These two-year old trout are noticeably bigger than the 10-11 inch trout typically stocked in the spring. This is the 4th consecutive year that Fish & Wildlife has stocked bigger trout for the fall season. In addition to the 20,000 standard production fall trout, another 1,000 exceptionally large rainbow trout broodstock, measuring 17 – 20 inches, and weighing 3 – 5 pounds, are also mixed in with each truckload of fish. 

Waters stocked during the first week of fall stocking are the 16 large streams and rivers in northern and coastal areas, such as the Big Flatbook, Pequest River, South Branch Raritan River, Musconetcong River, and the Manasquan and Tom’s Rivers. All fall-stocked waters may be fished as soon as they are stocked (no “closed waters” during fall stocking).

During the second week, 16 ponds and lakes in the central and southern portions of the state were stocked. Some of the more popular waters are Farrington Lake, Oak Pond, Greenwich Lake, and Mary Elmer Lake.

The complete list of fall-stocked waters and the stocking schedule is available at www.njfishandwildlife.com/flstk.htm or through the Trout Stocking Hotline 609-633-6765. If you need help finding one of these trout-stocked waters, refer to the list of fishing access locations linked below for driving directions.

Other waters offer fine trout fishing opportunities even though they are not stocked in the fall. The Holdover Trout Lakes, like Lake Aeroflex and Lake Wawayanda, provide year round trout fishing opportunities. The landlocked salmon stocking program at these two lakes, now in its 3rd year, is starting to yield harvestable size salmon (12 inches). Our two Trophy Trout Lakes, Round Valley and Merrill Creek Reservoirs, are also great trout fishing destinations. Shoreline fishing on Round Valley is particularly popular in the fall, as big rainbows cruise the shallows (See the current Freshwater Digest for special area regulations.) Also, sea run brown trout begin returning to freshwater in the Manasquan River during the fall and early winter.

A distinctly different trout-fishing experience awaits anglers who fish the wild trout streams scattered across north Jersey. These small streams are not stocked with trout and anglers can expect to catch small, colorful trout, with most measuring less than ten inches.

Thirty-six streams are managed under special regulations to provide anglers with opportunities to catch stunning, stream-bred trout (see the current Freshwater Digest for information). All trout captured from designated Wild Trout Streams, from September 16, 2009 to April 10, 2010 at 8 a.m. must be released, and be sure to leave the bait buckets home – these streams are artificials only.

Trout fishing will really heat up once fall stocking gets underway. The line-busting, bragging-size trout being stocked in October will test the skills of anglers fishing with lightweight tackle, leaving some anglers with fond memories, to last a lifetime, about the big one that got away. Whether you chose to fish for stocked or wild trout, there are plenty of trout-fishing opportunities in the Garden State. So take the time from your busy schedules to enjoy trout fishing during the splendor of fall.

June stockings:

Aldersgate Methodist Camp, Pulaski County, 600 catchable channel catfish

Alma City Lake, Crawford County, 403 catchable channel catfish

Alma City Lake, Crawford County, 6,500 fingerling largemouth bass

Arkansas Post National Memorial Lake, Arkansas County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Lake Atkins, Pope County, 1,131 catchable channel catfish

Lake Atkins, Pope County, 46,265 fingerling Florida bass

Lake Bailey, Conway County, 700 catchable channel catfish

Beaver Tailwater, Carroll County, 9,600 catchable rainbow trout

Beech Springs Lake, Ouachita County, 480 catchable channel catfish

Benjamin Lake, Union County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Benton City Lake, Saline County, 1,300 catchable channel catfish

Boyle Park Po nd, Pulaski County, 1,120 catchable channel catfish

Bramble Park Lake, Miller County, 400 catchable channel catfish

Broadmoor Lake, Pulaski County, 1,125 fingerling largemouth bass

Broadmoor Lake, Pulaski County, 1,600 Fingerling Bluegill Bream

Burns Park Golf Lakes, Pulaski County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Busby Park Lake, Lonoke County, 400 catchable channel catfish

Lake Catherine, Garland County, 200 catchable channel catfish

Cabot Community Pond, Lonoke County, 2,019 catchable channel catfish

Caddo River, Pike County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Caddo River, Montgomery County, 4,850 fingerling smallmouth bass

Calion Lake, Union County, 696 catchable channel catfish

Calion Lake, Union County, 30,100 fingerling largemouth bass

Camden/Fairview High School Pond, Ouachita County, 504 catchable channel catfish

Camp Clearfork Lake, Garland County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Camp JT Robinson Golf Course Pond, Pulaski County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Camp Robinson Firing Range Pond, Faulkner County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Lake Cap Bedell, Crawford County, 150 catchable channel catfish

Lake Cargile, Conway County, 210 catchable channel catfish

Cedar Creek Lake, Perry County, 360 catchable channel catfish

Champagnolle Creek, Calhoun County, 500 yearling grass carp

Lake Charles, Lawrence County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Charlton Pond, Garland County, 250 catchable channel catfish

Cherrywood Lake, Pulaski County, 3,100 catchable channel catfish

Church Alive Pond, Faulkner County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Clinton City Pond, Van Buren County, 350 catchable channel catfish

Lake Columbia, Columbia County, 26 adult Florida bass

Lake Columbia, Columbia County, 150,840 fingerling Florida bass

Lake Conway, Faulkner County, 50,190 fingerling Florida bass

 Cove Lake, Logan County, 450 catchable channel catfish

Cox Creek Lake, Grant County, 10,048 fingerling largemouth bass

Craighead Forest Park Lake, Craighead County, 400 catchable channel catfish

Darby Lake, Franklin County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Lake DeGray, Hot Spring County, 800 catchable channel catfish

Lake DeGray, Clark County, 93,700 fingerling Florida bass

Lake DeGray, Hot Spring and Clark Counties, 100,975 fingerling hybrid striped bass

DeGray Resort Golf Pond #7, Hot Spring County, 500 catchable channel catfish

DeSoto Lake, Union County, 1,044 catchable channel catfish

Lake Dieffenbacher, Miller County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Dry Fork Lake, Perry County, 360 catchable channel catfish

Dupree Park Lake, Pulaski County, 750 catchable channel catfish

Lake Erling, Lafayette County, 72,140 fingerling Florida bass

El Dorado City Pond, Union County, 1,000 catchable channel catfish

Eleven Point River, Randolph County, 18,587 fingerling smallmouth bass

Entergy Park Lake, Garland County, 400 catchable channel catfish

Family Park Lake, Garland County, 900 catchable channel catfish

Felsenthal Pool, Union County, 20,000 fingerling largemouth bass

Field Trial Pond, Prairie County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Forest Service Headquarters Lake, Lee County, 450 catchable channel catfish

Franklin County Fairgrounds Pond, Franklin County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Lake Frierson, Greene County, 34,625 fingerling saugeye

Galla Creek Reservoir, Pope County, 10,000 fingerling largemouth bass

Grandview #1 Lake, Hempstead County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Grandview #2 Lake, Hempstead County, 315 catchable channel catfish

Greers Ferry Lake, Van Buren and Cleburne Counties, 151,004 fingerling hybrid striped bass

Gurdon Lake, Clark County, 5,120 fingerling Florida bass

Healing Place Ministries Pond, Jefferson County, 400 catchable channel catfish

Hindman Park A, Pulaski County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Horsehead Lake, Johnson County, 10,000 fingerling largemouth bass

Horseshoe Lake, Crittenden County, 13,875 fingerling hybrid striped bass

Lake Jack Nolen, Sebastian County, 250 catchable channel catfish

Jansen Park Lake, Polk County, 250 catchable channel catfish

Jefferson County Recreation Association Pond, Jefferson County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Jessieville Work Center Pond, Garland County, 300 catchable channel catfish

John Benjamin Community Fishing Pond, Pike County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Jones Lake, Union County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Lake June, Lafayette County, 303 catchable channel catfish

Kiwanis Park, Pulaski County, 700 catchable channel catfish

Lake Village Community Lake, Chicot County, 531 catchable channel catfish

Lee Creek Lake, Crawford County, 900 catchable channel catfish

Lester Sites/Bois d Arc Lake, Hempstead County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Lester Sites/Bois d Arc Lake, Hempstead County, 13,725 fingerling Florida bass

Little Missouri River, Nevada County, 600 catchable channel catfish

Little Red River, Cleburne and White Counties, 31,318 catchable rainbow trout

Little Red River, White County, 7,470 fingerling smallmouth bass

Little Rock AFB Lake, Pulaski County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Locust Ridge Pond, Union County, 800 catchable channel catfish

Logoly State Park Pond, Columbia County, 250 catchable channel catfish

MacArthur Park Lake, Pulaski County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Mallard Lake, Mississippi County, 33,055 fingerling largemouth bass

Mansfield City Lake, Scott County, 315 catchable channel catfish

Mansfield City Lake, Scott County, 1,000 fingerling largemouth bass

Michael’s Pond, Logan County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Mike and Janet Huckabee Kids Pond, Hempstead County, 750 catchable channel catfish

 Miller Pond, Woodruff County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Lake Millwood, Little River County, 117,595 fingerling Florida bass

Mirror Lake, Stone County, 2,087 catchable rainbow trout

Lake Monticello, Drew County, 100,890 fingerling Florida bass

Mound Lake Toltec, Lonoke County, 1,040 fingerling hybrid striped bass

Mullins Pond, Columbia County, 250 catchable channel catfish

Lake Nimrod, Yell County, 73,145 fingerling largemouth bass

Lake Norfork, Baxter County, 42,832 fingerling hybrid striped bass

North Fork River, Baxter County, 19,500 fingerling cutthroat trout

North Fork River, Baxter County, 12,913 catchable rainbow trout

North Fork Lake, Montgomery County, 188 catchable channel catfish

North Fork Lake, Montgomery County, 10,500 fingerling largemouth bass

Old Davidsonville State Park Lake, Randolph County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Old Forrester Pond, Scott County, 315 catchable channel catfish

Old Post Park Pond, Pope County, 600 catchable channel catfish

Old Town Lake, Phillips County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Otter Creek Park Pond, Pulaski County, 650 catchable channel catfish

Lake Ouachita, Garland County, 101,550 fingerling Florida bass

Lake Ouachita, Garland and Montgomery Counties, 8,678 catchable channel catfish

Lake Ouachita, Garland County, 99,370 fingerling smallmouth bass

Lake Ouachita, Montgomery County, 85,747 fingerling striped bass

Ouachita River, Hot Spring County, 600 catchable channel catfish

Ouachita River, Hot Spring, Union and Ouachita Counties, 96,800 fingerling largemouth bass

Ouachita River, Dallas and Hot Spring Counties, 12,665 fingerling smallmouth bass

Lake Overcup, Conway County, 1,104 catchable channel catfish

Paradise Lake, Pulaski County, 350 catchable channel catfish

Paris City Lake, Logan County, 450 catchable channel catfish

Paris City Lake, Logan County, 10,000 fingerling largemouth bass

Pine Bluff Regional Park Pond, Jefferson County, 250 catchable channel catfish

Piney Creek, Monroe County, 60,000 fingerling largemouth bass

Pinnacle Mountain Pond, Pulaski County, 204 catchable channel catfish

Pleasant View Park Pond, Pope County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Reynolds Park Lake, Greene County, 400 catchable channel catfish

Riceland Foods Headquarters Pond, Arkansas County, 700 catchable channel catfish

Rich Mountain Comm. College Pond, Polk County, 250 catchable channel catfish

Rock Creek Watershed Lake, Perry County, 150 catchable channel catfish

SAU Duck Pond, Columbia County, 504 catchable channel catfish

Saline River, Saline County, 3,780 fingerling smallmouth bass

Lake Sequoyah, Washington County, 20,000 fingerling largemouth bass

Sherwood City Pond, Pulaski County, 216 catchable channel catfish

Siloam Springs City Park, Benton County, 600 catchable channel catfish

Spring Lake, Yell County, 600 catchable channel catfish

Spring Lake Baptist Camp, Garland County, 50 yearling grass carp

Spring River, Fulton County, 14,885 catchable rainbow trout

Storm Creek Lake, Phillips County, 600 catchable channel catfish

Storm Creek Lake, Phillips County, 3,264 fingerling hybrid striped bass

Subiaco Lakes, Logan County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Lake Sylvia, Perry County, 306 catchable channel catfish

T. J. House Reservoir, Crawford County, 403 catchable channel catfish

Tahkodah Camp, Independence County, 500 catchable channel catfish

Timber Ridge Ranch Lake, Saline County, 200 catchable channel catfish

Toms Lake, White County, 2,900 fingerling largemouth bass

Tri County Lake, Calhoun County, 30,600 fingerling largemouth bass

Truman Baker Lake, Scott County, 300 catchable channel catfish

Twin Lakes “A”, Pulaski County, 250 catchable channel catfish

US Fish & Wildlife Service Pond 4, Arkansas County, 1,000 catchable channel catfish

Veterans Park Pond, Logan County, 900 catchable channel catfish

Waldron City Lake, Scott County, 720 catchable channel catfish

Wallace Lake, Chicot County, 15,206 fingerling largemouth bass

War Memorial Park, Pulaski County, 400 catchable channel catfish

Wells Lake, Sebastian County, 1,400 catchable channel catfish

West Memphis City Park Lake, Crittenden County, 1,333 catchable channel catfish

Lower White Oak Lake, Ouachita County, 12,000 fry flathead catfish

Lower White Oak Lake, Ouachita County, 156,440 fingerling Florida bass

Upper White Oak Lake, Ouachita County, 12,000 fry flathead catfish

White River, Washington County, 600 catchable channel catfish

White River, Izard, Baxter, Marion and Stone Counties, 103,680 fingerling cutthroat trout

White River, Baxter, Izard, Marion and Stone Counties, 132,423 catchable rainbow trout

Willow Beach Park Lake, Pulaski County, 4,004 catchable channel catfish

Withrow Springs Pond, Madison County, 350 catchable channel catfish

Three Mile Harbor in the Town of East Hampton, Suffolk County, will be temporarily closed to the harvesting of shellfish for the 2009 Three Mile Harbor Fireworks event weekend, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. Commissioner Pete Grannis said the closure is put in place annually during the busy festivities to protect public health from potentially contaminated shellfish associated with increased boating activity in shellfishing waters. Boaters are reminded to utilize pump out facilities to help protect these waters.

The closure will begin at sunrise on Saturday, July 18, 2009, and continue through Wednesday, July 22. No shellfish can be taken from Three Mile Harbor during this period and DEC expects to re-open the area for shellfishing on Thursday, July 23, 2009. In the event of rain, the fireworks will take place on Sunday, July 19.

During the past 16 years, Three Mile Harbor has been temporarily closed to shellfishing on the day of the fireworks event and for four days afterward. DEC enacted the temporary closure because of the increased potential for contamination of shellfish beds if there were discharges of sewage from the large number of recreational boats that gather for the popular event. Discharges of fecal material from marine toilets may contaminate nearby shellfish, rendering the shellfish hazardous for human consumption.

The annual event draws hundreds of boaters each year, including many that stay overnight. Boaters are reminded that they are required to use pump out facilities in the Peconic-Gardiners Bay area, which includes Three Mile Harbor, because the area is a No-Discharge Zone. A No-Discharge Zone is a designated body of water where discharges of treated or untreated boat sewage are prohibited. The Town of East Hampton Trustees operates a pump out boat and the Town Harbormaster’s office at Gann Road has a self-serve facility. Both are available at no fee for the boater. The town’s pump out boat can be contacted using marine radio VHF channel 73.

A recorded telephone message advising the public of the status of this or any temporarily closed shellfish area may be heard 24 hours every day at (631) 444-0480. A message will also be provided at the East Hampton Town, Department of Natural Resources Office at (631) 324-6393. Information about rain dates, early re-openings or extensions of closures will be made available at these numbers.

Written descriptions and color-coded maps of these and other shellfish closures can be found on the DEC website.

Randy Zellers (501) 223-6406, e-mail: rdzellers [at] agfc [dot] state [dot] ar [dot] us

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this report, visit http://www.agfc.com/enews/default.aspx 

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for May 6, 2009. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.
Fishing Tip: When launching a boat by yourself, tie a line a foot or two longer than the length of the boat to the bow and the back of the trailer. Back the boat into the water and let it float off the trailer, then ease forward slowly to bring the boat back to the bank.
Arkansas River Levels are available at
http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Reports/Daily/Pao_rvrs.txt

White River Levels are available at
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml

Statewide Family and Community Fishing Program Report 
Catfish are in Community fishing ponds statewide. Nightcrawlers fished just off the bottom on a slip cork or on bottom with a bell sinker are working well. Many of the ponds are full of bream as well. Crickets fished under a bobber will catch plenty of bream. For more stocking information, call the Hotline at 1-866-540-FISH (3474) toll-free.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS:

Lake Conway:
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is murky and high, and that everything was doing really good before all this rain. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting near cypress trees on minnows, jigs and shiners. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, Trixie Sharks and Zoom toads. Catfish are picking up on small bream and large shiners. 

Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said all species were biting well before the rain. The lake is high and muddy and fishing is hit-or-miss.

Little Red River:
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water was low on Saturday but that’s changed since the rain. Fly-fishermen and bank fishermen did well when the water was low. Trout are excellent from a boat on Power Bait, wax worms and jigs. Brown trout are going for crankbaits in the higher flow.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said all the rain caused the lake to rise 6 feet. Water releases are scheduled to resume at Greers Ferry with 1,200 cubic feet of water per second (1/3 of one generator) Monday and Tuesday, 3,000 cfs (2/3 of one generator) on Wednesday and two full generators soon thereafter.  Fishing the Little Red in high water is definitely possible from a boat. Our guide trips at the shop are continuing and trout are being caught and released. Hiring a guide to fish high water is a bright decision since managing a boat while trying to fish can be dangerous. Be sure that you wear your personal flotation device any time you are on the river. A change of tactics and rigging is necessary when fishing high water from a boat. Attach a short tapered leader to your fly line (a 6-foot 5X is good). Attach about ten feet or so of 4 pound test leader material to the end of your tapered leader. Tie on a peach or fluorescent cerise San Juan worm (sizes 12-14). Attach enough weight about 12 inches above the fly to get the worm down to the streambed.  Put a large indicator (grape size or bigger) to float this rig. Cast to the bank or into eddies.

