01-16-2011, 12:10 PM
Central Arkansas
Lake Conway:<br />
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is dingy and at normal levels. Bream fishing is excellent on crickets and nightcrawlers in 5 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on floating worms. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers.<br />
Little Red River:<br />
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water clarity is good and generation is moderate. There is no generation in the morning and a little in the afternoon. Trout fishing is good on small jigs. Drift fishing is excellent when the water begins to flow.<br />
Greers Ferry:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 462.80 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water is falling and the surface temperature has cooled to 58-62 degrees because of recent cool rain and cool nights. Bass are biting well but they have backed off to slightly deeper water. A few have spawned, but most have not. The best bet is a Carolina rig fished in front of shoreline brush. Jerk baits fished in the guts of creeks are working, and fish are trying to move into the bushes. By the weekend, top-water frogs, buzzbaits and Texas-rigged lizards fished in the brush should work well. Crappie fishing is still very good in the bushes. Not all of the crappie have spawned. Try jigs tipped with a minnow and dabbled around bushes near the shore. Walleye are fair. A few fish can be caught in 18-27 feet of water on jigheads dressed with a nightcrawlers and dragged along the bottom. A few walleye have been caught by trollers and crankbaiters fishing 15 feet deep over 27 feet of water. Catfishing is good on points with floating trotlines baited with soap and dog food. Some flatheads are coming in on jugs set at 17 feet deep and baited with bream. White bass and hybrids are scattered all through the water column. They could be anywhere from 6 inches deep to 47 feet deep.<br />
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.<br />
Harris Brake Lake:<br />
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is low and clear. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is fair on chicken livers and large minnows. No report on bass.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said there has been a little activity. Bream are biting on worms, but overall the fishing has been slow.<br />
Lake Overcup:<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is about 6 inches high and fairly clear. The water temperature is about 70 degrees. Crappie are still biting well in 12 feet of water on jigs fished 3 to 4 feet deep around cover. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms around the bank. Redear sunfish are biting well around logs and stumps. Bass have been biting well around the bank in the morning and late evening. Catfish are starting to hit cut bait and small bream.<br />
Brewer Lake:<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear, normal and about 68 degrees. Crappie are being caught about 15 feet deep over brush in 30 feet of water. Bream are being caught around the banks with crickets and redworms. Bass are fair on spinners and buzzbaits. Catfish are fair on trotlines and noodles baited with large minnows and cut bait.<br />
Lake Maumelle:<br />
Jolly Roger's Marina said the water is 0.1 inches above the spillway and the water temperature is 70 degrees. Black bass are biting well on soft-plastic worms, jerk baits and spinnerbaits in 4 to 10 feet of water along the edges of the grass. Bass are also biting well near the edges of points in the afternoons. White bass are biting well along North Shore and near the spillway area on small crappie jigs, Rooster Tails and minnows. Crappie are biting well on 1/32-oz. jigs and minnows fished in 3 to 15 feet of water. Bream are excellent in 20 feet of water on crickets and worms. The breakwater is also producing some good bream. Catfishing is good on cut shad and prepared bait in the trotline zone. Saugeye are biting fairly well on crappie jigs, Rogues and minnows fished trolled around the points in the afternoons.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.<br />
JB's Guide Service had no report.<br />
Lake Valencia:<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.<br />
Sunset Lake:<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are excellent in 4 to 5 feet of water on crickets. Crappie are fair on grubs fished around brush in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bass are biting well on soft-plastics fished around brush. Catfishing is excellent on Magic Bait in 6 to 10 feet of water.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton:<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on Rooster Tails fished around slow water. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows near brush. Bass are excellent on green pumpkin lizards and crankbaits. Catfishing is excellent on chicken livers.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton:<br />
Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said catfishing is good on whole shad around the jetties and below dams 9 and 10. Black bass are biting well in 3 to 10 feet of water on black/red flake tubes fished around wood cover. Kentucky bass are biting well around rocks in 6 to 10 feet of water on crayfish-colored jigs. White bass are fair at the mouth of Point Remove Creek, Cypress Creek and the Petit Jean River. Pearl-colored Sassy Shads and Wiggle Warts are working well early and late. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets in backwater areas.<br />
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool):<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.<br />
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool):<br />
Vince Miller from Fish N' Stuff (501-834-5733) said the water is running around 50,000 cfs. Crappie are biting well on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs fished around wood cover. Bass are fair on lizards and tubes fished in the backwater areas. No report on bream or catfish.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and slightly high below Terry Lock and Dam. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets fished around rocky areas. Crappie are fair on jigs. Bass are biting well on watermelon seed soft plastics. Catfishing is good on large minnows near the dam.<br />
Clear Lake:<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are excellent in 3 to 4 feet of water on redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows fished in deep, open water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers.<br />
Peckerwood Lake:<br />
Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is high and dingy. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow on minnows trolled in open water. Bass are fair. Catfishing is good on worms.<br />
Lake Pickthorne:<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
North Arkansas<br />
White River:<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is low, with one to two generators running. Trout are biting well on pink Power Worms and Power Bait. The flow is excellent for fishing and many rainbows and browns are being caught.<br />
Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said recent rain has caused the water to muddy a little, but with steady, low-level generation, the river clears up rapidly. While it's muddy, use redworms and nightcrawlers. Over the last few days, we've claimed limits of 15- to 18-inch rainbows. We've encountered a lot of moss, but the guides have overcome most of the problems by using spoons (red/white or gold ¼-oz. Cleos, gold/copper Colorados and gold/orange Kastmasters) or rigging jigs to float under the surface and just above the moss.<br />
