Arkansas Game and Fish Commission´s fishing report for July 22, 2009
Fishing Tip:
Although it may seem strange, wearing a lightweight long-sleeved shirt and lightweight pants during summer can keep you on the water longer when the sun is beating down. The extra coverage gives protection from sunburns and keeps your skin out of the heat of direct light.
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-draft
Weekly Fishing Report
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Randy Zellers(501)223-6406, e-mail:
rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us
July 22, 2009 Edition
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for July
22, 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:
Although it may seem strange, wearing a lightweight long-sleeved shirt and lightweight pants during summer can keep you on the water longer when the sun is beating down. The extra coverage gives protection from sunburns and keeps your skin out of the heat of direct light.
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) said fishing is fair for bream, bass and crappie with the best action coming early in the morning or late at night.
Little Red River:
Lindsey’s Resort
(501-302-3139)said the fishing is excellent. The water level has been low since the generators have only been running about an hour a day. Trout are biting well on pink and fluorescent Power Bait.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop
said the Greers Ferry Power House has reduced water releases. Revel in it until August when water releases may increase in volume and frequency. The water coursing through our turbines is averaging 54 degrees with dissolved oxygen averaging 8.0 mg/l. Aquatic insect hatches continue as per previous reports with midge, BWO, March brown, sulphur and caddis coming off most days. The blue-winged olive mayfly hatch has been occurring about 1 p.m. most afternoons. Midges are coming off morning and evening in most locations with a scattering of the other bugs in the mix. A very large hatch of Hexes occurred at Jon’s Pocket the other day. If you plan to fish a dry fly, tie on an Adams (size 18), hopper pattern (size 10), elk hair caddis (sizes 18-20; tan), BWO (sizes 18-20) or American March brown (size 14). Sub-surface flies to use include San Juan worm (size 14; red, fl. cerise, hot pink or worm brown), zebra midge (sizes 16-22; red, copper or black), sow bug (sizes 14-16; smoky olive, tan, peacock or UV tan), red butt soft hackle (sizes 14-18), copper john (sizes 14-16; red, green or copper) and woolly bugger (sizes 8-12; olive, brown or black).
Greers Ferry:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at
462.13 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service
said the water is rising and the surface temperature is falling from the recent rain. Bass fishing is good in and around brush piles in 15-40 feet of water on Texas-rigged worms and Carolina-rigged lizards. Some bass should also be found near the bank with the rising water. Top-water lures, buzzbaits and spinnerbaits fished along windy banks will work for these fish. Crappie are biting well on jigs and minnows fished in brush and pole timber in 15-30 feet of water. Bream are biting well on crickets and night crawlers. Walleye are scattered with the rising water, but dragging a night crawler on a jig head in 27 to 40 feet of water is working fairly well. Catfishing is good on many types of live and prepared baits. Hybrids and white bass are hit-and-miss with the best action on spoons, in-line spinners and hair jigs fished under lights at night.
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.
Harris Brake Lake:
Coffee Creek Landing
(501-889-2745)said the water is back to normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass and crappie are slow. Catfish are biting well on minnows.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Catfishing is good on night crawlers, stink bait and especially live bream.
Lake Overcup:
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470)said the water is clear and back to normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie are slow but have been caught in deep water. Bass are fair on large minnows. Catfishing is good on goldfish.
Overcup Landing
(501-354-9007) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows and tube 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. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on white/chartreuse jigs near brush in 15-20 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits near brush and along the bank. Catfishing is fair on cut shad, and live bream.
Lake Maumelle:
Jolly Roger’s Marina
had no report.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop
(501-758-4958) said the water is back to normal and clear. The bream are biting well on crickets. No report on crappie. Bass are slow, with the only action being in the mornings and evenings. Catfish are biting fairly well on live bream and large minnows.
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.
Sunset Lake:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061)said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie and bass fishing are slow. Catfishing is good on live bait.
Saline River Access in Benton:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor
Sports (501-315-3061)said the water is at a normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Bailey:
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bluegill and redear are excellent on crickets and worms. Some catfish are being caught on night crawlers.
Arkansas River at Morrilton:
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo
said the rain put a little flow back in the river. White bass are biting fairly well on Rat-L-Traps fished around creek mouths where muddy water meets the channel. Black bass are fair on firetiger crankbaits and crayfish-colored jigs fished under overhangs in the backwaters. Catfishing is good on whole shad drifted below the dam. Bream are biting very well around grass on riprap. Crappie are around the riprap as well and are fair on minnows fished under a slip-cork.
