Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report - 9/3/2008
September 3, 2008
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Randy Zellers (501) 223-6406, e-mail: rdzellers [at] agfc [dot] state [dot] ar [dot] us
           This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Sept. 3, 2008. 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: Many anglers keep a journal of their fishing trips. They include the date, weather conditions, size and number of fish and locations. As the journal grows, it will become easier to flip back through previous trips and get a good starting point for their next outing.
Arkansas River Levels are available at
http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Reports/Daily/Pao_rvrs.txt
White River Levels are available at
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml
CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Lake Conway: Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said bream slowed from recent rains, but are improving on crickets and wax worms. Bass are biting fairly well on Chatterbaits, Rat-L-Traps and weedless soft-plastics in the pads. Crappie are improving but are still generally slow. Catfishing is good on live bream and shiners hung from trotlines.
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on shiners.
Little Red River: Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear with little or no generation. Trout fishing is very good on wax worms with marshmallows and black or olive marabou jigs.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said as of Monday, the Greers Ferry Powerhouse is releasing water every afternoon between 3 p.m. and 5p.m. The volume varies from a fraction of one generator to two full generators. The duration of releases is about four hours per day. Boating the river is safer now and wade fishing is possible everywhere. In many cases, full-day guided trips are catching and releasing more than 100 trout per trip. Aquatic insect hatches remain sparse with midges leading the way. The dry flies that are working include the Adams (#18), royal coachman (#16), hopper patterns (#12) and crackleback (#12). If you are fishing below the surface, try a sowbug (#14-#16; olive, UV tan, UV gray or peacock), zebra midge (#16-22; red, black or chartreuse), San Juan worm (#14), pheasant tail (#16), copper john (#14-#16; red or copper) and wooly buggers (#8-#12; olive, brown or black). When fishing woolly buggers, think “panic retrieve.”
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 461.74 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water is rising and cooling from the rain. This will set off the hybrids and whites for sure. Last week, many small white bass and hybrids were caught, but the warmer water slowed it down. Look for shad of course and try spoons and in-line buck-shot spinners as well as Rinky Dinks and swim baits. The bass fishing is good around the bushes, and some can still be caught out deeper on the main-lake points and secondary points with football head jigs and Carolina-rigs as well as Texas-rigged worms, spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps and small cranks worked shallow. Catfish are biting well all over the lake. Walleye are hit and miss. Crappie are biting fairly well in the pole timber, suspended in about 15 feet of water in creek bends and over brush piles on the main lake, with jigs tipped with minnows.
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is high and rough. Bream are fair on crickets and worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on any bait.
Lake Beaverfork: The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department said the water is murky and high. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfishing is good on chicken liver.
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is dingy and high. Bream are fair on red worms and crickets. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers and shad.
Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger’s Marina had no report because of weather.
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and muddy. Fishing is poor for all species.
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the river is out of its banks. Fishing and boating are both dangerous prospects.
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo had no report because of weather.
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said bass have been fair on black/red tubes and crankbaits.
Little Maumelle River: Josh Jeffers at Pinnacle Mountain State Park (501-868-5806) had no report because of weather.
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop had no report because of weather.        Â
Terry Lock and Dam: McTwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report because of weather.Â
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said all fishing is slow.
Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is clear and high. Crappie are scattered and are mostly being caught near stumps on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Catfish are good on any bait.
NORTH ARKANSAS:
White River: Sportsman’s White River Resort had no report because of weather.
John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said in spite of a major rain event, the reservoir levels on the White River continue to fall slowly. The upper river from Bull Shoals Dam, through the state park down to Cane Island Shoals has been a perpetual hot spot for months. Some anglers, while reporting great fishing, say that the constant fishing pressure has made the fish more selective. The hot flies remain brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns. The most productive colors have been red, cerise, hot pink and fire orange. The section from the Narrows down to Wildcat Shoals has remained hot during the past week particularly the section around the Narrows. The key to success has been to fish a brightly colored San Juan worm with a nymph on a dropper. The most popular nymphs have been zebra midges, trout crack, sowbugs, scuds, and bead head hare’s ears. Another hot spot has been the Rim Shoals Catch-and-Release section. In addition to the brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns, the hot technique has been to bang the bank with big streamers on sink tip or full sinking lines. Effective streamers have been kiwi muddlers, Jim Mengle’s Ozark Sculpin, wool head sculpins and woolly buggers.