Guide Davy Wotton said last week had some of the best low-water fishing we have seen for the past couple of years. Caddis hatches in the early week were excellent; we will now see that come to an end. We look now toward to mayfly hatches of the sulphur species. The sudden cold snap may well slow that down, but not for long, as soon as the climate warms up then look for the first hatches. Flies needed include pheasant tail nymphs, hares ears and sulphur emergers that imitate the pale morning duns. Light and dark Cahills and comparaduns in size 14 to 16 are top choices for dry flies. So long as we see the general lower water levels then fishing will remain good. The Bull Shoals Catch-and-release Zone has continued to produce much better than average rainbow trout. Fly choices here include white tail, prism and zebra midges from size 14 to 20. Sow bugs in gray, olive and tan, silver spiders, red butts and other soft hackles will work as well. Due to the algae carpeting the river bed you may well need to constantly adjust the distance and weight from your indicator to avoid the fly dragging the river bed. It may be best to move to another zone and find cleaner water conditions. Spin fishing generally has been good. Remember during low clear water to reduce the size of your baits - Rooster Tails, Mepps spinners and Buoyant Spoons are good choices fished on 3- or 4-lb line. If we see high water generations then options further would include Rapalas and stick baits.<br />
White River (From Buffalo City to Red's Landing):<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing from the Buffalo City ramp to the confluence with the Buffalo River has been excellent. White River Zig Jigs have been the big producer. Ginger/Orange and Green/Orange jigs have been producing many fish. The water is somewhat deeper in that area, so make sure you let your jig sink almost to the bottom before you start working it back in.<br />
Buffalo River:<br />
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides had no report.<br />
Crooked Creek:<br />
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides had no report.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 657.42 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).<br />
Bob Pauletti at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock had no new report.<br />
Lake Norfork:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 556.03 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).<br />
101 Grocery and Bait (870-467-5223) said fishing is hot. The water temperature is in the mid-70s. Bass fishing has been great on soft-plastics, stick baits and top-water lures. Walleye fishing is good on worms and minnows fished with lead head jigs. Bluegill fishing is good on worms, crickets and small spinnerbaits. White bass fishing is fair; most anglers are doing best in the mornings in the coves. Catfishing is good on worms and small sunfish. Crappie fishing has been a challenge. Bank anglers are not doing very well, but people fishing near the bottom in 20 feet of water are doing better. Striper fishing is good using live bait and stick baits.<br />
Guide Steve Olomon (870-491-5142) said the lake came up 0.2 feet this week. The water temperature is in the upper 60s. Stripers are still hitting top-water baits and swim baits. The largemouth are hitting these as well. The bass are also hitting Carolina rigs, jigs and lipless crankbaits. Smallmouth are biting well on tubes fished on pea gravel banks.<br />
Guide Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (877-246-4896) said stripers have spawned and are moving up in the creeks. Usually after the spawn the best places are mid-lake creeks and the Fout area for a couple of weeks. The thermocline is at 22 feet deep. With this cold weather, the water will drop a few degrees and fishing should pick up with live bait. There is still a top-water bite in the early morning and late evening on the points. Reports are that the stripers are on a crawdad bite, look for them close to the bottom and try a spoon.<br />
Norfork Tailwater:<br />
(Updated 4/28/2010) Shannon Murphy with Charlie's Rainbow Trout Resort (888-820-0666) said the tailwater has had low water almost every day. The fishing has been exceptional. Fisherman are catching all four species of trout found in Arkansas. The fishing is at its best. There were some really big rainbows caught in front of our dock. The biggest was caught by guide Paul Storm, and it was 22 inches and weighed 7 pounds. Plenty of fish over 18 inches are being caught, and some 20 to 22 inch browns are being caught in the middle of the day.<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the confluence of the Norfork with the White has been producing large amounts of fish, especially brown trout.
Northwest Arkansas<br />
Beaver Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,121.67 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).<br />
Bailey's Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said stripers are moving back to the main lake. The bite has been slow the last few days with all the cold fronts rolling through, but the bite is picking back up, especially at night. The morning bite has been the best, however if it is overcast, the bite could last all day. Free lines are still an effective approach since the striper are still shallow. An umbrella rig will also produce. Remember to use chartreuse in the stained water. Try trolling Redfins, Rapalas and other shallow plugs about 150 feet behind the boat. Try using planer boards with your plugs or live bait to spread your efforts and locate the most active stripers. Live bait is still the go-to approach for trophy stripers. Fish activity is good in Hickory Creek about an hour before sunrise until 8:30a.m. Look in Hickory Creek Cove. Fish are shallow, use a "free-line" approach with a decent-sized bait about 4-6 inches long. A few fish are being caught around Horseshoe Bend. Fish are being caught around Prairie Creek. Try looking in the back of the creek arm and around the islands. Fish are being caught near the tailings at Copper Mine and on the flat. Also check the mouth of Shaddox Hollow. There is some striper activity in Coose Hollow. Rocky Branch is fair, but it is hit-and-miss. Indian Creek is holding a few stripers, as is Fish Trap Hollow near Lost Bridge. For daily Beaver Lake levels and flow data go Bailey's Web site and click on the Daily Beaver Lake Level and Flow info link.<br />
JT's Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been good. Try working spinnerbaits or buzzbaits around the flooded cover. Another option is to work a Carolina-rigged finesse worm on main-lake flats close to points. Crappie fishing has been very good on white, yellow/white and chartreuse tube jigs or minnows in front of laydown trees and around man made brush piles. Most crappie have been suspending 8 to 15 feet deep around brush in 20 to 30 feet of water. Walleye have been biting in deeper pockets with timber off of main lake coves. Fish have been suspending 10 to 20 feet deep in 25 feet of water. Small chartreuse curly tailed grubs on a 1/8-oz jighead should do the trick. White bass have been schooling in the back of main lake coves throughout the day and can be caught by slow trolling curly tailed grubs or small spoons. Catfish have been biting on liver or worms and can be caught from the bank lake wide after dark. The best catfishing locations have been Hickory Creek, Monte-NE and the Arkansas Highway 12 bridge.<br />
Beaver Tailwater:<br />
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said fishing has been very good. Many large fish have been caught and there have been great low-water opportunities. This changed earlier in the week with the beginning of the drawdown of Beaver Lake. Generation has been pretty well around the clock with the occasional window of low water. Predicted end date of the drawdown is May 15, but with rain in the forecast for the better part of next week, this date may change. High-water nymphing techniques from a boat are recommended (San Juan worms, larger nymphs drifted pretty deep under an indicator). High water makes using streamer rigs a good option. Fish deep in the channel and around cover.<br />
Kings River:<br />
Just Fishing Guides said the water is still warming and the smallmouth are spawning. There are many of active males, but the females are staying on the nests. Water level is around 3.3 and is ample for floating.<br />
Lake Fayetteville:<br />
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said fishing has been poor overall, but a few folks have figured out the key to limiting out on crappie. They're being very quiet about it, though.<br />
Lake Sequoyah:<br />
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and slightly high. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on small jigs and small crankbaits fished in 1 to 3 feet of water around brush and stumps. Bass are biting well on crankbaits, buzzbaits and soft-plastics fished around brush and stumps in 1 to 3 feet of water. Catfishing is slow on chicken livers and cut bream.
