03-31-2006, 01:09 AM
Report furnished by The Arkansas Game and Fish Dept. and republished with thier permission
Statewide Urban Fishing Report: Anglers have caught a many trout in the urban ponds during the last few days, and there are plenty left. There are still plenty of trout in Rock Creek as well. A Pink Power Egg tipped with a wax worm and crappie minnow is working very well. Bream are beginning to bite on worms near shore and a few holdover catfish from last year's stockings are being caught on chicken liver. Several anglers also have reported catching a few crappie. Hybrid striped bass are still being caught with silver spoons, Rooster Tails and white curly-tailed grubs in the late afternoon.
For the latest urban trout stocking information, call toll-free 1-866-540-FISH (3474) or check our Web site [url "http://www.agfc.com/fishing/trout_stocking_urban"]www.agfc.com/fishing/trout_stocking_urban[/url].
CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream said the lake is dingy and at normal level. Redear sunfish are biting fairly well on worms, crickets and brown Tensel Teaser jigs fished on the bottom in 12 to 18 inches of water along the flats. Crappie are fair early in the morning on pink minnows, regular minnows and brown-and-black Tensel Teasers fished along the brush and stumps as well as the lily pad flats. Bass are biting fairly well around 3 to 4 feet deep on dark soft-plastic lizards and white spinnerbaits. Catfishing is improving on trotlines and yo-yos.
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort said the water is running low and clear. Generation has been very sporadic, with no long periods of continuous generation. Fishing has been slow, but a few trout have been caught on corn, nightcrawlers and sow bug pattern flies.
[url "http://www.jamierouse.net/"]Jamie Rouse[/url] said fishing is excellent with the light generation schedules. The big caddis have just shown up, and the march browns are present.
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 455.31 feet MSL.
[url "http://greersferry.com/members/fishfinder"]Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service[/url] said the cold weather cooled the water down to 46-48 degrees in the creeks 52-53 degrees in the main lake. Bass fishing was very good until the cold weather. Rat-L-Traps, small crankbaits and chatterbaits have been catching some good fish. Try fishing main lake points secondary points as well as channel bends until the fish make a major move to the back of pockets and traditional spawning areas. Walleye have already spawned, but they will be ganged up on main lake flats in about 28-32 feet of water in the next week or two.
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing said the lake is clearing up and the water level is almost normal again. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. The crappie fishing slowed with the rains and the rising water, but it should come on strong with the spawn right around the corner. Largemouth bass and hybrids are gathering close to the banks and are being caught on shad-imitating crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish are fair, with a few being caught on chicken livers and large minnows.
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing said the water is dingy. Fishing has been the best in the afternoons, after the lake has warmed. Crappie are biting well on white and chartreuse jigs and minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on blue/white spinnerbaits, soft plastics and live minnows. Catfishing is good on worms fished straight out from the bank.
Palarm Creek: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said the crappie are biting well on yo-yos and jigging poles rigged with pink minnows or red/chartreuse and pink/white mini jigs.
Toad Suck Lock and Dam: Bates Field and Stream said the river is stained and running at normal levels. White bass and stripers are biting fairly well below the dam on red/yellow mini jigs and white Rooster Tails.
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are biting fairly well in 2 to 3 feet of water on panfish worms and crickets. Crappie are fair along the banks in 3 to 10 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and floating Rapalas. Catfishing has been good on prepared baits.
Bass are biting well on brown/orange jig-and-pig combos and Texas-rigged lizards fished around cypress trees. Catfish are biting fairly well on trotlines and yo-yos baited with goldfish and rice field slicks. Crappie are biting well on live minnows, Crappie Stingers and mini jigs in 2 to 4 feet of water.
Maumelle River: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said white bass and stripers are schooling up at the old spillway. Live minnows and Rebel Pop-R's are working well on the schooling fish. Black bass are biting fairly well on brown/orange jig-and-pig combos, Carolina-rigged lizards and chartreuse double willowleaf spinnerbaits fished in 4 to 6 feet of water. Crappie are biting fairly well in 2 to 4 feet of water on pink minnows, regular minnows and red/chartreuse jigs.
Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger's Marina said the lake is about 3 feet below the spillway, a definite improvement from the beginning of the year. Black bass are biting well and are in their spring patterns again. Spinnerbaits, top-water lures and crankbaits worked shallow are producing some largemouths, as are flipping tubes and drop-shot rigs fished along the channels and points. Kentucky bass are biting fairly well in around 15 to 20 feet of water and are going for 3-inch grubs, worms and tubes in pumpkinseed colors. The white bass bite ahs been good for around six weeks now and should continue for a couple more. They are around the chimney on the north side of the lake and near the park on the south bank. Rogues with orange bellies have been the most consistent producers. The crappie are moving to shallower water and are being caught on Road Runners, Beetle Spins and small crappie minnows. Catfishing is good and the best action has come from 20 feet deep on large minnows, Canadian nightcrawlers and chicken livers. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets and worms in about 20 to 35 feet of water.
