01-11-2007, 10:10 PM
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Keith Stephens (501) 223-6342, e-mail: kastephens@agfc.state.ar.us
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's fishing report for Jan. 10, 2007. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.
Fishing Tip: When the water rises dramatically from rains, new cover is flooded and many fish rush to the shallows for the warmer water and new food sources. As reservoirs fill, flood gates will be opened and the water will then drop sharply. Once the water begins to drop, the same fish that rushed up shallow will be found on the points and ledges nearest the shallow-water feeding areas.
Arkansas River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the Arkansas River stages are:
5.52 feet at Dardanelle (flood stage - 32 feet)
10.96 feet at Morrilton (flood stage - 30 feet)
7.76 feet at Little Rock (flood stage - 23 feet)
31.63 feet at Pine Bluff (flood stage - 42 feet)
26.50 feet at Pendleton (flood stage - 31 feet)
White River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages are:
19.10 feet at Georgetown (flood stage - 21 feet)
28.96 feet at Augusta (flood stage - 26 feet)
14.96 feet at Newport (flood stage - 26 feet)
9.47 feet at Batesville (flood stage - 15 feet)
5.80 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage - 19 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Trout anglers are having very good success in program ponds on yellow Power Eggs tipped with a wax worm, white Roostertails and olive Trout Magnets. Fishing in Rock Creek has been excellent despite the rain and higher water levels. Pink PowerBait, mini marshmallows and small spoons are working well. Several trout in the 2- to 5-pound range have been stocked recently at various locations as well. Hybrid striped bass are still biting on minnows in Kiwanis and Macarthur Park ponds. For more information on trout stockings, call toll-free 1-866-540-FISH (3474).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is low and murky. Crappie are excellent on pink minnows in 18 inches of water. Catfishing is excellent on Adams Lake using minnows.
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is running around the clock. Floating flies are working decently, but the best luck has been with Rapalas cast across the current and live bait drifted from a boat.
Mark Hollan at The Little Red Fly Shop in Heber Springs said the brown trout spawn is winding down. Larger and better quality fish were caught than in recent memory. Water releases at the Greers Ferry power house have increased with cold weather and higher lake levels. Generation has been occurring daily with two units started in the mornings and ending around midday to late afternoon. Wading opportunities have been slim. Sub-surface patterns working right now include tan sow bugs (sizes 14-18), San Juan worms (sizes 14-18), olive woolly buggers (sizes 8-12) and egg patterns (sizes 14-12).
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 463.07 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the walleye bite is good. Walleye will hit 1/8-ounce jigs tripped with minnows in 40-70 feet of water around the mouths of creeks. The bite is very light, but it's there. Most bass have left the bank with the water releases. They are biting Carolina rigs and football head jigs in 44 to 70 feet of water. If they don't return to the shallows after the rain brings the water back up. They will most likely get out of the current and stack up behind secondary points. Drop-shotted finesse worms, jigging spoons, Carolina rigs and football head jigs should all work well. White bass and hybrids are showing up in the rivers, with the most action being up the Devil's Fork arm. If you want to get away from the crowds try South Fork or Middle Fork.
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is high and murky. Fishing is very slow with the cooler temperatures.
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is high and fishing is slow.
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water is muddy and at normal levels. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished in brush 3 feet or deeper. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits fished near brush. Catfishing is fair in deeper holes of the river on live or prepared baits. Bream fishing is slow.
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and muddy. All species are slow.
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and muddy. Not many anglers are visiting the river with the swift current and low water clarity.
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the flow from Lock 9 is 50,000 cubic feet per second with a headwater of 285.5 and a tailwater of 269.4. The weather has kept many anglers off the water. Catfishing is good on whole shad near the creek mouths and deep holes of the river. Stripers are biting well on the jetty tips and below Lock 9. The best luck has been on live shad fished 8 to 10 feet deep. Some large drum are on the backside of the jetties where the sand and rock meet, and are being caught on crawfish-colored tubes. Kentucky bass are suspended on secondary drops behind jetties and slack-water areas. CC spoons are catching quite a few.
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said stripers are biting well below the dam on 1-ounce CC spoons when the water is running. Catfishing is fair on whole shad fished on the bottom. A few sauger have been caught on white twister-tailed grubs.
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center said the water is high and muddy. A few crappie were caught on minnows last week. Other than that, the fishing has been slow.