Mountain River Fly Shop said the White River is fishing outstandingly with many 15- to 20-inch fish. Many brown trout are beginning to color up for the spawn and should begin moving upstream soon. San Juan worms, dynamite worms, sowbugs and hare’s ear patterns are working well.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 678.76 feet MSL.
Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said bass are fair on 1/2 -ounce spoons fished in 28 to 32 feet of water around bluff ends and standing timber. Flukes, Spooks and other topwaters are working during low-light hours. Bass are fair on nightcrawlers and ¼-ounce white Road Runners in fished over the top of brush and standing trees in 25 to 35 feet of water. Drop-shot rigs are working in the same areas as well. White bass are fair on trolled Shad Raps and minnow-style stick baits in 25 to 35 feet of water. Some are being caught on spoons as well. Walleye have moved to the thermocline around 25 to 32 feet of water. Spoons are working well, as are nightcrawlers tightlined on a split-shot rig. Trolling shallow and medium-diving Reef Runners and Wally Divers is working around 25 feet deep. Crappie are slow and scattered. Night fishing under lights is the best way to produce some fish this time of year. Catfishing is good in shallower water on stinkbait, liver, shrimp and live sunfish.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 566.29 feet MSL.
101 Grocery and Bait said visibility is good and the water temperature is in the mid to high 80s. Striped bass fishing is good. Walleye fishing has been fair. Bluegill fishing is good. White bass fishing is fair. Largemouth bass are biting well on topwaters in the evenings. Smallmouth are fair. Catfishing is fair. Crappie fishing is fair.Â
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is murky and dropping. All fishing has been slow.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said The Norfork has had lower flows this week also. They were too high to wade and too low for easy navigation. The Norfork is more difficult, in general, to navigate than the White. Great care should be taken when running up or down stream. There are several spots that can be treacherous.
Mountain River Fly Shop said generation continues around the clock on Norfork, but only one unit is running, leaving a few windows for experienced canoeists to access islands and gravel points to get some wading in. We would still be trying San Juan Worms, eggs patterns plus larger midges, scuds and sowbugs. Hopefully with the lake dropping we may see lower water soon.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,126.54 feet MSL.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been hit and miss. The best fishing has been around boat docks and along bluffs. Texas-rigged lizards have been a good choice. Watermelon/red and green pumpkin have been effective colors. Crappie have also been hanging around deep shaded docks. They can be caught by using minnows fished 15 feet underneath a slip-cork. White bass and spotted bass have been schooling all over the lake. Main-lake points and flats have been a good place to look for activity just after first light. Very small top-water lures and spoons have been the baits of choice. Catfish can be caught on rod and reel all over the lake in the evenings from the bank on worms or liver. Bluegill are hanging around bluffs and docks 2 to 6 feet deep and will hit crickets.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie fishing is good in 8 to 12 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair early and late on top-water lures. During the day they are biting well on deep diving baits. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
Beaver Tailwater: Ken Richards at justfishinguides.com said many wading opportunities are opening up with the water levels dropping. Be careful of wading as there are many new holes in the gravel from the high water releases. Also if you are wading, have an escape route when the water is released since the water level is deeper than normal. The hot flies have been small olive woolly buggers, mono midges, gray midge pupae and gray bead head scuds. The nymphs are being fished under an indicator closer to the bottom as the water is clearing and getting lower. Zebra midges in size 18, scuds size 14, Copper Johns size 16, and woolly buggers in size 14-16 are working for fly fishermen. Spin fishermen are not having much luck with lures in the artificials only section. Bites are few and far between. The fish do not seem to be very aggressive. On the other parts of the river, bait fishermen have been doing well with Power Bait.
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said water conditions are normal with a surface temperature at 74 degrees. Bream are fair on crickets. A few catfish have been caught on worms.
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water conditions are high. All species are slow.
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is murky and high. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfishing is fair on minnows.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA: Judy Potts of Judy’s Bait Shop at the Bald Knob north entrance to Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA said bream are crappie are slow on Honey Lake, but are being caught on crickets and minnows. Crappie and bream are starting to bite fairly well on crickets, redworms and minnows on Big Bell Lake. Bass on Big Bell are biting well on buzzbaits and jigs. Trotlines and yo-yos are working well on crappie and catfish on Whorl Lake. Hurricane Lake is hot for crappie, bream, catfish and bass. Medium-size minnows, crickets, and night crawlers are being used in addition to jigs and top-water baits for the bass. Mallard Pond has been good all summer for bream and crappie using minnows and crickets. A beaver dam at the end of the lake was removed, draining the lake substantially and improving the fishing. All of the other lakes and Glaze Creek are still high for this time of year. Willow Pond is still inaccessible because of a large tree from the spring flood blocking the road.
