is low in the river and the trout are very spooky. Long fine leaders, tiny indicators and small flies are working. The best are in sizes 18-22. Midges, sow bugs and copper johns seem to be the best flies.
Kings River:
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guidessaid river levels are fairly good for floating and fishing. Crawdads, minnows and top-water flies are the best bets. Larger flies are picking up smallmouth and smaller flies will catch bream.
Lake Fayetteville:
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky. The bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Black bass are doing fairly well on top-water lures or jerk baits. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver, nightcrawlers. The crappie are doing fair on minnows, and jigs.
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said bluegill and other sunfish are biting best on the south side of the lake. Small, dark woolly buggers and popping bugs have been picking up good numbers of fish. Crappie and white bass have been hitting minnow-type flies trolled through the center of the lake.
Lake Sequoyah:
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475)had no report.
Northeast Arkansas
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:
Judy’s Bait Shoppe (870-347-8717) said the water is higher than normal. Fish are not biting very well. At Big Bell Lake and Honey Lake, bream are biting on crickets and worms, and some crappie are biting on jigs and minnows. The road to Hurricane Lake has opened up, but few anglers have been impressed with the fishing.
Horseshoe Lake (Woodruff County):
Judy’s Bait Shoppe (870-347-8717) said bream and crappie have been biting better than average. Crickets have been the choice of bait for bream, while medium-sized shiners entice crappie and bass. Several coves along the White River have produced some nice catfish on rice field slicks, night crawlers and cut bait. Rain has been a big hindrance to fishing in this area and the WMA.
Crown Lake:
Boxhound Marina
(870-670-4496) had no report.
Lake Frierson:
Lake Frierson State Park
said the water is high and muddy. The bream are biting well on worms and crickets. The crappie and bass seem to be doing well on jigs. Catfishing is good on stink bait.
Spring River:
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shopsaid as of Monday, the river has been fine. The water is stained but has cleared up well. Grandma’s brownie, a crawfish imitation, is working the best. The snail pattern is also working well. A so-called “minner,” which is an adaptation of a woolly bugger, has been very productive when all else fails.
Southeast Arkansas
Lake Chicot:
Lakeshore Motel and Marina
(870-265-9901) had no report.
Lake Monticello:
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.comsaid the surface temperature is 86 degrees. Bass are not biting as well as in previous weeks. Bites on crankbaits have all but disappeared. Soft plastics seem to be best in 6 to 8 feet and 10 to 14 feet of water. Lures like black/red and tequila sunrise Ole Monsters and crawtubes are catching some fish. There is still a schooling bite early and late in the day. A few bass are biting on frogs in the pads.
Southwest Arkansas
Millwood Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 257.84 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service
said as of Monday, surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Exercise extreme caution when running Little River during low light conditions, as there are still numerous buoy markers pushed out of place or missing due to recent current and pool fluctuations. The lake is being drawn down and will remain four-feet low until February 2010. Main lake visibility is 3 to 5 inches away from any remaining current in Little River. The campground at lower Beards Bluff remains closed. During the drawdown, boaters should exercise extreme caution because submerged stumps and shallow areas have begun to appear. Also, boaters should be cautious when launching because of damage or sediment buildup that may have occurred at the ends of ramps. Bass are in an aggressive mood, chasing shad schools. The best bite is ranging from daylight until about 11 a.m. and then again between 6 and 8 p.m. The best bite has been on Baby Torpedoes, Cordell Crazy Shads, Baby One Minus, Big O crankbaits, YUM Buzz Frogs, Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps in Diamond Dust, Shad Daddy, and transparent colors. Many pods of schooling fish have been found with bass near most any creek mouth junction with Little River, in the lily pads and any remaining vegetation. Once the sun is up, the best option is to switch to a 10-inch worm in Black, Blue Fleck, Peanut Butter ‘n Jelly or Plum. The white bass bite has improved. White bass can be found schooling in Little River between Jack’s Isle and Yarborough. The crappie bite has gotten worse with the increase in muddy water inflow and current. Blakemore Roadrunners, Southern Pro Crappie Tubes, and live shiners have recently been the best lures and baits, but it’s been slow. Catfish are biting well on cut shad, hot dogs, Catfish Charlie and chicken livers on yo-yos hung from cypress trees in the oxbows over 8 to 12 feet of water and on trotlines in Little River.
White Oak Lake:
Local angler John Tilley said fishing has been very spotty with quickly changing weather conditions affecting the catch. Bass have been caught during schooling spurts in deeper water. Small top-water lures in shad colors are working best. Bass also are being taken early and late on buzzbaits in shallow water near bream spawning beds. Bream still are being taken on crickets around visible beds. Mostly large males remain on beds. No report on crappie. Catfishing has been decent on trotlines in deeper water using live bait.
Lake Greeson:
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Servicesaid fishing is excellent. Crappie and bass are biting on live bait. Stripers are biting excellently on live bait 55 to 65 feet deep.
Cossatot River:
Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park said fishing has not changed from last week’s report due to high water.
DeGray Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 406.90 feet MSL.
Local angler George Graves said water is clear with a surface temperature in the mid 80s. Hybrid fishing remains good, but fish are scattered because of the high water. The best place to fish is in deep water (90 to 100 feet) off DeRouche Ridge, where fish are suspended over the submerged timber at 30 to 40 feet. The best lures are big in-line spinners, jigging spoons and heavy swim baits. Large minnows tight-lined 30 feet down also are working. Fish are biting best at daybreak; after 8 a.m. the fishing is practically over. Bass fishing is fair. Some bass are breaking on main lake points early in the morning. The best area is all along the south side of the state park. Try using either a swim bait or spinner bait when fishing around the island at the mouth of Brushy Creek. A Texas-rigged worm in red shad fished in deep water also is worth trying. Crappie fishing is fair. Crappie can be found in brush piles or fish shelters, the best being 20-feet deep. Try fishing the big coves between Caddo Drive and Yancey Creek; Brushy Creek can also be productive now. Bream fishing is still good on secondary points 10 to 15 feet deep. Nearly any point in big coves in the lower lake will produce; try using either worms or crickets.