Arkansas River at Little Rock:
Vince Miller from Fish N’ Stuff(501-834-5733)
said that the water is low and murky but the rain we are having today will help with the fishing. There is no report on catfish, bream, or crappie. The bass have been fair in the backwaters on crankbaits, jigs and large top-water baits.
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 on crankbaits and chartreuse spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on large minnows, shad and cut bait.
McSwain Sports Center
(501-945-2471) said at Terry Lock and Dam, the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream are biting fairly well on jigs and crickets. Bass are fair on plastic worms and jigs in deeper water. Catfish are biting well on goldfish and skipjack. Crappie are slow, but some have been caught in deeper water on minnows.
Clear Lake:
McSwain Sports Center
(501-945-2471) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting fairly well on redworms. Crappie are biting fairly well in deeper water on minnows near brush piles. Bass are biting well on plastic worms. Catfishing is fair on night crawlers.
Peckerwood Lake:
Herman’s Landing
(870-241-3731) said the water is still falling and clear. The bream are biting fairly well in deep water on crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well in deep water on jigs and minnows. Catfish are biting well on just about anything. Bass are biting well.
Pickthorne Lake:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop
(501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is good on night crawlers and large minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits.
North Arkansas
White River:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Servicesaid the pattern on the White was for around-the-clock generation. During the night and morning we have been getting slightly lower flows. Flows have been much heavier in the afternoon during peak power demand. This created some challenging conditions for drift fishing and very limited wade fishing. The AGFC and Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin installing fish habitat in the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam around Aug. 1. 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. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been a mixed bag this week. While some days have been excellent, others have been a bit slow. On higher flows, fish brightly colored flies under an indicator. The hot patterns have been hot pink or red San Juan worms and orange egg patterns. Concentrate along the banks and over any sunken islands or weed beds. The section from White Hole to Cotter has been fishing well. The most effective technique has been to bang the bank with Kelly Gallop zoo cougars and other similar oversized streamers. With the heavier flows, you must use heavy full sinking or sink tip lines. Rim Shoals has fished well this past week. The best fishing was in the morning when the water was lower. The hot flies have been hot pink or cerise San Juan worms and orange eggs. The heavier flows have been reaching there around one to two o’clock, when it is best to add longer tippets and more weight. Heavily weighted flies are a plus. If you must wade, there is usually a bit of wadable water as long as the generation is less than 17,000 cubic feet per second. Contact Rim Shoals Trout Dock to arrange a water taxi to shuttle you to wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to go.
Sportsman’s White River Resort
(870-453-2424) said fishing has been good with three to four generators running in the morning and seven to eight running in the afternoon. Drift fishing has been good on pink and red worms. Fishing is also good on gold and rainbow-colored Lil’ Cleos, Rapalas and Rogues.
White River (From Buffalo City to Norfork):
Jim Brentlinger at
Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185)
said Smallmouth have been very slow the last week. The river finally cleared, but the bass have not been turned on. Trout have been spotty. If you find an area where you catch fish, stay with it. Dragging Power Baits has been working the best
White River (From Norfork to Calico Rock):
Jim Brentlinger at
Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185)
said the Rapala continues to produce quality fish. Fish the bank and don’t give up. Just keep casting and you will be rewarded. Black/Gold/White No. 7 Countdowns will work fine.
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
660.28 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
556.36 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 generation on the Norfork has declined, which has created some limited wading in the morning, but is full bore during the day. The Norfork Tailwater has been a bit slow. On high water 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 the bite is slow because of fluctuating water. Fish White River Zig Jigs in the morning before the generation, then go to the bottom with Power Baits or night crawlers.
Northwest Arkansas
Beaver Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at
1,126.71 feet MSL.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service
(479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been good after dark. Try dark-colored hula grubs or Texas-rigged lizards and fish them on gravel banks close to cover. Day fishing has been best along bluff lines using a Texas-rigged 4-inch finesse worm. Crappie fishing has been good early and late. Minnows fished just off the bottom have worked well near brush under docks and along bluff lines. White bass fishing has been outstanding at night under lights along bluff lines on the north end of the lake. Catfishing has been good on liver and worms after dark from the bank. Bluegill are holding tight to rocks and docks and can be caught 4 to 8 feet deep on crickets.