Lake Charles: Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the water level is normal and surface temperature is 70 to 72 degrees. The water clarity is 12 inches because of the recent rainfall. Bream are biting on worms and crickets. Crappie are slow on jigs, minnows, crickets. Bass are fair on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on worms and carp minnows. It has been reported that trotlines baited with soap are also working well.
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said water conditions are normal. Bream have been good on crickets and redworms. A few bass are being caught along shorelines on top-water lures. Catfishing is good on stink bait.
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Catfishing is good on worms and minnows.Â
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Monticello: Greg Gulledge with Basshunters Custom Crankbaits said bass are coming in on big plastic worms in 8 to 18 feet of water in the timber. Junebug, watermelon/red and redbug seem to be the best colors. The top-water bite continues as the schooling improves. Sammies and Super Spook Jrs are producing decent results. There is a drop-shot bite on Fishboy finesse worms in watermelon and kudzu colors. Night fishing is still producing a few large fish with a few in the 10-lb. class taken recently.
Lake Chicot: Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) had no report because of weather conditions.
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) had no report because of weather conditions.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 260.00 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service said as of Monday, the water clarity was 2 to 3 inches in the main lake away from current. The surface temperature was 75 to 80 degrees. Current in Little River was unavailable Monday. Largemouth Bass are excellent and schooling around the lake. Clouds and rain during the last two weeks have reduced lake temperature. Largemouth bass from 2 to 8 pounds remain good, with the best bite early. Fall schooling patterns are beginning to emerge. The high wind, choppy water, thunderstorms and rain drastically worsened water clarity. Some vegetation and floating mats remain in Little River. The most consistent reaction bite is on gold and silver Wobbleheads (gold on cloudy days), white buzz baits, alewife-colored Bass Assassin Shads, white jigs with white chunk trailers, and shad-colored Rat-L-Traps. Top-water action is the best right at daylight and dusk using Jitterbugs (Frog and Perch colors), Spit’n Images, buzzing toads and buzzbaits. The crankbait bite continues to produce. Fat Free Shads and Cordell Big O’s in shad and crawfish patterns, are working in and around flooded timber and laydowns. Once the sun breaks free from the clouds, switching to 10 and 12-inch worms will produce in fair numbers of 15- to 17-inch bass, although it slows considerably, until the schooling starts, which over the past week is running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Siefert’s Buzz Baits continue to draw good bites around pads and Primrose grass in 1-6 foot depth areas, early in the morning at daylight. War Eagle spinnerbaits, in white/chartreuse or Hot Mouse colors are still working for largemouths in the clearer water back in the oxbows, around flooded vegetation and cypress trees. Rat-L-Traps in Sexy Shad, Smokey Joe, White, Shad Daddy, and Silver colors seem to remain the hot lipless crank bait bites again over the past week. White bass were schooling in Mud Lake this week. The crappie bite slowed slightly this week with the stained water clarity along Little River. Clarity has steadily gone downhill and tapered off the Crappie bite. The most consistent bite remains on live shiners, grubs on light-wire jig heads, and white/chartreuse jigs. Blue and channel catfish are consistent this week on trotlines, with the current in Little River, and remain best for 3-7 pounders using cut shad, Catfish Charlie and chicken livers. Yo-yo’s hung from cypress trees in 12-15 feet of water near any current are picking up some decent 4-8 pound cats. Bream continue to bite well along the banks on crickets and redworms around docks and cypress trees at Yarborough Landing, Jack’s Isle and Millwood State Park. Â
Cossatot River: Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park (870-385-2201) had no report because of bad weather.
Lake Columbia: Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) had no report because of weather.
Lake Erling: Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) had no report because of weather.
White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park said the water level is rising, temperature is lower and clarity is murky. Bream are hitting worms and crickets very well. Catfishing is good on minnows. Bass and crappie are slow.
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 546.49 feet MSL.
Lakeside Grocery said the water is murky and high. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Bass are schooling early and late on top-water lures. Bass are also being caught in shallow water on worms. A few stripers have been caught near the dam on shad. Catfish are fair on minnows and worms.
Daryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said stripers were slow last week. Largemouth and spotted Bass are starting to surface feed and stack up on rocky points. Crappie are excellent on live bait 8 to 11 feet deep in 15 to 20 feet of water on brush piles and bamboo condos. The addition of fresh, cool water from Gustov might slow things for a day or two, but should turn the fish on even more toward the end of the week.
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 402.80 feet MSL.
Charles at Iron Mountain Lodge and Marina said the water temperature is 83 degrees. Largemouth bass are schooling early and late in the day. Tiny Torpedoes, Zara Spooks and Rooster Tails are working well on the schoolers. During mid-day, bass are biting well on watermelon-colored jigs, 11-inch Red Bug, Cherry Seed, Tequila Green or Bloodline worms. Night fishing is still very good for bass. Kentucky bass are biting well on live crayfish 20-26 feet deep on points and drop offs. Hybrids are excellent on live shad fished 35-45 feet deep around the Dam and Caddo Bend areas. Some are schooling early and late and can be caught on topwaters and jigging spoons. Crappie are good on Tennessee shad grubs and live minnows fished around brush piles and moss points in 18-22 feet of water. Catfishing is good on trotlines and jugs baited with cut shad or live minnows. Bream are great on worms and crickets in 8-16 feet of water.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Eric Pratt at Lake Dardanelle State Park said River flow through Lake Dardanelle is around 24,000 cubic feet per second. Lake water temperature is 86 degrees. Bank fishermen are reporting great catfishing. Many anglers have reported catching a stringer full of catfish along the rock jetty in the park. Liver has been the main bait used to catch catfish, along with prepared baits, worms and minnows. Bream fishing is good but mostly smaller bream are being caught around boat docks and the boardwalk within the park. Bass fishing is fair with mostly Kentucky bass being caught in shallower waters in the mornings and late evenings. Anglers have reported catching largemouth bass in 7-12 feet of water on crankbaits.
Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Catfishing is good on shad. Bass are still scattered and hard to find.
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clearing up. Bream are fair on nightcrawlers and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on buzz baits and plastic worms. Catfishing is good on minnows, chicken liver and cut bait.
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 575.90 feet MSL.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clearing up and surface temperatures are 81 to 86 degrees. Largemouth bass are still fair and these fish can still be caught with Texas-rigged worms and jighead finesse worms. Spotted bass are breaking on cloudy days and during low-light hours. Walleye are still good and being caught on spoons over brush piles on main-lake points. Bottom bouncers with spinners and nightcrawlers are good and producing some quality fish as well. Stripers are biting well on live bait with shad or trotline minnows. White ½-oz. jigs and ¾-oz spoons are working as well.  Try around Brady Mountain, Bird Island and the spillway. Bream are very good with crickets or worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are fair and being caught over grass and brush. Try large moss flats and brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Tennessee shad and white are still the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.Â
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass fishing is very good at night using 10-inch Berkley worms with small weights 12 to 18 feet deep.
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that before the heavy rains set in Entergy ran the turbines for 12-hour periods. This is a normal summertime pattern and provides Hot Springs with electricity as the need arises. August through November are very slow months for trout fishing at Carpenter Dam. Many of the fish have been caught or eaten by this time. Some trout are still being caught, but as reported, the numbers are low and inconsistent. Restocking begins again in late November. Striper and hybrid activity has been fair with most of the good fishing happening in the early morning hours just after the turbines are started. This sudden movement of water causes the threadfin shad to move away from the banks and out into open water where they are easy prey. Topwater action can be fierce at times but does not continue for long periods. Fishermen need to be in position when feeding is taking place and capitalize on the small window of opportunity. Many of these stripers are in the 20-pound range and can be caught on white ¼-ounce jigs and 6 to 8-inch soft plastics fished weightless. Live bait rigs have caught the most fish. Brood and gizzard shad work better than goldfish or bream at Carpenter Dam. Some quality hybrids have been taken on 1/8-ounce jigs in shad or white colors. These fish tend to stay on the outside of the feeding striper schools where competition for food is lower.
Diamond Head Marina (501-262-2272) had no report because of weather.
Lake Hinkle: Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719) had no report because of weather.