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Poinsett:<br />
Lake Poinsett State Park said bream and catfish have been biting very well. The bream have been hitting crickets and the catfish have been biting on dough bait and liver.<br />
Crown Lake:<br />
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is dingy and at normal levels. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs with some large crappie being caught. Bass are fair on soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is excellent on chicken livers and large minnows. There will be a kid's fishing day on May 15 at Boxhound Marina. The lake has been stocked with catchable catfish, so come out and enjoy a day for the kids.<br />
Lake Frierson:<br />
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and high. Bass are fair. Catfishing is fair on chicken livers.<br />
Spring River:<br />
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the water flows are down below 440cfs and water clarity is good with a little cloudiness. Mayflies are hatching in large numbers every morning. Coachmen and mayfly emergers fished deep have been doing very well. Pressure has been slow on the Spring River. It is still very important to get the fly down to the bottom and watch for green areas in the river. This is a good sign of deeper water and the seams that trout like to hold in. Check out Mark's Blog for daily updates on river conditions and what they might be biting.
Southeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Chicot:<br />
Lake Chicot State Park (870-265-5480) said the weather has not really helped with the fishing. Catfish are slow. Crappie are beginning to bite again in shallow water.<br />
Cane Creek Lake:<br />
Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said catfish are biting very well on worms and other live bait. Several large catfish (30-40 pounds) were caught last week. The winds and cooler temperatures have kept the bass and crappie fishing slow.<br />
Lake Monticello:<br />
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said bass are still around the pads and are biting frogs and Senko-type baits. Gilmore Jumpers are taking some nice fish at times. The bass are making their way to offshore structure and cover. There are fish in 8 to 14 feet of water biting large worms, craws, jigs and crankbaits. This summertime type fishing is only going to get better over the coming weeks.
Southwest Arkansas<br />
Millwood Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.52 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).<br />
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level is 4.2 inches above normal pool and is steady, with reduced current in Little River. Main lake and Little River's water surface temperatures range from 66 to 73 degrees. Discharge at the dam is 792cfs. Water clarity in the oxbows is 14-24 inches of visibility. Largemouth bass have finished their spawn in most locations. The best bite is shifting to morning. Trick/twitch worms, Bass Assassins and floating worms in salt/pepper silver phantom and black shad colors and lizards and 10-inch Power Worms in plum and blue fleck are catching fish. Buzzing toads are beginning to work around lily pads. Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Gold, and Holographic Shad colors are working around grass, creek channel mouths, large cypress trees, stumps, and any new vegetation. Jigs in black/blue/purple or Texas craw colors, are catching bass on cypress trees in deeper sections of the creek channels. Siefert's Buzz Baits are working well in Casper Ghost and bleeding Avocado colors. White bass are scattered and the bite is slow. Crappie up to 3-1/2 pounds continue to improve and move up in the oxbows around cypress trees. White jigs, smoke grubs on jigheads, shiners, tiny Rat-L-Traps, Blakemore Roadrunners and Rocket Shads are all working well over planted brush. Longnose gar continue to roam shallow and spawn, making perfect opportunities for bowfishermen. Try back of creeks and oxbows up Little River for some really big gar over the next couple weeks. Bream were biting very well around Millwood State Park and up Little River at Jack's Isle off the bank on crickets, redworms and grubs. Channel catfish are fair to good, in the current of Little River. Blues and channel cats are biting best on cut shad, chicken livers and blood bait along Little River between Jack's Isle and Mud Lake or on yo-yo's hung from cypress trees in the oxbows over 6-9 feet depths.<br />
White Oak Lake:<br />
Local angler John Tilley said bass were hitting very well on plastic worms and baby brush hogs in watermelon colors, but back-to-back cold fronts have shut down the bite. Bream are starting to bed up and are being caught on crickets. Catfishing is still slow. The water is murky and the water level is slowly rising. A few more rains, and the lake will be back to normal pool.<br />
Lake Columbia:<br />
Steve's Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well on jigs and shiners. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfishing is excellent on stink bait, chicken liver and live bait.<br />
Lake Erling:<br />
Steve's Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on shiners and jigs. Bass are fair. Catfishing is excellent on chicken liver and stink bait. Flatheads are biting excellently on live bait.<br />
Lake Greeson:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 545.83 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).<br />
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is clear in the main part of the lake and murky in the creeks. The water temperature is around 70 degrees and lower. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets in 1 to 5 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around brush in 10-15 feet of water. Bass are fair on crankbaits, soft-plastic worms and top-water lures in 5 to 15 feet of water. Catfishing is good on small bream hung from trotlines and jugs. Walleye are shallow and are fair on crankbaits in the north part of the lake. Walleye in the south part of the lake are being caught on tubes, spoons and crankbaits.<br />
Cossatot River:<br />
Cossatot River State Park had no report.<br />
DeGray Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 408.12 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).<br />
Local angler George Graves said the surface water temperature is in the low 70s and the lake is clear. Crappie fishing is still good even though the spawn has almost ended. The fish are moving out of the coves to the main lake and major creeks. Look for fish on attractors in 18 to 20 feet of water. The 2-inch Kalin's grub on a 1/16-ounce jig head is still the best bet. Throw your marker on the attractor and just work around the shelter casting the jig to the thickest part and counting it down to just above the brush. Most bites will be light and will occur on the drop. The area between Edgewood and Shouse Ford are still best. Brushy Creek, up by the campground, has been producing. Bass fishing has been fair early in the morning with fish breaking around long, tapering points. Later in the day fish the same areas with a Texas-rigged worm or a jig with plastic trailer. If you find an area with a lot of shad the odds are the bass will be near. Fish main and secondary points most anywhere in the lake with the best areas from DeRoche Ridge to Point 15. Bream fishing is good in just about any cove with a little cover. Also fish the flooded shoreline brush. Use redworms or crickets. Hybrids and white bass are still schooling along the south side of the State Park from DeRoche Ridge to Caddo Bend and around the islands across from the Lodge. Look for shad, which the hybrids follow. No shad, no hybrids. Look in the big coves in the early morning for breaking fish chasing shad. Throw a heavy spoon over the school, let it sink and reel it back fairly fast. There is also a fair evening bite along the Route 7 dike. Several good reports of catfish caught using noodles and live bream. The best area has been around the little islands just south of the DeGray Lodge. Set the bait about 15 feet down and fish in about 30 feet of water.
