Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report - 9/24/2008

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. 24, 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: When fishing with live bait, such as minnows and nightcrawlers. Check your bait often and remove any sickly or dying minnows or worms. Dead bait left in the container can cause the other animals to die quickly. Also drop a few ice cubes into the water or soil every now and then to keep the bait healthy in the hot sun. 

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: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is murky and at normal level. A few bream have been caught around docks on worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Black bass are being caught around banks.

Little Red River: Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said generation has slowed a bit from recent months. Trout fishing is good on wax worms with marshmallows and chartreuse Power Eggs.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Powerhouse is releasing water beginning at 10 a.m. with one generator. At noon, a second generator is being ramped up, and both are being shut down at 10 p.m. The temperature of the water passing through the turbines is averaging 54 degrees with dissolved oxygen levels averaging 4.0 mg/l. The oxygen level is low because of the consistent water releases. The longer the water stays in the lake, the more dissolved oxygen it accumulates from aquatic plants. Wade fishing opportunities abound because of the flow schedule. You can wade in at JFK Park near the dam around 6:30 a.m. and fish until the horn sounds at 10 a.m.; then go to Cow Shoal for another hour or two of fishing. When the rising water arrives at Cow, proceed downstream to Winkley Shoal for an additional 2 to 3 hours of wading bliss, confident in the knowledge that, when higher water arrives, there is always Libby Shoal even further downstream awaiting you. Of course, you could simply start at Libby Shoal and fish from dawn until 3-4 p.m. Drift fishermen can launch their boats at Lobo Landing and go either upstream or down with little fear of big rocks impeding their progress. Our guide trips are starting at Lobo Landing or Dripping Springs. Fishing has been “crazy good,” producing well over 100 fish per guide boat per day. Every fly tied to the tippet seems to get the trout’s attention. Even red butt soft hackle emergers dead drifted under an indicator, a fly normally reserved for the riffles, is catching trout from a boat. If there is a problem fly fishing the Little Red right now, it’s the leaves coating the surface of the river.  The leaves can disrupt an otherwise perfect presentation. One solution to this problem is to fish streamers. We are finally starting to see normal aquatic insect hatches along the river.  BWOs (blue winged olive mayflies), sulphurs and brown drakes (more mayflies) are “coming off” mid to late afternoon.  Midges continue to hatch every day as well.  The most effective dry flies are Adams (#16-#18), BWO (#18; baetis), sulphur (#16-#18) and midge (#22; cream or black).  Effective sub-surface attractors include sowbug (#14; UV tan, UV gray, olive or peacock), red butt soft hackle emerger (#14-#18), pheasant tail (#16), gold ribbled hare’s ear (#14-#16), copper john (#16; red or green), zebra midge (#16-#22; red or black), San Juan worm (#14-#16; red, wine or worm brown) and woolly bugger (#8-#12; olive or brown).   

            Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 467.51 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water is slowly falling and the surface temperature ranges from 74-76 degrees. Largemouth, Kentucky and smallmouth bass are all holding near the flooded bushes. Some are still on main-lake points, secondary points and flats as well. Shallow fish are biting well on small crankbaits, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. The deeper fish are biting fairly well on Texas-rigged worms, Carolina-rigged soft-plastic sticks and football head jigs. Bream are biting well on crickets and night crawlers. Crappie are biting fairly well over brush piles in 20 to 25 feet of water. Walleye are scattered with the constantly changing water levels. Catfishing is good on live and prepared baits. Hybrid and white bass are on fire all over the lake. The fall feast has begun. Jigging spoons, small in-line spinners and grubs are working early in the mornings and late in the evening.

Shiloh Marina said water conditions are high and murky. Kentucky bass are schooling.

Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is cloudy and high. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits. Catfish are fair on stink bait.

Lake Beaverfork: The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department said water conditions are normal. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are good on spinnerbaits. Catfish are fair on chicken liver.

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said water conditions are normal. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good at night on goldfish, shad and nightcrawlers.