Greers Ferry:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 468.24 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water is rising and the surface temperature ranges from the 70s in the north section of the lake to the high 50s in the south section. Bass are scattered all over the lake. They will still bite jerkbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs in shallower water. Some fish are being taken on top-water lures as well. The crappie are still biting well in shoreline brush and standing pole timber on jigs and minnows. The bream have started to move shallow and are being caught on crickets and pieces of nightcrawlers. The catfish bite has died. Walleye fishing is fair on crankbaits trolled over rocky flats in the main lake.

 Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) said the water was high and a little dingy. Bass are fair in the mornings on soft plastics fished around brush.

Harris Brake Lake:
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water level has increased another 6-8 inches above the 2 feet from previous rains. Everything is slow except the bream, which are biting well on worms and crickets.

Lake Overcup:           
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is high and muddy. Bream are slow and before all this rain crappie were doing well on minnows.

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is 3 feet above normal and muddy. All fishing is slow to fair. Bass were slow, but a few hit top-water lures near brush. Catfishing was good on live bait and shrimp.

Brewer Lake:
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is high and dingy. All fishing is fair, but the weather has been too rough to get out and fish. 

Lake Maumelle:
Jolly Roger’s Marina said as of Monday, the water is 8 inches above the spillway. The surface temperature is averaging 67 degrees. Black bass are excellent and are moving to deeper water (6 to 12 feet). Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs are working well. Kentucky bass are in 6 to 14 feet of water and are biting well on tubes, jigs and crankbaits. White bass are fair. They are schooling around the chimney are hitting on CC Spoons and clear Near Nutthngs and Rogues. Crappie are being caught about 11 to 15 feet deep on minnows and 1/32-oz. jigs. Bream are biting well in shallow areas .The break water at the marina is proving good catches. Saugeye are 6 to 15 feet deep and are hitting road runners and jigs fairly well. Catfishing is good 8 to 15 feet and are hitting on minnows, worms and prepared baits.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is high and murky. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on medium-sized minnows. Bass are biting well on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Catfish are good on cut shad and large minnows. 

Lake Valencia:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is high and murky but all fishing is good. Bream are biting on redworms. Bass and crappie are biting fairly well on minnows. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait and nightcrawlers.

Sunset Lake:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is extremely high and muddy. No report.

Saline River Access in Benton:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is extremely high and muddy. No report.

Arkansas River at Morrilton:
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the weather and high water have kept boats off the main river, but fishing in backwater areas has been good. Bream are biting well on crickets around flooded timber. Crappie are biting very well on red/yellow jigs near areas where fresh runoff is coming from surrounding fields. Bass are biting well on shad-colored top-waters in backwater areas without current. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers around flooded fields. Some large carp are in the flooded fields as well. 

Arkansas River in Little Rock:

Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said there is not much to report. The water is muddy and flowing high. Some bass have been caught in the backwaters on spinnerbaits and jigs.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is high and murky. All species are biting well in the backwater at Burns Park. Bass and crappie are being caught on small spinnerbaits. At Murray Lock and Dam, catfish are biting well on skipjack and shad fished from the bank. The backwaters have produced well, but tributaries like the Little Maumelle River have had extremely fast flows that hindered fishing.

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is high and muddy and nothing to report for Terry Lock and Dam.

Clear Lake:
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is high and muddy. Not much happening. 

Peckerwood Lake:
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is dingy and high. This weekend was quiet because of the weather and hopefully with the water going down things will pick up. A few crappie had been caught on minnows. Not much else to report at this time.

Pickthorne Lake:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the bream are good on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished near the bank. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers.

NORTH ARKANSAS:

White River:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service had no report because of high flows. 

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear with 2-6 generators running all week. Not many anglers are out, but trout fishing is good from a boat on Power Bait.
White River (From Buffalo Shoals to Norfork):

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing has been very good until Saturday when the Buffalo came up about 13 feet. Everything below the Buffalo has been high and extremely muddy. It will be several days until it is back to normal. You can still catch fish dragging nightcrawlers or Power Bait on the bottom and an occasional good fish on artificial, but you have to work at it.

Crooked Creek:
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service had no report because of high water.
Bull Shoals Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 661.72 feet MSL.

Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) with Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said fishing on the lake has really improved, with water temperatures in the 60- to 65-degree range in the backs of creeks and 58 to 60 degrees on the main lake. Walleye are being caught in the evenings and early mornings on stick baits fished around main-lake points and pockets. During the day, try live bait a little deeper around productive points and pockets. Largemouth bass have moved to spawning areas. When it’s windy, try stick baits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits. If it’s calm, a Carolina-rigged or mojo-rigged 6-inch lizard or 8-inch finesse worm will work well. Smallmouth and Kentucky bass are spawning. Try jigs, tubes and Carolina rigs around slightly deeper gravel areas for these fish. Crappie are slow. White bass are hanging in deep water and are in creek pockets chasing shad throughout the day.

Lake Norfork:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 556.47 feet MSL.

101 Grocery and Bait said the lake level is around 555.6 msl and the water temperature is in the 60s. Fishing has been good for crappie, bass and large bluegills. White bass fishing has been fair. Walleye fishing has been good. Striper fishing has been good using live bait, the night bite has slowed, and the fish should begin hitting top-water baits very soon. Catfishing has been slow.

Norfork Tailwater:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service had no report.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said there hasn’t been much generation on the Norfork, so you can fish fairly clear “back up” water from the White in the first three-quarters of a mile from the White. Zig Jigs and Power Baits are working well.

 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Beaver Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,126.21 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been biting well in the backs of coves and creek arms. Try fishing a Texas-rigged worm or lizard close to the bank in and around trees and brush or burn a spinnerbait parallel to the bank. Crappie fishing has been good as well. Most fish have been on beds in less than 2 feet of water in the backs of coves and in shallow bays and can be caught on small jigs 18 inches under a float close to brush. Bluegill have also been biting well close to the bank on crickets and small jigs. White bass are being caught at night under the 12 bridge and along main lake bluff lines and during the day they can be found in the back of windblown bays and creek arms. Use spoons to catch these fish.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is high and muddy. Before the rain bream were biting on redworms and crickets. Crappie were good in shallow water on minnows, tube jigs and shinee hinees. Bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and a variety of plastic worms.  White bass have been biting crayfish and Lil’ Fishies. No report on catfish.

Beaver Tailwaters:
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides had no report.

Lake Fayetteville:
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is high and murky, but fishing is starting to pick up. Crappie fishing is excellent. White bass are good. Black bass are biting well on soft-plastics and crankbaits.

Lake Sequoyah:
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said water is clear and normal. Bream are good on worms and crickets. Crappie are good in 10 inches to 4 feet of water near logs and stumps on minnows and Road Runners. Bass are biting well near the bank on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Catfishing is slow.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:

Judy Potts of Judy’s Bait Shoppe at the North entrance to Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA reports fishing has come to a halt. The WMA is flooded by the White River and the Little Red River. The White River is expected to crest May 7 at 32 feet. A few have gone in but have reported only a few small bass. Hackelton Lake to the west of the main entrance to the WMA is probably the lake that will be the least affected by the flood waters. It looks almost like a repeat of last year’s flooding.

Lake Charles:
Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) had no report.

Crown Lake:
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is a little stained and high. There is not much to report because of weather. One group of anglers did catch 42 crappie on minnows in 10-12 feet of water before the last storm.

Lake Frierson:
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and high. A few catfish were caught on minnows and nightcrawlers.

Spring River:
Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said rains are forecast again, but the recent rains have not muddied up the river. During the last few weeks, the best fishing has been on the worst days. Sunny, warm days usually have slow fishing and on rainy days the fishing can be unbelievable. The brownie has still been the top fly but Sunday morning was a day for traditional nymphs such as a beaded pheasant tail or copper john.

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

Lake Chicot:
Lakeshore Motel and Marina (870-265-9901) said the water is warming. Catfish are biting very well on shrimp, nightcrawlers and minnows. Bream are biting well on wax worms and crickets in 5 feet of water. Crappie are still being caught close to the bank and around docks. No report on the bass fishing.

Lake Monticello:
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said the post-spawn phase of spring seems to be kicking into gear. Many bass are guarding fry around the pads. These bass can be caught on flukes, stick baits and lizards. There are still some bass on beds, but they are getting harder to find. If you do see one locked down, it is usually not difficult to get it to bite.  The usual bed baits such as jigs and soft plastics in colors that you can see are the best. Live bait is still catching its share of nice fish in the 4 to 6 foot range.  If anyone has pictures, videos, or fishing reports, please send them to us at info [at] monticellobigbass [dot] com.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 262.41 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said as of May 5, surface water temperature continues to rise into the low 70s. Clarity along the main lake channel and Little River is took a dramatic turn for the worse from the rain, increased current and terrible wind. The lake is almost 3 feet above normal pool and the current is 23,897 at the dam. Largemouth Bass activity had almost returned to near seasonal norms before the storms. The spawn is winding up and the last two weeks saw many large female bass caught. The most consistent bite continues to be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on bulky 10-inch worms and jigs fished slowly. You can get a reaction bite on Rat-L-Traps in Firetiger or Red Coach Dog colors and slow-rolled heavy thumping spinnerbaits in white/chartreuse or hot mouse colors. The best jig colors are Texas craw, black/blue and chestnut/chartreuse. Fish flooded wood and the edges of any remaining lily pads stems, near deep vertical drops in the clearest water you can find (only a few inches of clarity). White bass were congregated upriver near the Highway 71 Bridge and creek mouths like the entrance to Mud Lake, Hurricane Creek and the mouth into second entrance of Horseshoe, but disappeared with the muddy water and current. Crappie completely shut down from the muddy water. They have finished their spawn and might be found in the backs of oxbows as they begin to clear. Channel Cats are still feeding very well in and around current along Little River on trotlines and yo-yos hung under cypress trees with cut shad, Catfish Charlie, chicken livers and almost any blood bait.

White Oak Lake:
Local angler John Tilley said fishing was just getting hot and the rains came. Catfishing is excellent on trotlines and jugs set near channels and spawning areas. Bream also were biting well on redworms and crickets. Bass were still being caught shallow on crankbaits and jerkbaits. The lake level as of Monday was about 2 feet over normal.

Lake Greeson:
Daryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips said Lake Greeson is in flood stage at 552.19 msl. The water temperature has fallen into the upper 60s. The white crappie are finishing their spawn and both black and white crappie can be caught on minnows fished in laydowns and staging beds.

DeGray Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 412.68 feet MSL.

Local angler George Graves said the water is rising extremely fast and is almost over the ramp at Caddo Drive. The surface temperature is about 70 degrees, and the water is clear up to Shouse Ford. Crappies are biting well. Most are shallow, (6 to 10 feet) around any wood or rock cover. There have been good reports of fish coming from Iron Mountain all the way to Point Cedar. Use a 1/16-ounce jig head with a 2-inch Tennessee shad grub in the lower lake and use a white grub in the upper lake. Live minnows under a float also are working well. Bass fishing is fair and most fish are on shallow secondary points. Spinnerbaits and small crankbaits are working well. Also try a floating worm around any submerged shoreline trees or bushes. Hybrid and white bass fishing is picking up with quite a bit of schooling activity. The best times are late evenings and early mornings. Look for fish between Point 14 and Shouse Ford. Brushy Creek also has been producing. Try between Point 10 and Island Marker 33. The shad are spawning, so the fish will be close to shore and in pockets. Best lures are in-line spinners, spoons and especially a ¼-ounce Rat-L-Trap in chrome. Look for bream on shallow secondary points in 5 to 10 feet. Redworms and crickets will catch fish.

DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said the water is above flood level and close to the campgrounds. The water was dingy to the north and clear in the south. Bream were good in 10-15 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs. Bass are schooling on shad in the mid-section of the lake and toward the dam. Catfish are slow, but doing fairly well on noodles and trotlines baited with live bass minnows and bream.   

 
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle:
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said the river has been running too fast, leaving only muddy backwaters safe to fish. The west end of the lake is staying muddy, making bass and crappie almost impossible to find. Catfishing is excellent on just about everything. Shad have still been hard to find. Area ponds are starting to produce many nice red-eared sunfish and a crappie now and then and are probably a better bet than the river right now.

Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is muddy and high. Not much to report. There are small craft warnings on the lake.

Blue Mountain Lake:
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the water is high and muddy. Many anglers are fishing for crappie, and many are using minnows. One regular fisherman had a few unexpected bass in his crappie catch.

Ozark Pool:
Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is muddy and high.

Lake Ouachita:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 581.14 feet MSL.

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fishing was good if you could get out between the rain storms. Bass are pulling out to post-spawn patterns. Look for the shad and throw a Revenge spinnerbait in a shad color for best results.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is stained and 62-66 degrees from all the recent rain. Largemouth bass are biting very well on Carolina-rigged lizards fished on main and secondary points.  Yum dingers and floating worms are very effective right now fished in coves. Top-water action is on!  Zara pups and spooks, Rooster Tails and Boy Howdies will load the boat. Walleye are still good and being caught on crankbaits and jerkbaits on main lake points near brush. Stripers are still excellent on live bait with shad or trotline minnows. Top-water action is excellent on C-10 Redfins. Bream are biting very well on worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are biting well near brush in shallow pockets (2 to 10 feet deep). Minnows or crappie grubs are still working the best. Catfish are excellent and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the lake is 5 feet above the roots of the buck brush. The surface water temperature is in the 70s. Most of the creeks are stained from the fresh rain run-off. Spinnerbaits, Carolina rigs and floating worms fished in the backs of creeks and pockets on the south side of the lake are working well. White bass are schooling in the middle of most major creeks. Crappie are in 5 feet of water, and most people are commenting on how large they are. Try fishing a Kalin’s grub – Tennessee Shad in clear water and lemon meringue in muddy water.

Dave Lindhag from Striped Bass Adventures fishing for the stripers has been good, despite the rain and rising water. There’s some good breaking action being found from the state park all the way to Mountain Harbor. There haven’t been any large schools, but the fish have been 6 to 18 lbs. C-10 Redfins in rainbow trout patterns and Zara Spooks have produced the best. When you find some larger schools, a spoon will take some smaller stripers. Some larger fish have been taken below the breaking fish on gizzard shad. Be very cautious on the water, the high wind and waves have caused the lake to be unsafe for many smaller boats.

Lake Hamilton:
Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the lake is full, and the surface temperature is in the mid-70s. The water is muddy from recent rain and there are many floating logs and debris in the lake. A Carolina-rigged lizard or creature bait is working well on primary ledges and main-lake points. Wacky-rigged floating worms are working fairly well in the guts of pockets. White bass are schooling in the middle of the creeks on the surface.

Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that continued heavy rainfall has forced Entergy to run heavy generation at all area dams. Water temperature is holding around 58 degrees in the tailwater. Despite the rain, water clarity is very good above the bridge. Rainbow trout fishing has been very slow in the strong current, but some fish have been caught. Bank fishermen should concentrate on areas protected from the current and stick with proven baits under the tough conditions. Wax worms and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom have worked best. Boaters anchoring behind visible structure casting white jigs and Super Dupers have caught trout over 16 inches. The crappie spawn continues, but quality fishing has been spotty with the radical changes in temperature. Most of the fish are close to the dam in areas out of the flow and are being caught with minnows and white or grey jigs. Freshwater drum are everywhere in the tailrace and have been hooked by trolling shad and crawfish crankbaits against the current. White bass are plentiful and fishermen have limited out with minnow rigs and trolling small crankbaits. Large stripers cruise the shallow waters chasing shad and trout and flourish in the oxygenated water around the dam. Always have a heavy action rod and reel close at hand rigged with a trout colored C-10 Redfin for some explosive action as these predator fish feed on top.

Lake Hinkle:
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said water is high and dingy. Bream are good on crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs. Catfish are excellent on shiners.

Lake Atkins:
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is about 3 feet above normal. The bream and crappie were doing well before the rain.   
 

SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Moro Bay:
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the river is nearing 80 feet msl (15 feet above normal). Fishing is difficult when the water is at this stage. A good angler can still catch a few bream and small bass where water is causing debris and baitfish to accumulate – sometimes at the back of Raymond Lake or in the area where Moro Bay narrows into a smaller creek. Crappie are hard to catch but catfishing with trotlines and yo-yos could prove rewarding. However, trotlines will require constant adjusting or they will soon be underwater. For water level predictions visit www.srh.noaa.gov/lzk/.

Tri-County Lake:
The rain and wind has kept everyone off the lake the last week.
Ouachita River Oxbows:

High water continued to slow fishing last week.

EAST ARKANSAS: 
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is high and muddy. Fishing is slow for all species except catfish. Catfishing is excellent. 

White River:
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is muddy and very high. No one is fishing.

Maddox Bay:
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is murky and high. There is nothing to report on bream, crappie, or bass.  Catfish were slow but were being caught on yo-yos and trotlines baited with minnows.

Bear Creek Lake:
Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water was clear and about a foot above the spillway. Fishing is poor for all species.

Island 40 Chute:
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is about 6-8 above normal but is expected to move. No one is fishing.   

Horseshoe Lake:
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and a little high. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished in both the shallow and deep. Bass are biting well on white spinnerbaits fished in shallow water. Catfishing is good on cut shad. 