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said the water is still a little low and has a slight stain to it. Crappie are biting well in 8 to 10 feet of water around brush piles on live minnows. The white bass bite has stalled with the cold weather, but should pick back up by the weekend. Catfish are biting fairly well on live minnows and green sunfish in 8 to 10 feet of water where the creek channels drop off into the main lake.
Arkansas River (Little Rock area): Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie are biting well on live minnows and red/chartreuse or pink/white jigs fished under a slip-bobber rig around Burns Park. White bass and stripers have backed off, but should be back below the hydroelectric plant as the weather warms. Mann's Twin Tails and grubs in white and chartreuse are the go-to baits. Catfish are fair on green sunfish, nightcrawlers and chicken livers. Crappie are fair on a slip-bobber rig baited with live minnows.
McSwain Sports Center said the water is high and muddy. Crappie are fair in 8 to 10 feet of water on blue/white jigs fished near the rock jetties. Catfish are biting well on cut shad fished on the bottom in deeper holes of the river. All other species are slow.
Peckerwood Lake: Herman's Landing said the lake is clear, but the shoreline is murky. The rain has kept many anglers away, but they are beginning to get out on the water again. Crappie are biting fairly well on jigs fished near brush piles. Bass fishing has also been good, with many crappie anglers bringing in some largemouths as well. Catfishing took a turn for the worse with the cold weather.
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's said the lake is at normal levels. Bream are biting well on small black Rooster Tails in 7 to 8 feet of water around rocky points. Crappie are biting well in 8 feet of water on 2-inch grubs in Tennessee shad around brush piles. Bass are moving to the shallows and are biting well on green pumpkin lizards in 6 feet of water. Catfish are fair on stinkbait in 10 to 12 feet of water.
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's said the river is high. Bream are starting to move up and are biting well on crickets fished in 5 feet of water. Crappie are biting fairly well in 5 to 6 feet of water on live bait. Bass are biting well on pumkinseed centipedes and green pumpkin lizards in 4 to 5 feet of water. Catfishing was slow.
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said the river is muddy and high. Crappie are biting well on minnows in 10 feet of water. Stripers and white bass are being caught around rocky points and jetties in 10 feet of water on white, 3-inch Mister Twister grubs. Catfishing is good on cut shad fished just behind the dam.
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center said the lake is high and muddy. Bream are beginning to move toward the bank and are biting fairly well in 3 feet of water on wax worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well in 2 feet of water on minnows and jigs fished near woody cover. Bass are biting well in 3 feet of water on white spinnerbaits fished near woody cover. Catfishing is slow.
NORTH ARKANSAS:
White River: [url "http://www.mcflyshop.com/"]McLellan's Fly Shop[/url] said there has been a little more generation below Bull Shoals Dam lately; however, there have still been plenty of wading opportunities on the upper river from late morning on through the rest of the day. Tan and olive McLellan's Hunchback Scuds and Woven Sow Bugs are working well. Fishing high water out of a boat has also been very productive using large scuds, eggs and San Juan worms.
[url "http://www.wildernesstrail.com/"]Wilderness Trail[/url] said fishing for trout has been good depending on the generation. With low or no generation Berkley Power Eggs in yellow and pink have worked well along with a floating Rapalas, frozen shad and red worms. During generation, Buoyant Spoons, Little Cleos and Countdown Rapalas are the baits of choice. The fly fishermen have done extremely well with little generation on olive woolly buggers, caddis and sow bugs. Brown trout are being caught on Countdowns, Shad Raps, suspending Rogues and nightcrawlers.
North Fork River: [url "http://www.mcflyshop.com/"]McLellan's Fly Shop[/url] said for the last few weeks, one generator has come online around five or six in the morning and shut down by mid morning. They have also been generating in the evenings. Wade fishing is still possible in mid-day, with some very good action on scuds, sow bugs and caddis patterns. The Z-Wing Caddis and the Graphic Caddis have hooked tons of trout during the last week. Also, as more and more adults start to hatch in the late afternoon/evening, be sure to have plenty of Elk Hair Caddis and Web-Wing Caddis for some fun dry fly action.
[url "http://www.norfork.com/troutdock/"]Norfork Trout Dock[/url] said the water is clear and low with little generation. Rainbow trout and brown trout are biting well on corn, PowerBait, Rapalas, Blue Fox Spinners and Little Cleo Spoons. Drifting dead shad or a nightcrawler in the current has also been effective.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 646.77 feet MSL.
[url "http://www.wildernesstrail.com/"]Wilderness Trail[/url] said Main lake temperatures struggled to stay in the upper 40s with the cold winds and rain. On the plus side, the lake came up about almost a half a foot, so we are now about 7 3/4 feet below normal pool. Largemouth bass were more active on the main lake points than they were in the creeks last week. Football jigs and spider jigs were the key baits in brown or PB&J colors. Most of the largemouth were staging in 25 to 28 feet of water. As the lake warms back up they will move into the creeks and pockets to spawn. There are some small largemouths in the back of the northern creeks. Smallmouth bass are holding on pea rock points at the entrance of the cuts, pockets and creeks throughout the lake. They are transitioning towards spawning grounds and are holding in 24 to 28 feet of water. Brown, watermelon and appleseed tubes, suspending Rogues, Wiggle Warts and spider jigs are all producing some nice smallies. Kentucky bass broke away from the balls of shad and have moved into the pockets and creeks staging on banks that have ledges or large boulders. Their feeding pattern is still shad although they are cruising the banks looking for crawdads. Spider jigs, tubes and suspending rogues are working on the Kentuckies. Roadrunners and Lucky Craft Pointer 78's will catch Kentuckys as well as White bass. Walleye continue to elude us. They are hard to find during daylight because they are cruising but you can go out at night and catch a few off main lake points and secondary creek points on X-raps and suspending Rogues.