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is murky and high. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfishing is good on live bait and nightcrawlers.

Brewer Lake: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is murky and high. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Catfishing is good on live bait.

Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger’s Marina had no report.

Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are fair on chartreuse jigs or red tube jigs. Bass are biting well in shallow water on top-water lures and buzzbaits.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Bass are biting well on top-water lures and green pumpkin 4-inch lizards. Catfishing is good on Magic Bait.

Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the flow has dropped, and some boats are getting back on the river. Bream are fair near wood cover 4- to 8-feet deep. Crappie are picking up on minnows 5- to 10-feet deep. Drum are being caught on crawfish-colored jigs. Black bass are shallow early then moving to secondary points and ledges later. Bass jigs are working very well on largemouths and Kentuckies. Catfishing is still very good on shad below dams 9 and 10.

Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said the water is starting to drop, but is still dangerous. Some bass have been caught in the backwaters.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bass are good on brown and orange jig-and-pig combos and chartreuse/orange belly crankbaits. Catfishing is good on live green sunfish and cut shad.

Little Maumelle River: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are biting well on red/chartreuse mini jigs and pink minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and stick baits. Catfishing is good on limblines and trotlines baited with live green sunfish and cut bait.

Big Maumelle: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are fair on red and chartreuse jigs and pink minnows.

Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfishing is the best thing going on nightcrawlers and chicken liver.

Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are fair on a slip-cork rig baited with a minnows. Catfishing is excellent on live green sunfish and shad.

Palarm Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are fair on slip-cork rigs baited with minnows. Bass are fair on a black/blue jigs. Catfishing is excellent on trotlines and limb lines on cut shad and chicken hearts.

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is muddy and high.

            Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said water conditions are normal. A few bream have been caught on crickets. Crappie are good 4-6 feet deep on pink minnows.

            Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is clear and high. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and chicken liver.

NORTH ARKANSAS:

White River: Sportsman’s White River Resort said water conditions are normal with three to six generators running. Trout fishing has still been good on pink worms, Power Bait, Rogues, Rapalas and shad-colored Krocodile spoons. When the water is low, San Juan worms, woolly buggers and sow bugs are working great.

Mountain River Fly Shop said the generation schedule has finally dropped a bit. Some fantastic fishing reports are coming in from Wildcat Shoals to below Bull Shoals Dam, including a 34-inch Brown. Rainbows in the catch-and-release area below the dam are excellent right now, and the brown trout spawn is right around the corner. The next month is going to be fun.

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said there were fairly low levels of generation. The upper river from Bull Shoals Dam, through the State Park down to Cane Island Shoals has been a perpetual hot spot for months and the past week has not been different. On high water 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. On lower water try black zebra midges, scuds and sow bugs. Soft hackles like green butts should also be effective. Remember to down size to 6X tippet for the lower flows. The Narrows has remained hot during the past week. On high water, 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, sow bugs, scuds, and bead head hares ears. On lower water try the same nymphs in size 18. Olive woolly buggers have been killer in slightly deeper water. Another hot spot has been the Rim Shoals Catch-and-Release section

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 685.93 feet MSL.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 567.52 feet MSL.

101 Grocery and Bait said fishing has been slow. The water temperature is dropping to the low 70s and high 60s in some parts of the lake. On the Red Bank side of the lake the thermocline is at 50 feet and solid. Crappie fishing is good using minnows fished 20-feet deep around brush piles. Bluegill fishing is good using worms and crickets. Striper fishing has been fair. Catfishing has been good with most being caught on trotlines and jugs. Bass fishing has been fair. There are loads of 8-10 inch bass everywhere from this year’s spawn. Walleye fishing has been slow. There have been a few walleye caught on jigging spoons.

Norfork Tailwater: Mountain River Fly Shop said there are still some wading opportunities available in the mornings. Tailwater soft-hackle flies in green, yellow and red/yellow have been working well. Zebra midges, tungsten WD-40s, sowbugs and woolly buggers have also produced well.