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FIND YOUR RODS, DUST OFF YOUR LURES, CHECK YOUR WADERS, AND GET READY FOR OPENING DAY OF TROUT FISHING SEASON!  The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is also gearing up for the 2009 season. DEP’s Inland Fisheries Division began its annual spring trout stocking on March 4th, and expects to have 386,000 trout stocked throughout the state by Opening Day on April 18, 2009.

“For many Connecticut families, Opening Day is a tradition rich in memories, and the first opportunity of the season to get outdoors and go trout fishing,” said Susan Frechette, Deputy Commissioner of the DEP. “Fishing is one of the outdoor activities that we are encouraging more people to do as part of our No Child Left Inside campaign. Fishing can be a great, and relatively inexpensive, outdoor adventure for the entire family.”

Our hatchery staff have worked hard to get another excellent crop of trout ready for Opening Day, said Deputy Commissioner Frechette. “Connecticut’s anglers can look forward to exceptional trout fishing this spring.” Over 200 truckloads of trout will be distributed throughout the state in preparation for Opening Day. These trout will be released into 102 lakes and ponds and 201 rivers and streams throughout Connecticut. The following species & sizes will be stocked for Opening Day:

An additional 700 broodstock Seeforellen strain brown trout ranging in size from 1 to 19 pounds were stocked into 13 lakes and ponds in late December, 2008 and early January, 2009. The broodstock were released into Bashan Lake, Beach Pond, Black Pond (Middlefield/Meriden), Black Pond (Woodstock), Cedar Lake (Chester), Coventry Lake, , Mohawk Pond, Mt. Tom Pond, Quonnipaug Lake, Stillwater Pond, Tyler Lake, West Hill Pond and West Side Pond.

Trout anglers looking for an early start to the fishing season can visit one of the state’s sixteen Trout Management Areas (TMA). All these popular areas are open for pre-season catch-and-release fishing. The TMA’s on the Mill River (Fairfield), Saugatuck River, Pequabuck River (including Coppermine Brook), Hammonasset River, Hockanum River, Mill River (Hamden), Naugatuck River, Farmington River, Mianus River, Willimantic River, Moosup River, Yantic River, and Salmon River have already been stocked. There are also plenty of large holdover trout in the TMA’s located on the West Branch Farmington River and the Housatonic River (Housatonic River TMA in Cornwall/Sharon). Class I Wild Trout Management Areas (WTMA) are also open year-round for catch-and-release fishing, and are located on Deep Brook, Eightmile River, Hawleys Brook, Beaver Brook/Merrick Brook, Macedonia Brook, Mill River (in Easton), Quinnipiac River, Tankerhoosen River, and Wachocastinook (Riga) Brook. Additionally, downstream portions of five of the designated Sea-run Trout Streams (Eightmile River, Farm River, Hammonasset River, Latimer Brook, Whitford Brook) are open year-round with a two trout per day creel limit and a fifteen-inch minimum length.

Anglers should consult their 2009 CT Angler’s Guide for detailed information on specific locations and angling regulations. Angler’s Guides are available at many DEP offices, all Town Clerks Offices and at many tackle shops and other retail vendors of fishing equipment. Anglers can now purchase their fishing licenses directly online, or at one of the many participating town halls, tackle retailers and DEP offices. For a complete list of vendors, visit the DEP website www.ct.gov/dep/fishing or call DEP Licensing and Revenue (860-424-3105).

Ice fishing in the Lower Peninsula is done. Any remaining ice is dangerous and should be avoided. The ice in certain areas of the Upper Peninsula is also getting soft so extreme caution needs to be used. Strong winds and colder temperatures have kept many anglers at home so not much to report this week.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Huron River – Water levels are up some however the river is fishable. Anglers are catching some nice steelhead. Those fishing above the coffer dam are using jigs with wax worms and those below are using flies and spawn. Crappie are hitting on minnows in the backwaters.

Detroit River – The water is muddy and making walleye fishing a bit more difficult. Those fishing the warm water discharge off Great Lakes Steel near Wyandotte have caught walleye when jigging minnows or rubber tails. Perch were caught in Belanger Park and the marinas.

Saginaw Bay – Boat anglers fishing around the commercial nets off Pine River Road and Palmer Road were doing quite well when they can get out. The cut at the end of Palmer Road is producing lots of perch but many are small. Perch were caught in the cut along Thomas Road and off the dock at Linwood. At Bay Port, pier anglers were taking whitefish and burbot.

Saginaw River – Perch anglers are getting a few at the Essexville launch site and in the marina basins along the lower river.

Quanicassee River – Perch action slowed with the cooler temperatures but should rebound with a warm up.

Pigeon River – Perch fishing in the river and associated marina basins has been slow, but should pick up. A couple lake trout were caught on minnows.

Pinnebog River – Sucker fishing continues to improve.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joe River – Has fair to good steelhead action below the Berrien Springs Dam. Most fish were caught on spawn.

Kalamazoo River – Good steelhead action continues up near the Allegan Dam when using spawn, a jig and wax worm, small spoons or Hot-n-Tots.

Grand River at Grand Rapids – The cold spell is keeping more fish in the river so catch rates are still good. Up near the Sixth Street Dam, anglers are using Wobble Glo’s with or without spawn bags. Good colors were lime and glow, orange and red, or pink and glow. Fish were also caught on Hot-n-Tots, spoons, jig and wax worm or spawn under a bobber. Shore anglers are casting plugs or spawn off the Fulton Street Bridge. Boats are casting plugs or long lining. Limits of crappie have been caught on minnows and wax worms at Riverside Park. Big bluegills were also caught on minnows, wax worms or leaf worms.

Grand River at Lansing – Steelhead have been caught over at the Moore’s Park Dam, but not in big numbers. Most fish were caught on crawlers. Ionia’s Prairie Creek continues to produce steelhead. Carp are hitting on crawlers and corn along Riverfront Park between the two dams. A few suckers were also caught.

Red Cedar River – Is producing a few suckers.

Rogue River – Steelhead are being caught near the Childsdale Dam when using a jig and wax worm or spawn.

Reeds Lake – Crappie can be found in the channels while perch were caught in 6 to 25 feet of water.

Muskegon – Steelhead and brown trout have been caught off the pier.

Muskegon River – Steelhead action continues to be good. Boat anglers are drifting flies and spawn or back trolling with plugs.

White River – Boat anglers report good action as more steelhead move into the river.

Northeast Lower Peninsula

Higgins Lake – Anglers are advised to stay off the remaining ice! It is not solid by any means. Once more we are in between seasons and no one is fishing.

Houghton Lake – The ice here is bad! Anglers will have to wait for open water to start fishing again. The canals are starting to open up so it won’t be long before the crappie start to bite.

Au Sable River – Is in good shape and the Black Stone fly hatch is in progress. Some large steelhead are being caught but not in big numbers. Anglers have caught fish on large streamers. Water levels on the South Branch were high.

Tawas – Anglers fishing Tawas Bay have caught good numbers of perch but many were small. Most fish are running 5 to 7 inches but a few were 8 to 10 inches. Those casting rapalas on the lake side were getting a mixed bag of walleye, steelhead and brown trout. Boats trolling the lake with planer boards and rapalas caught walleye in 10 to 15 feet of water.

Tawas River – Shore anglers are taking steelhead, brown trout, and suckers.

Au Gres – Boat anglers trolling off the mouth of the river have caught walleye with planer boards and rapalas. Limit catches were reported.

Au Gres River – Some nice perch are being caught in the lower river. Sucker anglers are also doing well. Those fishing near the Singing Bridge have caught steelhead in the river and in the surf. The renovated access site is now open.

Rifle River – The sucker runs are underway. Dip-netting at Omer opened on April 1st.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Petoskey – The ice in the harbor is gone near the mouth of the Bear River and about halfway out to the lighthouse on the pier. For steelhead, try floating spawn bags at first light and at dusk.

Traverse City – Still had some ice but it is not safe ice. Anglers are advised to wait for the open water to begin fishing again. Look for good perch and whitefish action once the Bays open up.

Boardman River – Steelhead action slowed with the last winter blast but should pick back up. Try floating spawn, wigglers or wax worms under a bobber.

Frankfort – Pier anglers are catching steelhead and some brown trout.

Betsie River – Catch rates improve as more steelhead move into the river.

Manistee – Pier anglers are catching steelhead along with a few brown trout. Boats are trolling in the shallows for brown trout.

Manistee River – The steelhead run is in full swing. Look for some of the best fishing this season over the next two weeks. On the Little Manistee, DNR staff could start taking eggs next week.

Ludington – Pier anglers have started to catch steelhead and brown trout. Parking at the boat launch will be difficult due to the piles of snow.

UPPER PENINSULA

Keweenaw Bay – The shorelines are changing every day and it advised if you do venture out on the ice to spud your way out and check the ice as you go. The bite has been slow but numerous fish have been seen out from the Fall’s River. The same results off the Tire Shop and Sand Point. A few whitefish were taken north of Baraga along with an occasional salmon, herring, round whitefish and burbot. A few salmon, herring and lake trout were caught out from L’Anse. There is open water from Pequaming to Carla’s Café, and there are no anglers at Old Mission, the Whirl-I-Gig or Jentoft’s Dock.

Marquette – Boat anglers are able to use the launches in the Upper Harbor however catch rates have been spotty. A few chinook salmon were caught when trolling around the bubbler with flies and a dodger. Coho were taken on jigs with cut bait but the fish were only 14 to 16 inches.

Menominee – The bay was still ice covered, but not fishable. Ice conditions are not safe, avoid the area.

Menominee River – All of the boat launches on the river are open except at the mouth which still has ice. The open launches also have docks. The flush toilets are not open but the city has placed portables for anglers to use. The fish cleaning stations at Mystery Ship and Boom Landing are not open yet. There is still some ice in places however boats are trolling from Boom Island to the mouth. Walleye action was slow and most fish were caught in the deeper holes when using a jig and minnow. The hot spot has been from shore on the Wisconsin side right next to the Hattie Street Dam. There is not much room, but anglers keep coming and leaving with their one walleye and the occasional brown trout. Those fishing the Cat Walk for walleye or wading for brown trout caught fewer fish.

Little Bay De Noc – Ice conditions have limited anglers to the Kipling area only and the ice there was deteriorating rapidly. The actual temperatures have been cold however the ice is unstable. The next warm spell will be the end of ice fishing. Some perch were caught in 6 to 17 feet of water. Use extreme caution and check the ice with a spud before you go out.

Munuscong Bay – Perch action here is done until the spring thaw.

Cedarville and Hessel – The ice was still holding and most anglers are fishing Musky Bay. Good numbers of perch have been caught at the west end in 6 to 8 feet of water and the east end off Rice Point when using wigglers and wax worms. Little Joe Island had fair perch fishing.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for April 1, 2009. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river. 
 
Fishing Tip:    While most anglers use the heaviest line they can get away with, the diameter of the line can impact how deep your lure runs. Most crankbaits will run 4 to 5 feet deeper on 10-lb.-test line than they will on 20-lb. test. Any lures you cast and retrieve will run truer and deeper when you downsize your line. If the drag is set properly on the reel, you shouldn’t have any problem with fish breaking 10-lb. test.
 
 
Arkansas River Levels are available at :
http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Reports/Daily/Pao_rvrs.txt

White River Levels are available at :
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml

Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report:     Catfish are in Community fishing ponds statewide. The last trout stockings until next winter are complete, but anglers may still catch a few trout for the next few weeks. For the best action, try Power Bait or nightcrawlers fished just off the bottom on a slip cork or on bottom with a bell sinker. For more stocking information, call the Hotline at 1-866-540-FISH (3474) toll-free.
 
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 
 
Lake Conway:

Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is muddy and high. Catfishing is fair on worms and blood bait. Yo-yos baited with minnows are also working. All other species are slow.

Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said the water is high and muddy. Crappie and bass are fairly slow. Bream are fair. Catfishing is good on shiners, nightcrawlers and livers.

Little Red River:

Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is running all day from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Drift fishing with gold in-line spinners, and Power Bait is working well. Casting spoons and Rapalas is also working.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Powerhouse should have increased flows this week to drop the lake level a bit after the low flows during last week’s river cleanup, which was an astounding success. Aquatic insect hatches continue with midges, blue-winged olives, March browns and caddis coming off most days.  Effective dry flies to try include midge (sizes 22-28; cream), para Adams (sizes 18-20), elk hair caddis (sizes 16-20; tan), American March brown (sizes 14-16), blue-winged olive (size 18) and crackleback (size 14).  Flies for sub-surface fishing include sowbug (sizes 14-16; UV tan, olive, peacock, UV light gray), chronic (size 14), zebra midge (sizes 16-22; red, black or copper), green butt soft hackle (size 16), copper john (sizes 14-16; green or red), egg patterns (sizes 12-14; roe or salmon), pheasant tail (size 16) or woolly bugger (sizes 8-12; olive, brown or black). 

Greers Ferry:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 463.51 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water temperature is 52 to 60 degrees. White bass and hybrid bass are on and off. You can still catch some upriver but not many. They are not grouped up in the lake either. Roadrunners, grubs, in-line spinners and jerkbaits will work, but the fish are scattered. Large shad are spawning up in the rivers. The bass bite is off somewhat as they are on the move. Jerkbaits, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, football head jigs and Carolina rigs are accounting for a lot of fish. The walleye in the lake are biting and will improve after this rain. Crappie are biting well in the buckbrush. Many limits have been recorded on grubs and minnows. Some crappie are still in the pole timber as well. Catfishing is good for blues on trotlines placed near points. No report on bream.

 Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) said the water is fairly clear. Crappie fishing is good on minnows fished close to brush. Bass are biting well on soft-plastics fished in brush piles. Walleye are biting well on minnows.

Harris Brake Lake:

Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is murky and at normal level. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on crappie jigs. Bass are biting well on live minnows. Catfishing is slow.

Lake Overcup:

Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is muddy from the wind. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Catfishing is good on live crayfish. 

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is about 18 inches high and dingy. Bream are slow. Crappie are spawning and are biting well on minnows and white/red, white/chartreuse and black/chartreuse crappie tubes. Bass are spawning and biting well on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. On warm days, some fish are even being caught on buzzbaits. Catfishing is good at night on minnows.

Brewer Lake:

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is dingy and 2 feet high. All species are fair after the cold front hit. 

Lake Maumelle:

Jolly Roger’s Marina had no report.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is muddy from the rain and wind. Fishing is slow for all species except bass. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits worked along shoreline cover.

Lake Valencia:

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is muddy. Fishing is slow for bream and bass. Catfish are fair on live and prepared baits.

Sunset Lake:

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is fairly clear. Bream are biting well on crickets fished 6 to 8 feet deep. Crappie are fair on minnows fished 6 to 8 feet deep. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished around brush in 3 feet of water. Catfishing is slow.

Saline River Access in Benton:

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets fished near brush in 4 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished under a bobber in 4 feet of water. Catfish are slow.

Arkansas River at Morrilton:

Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said a few more anglers are getting on the water with the recent warm weather. Catfishing is very good near the deep holes just off the main river jetties and riprap below locks 9 and 10. Live shad fished in the eddies near current breaks are catching some good catfish. Crappie are biting well in Point Remove Creek, Galla Creek, Petit Jean River and Flagg Lake Cutoff. Minnows fished under a slip cork in 4 to 6 feet of water are working the best along the edge of the vegetation. Bream are biting in the creeks and on the shallow backside of main-river jetties. Kentucky bass are biting around the riprap and rock jetties on jig-and-pig combos in crayfish colors. Stripers and white bass are around the rock jetties nearest the creek mouths. They are staging, getting ready to spawn. Medium-diving crankbaits in pearl are the best bet.

Arkansas River in Little Rock:

Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said the water is high and muddy. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished in brush 2 to 5 feet deep. Bass are fair around woody cover in shallow water.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the crappie bite is slow around the main river, but in Palarm Creek, the Little Maumelle River and the Big Maumelle River, the fishing is better. Bream are fair to good in the same creeks. Bass are fair on soft-plastics. Catfishing is good below the dams.

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.

Clear Lake:

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.

Peckerwood Lake:

Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is fairly stained and at normal level. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets fished around brush and stumps. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around stumps. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished near brush around the bank.

Pickthorne Lake:

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said fishing is good for catfish on prepared baits. All other species are fair. 
 
NORTH ARKANSAS 
White River:

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the generation pattern on the White last week was low levels throughout the day with the occasional spike of heavy current during midday. Remember, there is a new size limit on brown trout. All browns shorter than 24 inches must be released immediately no matter where they are caught on the White and Norfork Rivers. Only one brown trout longer than 24 inches may be kept in the daily limit of five trout. The upper river from the Bull Shoals Dam catch-and-release area downstream to Cain Island has been hot. Low flows were perfect for drift fishing. Effective patterns were zebra midges, San Juan worms and egg patterns. When you are fishing this area, do not drag chains or walk through the redds. Disturbing them could destroy the wild brown trout eggs recently deposited there. Rim Shoals has been another hot spot. During low flows, anglers have been doing well with size 14 black zebra midges. During high flows, the go-to flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms (hot pink, cerise and red). The most productive pattern has been the Y2K in yellow and orange. We will begin having our major insect hatches very soon. The first is our rhyancophilia caddis. They have an insect green body and are large (size 14) at the beginning of the hatch. As it goes on, they will get progressively smaller, down to size 18. Green elk hair caddis work well for this hatch. Before the hatch, fish a size 14 pulsating nymph and you should hook up on some good subsurface strikes.

Mountain River Fly Shop said several days of low water over the sowbug weekend are triggering massive caddis hatches from Buffalo Shoal up past Wildcat Shoal. The fishing was tremendous on sub-surface and dry flies. This week the higher flows, carrying a lot of river trash, have swung things back towards deep fished eggs and worms; the Pink Lady is very good for these flows. Try Dynamite and San Juan Worms, plus clown eggs and fluorescent orange eggs, veiled eggs and Y2ks as attractors. Streamers also have been working well.