Southtown Sporting Goods
(479-443-7148)said the water is 8-10 feet high and clear. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the brush and trolled crankbaits in deep water. Bass are biting well on big crankbaits, Carolina-rigged plastics and top-water lures. Catfishing is good on live minnows and night crawlers.
Beaver Tailwaters:
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guideshad no report.
Kings River:
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guideshad no report.
Lake Fayetteville:
Lake Fayetteville Boat
Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is back to a normal level and murky. The bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Bass are fair on artificial baits. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver, night crawlers and cut bait on the bottom. Crappie are slow.
Lake Sequoyah:
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock
(479-444-3475)had no report.
Northeast Arkansas
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:
No report.
Crown Lake:
Boxhound Marina
(870-670-4496) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow. Bass are fair in the morning and evening on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on chicken liver and night crawlers.
Lake Frierson:
Lake Frierson State Park
had no report.
Spring River:
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shopsaid the water has been clear with a slight green tint to it. Right before dark, mayfly and caddis hatches will begin to occur. Beadhead hare’s ears have been great with Brownies and Snails being consistent producers as well. Wet wading has been the way to go with the weather being so warm. When fishing the Spring River, get it down deep unless you see some rising and then it’s time for a dry fly.
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 cooler weather has brought the surface temperature down to the mid 80s. Bass are still biting soft plastics in 8 to 14 feet of water on the drops. The best plastics have been ribbon-tailed worms and crawtubes in black/red, tequila and watermelon/red. There are a few bass being caught on shad-colored crankbaits in the same depths. Topwaters are connecting with some surface feeding fish. Lucky Craft Sammys and Storm Chug Bugs in shad colors have been the best on top. Early and late still seem to be the best times to catch the most fish.
Southwest Arkansas
Millwood Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at
256.62 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service
said as of Monday, surface water temps are in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Exercise extreme caution running Little River during low light conditions as there are still numerous river buoy markers pushed out of place or missing, due to recent current and pool fluctuations. The lake is being drawn down and will remain 4-feet low until February 2010. Main lake visibility is 8-10 inches away from any remaining current in Little River. The campground at lower Beards Bluff is 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 the ramps. Bass are in typical seasonal summer patterns on Millwood and are steadily improving their appetites. The best bite over the past few weeks is ranging from daylight until about 10 or 11 a.m. The best bass bite has been on buzzbaits, crankbaits, YUM frogs, Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Shad Daddy, and Purple Haze colors. Many pods of schooling fish have been found near most any creek mouth junction with Little River, in the lily pads and any remaining vegetation. Bass Assassin shads, Johnson spoons, Heddon Baby Moss Bosses and spinnerbaits are working around the vegetation. Medium-diving crankbaits like Bomber or Excalibur cranks in brown back/orange belly crawfish or white shad, or citrus shad colors are taking some keeper size bass. 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. White bass were biting well last week in Mud Lake and Horseshoe Oxbow. Crappie are fair on Blakemore Roadrunners, Southern Pro Crappie Tubes and live shiners in oxbows close to cypress trees in 17-25 feet of water. Channel Catfish are biting well on cut shad, hot dogs, Catfish Charlie and chicken livers on yo-yos hung from cypress trees in the oxbows near 8-12 feet of water and on trotlines in Little River.
White Oak Lake:
Local angler John Tilley said summer heat has really kicked in and fishing has taken a toll. Bream are getting scarce with only a few small males being caught off the beds using crickets. Bass have begun to school in the open lake around deep water. Shallow-running crank baits and top-water plugs are working well during the schooling activity. Night fishing is producing a few limits of large bass. Catfishing is fair on trotlines baited with live bream or minnows.
Lake Greeson:
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Servicesaid recent rain has somewhat cooled the water. Crappie are biting very well 8-12 feet deep in 16-26 feet of water. Spotted bass are biting on top-water baits early in the morning. Stripers are being caught near the dam on trolled crankbaits. A few catfish are being caught on brush piles and bamboo condos, too. Bream are excellent on crickets.
Cossatot River:
Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park had no report.
DeGray Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at
403.22 feet MSL.