NORTH ARKANSAS:
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said the holidays and mild weather have put power demand at a minimum, so the water conditions have been low with one generator turned on for an hour or two. Trout fishing has been excellent, with a lot of trout being caught on redworms, wax worms, nightcrawlers and Berkley PowerBait. The best artificials have been gold/red Buoyant Spoons, gold or gold/red Little Cleos and floating Rapalas. Fly fishing has been excellent with the low water. Olive woolly buggers, sow bugs and tan scuds are all doing well. If a little water is running, a red San Juan worm is working great.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 653.89 feet MSL.
Wilderness Trail (870-445-2703) said crappie are still active in the upper lake but they have slowed down in the lower lake. Brush piles and channel drop offs are the winter holding areas. Crappie minnows will still work until the water temperature reaches the low 40-degree mark. The best artificial baits are sword-tail tubes, crappie tubes and crappie jigs. Drop down to 4-pound line and work your baits slowly. Largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky bass started biting on the banks last week. It seems as though the spinnerbait and crankbait bite is turning on. Largemouth bass are on the banks inside of small cuts in the creeks and along the banks at the backs of main-lake pockets and coves. You have to cover a lot of water but when you finally catch one on a bank you will catch a few more in the same area. Some largemouth are still under the shad, once you find an active school there will be largemouth under them. Drop a silver or white spoon under the shad for these fish. Smallmouth are also on the banks, but they are mostly around secondary and main-lake points. Slow-rolled spinnerbaits and Wiggle Warts in green or brown crawdad colors are working the best. Other smallies are off the drop offs of the points. Spider jigs, tubes and finesse worms on a shaky head jig are the key baits. Kentuckies seem to be in the backs with the largemouth although we have picked up a few around points. The Kentuckies are striking spinnerbaits better than crankbaits. Many Kentuckies are under balls of shad off main-lake points, along creek channel swings and in main-lake cuts. Spoons are the best bet for them, but a drop-shot rig will work great as well. Walleye are in their winter haunts, suspended over the flooded timber, along the bluff walls and on the bottom in 45 to 50 feet of water on the flats. The best fishing is by jigging Binks spoons, CC spoons and Rapala Jigging Spoons. Pulling minnow baits can produce some nice walleye during the winter months but the trolling technique is very spotty in cold water.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 552.18 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Crappie fishing is poor. Bass are biting well on jig-and-pig combos, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Some stripers are biting decently on spoons and trolled stick baits.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is crystal clear and running all day. Trout are biting well on corn and worms fished on a slip-sinker rig and Rapala Floating Minnows fished across the current.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,120.31 feet MSL.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is at power pool. Striper fishing is good on 1-ounce Road Runners and large shiners trolled in open water around baitfish clouds. Crappie are fair on minnows and Shinneee Hinneee jigs in 6 to 20 feet of water. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, a variety of crankbaits, including Wiggle Warts and Bandits and ¾-ounce football-head jigs with brown/purple or black/blue trailers. A few bass were taken on silver and white spoons as well.
Beaver Tailwater: McLellan's Fly Shop said with Beaver Lake filling up, generation has increased on Beaver tailwater during the last few days. Midge patterns are always important on Beaver tailwater, but especially during winter. Flies such as jujubee midges, the poison tung, and zebra midges have been fooling many trout, especially on breezy days. Griffith's gnats and other midge dry-fly patterns have been hooking plenty of trout as well.
SWEPCO Lake: Local guide, Brad Wiegmann (479-756-5279) said the regulations for black bass on SWEPCO changed to a 10-fish limit with only one being over 18-inches. The water is 72 degrees at the dam, in the mid-90s around the discharge and 85-degrees across from the discharge. The water is clear. The ramp conditions are still on the poor side with many anglers launching from the gravel beside the ramp. The big bass have been reluctant to bite. Anglers working the shoreline with shaky head jigs and finesse worms are catching small bass. Some schools of small baitfish were seen next to shore last week. Anglers should try drop shotting, split shot, dead sticking, or float-n-fly techniques around deep points, the discharge and dam area.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Crappie are holding very deep (25 to 30 feet) and are very slow. Bass are also deep, but a few have been taken on football head jigs and soft-plastic crayfish imitations.