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is running high and clear. Trout are biting well on Power Bait, white jigs and shad drifted in the current from a boat.

White River (From Buffalo Shoals to Norfork):

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said last week the fish were biting well from Buffalo Shoals down to the Norfork tailwater. Late in the week, they slowed considerably and have become difficult to take on artificial lures. You can still go to the bottom and do decent in some places, but not everywhere. Crankbaits and jigs have produced the most fish on artificials. Power Bait is producing the best on the bottom. The White is still fairly stained from the rains but should clear enough to catch fish any day.

Crooked Creek:

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek still is not fishing well. The water is low and clear but still a bit cold for the smallmouth to be active. As the weather warms and the water temperature reaches 55 degrees, we can expect the smallmouth action to improve.

Bull Shoals Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 654.61 feet MSL.

Bob Pauletti (870-656-3350) with Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said fishing has been fair this week with water temperatures in the 50-52 degree range in the backs of creeks and 49-50 degrees on the main lake. Quality largemouth are being caught on steeper banks in the creek arms using stick baits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits with a little wind. If it’s calm, slow down with a Carolina or mojo rig with a 4-inch worm, lizard or gitzit. Spotted bass and smallmouth have been active on the same baits; look for these fish further back in the creek arms. Crappies up to 2½ pounds are being brought in to the dock, work live bait or small jigs over brush piles for these fish. White bass are being caught on Road Runners, Beetle Spins, and minnow baits. Look for these fish in the backs of major creek arms. Walleye have been far and few.

Lake Norfork:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 552.55 feet MSL.

101 Grocery and Bait said the water temperature is in the upper 50s. The water is clear to stained in the upper parts of the lake from the rain. Striper fishing has been fair at night using stick baits. Walleye fishing has been fair at night using stick baits fished along the shore. Crappie fishing has been fair this past week using minnows and tube baits. Bluegills are starting to hit crickets and worms. Bass fishing has been good. White bass fishing has been fair.

Norfork Tailwater:

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said there has been limited generation on the Norfork with several days of no generation. This has created some excellent wading. With many anglers in town for the Sowbug Roundup, the Norfork has been packed. If you plan on fishing there, be sure and take your own rock so you will have a place to stand. The better fishing has been on the lower river just below the Ackerman Access. The fish seem to be running a bit larger there. Another hot spot has been Quarry Park below Norfork dam. The catch-and-release section has been particularly crowded. Several anglers have been walking up to McClellan’s. Be very careful! This is a long walk and, if the water comes up, it is a dangerous wade out in rising water. It would be much safer to launch a personal watercraft at the dam; float down to McClellan’s and exit at the confluence. Rose’s Trout Dock will arrange a shuttle for a nominal fee. Dry Run Creek, as always, has fished particularly well. There have been a few more young anglers on the creek particularly on the weekends. Hot flies have been sowbugs, worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said from the Long Hole downriver continues to be very slow. The water color is good and the water level very acceptable, but the fish have been extremely difficult to take.
 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 
Lake Fort Smith:

Crappie are biting fairly well on black/chartreuse and white/blue jigs fished deep. The crappie should begin to move to the shallow water soon if the weather warms up the water.

Beaver Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,121.54 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass are biting well along gravel banks with lay down trees on chartreuse spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged lizards. Crappie are biting well on either a minnow or a tube jig fished 3 feet below a bobber over and around visible cover such as lay down trees and planted brush piles. The action is good all over the lake. Bluegill are biting crickets and small plastic baits fished below a bobber 2 to 4 feet deep around docks. White bass are moving up the river arms and can be caught on anything that resembles a minnow. A silver or chartreuse Shineee Hineee has been a good choice.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is muddy and high. Crappie are fair on minnows in 2 to 12 feet of water. Bass are fair on jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits, all worked close to the bottom. Catfishing and bream fishing are fair.

Beaver Tailwaters:

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said fishing has been a little slow. Trout are biting near the surface on midge emerger patterns. Soft hackle flies have been working as well. Midge pupae, sowbugs and scuds are working well under a strike indicator. When all else fails, tie on a woolly bugger in olive and black and work it along the bottom.

Lake Fayetteville:

Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is muddy and at normal level. Crappie are fair on jigs fished around stumps in 5 feet of water. Bass are fair on soft plastics and spinnerbaits fished in 4 to 5 feet of water. Catfishing and bream fishing are slow.

Lake Sequoyah:

Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report.
 
 
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS 
 
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:

Judy Potts of Judy’s Bait Shoppe at the North entrance to Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA reports The White and Little Red Rivers have been rising since Friday due to the rains last week up north of the WMA. As of Monday morning, the White River was at 28.2 with a height of 29.3 predicted by Tuesday evening. With this in mind, the crappie, bass and bream fishing has slowed in the lakes, but around the edges they are still being caught. Bream and bass are being caught around several of the open flood gates. On Saturday, daily limits of bass were being caught at first bridge at the entrance to the WMA on crankbaits and spinners. Catfishing has been really good on Glaise Creek on trotlines baited with cut bait, stink bait and large minnows. Judy’s Bait Shoppe had to postpone their tournament until April 11, because of weather. Purchase some type of live bait at the shop between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and sign-in. The heaviest total weight of crappie, bass and bream brought back by 6 p.m. will win $50.

Lake Charles:

Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) had no report.

Crown Lake:

Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is 55 degrees and dingy. Bream are fair on redworms. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished near deep drops. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfishing is fair on chicken livers.

Lake Frierson:

Lake Frierson State Park will be closed until the end of March because of ice damage.

Spring River:

Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said rain raised water levels slightly, and the water clarity has decreased. The best flies for trout have been Cotton Candy and White woolly buggers. Erratic weather has made fishing a hit-or-miss proposition. Warm weather is just around the corner and should stabilize the bite.
 
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS 
 
Lake Chicot:

Lakeshore Motel and Marina (870-265-9901) said the crappie are trying to spawn, and many big slabs have been caught in the bayous and the lake. Bream have been biting well on crickets. Catfishing is good on blood bait and minnows. No report on bass.

Lake Chicot State Park said bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished around lily pads. Crappie are slow on minnows. Catfish are biting well on yo-yos at night. Bream are fair on wax worms.

Lake Monticello:

Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said the last cold snap doesn’t seem to have hurt the fishing. Several bass have been caught in 2 to 8 feet of water on Senkos, flukes, tubes, and live bait. There are more fish coming to the shallows every day. Several bass in the 9-pound class have been caught lately. Most of our big bass have come from 6 to 9 feet of water.
 
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS 
 
Millwood Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.64 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said multiple cold fronts shut down the bite last week. Surface water temps are back in the upper 50s. The best bite is during mid-day. Rat-L-Traps, lizards, War Eagle spinnerbaits and large worms and jigs are still the go-to baits. Many buoys are missing and the Corps of Engineers must wait on near normal water levels to replace them. Extreme caution is needed when boating. Main lake and Little River water surface temperature is 55-61 degrees. Current increased to 4,783 cubic feet per second on Monday. Main lake visibility is 3-6 inches away from any remaining current in Little River. Largemouth bass were making drastic improvements and were well on their way to spawning before the last cold front hit. Many male largemouths are conducting bedding activities upriver. The big Bass bite is still prespawn with the large females staging. The best bite is still on slow, ¾-ounce Rat-L-Traps and slow-rolled spinnerbaits in the stained or muddy water and bulky 10-inch worms. The best Rat-L-Trap colors are Toledo Gold, Millwood Magic and Red Shad in clearer water and Firetiger and Red Coach Dog in muddy sections. The best spinnerbait bite is on Spot Remover, Hot mouse and white/chartreuse War Eagle spinnerbaits fished very slowly. Soft-plastic Bass Assassin Shads are beginning to take a few 14-18-inch largemouths around hydrilla, lily pad stems, and pondweed. Dead-sticking a trick worm or Senko is also working. White bass returned upriver near the Highway 71 bridge and creek mouths until the cold front, then disappeared. They should come back with some warmer weather. Use ½-ounce Rat-L=Traps in Millwood Magic or Diamond Dust for the best results. Crappie almost totally shut down with the increase of current and muddy water in Little River. The bite should improve on Blakemore Roadrunners in McGuire and Horseshoe oxbows if the surface temps climb late this week. Channel catfish are still feeding very well near current along Little River on trotlines and yo-yos hung under cypress trees with cut bait, Charlie and chicken livers.

White Oak Lake:

Local angler John Tilley said water temperature dropped with the rains and cold front, giving the fish lock-jaw at times. However, some nice limits were caught during the warmer spells. Those fish were mostly caught on Rattling Rogues and black/blue plastic worms. Bass were close to vegetation at the water’s edge. A few crappie have been caught off the CR15 bridge. Bream and catfishing are still slow. Those that were caught were on crickets and redworms in 2 to 3 feet of water. The water clarity is very good considering the amount of rainfall. Temperature is slowly rising, which should make for some excellent fishing.

Lake Greeson:

Daryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips said the water level is 546 msl and the surface temperature is in the upper 50s. Crappie are scattered from staging areas to spawning areas.

DeGray Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 408.31 feet MSL.

Local angler George Graves said the surface water temperature is in the low 60s. The water is high and clear in the lower lake. The water is stained upriver of point 14. Crappie anglers are out in force and the spawn is in full swing. Some anglers are doing very well and others are wondering where the fish are. The secret is to get out of the coves and fish the points next to the coves. Try the points in 12 to 16 feet of water. Look for secondary points in larger coves with standing timber. Fish a Kalin’s 2-inch Tennessee shad grub on a 1/16-ounce jighead. Count the jig down to about 10 feet and reel it back very slowly.  Minnows fished under a slip float are also working well. The best area is between Caddo Drive and Shouse Ford. The high water and warm weather has helped the bass fishing as well. Try a floating worm in the brush in the backs of creeks and coves. Spinnerbaits and Carolina-rigged lizards fished on windy secondary points are also producing. A few reports of white bass and hybrids are coming in from above Amity. The best lure has been a dark-colored 3-inch twister tail grub fished right next to the bank. Bream fishing is picking up with the warmer water. Use redworms or crickets on secondary points.

DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) had no report. 
 
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS 
 
Lake Dardanelle:

Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said catfish seem to be the best bet. They’re biting best on bass minnows and live shad. Crappie are still staying 2-4 feet deep. Not many limits are coming in, but some nice slabs have been caught. Bass tournaments were a wash out last weekend with the weather and the current. White bass seem to be starting their run.

Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is muddy. Bass are biting well on soft-plastic tubes fished in shallow water. Catfishing is good below the dam. Crappie and bream are slow.  

Ozark Pool:

Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is high and muddy. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished near stumps. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and jigs fished in 2 to 4 feet of water. Catfishing is fair on cut bait.

Lake Ouachita:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 576.60 feet MSL.

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass are moving very shallow. Use trick worms and lizards in just about any color (watermelon/red is the best). Crappie have moved to the beds and they are a close second to the bass for fun.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 55 to 58 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass are excellent and can be caught on Rat-L-Traps and white spinnerbaits fished along the outside edge of the moss. Carolina-rigged lizards and speed craws are hot fished on main and secondary points. Yum dingers and floating worms are effective right now fished in coves. Walleye are biting well on crankbaits and jerkbaits up the river channels. These fish are finishing spawning. Stripers are very good on live bait with shad or trotline minnows. Wild eye shad baits and gray hair jigs are working well. Top-water action is just starting to pick up. Bream are good with worms or crickets in 18-25 feet of water. Crappie are still very good and being caught over brush. Try brush in water 15-30 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are working best. These fish are beginning to move up on the moss to spawn. Tennessee shad and white are the best colors for artificial baits.  Catfish are still fair and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines. 

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the lake is 5 feet below the roots of the buckbrush. The surface temperature is in the upper 50s with some pockets and creek runoffs holding 60-degree water. Most of the lake is clear, but most of the creeks are stained due to the fresh rain. The trick is to find new growth, green moss.  A lot of the lake has old brown moss that the fish are not in. Look for green moss in the middle section of the lake. It is holding more and better fish. A spinnerbait fished in the backs of creeks is working as well. The warmest pockets on the north side of the lake are producing some good fish on floating worms.

Lake Hamilton:

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the lake is full and warming slowly through the upper 50s. With a warm week it could be in the low 60’s by Sunday. The water color is clear in some areas and muddy in others. The surface is cluttered with leaves, sticks and other debris. Spinnerbaits are working well around the trash. Also try a ½-ounce Rat-L-Trap on the flats in the afternoons when the sun warms them. A floating worm is getting better as the water warms. White bass are staging and running up all creeks.

Lake Catherine:

Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that the lake is clear and cold with water temperature holding in the high 40s. Rainbow trout fishing remains very good with most good fish being taken when the generators aren’t running. Bank fishermen are doing well using wax worms and meal worms fished under a bobber. Pieces of nightcrawlers and whole redworms also produce strikes when floated off the bottom with marshmallows. Corn is always a good presentation since it imitates a fish egg. Fly fishermen casting small white streamers in areas of current have taken trout over 17 inches this past week despite the cold front and rain. San Juan worms in bright colors continue to hook good numbers of fish along with micro-jigs in white or grey under a strike indicator. Boaters anchoring around rock structure and sand bars are catching many trout on Rooster Tails and Super Dupers in silver and white. The crappie spawn got off to a slow start, but the females are now present and are being caught on minnows and jigs in the deeper pockets next to visible rock structure. Walleye are nearing the end of the spawn, but will remain in the tailrace and feed in preparation for the return to the main lake. White bass are also spawning and can be found on sand bars and the main channel routes. Trolling with crankbaits that imitate threadfin shad work well during periods of generation. Striper activity has been slow, but will increase as the warmer weather approaches in April.

Lake Hinkle:

Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is clear and the surface temperature ranges from 50 to 55 degrees. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around brush in 8 to 10 feet of water. Bass are fair on minnows in 2 to 3 feet of water. Catfishing is fair on bass minnows.

Lake Atkins:

Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is muddy and high. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets fished off the bottom. Crappie are fair on minnows fished 10 to 12 feet deep around brush. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft-plastics fished around brush in 5 to 7 feet of water. Catfishing is fair on bass minnows.    
  
SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS 
 
MoroBay:

Moro Bay State Park had no report.

Tri-CountyLake:

No report.

Ouachita River Oxbows:

Water is over the banks and fishing is dead slow.
 
 
EAST ARKANSAS 
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:

The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is high and muddy. Bass are biting fairly well in 2 feet of water on spinnerbaits and square-billed crankbaits. Catfishing is excellent on worms and live shad. Bream and crappie are slow.

White River:

Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is muddy and high. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished in backwater brush piles 2 to 5 feet deep. Walleye are biting well in 3 to 8 feet deep on minnow fished around current breaks in the main river.

Maddox Bay:

Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is muddy. Bream are fair on crickets fished right next to stumps. Crappie are fair on minnows fished in brush. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits fished around cover in 2 to 7 feet of water. Catfishing is fair on yo-yos.   

Bear Creek Lake:

Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows in 5 feet of water. Bass and catfish are slow.

Island 40 Chute:

Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) had no report.  

Horseshoe Lake:

Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on wax worms and worms fished around brush and stumps. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in 10 to 20 feet of water near piers. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits worked around brush. Catfishing is excellent on blood bait.

The PFBC was scheduled to stock the section of stream on March 23, April 22 and May 11. Section 02 is approximately 2.2 miles and flows from the confluence of the North Fork Chappel Fork downstream to the mouth.

Stocking will continue as scheduled on the 4.7 mile Section 01 of Chappel Fork, which lies upstream of the area impacted by the oil spill. This section runs from the confluence of Bucklick Run to the confluence of the North Fork Chappel Fork. Stocking is scheduled for March 23 and May 11.

On Aug. 17, 2008, vandals opened valves of several oil tanks on the Allegheny National Forest belonging to Snyder Brothers, Inc., releasing approximately 45,000 gallons into the ground and nearby waters, including Chappel Fork.

For more information, visit our website at www.fishandboat.com.

These fish had previously been used as brood stock at the LDWF Booker Fowler Fish Hatchery in Forest Hill to produce fingerlings for distribution in public water bodies throughout the state.  Typically, after several years the brood fish become less productive and are stocked in public waters to provide fishing opportunities for anglers.

“These fish were stocked in City Park to help control the invasive Rio Grande cichlid population in the lagoon system,” said LDWF Fisheries Biologist Melissa Kaintz  “Our goal was to increase the number of adult largemouth bass, a predator species, to help thin out the cichlid population.  Rio Grande cichlids or “Texas Blues” compete with largemouth bass for spawning habitat and have been known to feed on their eggs.  In addition, they compete with other native fishes for available prey such as insects and other small fish.” 

LDWF, with assistance from the University of New Orleans and Louisiana Sea Grant, was able to measure, weigh and tag all 252 largemouth bass before releasing them into the lagoons.  This will enable biologists to collect valuable data related to survival, growth and catch rates as well as stocking efficiency.

LDWF also expects this stocking effort to provide great fishing opportunities for participants in the New Orleans City Park Big Bass Rodeo this Saturday, March 28, 2009. 

“We invite everyone to come out and participate in the rodeo and the Fishtival where the agency’s Outreach and Assessment Division and the Enforcement Division will have booths set up,” Kaintz said.  “Participants will be able to learn how to identify common fish species, age fish and tag fish.”

LDWF continues to encourage people to take advantage of the great urban fishery that New Orleans City Park has to offer

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for March 11, 2009. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river. 
 
Fishing Tip:  First-time boat owners can find it difficult to back the trailer down the ramp. The best way to learn is to take a day during the week and practice at the ramp when no one is around. When backing, make small adjustments and be careful not to overcorrect if you think you’ve turned too far. When in doubt, stop and try again.
 