West-Central Arkansas
Lake Nimrod:
Lake Nimrod Bait and More II (479-272-4025) had no report.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bass and crappie are fair on small spinnerbaits. Some bass are being caught on Texas-rigged brush hogs as well.
Lake Dardanelle:
Regina Olson at Spadra Marinasaid catfish have been doing very well in the Cabin Creek area. Cut shad and DK Blood Bait seem to be the choice baits. Bass have slowed, but fishermen report that they are still able to find them in the usual spots on watermelon seed mini lizards and Ultra Vibe Speed Craws. White bass were running for a few days last week, and there have even been reports of crappie biting in the mornings. The water is about a foot low.
Blue Mountain Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 386.06 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) had no report.
Ozark Pool:
Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clearing and low. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in deep water. Catfishing is good on minnows, night crawlers and chicken liver. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and baby brush hogs. White bass and stripers are slow on jigs below the dam.
Lake Ouachita:
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Servicesaid striper fishing is excellent. The dam is the place to go to get a quick limit, but the fish are running a little on the small side. Check the main lake for the bigger fish. The fish are biting almost anything you put in front of them. Bass fishing is good with some quality fish being caught on Revenge spinnerbaits and chatterbaits over the grass.
Mountain Harbor Resort
said the lake level is 573.98 and the water is clearing; the water temperature fluctuates between 86-90 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well. These fish can be caught with big Texas-rigged worms fished in brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water. Ole Monsters and paddle worms in watermelon/red, bloodline and red shad are the best baits. Walleye are biting well on bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses on main lake points or humps near deep water in depths of 16 to 24 feet. Jigging spoons are working well on suspended fish in the same areas. Stripers are still good on live shad or trotline minnows. Main lake points near creek channels or open water humps are the best areas. The east end of the lake — from point 3 to the dam — seems to be the best area. Bream are biting very well on worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are fair and being caught near brush or over moss. Try brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep and moss flats 20 to 25 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Tennessee shad and white are the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are biting well on cut and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports
said the surface temperature is in the low 80s. Top-water lures around points seem to work well. Also try a Texas-rigged worm in brush in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bluegill are biting well on crickets in the backs of pockets. Stripers are biting live bait in the early morning.
Lake Hamilton:
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports
said the surface temperature is in the low 80s and the water color is stained. A top-water lure or buzzbait should work great with all the new water coming into the lake. Anglers are finding schooling fish in the mouths of most major creeks. After dark a Texas-rigged worm is best in the brush. Bluegill are excellent in the back of most pockets.
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said record rainfall has caused Entergy to open flood gates and implement heavy generation at Carpenter Dam to keep Lake Hamilton down to manageable levels. Tailrace waters have been swift and stained. Very little fishing has been done this past week. Mild temperatures have kept the shallow water in the low 60s, which is good for summer fishing. Rainbow trout fishing is poor and will not improve until November when the fall stocking program begins. Anglers should stick to night crawlers, redworms and wax worms used with marshmallows fished just off the bottom. While the numbers caught are low, the fish taken average over 15 inches. Stripers and hybrids are biting well in the oxygen-rich water near the dam; they are in and out of the tailrace chasing trout and threadfin shad. August is typically a good month for striper schooling, and fishermen should be on the lookout for topwater activity. Casting 5-7 inch soft plastic jerk baits in white or rainbow trout colors works extremely well. Brood and gizzard shad fished under a balloon below the dam have enticed stripers over 30 pounds.
Lake Hinkle:
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719)said the water is at normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow on minnows fished in the deeper water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and bass minnows. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken liver from the bank.
Lake Atkins:
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615)said the water is clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on cut bait.
South Central Arkansas
Moro Bay:
Moro Bay State Park
at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said recent rains have brought the river level up. Fishing has slowed considerably. However, bass fishing in areas where baitfish congregate can be very rewarding. A few such areas exist in Raymond Lake and Moro Bay. Catfishing can be good when the water is high. If you’re tight-lining, a large weight is necessary to keep bait on the bottom. If you’re fishing with a trotline, constant monitoring and adjusting to the water level are necessary. Crappie and bream are hard to catch in high water, but occasionally good numbers can be caught from the bank using crickets.
Tri-County Lake:
Not many anglers are on the lake. No report.
Ouachita River Oxbows:
No report.
East Arkansas
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is up a little and clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows in 12 to 18 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on skipjack.
White River:
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is high and clear. Fishing is very poor with the water fluctuating so much.
Maddox Bay:
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is at a normal level but rising and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets near the brush in about 2-8 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the main channel. Catfishing is good on minnows using trotlines and stink bait. Bass are biting well on crankbaits in the running water.
Island 40 Chute:
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478)said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting on worms and crickets near stumps on the island side in about 2-2 ½ feet of water. Crappie are biting well in about 2-3 feet of water on the island side on minnows and chartreuse jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and dark-colored plastics in deep water. Catfishing is good on Doc’s stink bait and plastic worms.
Horseshoe Lake:
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and normal. All fishing is slow but you can catch a bream on worms, and crickets in the shallow water near lily pads and cypress trees. The crappie can be caught near the piers on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting spinnerbaits near the lily pads. Catfishing is slow, but some can be caught on cut bait and shrimp.
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have been working great when fished deep; brownies run a close second. Olive woolly buggers and the snail pattern have been very productive, too.