Spring River: Trey Anderson with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reports that trout fishing is good using artificial baits. Bass and walleye fishing is fair.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Chicot: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the fishing is slow. Bream are biting on wax worms and crickets, and those that do bite are large. Some crappie are hitting minnows and jigs fished tight to planted crappie mats. Catfishing is fair on live and prepared bait.
Local anglers report catching a few crappie, but success has been slow. Catfishing is still good on cut shad and prepared baits. Some large redears and warmouth are biting redworms in the gravel pit.
Lake Wilson: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said crappie and bream fishing has been good lately on shiners and jigs.
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said fishing is slow, but a few small crappie have been caught by anglers trolling live minnows in deeper water.
Local anglers report the fishing has been slow.
Mississippi River: Local anglers report that the only action is from deep-water blue catfish, and even that bite is sporadic at best.
Cane Creek Lake: Cane Creek State Park said the water is up and murky. Some good catfish are being caught on trotlines baited with minnows. All other fishing has been slow.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 260.34 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River water surface temperature ranges from 44 to 50 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Upriver surface temperatures remain 5 to 8 degrees warmer than the main lake. Water levels rose last week, but have begun falling during the last few days. Water clarity is about 4 inches and the current is at a swift 23,241 cubic feet per second below the dam. Logs, debris and floating mats of vegetation are floating at a rapid clip down Little River, making navigation extremely dangerous. The best bite for bass with the change in lake elevation and muddy water has been on crankbaits bounced off stumps and timber, and jigs fished tight to stumps and cypress trees. The bass bite remains fair to good in the afternoons. Bulky black/blue or Texas Craw-colored jigs with rattles and 10-inch worms are working the best. Largemouth bass are roaming shallow during the heat of the day. Bass will hit a War Eagle Spinnerbait or Mann's Baby Minus One crankbait worked in the newly flooded areas. White Bass were found and caught around the Highway 71 bridge on vertically jigged spoons and Rocket Shad spinners in 20 feet of water under the bridge. Crappie remained dead slow. Channel cats remain very good with the current along outer river bends of Little River. Trotlines set in 8 to 10 feet of water were taking nice channel cats in the last few days using chicken liver, cut shad and homemade blood bait.
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the lake is 2 to 3 feet low. Bream are biting fairly well on worms fished next to the bottom. Crappie are biting well on shiners and crappie tubes. Bass are fair.
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is at normal levels. Bream are fair. Crappie are fair to good on shiners and jigs. Catfishing is decent on yo-yos baited with shiners.
White Oak Lake: Charlie's One Stop (870-685-2753) said the water is rising. Fishing is slow, but some crappie and catfish are still being caught around the bridges.
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.71 feet MSL.
Lakeside Grocery, Motel and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is 49 degrees and murky. Striped bass and white bass are fair. Black bass fishing has been fair on crankbaits. Bream and catfish are poor.
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 405.48 feet MSL.
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said the water is up slightly from last week and the surface temperature is 51 degrees. The north end of the lake is murky, while the southern end is clear. Whites and hybrids are making a move to the northern part of the lake around major creek channels. All other species are slow.
Little Missouri River: Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri Flyfishing said the water levels and current have been high from the recent rains. Plenty of fish are stacked up along the shoals, but the wind and current are making them hard to spot. Scuds and Bead belly fly patterns have worked the best.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said fishing has been extremely slow lately on the river.
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 385.58 feet MSL.
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water is clear and at normal pool. Crappie fishing is excellent on jigs tipped with a minnow.
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is muddy and at normal levels. Bream fishing is slow. Crappie fishing is fair to good on crappie tubes. Bass are decent on jig-and-pig combos fished tight to cover. White bass are biting decently on jigs fished under a bobber. Catfishing is fair to good on large shad.
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 579.35 feet MSL.
Poorman's Tackle and Guide Service said the lake is at its normal level and the water is warming up to 54 degrees. Bass are scattered but can be caught in 18 to 40 feet of water on black/blue or green pumpkin jigs. Where the water is 6 feet above the top of the grass, you should be able to get bites on a Rattle Trap in red colors. Crappie fishing is hit-or-miss, but the good days are coming from Tennessee shad-colored grubs fished on an 1/8-ounce jighead over the top of the grass.