 
Arkansas River Levels are available at :
http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Reports/Daily/Pao_rvrs.txt

White River Levels are available at :
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml

Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report:  Because of the AGFC’s snakehead eradication project, catfish stockings have been moved up and catfish will be stocked in Community fishing ponds statewide. With the catfish stockings added to the trout stockings, fishing should be excellent. Even though the temperatures will be cool, the catfish will bite traditional lures. For the best mix of action, try Power Bait or nightcrawlers fished just off the bottom on a slip cork or on bottom with a bell sinker. For more stocking information, call the Hotline at 1-866-540-FISH (3474) toll-free.
 
 
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 

Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is clear and low. Bream are fair on worms and crickets fished around stumps. Crappie are fair. Catfishing is slow. Bass are biting fairly well on soft-plastics.

Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) had no report.

Little Red River: Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low and clear. Trout are excellent on Power Bait and marshmallows.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry power house is spoiling us with low water on the weekends and small daily releases during the week.  Fishing has been glorious with ideal conditions. Clear water and balmy temperatures have been the norm. However, rain will alter this ideal protocol. Aquatic insect hatches are finally showing some diversity. We are seeing caddis flies and blue-winged olive mayflies coming off most days. Dry flies to try include midges (size 22; cream or black), BWO (sizes 16-18), caddis (sizes 18-20; tan), crackleback (size 14) or para Adams (size 18). Below the surface, tie on a sowbug (sizes 14-16; tan, smoky olive, UV tan, peacock), chronic (size 14), zebra midge (sizes 16-22; red, copper or black), pheasant tail (size 16), copper john (sizes 14-16; red or green), egg pattern (sizes 12-14; roe, salmon or watermelon), gold ribbed hare’s ear (sizes 14-16), red butt soft hackle (sizes 14-18), pink soft hackle (size 16) or woolly bugger (sizes 8-12; olive, brown or black).

Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 461.57 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water is rising and the surface temperature ranges from 60 in the river arms to 48 in the main lake. The walleye spawn is off for some reason, and the white bass are spawning ahead of them up the rivers. The walleye are there but are just not active. The best bite will be after they get out of the river and back in the lake and are on the points and flats. No report on bream or catfish. Crappie are still biting well in the pole timber around river bends and main-lake points and secondary points leading into creeks. Hybrids and white bass are running up the rivers. Some are still scattered around the mouths of rivers. The whites can be caught on grubs, inline spinners and Rooster Tails fished slowly. Bass fishing continues to be good, you just have to cover water and find them.

Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) said the water is fairly clear and at normal levels. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits around brushy cover. Walleye are fair on minnows fished in the river arms. All other species are slow.

Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is high and clear. Bream are slow, but a few have been caught on crickets around stumps and brush. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished near brush piles. Bass are fair on minnows near rocky areas and woody cover. Catfishing is fair on stinkbait.

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is muddy. All species are slow.  

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on worms near the bank. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished 1 foot deep. Bass are against the banks and are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on yo-yos baited with live bait.

Brewer Lake: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is fairly clear. Bream are fair on crickets fished in brushy areas. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in brush piles. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits around brush. Catfishing is fair on yo-yos baited with cut bait.

Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water level is 4 inches above the spillway and the surface temperature at the gas dock was 48 degrees Sunday morning. Largemouth bass are moving to shallow areas and are biting fairly well on jerk baits and jigs. Kentucky bass are biting fairly well on tubes and jigs fished 20 to 30 feet deep. White bass are excellent. The spring run has started. On the west side of the bridge and in the chimney area, anglers are doing very well on Rattlin’ Rogues, Storm Swim Shads and Vibric Rooster Tails. Crappie fishing is good around 15 to 20 feet deep on minnows and 1/32-oz. jigs. Bream are slow. Saugeye fishing is fair, with some fish moving to the west end of the lake and hitting Road Runners and jigs in 15 to 20 feet of water. Catfishing is fair. They are hitting worms and prepared baits in 25 feet of water.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are fair. Crappie are fair on minnows in deep water. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft-plastics fished around any shoreline cover and rocky areas. Catfishing is fair on worms and cut bait.

Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are fair on worms fished around any brush. Crappie are fair on minnows around brush. Bass fishing is slow. Catfishing is good on worms and cut bait.

Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear. Bream are fair on crickets fished around stumps and brush. Crappie are fair around brush. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is slow.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is muddy and high. Bass are excellent on crankbaits in 4 to 6 feet of water. Crappie are fair. All other species are slow.

Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said crappie fishing below Lock 9 on the generating side is very good. Copper’s Gap, Point Remove Creek, Flagg Lake and the mouth of Petit Jean also are producing some crappie on minnows fished 3 to 6 feet deep. Catfish are beginning to move from deep holes to the jetty tips and riprap. Whole shad is the best bet for some large catfish. White bass and stripers are staging in the river mouths. Pearl-colored Sassy Shads are catching a few. Kentucky bas are holding on riprap and jetties and can be caught on crayfish. Largemouths are moving to the shallows and backwater areas. They are biting fairly well on shallow-running crankbaits and bass jigs fished next to woody cover. Bream are beginning to bite on crickets fished along rocky areas in the afternoons.

Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff had no report.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie fishing and catfishing are good around Burns Park, Fourche La Fave, Fourche Creek and Palarm Creek. Bass are biting well in the Big Maumelle River and Little Maumelle River.

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is muddy below Terry Lock and Dam. Crappie fishing is fair on live minnows. Bass fishing is fair on jigs. Catfishing is fair below the dam. All other species are slow. 

Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is fairly clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around the bank. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is fair on worms.

Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is low and muddy. Bream and crappie are slow. Bass are fair on yo-yos hung around brush. Catfishing is fair on yo-yos baited with prepared baits.

Pickthorne Lake: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream fishing is fair. Crappie fishing is fair. Catfishing is fair to good. Bass are slow to fair.  
 
 
NORTH ARKANSAS 

White River: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the generation pattern on the White was for low levels of generation around the clock with a couple of high level spikes during the day. This year’s shad kill is basically over, but trout are still hitting shad patterns. The most effective flies have been white marabou jigs and white beadhead woolly buggers. For fishing this area during high levels of generation, I generally use long 4X tippets (a 12-foot leader). Use plenty of lead to get the fly down and a big strike indicator to float it all. There have been reliable reports of excellent fishing on shad patterns from Bull Shoals down to Rim Shoals. The upper river from the Bull Shoals Dam catch-and-release area downstream to Cain Island has been a real hot spot. The lower flows were perfect for drift fishing and, with the trout still keying in on shad patterns, the bite was on. Other effective patterns were zebra midges and San Juan worms. The big story has been the spectacular streamer fishing. Several anglers have been drifting in the upper river from Bull Shoals down to Cotter. They were banging the bank with huge streamers (sculpin and baitfish patterns 5-7 inches long). They were using 8-weight fly rods with 300-grain sink tip lines. This technique resulted in several trophy browns.

Mountain River Fly Shop said the shad kill was very good on the White last week, but with a warming trend for the next week, we can expect the shad action to slow. Stay tuned as cooler temperatures, plus higher flows will have the shad back.

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is low and clear with three generators running. Trout are fair on Power Bait.

White River (Below Cartney Access): Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the area from Shipps Ferry to Reds Landing has been relatively slow compared to usual. You can always catch your limit by going to the bottom with Power Bait, corn or worms, but it may take a while. You also can use Rapalas or Zig Jigs and catch a limit, but you must make a lot of casts. The big fish of the day will most always come on the Rapala during tough conditions. Casting toward the bank when there is high water is always the most productive.

Crooked Creek: John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek is still not fishing well. The water is low and clear but still a bit cold for the smallmouth to be active. As the weather warms and the water temperature reaches 55 degrees, we can expect the smallmouth action to improve.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 653.94 feet MSL.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 552.00 feet MSL.

101 Grocery and Bait said the last week was beautiful at Norfork, with air temperature in the 70s and water temperature ranging from 46-52 degrees. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows and jigs. White bass fishing is good. Walleye are fair, with most being caught on stick baits, such as Storm Thundersticks, at night. Bass fishing has been good and the largemouth and Kentucky bass can be found just about anywhere as they start their prespawn feed. Catfishing is slow. Striper fishing is slow. For those who want to use live bait, remember that it is illegal to bring live bait fish from another body of water to Norfork.

Norfork Tailwater: John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said there has been limited generation on the Norfork with several windows of no generation that has created some excellent wading. With the hot action centered on the upper White River, the fishing pressure has been much lighter on the Norfork tailwater. Coupled with lower flows and reliable wadable water, this has created some greatly improved fishing. Anglers have reported success with white jigs and white woolly buggers. The better fishing has been on the lower river below the Ackerman Access. The fish seem to be running a bit larger there. Another hot spot has been Quarry Park below Norfork dam. There have been some spectacular midge hatches on sunny days. The best fly for this hatch has been Dan’s turkey tail emerger (size 18-22).

Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the Long Hole to the confluence has been off more than on. The action has been more consistent on the White River on a fly rod or spinning rod with artificial baits. The catch-and-release area will produce some fish on San Juan worms, egg patterns and beadhead sow bugs, but it has been slow.
 
 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,120.23 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been good, but the size has been small. Try fishing a spinnerbait around cover near the bank. Chartreuse/white is a good choice. A crawdad-colored jig-and-pig is another good option around rocky banks. Crappie have been biting, but they have been small. Many small males are being caught around any cover from Monte-NE upstream into the rivers. Try a minnow or a Shineee Hineee jig under a cork fished 2-4 feet deep. White bass can be caught upstream in either river arm on a variety of minnow-imitating lures.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are fair on crickets and redworms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in less than 10 feet of water. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastics fished around brush and rocky points. Catfishing is slow. 

Beaver Tailwaters: Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said the tailwater is fishing well, even with the high water. Some shad have been seen floating during water releases. Fish have not been taking shad on the surface but have been slamming shad patterns fished under the surface. Most fish caught are in the slot, but several above the slot have been caught and released. The best shad flies to use have been 2 to 4 inches long and are white or light gray.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is fair and at normal levels. Bream are fair on worms fished around 30 feet deep. Crappie are fair on jigs fished in the brush. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished near brushy cover. Catfishing is poor.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report.
 
 
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS 
 
Lake Charles: Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) had no report.

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is stained and at normal levels. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished around rocky points in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bass are fair on jigs fished around deep drops near 20 feet of water. Catfishing is slow. Bream fishing is slow.
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park will be closed until the end of March because of ice damage.
Spring River: Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the river is running very clear. Water levels are perfect for wading and the fishing has been great. The crackleback in a size 6 has been producing the biggest fish, but a brownie pattern has been catching the most fish. As always, you need to get the fly deep. CatchSpringRiver Fly Shop on K Country 95 radio every Saturday morning at 7:30 and learn the latest on fishing the SpringRiver.
 
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS 
   
Lake Chicot: Lakeshore Motel and Marina (870-265-9901) said the water is warming (It was 61 degrees Monday). Crappie are moving up in water around 2 to 3 feet deep. There have been many big slabs caught, some on jigs but most on minnows. The catfish are really biting well on minnows in the shallows. Bass fishing has been slow. Bream are biting well in 5 feet of water on crickets and wax worms.

Lake Chicot State Park said bass and crappie are biting well. Catfish are picking up, but it’s sporadic. Catfish are touch-and-go with some people not catching any, but one angler caught two catfish larger than 40 pounds. There is a lot of boating activity on the lake.

Lake Monticello: Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said bass fishing on Lake Monticello is picking up with the temperature. Surface temps in the upper 50s and low 60s have been the norm for the last few days. It’s hard to say what the cooler air temperature over the next few days will do to our surface temps. Hopefully, this little bit of winter will be brief. There have been some toads coming in on crankbaits, Texas-rigged lizards and big shiners.  Several over 10-lbs. came out of the lake last weekend. The fish seem to be holding around 4 to 8 feet deep.
 
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS 
 
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.58 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said main-lake and river clarity worsened with the high winds during the last few days. Some floating grass mats have broken loose in the river and many river buoys are still missing. The water surface temperature ranges from 49 to 54 degrees. Current at the dam is holding at 774 cubic feet per second, but should increase with the rain. Main lake clarity is 5 to 7 inches. Millwood State Park has one operational boat ramp and one still under repair. Bass activity is picking up between cold fronts. Prespawn black bass from 3 to 8 pounds are moving up and beginning to feed until the next front knocks them back. Early March can be a tricky time of year for a consistent bite. The best bite remains during the warmest hours of the day on slow-moving ¾- to 1-ounce Rat-L-Traps and slow-rolled Colorado-bladed spinnerbaits. Loud rattling crankbaits are working in creek channels. Chunky males are being seen in bedding areas. Wacky-rigged Bass Assassin trick worms, charms, or Senkos are working around hydrilla, lily pad stems, and pondweed. Hottest colors for Charm Assassins and trick worms are the sherbet or merthiolate in the muddy or stained water and watermelon-red or salt ‘n pepper silver phantom in the clearer water. 5- to 7-inch Salty Rat Tails in watermelon/red, smoke/blue, or purple smoke are working on points with vegetation or dead lily pad stems. Best jig colors are Texas Craw, black/blue or green pumpkin with chartreuse combinations. White bass continue biting well between cold fronts up Little River.  Whites were best on ½- or ¾-oz. Rat-L-Traps in Diamond Dust, Millwood Magic and Red Craw colors, ½-oz. Rooster Tails in chrome/red or white/chartreuse colors. Further up Little River around Highway 71 Bridge and the Cossatot River Inflow Ditch, Whites are beginning to be seen in the creek mouth junctions with the River. A few more crappie fishermen were out again this week with the warm weather. Crappie are beginning to bunch up and bite again with the clearer water. The best bet continues to be Blakemore Roadrunners or Rocket Shads in white and chartreuse in the heavier stained water around current, or in planted brush piles on Tiny Tubes or 2-inch Bass Assassin Shads in Electric Chicken colors and live minnows. Channel catfish and blue catfish are fair on trotlines and yo-yos, along Little River. 

White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park had no report.

Lake Greeson: Daryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips said the lake level is steady and the water is warming very quickly. Crappie are being caught as shallow as 1 foot deep.

DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 405.14 feet MSL.

Local angler George Graves said the surface water temperature is 59 degrees (49 degrees 20 feet deep) and the water is very clear. Overall, the fishing as been a bit lackluster. There have been a few fair reports of crappie catches from the river end of the lake, (from Point 14 to Point Cedar, Beaton Creek and Point Cedar Creek). Fish brush 18 to 20 feet deep using a 1/16 ounce chartreuse jig, or crappie minnows. Bass are fair between Arlie Moore and Shouse Ford. The warmer weather moved the bass fairly shallow on main-lake and secondary points. Carolina-rigged worms and lizards are working. On windy days, fish the windy points and banks with a spinnerbait because food will be pushed to the area and it won’t take long for the bass to find it. No reports on hybrids or white bass.

DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said the water is clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair in 30 feet of water on jigs and stumps. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished around brush and rocks in 15 to 20 feet of water. Catfishing is slow.

Iron Mountain Lodge and Marina said the surface temperature is 50 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on watermelonseed and green pumpkin ½-oz. cannon ball jigs and Zoom super chunk trailers fished 18-25 feet deep around main-lake points. Spinnerbaits and rattling Hot Spots fished on flats and humps are catching a few fish as well. In the upper lake, crayfish-colored crankbaits are catching a few fish. Hybrids and white bass are fair on ¾-oz. spoons, red or gray bucktail jigs and shad-colored crankbaits fished around flats near 20 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on Tennessee shad-colored grubs fished around brush piles in 12-20 feet of water. 
 
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS 
 
Lake Dardanelle: Spadra Marina said some nice-sized crappie have been caught, but they are few and far between. They are still 6-8 feet deep and are biting the best on minnows and jigs with red/sparkle skirts. Catfishing is good on bass minnows, but are better on shad if you can find them. Bass tournaments are picking up, and we should start seeing some nice bass soon.

Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is muddy and high. No report on the fishing.

Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is stained and at normal levels. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished in 12 feet of water around backwater areas. Bass are slow. Catfish are biting fairly well on worms.

Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 572.39 feet MSL.

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass are excellent with the water temperature climbing and fish moving shallow. Shad-colored crankbaits and Revenge spinnerbaits are working around secondary points and coves with grass and wind.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and the surface temperature ranges from 55 to 58 degrees. Largemouth bass are excellent and can be caught on Rat-L-Traps and white spinnerbaits fished on the outside edge of the moss. Carolina-rigged lizards and speed craws are hot on main-lake and secondary points. Walleye are fair and being caught on crankbaits and jerk baits up the river channels. Stripers are still good on live shad or trotline minnows. Wild eye shad baits and gray hair jigs are working as well. Bream are fair to good on worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are biting very well over brush in 15 to 30 feet of water on minnows and crappie grubs. Catfish are fair and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the lake is 5 feet below the roots of the buckbrush, and the water temperature is in the mid-50s. The lake is falling and clearing up quickly. Bass are holding around any new growth in the weedline. Most of the lake has brown moss, which the fish are avoiding. Look for green moss in the middle of the lake. It is holding more and better fish. Bass are being caught on crankbaits and jigs around that new moss.

Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service had no report for Lake Hamilton.

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the lake is filling, and should be back to normal level by March 15. The water is warming slowly, and the surface temperature is in the mid-50s. The water color is clearing up fast and most of the lake is clear to stained (for Hamilton’s standards). A medium-diving (5-7 foot) crankbait is working well because the fish are not very deep. Also try a ½-oz. Rat-L-Trap on the flats in the afternoon when the sun warms them. As the lake fills, many logs and leaves will float off the bank, making it very important to watch for hazards.

Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that the lake began refilling March 8. The lake will rise 5 inches per day until the 3-foot winter drawdown has been refilled (by March 15). Water temperature fluctuates from 48 to 50 degrees, depending on weather. Rainbow trout fishing has to be experienced to be believed. Trips of 50 or more fish are common with numbers nearing 100 when conditions are right. The best fishing takes place during periods of no generation, but stringers of trout are being caught in the current as well. Bank fishermen casting wax worms and meal worms fished on the bottom or under a bobber routinely catch limits around visible cover. Nightcrawlers and redworms work very well using this same system. Boaters anchoring near sand bars and submerged islands are catching trout at will as these fish school by the hundreds chasing shad and insects. White jigs and brown Rooster Tails have been very productive fished in shallow water along with Super Dupers and small crawfish crankbaits. Trolling in the channels has been a very successful technique during periods of generation. Fly-fishermen casting San Juan worms in red or pink with a strike indicator have done well this past week in the shoal areas. Micro-jigs in white or gray match the threadfin shad color perfectly and appear as an easy meal. The walleye run has been underway for several weeks. Fishing has been spotty at best, but the fish are in the tailrace. Live bait is needed, especially when the turbines are off. Trolling has caught fish during generation, but it’s been very spotty. Fishermen should concentrate their efforts on the channels and be patient. Striper activity is hit-and-miss. Top-water action is heavy when a trout stocking is in progress, so be ready with a C-10 Redfins in rainbow trout colors or a white ¼-ounce jig. The crappie spawn will begin in the next week to 10 days, depending on the weather. Fishing is very good at Carpenter Dam and outdoors lovers should take advantage of a wonderful fishery right here in Hot Springs.

Lake Hinkle: Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around brush and stumps in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished near any cover. Catfishing is fair on cut bait.

Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is clear. Catfishing is good on worms, minnows and blood bait. All other species are slow.  
  
SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS 
 

Moro Bay: Moro Bay State Park said the Ouachita River is at 68 feet above sea level (only 3 feet higher than the summer norm). It appears to be receding slowly each day.  The warm weather is bringing folks back to the bay for some pretty good bream fishing. Large red-eared sunfish can be caught on the bottom using worms in the bay. They are holding close to cover such as docks and cypress trees. Crappie have been off and on all winter but never consistent for more than a day or two. A few bass fishermen have had success on soft-plastic worms, but few fish caught meet the new 14-inch minimum size limit. Those with special netting licenses have caught some nice buffalo lately but that appears to be slowing down. 

Tri-County Lake: Windy weather rolling across the lake made fishing extremely difficult. All species were slow.

Ouachita River Oxbows: Spotted bass are hitting jigs well, but there isn’t much size to them. Largemouths are still hitting shallow-running crankbaits (2-5 foot depth) and slow-rolled spinnerbaits around creek channels.

 
 
EAST ARKANSAS 
 
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff: The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is low and muddy. Bream are biting well on worms, wax worms and crickets fished around the banks. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around brush and rocky areas. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and minnows fished around brush and stumps. Catfishing is good on worms and cut bait.

White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clearing and is at normal levels. Bass fishing is fair on soft-plastic worms fished around the creeks. Walleye are fair on minnows in the main river. All other species are slow.

Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is muddy and high. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on yo-yos baited with minnows and hung from brush near the banks. Some bass and catfish have been caught on the yo-yos as well.

Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass and catfish are slow.

Island 40 Chute: Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is at normal levels and fairly clear. Crappie are fair in 3 feet of water on green jigs fished around brush and piers. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits fished along the bank. Catfishing is slow.

Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms fished around brushy areas. Crappie are fair on jigs tipped with a minnow fished around 20 feet deep. Bass are slow. Catfishing is good on cut bait and stink bait.

For current information, contact the district fisheries office. Phone numbers are listed with each district report.
Northeast

Mississippi River Pools 9 to 15: Pool 9 anglers are catching northern pike on tip-ups in Fish Lake off Army Road in New Albin. A few walleye and sauger are being caught near the Lansing Power Plant. Try a variety of methods including jigs tipped with a minnow or twister tails since the fish can be finicky. Shore Slough near Lansing has been producing a few bluegills.

Pool 10 fishing has slowed near the spillway, but some northern pike and bass can be caught using shiners on tip-ups. Saugers can be caught below the dam at Lynxville using a jig and minnow. A few walleye can also be caught here on jigs with twister tails. Use the smallest jig that you can get to the bottom for best success. Some crappies are being caught at Spring Lake and Mud Slough, north of Prairie du Chien. The Sny Magill Access is producing bluegills, but many are small and some sorting will be necessary. These areas include Sandbar, Norwegian and Methodist lakes. A few nice crappies have also been caught in Norwegian Lake. Bussey Lake has been very hit or miss for bluegill. There are fish to be caught, but you may need to move around until you find them. Many anglers are driving now on Bussey Lake.

Pool 11 tailwaters by Guttenberg continue to be slow for angling; however, some saugers are still being caught. The amount of open water has been shrinking dramatically this past week. Fishing is only accessible by airboat or by pushing a small boat out from the DNR landing. Some good sized crappies and perch can be caught at Mud Lake in Dubuque. Fishing is best late in the day.

Pool 12 anglers are catching a few bluegill and crappie in O’Leary’s Lake, Tippy Lake, Frentress Lake and in Kehough Slough.

Pool 13 anglers are catching a few bluegill and crappie in South Sabula Lake, Middle Sabula Lake and Mickelson’s Lake (aka Potters Marsh). Anglers should avoid Brown’s Lake as oxygen readings have dropped to levels unsuitable for fish.

Pool 14 is fair for bluegill and crappie in Rock Creek.

Inland Anglers: Just a reminder to buy your 2009 fishing license before you go fishing. Also, the daily bag limit of 25 bluegills and 25 crappies on public waters begins on Wednesday, January 21, 2009.

Cedar River (Black Hawk): Walleye and crappie fishing is fair to good in deeper holes with good ice conditions. Use extreme caution when fishing river ice.

Casey Lake (Tama): Crappie fishing is good in the early morning and late evening using jigs tipped with a minnow or wax worm, or try minnows fished under a bobber. Bluegill fishing is excellent around stake beds and brush piles located in 10 feet of water or deeper near the center and on the east side of the lake. Jigs tipped with a wax worm works well for bluegills.

Lake Hendricks (Howard): Large crappies are being caught on minnows. Try using a teardrop shaped jig tipped with a wax worm for bluegills. Best time to fish seems to be towards sunset. There is about 20 inches of ice and snow depths vary.

Lake Meyer (Winneshiek): Anglers continue catching 6 to 8-inch bluegills but some larger crappies are beginning to show up in the creel. Try using a white, red or yellow rubber skirted jig tipped with wax worm. For crappies, try using a minnow suspended off the bottom about 3 to 4 feet. Also try fishing near the habitat added last year.

Volga Lake (Fayette): Anglers are catching 8 to 9-inch crappies and a few bluegills on a yellow jig tipped with a wax worm. Try using a minnow tipped jig to entice those larger crappies. Fish your lure higher off the bottom. Perch are also biting.

Northeast Iowa Trout Streams: Trout fishing is good. Better trout streams with good spring flows will be open throughout the winter. Trout fishing is a great option for the ice-shy angler and the snow covered scenery is beautiful.

For information on fishing in northeast Iowa, call the regional office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

Northwest

Spirit Lake (Dickinson): Crappies are biting at Trickles Slough and Anglers Bay along weed edges and openings or at the North Grade with small ice jigs tipped with wax worms. Bluegills are being caught at the North Grade and in Angler’s Bay along the weed beds and open areas with small ice jigs tipped with live bait. Fish for yellow perch along weed beds or rock reefs at Big Stoney, Cottonwood, and Jackson points or Reeds Run using jigging lures tipped with live bait or use a slip bobber and minnow. For walleyes, fish along the weed lines and rock reefs with jigging lures tipped with a minnow at sunrise and sunset at Reeds Run, the footbridge, Big Stoney and Little Stoney points. Northern pike are being caught along rock reefs at Buffalo Run or Cottonwood and Big Stoney points with jigging lures tipped with live bait.

West Okoboji Lake (Dickinson): Bluegills are biting in Emerson, Little Emerson, Miller’s and North bays on small ice jigs tipped with wigglers or wax worms. Walleyes are being caught from the rock reefs in North, Miller’s and Emerson bays with jigging lures tipped with minnows in the morning or evening. For northern pike, use live bait or jigging lures in Little Emerson Bay or around rock reefs in North and Emerson bays.

East Okoboji Lake (Dickinson): Walleyes are being caught on jigging lures tipped with minnows and fished at rock bars in the evening.

Center Lake (Dickinson): Fish for walleyes in the evening with jigging lures tipped with minnows.

Lake Pahoja (Lyon): Bluegills are biting on small ice jigs tipped with wax worms or wigglers. Yellow perch are being caught using small ice jigs or jigging lures tipped with live bait.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Walleyes are being caught using jigging lures tipped with minnows and fished at sunset along the south shore.

Trumbull Lake (Clay): Yellow perch are being caught with jigging lures tipped with live bait early or late in the day.

Five Island Lake (Palo Alto): Fish around the Boat House area with jigging lures for walleyes.

Crawford Creek Lake (Ida): Fishing is fair for bluegills and crappies. Some sorting is required to get nicer fish.

Black Hawk Lake (Sac): Fishing fair fishing for walleyes but most are below the 15-inch minimum length limit. A few crappies are being caught using live minnows.

Arrowhead Lake (Sac): Fishing is fair to good for bluegill on teardrops and wax worms.

Brushy Creek Lake (Webster): Ice conditions have improved on the lake, but driving on the lake is not advised. Fishing has slowed this past week. A few nice crappie, perch and bluegills have been caught just outside the tree line on live bait. Very few walleyes have been caught this winter. The lake has 4 to 8 inches of snow cover.

Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo): Ice on Clear Lake averages 13 to 20 inches. Yellow bass fishing has been fair to good on the west end of the main lake. Fish are being caught in less than 9 feet of water using jig and minnow. Fishing away from the main group of shacks seems to improve catches. A few white bass, walleye, and catfish are also being caught while fishing for yellows. As winter progresses expect yellow bass to spread out and provide better fishing action in other areas of the lake.

Blue Pit (Cerro Gordo): The DNR plans to stock trout, weather permitting, on Jan. 22.

Eldred Sherwood Park, Indian Lake (Hancock): Ice on Indian Lake averages 14 to 16 inches. Bluegill fishing has been good using small jigs tipped with a wax worms.

Silver Lake (Worth): Yellow perch fishing has been good. Some sorting is required, but 10 to 12-inch perch are being caught. Fishing the north side of the lake by the county park has been one of the better spots. Try using a jig tipped with a minnow for best results.

For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the regional office in Spirit Lake at 712-336-1840.

Southwest

Hickory Grove (Story): Bluegill fishing has been a little slow, but a few good sized fish are being caught. Anglers are doing fair on crappies once they are located. A catch of half dozen or so keepers is common, with the occasional white crappie up to 12 inches coming through the ice.

Big Creek (Polk): Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good. The better bluegill fishing has been in the Lost Lake portion. Crappies are being caught in the main lake suspended in water 25 feet or deeper. The best crappie bite is in the evenings after sunset. Wax worms have been the bait of choice for both bluegills and crappies.

Ahquabi (Warren): Fishing has been slow. Some bluegills are being caught in the silt ponds above Hooper, in 3 to 6 feet of water.

Contact Ben Dodd at (515) 432-2823, Ext.108, for information on the above area lakes

Area lakes are frozen. Farm ponds, small lakes and medium lakes have areas with up to 10 inches of ice. Large lakes are also frozen over but ice thickness and condition varies. Check ice thickness in several places.

Farm Ponds: Fishing has been very good.

Three Mile Lake (Union): The lake is completely frozen but the thickness can be from 4 to 8 inches. The roadway between the ramps, the area just to the northwest of the upper ramp, and the cove just south of the upper ramp have been the most popular to date. Anglers are catching mostly bluegills on wax worms with a few crappies mixed in.

Twelve Mile Lake (Union): The lake is completely frozen. A lot of angler activity has occurred in the creek channel between the two middle ramps. Several 2 to 4 pound walleye and lots of 7 to 9-inch bluegills have been caught over the old roadway. Ice thickness seems to be over 6 inches in most places.

Lake Icaria (Adams): The lake is completely frozen. Most of the angling activity has occurred just to the north of the marina, in the south corner of the dam, and over the old roadway. All species can be caught with 7 to 8-inch bluegills, 9-inch crappies, and walleyes up to 22 inches being the most active.

Lake of Three Fires (Taylor): The angling activity has occurred over the brush pile immediately north of the center of the dam and from the deeper hole 150 yards north of the spillway. Lots and lots of nice bluegills and few crappies have been caught on wax worms.

Fogle Lake (Ringgold): The lake is completely frozen over. Some fishing has occurred over the brush pile just north of the center of the dam and the brush piles to the northwest of the spillway. The bluegills are 6 to 7.5 inches and the crappies are 8 to 10.5 inches.

Contact Gary Sobotka at (641) 464-3108 for information on the above area lakes.

Ice conditions are reported as good with area lakes having 8 to 10 inches. Always check ice thickness frequently and be aware of potentially weak ice.

Lake Manawa (Pottawattamie): Anglers are catching crappies in the brush piles around the old beach area using wax worms and minnows.

Big Lake (Pottawattamie): Trout fishing has picked up recently with some anglers reporting catching their limit. Baits and lures used for crappie work well for catching trout.

Anderson Area (Montgomery): Bluegills are fair using wax worms. A few 8-inch crappies are being caught in the evenings using minnows.

Lake Anita (Cass): Bluegills are fair with an occasional 9-inch crappie.

Desoto Bend (Harrison): Fishing has been good for 10 to 12-inch crappies using minnows around deeper tree piles and off the ends of deeper jetties.

Nodaway Lake (Adair): Fishing has been fair for 7-inch bluegills.

Southwest Iowa Farm Ponds: The best fishing reports have been from privately owned small ponds for bluegill and in the larger ponds, crappie, using teardrops tipped with wax worm. Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches.

Contact Bryan Hayes at (712) 769-2587 for information on the above area lakes.

For more information on general fishing in southwest Iowa, call the regional office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.
Southeast

Mississippi River Pools 16 to 20: In Pool 16, ice anglers have been catching bluegills and crappies on wax worms at Credit Island. Ice fishing has slowed some in Sunset Marina for bluegills and crappies. In Pool 17, Big Timber has been good for bluegills and an occasional crappie on small jigs and wax worms fished around brush piles. Anglers have also been catching some bluegills through the ice at Hidden Acres.

In Pool 18, most area ice fishing reports are coming from farm ponds. In Pool 19, most area ice fishing reports are coming from farm ponds and lakes.

Lake Darling (Washington): The lake is completely drained.

Lake Belva Deer (Keokuk): Ice thickness is around 12 inches. Ice fishing is starting to slow as we hit the middle of winter. Anglers are still catching some nice bluegills and crappies in the trees. Look for the fish to be suspended in the trees about 18 to 20 feet down. They are hitting it very softly so be very watchful of any change in the line.

Lake Geode (Henry): Ice conditions have improved, but because of recent weather not too much ice fishing has been going on.

Lake Rathbun (Appanoose): Ice thickness has been measured at 8 to 9 inches. Crappies have been biting on minnows and by vertically jigging around submerged habitat. Fishing has been the best at Atwell’s, in Honey Creek, and in Buck Creek. The gate is now open at the Glenwood area.

Lake Sugema (Van Buren): The bays and coves have been producing some catches of bluegill and crappie using small jigs tipped with a wax worm. Last week the main lake still had some open water due to a flock of geese so use caution. The Tug Fork lakes have also been producing some catches of crappies using minnows.

Lake Keomah (Mahaska): Anglers have been catching some crappies using small jigs tipped with a wax worm. Look for areas with submerged trees or rock piles.

Lake Wapello (Davis): The lake has been completely drained.

Lake Miami (Monroe): Anglers have been catching some crappies using jigs and minnows. The most productive area has been along the stumps on the west side of the lake.

Lake Macbride (Johnson): Crappie fishing has been fair to good and some nicer-sized fish have been caught. The recent heavy snows may slow things down but fish have been coming off deeper brush and drop-offs.

Kent Park (Johnson): Anglers are having some success on bluegills fishing around deeper structure with small jigs and wax worms. Dusk seems to be the prime fishing time.

Lake Iowa (Iowa): Fishing around brush or stake beds has been producing bluegills and redears. There are many smaller fish, but nicer fish up to 10 inches are mixed in. An ice jig and wax worm has been working best.

Union Grove (Tama): Bluegills and crappies are being caught in high numbers but small to average in size. Look for them in 8 to 10 feet of water around brush. The aeration system was turned on December 30, so there are open water pockets at the dam end of the lake.

For more information on fishing in southeast Iowa, call the regional office in Brighton at 319-694-2430.

Cold weather started producing some ice however heavy snowfall and strong winds around the state will not help with the freezing process. Whitefish action should be good for about one more week. Now would be a good time to get the ice fishing gear ready to go because we could have fishable ice by the end of the month.

Southeast Lower Peninsula

Lake Erie - Boats are still going out but they are duck hunters instead of anglers. There is no ice to report. Look for perch off the Metro Park launch. Try perch rigs with minnows.

Huron River - Anglers are taking the occasional steelhead but catch rates have slowed. Boat anglers are trolling plugs.

Detroit River - Look for some perch off Belanger Park. Perch rigs with minnows work well.

Lake St. Clair - Has open water. Skim ice can be found in the canals but there is no safe ice to report. Shore anglers or those fishing from boats close to shore might be able to pick up a few perch.

Saginaw Bay - Skim ice may be forming but there is no safe ice. Windy conditions will prevent the bay from freezing. Those fishing off the docks are punching a hole and fishing for perch and crappie in shallow waters.