Sugar Loaf Harbor said the fishing has been very slow and many of the fish are just about ready to spawn.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 543.31 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Quik Stop said the lake is stained and the water is rising. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. The Zig Jig seems to be the hot seller for crappie anglers stopping at the store. Bass are biting well on jerkbaits and crankbaits fished along the creek arms. Smallmouth bass are doing well on primary and secondary points with pea gravel and chunk rock. White bass are making their run in the creek arms and Rat-L-Traps, Rooster Tails and speck rigs are working well. Walleye are in the creek arms as well and the action is heating up on Suspending Rogues and other jerkbaits fished right along the banks at night. Rainbow trout are biting well below the dam on gray/white, ginger, and orange/yellow Zig Jigs and Y2K Bugs fished under a strike indicator.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,106.70 feet MSL.
Southtown Sporting Goods said the water is clear in the main lake, but has a heavy stain in the river arms. Crapie are fair on Shiny Hienie Jigs fished close to planted brush piles. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and jerkbaits. Walleye should be about through spawning, and the heavy after-spawn feed should kick in the next week. White bass and stripers should also begin schooling just downstream from their spawning areas and fishing will be excellent.
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock said the water temperature is still around 46 degrees and the weather has kept many folks off the lake. Anglers are catching a few white bass on spoons.
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock said the lake is about 6 inches above normal pool. The bream fishing is poor, but they should be turning on soon. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs slow-trolled in 3 to 4 feet of water around brush piles. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, soft-plastic worms and jig-and-frog combos. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait and worms in 6 to 8 feet of water around mud flats and main lake points. Snaggers are catching some spoonbills below the dam.
Beaver Tailwaters: [url "http://www.mcflyshop.com/"]McLellan's Fly Shop[/url] said there has been little generation lately, providing excellent wading opportunities. Scuds, sow bugs and midge pupa patterns have been productive, but cream midge adult patterns have been hot as well. Anglers are also doing well swinging soft-hackle flies across the current.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Monticello: Outdoor Super Store said the lake is dingy and high. The weather has kept the fishing slow, but things should pick up soon.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 260.24 feet MSL.
[url "http://www.millwoodguideservice.com/"]Millwood Lake Guide Service[/url] said water temperatures drastically dropped from last week. In some areas, the water is as cold as 50 degrees again. Little River and oxbows have increased stain from the three foot rise in lake elevation. Many cleared beds from bass and crappie were being noticed in 3-5 feet of water last week, but no female fish have been observed on the beds yet. Current in Little River is greatly increased. Gate discharge is 18,990CFS as of Monday, with another gate change expected mid-week. Numerous river marker buoys are missing and floating debris, trees and vegetation line Little River. Use extreme caution on the water. Black bass fishing was tough last week, to say the least. Bass Assassin Shads, hard jerk baits, War Eagle spinnerbaits caught a few, as did Zoom trick worms in merthiolate or lime green around flooded bushes between Snake Creek and Red Slough on the west end of the pipeline and on Okay point in flooded trees and freshly covered vegetation. War Eagle Spinnerbaits in white/chartreuse seemed to be the only color spinnerbait they would hit. A few nice bass were caught around mouths to creeks and in deeper creek channels with stumps and flooded bushes. Texas-rigged Brush Hogs and lizards in chartruese-pumpkin, blackberry and black neon are working fairly well. The white bass spawn is pretty much done as far as we can tell. White or red Little Cleos or Little Georges and Rooster Tails were working very well prior to the lake rise between Highway 71 Bridge and Patterson Shoals. Crappie have moved back out to deeper water, and all but completely shut off. Blue catfish really picked up the pace with the increase in Little River current. Blues are hitting prepared cut shad in the 16-18 foot depth ranges along Little River.
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine said the water is stained and low. Crappie are biting fairly well on red/white jigs in 8 feet of water around brush near Beach Creek Bridge. Bass are beginning to move shallow and are biting well on white H and H spinnerbaits and soft-plastic lizards in 3 to 4 feet of water. Catfishing is good on stinkbait and large live minnows near deep channels.
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine said crappie are biting well in 2 feet of water on yo-yos at night. Bass are moving up and are biting well in 3 to 4 feet of water on dark-colored lizards and white spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait and small baitfish throughout the lake.
White Oak Lake: Charlie's One Stop said the lake is clear, but the rains have kept anglers off the water. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets and red worms. Crappie turned on over the weekend and are being caught on yo-yos baited with minnows. All other species are slow.