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the generation pattern has been to run one generator during the day and to turn it off at night. The Norfork is fishing good on the low water. The hot spot has been Quarry Park just below the dam. Hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms and zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead and brown with copper wire and copper beads) all in smaller sizes (18-20). On higher flows, the same midges in size 14 have been effective in this area.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,129.49 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said fishing has improved greatly with the cooling lake temperatures. Bass are biting well in the morning on top-water baits and spinnerbaits thrown in the flooded timber. Later in the day, Texas- and Carolina-rigged lizards in shades of watermelon have produced well. Quite a bit of schooling activity has been taking place around the marinas in the morning. Crappie also have been biting well. Minnows fished under a float and black/chartreuse tubes have been working well fished 10- to 20-feet deep around docks and close to bluffs. The Horseshoe Bend area has been good. White bass have been schooling in the mornings along the edges of main-lake flats. Horseshoe Bend South to Hickory Creek has been good. Catfishing remains good at night by using worms or liver from the bank. Bluegill have been taking worms and crickets under docks and along bluff walls 2- to 6-feet deep.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is murky and starting to drop. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, top-water lures, and Carolina rigs.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is muddy and high. All fishing is slow.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said water conditions are normal. All fishing is slow.

Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is murky and high. Crappie are the best thing going on minnows.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

            Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA: Judy Potts of Judy’s Bait Shoppe at the North entrance to Henry Gray Hurricane Lake WMA said fishing is starting to pick up after all the flooding the area has experienced lately. Bream and crappie are biting well on crickets and minnows in Honey Lake. Catfish are being caught on cut baits and stink baits on trotlines and a few on yo-yos. Bob Bell Lake is good for bream and a few crappie. Big Hurricane Lake Road just opened during the middle of the week. Bass were hitting well on minnows and top-waters. Mallard Pond was good for crappie on minnows and jigs. Trotliners were doing very well on Whorl Lake and Glaise Creek, catching flatheads and channel catfish on cut bait, dough bait, shad and large minnows. Water levels on all lakes are near normal with the White River remaining just below flood stage.

            Lake Charles: Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the water level is normal and the surface temperature is between 68 and 72 degrees. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught on minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines baited with goldfish. All other species are slow.

Lake Frierson:  Lake Frierson State Park (870-932-2615) reports the water is high. All species are slow.

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie fishing is good in 12 feet of water on minnows. Bass are picking up on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Catfish are fair on chicken liver.

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

            Lake Monticello: Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) with Basshunters Custom Crankbaits said fishing is finally transitioning into fall patterns. The water is around the average spring level. Bass are biting well at all depths from 1 to 20 feet. Watermelon and watermelon/red worms are working well. Bass are schooling well around the lake, and flukes, Chug Bugs and crankbaits have been the best way to get them.

Lake Chicot: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. A few crappie have been caught on minnows. Bass are good on plastic worms. Catfish are good on live bait.

Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.66 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said the surface temperature is 72 to 78 degrees, depending on location and time of day. The water clarity improved slightly from muddy to stained. Dense floating mats of vegetation have broken loose and are randomly floating in Little River. Current in Little River Monday was roaring at 13,244 cubic feet per second. Cooler temperatures have triggered some good feeding activity on Millwood lately. Bass are schooling around the lake as well as in Cemetery Slough, Mud Lake, Horseshoe Lake and McGuire Lake upriver. The most activity is between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The most consistent reaction bite is on Rat-L-Traps, Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits in the vegetation and remaining lily pads, along with white jigs w/ white chunk trailers, clear Baby Torpedos and Cordell Crazy Shads.  Crankbaits such as Fat Free Shads and Cordell Big O’s in shad patterns are working well around flooded timber and laydowns. Once the sun is high, 10- to 12-inch worms will pick up some good keepers until the schooling starts. White bass were schooling in Mud, Horseshoe and McGuire lakes this week. Crappie are still slow with the low water clarity along Little River. The most consistent bite remains on live shiners and smoke paddletail grubs on light wire jig heads. Blue catfish and channel catfish remain consistent this week, as last week on trotlines, along the current in Little River. Yo-yos hung from cypress trees in 9-12 feet of water near any current are picking up some decent cats in the 5- to 9-pound class.