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is choppy and high. Bass are excellent schooling. Catfish are good on bait. Bream and crappie are starting to pick up.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Moro Bay: Â Moro Bay State Park had no report because of weather
Tri-County Lake - Fishing is on the slow side. Bass are biting decently early in the morning on light-colored, shallow-running crankbaits. They are moving into the channels around mid-morning. No report on any other species.
Ouachita River Oxbows - Crappie finally picked up in the Ouachita River oxbows where some fishermen were limiting out on minnows fished 4 feet deep around brush. Bass are still hitting some darker top-water baits in the morning and worms in the mid-morning and evening. Bream are good around cypress trees on crickets fished about 2 feet deep.
EAST ARKANSAS:Â
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is murky and high. Bream are fair on crickets and worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and worms. Catfishing is good on cut bait.
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report.Â
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and high. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. A few crappie have been caught on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is murky and high. Bream are fair on crickets.
Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said water conditions are high. Bream have been caught on crickets. Minnows are fair deep on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait.
Island 40 Chute: Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said water conditions are normal. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on chicken liver.
Related posts
What’s Open For Hunting in Arkansas - 9/3/2008
September 3, 2008
Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:
Alligator:
Sept. 19-22
Sept. 26-29
Deer:
Archery - All zones:Â Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.
Modern Gun - Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 8-30.
Zone 4:Â Nov. 8-9.
Zone 5:Â Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.
Zone 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15:Â Nov. 8-Dec. 7.
Zones 4B and 5B:Â Nov. 8-16.
Zones 9 and 12:Â Nov. 8-Dec. 14.
Zone 16, 16A and 17:Â Nov. 8-Dec. 25.
Muzzleloader - Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.
Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 29-31.
Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B:Â Closed.
The statewide Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt will be Dec. 26 to 28 with the special youth modern gun deer hunt in all zones (excludes certain WMAs where a modern gun or muzzleloader permit is required to hunt) scheduled for Nov. 1 to 2.
Duck:
Nov. 22-Dec. 1,
Dec. 6-Dec. 24
Dec. 26-Jan. 25.
The youth waterfowl hunt will be Jan. 31-Feb. 1.
Northwest Canada goose zone season:
Sept. 1-15 (with a bag limit of five) and Sept. 27-Oct. 6 (bag limit two).
Statewide Canada goose season:
Sept. 1-15 (bag limit five) and Jan. 10-Feb. 1 (bag limit two).
White-fronted goose season:
Nov. 15-Dec. 1, Dec. 6-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 30 with a bag limit of two.
Snow, blue and Ross’ goose season:
Nov. 8-Dec. 24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 30 with a bag limit of 20.
Snow goose Conservation Order:
Feb. 2-April 25 with no bag limit.
Dove:
Sept. 6-28
Oct. 4-19
Dec. 13, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009
Teal:
Sept. 13-28
Virginia and Sora Rail:
Sept. 13-Nov. 21
Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting:
Closed
Archery: All Zones: Â Oct. 1, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009.
Firearms: Zones 3, 5B, 6, and 17:Â Oct. 11-17.
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10:Â Closed.
Bear:
Archery: Zone 1: Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Zone 2: Sept. 15-Nov. 30
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Muzzleloader: Zones 1 and 2: Oct 18-26
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Modern Gun: Zones 1 and 2: Nov 3-30
Zone 5: Dec 6-14
Zone 5A: Nov 29-Dec 14
Zones 3, 4, 6 and 7: closed
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Zones 1 and 2 (does not include WMAs requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear): Nov. 1-2
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Furbearers (2008 Season):
Raccoon night hunting July 1-Aug. 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting is closed.
Furbearers (2009 Season):
Trapping (other than coyote, beaver, muskrat, nutria): sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, Feb. 22.
Coyote trapping: sunrise, Aug. 1-sunset, March 31.
Beaver, muskrat, nutria trapping: sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, March 31.
Gray fox, mink, opossum, red fox, striped skunk hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, Feb 28.
Raccoon day or night hunting: sunrise, Sept 1-sunset, March 31.
Raccoon night hunting: sunset, July 1-sunrise, Aug. 31.
Bobcat hunting: sunrise, Oct. 1-sunset, Feb. 28 and from the first day of spring turkey season through June 8.
Coyote hunting: sunrise, July 1-sunset, Feb. 28 and from the first day of spring turkey season through June 14.
River otter hunting: sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, Feb. 28.
Muskrat, nutria, beaver hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, March 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting: Closed.