Southwest Lower Peninsula

St. Joe - Pier and shore anglers continue to take the occasional whitefish and steelhead when the weather permits.

St. Joe River - Shore and boat anglers continue to catch steelhead below the Berrien Springs Dam. With the low water levels, fish the deeper holes. Those fishing at night are still taking some walleye up near the dam.

Grand Haven - Anglers are still taking whitefish when they can get out on the pier.

Grand River at Grand Rapids - Water levels are low and clear so concentrate on the deeper holes. Those fishing the coffer dam at Bridge Street and the deeper holes behind the Post Office have caught steelhead on fluorocarbon line with a bunny jig and wax worm. Fish were also caught in the center run when using a jig and wax worm or spawn. Try all white or pink heads with white bodies. Steelhead were caught up near the Sixth Street Dam when fishing half a crawler under a bobber. Walleye were caught on bucktail jigs tipped with minnows off the east wall. Shore anglers up from Wealthy Street caught walleye on floating rapalas.

Grand River at Lansing - Has northing to report. No anglers have been out as we are in between fishing seasons. Those looking for that first ice experience will have to wait longer as there is no safe ice to report.

Muskegon - Pier anglers fishing the channel continue to catch whitefish. Look for this action to continue for about one more week as the fish tend to go on a feeding frenzy when they have finished spawning. Walleye were also caught.

Northern Lower Peninsula

Alpena - Those that still have their boats out continue to fish on the reefs for whitefish. Launch ramps in the marina are snow covered and the docks have been removed.

Thunder Bay River - The ramp near the DNR Office which is located near the mouth of the river on Fletcher Street is open and the dock is still in. Boats are heading out into Thunder Bay for whitefish or staying in the river for steelhead.

Van Etten Lake - Froze over with skim ice but has since opened back up.

Cedar Lake - Ice has started to form. Even though the lake is shallow compared to most lakes in the area, anglers need to use extreme caution during first ice.

Oscoda - Whitefish are still being caught off the pier however the action was starting to wind down.

Au Sable River - The mouth of the river is also an excellent location to fish this time of year and will usually yield a nice mixed bag of whitefish and steelhead. Most of the steelhead have been caught in the lower stretches however those fishing upstream have also found some fish.

Tawas - The breakwall has been lined with lanterns as whitefish anglers continue to catch fish after dark. This action should continue through the first week of December because when the fish have finished spawning, they tend to go on a feeding frenzy.

Higgins Lake - Has open water but the fishing is now in between seasons. This is a good time to make sure the ice fishing gear ready to go because with colder temperatures in the forecast, it won’t be long.

Houghton Lake - Ice is forming however anglers are not venturing far from shore. Most are fishing 5 feet of water or less for bluegills and crappie. A few walleye were caught up near shore.

Northwest Lower Peninsula

Though a good number of lakes have frozen over, the only ice out there is skim ice and there is no safe ice to report. Heavy snow this week will slow if not stop the freezing process.

Traverse City - Snow along with windy conditions have kept most boats off the bays. A couple were still catching perch in both the East Bay and the West Bay, but most are now waiting for the start of ice fishing season.

Boardman River - Those willing to put in the time have caught a couple leftover steelhead down near the mouth.

Long Lake - A few walleye and perch were caught before the storms hit.

Crystal Lake - A few whitefish are still being taken by spear anglers.

Lake Cadillac - Still too early for ice fishing, even on this lake. The west side has skim ice only and the east side has open water.

Lake Mitchell - Was covered with skim ice only. There is no safe ice to report.

Manistee - Surf casting and pier fishing should continue to be good when anglers can get out there.

Manistee River - Steelhead fishing is pretty much the only game right now. The action has been fair in the lower stretches however low water levels have made for a relatively light run this fall.

Ludington - Surf and pier anglers here should continue to catch fish. Floating spawn works best.

Pere Marquette River - Steelhead are still being caught near the Twin Bridges at US-31 and up near Scottville. Spawn under a bobber was the ticket. Low water levels here are the cause of a light run this year.

UPPER PENINSULA

Ice is forming on the inland lakes however the large lakes still have open water. The small shallow lakes were showing signs of an inch or two of ice but anglers are reminded that first ice is dangerous and extreme caution needs to be used.

Chicagon Lake - Whitefish spearing activity is starting to pick up and should be in full swing by the weekend.

Peavy Pond - Several limits of walleye and a couple pike have been caught.

Little Bay De Noc - Few anglers have been out because fishing is now in between seasons. A few boats are still fishing late evening between Gladstone and the Black Bottom. Good numbers of walleye were reported in this area. Most are trolling crank baits in 10 to 28 feet of water off the breaks and reefs. Water clarity remained good which is why the better catch rates were at night. All of the docks have been removed except for one in Gladstone and one at the North Shore launch which should be coming out soon. Ice anglers have already started fishing in the shallows.

White River Levels are available at :
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml

Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report:   Rainbow trout fishing has been excellent in Rogers, Springdale and Central Arkansas ponds. The anglers report that they have been using corn, small marshmallows, Power Bait, Trout Magnets, Rooster Tails and spinners. More ponds will be stocked this week. For stocking information, call the Hotline at 1-866-540-FISH (3474) toll free.
 
CENTRAL ARKANSAS 
Lake Conway:  Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is low. Crappie are fair from the bank. Crappie are fair.

Dan at Gold Creek Marina said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on shiners, but are deep and holding tight to brush. Bass and catfish are fair at best. 

Little Red River:  Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is running low. Trout are biting well on corn and nightcrawlers. Brown trout are in spawn/post-spawn stages right now. Salmon eggs are working well, but stay out of the moss. Morning is providing the best bite.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the only water releases since Nov. 21 were on Dec. 2. In general, all the shoals are wadable and the fishing has been good. The dissolved oxygen content of the lake/river water continues to be a problem with readings averaging 4.5 parts per million at the dam. The average temperature of the water flowing through the turbines is a chilly 52 degrees. Aquatic insect hatches have become quite predictable of late. Midges are hatching every afternoon with blue winged olive mayflies and caddis flies in the mix until dark. Most aquatic insects “come off” at the most pleasant time of the day. Not coincidentally, around 3 p.m., the larger trout move onto the shoals. The dry flies that are actually working include the BWO (#18), caddis fly (#18-#20; tan), midge (#22; cream or black) and para Adams (#18). If you are fishing sub-surface, tie on a sowbug (#14; olive, UV tan, UV gray or peacock), zebra midge (#16; red or black), red butt soft hackle (#14), copper john (#14), hare’s ear (#14), pheasant tail (#16), egg pattern (#12; salmon, cerise, peach or yellow), San Juan worm (#12-#14; red, fl. cerise or worm brown) and woolly bugger (#8-#10; olive, brown or black). Remember, if you are fishing with a “non-swimming insect” pattern, don’t make your fly appear to be swimming. The brown trout spawn continues to improve with each passing day. There are a few spawning shoals on the river that have yet to have redds. Dozens of 22- to 24-inch brown trout have been caught and released this season and one 29-inch brown was reported.

Greers Ferry:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 460.11 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is falling. Black bass are still biting well in about 15 feet of water with a few even staying in the shallows. Top waters, crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps are working well in the shallows. Carolina-rigged lizards and football head jigs are the ticket for the deeper bass. Crappie are biting fairly well in the pole timber about 15 feet deep over 60 feet of water on jigs and minnows. Walleye are scarce, but some are being picked up under the schooling whites and hybrids. The whites and hybrids are still going good all over the lake with some pushing shad up to the surface. Watch for the birds to find the fish. Other schools that aren’t pushing shad to the surface can be caught on humps and points with spoons and in-line spinners as well as swim baits and grubs.

Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) said some white bass are coming up in the middle fork. No other reports.

Harris Brake Lake:  Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. All other species are poor.

Lake Overcup:  Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear some ice is forming at the edges of the lake some mornings. Bream are fair on redworms. Crappie are fair on small minnows and white Crappie Stingers fished around docks and piers. Bass and catfish are poor. Very few anglers are on the lake.

Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) had no report.

Brewer Lake:  Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are poor. Crappie are fair around the buck brush on small live minnows. Bass and catfish are slow.

Lake Maumelle:  Jolly Rogers Marina had no report.

JB’s Guide Service said there is some good action right now. The water is clear. Over the weekend the surface temp was around 55 degrees. Even though bass are mostly biting around 15 feet or so, don’t count out the occasional shallow prowler. Try a medium-running crankbait around 4 to 7 feet during the warmest part of the day.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting well on red/white jigs tipped with a minnow. Bass are biting well on Texas-rigged Baby Brush Hogs. Catfishing is good on cut bait and nightcrawlers.

Lake Valencia in Maumelle: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said the water is stained and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms. Bass are fair on medium-sized minnows fished in 2 feet of water near the banks. Trout are being caught on Power Bait.

Lake Pickthorne: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are fair. Crappie are biting well. Bass are fair. Catfishing is fair.

Burns Park: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie and catfish are biting well. Bream and bass are fair at best.

Fourche La Fave River: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are biting well with some good fish being caught. Catfish, bass and bream are all fair.

Arkansas River at Little Rock:  Vince Miller from Fish N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) said fishing is fair in the river right now. All species are biting, but it’s the typical slowdown you’d expect for winter on the river. Greers Ferry and Hamilton are the hot spots right now.

Sunset Lake:  Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and stained. Bream are fair on crickets. Bass are fair on white spinnerbaits. Crappie and catfish are slow.

Saline River Access in Benton:  Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water clarity is good and the water is running at normal levels. Bream are fair on small brown grubs. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished around brush in deeper pools. Bass are excellent on brown/orange jigs and green crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on Magic Bait. Walleye are biting very well on minnow-imitating crankbaits.

Arkansas River at Morrilton:  Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said catfish are biting well on whole shad fished below locks 9 and 10 in 30 feet of water. Bass are in the backs on the coves. If you can find some shad, you can find the bass. They are also on jetties late in the afternoons and are biting fairly well on black/blue jigs. White bass are below the dams and around jetty tips and can be caught on CC Spoons and wobble spoons. Sauger are fair on chartreuse jigs tipped with a minnow fished below the dams.

Little Maumelle River:  No report.

Murray Lock and Dam:  Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are fair. Crappie and bass are biting well in sheltered water. Catfishing is good below the dam.

Terry Lock and Dam:  McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on shad and bass minnows.

Clear Lake:  McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said bream are biting well on worms in 3 to 4 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows around brush in deeper water. Bass are slow. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers in 6 to 8 feet of water. 

Peckerwood Lake:  Herman’s Landing said the lake is closed to fishing until Feb. 1. 
 
 
NORTH ARKANSAS 
White River:  Sportsman’s White River Resort said the water is murky. Six generators are running and the level fluctuates from high to low throughout the day. Trout fishing is excellent on Power Bait. Rapala floating minnows are working very well. Fly-fishing should pick up once the water level drops.

Mountain River Fly Shop had no report.

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the generation on the White River has slowed to allow for more generation on the Norfork. The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on Nov. 1, 2008. It will remain closed until Feb. 1, 2009, for the brown trout spawn. The section from the bottom of the catch-and-release section downstream to the wing wall at the state park is seasonal catch-and-release for the same time. Fishing on the White River has been a generally good. Dissolved oxygen levels have improved the bite significantly. The river is stained from the breakdown of organic material and the water is still a bit warm for this time of year. The river from the state park down to White Hole has been the hot spot. The go-to flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms. The best color seems to change every day. Carry a variety of colors that include hot fluorescent pink, cerise, red and fluorescent orange. The catch-and-release section at Rim Shoals has fished a bit better, but not as well as the upper river. The fishing has been better in the morning. The hot flies for this area have been hot pink or cerise San Juan worms. With the lower flows, it is once again possible to wade below the second island. If you do not have access to a boat, stop by Rim Shoals Trout Dock and take advantage of their water taxi. For a nominal fee they will drop you off at the island and pick you up later in the day.

Bull Shoals Lake:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 654.04 feet MSL.

Lake Norfork:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 554.50  feet MSL.

101 Grocery and Bait said the water temperature is in the 50-degree range. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good. Heavy water generation during the last week has dropped the water 4 feet. This has helped move the crappie and bluegill to the brush piles. White bass fishing has been good using jigging spoons. Striper fishing is slow, but some are being caught on shiners. Smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing are fair. Kentucky bass are biting well. Catfishing is fair.

Norfork Tailwater:  John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said low wadable water on the Norfork is now a distant memory as they are generating at a high level. The fishing is still good. The go-to flies have been San Juan worms in pink, worm brown and red. Orange egg patterns have also done very well. In the higher water, you will have to fish with substantial amounts of weight. Concentrate on fishing the banks and grass beds. If you are not in the catch-and-release section try a two-fly rig with a sowbug or scud as the dropper. Dry Run Creek is still fishing well. During the past week I heard reports of several very large rainbows being caught. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms, egg patterns and olive woolly buggers.

Mountain River Fly Shop had no report.

Spring River: Spring River Fly Shop said fishing conditions remain the same. Water levels are still running fairly low with great clarity. Egg patterns have been the favorite. Cold temperatures have become a factor as winter moves into the area. Always remember to dress in layers and to wear wool garments because they remain warm even when they become wet. 
 
 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 
Beaver Lake:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,124.16 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been decent as of late. Hula grubs and bass jigs worked around chunk rock and docks have done well. Crawdad-colored crankbaits also have been working. Crappie have been biting well although the size has not been there. Chartreuse Shinee Hinees or minnows worked around brush 15 to 25 feet deep around docks or creek ledges has been most productive. Catfish have been biting well on cut bait and liver throughout the day near drop offs. Bluegill are biting well along bluff walls and under docks on small jigs and crickets fished 6 feet deep over 20 feet of water.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and 50 degrees. There’s been some good fishing, but not many anglers are out. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around brush piles. The action is spotty, but there have been some good days. Bass are fair on small jigs and small diving crankbaits fished around brush piles.  

Lake Fayetteville:  Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) had no report.

Lake Sequoyah:  Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report due to weather and low angler numbers.  

Sugarloaf Lake:  Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) had no report.
 
 
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS 
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA:  Judy Potts of Judy’s Bait Shoppe at the north entrance to Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA duck season is in full swing in the WMA which has all but stopped the fishing with the exception of Bolie Pond. Bolie Pond is the only body of water that is not flooded with high water, but the cold has slowed the fishing greatly.

Lake Charles:  Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) had no report.

Crown Lake:  Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said no one is fishing.

Lake Frierson:  Lake Frierson State Park said the water is murky. No one is fishing because of duck season.
 
 
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS 
Lake Monticello:  Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) with Basshunters Custom Crankbaits said bass fishing on Lake Monticello has really slowed and there are not many anglers fishing. The crappie fishing is spotty on minnows and jigs. The whites are biting when you find them on jigs, minnows and spoons.  

Lake Chicot:  No report.

Grand Lake:  No report.
 
 
SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS 
Moro Bay:  Moro Bay State Park at the conjunction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said recent rains have brought the river up a couple feet above its normal level. Crappie were biting well, but cooler temperatures and rain have thinned out the anglers. However, it safe to assume that since the water has cleared up and remained mostly steady in the last 24 hours, crappie will be biting again. Submerged trees in the lake and bay are the best places this time of year. White and chartreuse jigs work well. Shiners are also good but are hard to find, area so buy them before you come. A few bream have been caught on worms buy those seeking crappie. Nothing has been said recently of bass or catfish. Don’t forget to dress warm and wear some orange.   

Lower Ouachita River:  No report.

Tri-County Lake:  No report.
 
 
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS 
Millwood Lake:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.59 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service  said water clarity along the main channel in the lake and Little River improved this week. Some high-density broken, vegetation and floating mats remain in Little River from current in the river. The water surface temperature ranges from 51 to 58 degrees, and the lake level is slowly rising. All USACE boat ramps and campgrounds are open, as of Monday. Millwood State Park has one operational boat ramp and one still under repair. Most of the schooling activity with the bass has ended. Bass are good to fair on Rat-L-Traps at random periods throughout the day, mostly in the heat of the afternoon, in many of the oxbow lakes up river. The most consistent reaction bite during the heat of the day remains on Rat-L-Traps, Bass Assassin Shads, and white or smoke-colored grubs on light wire jig heads and War Eagle Spinnerbaits around hydrilla and pondweed. Johnson silver spoons with white grub trailers, War Eagle spinnerbaits and Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits are still working around the remaining vegetation and dying lily pads. Jigs have begun to incite a few good keeper size bass over the past couple weeks, and are improving overall. Best jig colors thus far have been peanut butter/jelly, pumpkinseed/chartreuse and black/blue/purple. Pitching jigs and 10-inch worms to stumps near deep water is working along Little River and in the main lake. 10- or 12-inch worms will work for 3-6 lb. bass, and best colors are Peanut Butter ‘n Jelly, Plum or Blackberry. White bass are very nomadic this time of year and are constantly moving. No consistent white bass bite has been found. The crappie bite continues improving along with the improved clarity along Little River. Live shiners and jigs fished 9-12 deep over planted brush piles along Little River are working well. Blue and channel catfish are good this week on trotlines or yo-yos along any remaining current in Little River. 

Cossatot River:  Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park (870-385-2201) had no report.

Lake Columbia:  Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) had no report.  

Lake Erling:  Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) had no report.

White Oak Lake:  White Oak Lake State Park had no report.

Lake Greeson:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was not available.

Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said crappie are still a bit scattered, but the big ones are starting to show up on brush piles and bamboo condos. Crappie up to 2 pounds have been caught on live bait and jigs 12-20 feet deep in 14-28 feet of water. Surface temperatures are in the low 50s and the lake level is 537.6 and steady. The lake has come up a little because of recent rains, but the rise was minimal. Due to all the recent winds the water clarity is stained.