Local angler George
Graves said the water surface temperature is in the mid-80s and the water is clear. Hybrid fishing remains good throughout the lower end of the lake. There have been good reports all along the state park, from the marina to the park Lodge. There have also been some fish in the Iron Mountain area. Fish are starting to show in deep water (up to 100 feet) with the shad moving offshore. Look for any breaking fish and use the fish finder to locate the schools, which are about 20 to 30 feet down. The best lures are heavy jigging spoons, in-line spinners and swim baits. Bass fishing is fair all along the state park. Look for breaking fish early in the morning and hit them with a top-water lure or swim bait. Later in the morning, use a Texas-rigged worm on main-lake points. Try water depths from 10 to 20 feet. There have also been good reports on bass from the islands. Crappie fishing is good on brush piles/fish shelters from Caddo Drive to Yancey Creek. Brushy Creek is also producing some nice fish. Look for cover in the 20-foot range. As always use a Kalin’s 2-inch grub in Tennessee Shad. You have to fish right over the thickest part of the brush because the fish are hanging tight to cover in this warm water. Bream fishing is still good on just about any secondary point which has a bit of cover. The best depths are between 5 to 15 feet. Try removing the float and bottom fishing for bigger fish. Use 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 crappie have been biting well on black/chartreuse and yellow/chartreuse jigs. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms.
Lake Dardanelle:
Regina Olson at Spadra Marinahad no report.
Blue Mountain Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 386.68 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop
(479-947-2178) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on large minnows. Catfishing is good on chicken liver.
Ozark Pool:
Lakeside Food Mart
(479-667-5155) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows in about 14 feet of water. Catfishing is good on cut shad and night crawlers drifted below the dam. Bass are biting well on red shad, and plum crazy-colored plastic worms and jigs.
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 574.24 and the water is clear; the water temperature fluctuates between 84-90 degrees Largemouth bass are biting well on large, Texas-rigged worms fished in brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water. Watermelon/red, bloodline and red shad are the best colors. Walleye are very good and being caught on bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses on main lake points or humps near deep water in 16 to 24 feet of water. Trolling shad-colored crankbaits has been effective as well. 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 seems to be the best area. Bream are still very good with worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water.
Crappie are still fair and being caught near brush or over moss. Try brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep and moss flats 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 good and being caught on cut bait 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 from rain. 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,
reports that water temperature in the main channel is holding at 59 degrees with good clarity from the bridge to the dam. Entergy continues to generate for 10-hour periods each day. Rainbow trout fishing remains painfully slow as the summer feeding patterns take hold. Most trout are feeding in the morning before sunrise and do little the rest of the day. Artificial lures are worthless when the turbines are not turning, so live baits are the answer and work better during these times of still water. Wax worms and meal worms floated up off the bottom with marshmallows will draw strikes as well as night crawlers and redworms fished in the same manner. Glow worms offer another worm-like profile, but with added color to help attract finicky feeders. Leaders should be tied at least 14 inches long since moss and weed growth will hide the presentation should the leader be shorter. During generation, anglers can cast Rooster Tails in white and brown downstream and catch fish that are holding in shallow water. Very little striper and hybrid activity has occurred this week. When the shad are present there are striper feeding, but when the schools migrate away from the dam - almost zero top-water action will be seen.
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 biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, plastic worms and crankbaits. Catfishing is good on shiners and goldfish.
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 the river is 65.6 feet above sea level which is only half a foot above summer normal. Bream fishing has been great this summer but it’s finally starting to taper off. Crickets seem to be working better than worms and people are catching them in boats and off the bank. Some catfish are being caught on trotlines in the main river channel. Live bream work best as trotline bait but worms and hot dogs seem to work as well. Some crappie are being caught, but since the bream are biting so well most people seem to be bream fishing. Several fishermen have reported catching largemouth on crankbaits and buzzbaits but few of the bass caught exceed the new 14-inch minimum length limit.
Tri-County Lake:
Bass fishing is good on buzzbaits early in the morning. When the sun is up, switch to brush hogs and move a little deeper. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished 5-6 feet deep in the channels.
Ouachita River Oxbows:
Bream are beginning to slow up, but a few beds are still being found in about 3 feet of water. Bass are biting early on surface lures and hitting small crankbaits and soft plastics fished on the front side of trees once the morning bite dies.
East Arkansas
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:
The Tackle Box
(870-534-1498) said the water is normal and murky. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow on minnows in 12-18 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. Catfishing is excellent on skipjack.
White River:
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is about 9½ feet above normal. No one is fishing.
Maddox Bay:
Maddox Bay Landing
(870-462-8317) said the water is at a normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets by the docks. Crappie are biting well on minnows in about 2-5 feet of water. Catfishing is good on worms. Bass are biting well on crankbaits near logs.