Elk:
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and A: Sept. 22-26.
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, A and B: Dec. 8-12.
Quail
Statewide: Nov. 1-Feb. 8.
Rabbit
Statewide: Sept. 1-Feb. 28.
Squirrel
Statewide: Sept. 6, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009 and May 16-June 14, 2009.
Crow
Statewide: Sept. 6-Feb. 23.
Projected opening dates for the 2009-2010 deer hunting season.
Archery
Oct. 1, 2009
Oct. 17, 2009
Modern Gun
Nov. 14, 2009
Related posts
Waht’s Open For Hunting In Arkansas - 8/6/2008
August 6, 2008
Current and approaching seasons in Arkansas:
Deer:
Archery – All zones: Oct. 1, 2008 to Feb. 28, 2009.
Modern Gun - Zones 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11: Nov. 8-30.
Zone 4:Â Nov. 8-9.
Zone 5:Â Nov. 8-9 and Nov. 15-16.
Zone 4A, 5A, 13, 14 and 15:Â Nov. 8-Dec. 7.
Zones 4B and 5B:Â Nov. 8-16.
Zones 9 and 12:Â Nov. 8-Dec. 14.
Zone 16, 16A and 17:Â Nov. 8-Dec. 25.
Muzzleloader - Zones 1, 2, 3, 4A, 5A, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 13-15.
Zones 9, 12, 16, 16A and 17: Oct. 18-26 and Dec. 29-31.
Zones 4, 4B, 5 and 5B:Â Closed.
The statewide Christmas holiday modern gun deer hunt will be Dec. 26 to 28 with the special youth modern gun deer hunt in all zones (excludes certain WMAs where a modern gun or muzzleloader permit is required to hunt) scheduled for Nov. 1 to 2.
Dove:
Sept. 6-28
Oct. 4-19
Dec. 13, 2008-Jan. 2, 2009
Teal: Sept. 13-28
Virginia and Sora Rail: Sept. 13-Nov. 21
Spotted Skunk, Weasel Hunting: Closed
Fall Turkey:
Archery: All Zones: Oct. 1, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009.
Firearms: Zones 3, 5B, 6, and 17:Â Oct. 11-17.
Zones 1, 1A, 2, 4, 4A, 4B, 5, 5A, 7, 7A, 8, 9, 9A and 10:Â Closed.
Bear:
Archery: Zone 1: Oct. 1-Nov. 30
Zone 2: Sept. 15-Nov. 30
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Muzzleloader: Zones 1 and 2: Oct 18-26
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Modern Gun: Zones 1 and 2: Nov 3-30
Zone 5: Dec 6-14
Zone 5A: Nov 29-Dec 14
Zones 3, 4, 6 and 7: closed
Special Youth Modern Gun Bear Hunt: Zones 1 and 2 (does not include WMAs requiring a deer permit to harvest a bear): Nov. 1-2
Zones 3, 4, 5, 5A, 6 and 7: Closed
Furbearers (2008 Season):
Raccoon night hunting July 1-Aug. 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting is closed.
Furbearers (2009 Season):
Trapping (other than coyote, beaver, muskrat, nutria): sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, Feb. 22.
Coyote trapping: sunrise, Aug. 1-sunset, March 31.
Beaver, muskrat, nutria trapping: sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, March 31.
Gray fox, mink, opossum, red fox, striped skunk hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, Feb 28.
Raccoon day or night hunting: sunrise, Sept 1-sunset, March 31.
Raccoon night hunting: sunset, July 1-sunrise, Aug. 31.
Bobcat hunting: sunrise, Oct. 1-sunset, Feb. 28 and from the first day of spring turkey season through June 8.
Coyote hunting: sunrise, July 1-sunset, Feb. 28 and from the first day of spring turkey season through June 14.
River otter hunting: sunrise, Nov. 15-sunset, Feb. 28.
Muskrat, nutria, beaver hunting: sunrise, Sept. 1-sunset, March 31.
Badger, spotted skunk and weasel hunting: Closed.
Elk:
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4 and A: Sept. 22-26.
Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, A and B: Dec. 8-12.
Quail Statewide: Nov. 1-Feb. 8.
Rabbit Statewide: Sept. 1-Feb. 28.
Squirrel Statewide: Sept. 6, 2008-Feb. 28, 2009 and May 16-June 14, 2009.
Crow Statewide: Sept. 6-Feb. 23.