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.06 feet MSL.
Lakeside Grocery, Motel/Bait Shop said trout are just below the dam and biting well on salmon eggs. The rising water has shut down a lot of the fishing, but as the water clears and stabilizes, anglers should start having some luck on the typical spring patterns.
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 404.90 feet MSL.
DeGray One Stop said the water is around 55 degrees and is back to normal levels for this time of year. The south side of the lake is clear, but the north side of the lake and Brushy Creek are muddy. Crappie fishing is fair, and they should start moving shallow again. The outside weed edge is holding most of the crappie right now. Bass moved deeper into the grass, but they should be back shallow with a little warmer weather.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Early Bird Outfitters said the lake is slightly stained and the water temperature is around 52 degrees. Bream are starting to come up and are biting well on small nightcrawlers and crickets. Crappie are biting well throughout the lake. The best depths range from 18 inches in the grass to channel swings around 9 feet deep. Fishing for black bass has been hit-or-miss. Catfihsing is good on chicken livers and cut bait. Hybrid and white bass are being caught on shad-colored and white crankbaits across the current.
Blue Mountain Lake: CNC's End of the Line said the rain brought the lake up 5 to 5 feet and the lake is muddy from the fast rise. Catfishing has been pretty good lately on chicken livers and minnows fished from the bank. Anglers using nightcrawlers had no success.
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart said the water is murky and at normal levels. Bream are holding close to the bottom and are biting on worms and crickets, but action has been slow. Crappie are biting fairly well on jigs and minnows fished around brush and other woody cover in 3 to 6 feet of water. White bass are schooling and action is hot around upstream creek mouths and around the dam. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfish are fair just below the dam on cut shad and minnows.
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 575.33 feet MSL.
Lake Ouachita State Park Marina said the lake is beginning to clear from last week's storms. The water temperature ranges from 52 to 54 degrees. Anglers have reported decent catches of crappie around the hydrilla lines and drop-offs on Kalin's grubs in Tennessee Shad and John Deer colors. Striper fishing is good in areas where the shad are located. Gray flukes, spoons and crankbaits imitating shad are catching most of the fish. Brood minnows have worked on stripers as well. Bass fishing has been fair on finesse worms and spinner baits. The walleye fishing has tapered off, with few catches reported. Bream have been caught in the shallows and off the hydrilla lines on small jigs and spinners.
Lake Catherine: Trader Bill's Sport Shop said the water is stained and the surface temperature is around 56 degrees. Crappie are biting well in 6 feet of water on minnows and jigs fished around brush piles near the main channel. Bass are biting well in 5 feet of water on spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
Lake Hamilton: Trader Bill's Sport Shop said the lake is stained and the water temperature ranges from 54 to 56 degrees. Crappie are biting well in 6 feet of water on minnows and jigs fished around planted brush piles. Bass are biting well in 5 feet of water on crankbaits and spinnerbaits near primary and secondary points.
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop said the lake is clear and at normal levels. Crappie fishing is good in 3 to 5 feet of water on a jig-and-minnow combination. Bass fishing has been good on soft-plastics and crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on chicken livers. Bream are slow.
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing said the lake is slightly stained and at normal levels. Bream and crappie are both biting well. Bream are biting the best on crickets, while crappie are going for small red/chartreuse jigs. All other fishing has been slow.
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 349.47 feet MSL.
Lake Nimrod Bait 'n' More said the lake had risen, but is down to normal levels now, leaving the water muddy. Crappie fishing has been excellent. Both yo-yo anglers and pole fishermen are catching plenty of slabs on small minnows.
EAST ARKANSAS:
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box said the water is clear and a little low. Bream are biting fairly well on the river in 6 to 8 feet of water. Wax worms, red worms and crickets are all working well. Crappie are biting around the harbor and on the backside of Pine Bluff Lake. Catfish are biting well at Shepard Island and Lock and Dam No. Three. Live minnows are the best baits.
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing said the water is high and clear. Fishing has been fair on trotlines and yo-yos baited with minnows. Tightlining with minnows is also producing plenty of catfish and crappie.
Bear Creek Lake: Six Rivers Sport Center said the lake is clear and at normal levels. Bream are biting fairly well on wax worms and crickets fished in 4 feet of water near the bank. Crappie have also moved closer to the bank, and anglers are catching them in 8 to 10 feet of water on black/chartreuse jigs and minnows. Bass are fair on white spinnerbaits bumped off any visible cover. Jug fishing with live green sunfish is bringing in a few catfish.
Arkansas Outdoors said the lake is clear and at normal levels. Bream fishing is slow. Crappie are biting well in 22 feet of water on minnows fished under a slip-bobber rig. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Horseshoe Lake: Local fisherman Clyde Gregory said the lake is about 4 feet low and the water is clear. Fishing has been very slow, even though many people have been out on the water. Bream fishing is slow, but a few have been caught on wax worms in the shallows. Crappie are slow, with some being caught on minnows fished tight to the piers. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits fished near the edge of the lily pads. Catfish are biting well on cut bait and nightcrawlers.