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 had no report.
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Arkansas River Levels
Weekly Fishing Report
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Weekly Fishing Report-draft
Weekly Fishing Report
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Randy Zellers(501)223-6406, e-mail:
rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us
July 22, 2009 Edition
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for July
22, 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:
Although it may seem strange, wearing a lightweight long-sleeved shirt and lightweight pants during summer can keep you on the water longer when the sun is beating down. The extra coverage gives protection from sunburns and keeps your skin out of the heat of direct light.
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) said fishing is fair for bream, bass and crappie with the best action coming early in the morning or late at night.
Little Red River:
Lindsey’s Resort
(501-302-3139)said the fishing is excellent. The water level has been low since the generators have only been running about an hour a day. Trout are biting well on pink and fluorescent Power Bait.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop
said the Greers Ferry Power House has reduced water releases. Revel in it until August when water releases may increase in volume and frequency. The water coursing through our turbines is averaging 54 degrees with dissolved oxygen averaging 8.0 mg/l. Aquatic insect hatches continue as per previous reports with midge, BWO, March brown, sulphur and caddis coming off most days. The blue-winged olive mayfly hatch has been occurring about 1 p.m. most afternoons. Midges are coming off morning and evening in most locations with a scattering of the other bugs in the mix. A very large hatch of Hexes occurred at Jon’s Pocket the other day. If you plan to fish a dry fly, tie on an Adams (size 18), hopper pattern (size 10), elk hair caddis (sizes 18-20; tan), BWO (sizes 18-20) or American March brown (size 14). Sub-surface flies to use include San Juan worm (size 14; red, fl. cerise, hot pink or worm brown), zebra midge (sizes 16-22; red, copper or black), sow bug (sizes 14-16; smoky olive, tan, peacock or UV tan), red butt soft hackle (sizes 14-18), copper john (sizes 14-16; red, green or copper) and woolly bugger (sizes 8-12; olive, brown or black).
Greers Ferry:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at
462.13 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service
said the water is rising and the surface temperature is falling from the recent rain. Bass fishing is good in and around brush piles in 15-40 feet of water on Texas-rigged worms and Carolina-rigged lizards. Some bass should also be found near the bank with the rising water. Top-water lures, buzzbaits and spinnerbaits fished along windy banks will work for these fish. Crappie are biting well on jigs and minnows fished in brush and pole timber in 15-30 feet of water. Bream are biting well on crickets and night crawlers. Walleye are scattered with the rising water, but dragging a night crawler on a jig head in 27 to 40 feet of water is working fairly well. Catfishing is good on many types of live and prepared baits. Hybrids and white bass are hit-and-miss with the best action on spoons, in-line spinners and hair jigs fished under lights at night.
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.
Harris Brake Lake:
Coffee Creek Landing
(501-889-2745)said the water is back to normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass and crappie are slow. Catfish are biting well on minnows.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Catfishing is good on night crawlers, stink bait and especially live bream.
Lake Overcup:
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470)said the water is clear and back to normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie are slow but have been caught in deep water. Bass are fair on large minnows. Catfishing is good on goldfish.
Overcup Landing
(501-354-9007) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows and tube 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. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on white/chartreuse jigs near brush in 15-20 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits near brush and along the bank. Catfishing is fair on cut shad, and live bream.
Lake Maumelle:
Jolly Roger’s Marina
had no report.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop
(501-758-4958) said the water is back to normal and clear. The bream are biting well on crickets. No report on crappie. Bass are slow, with the only action being in the mornings and evenings. Catfish are biting fairly well on live bream and large minnows.
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.
Sunset Lake:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061)said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie and bass fishing are slow. Catfishing is good on live bait.
Saline River Access in Benton:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor
Sports (501-315-3061)said the water is at a normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Bailey:
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said bluegill and redear are excellent on crickets and worms. Some catfish are being caught on night crawlers.
Arkansas River at Morrilton:
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo
said the rain put a little flow back in the river. White bass are biting fairly well on Rat-L-Traps fished around creek mouths where muddy water meets the channel. Black bass are fair on firetiger crankbaits and crayfish-colored jigs fished under overhangs in the backwaters. Catfishing is good on whole shad drifted below the dam. Bream are biting very well around grass on riprap. Crappie are around the riprap as well and are fair on minnows fished under a slip-cork.