West-Central Arkansas<br />
Lake Nimrod:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 344.53 feet MSL.<br />
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will slowly lower the water level in Lake Nimrod in Yell County, beginning May 15. The water level will be lowered 5 feet by July 1, and the lower level will be maintained until Oct. 1. The drawdown is part of the Corps and AGFC's water management plan, and is an attempt to meet fisheries management goals without the need for the costly 10-foot draw downs previously conducted on the lake.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bream have been biting very well on worms and crickets. A few catfish and bass have been caught by bream and crappie anglers.<br />
Lake Dardanelle:<br />
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said the rain has helped the catfish bite. Catfish are biting best on shad and livers. Bass have been slow, as well as crappie. Bass are still doing best on white buzz baits early in the morning. Crappie are biting best on live bait. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 387.24 feet MSL.<br />
Teresa at CD's Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the water is murky. Crappie are biting well on minnows and tube jigs. Catfishing is fair on worms and chicken livers. No report on any other species.<br />
Lake Ouachita:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 578.08 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the water temperature is in the 70s and the water is in the buckbrush. The water color is stained to clear. Bass are being caught in all areas of the lake on many types of lures. The points on the south side of the lake are holding better fish (try a jerk bait in the wind). You can catch floating worm fish in pockets on both sides. Crappie are in 5 feet of water and shallower. Stripers are not far from breaking on top-water.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass fishing is excellent with fish being caught from 2 feet all the way out to 40 feet on Carolina rigs. There is a good top-water bite early. Walleye fishing is very good on the points and humps on crankbaits and spinnerbaits.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 70 to 74 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass are still biting well on Carolina-rigged lizards, jighead worms and super flukes. Top-water action is still good with Zara Spooks and Boy Howdies. Walleye are biting well on deep jerk baits and jigs. Stripers are biting well on C-10 Redfins, Rapala jerk baits and large, shad-colored swim baits. Bream are excellent on worms or crickets in 8 to 15 feet of water. Crappie are biting well near brush in water 10 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 excellent on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.<br />
Lake Hamilton:<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the surface temperature is in the 70s and the water is clear. The lake is at full pool and weekend boat traffic is picking up. The spawn is on the back side of the curve, but you can still find a few beds. Bass are being caught on floating worms, jerk baits and Carolina rigs. Top-water season is right around the corner. Crappie are fair in water 5 feet deep and shallower.<br />
Lake Catherine:<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, (501-624-8757) said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is holding at 53 degrees with good clarity for several miles downstream. Threadfin shad are in the tailrace with thousands more moving in to spawn. Rainbow trout fishing has been average as the bite has been very early and late, but quality fish are being caught daily. Most trout caught are over 14 inches with some rainbows over 17 inches. Bank anglers concentrating on live bait presentations are having the most success. Nightcrawlers and redworms with marshmallow floaters are a deadly combination. Corn and power eggs also work very well in all current conditions. Crickets are another less talked about bait for trout that is very successful when used properly. Spin fishermen casting Rooster Tails in white or brown have taken limits of trout in the evenings. Fly fishermen have all but given up this time of year, but should remember that trout can still be hooked with flies below the dam and areas are accessible for wading to feeding fish. Egg patterns and San Juan worms are good choices. Crappie are still spawning and will be catchable for the rest of this month. Live minnows tightlined around sandbars and rock structure have produced the most crappie; however, these fish are very spooky and the slightest noise will shut the bite down completely. White bass are mixed in with the crappie and bite best in the current. No striper activity has been observed this week. Freshwater drum are plentiful in the tailrace and feed on shad and worms when possible.<br />
Lake Hinkle:<br />
Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is clear and at normal level. Large bream are biting well on crickets near the bank. Very few redear are being caught; most of the bream are bluegill. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished around open water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken livers hung from trotlines.<br />
Lake Atkins:<br />
Ken Vinson at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is high from all the rain. Fishing slowed because of the storms. A few nice bass came in Saturday and Sunday. The lake has just been fertilized, and fishing on Atkins tends to decline for a few weeks after fertilization.
South Central Arkansas<br />
Moro Bay:<br />
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the water level is at 65.70 feet (our normal is 65.00ft). Bream have started biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie can be caught early in the morning if you find a hot treetop in the lake or the bay. A few bass have been caught but for the most part, the bass are hard to come by. If you want to catch some catfish, you'll have better luck in the main river channel. Very few bream have been caught by the visitor center. Instead try in the trees along the bay as soon you come in the park or go back to the lake by the campground.<br />
Ouachita River Oxbows:<br />
No report.<br />
Tri-County Lake:<br />
Weather kept some anglers off the water this weekend. Bass are fair on trick worms and finesse worms fished on a jighead and light line. A few crappie were even caught on the jighead worms. Crappie anglers are doing well on shiners fished around isolated cover in 4 feet of water.
East Arkansas<br />
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:<br />
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is muddy and high. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on black/chartreuse jigs and minnows. Bass are excellent on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft-plastic worms fished around jetties and rocks. Catfishing is good on trotlines and yo-yos baited with cut bait.<br />
White River:<br />
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting fairly well on soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on chicken livers. Walleye are biting well.<br />
Maddox Bay:<br />
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are slow. Catfishing is good on trotlines, droplines and yo-yos baited with minnows and crayfish.<br />
Island 40 Chute:<br />
Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and top-water lures. Catfishing is good on chicken livers.<br />
Horseshoe Lake:<br />
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is at normal level and the clarity is good. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are biting well in shallow water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished near shallow cypress trees. Catfishing is good on cut bait around cypress trees.