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Statewide Urban Fishing Report: Anglers have caught a many trout in the urban ponds during the last few days, and there are plenty left. There are still plenty of trout in Rock Creek as well. A Pink Power Egg tipped with a wax worm and crappie minnow is working very well. Bream are beginning to bite on worms near shore and a few holdover catfish from last year's stockings are being caught on chicken liver. Several anglers also have reported catching a few crappie. Hybrid striped bass are still being caught with silver spoons, Rooster Tails and white curly-tailed grubs in the late afternoon.
For the latest urban trout stocking information, call toll-free 1-866-540-FISH (3474) or check our Web site [url "http://www.agfc.com/fishing/trout_stocking_urban"]www.agfc.com/fishing/trout_stocking_urban[/url].
CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream said the lake is dingy and at normal level. Redear sunfish are biting fairly well on worms, crickets and brown Tensel Teaser jigs fished on the bottom in 12 to 18 inches of water along the flats. Crappie are fair early in the morning on pink minnows, regular minnows and brown-and-black Tensel Teasers fished along the brush and stumps as well as the lily pad flats. Bass are biting fairly well around 3 to 4 feet deep on dark soft-plastic lizards and white spinnerbaits. Catfishing is improving on trotlines and yo-yos.
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort said the water is running low and clear. Generation has been very sporadic, with no long periods of continuous generation. Fishing has been slow, but a few trout have been caught on corn, nightcrawlers and sow bug pattern flies.
[url "http://www.jamierouse.net/"]Jamie Rouse[/url] said fishing is excellent with the light generation schedules. The big caddis have just shown up, and the march browns are present.
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 455.31 feet MSL.
[url "http://greersferry.com/members/fishfinder"]Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service[/url] said the cold weather cooled the water down to 46-48 degrees in the creeks 52-53 degrees in the main lake. Bass fishing was very good until the cold weather. Rat-L-Traps, small crankbaits and chatterbaits have been catching some good fish. Try fishing main lake points secondary points as well as channel bends until the fish make a major move to the back of pockets and traditional spawning areas. Walleye have already spawned, but they will be ganged up on main lake flats in about 28-32 feet of water in the next week or two.
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing said the lake is clearing up and the water level is almost normal again. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. The crappie fishing slowed with the rains and the rising water, but it should come on strong with the spawn right around the corner. Largemouth bass and hybrids are gathering close to the banks and are being caught on shad-imitating crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish are fair, with a few being caught on chicken livers and large minnows.
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing said the water is dingy. Fishing has been the best in the afternoons, after the lake has warmed. Crappie are biting well on white and chartreuse jigs and minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on blue/white spinnerbaits, soft plastics and live minnows. Catfishing is good on worms fished straight out from the bank.
Palarm Creek: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said the crappie are biting well on yo-yos and jigging poles rigged with pink minnows or red/chartreuse and pink/white mini jigs.
Toad Suck Lock and Dam: Bates Field and Stream said the river is stained and running at normal levels. White bass and stripers are biting fairly well below the dam on red/yellow mini jigs and white Rooster Tails.
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are biting fairly well in 2 to 3 feet of water on panfish worms and crickets. Crappie are fair along the banks in 3 to 10 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and floating Rapalas. Catfishing has been good on prepared baits.
Bass are biting well on brown/orange jig-and-pig combos and Texas-rigged lizards fished around cypress trees. Catfish are biting fairly well on trotlines and yo-yos baited with goldfish and rice field slicks. Crappie are biting well on live minnows, Crappie Stingers and mini jigs in 2 to 4 feet of water.
Maumelle River: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said white bass and stripers are schooling up at the old spillway. Live minnows and Rebel Pop-R's are working well on the schooling fish. Black bass are biting fairly well on brown/orange jig-and-pig combos, Carolina-rigged lizards and chartreuse double willowleaf spinnerbaits fished in 4 to 6 feet of water. Crappie are biting fairly well in 2 to 4 feet of water on pink minnows, regular minnows and red/chartreuse jigs.
Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger's Marina said the lake is about 3 feet below the spillway, a definite improvement from the beginning of the year. Black bass are biting well and are in their spring patterns again. Spinnerbaits, top-water lures and crankbaits worked shallow are producing some largemouths, as are flipping tubes and drop-shot rigs fished along the channels and points. Kentucky bass are biting fairly well in around 15 to 20 feet of water and are going for 3-inch grubs, worms and tubes in pumpkinseed colors. The white bass bite ahs been good for around six weeks now and should continue for a couple more. They are around the chimney on the north side of the lake and near the park on the south bank. Rogues with orange bellies have been the most consistent producers. The crappie are moving to shallower water and are being caught on Road Runners, Beetle Spins and small crappie minnows. Catfishing is good and the best action has come from 20 feet deep on large minnows, Canadian nightcrawlers and chicken livers. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets and worms in about 20 to 35 feet of water.