Arkansas River at Little Rock:
Vince Miller from Fish N’ Stuff(501-834-5733)
said that the water is low and murky but the rain we are having today will help with the fishing. There is no report on catfish, bream, or crappie. The bass have been fair in the backwaters on crankbaits, jigs and large top-water baits.
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 on crankbaits and chartreuse spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on large minnows, shad and cut bait.
McSwain Sports Center
(501-945-2471) said at Terry Lock and Dam, the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream are biting fairly well on jigs and crickets. Bass are fair on plastic worms and jigs in deeper water. Catfish are biting well on goldfish and skipjack. Crappie are slow, but some have been caught in deeper water on minnows.
Clear Lake:
McSwain Sports Center
(501-945-2471) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting fairly well on redworms. Crappie are biting fairly well in deeper water on minnows near brush piles. Bass are biting well on plastic worms. Catfishing is fair on night crawlers.
Peckerwood Lake:
Herman’s Landing
(870-241-3731) said the water is still falling and clear. The bream are biting fairly well in deep water on crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well in deep water on jigs and minnows. Catfish are biting well on just about anything. Bass are biting well.
Pickthorne Lake:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop
(501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is good on night crawlers and large minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits.
North Arkansas
White River:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Servicesaid the pattern on the White was for around-the-clock generation. During the night and morning we have been getting slightly lower flows. Flows have been much heavier in the afternoon during peak power demand. This created some challenging conditions for drift fishing and very limited wade fishing. The AGFC and Corps of Engineers is scheduled to begin installing fish habitat in the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam around Aug. 1. 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. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been a mixed bag this week. While some days have been excellent, others have been a bit slow. On higher flows, fish brightly colored flies under an indicator. The hot patterns have been hot pink or red San Juan worms and orange egg patterns. Concentrate along the banks and over any sunken islands or weed beds. The section from White Hole to Cotter has been fishing well. The most effective technique has been to bang the bank with Kelly Gallop zoo cougars and other similar oversized streamers. With the heavier flows, you must use heavy full sinking or sink tip lines. Rim Shoals has fished well this past week. The best fishing was in the morning when the water was lower. The hot flies have been hot pink or cerise San Juan worms and orange eggs. The heavier flows have been reaching there around one to two o’clock, when it is best to add longer tippets and more weight. Heavily weighted flies are a plus. If you must wade, there is usually a bit of wadable water as long as the generation is less than 17,000 cubic feet per second. Contact Rim Shoals Trout Dock to arrange a water taxi to shuttle you to wadable water and pick you up when you are ready to go.
Sportsman’s White River Resort
(870-453-2424) said fishing has been good with three to four generators running in the morning and seven to eight running in the afternoon. Drift fishing has been good on pink and red worms. Fishing is also good on gold and rainbow-colored Lil’ Cleos, Rapalas and Rogues.
White River (From Buffalo City to Norfork):
Jim Brentlinger at
Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185)
said Smallmouth have been very slow the last week. The river finally cleared, but the bass have not been turned on. Trout have been spotty. If you find an area where you catch fish, stay with it. Dragging Power Baits has been working the best
White River (From Norfork to Calico Rock):
Jim Brentlinger at
Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge(870-499-5185)
said the Rapala continues to produce quality fish. Fish the bank and don’t give up. Just keep casting and you will be rewarded. Black/Gold/White No. 7 Countdowns will work fine.
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
660.28 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
556.36 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 generation on the Norfork has declined, which has created some limited wading in the morning, but is full bore during the day. The Norfork Tailwater has been a bit slow. On high water 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 the bite is slow because of fluctuating water. Fish White River Zig Jigs in the morning before the generation, then go to the bottom with Power Baits or night crawlers.
Northwest Arkansas
Beaver Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at
1,126.71 feet MSL.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service
(479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been good after dark. Try dark-colored hula grubs or Texas-rigged lizards and fish them on gravel banks close to cover. Day fishing has been best along bluff lines using a Texas-rigged 4-inch finesse worm. Crappie fishing has been good early and late. Minnows fished just off the bottom have worked well near brush under docks and along bluff lines. White bass fishing has been outstanding at night under lights along bluff lines on the north end of the lake. Catfishing has been good on liver and worms after dark from the bank. Bluegill are holding tight to rocks and docks and can be caught 4 to 8 feet deep on crickets.