Lake Conway:<br />
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is dingy and at normal levels. Bream fishing is excellent on crickets and nightcrawlers in 5 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on floating worms. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers.<br />
Little Red River:<br />
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water clarity is good and generation is moderate. There is no generation in the morning and a little in the afternoon. Trout fishing is good on small jigs. Drift fishing is excellent when the water begins to flow.<br />
Greers Ferry:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 462.80 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water is falling and the surface temperature has cooled to 58-62 degrees because of recent cool rain and cool nights. Bass are biting well but they have backed off to slightly deeper water. A few have spawned, but most have not. The best bet is a Carolina rig fished in front of shoreline brush. Jerk baits fished in the guts of creeks are working, and fish are trying to move into the bushes. By the weekend, top-water frogs, buzzbaits and Texas-rigged lizards fished in the brush should work well. Crappie fishing is still very good in the bushes. Not all of the crappie have spawned. Try jigs tipped with a minnow and dabbled around bushes near the shore. Walleye are fair. A few fish can be caught in 18-27 feet of water on jigheads dressed with a nightcrawlers and dragged along the bottom. A few walleye have been caught by trollers and crankbaiters fishing 15 feet deep over 27 feet of water. Catfishing is good on points with floating trotlines baited with soap and dog food. Some flatheads are coming in on jugs set at 17 feet deep and baited with bream. White bass and hybrids are scattered all through the water column. They could be anywhere from 6 inches deep to 47 feet deep.<br />
Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.<br />
Harris Brake Lake:<br />
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is low and clear. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow. Catfishing is fair on chicken livers and large minnows. No report on bass.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said there has been a little activity. Bream are biting on worms, but overall the fishing has been slow.<br />
Lake Overcup:<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is about 6 inches high and fairly clear. The water temperature is about 70 degrees. Crappie are still biting well in 12 feet of water on jigs fished 3 to 4 feet deep around cover. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms around the bank. Redear sunfish are biting well around logs and stumps. Bass have been biting well around the bank in the morning and late evening. Catfish are starting to hit cut bait and small bream.<br />
Brewer Lake:<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear, normal and about 68 degrees. Crappie are being caught about 15 feet deep over brush in 30 feet of water. Bream are being caught around the banks with crickets and redworms. Bass are fair on spinners and buzzbaits. Catfish are fair on trotlines and noodles baited with large minnows and cut bait.<br />
Lake Maumelle:<br />
Jolly Roger's Marina said the water is 0.1 inches above the spillway and the water temperature is 70 degrees. Black bass are biting well on soft-plastic worms, jerk baits and spinnerbaits in 4 to 10 feet of water along the edges of the grass. Bass are also biting well near the edges of points in the afternoons. White bass are biting well along North Shore and near the spillway area on small crappie jigs, Rooster Tails and minnows. Crappie are biting well on 1/32-oz. jigs and minnows fished in 3 to 15 feet of water. Bream are excellent in 20 feet of water on crickets and worms. The breakwater is also producing some good bream. Catfishing is good on cut shad and prepared bait in the trotline zone. Saugeye are biting fairly well on crappie jigs, Rogues and minnows fished trolled around the points in the afternoons.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.<br />
JB's Guide Service had no report.<br />
Lake Valencia:<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.<br />
Sunset Lake:<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are excellent in 4 to 5 feet of water on crickets. Crappie are fair on grubs fished around brush in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bass are biting well on soft-plastics fished around brush. Catfishing is excellent on Magic Bait in 6 to 10 feet of water.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton:<br />
Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on Rooster Tails fished around slow water. Crappie are fair on jigs and minnows near brush. Bass are excellent on green pumpkin lizards and crankbaits. Catfishing is excellent on chicken livers.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton:<br />
Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said catfishing is good on whole shad around the jetties and below dams 9 and 10. Black bass are biting well in 3 to 10 feet of water on black/red flake tubes fished around wood cover. Kentucky bass are biting well around rocks in 6 to 10 feet of water on crayfish-colored jigs. White bass are fair at the mouth of Point Remove Creek, Cypress Creek and the Petit Jean River. Pearl-colored Sassy Shads and Wiggle Warts are working well early and late. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets in backwater areas.<br />
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool):<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.<br />
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool):<br />
Vince Miller from Fish N' Stuff (501-834-5733) said the water is running around 50,000 cfs. Crappie are biting well on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs fished around wood cover. Bass are fair on lizards and tubes fished in the backwater areas. No report on bream or catfish.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and slightly high below Terry Lock and Dam. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets fished around rocky areas. Crappie are fair on jigs. Bass are biting well on watermelon seed soft plastics. Catfishing is good on large minnows near the dam.<br />
Clear Lake:<br />
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are excellent in 3 to 4 feet of water on redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows fished in deep, open water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers.<br />
Peckerwood Lake:<br />
Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is high and dingy. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow on minnows trolled in open water. Bass are fair. Catfishing is good on worms.<br />
Lake Pickthorne:<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
North Arkansas<br />
White River:<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is low, with one to two generators running. Trout are biting well on pink Power Worms and Power Bait. The flow is excellent for fishing and many rainbows and browns are being caught.<br />
Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said recent rain has caused the water to muddy a little, but with steady, low-level generation, the river clears up rapidly. While it's muddy, use redworms and nightcrawlers. Over the last few days, we've claimed limits of 15- to 18-inch rainbows. We've encountered a lot of moss, but the guides have overcome most of the problems by using spoons (red/white or gold ¼-oz. Cleos, gold/copper Colorados and gold/orange Kastmasters) or rigging jigs to float under the surface and just above the moss.<br />