Lake Catherine: Diamondhead Marina (501-262-2272) said the water is clear and about 4 feet below full pool. Crappie are biting very well on minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on jig-and-pig combos and finesse worms. Catfishing is excellent on nightcrawlers fished in the deeper cuts of the river.
Lake Hamilton: Poorman's Tackle and Guide Service said many anglers are catching large numbers of bass on drop shot rigs fished in 15-20 feet of water near brush piles. Try green pumpkin finesse worms and look for clearer water. Crankbaits and jigs are working in the muddy shallows around 4 feet deep.
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the nice weather has brought a few anglers out. Crappie are biting decently on a jig-and-minnow combination on the deep side of main lake ledges. Catfishing is good on minnows fished close to the bottom. Bass fishing is good.
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is high and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on pink minnows and chartreuse jigs fished around boat docks 7 feet deep. Catfishing is excellent on live or cut shad. Bass fishing is poor.
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 348.14 feet MSL.
Local angler Billy Blankenship said the lake is flooded, so most of the angling is taking place on the backwaters. Yo-yos baited with minnows are catching some crappie and catfish in the flooded timber.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Felsenthal: Hale's One Stop (870-943-2683) said the water is muddy and the current is swift. Crappie and catfish are fair on shiners.
EAST ARKANSAS:
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is murky and the river is running. Bream are biting fairly well on redworms fished in deep water. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished in current breaks. Catfish are excellent on cut shad fished around Caney Creek.
Island 40 Chute: Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the rising current and increasing rain are keeping anglers off the water.
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water has cleared. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair, with a few caught on live minnows. Walleye fishing has been good above Locks 1 and 2 on silver/blue Reef Runners, Rip Shad and large minnows.
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is high and murky. Crappie are biting well on yo-yos baited with minnows in 1 to 2 feet of water.
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said no anglers are on the water lately.
Six River Sport Center (870-295-3236) said fishing has been extremely slow lately.
Horseshoe Lake: Local fisherman Clyde Gregory said the water is high enough for launching a boat and many anglers are enjoying the fishing. Bream are biting very well on worms fished near the piers. Crappie are excellent on minnows trolled slowly in 8 feet of water toward the middle of the lake. Bass are slow. Catfishing is very good on cut bait and stinkbait.
Keith Stephens (501) 223-6342, e-mail: kastephens@agfc.state.ar.us
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's fishing report for Jan. 10, 2007. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.
Fishing Tip: When the water rises dramatically from rains, new cover is flooded and many fish rush to the shallows for the warmer water and new food sources. As reservoirs fill, flood gates will be opened and the water will then drop sharply. Once the water begins to drop, the same fish that rushed up shallow will be found on the points and ledges nearest the shallow-water feeding areas.
Arkansas River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the Arkansas River stages are:
5.52 feet at Dardanelle (flood stage - 32 feet)
10.96 feet at Morrilton (flood stage - 30 feet)
7.76 feet at Little Rock (flood stage - 23 feet)
31.63 feet at Pine Bluff (flood stage - 42 feet)
26.50 feet at Pendleton (flood stage - 31 feet)
White River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages are:
19.10 feet at Georgetown (flood stage - 21 feet)
28.96 feet at Augusta (flood stage - 26 feet)
14.96 feet at Newport (flood stage - 26 feet)
9.47 feet at Batesville (flood stage - 15 feet)
5.80 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage - 19 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Trout anglers are having very good success in program ponds on yellow Power Eggs tipped with a wax worm, white Roostertails and olive Trout Magnets. Fishing in Rock Creek has been excellent despite the rain and higher water levels. Pink PowerBait, mini marshmallows and small spoons are working well. Several trout in the 2- to 5-pound range have been stocked recently at various locations as well. Hybrid striped bass are still biting on minnows in Kiwanis and Macarthur Park ponds. For more information on trout stockings, call toll-free 1-866-540-FISH (3474).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is low and murky. Crappie are excellent on pink minnows in 18 inches of water. Catfishing is excellent on Adams Lake using minnows.
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is running around the clock. Floating flies are working decently, but the best luck has been with Rapalas cast across the current and live bait drifted from a boat.