Projected opening dates for the 2009-2010 deer hunting season.
Archery: Oct. 1, 2009
Muzzleloader: Oct. 17, 2009
Modern Gun: Nov. 14, 2009
Related posts
Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report - 8/6/2008
August 6, 2008
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Randy Zellers (501) 223-6406, e-mail: rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for August 6, 2008. 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: Try pitching egg patterns to trout throughout the year when the fishing gets slow. They’re not the most glamorous fly, but produce results on hatchery-raised fish, who must take an “eat now, taste later” attitude in order to thrive in the competition of a concrete run.
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
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CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is clear and low. Bream are fair 5 feet deep on crickets. Crappie are biting well near docks on minnows. Bass are biting well on buzzing frogs. Catfish are fair near lily pads on worms.
Little Red River: Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said water conditions are normal with little generation. Trout fishing is still very good, crankbaits seem to be working best.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Powerhouse has been releasing water for hydroelectric power from noon until 9 p.m. every day. This offers wade fishing opportunities most of the day. The water coming through the dam is averaging 54 degrees with dissolved oxygen content averaging 6.5 mg/l. The water is a bit dingy, but the fish don’t seem to mind these conditions at all. Fishing has been absolutely excellent. Trout are biting strike indicators, flies, lures and bait. Tales of catching 25 trout in 25 casts are fairly common. Our river water is low and the trout want to play. If you want to fish with dry flies, tie on a hopper pattern. Foam grasshoppers float very high in the surface tension and don’t require floatant. Cast under low hanging limbs and close to the bank near streamside vegetation. Floating your hopper over riffles can also work. Other dry flies that are working include an Adams (#16-18), BWO (#18-20) and crackleback (#12). Effective sub-surface offerings include sow bugs (#14-16; UV gray, UV tan or olive), copper johns (#14-16; copper, red or green), pheasant tails (#16), zebra midge (#16-22; red, black or copper), San Juan worm (#12-18; red or fluorescent orange) and wooly buggers (#8-12 olive, brown or black).
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 461.73 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said bass are finally setting up on brush piles and points and can be caught on Texas-rigged worms in grasshopper and crabapple colors and on Carolina-rigged green pumpkin and watermelon candy lizards. Football head jigs in 25-45 feet of water are working as well. Walleye are slow, but a few can be caught dragging a crawler behind a bottom bouncer or fishing a crawler on a jighead in 25 to 35 feet of water. Catfishing is good all over the lake on live crawlers and minnows as well as prepared catfish baits. Crappie fishing is on and off around creek bends and channel swings. Fish jigs tipped with minnows 15 to 20 feet deep over 60 feet of water around pole timber. White bass and hybrids can be caught anywhere from 35 to 70 feet of water on in-line spinners, swarming hornets and hair jigs. You have to do some looking for the schools of fish in your depth finder, then just stay over them and keep your bait wet.
Shiloh Marina said water conditions are normal. All fishing is slow.
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is clear and high. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Catfishing is good on live and prepared baits on the south side of the lake.
Lake Beaverfork: The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department said the water is murky and at normal level. Crappie are fair on jigs. Catfishing is good on any bait.
Lake Overcup: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are good with surface temperature in the mid 90s. Bream are fair around the docks on crickets and worms. Crappie are fair 12 to 15 feet deep on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on large minnows.
Brewer Lake: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are normal with surface temperature in the low 90s. Bream are biting well around the banks on crickets and worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Catfish are fair on goldfish and shrimp.
Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger’s Marina said fishing remains fairly good. The lake is 1.7 low, which is normal. Black bass are biting well in 15 to 20 feet of water on drop-shot rigs, jigging spoons and football head jigs. Kentucky bass are mixed with the largemouths. White bass are schooling from the old Jolly Rogers cove to Jim’s Island. When you spot surface activity, cast a CC spoon. Crappie are slow, but a few are 20 feet deep, biting on minnows and 1/32-oz. red/white jigs. Bream are excellent in 15 feet of water on crickets. Catfish are good in 15 to 20 feet of water on prepared bait and small sunfish.
Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfish are the best thing going on chicken hearts, worms and nightcrawlers.
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well 10 to 12 feet deep on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well 10 feet deep on dark 8-inch plastic worms. Catfish are biting well on stink bait.
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and low. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well on top-water lures and 4-inch pumpkin lizards. Catfish are biting well on any bait.
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charle