Guide Davy Wotton said last week had some of the best low-water fishing we have seen for the past couple of years. Caddis hatches in the early week were excellent; we will now see that come to an end. We look now toward to mayfly hatches of the sulphur species. The sudden cold snap may well slow that down, but not for long, as soon as the climate warms up then look for the first hatches. Flies needed include pheasant tail nymphs, hares ears and sulphur emergers that imitate the pale morning duns. Light and dark Cahills and comparaduns in size 14 to 16 are top choices for dry flies. So long as we see the general lower water levels then fishing will remain good. The Bull Shoals Catch-and-release Zone has continued to produce much better than average rainbow trout. Fly choices here include white tail, prism and zebra midges from size 14 to 20. Sow bugs in gray, olive and tan, silver spiders, red butts and other soft hackles will work as well. Due to the algae carpeting the river bed you may well need to constantly adjust the distance and weight from your indicator to avoid the fly dragging the river bed. It may be best to move to another zone and find cleaner water conditions. Spin fishing generally has been good. Remember during low clear water to reduce the size of your baits - Rooster Tails, Mepps spinners and Buoyant Spoons are good choices fished on 3- or 4-lb line. If we see high water generations then options further would include Rapalas and stick baits.<br />
White River (From Buffalo City to Red's Landing):<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing from the Buffalo City ramp to the confluence with the Buffalo River has been excellent. White River Zig Jigs have been the big producer. Ginger/Orange and Green/Orange jigs have been producing many fish. The water is somewhat deeper in that area, so make sure you let your jig sink almost to the bottom before you start working it back in.<br />
Buffalo River:<br />
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides had no report.<br />
Crooked Creek:<br />
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides had no report.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 657.42 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).<br />
Bob Pauletti at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock had no new report.<br />
Lake Norfork:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 556.03 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).<br />
101 Grocery and Bait (870-467-5223) said fishing is hot. The water temperature is in the mid-70s. Bass fishing has been great on soft-plastics, stick baits and top-water lures. Walleye fishing is good on worms and minnows fished with lead head jigs. Bluegill fishing is good on worms, crickets and small spinnerbaits. White bass fishing is fair; most anglers are doing best in the mornings in the coves. Catfishing is good on worms and small sunfish. Crappie fishing has been a challenge. Bank anglers are not doing very well, but people fishing near the bottom in 20 feet of water are doing better. Striper fishing is good using live bait and stick baits.<br />
Guide Steve Olomon (870-491-5142) said the lake came up 0.2 feet this week. The water temperature is in the upper 60s. Stripers are still hitting top-water baits and swim baits. The largemouth are hitting these as well. The bass are also hitting Carolina rigs, jigs and lipless crankbaits. Smallmouth are biting well on tubes fished on pea gravel banks.<br />
Guide Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters (877-246-4896) said stripers have spawned and are moving up in the creeks. Usually after the spawn the best places are mid-lake creeks and the Fout area for a couple of weeks. The thermocline is at 22 feet deep. With this cold weather, the water will drop a few degrees and fishing should pick up with live bait. There is still a top-water bite in the early morning and late evening on the points. Reports are that the stripers are on a crawdad bite, look for them close to the bottom and try a spoon.<br />
Norfork Tailwater:<br />
(Updated 4/28/2010) Shannon Murphy with Charlie's Rainbow Trout Resort (888-820-0666) said the tailwater has had low water almost every day. The fishing has been exceptional. Fisherman are catching all four species of trout found in Arkansas. The fishing is at its best. There were some really big rainbows caught in front of our dock. The biggest was caught by guide Paul Storm, and it was 22 inches and weighed 7 pounds. Plenty of fish over 18 inches are being caught, and some 20 to 22 inch browns are being caught in the middle of the day.<br />
Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the confluence of the Norfork with the White has been producing large amounts of fish, especially brown trout.
Northwest Arkansas<br />
Beaver Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,121.67 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).<br />
Bailey's Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said stripers are moving back to the main lake. The bite has been slow the last few days with all the cold fronts rolling through, but the bite is picking back up, especially at night. The morning bite has been the best, however if it is overcast, the bite could last all day. Free lines are still an effective approach since the striper are still shallow. An umbrella rig will also produce. Remember to use chartreuse in the stained water. Try trolling Redfins, Rapalas and other shallow plugs about 150 feet behind the boat. Try using planer boards with your plugs or live bait to spread your efforts and locate the most active stripers. Live bait is still the go-to approach for trophy stripers. Fish activity is good in Hickory Creek about an hour before sunrise until 8:30a.m. Look in Hickory Creek Cove. Fish are shallow, use a "free-line" approach with a decent-sized bait about 4-6 inches long. A few fish are being caught around Horseshoe Bend. Fish are being caught around Prairie Creek. Try looking in the back of the creek arm and around the islands. Fish are being caught near the tailings at Copper Mine and on the flat. Also check the mouth of Shaddox Hollow. There is some striper activity in Coose Hollow. Rocky Branch is fair, but it is hit-and-miss. Indian Creek is holding a few stripers, as is Fish Trap Hollow near Lost Bridge. For daily Beaver Lake levels and flow data go Bailey's Web site and click on the Daily Beaver Lake Level and Flow info link.<br />
JT's Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been good. Try working spinnerbaits or buzzbaits around the flooded cover. Another option is to work a Carolina-rigged finesse worm on main-lake flats close to points. Crappie fishing has been very good on white, yellow/white and chartreuse tube jigs or minnows in front of laydown trees and around man made brush piles. Most crappie have been suspending 8 to 15 feet deep around brush in 20 to 30 feet of water. Walleye have been biting in deeper pockets with timber off of main lake coves. Fish have been suspending 10 to 20 feet deep in 25 feet of water. Small chartreuse curly tailed grubs on a 1/8-oz jighead should do the trick. White bass have been schooling in the back of main lake coves throughout the day and can be caught by slow trolling curly tailed grubs or small spoons. Catfish have been biting on liver or worms and can be caught from the bank lake wide after dark. The best catfishing locations have been Hickory Creek, Monte-NE and the Arkansas Highway 12 bridge.<br />
Beaver Tailwater:<br />
Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides said fishing has been very good. Many large fish have been caught and there have been great low-water opportunities. This changed earlier in the week with the beginning of the drawdown of Beaver Lake. Generation has been pretty well around the clock with the occasional window of low water. Predicted end date of the drawdown is May 15, but with rain in the forecast for the better part of next week, this date may change. High-water nymphing techniques from a boat are recommended (San Juan worms, larger nymphs drifted pretty deep under an indicator). High water makes using streamer rigs a good option. Fish deep in the channel and around cover.<br />
Kings River:<br />
Just Fishing Guides said the water is still warming and the smallmouth are spawning. There are many of active males, but the females are staying on the nests. Water level is around 3.3 and is ample for floating.<br />
Lake Fayetteville:<br />
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said fishing has been poor overall, but a few folks have figured out the key to limiting out on crappie. They're being very quiet about it, though.<br />
Lake Sequoyah:<br />
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and slightly high. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on small jigs and small crankbaits fished in 1 to 3 feet of water around brush and stumps. Bass are biting well on crankbaits, buzzbaits and soft-plastics fished around brush and stumps in 1 to 3 feet of water. Catfishing is slow on chicken livers and cut bream.
Northeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Poinsett:<br />
Lake Poinsett State Park said bream and catfish have been biting very well. The bream have been hitting crickets and the catfish have been biting on dough bait and liver.<br />
Crown Lake:<br />
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is dingy and at normal levels. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs with some large crappie being caught. Bass are fair on soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is excellent on chicken livers and large minnows. There will be a kid's fishing day on May 15 at Boxhound Marina. The lake has been stocked with catchable catfish, so come out and enjoy a day for the kids.<br />
Lake Frierson:<br />
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and high. Bass are fair. Catfishing is fair on chicken livers.<br />
Spring River:<br />
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the water flows are down below 440cfs and water clarity is good with a little cloudiness. Mayflies are hatching in large numbers every morning. Coachmen and mayfly emergers fished deep have been doing very well. Pressure has been slow on the Spring River. It is still very important to get the fly down to the bottom and watch for green areas in the river. This is a good sign of deeper water and the seams that trout like to hold in. Check out Mark's Blog for daily updates on river conditions and what they might be biting.
Southeast Arkansas<br />
Lake Chicot:<br />
Lake Chicot State Park (870-265-5480) said the weather has not really helped with the fishing. Catfish are slow. Crappie are beginning to bite again in shallow water.<br />
Cane Creek Lake:<br />
Cane Creek State Park (870-628-4714) said catfish are biting very well on worms and other live bait. Several large catfish (30-40 pounds) were caught last week. The winds and cooler temperatures have kept the bass and crappie fishing slow.<br />
Lake Monticello:<br />
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said bass are still around the pads and are biting frogs and Senko-type baits. Gilmore Jumpers are taking some nice fish at times. The bass are making their way to offshore structure and cover. There are fish in 8 to 14 feet of water biting large worms, craws, jigs and crankbaits. This summertime type fishing is only going to get better over the coming weeks.
Southwest Arkansas<br />
Millwood Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.52 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).<br />
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level is 4.2 inches above normal pool and is steady, with reduced current in Little River. Main lake and Little River's water surface temperatures range from 66 to 73 degrees. Discharge at the dam is 792cfs. Water clarity in the oxbows is 14-24 inches of visibility. Largemouth bass have finished their spawn in most locations. The best bite is shifting to morning. Trick/twitch worms, Bass Assassins and floating worms in salt/pepper silver phantom and black shad colors and lizards and 10-inch Power Worms in plum and blue fleck are catching fish. Buzzing toads are beginning to work around lily pads. Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Gold, and Holographic Shad colors are working around grass, creek channel mouths, large cypress trees, stumps, and any new vegetation. Jigs in black/blue/purple or Texas craw colors, are catching bass on cypress trees in deeper sections of the creek channels. Siefert's Buzz Baits are working well in Casper Ghost and bleeding Avocado colors. White bass are scattered and the bite is slow. Crappie up to 3-1/2 pounds continue to improve and move up in the oxbows around cypress trees. White jigs, smoke grubs on jigheads, shiners, tiny Rat-L-Traps, Blakemore Roadrunners and Rocket Shads are all working well over planted brush. Longnose gar continue to roam shallow and spawn, making perfect opportunities for bowfishermen. Try back of creeks and oxbows up Little River for some really big gar over the next couple weeks. Bream were biting very well around Millwood State Park and up Little River at Jack's Isle off the bank on crickets, redworms and grubs. Channel catfish are fair to good, in the current of Little River. Blues and channel cats are biting best on cut shad, chicken livers and blood bait along Little River between Jack's Isle and Mud Lake or on yo-yo's hung from cypress trees in the oxbows over 6-9 feet depths.<br />
White Oak Lake:<br />
Local angler John Tilley said bass were hitting very well on plastic worms and baby brush hogs in watermelon colors, but back-to-back cold fronts have shut down the bite. Bream are starting to bed up and are being caught on crickets. Catfishing is still slow. The water is murky and the water level is slowly rising. A few more rains, and the lake will be back to normal pool.<br />
Lake Columbia:<br />
Steve's Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well on jigs and shiners. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfishing is excellent on stink bait, chicken liver and live bait.<br />
Lake Erling:<br />
Steve's Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on shiners and jigs. Bass are fair. Catfishing is excellent on chicken liver and stink bait. Flatheads are biting excellently on live bait.<br />
Lake Greeson:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 545.83 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).<br />
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is clear in the main part of the lake and murky in the creeks. The water temperature is around 70 degrees and lower. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets in 1 to 5 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around brush in 10-15 feet of water. Bass are fair on crankbaits, soft-plastic worms and top-water lures in 5 to 15 feet of water. Catfishing is good on small bream hung from trotlines and jugs. Walleye are shallow and are fair on crankbaits in the north part of the lake. Walleye in the south part of the lake are being caught on tubes, spoons and crankbaits.<br />
Cossatot River:<br />
Cossatot River State Park had no report.<br />
DeGray Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 408.12 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).<br />
Local angler George Graves said the surface water temperature is in the low 70s and the lake is clear. Crappie fishing is still good even though the spawn has almost ended. The fish are moving out of the coves to the main lake and major creeks. Look for fish on attractors in 18 to 20 feet of water. The 2-inch Kalin's grub on a 1/16-ounce jig head is still the best bet. Throw your marker on the attractor and just work around the shelter casting the jig to the thickest part and counting it down to just above the brush. Most bites will be light and will occur on the drop. The area between Edgewood and Shouse Ford are still best. Brushy Creek, up by the campground, has been producing. Bass fishing has been fair early in the morning with fish breaking around long, tapering points. Later in the day fish the same areas with a Texas-rigged worm or a jig with plastic trailer. If you find an area with a lot of shad the odds are the bass will be near. Fish main and secondary points most anywhere in the lake with the best areas from DeRoche Ridge to Point 15. Bream fishing is good in just about any cove with a little cover. Also fish the flooded shoreline brush. Use redworms or crickets. Hybrids and white bass are still schooling along the south side of the State Park from DeRoche Ridge to Caddo Bend and around the islands across from the Lodge. Look for shad, which the hybrids follow. No shad, no hybrids. Look in the big coves in the early morning for breaking fish chasing shad. Throw a heavy spoon over the school, let it sink and reel it back fairly fast. There is also a fair evening bite along the Route 7 dike. Several good reports of catfish caught using noodles and live bream. The best area has been around the little islands just south of the DeGray Lodge. Set the bait about 15 feet down and fish in about 30 feet of water.