Southtown Sporting Goods
(479-443-7148)said the water is 8-10 feet high and clear. The bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows in the brush and trolled crankbaits in deep water. Bass are biting well on big crankbaits, Carolina-rigged plastics and top-water lures. Catfishing is good on live minnows and night crawlers.
Beaver Tailwaters:
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guideshad no report.
Kings River:
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guideshad no report.
Lake Fayetteville:
Lake Fayetteville Boat
Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is back to a normal level and murky. The bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Bass are fair on artificial baits. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver, night crawlers and cut bait on the bottom. Crappie are slow.
Lake Sequoyah:
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock
(479-444-3475)had no report.
Northeast Arkansas
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:
No report.
Crown Lake:
Boxhound Marina
(870-670-4496) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow. Bass are fair in the morning and evening on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on chicken liver and night crawlers.
Lake Frierson:
Lake Frierson State Park
had no report.
Spring River:
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shopsaid the water has been clear with a slight green tint to it. Right before dark, mayfly and caddis hatches will begin to occur. Beadhead hare’s ears have been great with Brownies and Snails being consistent producers as well. Wet wading has been the way to go with the weather being so warm. When fishing the Spring River, get it down deep unless you see some rising and then it’s time for a dry fly.
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 cooler weather has brought the surface temperature down to the mid 80s. Bass are still biting soft plastics in 8 to 14 feet of water on the drops. The best plastics have been ribbon-tailed worms and crawtubes in black/red, tequila and watermelon/red. There are a few bass being caught on shad-colored crankbaits in the same depths. Topwaters are connecting with some surface feeding fish. Lucky Craft Sammys and Storm Chug Bugs in shad colors have been the best on top. Early and late still seem to be the best times to catch the most fish.
Southwest Arkansas
Millwood Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at
256.62 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service
said as of Monday, surface water temps are in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Exercise extreme caution running Little River during low light conditions as there are still numerous river buoy markers pushed out of place or missing, due to recent current and pool fluctuations. The lake is being drawn down and will remain 4-feet low until February 2010. Main lake visibility is 8-10 inches away from any remaining current in Little River. The campground at lower Beards Bluff is 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 the ramps. Bass are in typical seasonal summer patterns on Millwood and are steadily improving their appetites. The best bite over the past few weeks is ranging from daylight until about 10 or 11 a.m. The best bass bite has been on buzzbaits, crankbaits, YUM frogs, Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Shad Daddy, and Purple Haze colors. Many pods of schooling fish have been found near most any creek mouth junction with Little River, in the lily pads and any remaining vegetation. Bass Assassin shads, Johnson spoons, Heddon Baby Moss Bosses and spinnerbaits are working around the vegetation. Medium-diving crankbaits like Bomber or Excalibur cranks in brown back/orange belly crawfish or white shad, or citrus shad colors are taking some keeper size bass. 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. White bass were biting well last week in Mud Lake and Horseshoe Oxbow. Crappie are fair on Blakemore Roadrunners, Southern Pro Crappie Tubes and live shiners in oxbows close to cypress trees in 17-25 feet of water. Channel Catfish are biting well on cut shad, hot dogs, Catfish Charlie and chicken livers on yo-yos hung from cypress trees in the oxbows near 8-12 feet of water and on trotlines in Little River.
White Oak Lake:
Local angler John Tilley said summer heat has really kicked in and fishing has taken a toll. Bream are getting scarce with only a few small males being caught off the beds using crickets. Bass have begun to school in the open lake around deep water. Shallow-running crank baits and top-water plugs are working well during the schooling activity. Night fishing is producing a few limits of large bass. Catfishing is fair on trotlines baited with live bream or minnows.
Lake Greeson:
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Servicesaid recent rain has somewhat cooled the water. Crappie are biting very well 8-12 feet deep in 16-26 feet of water. Spotted bass are biting on top-water baits early in the morning. Stripers are being caught near the dam on trolled crankbaits. A few catfish are being caught on brush piles and bamboo condos, too. Bream are excellent on crickets.
Cossatot River:
Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park had no report.
DeGray Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at
403.22 feet MSL.