Lakeside Grocery had no report. 

DeGray Lake:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 407.39 feet MSL.

Local angler George Graves said the water is clear and the surface temperature is 55 degrees. There has been very little fishing activity because of cold, rainy and windy weather. Crappie fishing is good in the mid-lake area and Big Hill Creek. Fish brush piles in 20 to 25 feet of water around secondary points and coves. The fish will be suspended about 15 feet down. Use 1/16-oz. red/chartreuse/white jigs or red/chartreuse tubes. Some crappies are in the 2-pound range. Bream are mixed in with the crappies but are deeper, near the bottom. Use redworms or crickets. Bass are still very slow, but a few are being caught fishing 15-25 feet deep on main-lake points, humps and ledges. Look for cover such as wood or rocks. The bass are biting best on jigs with a trailer and 4- or 5-inch finesse worms. Green pumpkin is a good color for both. Now is the time the hybrids and white bass start moving up the lake. Look between point 15 and Point Cedar. Use your sonar to find the schools and fish either an inline spinner or jigging spoon. Trolling crankbaits can also be productive; try deep runners such as a No. 7 Shad Rap. The large flat across from Shouse Ford can be very good.

DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said very few anglers are stopping by the shop. No report.
 
 
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS 
Lake Dardanelle:  Eric Pratt at Lake Dardanelle State Park said Lake Dardanelle is the clearest it has been all year in the main body of the lake, but that can change overnight with all the wind and wave action lately. Corps of Engineers has a forecasted daily release on Lake Dardanelle at 5,000-10,000 cubic feet per second. Lake temperature has fallen to 50 degrees. Fishing on the lake is picking up and the bass are beginning to bite. Anglers are reporting that bass can be caught around points, brush piles, rock jetties and other areas where they can hang out and wait for schooling shad to pass. Anglers are catching bass on a number of baits including spinnerbaits, jerk baits, crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps. Crappies are biting well early in the morning. It seems they bite the best when the weather is at its worst. Look for them piling up around areas that have stumps and brush piles. Also, try fishing around any kind of emerging cover. Catfish are slow with anglers fishing in 10-15 feet of water on the edges of the river channel. Anglers are using cut bait. Bream fishing also is slow, but they can be caught around submerged structure such as boat docks, trees or bank outcrops. They are a little deeper this time of year so try fishing about 5-10 feet down using crickets and worms.

Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) had no report.

Spadra Marina on Lake Dardanelle in Clarksville had no report.

Ozark Pool:  Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on live minnows and shad-imitating jigs. Catfishing is fair on cut bait. 

Lake Ouachita:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 577.23 feet MSL.

Mountain Harbor Resort had no report. 

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fishing has slowed. Some quality bass have been caught on spinnerbaits and jigs fished on the edge of the grass and on large jigs punched through the grass.

Dave Lindhag at Striped Bass Adventures said the stripers are biting pretty well. Some decent size fish are coming on small- to medium-sized live bait fished at 25 feet deep using light sinkers. All fingers of the lake are productive, but the fish really aren’t in the main lake. Some mornings, fishing has been fast and other mornings, it’s been a slow start. Most of the fish caught have been in the 7 to 12 pound range. Some sporadic topwater action is happening, but it’s rare. 

Lake Hamilton:  Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said crankbaits in crawfish colors proved to be the best lures on Hamilton. Fish the flats just off the creek channels for the best results. Boat docks with brush have been very productive on sunny days.

Lake Catherine:  Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said the lake continues to fall very slowly as repairs continue at Blakely Mountain Dam. Work is scheduled to be complete Dec. 8. There is no scheduled generation at Carpenter Dam other than what is needed for local rainfall. The tailrace waters are lightly stained from lack of a regular flow; however, visibility is still good and hasn’t affected feeding patterns. Rainbow trout are being caught from the bridge to the dam as these fish chase shad and hatching insects. Fly fishermen are taking advantage of the falling water and are able to wade to areas that hold trout. Egg patterns and micro jigs are working well fished under a strike indicator. Bank fishermen using redworms and nightcrawlers have caught the largest fish which have measured over 15 inches. Boaters have recorded limits of fish by trolling the main channels with small crankbaits that imitate shad or crayfish. Hybrid and striper fishing is very slow as most of the shad have migrated away from the dam. Trout fishing will continue to improve as the stocking program intensifies as the new year approaches.

Diamond Head Marina had no report.  

Lake Hinkle:  Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said no anglers have been to the lake lately because of cold weather and hunting season.

Lake Atkins:  Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are moving to coves and are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are slowing down, but are biting well on soft-plastics. Catfishing is good on cut bait and live shad.  
 

EAST ARKANSAS 
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff):  The Tackle Box (870) 534-1948 said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair on redworms. Crappie are biting excellently on jigs and minnows fished around any cover out of the current. Bass are fair on crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on worms and cut bait.

White River:  Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is high and no one is fishing. No report.

Maddox Bay:  Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said fishing is slow. Very few anglers have been on the water.   

Bear Creek Lake:  Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is clear and at normal level. No anglers are visiting the lake.

Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water clarity is good and the water is at normal level. Bream are biting well on worms fished around the piers. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished near the piers in the middle of the lake. Bass fishing is slow. Catfishing is good on stinkbait in deeper water.  

Island 40 Chute:  Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water clarity is good and the water is low. Crappie are fair. There aren’t many anglers out, but there are some duck hunters.

October stockings:

Amon’s Lake, Baxter County, 150 catchable rainbow trout
Lake Ann, Benton County, 8,775 yearling black crappie
Lake Atalanta, Benton County, 1,700 catchable rainbow trout
Lake Austell, Cross County, 300 catchable channel catfish
Lake Avalon, Benton County, 4,690 fingerling black crappie
Bear Creek Lake, Lee County, 1,880 catchable channel catfish
Beaver Lake, Washington and Benton Counties, 60,000 yearling black crappie
Beaver Tailwater, Carroll County, 10,501 catchable rainbow trout
Benton City Lake, Saline County, 1,300 catchable channel catfish
Bicentennial Lake, Sebastian County, 300 catchable channel catfish
Big Piney Creek, Pope County, 256 catchable channel catfish
Bois d Arc Lake, Hempstead County, 314 catchable channel catfish
Boyle Park Pond, Pulaski County, 600 catchable channel catfish
Bradley County Lake, Bradley County, 180 catchable channel catfish
Bragg Lake, Ouachita County, 260 catchable rainbow trout
Lake Brittany, Benton County, 3,150 yearling black crappie
Bull Shoals Lake, Marion, Boone and Baxter Counties, 45,600 yearling blue catfish
Bull Shoals Lake, Marion County, 2,200 catchable channel catfish
Cabot Community Pond, Lonoke County, 1,006 catchable channel catfish
Calion Lake, Union County, 774 catchable rainbow trout
Camp Preston Hunt, Miller County, 300 catchable channel catfish
Camp Preston Hunt, Miller County, 24 yearling grass carp
Cavester Cove, Sharp County, 250 catchable channel catfish
Cedar-Piney Lake, Yell County, 336 catchable channel catfish
Champagnolle Creek, Calhoun County, 352 catchable channel catfish
Champagnolle Creek, Calhoun County, 3,000 yearling grass carp
Charleston City Lake, Franklin County, 342 catchable channel catfish
Cherrywood Lake, Pulaski County, 1,310 catchable channel catfish
Lake Chicot, Chicot County, 80,000 yearling black crappie
Lake Chicot, Chicot County, 20,000 yearling white crappie
Clubhouse Lake, Yell County, 160 catchable channel catfish
Cotter Big Spring, Baxter County, 300 catchable rainbow trout
Cox Creek Lake, Grant County, 260 yearling grass carp
Cox Cypress Lake, Arkansas County, 257 catchable channel catfish
Craighead Forest Park Lake, Craighead County, 400 yearling grass carp
Crossett City Park Lake, Ashley County, 400 catchable channel catfish
Cypress Bayou Pond, Lonoke County, 150 catchable channel catfish
Lake DeGray, Hot Spring and Clark Counties, 25,560 yearling black crappie
Lake Des Arc, Prairie County, 1,050 catchable channel catfish
De Witt City Lake, Arkansas County, 450 catchable channel catfish
Lake Dunn, Cross County, 300 catchable channel catfish
Dupree Park Lake, Pulaski County, 300 catchable channel catfish
Energy Park Lake, Garland County, 300 catchable channel catfish
Engineer Lake #2, Pulaski County, 500 catchable channel catfish
Lake Enterprise, Ashley County, 900 catchable channel catfish
Fair Park Pond, Hempstead County, 400 catchable channel catfish
Family Park Lake, Garland County, 1,000 catchable channel catfish
Foreman Lake, Pulaski County, 240 catchable grass carp
Forrest City Sports Complex Pond, St. Francis County, 200 catchable channel catfish
Fort Roots Lake, Pulaski County, 600 catchable channel catfish
Fourche LaFave River, Scott County, 526 catchable channel catfish
Lake Georgia-Pacific, Ashley County, 1,700 catchable channel catfish
Grandview #1 Lake, Hempstead County, 326 catchable channel catfish
Greers Ferry Lake, Cleburne and Van Buren Counties, 30,817 yearling black crappie
Lake Greeson, Pike County, 7,350 yearling black crappie
Lake Hamilton, Garland County, 2,639 catchable channel catfish
Harris Brake Lake, Perry County, 982 catchable channel catfish
Harrison City Lake, Boone County, 300 catchable channel catfish
Hickson Lake, Monroe County, 157 catchable channel catfish
Lake Hindsville, Madison County, 8,556 fingerling bluegill bream
Huckleberry Lake, Pope County, 589 catchable channel catfish
Hunter Lake, Pulaski County, 300 catchable channel catfish
Illinois Bayou, Pope County, 400 catchable channel catfish
Interstate Pond #2, Monroe County, 257 catchable channel catfish
Interstate Pond #4, Monroe County, 171 catchable channel catfish
Irons Fork Lake, Polk County, 460 catchable channel catfish
Lake June, Lafayette County, 296 catchable channel catfish
Keeland Lake, Yell County, 316 catchable channel catfish
Kingfisher Lake, Yell County, 316 catchable channel catfish
Kiwanis Park, Pulaski County, 800 catchable channel catfish
Lee Creek, Crawford County, 384 catchable channel catfish
Lee Creek Lake, Crawford County, 902 catchable channel catfish
Lilly Pad Pond, Yell County, 316 catchable channel catfish
Little Missouri River, Pike County, 879 catchable channel catfish
Little Red River, Cleburne County, 19,135 catchable rainbow trout
Lake Loch Lomond, Benton County, 33,390 yearling black crappie
Lake Lou Emma, Crawford County, 290 catchable channel catfish
Lyon College Pond, Independence County, 300 catchable channel catfish
MacArthur Park Lake, Pulaski County, 500 catchable channel catfish
Martin Luther King Park, Jefferson County, 800 catchable channel catfish
McKinley Park Lake, Saline County, 510 catchable channel catfish
Mike & Janet Huckabee Kids Pond, Hempstead County, 200 catchable channel catfish
Mike & Janet Huckabee Lake, Hempstead County, 310 catchable channel catfish
Miller Pond, Woodruff County, 150 catchable channel catfish
Mirror Lake, Stone County, 1,000 catchable rainbow trout
Lake Monticello, Drew County, 755 catchable channel catfish
Mulberry River, Franklin County, 590 catchable channel catfish
Murphy Park Lake, Washington County, 300 catchable rainbow trout
Nashville City Park Lake, Howard County, 250 catchable channel catfish
Lake Norrell, Saline County, 240 yearling grass carp
Norfork Lake, Baxter County, 22,000 yearling blue catfish
Norfork Lake, Baxter County, 2,200 catchable channel catfish
Norfork River, Baxter County, 2,071 fingerling brown trout
Norfork River, Baxter County, 8,288 catchable rainbow trout
Norwood Lake, Benton County, 2,450 yearling black crappie
Old Davidsonville State Park Lake, Randolph County, 304 catchable channel catfish
Otter Creek Park Pond, Pulaski County, 650 catchable channel catfish
Lake Ouachita, Montgomery and Garland Counties, 10,026 catchable channel catfish
Lake Ouachita, Montgomery and Garland Counties, 50,624 yearling black crappie
Ouachita River, Hot Spring County, 1,251 catchable channel catfish
Parkway Village Ponds, Pulaski County, 608 catchable channel catfish
Petit Jean River, Yell County, 632 catchable channel catfish
Lake Pickthorne, Lonoke County, 528 catchable channel catfish
Plum Bayou, Lonoke County, 3,040 yearling black crappie
Pullen Pond, Yell County, 316 catchable channel catfish
Lake Rayburn, Benton County, 3,150 yearling black crappie
Regional Park Pond, Jefferson County, 400 catchable channel catfish
Robe Bayou, Monroe County, 306 catchable channel catfish
Lake Saracin/Pine Bluff Lake, Jefferson County, 1,502 catchable channel catfish
Searcy City Lake, White County, 250 catchable channel catfish
Shores Lake, Franklin County, 298 catchable channel catfish
Siloam Springs City Park, Benton County, 300 catchable catfish
Spring River, Fulton County, 9,645 catchable rainbow trout
Spring River, Fulton County, 10,000 fingerling brown trout
Lake Springdale, Washington County, 300 catchable rainbow trout
Storm Creek Lake, Phillips County, 2,592 yearling blue catfish
Swepco Lake, Benton County, 112,490 fingerling bluegill bream
Swepco Lake, Benton County, 50 yearling grass carp
Tri County Lake, Calhoun County, 448 catchable channel catfish
War Memorial Park, Pulaski County, 200 catchable channel catfish
Ward City Lake, Lonoke County, 150 catchable channel catfish
Wells Lake, Sebastian County, 1,000 catchable channel catfish
Lake Winona, Saline County, 1,722 catchable channel catfish
Lake Wedington, Washington County, 28,520 fingerling bluegill bream
White River, Baxter, Izard, Marion and Stone Counties, 68,320 catchable rainbow trout
White River, Baxter, Izard and Stone Counties, 78,349 fingerling brown trout
White River, Jackson and Independence Counties, 8,460 catchable paddlefish
White River, Independence and Stone Counties, 10,560 fingerling paddlefish
White River, Independence County, 3,000 yearling paddlefish
Whitstine Lake, Independence County, 300 catchable channel catfish
Lake Wilson, Ashley County, 457 catchable channel catfish
Lake Windsor, Benton County, 15,400 yearling black crappie
Wrape Plantation Lake, Arkansas County, 166 catchable channel catfish
Yell County Wildlife Federation Pond, Yell County, 288 catchable channel catfish

Little River

• Spottail bass: Very good. Very large red drum are available at the Little River jetties, but a series of windy fronts have kept many inshore anglers from going after them. Fish the incoming tide with large chunks of cut bait, or live mullet and menhaden.
• Black Drum: Very good. Cut shrimp are productive in the Dunn Sound area, and black drum are plentiful in the 15 to 18 inch range.
• Trout: Slow. Try live shrimp under a popping cork against grass, or Gulp shrimp imitations.
• Cherry Grove Pier: Spot are being caught in good numbers on days when schools pass through, and some nice black drum are also being taken. Rain over the last few days has clouded the water; look for fishing to improve when the water clears.

Grand Strand

• Trout: Excellent. Live shrimp and artificial baits are both effective in the Murrells Inlet area.
• Sheepshead: Excellent. Fishing for sheepshead at the jetties is the best it has been all year; fish fiddler crabs on a Carolina rig.
• Spot: Very good. Although the spot run has slightly slowed Murrells inlet is still thick with them, and 60 to 70 fish days remain easy. Fish cut shrimp or blood worms on small hooks.
• Black Drum: Very good. Large numbers of black drum are being caught around jetties, piers, and sea walls. These can be caught on cut, whole dead, or live shrimp, as well as on crabs.
• Spottail Bass: Very good. The very largest drum have arrived at the jetties and in the surf, and they can be caught using cut mullet or menhaden.
• Flounder: Very good. Fish live mud minnows or finger mullet on a Carolina rig on the bottom in Murrells Inlet.
• Surf and Pier Report: From day to day spot are abundant in the surf, and whiting and pompano are also around. Bluefish, including fish up to 3 or 4 pounds, are common, but most blues are in the 8 to 12 inch range. Bull red drum are being caught in the surf, and large black drum are around, too.

Charleston

• Trout: Very good. Trout fishing is hot as water temperatures have dropped and fish are feedily heavily to fatten up for winter; in addition to good numbers some large fish are being caught. A dwindling bait supply in the creeks means that artificials such as DOA Shrimp, Z-man’s Chatter baits and grubs of assorted colors are becoming the baits of choice.
• Spottail Bass: Very good. Fish live shrimp under a popping cork, or cast artificial grubs or plugs, for these fish. Large breeder sized red drum are being caught in the surf, particularly in the inlets north of Charleston and in Bulls Bay.
• Sheepshead: Very good. For now fiddler crabs are the bait of choice, but as these crabs go into hibernation live shrimp will become an effective bait.
• Weakfish: Good. At nearshore reefs good numbers of weakfish, or summer trout, are being caught in roughly 30 feet of water.
• Folly Beach Pier: Spottail bass, trout and black drum are all being caught off the pier, and whiting and other bottom fish are taking cut shrimp.

Hilton Head

• Trout: Very good. Trout fishing is very good on the outgoing tide, and fish are being caught on both artificials and live shrimp. Mud minnows will also work when live shrimp are not available.
• Spottail Bass: Good to very good. Big red drum will be in the Port Royal Sound and around the Shipping Channel for the next month or so. Catch some very large drum using jigging spoons when birds are working, or on cut bait on the bottom.
• Sheepshead: Good. Sheepshead fishing is starting to really pick up around inshore structure. Fish fiddler crabs vertically on a Carolina rig.