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said the water is still a little low and has a slight stain to it. Crappie are biting well in 8 to 10 feet of water around brush piles on live minnows. The white bass bite has stalled with the cold weather, but should pick back up by the weekend. Catfish are biting fairly well on live minnows and green sunfish in 8 to 10 feet of water where the creek channels drop off into the main lake.
Arkansas River (Little Rock area): Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie are biting well on live minnows and red/chartreuse or pink/white jigs fished under a slip-bobber rig around Burns Park. White bass and stripers have backed off, but should be back below the hydroelectric plant as the weather warms. Mann's Twin Tails and grubs in white and chartreuse are the go-to baits. Catfish are fair on green sunfish, nightcrawlers and chicken livers. Crappie are fair on a slip-bobber rig baited with live minnows.
McSwain Sports Center said the water is high and muddy. Crappie are fair in 8 to 10 feet of water on blue/white jigs fished near the rock jetties. Catfish are biting well on cut shad fished on the bottom in deeper holes of the river. All other species are slow.
Peckerwood Lake: Herman's Landing said the lake is clear, but the shoreline is murky. The rain has kept many anglers away, but they are beginning to get out on the water again. Crappie are biting fairly well on jigs fished near brush piles. Bass fishing has also been good, with many crappie anglers bringing in some largemouths as well. Catfishing took a turn for the worse with the cold weather.
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's said the lake is at normal levels. Bream are biting well on small black Rooster Tails in 7 to 8 feet of water around rocky points. Crappie are biting well in 8 feet of water on 2-inch grubs in Tennessee shad around brush piles. Bass are moving to the shallows and are biting well on green pumpkin lizards in 6 feet of water. Catfish are fair on stinkbait in 10 to 12 feet of water.
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's said the river is high. Bream are starting to move up and are biting well on crickets fished in 5 feet of water. Crappie are biting fairly well in 5 to 6 feet of water on live bait. Bass are biting well on pumkinseed centipedes and green pumpkin lizards in 4 to 5 feet of water. Catfishing was slow.
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said the river is muddy and high. Crappie are biting well on minnows in 10 feet of water. Stripers and white bass are being caught around rocky points and jetties in 10 feet of water on white, 3-inch Mister Twister grubs. Catfishing is good on cut shad fished just behind the dam.
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center said the lake is high and muddy. Bream are beginning to move toward the bank and are biting fairly well in 3 feet of water on wax worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well in 2 feet of water on minnows and jigs fished near woody cover. Bass are biting well in 3 feet of water on white spinnerbaits fished near woody cover. Catfishing is slow.
NORTH ARKANSAS:
White River: [url "http://www.mcflyshop.com/"]McLellan's Fly Shop[/url] said there has been a little more generation below Bull Shoals Dam lately; however, there have still been plenty of wading opportunities on the upper river from late morning on through the rest of the day. Tan and olive McLellan's Hunchback Scuds and Woven Sow Bugs are working well. Fishing high water out of a boat has also been very productive using large scuds, eggs and San Juan worms.
[url "http://www.wildernesstrail.com/"]Wilderness Trail[/url] said fishing for trout has been good depending on the generation. With low or no generation Berkley Power Eggs in yellow and pink have worked well along with a floating Rapalas, frozen shad and red worms. During generation, Buoyant Spoons, Little Cleos and Countdown Rapalas are the baits of choice. The fly fishermen have done extremely well with little generation on olive woolly buggers, caddis and sow bugs. Brown trout are being caught on Countdowns, Shad Raps, suspending Rogues and nightcrawlers.
North Fork River: [url "http://www.mcflyshop.com/"]McLellan's Fly Shop[/url] said for the last few weeks, one generator has come online around five or six in the morning and shut down by mid morning. They have also been generating in the evenings. Wade fishing is still possible in mid-day, with some very good action on scuds, sow bugs and caddis patterns. The Z-Wing Caddis and the Graphic Caddis have hooked tons of trout during the last week. Also, as more and more adults start to hatch in the late afternoon/evening, be sure to have plenty of Elk Hair Caddis and Web-Wing Caddis for some fun dry fly action.
[url "http://www.norfork.com/troutdock/"]Norfork Trout Dock[/url] said the water is clear and low with little generation. Rainbow trout and brown trout are biting well on corn, PowerBait, Rapalas, Blue Fox Spinners and Little Cleo Spoons. Drifting dead shad or a nightcrawler in the current has also been effective.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 646.77 feet MSL.
[url "http://www.wildernesstrail.com/"]Wilderness Trail[/url] said Main lake temperatures struggled to stay in the upper 40s with the cold winds and rain. On the plus side, the lake came up about almost a half a foot, so we are now about 7 3/4 feet below normal pool. Largemouth bass were more active on the main lake points than they were in the creeks last week. Football jigs and spider jigs were the key baits in brown or PB&J colors. Most of the largemouth were staging in 25 to 28 feet of water. As the lake warms back up they will move into the creeks and pockets to spawn. There are some small largemouths in the back of the northern creeks. Smallmouth bass are holding on pea rock points at the entrance of the cuts, pockets and creeks throughout the lake. They are transitioning towards spawning grounds and are holding in 24 to 28 feet of water. Brown, watermelon and appleseed tubes, suspending Rogues, Wiggle Warts and spider jigs are all producing some nice smallies. Kentucky bass broke away from the balls of shad and have moved into the pockets and creeks staging on banks that have ledges or large boulders. Their feeding pattern is still shad although they are cruising the banks looking for crawdads. Spider jigs, tubes and suspending rogues are working on the Kentuckies. Roadrunners and Lucky Craft Pointer 78's will catch Kentuckys as well as White bass. Walleye continue to elude us. They are hard to find during daylight because they are cruising but you can go out at night and catch a few off main lake points and secondary creek points on X-raps and suspending Rogues.