Local angler George
Graves said the water surface temperature is in the mid-80s and the water is clear. Hybrid fishing remains good throughout the lower end of the lake. There have been good reports all along the state park, from the marina to the park Lodge. There have also been some fish in the Iron Mountain area. Fish are starting to show in deep water (up to 100 feet) with the shad moving offshore. Look for any breaking fish and use the fish finder to locate the schools, which are about 20 to 30 feet down. The best lures are heavy jigging spoons, in-line spinners and swim baits. Bass fishing is fair all along the state park. Look for breaking fish early in the morning and hit them with a top-water lure or swim bait. Later in the morning, use a Texas-rigged worm on main-lake points. Try water depths from 10 to 20 feet. There have also been good reports on bass from the islands. Crappie fishing is good on brush piles/fish shelters from Caddo Drive to Yancey Creek. Brushy Creek is also producing some nice fish. Look for cover in the 20-foot range. As always use a Kalin’s 2-inch grub in Tennessee Shad. You have to fish right over the thickest part of the brush because the fish are hanging tight to cover in this warm water. Bream fishing is still good on just about any secondary point which has a bit of cover. The best depths are between 5 to 15 feet. Try removing the float and bottom fishing for bigger fish. Use 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 crappie have been biting well on black/chartreuse and yellow/chartreuse jigs. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms.
Lake Dardanelle:
Regina Olson at Spadra Marinahad no report.
Blue Mountain Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 386.68 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop
(479-947-2178) said the water is normal and clear. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on large minnows. Catfishing is good on chicken liver.
Ozark Pool:
Lakeside Food Mart
(479-667-5155) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows in about 14 feet of water. Catfishing is good on cut shad and night crawlers drifted below the dam. Bass are biting well on red shad, and plum crazy-colored plastic worms and jigs.
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 574.24 and the water is clear; the water temperature fluctuates between 84-90 degrees Largemouth bass are biting well on large, Texas-rigged worms fished in brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water. Watermelon/red, bloodline and red shad are the best colors. Walleye are very good and being caught on bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses on main lake points or humps near deep water in 16 to 24 feet of water. Trolling shad-colored crankbaits has been effective as well. 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 seems to be the best area. Bream are still very good with worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water.
Crappie are still fair and being caught near brush or over moss. Try brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep and moss flats 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 good and being caught on cut bait 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 from rain. 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,
reports that water temperature in the main channel is holding at 59 degrees with good clarity from the bridge to the dam. Entergy continues to generate for 10-hour periods each day. Rainbow trout fishing remains painfully slow as the summer feeding patterns take hold. Most trout are feeding in the morning before sunrise and do little the rest of the day. Artificial lures are worthless when the turbines are not turning, so live baits are the answer and work better during these times of still water. Wax worms and meal worms floated up off the bottom with marshmallows will draw strikes as well as night crawlers and redworms fished in the same manner. Glow worms offer another worm-like profile, but with added color to help attract finicky feeders. Leaders should be tied at least 14 inches long since moss and weed growth will hide the presentation should the leader be shorter. During generation, anglers can cast Rooster Tails in white and brown downstream and catch fish that are holding in shallow water. Very little striper and hybrid activity has occurred this week. When the shad are present there are striper feeding, but when the schools migrate away from the dam - almost zero top-water action will be seen.
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 biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, plastic worms and crankbaits. Catfishing is good on shiners and goldfish.
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 the river is 65.6 feet above sea level which is only half a foot above summer normal. Bream fishing has been great this summer but it’s finally starting to taper off. Crickets seem to be working better than worms and people are catching them in boats and off the bank. Some catfish are being caught on trotlines in the main river channel. Live bream work best as trotline bait but worms and hot dogs seem to work as well. Some crappie are being caught, but since the bream are biting so well most people seem to be bream fishing. Several fishermen have reported catching largemouth on crankbaits and buzzbaits but few of the bass caught exceed the new 14-inch minimum length limit.
Tri-County Lake:
Bass fishing is good on buzzbaits early in the morning. When the sun is up, switch to brush hogs and move a little deeper. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished 5-6 feet deep in the channels.
Ouachita River Oxbows:
Bream are beginning to slow up, but a few beds are still being found in about 3 feet of water. Bass are biting early on surface lures and hitting small crankbaits and soft plastics fished on the front side of trees once the morning bite dies.
East Arkansas
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:
The Tackle Box
(870-534-1498) said the water is normal and murky. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow on minnows in 12-18 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. Catfishing is excellent on skipjack.
White River:
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is about 9½ feet above normal. No one is fishing.
Maddox Bay:
Maddox Bay Landing
(870-462-8317) said the water is at a normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets by the docks. Crappie are biting well on minnows in about 2-5 feet of water. Catfishing is good on worms. Bass are biting well on crankbaits near logs.
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 had no report.
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