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

Lake Columbia: Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are good early and late on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on worms.

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

White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park said the water level is stable and the water is clear. Bream have been active on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow. Catfish are biting well on trotlines with live bait. Bass are schooling in the evenings.

Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 548.32 feet MSL.

Lakeside Grocery said the water is murky and high. Bream are good on crickets. Crappie are fair deep on minnows. Bass are good early and late on plastic worms, spinnerbaits and lizards. Catfish are fair on trotlines with minnows or bream.

Daryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said the water level is falling fast. Crappie are excellent on brush piles and bamboo condos 12- to 15-feet deep in 18 to 24 feet of water. Bass are good on points and humps in the secondary creek arms and on points near the main channel.

DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 407.44 feet MSL.

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said big fish are biting on Berkley swim baits on main-lake points that drop to the main river channel. Carolina rigs and football head jigs are working well in those areas. Hybrids are breaking sporadically throughout the day around points close to the main river channel. Up Brushy Creek some Kentucky bass are breaking early and late in the day. Zara spooks and CC Spoons are working well on all breaking fish.

Charles at Iron Mountain Lodge and Marina had no report.

WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle: Eric Pratt at Lake Dardanelle State Park said water in Lake Dardanelle is beginning to clear up. The surface temperature is 76 degrees. River flow is expected to be around 60,000 cubic feet per second throughout the lake. Bass fishing on Lake Dardanelle has been hard on a lot of anglers. A few bass fishermen are reporting catching bass on the ever faithful black/blue jig, chatterbait and buzzbait. Emergent grass has been the hot spot for catching a keeper. Crappie fishing is slow with some success around brush piles with minnows and crappie jigs. Bream are still biting well on crickets, worms and small tubes. The number of catfish being caught has slowed some, however; it is still fairly easy to catch a limit of catfish fishing from the banks or on the water. Catfish are being caught on chicken liver, cut shad, night crawlers, and commercially prepared baits.

Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is muddy and high. Catfish are the best thing going right now.

Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is murky and high. Bream are fair on crickets and nightcrawlers. A few crappie have been caught on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on plastic worms. Catfish are fair on minnows and cut bait.

Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 578.46 feet MSL.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 76 to 80 degrees and stained. Largemouth bass are fair. They can be caught on spinnerbaits and crankbaits near submerged vegetation. Kentucky bass are still breaking on cloudy days and early and late in the day. Walleye are biting fairly well on spoons fished over brush piles on main-lake points. Bottom bouncers with spinners and night crawlers are still producing some large walleye as well.  Stripers are good on live bait with shad or trotline minnows. White ½-oz. jigs and ¾-oz spoons are still working as well. Try around Brady Mountain, Bird Island and the spillway. Bream are good with crickets or worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are fair and being caught over brush. Try 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. 

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said some walleye have been caught around the lake on spoons. Stripers are excellent in the trees on Berkley swim baits teamed with a Revenge Lures 1-oz. head. Work the swim bait slowly over the treetops in around 20 feet of water. Largemouth bass are breaking in the mouths of the pockets in the creeks. Zara Spooks, Revenge spinnerbaits and CC spoons are working extremely well on the largemouths. Once the morning bite dies, fish around the inside edge of the grass and the top of the grass with a spinnerbait or Senko and cover a lot of water for more bites.

Dave Lindhag from Striped Bass Adventures said fishing is moving to fall patterns now that the flooding from the hurricane rains has subsided. The water level and temperature have dropped. Fishing has been fairly tough for stripers. Most stripers being caught are between 9 and 14 pounds and are being taken on live bait slowly trolled at around 30-feet deep near treetops. We should see some breaking fish by mid-October if temperatures continue dropping at this rate. 

Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that heavy generation has been the norm below Carpenter Dam as Entergy removes the flood water that fell during Hurricane Ike. Boaters are advised to use caution as extremely swift currents have created dangerous conditions. Despite these conditions, threadfin shad are still migrating in and out of the tailrace, which has kept large schools of stripers and hybrids in the area. September is the last month for good striper and hybrid action as the shad schools will move out with cooler weather. Most of the fish caught in the last several days have been with 1/4 ounce jigs in white or grey. Look for areas protected by rocks and sand bars as they provide some relief from the heavy current. The fish are present but rarely feed on top because of the fast water. As conditions return to normal, top-water action will improve dramatically. Fishermen should cast 6- to 8-inch soft plastics into schooling fish - preferably weightless. A free falling presentation is much more effective than one that sinks too rapidly. Also a larger bait will be more visible as it stands out from the hundreds of baitfish that surround it. Super flukes are tailor-made for such a technique. Largemouth and spotted bass are still roaming in and out of the dam area actively feeding on the shad schools. Rainbow trout stocking will begin in November and this always greatly benefits the fishing.

Diamond Head Marina (501-262-2272) said Diamond Head Marina said the water is clearing up and is a bit high. All fishing has been slow.

Lake Hinkle: Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said water conditions are normal. Bream are fair on crickets and worms. A few crappie have been caught deep on minnows. Bass are schooling. Catfishing is good on chicken liver.

Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is murky and high. Bass are schooling. Catfish are good on cut bait.

SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lower Ouachita River: The water is still a bit high. Some anglers are catching bass around the mouths of creeks and openings where the river is draining. Light-colored spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged Brush Hogs with an 1/8-oz. weight are working well.

EAST ARKANSAS: 

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is muddy and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. A few crappie have been caught on minnows and black or chartreuse jigs. Bass are good on crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfishing is fair on worms and shad.

White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is very high. All fishing is slow.

Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are the best thing going on minnows and jigs.

Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is clear and dropping. All species are slow.

Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water conditions are normal. Crappie are fair in deep water on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs. A few bass have been caught around cypress trees and lily pads on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is very good on cut bait and nightcrawlers.

Island 40 Chute: Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is muddy and high. A few bream have been caught on worms and crickets. Catfishing is good on stink bait and worms.

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Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report - 9/17/2008

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 September 17. 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:  The fall turnover can produce some quick limits of schooling white bass and black bass on lakes such as DeGray, Hamilton and Ouachita. Although most of the fish will be in the 1- to 2-pound range, they’re easy to spot breaking the surface near humps and points near the main lake. Concentrate on using small topwaters such as Zara Puppies and Tiny Torpedoes on the breaking fish. When the action slows, a small spoon or blade bait worked off the bottom can finish out your limit..
 
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: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is murky and high. Bream are fair on crickets. A few bass have been caught on top-water lures. Catfishing is good on chicken liver, worms and minnows.

Little Red River: Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said trout fishing is still good on wax worms with marshmallows, chartreuse Power Eggs, olive or brown marabou jigs and Buoyant Spoons.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Powerhouse has been releasing water more often than not during the previous week. Twelve-hour releases (3,000 day-second-feet) are scheduled to begin on Thursday and will continue until our lake level is back down to 461 feet above mean sea level. The lake water is averaging 53 degrees. Aquatic insect hatches continue to be sparse with midges being the most prolific.  The dry flies of choice include the Adams (#16-#18), crackleback (#12-#14), royal coachman (#16) and midge (#22; cream or black).  Sub-surface offerings should include sowbug (#14; UV tan, UV gray, olive or peacock), San Juan worm (#14-#16; red, wine or worm brown), zebra midge (#16-#22; red or black), pheasant tail (#16), copper john (#14-#16) or wooly bugger (#10-#12; green, brown or black).

Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 468.51 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water temperature is 77-80 degrees and falling. The bass fishing is good shallow as a lot of the fish have moved up. Topwaters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and floating worms are working well in the shallows. Carolina-rigged lizards are working well in front of the brush and on main-lake and secondary points. The crappie are over brush piles and pole timber in 14-22 feet of water and are biting fairly well on jigs tipped with minnows. Walleye are few and far between with the water coming up. They’ve scattered quite a bit. The bream have spawned again and are still shallow and feeding well on crickets and worms. The whites and hybrids are feeding very well in places; the problem is finding big fish. The fishing is best on jigging spoons and small in-line spinners to mimic the small bait they are eating. Small grubs will work also. Use your graphs and find the bait and the fish will be close. Catfishing continues to be good all over the lake.

Shiloh Marina said the water is murky and high. Bass have been fair early on top-water lures.

Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is murky and high. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on plastic worms. Catfish are fair on large minnows, worms and liver.

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is murky and high. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on shad.

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is murky and high with a surface temperature in the low 80s. Bream are fair on crickets and red worms. Crappie are good on minnows and brown jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and buzz baits. Catfish are fair on jugs with live bait.

Brewer Lake: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report.

Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake is full and most fish have moved shallow. Largemouth bass are biting well in the weeds. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits are working well. Kentucky bass are holding around shallow points and are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits.

Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is muddy and high. All species are slow.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is muddy and unfishable.

Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said bream have moved into the backwater and are biting well on crickets. Stripers are near rocky points below dams 9 and 10 and are being caught on whole shad in 8 to 10 feet of water. Black bass are fair in the backwater on Shad Raps and white spinnerbaits. A few white bass are schooling early and others are being caught on spinnerbaits. Kentucky bass are near jetties and can be caught on crawfish-colored jigs-and-pigs. Catfishing is excellent in the main channel drifting with shad.

Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said the water is muddy and the current is too dangerous to fish. 

Little Maumelle River: Josh Jeffers at Pinnacle Mountain State Park (501-868-5806) said water clarity is low. The rapid change in water levels the last two weeks has scattered the fish. Bream are slow, but a few have been caught on crickets. Crappie are slow. The only ones being caught are holding close to brush piles near the main channel and are biting shiners. Bass are fair in the shallows early and late on small top-water lures. Small spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished around grass and other cover are catching a few better-sized fish.

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is muddy and high. Catfish are fair on chicken liver, nightcrawlers and minnows.

Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are picking up on minnows. Catfish are fair on nightcrawlers and chicken liver.

Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is clear and high. Crappie are fairly good on minnows. Catfish are excellent on stink bait, liver and shrimp.
 
NORTH ARKANSAS 
   
White River: Sportsman’s White River Resort said water conditions are normal with 1 to 2 generators running in the afternoon. Trout fishing has been fair on Power Bait and light lures.

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the generation pattern early in the week was for no or little generation. Later in the week, there were fairly low levels of generation. The upper river from Bull Shoals Dam, through the State Park down to Cane Island Shoals has been a perpetual hot spot for months and the past week has not been different. On high water 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. On lower water try black zebra midges, scuds and sow bugs. Soft hackles like green butts should also be effective. Remember to down size to 6X tippet for the lower flows. The Narrows has remained hot during the past week. On high water, 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, sow bugs, scuds, and bead head hares ears. On lower water try the same nymphs in size 18. Olive woolly buggers have been killer in slightly deeper water. Another hot spot has been the Rim Shoals Catch-and-Release section. I have done well with brightly colored San Juan worms, the hot colors have been cerise, hot pink and red. I have noted several anglers take advantage of Gary Flipin’s water taxi to deliver them to the bottom of the second island for some wade fishing and pick them up later. Check by Rim Shoals Trout Dock to take advantage of the service.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 684.33 feet MSL.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 567.72 feet MSL.

101 Grocery and Bait said fishing has been good. It rained for two days this last week and we received about 4 inches of water. As a result Norfork Lake level only raised a few inches and the water temperature has dropped a few more degrees to the low 80s. Striper fishing is good. White bass fishing has been fair. Crappie fishing has been good using minnows fished from 18-20 feet deep. Bluegill fishing is good using worms and crickets. Walleye fishing is fair. Catfishing is fair.