Sugar Loaf Harbor said the fishing has been very slow and many of the fish are just about ready to spawn.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 543.31 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Quik Stop said the lake is stained and the water is rising. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. The Zig Jig seems to be the hot seller for crappie anglers stopping at the store. Bass are biting well on jerkbaits and crankbaits fished along the creek arms. Smallmouth bass are doing well on primary and secondary points with pea gravel and chunk rock. White bass are making their run in the creek arms and Rat-L-Traps, Rooster Tails and speck rigs are working well. Walleye are in the creek arms as well and the action is heating up on Suspending Rogues and other jerkbaits fished right along the banks at night. Rainbow trout are biting well below the dam on gray/white, ginger, and orange/yellow Zig Jigs and Y2K Bugs fished under a strike indicator.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,106.70 feet MSL.
Southtown Sporting Goods said the water is clear in the main lake, but has a heavy stain in the river arms. Crapie are fair on Shiny Hienie Jigs fished close to planted brush piles. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and jerkbaits. Walleye should be about through spawning, and the heavy after-spawn feed should kick in the next week. White bass and stripers should also begin schooling just downstream from their spawning areas and fishing will be excellent.
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock said the water temperature is still around 46 degrees and the weather has kept many folks off the lake. Anglers are catching a few white bass on spoons.
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock said the lake is about 6 inches above normal pool. The bream fishing is poor, but they should be turning on soon. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs slow-trolled in 3 to 4 feet of water around brush piles. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, soft-plastic worms and jig-and-frog combos. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait and worms in 6 to 8 feet of water around mud flats and main lake points. Snaggers are catching some spoonbills below the dam.
Beaver Tailwaters: [url "http://www.mcflyshop.com/"]McLellan's Fly Shop[/url] said there has been little generation lately, providing excellent wading opportunities. Scuds, sow bugs and midge pupa patterns have been productive, but cream midge adult patterns have been hot as well. Anglers are also doing well swinging soft-hackle flies across the current.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Monticello: Outdoor Super Store said the lake is dingy and high. The weather has kept the fishing slow, but things should pick up soon.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 260.24 feet MSL.
[url "http://www.millwoodguideservice.com/"]Millwood Lake Guide Service[/url] said water temperatures drastically dropped from last week. In some areas, the water is as cold as 50 degrees again. Little River and oxbows have increased stain from the three foot rise in lake elevation. Many cleared beds from bass and crappie were being noticed in 3-5 feet of water last week, but no female fish have been observed on the beds yet. Current in Little River is greatly increased. Gate discharge is 18,990CFS as of Monday, with another gate change expected mid-week. Numerous river marker buoys are missing and floating debris, trees and vegetation line Little River. Use extreme caution on the water. Black bass fishing was tough last week, to say the least. Bass Assassin Shads, hard jerk baits, War Eagle spinnerbaits caught a few, as did Zoom trick worms in merthiolate or lime green around flooded bushes between Snake Creek and Red Slough on the west end of the pipeline and on Okay point in flooded trees and freshly covered vegetation. War Eagle Spinnerbaits in white/chartreuse seemed to be the only color spinnerbait they would hit. A few nice bass were caught around mouths to creeks and in deeper creek channels with stumps and flooded bushes. Texas-rigged Brush Hogs and lizards in chartruese-pumpkin, blackberry and black neon are working fairly well. The white bass spawn is pretty much done as far as we can tell. White or red Little Cleos or Little Georges and Rooster Tails were working very well prior to the lake rise between Highway 71 Bridge and Patterson Shoals. Crappie have moved back out to deeper water, and all but completely shut off. Blue catfish really picked up the pace with the increase in Little River current. Blues are hitting prepared cut shad in the 16-18 foot depth ranges along Little River.
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine said the water is stained and low. Crappie are biting fairly well on red/white jigs in 8 feet of water around brush near Beach Creek Bridge. Bass are beginning to move shallow and are biting well on white H and H spinnerbaits and soft-plastic lizards in 3 to 4 feet of water. Catfishing is good on stinkbait and large live minnows near deep channels.
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine said crappie are biting well in 2 feet of water on yo-yos at night. Bass are moving up and are biting well in 3 to 4 feet of water on dark-colored lizards and white spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait and small baitfish throughout the lake.
White Oak Lake: Charlie's One Stop said the lake is clear, but the rains have kept anglers off the water. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets and red worms. Crappie turned on over the weekend and are being caught on yo-yos baited with minnows. All other species are slow.