Mark Hollan at The Little Red Fly Shop in Heber Springs said the brown trout spawn is winding down. Larger and better quality fish were caught than in recent memory. Water releases at the Greers Ferry power house have increased with cold weather and higher lake levels. Generation has been occurring daily with two units started in the mornings and ending around midday to late afternoon. Wading opportunities have been slim. Sub-surface patterns working right now include tan sow bugs (sizes 14-18), San Juan worms (sizes 14-18), olive woolly buggers (sizes 8-12) and egg patterns (sizes 14-12).
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 463.07 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the walleye bite is good. Walleye will hit 1/8-ounce jigs tripped with minnows in 40-70 feet of water around the mouths of creeks. The bite is very light, but it's there. Most bass have left the bank with the water releases. They are biting Carolina rigs and football head jigs in 44 to 70 feet of water. If they don't return to the shallows after the rain brings the water back up. They will most likely get out of the current and stack up behind secondary points. Drop-shotted finesse worms, jigging spoons, Carolina rigs and football head jigs should all work well. White bass and hybrids are showing up in the rivers, with the most action being up the Devil's Fork arm. If you want to get away from the crowds try South Fork or Middle Fork.
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is high and murky. Fishing is very slow with the cooler temperatures.
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is high and fishing is slow.
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water is muddy and at normal levels. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished in brush 3 feet or deeper. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits fished near brush. Catfishing is fair in deeper holes of the river on live or prepared baits. Bream fishing is slow.
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and muddy. All species are slow.
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and muddy. Not many anglers are visiting the river with the swift current and low water clarity.
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the flow from Lock 9 is 50,000 cubic feet per second with a headwater of 285.5 and a tailwater of 269.4. The weather has kept many anglers off the water. Catfishing is good on whole shad near the creek mouths and deep holes of the river. Stripers are biting well on the jetty tips and below Lock 9. The best luck has been on live shad fished 8 to 10 feet deep. Some large drum are on the backside of the jetties where the sand and rock meet, and are being caught on crawfish-colored tubes. Kentucky bass are suspended on secondary drops behind jetties and slack-water areas. CC spoons are catching quite a few.
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said stripers are biting well below the dam on 1-ounce CC spoons when the water is running. Catfishing is fair on whole shad fished on the bottom. A few sauger have been caught on white twister-tailed grubs.
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center said the water is high and muddy. A few crappie were caught on minnows last week. Other than that, the fishing has been slow.
NORTH ARKANSAS:
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said the holidays and mild weather have put power demand at a minimum, so the water conditions have been low with one generator turned on for an hour or two. Trout fishing has been excellent, with a lot of trout being caught on redworms, wax worms, nightcrawlers and Berkley PowerBait. The best artificials have been gold/red Buoyant Spoons, gold or gold/red Little Cleos and floating Rapalas. Fly fishing has been excellent with the low water. Olive woolly buggers, sow bugs and tan scuds are all doing well. If a little water is running, a red San Juan worm is working great.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 653.89 feet MSL.
Wilderness Trail (870-445-2703) said crappie are still active in the upper lake but they have slowed down in the lower lake. Brush piles and channel drop offs are the winter holding areas. Crappie minnows will still work until the water temperature reaches the low 40-degree mark. The best artificial baits are sword-tail tubes, crappie tubes and crappie jigs. Drop down to 4-pound line and work your baits slowly. Largemouth, smallmouth and Kentucky bass started biting on the banks last week. It seems as though the spinnerbait and crankbait bite is turning on. Largemouth bass are on the banks inside of small cuts in the creeks and along the banks at the backs of main-lake pockets and coves. You have to cover a lot of water but when you finally catch one on a bank you will catch a few more in the same area. Some largemouth are still under the shad, once you find an active school there will be largemouth under them. Drop a silver or white spoon under the shad for these fish. Smallmouth are also on the banks, but they are mostly around secondary and main-lake points. Slow-rolled spinnerbaits and Wiggle Warts in green or brown crawdad colors are working the best. Other smallies are off the drop offs of the points. Spider jigs, tubes and finesse worms on a shaky head jig are the key baits. Kentuckies seem to be in the backs with the largemouth although we have picked up a few around points. The Kentuckies are striking spinnerbaits better than crankbaits. Many Kentuckies are under balls of shad off main-lake points, along creek channel swings and in main-lake cuts. Spoons are the best bet for them, but a drop-shot rig will work great as well. Walleye are in their winter haunts, suspended over the flooded timber, along the bluff walls and on the bottom in 45 to 50 feet of water on the flats. The best fishing is by jigging Binks spoons, CC spoons and Rapala Jigging Spoons. Pulling minnow baits can produce some nice walleye during the winter months but the trolling technique is very spotty in cold water.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 552.18 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Crappie fishing is poor. Bass are biting well on jig-and-pig combos, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Some stripers are biting decently on spoons and trolled stick baits.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is crystal clear and running all day. Trout are biting well on corn and worms fished on a slip-sinker rig and Rapala Floating Minnows fished across the current.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,120.31 feet MSL.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is at power pool. Striper fishing is good on 1-ounce Road Runners and large shiners trolled in open water around baitfish clouds. Crappie are fair on minnows and Shinneee Hinneee jigs in 6 to 20 feet of water. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, a variety of crankbaits, including Wiggle Warts and Bandits and ¾-ounce football-head jigs with brown/purple or black/blue trailers. A few bass were taken on silver and white spoons as well.