Norfork Tailwater: John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the generation pattern has been to run one generator during the day and to turn it off at night. The Norfork is fishing a bit better this week, particularly on the low water. The hot spot has been Quarry Park just below the dam. Hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms and zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead and brown with copper wire and copper beads) all in smaller sizes (18-20). On higher flows, the same midges in size 14 have been effective in this area.
 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS 

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,129.58 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said cooling lake water has jump-started all species. Bass are biting well early and late on small top-water lures. Cast them around flooded brush for best results. Later in the day, Texas-rigged lizards have produced well along steep banks and bluffs. Crappie have been biting well under docks 8  to 18 feet deep with minnows under a slip float. Trolling along the bluffs near Horseshoe Bend or on the flat by Point 12 with small Bandit crankbaits or Hot n Tots has also been productive. White bass are schooling occasionally early and late. Try using small 3/8-oz. Kastmaster spoons and throw them directly at the schooling fish. Catfishing is still good lakewide from the bank using cut bait or liver. Night has been best. Bluegill have been biting night crawlers around bluffs and docks.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is muddy and high. Crappie have been fair on minnows. Bass are fair in the morning on top-water lures. During the day, finesse rigs seem to be working the best. Catfish are fair on chicken liver and trotlines with goldfish.

Beaver Tailwater: Ken Richards at justfishinguides.com said with last week’s rain, Beaver Tailwater is backed up to the dam. Wading opportunities are very limited. The hot flies are still patterns in gray and black. Large darker zebra midges, scuds, pheasant tails and hare’s ears are working in all areas. The best areas have been near the dam and the Parker area. Several fish in the 18-20 inch range have been caught. Some fish also have been caught on micro jigs in pink and in gray.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is muddy and high. All fishing is slow.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is muddy and high. Catfish are the best thing going on worms, minnows and chicken liver.

Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is high. A few crappie have been caught on minnows.

Kings River: Ken Richards at justfishinguides.com said the river is in great shape and fish are biting on large streamer patterns fished on a sinking line. Top-water flies that make a big disturbance have pulled up some big fish. The smallmouth should begin their fall feeding pattern getting ready for colder weather.
 
 
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 had no fishing report for the area because of flooding last week along the White River. The main gate to the WMA will be closed until the water returns to safe levels.

Lake Charles: Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the water level is normal and the surface temperature ranges from 67 to 72 degrees. The water clarity is 10 inches. Bream, bass and catfish are slow, but soap and goldfish are doing better on catfish. The biggest change has been in crappie. One park visitor managed 12 good slabs fishing jigs.

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and a little high. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are good on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and top-water lures. Catfish are fair on chicken liver.

Spring River: Mark’s Fly shop said recent rains have muddied up the water a little bit, but it’s clearing up quickly. The dominant fly for the last week has been a plain black wooly bugger and egg patterns. Some really nice fish have been caught lately. Bait fishermen have been reporting great success with cut bait and fluorescent pink and orange Rooster Tails.  
 
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS 

Lake Monticello: Greg Gulledge with Basshunters Custom Crankbaits said with the last couple hurricanes coming through and dropping lots of rain, the lake has been high and the bass fishing has been somewhat slow. Some bass can be caught on worms at all depths. The fish seem to be scattered. There are bass busting shad on top if you are lucky enough to be on top of them when they come up.  The best schooling baits have been Basshunter wake baits and Kill Gills.  As the water temps get cooler the swimbait fishing should heat up. 

Lake Chicot: Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is high and murky. Bream are fair on crickets and redworms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said all fishing is slow.
 
 
SOUTH CENTRAL ARKANSAS 

Lower Ouachita River Lakes: Fishing has been slow along all the lower Ouachita RiverLakes for all species. The rains have kept the water muddy and the current high in the river.
 