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.06 feet MSL.
Lakeside Grocery, Motel/Bait Shop said trout are just below the dam and biting well on salmon eggs. The rising water has shut down a lot of the fishing, but as the water clears and stabilizes, anglers should start having some luck on the typical spring patterns.
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 404.90 feet MSL.
DeGray One Stop said the water is around 55 degrees and is back to normal levels for this time of year. The south side of the lake is clear, but the north side of the lake and Brushy Creek are muddy. Crappie fishing is fair, and they should start moving shallow again. The outside weed edge is holding most of the crappie right now. Bass moved deeper into the grass, but they should be back shallow with a little warmer weather.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Early Bird Outfitters said the lake is slightly stained and the water temperature is around 52 degrees. Bream are starting to come up and are biting well on small nightcrawlers and crickets. Crappie are biting well throughout the lake. The best depths range from 18 inches in the grass to channel swings around 9 feet deep. Fishing for black bass has been hit-or-miss. Catfihsing is good on chicken livers and cut bait. Hybrid and white bass are being caught on shad-colored and white crankbaits across the current.
Blue Mountain Lake: CNC's End of the Line said the rain brought the lake up 5 to 5 feet and the lake is muddy from the fast rise. Catfishing has been pretty good lately on chicken livers and minnows fished from the bank. Anglers using nightcrawlers had no success.
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart said the water is murky and at normal levels. Bream are holding close to the bottom and are biting on worms and crickets, but action has been slow. Crappie are biting fairly well on jigs and minnows fished around brush and other woody cover in 3 to 6 feet of water. White bass are schooling and action is hot around upstream creek mouths and around the dam. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfish are fair just below the dam on cut shad and minnows.
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 575.33 feet MSL.
Lake Ouachita State Park Marina said the lake is beginning to clear from last week's storms. The water temperature ranges from 52 to 54 degrees. Anglers have reported decent catches of crappie around the hydrilla lines and drop-offs on Kalin's grubs in Tennessee Shad and John Deer colors. Striper fishing is good in areas where the shad are located. Gray flukes, spoons and crankbaits imitating shad are catching most of the fish. Brood minnows have worked on stripers as well. Bass fishing has been fair on finesse worms and spinner baits. The walleye fishing has tapered off, with few catches reported. Bream have been caught in the shallows and off the hydrilla lines on small jigs and spinners.
Lake Catherine: Trader Bill's Sport Shop said the water is stained and the surface temperature is around 56 degrees. Crappie are biting well in 6 feet of water on minnows and jigs fished around brush piles near the main channel. Bass are biting well in 5 feet of water on spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
Lake Hamilton: Trader Bill's Sport Shop said the lake is stained and the water temperature ranges from 54 to 56 degrees. Crappie are biting well in 6 feet of water on minnows and jigs fished around planted brush piles. Bass are biting well in 5 feet of water on crankbaits and spinnerbaits near primary and secondary points.
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop said the lake is clear and at normal levels. Crappie fishing is good in 3 to 5 feet of water on a jig-and-minnow combination. Bass fishing has been good on soft-plastics and crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on chicken livers. Bream are slow.
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing said the lake is slightly stained and at normal levels. Bream and crappie are both biting well. Bream are biting the best on crickets, while crappie are going for small red/chartreuse jigs. All other fishing has been slow.
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 349.47 feet MSL.
Lake Nimrod Bait 'n' More said the lake had risen, but is down to normal levels now, leaving the water muddy. Crappie fishing has been excellent. Both yo-yo anglers and pole fishermen are catching plenty of slabs on small minnows.
EAST ARKANSAS:
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box said the water is clear and a little low. Bream are biting fairly well on the river in 6 to 8 feet of water. Wax worms, red worms and crickets are all working well. Crappie are biting around the harbor and on the backside of Pine Bluff Lake. Catfish are biting well at Shepard Island and Lock and Dam No. Three. Live minnows are the best baits.
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing said the water is high and clear. Fishing has been fair on trotlines and yo-yos baited with minnows. Tightlining with minnows is also producing plenty of catfish and crappie.
Bear Creek Lake: Six Rivers Sport Center said the lake is clear and at normal levels. Bream are biting fairly well on wax worms and crickets fished in 4 feet of water near the bank. Crappie have also moved closer to the bank, and anglers are catching them in 8 to 10 feet of water on black/chartreuse jigs and minnows. Bass are fair on white spinnerbaits bumped off any visible cover. Jug fishing with live green sunfish is bringing in a few catfish.
Arkansas Outdoors said the lake is clear and at normal levels. Bream fishing is slow. Crappie are biting well in 22 feet of water on minnows fished under a slip-bobber rig. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Horseshoe Lake: Local fisherman Clyde Gregory said the lake is about 4 feet low and the water is clear. Fishing has been very slow, even though many people have been out on the water. Bream fishing is slow, but a few have been caught on wax worms in the shallows. Crappie are slow, with some being caught on minnows fished tight to the piers. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits fished near the edge of the lily pads. Catfish are biting well on cut bait and nightcrawlers.
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