Beaver Tailwater: McLellan's Fly Shop said with Beaver Lake filling up, generation has increased on Beaver tailwater during the last few days. Midge patterns are always important on Beaver tailwater, but especially during winter. Flies such as jujubee midges, the poison tung, and zebra midges have been fooling many trout, especially on breezy days. Griffith's gnats and other midge dry-fly patterns have been hooking plenty of trout as well.
SWEPCO Lake: Local guide, Brad Wiegmann (479-756-5279) said the regulations for black bass on SWEPCO changed to a 10-fish limit with only one being over 18-inches. The water is 72 degrees at the dam, in the mid-90s around the discharge and 85-degrees across from the discharge. The water is clear. The ramp conditions are still on the poor side with many anglers launching from the gravel beside the ramp. The big bass have been reluctant to bite. Anglers working the shoreline with shaky head jigs and finesse worms are catching small bass. Some schools of small baitfish were seen next to shore last week. Anglers should try drop shotting, split shot, dead sticking, or float-n-fly techniques around deep points, the discharge and dam area.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Crappie are holding very deep (25 to 30 feet) and are very slow. Bass are also deep, but a few have been taken on football head jigs and soft-plastic crayfish imitations.
Spring River: Trey Anderson with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reports that trout fishing is good using artificial baits. Bass and walleye fishing is fair.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Chicot: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the fishing is slow. Bream are biting on wax worms and crickets, and those that do bite are large. Some crappie are hitting minnows and jigs fished tight to planted crappie mats. Catfishing is fair on live and prepared bait.
Local anglers report catching a few crappie, but success has been slow. Catfishing is still good on cut shad and prepared baits. Some large redears and warmouth are biting redworms in the gravel pit.
Lake Wilson: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said crappie and bream fishing has been good lately on shiners and jigs.
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said fishing is slow, but a few small crappie have been caught by anglers trolling live minnows in deeper water.
Local anglers report the fishing has been slow.
Mississippi River: Local anglers report that the only action is from deep-water blue catfish, and even that bite is sporadic at best.
Cane Creek Lake: Cane Creek State Park said the water is up and murky. Some good catfish are being caught on trotlines baited with minnows. All other fishing has been slow.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 260.34 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River water surface temperature ranges from 44 to 50 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Upriver surface temperatures remain 5 to 8 degrees warmer than the main lake. Water levels rose last week, but have begun falling during the last few days. Water clarity is about 4 inches and the current is at a swift 23,241 cubic feet per second below the dam. Logs, debris and floating mats of vegetation are floating at a rapid clip down Little River, making navigation extremely dangerous. The best bite for bass with the change in lake elevation and muddy water has been on crankbaits bounced off stumps and timber, and jigs fished tight to stumps and cypress trees. The bass bite remains fair to good in the afternoons. Bulky black/blue or Texas Craw-colored jigs with rattles and 10-inch worms are working the best. Largemouth bass are roaming shallow during the heat of the day. Bass will hit a War Eagle Spinnerbait or Mann's Baby Minus One crankbait worked in the newly flooded areas. White Bass were found and caught around the Highway 71 bridge on vertically jigged spoons and Rocket Shad spinners in 20 feet of water under the bridge. Crappie remained dead slow. Channel cats remain very good with the current along outer river bends of Little River. Trotlines set in 8 to 10 feet of water were taking nice channel cats in the last few days using chicken liver, cut shad and homemade blood bait.