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS 

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.7 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service says clarity along the main lake is muddy this week from Ike’s high winds and Little River’s clarity is heavy stained from rising influx of incoming water. Due to current in the river, some high density vegetation and floating mats remain in Little River. The main lake and Little River’s water surface temperatures are currently ranging from 72 degrees to 80 degrees depending on location and time of day. Lake level on Millwood as of Monday is above normal and slowly falling at 259.7 feet.  Normal pool is 259.2 feet. Upriver oxbow’s clarity continues to be very good and is ranging from 20 inches to 36 inches. Cooler daytime highs in the 70 degrees to 80 degrees range and night time lows in the 60 degree range have improved the feeding activity of most all fish on Millwood. Largemouth bass continue to feed well and very good schooling activities are being seen in many various locations around the lake. Chunky bass from 2 to 4 pounds are schooling randomly in Cemetery Slough, Mud, Horseshoe and McGuire oxbow lakes up river and fishermen are catching good numbers of schooling fish periodically during the day. Definite best big bite is still early and late, but improving during noon hours, during schooling. Schooling bass seem to take a few hours to get started and best schooling activities are running between 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., or mid-day.  The most consistent reaction bite is on gold and silver Wobbleheads on sunny days, (gold on cloudy days), buzz baits (white), Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits in the vegetation and remaining lily pads, along with white jigs with white chunk trailers and white or chrome RatLTraps. Top water action is the best right at daylight and dusk, using Jitterbugs (frog and perch colors), Spit’n Images, buzzing toads and buzzbaits. White bass are schooling in Mud Lake and in Little River around Hurricane Creek this week. The crappie bite is still slow this week with the stained and muddy water clarity along Little River.  Clarity has steadily gone downhill, over the past 2 weeks and tapered off the crappie bite.  The most consistent bite remains on live shiners, grubs on light wire jig heads, and white/chartreuse colored tails. Blues and channel cats remain consistent this week on trotlines, along the current in Little River and remain best using cut shad, Charlie or chicken livers. Yo-yo’s hung from cypress trees in about 12 to 15 feet of water, near any current are picking up some decent 4 to 8 pound cats.

Cossatot River: Davy Ashcraft at Cossatot River State Park (870-385-2201) said USGA states that the water level is 3.25 feet, with the surface temperature ranging from 70 degrees to 80 degrees. With the recent rainfall the river has risen to levels that are not conducive to bass fishing on the river. With no rain in the forecast for the week and temperatures staying nice, fishing will be greatly improved by this weekend. There have however been a few fishermen that are catching a few catfish on worms and cut bait in clam pools close to swift water, with some success. Also bream are biting well on worms weighted to the bottom. Take extra caution while fishing on the river or near it when it is up this high.

Lake Columbia: Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is murky and high. Crappie are picking up on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on any bait.

Lake Erling: Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is murky and high. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on chicken liver, cut bait and worms.

White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park said the water level rose slightly last week and the water clarity is still poor. The bass where schooling before the storms on Saturday. They were hitting top-water lures. There have been catfish caught on worms and artificial baits. The bream have been going after crickets and worms. Crappie are still slow.

Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 468.51 feet MSL.

Lakeside Grocery said the water is murky and high. Bream are good on crickets. Crappie are fair deep on minnows. Bass are good early and late on plastic worms, spinnerbaits and lizards. Catfish are fair on trotlines with minnows or bream.

Daryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said Crappie are good on brush piles and bamboo crappie condos. Bass have been reported to be surface feeding in the secondary creek channels. Stripers are beginning to move back up the lake and are very scattered.

DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 408 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 Lake Dardanelle is muddy from the heavy rain and strong winds. Lake temperature is 77 degrees. River flow is reported to reach 140,000 CFS through the lake. With the passing of the storms and a cold front that directly moved into Arkansas, fishing on Lake Dardanelle has become challenging. Many veteran anglers struggled at the Wal-Mart BFL fishing tournament while a few were able to catch a limit. Anglers reported catching bass on chatterbaits, buzzbaits, jigs and crankbaits. Emergent grass seems to be the place to throw top-water baits. Bluegill, red-eared sunfish, and yellow bass are biting well on crickets, worms and small tube jigs. Catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers, homemade prepared baits, liver and cut shad. 

Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the