West-Central Arkansas<br />
Lake Nimrod:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 344.53 feet MSL.<br />
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will slowly lower the water level in Lake Nimrod in Yell County, beginning May 15. The water level will be lowered 5 feet by July 1, and the lower level will be maintained until Oct. 1. The drawdown is part of the Corps and AGFC's water management plan, and is an attempt to meet fisheries management goals without the need for the costly 10-foot draw downs previously conducted on the lake.<br />
Greer's Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bream have been biting very well on worms and crickets. A few catfish and bass have been caught by bream and crappie anglers.<br />
Lake Dardanelle:<br />
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said the rain has helped the catfish bite. Catfish are biting best on shad and livers. Bass have been slow, as well as crappie. Bass are still doing best on white buzz baits early in the morning. Crappie are biting best on live bait. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 387.24 feet MSL.<br />
Teresa at CD's Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the water is murky. Crappie are biting well on minnows and tube jigs. Catfishing is fair on worms and chicken livers. No report on any other species.<br />
Lake Ouachita:<br />
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation was 578.08 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the water temperature is in the 70s and the water is in the buckbrush. The water color is stained to clear. Bass are being caught in all areas of the lake on many types of lures. The points on the south side of the lake are holding better fish (try a jerk bait in the wind). You can catch floating worm fish in pockets on both sides. Crappie are in 5 feet of water and shallower. Stripers are not far from breaking on top-water.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass fishing is excellent with fish being caught from 2 feet all the way out to 40 feet on Carolina rigs. There is a good top-water bite early. Walleye fishing is very good on the points and humps on crankbaits and spinnerbaits.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 70 to 74 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass are still biting well on Carolina-rigged lizards, jighead worms and super flukes. Top-water action is still good with Zara Spooks and Boy Howdies. Walleye are biting well on deep jerk baits and jigs. Stripers are biting well on C-10 Redfins, Rapala jerk baits and large, shad-colored swim baits. Bream are excellent on worms or crickets in 8 to 15 feet of water. Crappie are biting well near brush in water 10 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 excellent on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.<br />
Lake Hamilton:<br />
Trader Bill's Outdoor Sports said the surface temperature is in the 70s and the water is clear. The lake is at full pool and weekend boat traffic is picking up. The spawn is on the back side of the curve, but you can still find a few beds. Bass are being caught on floating worms, jerk baits and Carolina rigs. Top-water season is right around the corner. Crappie are fair in water 5 feet deep and shallower.<br />
Lake Catherine:<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, (501-624-8757) said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is holding at 53 degrees with good clarity for several miles downstream. Threadfin shad are in the tailrace with thousands more moving in to spawn. Rainbow trout fishing has been average as the bite has been very early and late, but quality fish are being caught daily. Most trout caught are over 14 inches with some rainbows over 17 inches. Bank anglers concentrating on live bait presentations are having the most success. Nightcrawlers and redworms with marshmallow floaters are a deadly combination. Corn and power eggs also work very well in all current conditions. Crickets are another less talked about bait for trout that is very successful when used properly. Spin fishermen casting Rooster Tails in white or brown have taken limits of trout in the evenings. Fly fishermen have all but given up this time of year, but should remember that trout can still be hooked with flies below the dam and areas are accessible for wading to feeding fish. Egg patterns and San Juan worms are good choices. Crappie are still spawning and will be catchable for the rest of this month. Live minnows tightlined around sandbars and rock structure have produced the most crappie; however, these fish are very spooky and the slightest noise will shut the bite down completely. White bass are mixed in with the crappie and bite best in the current. No striper activity has been observed this week. Freshwater drum are plentiful in the tailrace and feed on shad and worms when possible.<br />
Lake Hinkle:<br />
Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is clear and at normal level. Large bream are biting well on crickets near the bank. Very few redear are being caught; most of the bream are bluegill. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished around open water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken livers hung from trotlines.<br />
Lake Atkins:<br />
Ken Vinson at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is high from all the rain. Fishing slowed because of the storms. A few nice bass came in Saturday and Sunday. The lake has just been fertilized, and fishing on Atkins tends to decline for a few weeks after fertilization.
South Central Arkansas<br />
Moro Bay:<br />
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the water level is at 65.70 feet (our normal is 65.00ft). Bream have started biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie can be caught early in the morning if you find a hot treetop in the lake or the bay. A few bass have been caught but for the most part, the bass are hard to come by. If you want to catch some catfish, you'll have better luck in the main river channel. Very few bream have been caught by the visitor center. Instead try in the trees along the bay as soon you come in the park or go back to the lake by the campground.<br />
Ouachita River Oxbows:<br />
No report.<br />
Tri-County Lake:<br />
Weather kept some anglers off the water this weekend. Bass are fair on trick worms and finesse worms fished on a jighead and light line. A few crappie were even caught on the jighead worms. Crappie anglers are doing well on shiners fished around isolated cover in 4 feet of water.
East Arkansas<br />
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:<br />
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is muddy and high. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on black/chartreuse jigs and minnows. Bass are excellent on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft-plastic worms fished around jetties and rocks. Catfishing is good on trotlines and yo-yos baited with cut bait.<br />
White River:<br />
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting fairly well on soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on chicken livers. Walleye are biting well.<br />
Maddox Bay:<br />
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are slow. Catfishing is good on trotlines, droplines and yo-yos baited with minnows and crayfish.<br />
Island 40 Chute:<br />
Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are excellent on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and top-water lures. Catfishing is good on chicken livers.<br />
Horseshoe Lake:<br />
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is at normal level and the clarity is good. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are biting well in shallow water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished near shallow cypress trees. Catfishing is good on cut bait around cypress trees.