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the lake is 2 to 3 feet low. Bream are biting fairly well on worms fished next to the bottom. Crappie are biting well on shiners and crappie tubes. Bass are fair.
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is at normal levels. Bream are fair. Crappie are fair to good on shiners and jigs. Catfishing is decent on yo-yos baited with shiners.
White Oak Lake: Charlie's One Stop (870-685-2753) said the water is rising. Fishing is slow, but some crappie and catfish are still being caught around the bridges.
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.71 feet MSL.
Lakeside Grocery, Motel and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is 49 degrees and murky. Striped bass and white bass are fair. Black bass fishing has been fair on crankbaits. Bream and catfish are poor.
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 405.48 feet MSL.
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said the water is up slightly from last week and the surface temperature is 51 degrees. The north end of the lake is murky, while the southern end is clear. Whites and hybrids are making a move to the northern part of the lake around major creek channels. All other species are slow.
Little Missouri River: Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri Flyfishing said the water levels and current have been high from the recent rains. Plenty of fish are stacked up along the shoals, but the wind and current are making them hard to spot. Scuds and Bead belly fly patterns have worked the best.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said fishing has been extremely slow lately on the river.
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 385.58 feet MSL.
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water is clear and at normal pool. Crappie fishing is excellent on jigs tipped with a minnow.
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is muddy and at normal levels. Bream fishing is slow. Crappie fishing is fair to good on crappie tubes. Bass are decent on jig-and-pig combos fished tight to cover. White bass are biting decently on jigs fished under a bobber. Catfishing is fair to good on large shad.
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 579.35 feet MSL.
Poorman's Tackle and Guide Service said the lake is at its normal level and the water is warming up to 54 degrees. Bass are scattered but can be caught in 18 to 40 feet of water on black/blue or green pumpkin jigs. Where the water is 6 feet above the top of the grass, you should be able to get bites on a Rattle Trap in red colors. Crappie fishing is hit-or-miss, but the good days are coming from Tennessee shad-colored grubs fished on an 1/8-ounce jighead over the top of the grass.
Lake Catherine: Diamondhead Marina (501-262-2272) said the water is clear and about 4 feet below full pool. Crappie are biting very well on minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on jig-and-pig combos and finesse worms. Catfishing is excellent on nightcrawlers fished in the deeper cuts of the river.
Lake Hamilton: Poorman's Tackle and Guide Service said many anglers are catching large numbers of bass on drop shot rigs fished in 15-20 feet of water near brush piles. Try green pumpkin finesse worms and look for clearer water. Crankbaits and jigs are working in the muddy shallows around 4 feet deep.
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the nice weather has brought a few anglers out. Crappie are biting decently on a jig-and-minnow combination on the deep side of main lake ledges. Catfishing is good on minnows fished close to the bottom. Bass fishing is good.
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is high and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on pink minnows and chartreuse jigs fished around boat docks 7 feet deep. Catfishing is excellent on live or cut shad. Bass fishing is poor.
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 348.14 feet MSL.
Local angler Billy Blankenship said the lake is flooded, so most of the angling is taking place on the backwaters. Yo-yos baited with minnows are catching some crappie and catfish in the flooded timber.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Felsenthal: Hale's One Stop (870-943-2683) said the water is muddy and the current is swift. Crappie and catfish are fair on shiners.
EAST ARKANSAS:
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is murky and the river is running. Bream are biting fairly well on redworms fished in deep water. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished in current breaks. Catfish are excellent on cut shad fished around Caney Creek.
Island 40 Chute: Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the rising current and increasing rain are keeping anglers off the water.
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water has cleared. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair, with a few caught on live minnows. Walleye fishing has been good above Locks 1 and 2 on silver/blue Reef Runners, Rip Shad and large minnows.
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is high and murky. Crappie are biting well on yo-yos baited with minnows in 1 to 2 feet of water.
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said no anglers are on the water lately.
Six River Sport Center (870-295-3236) said fishing has been extremely slow lately.
Horseshoe Lake: Local fisherman Clyde Gregory said the water is high enough for launching a boat and many anglers are enjoying the fishing. Bream are biting very well on worms fished near the piers. Crappie are excellent on minnows trolled slowly in 8 feet of water toward the middle of the lake. Bass are slow. Catfishing is very good on cut bait and stinkbait.