Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report - 9/3/2008

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.         

Terry Lock and Dam: McTwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report because of weather. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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:  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: 

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. 

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.

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Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report - 8/27/2008

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 August 27, 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: As fish move into their fall patterns and outdoors enthusiasts begin to search the woods for deer and ducks, anglers can have some of the best success and most peaceful surroundings of the year. Follow the shad in fall and fish spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and jigs in water ranging from 4 to 10 feet deep for the best success on bass. Crappie and bream will move deeper, sometimes schooling in water as deep as 50 feet.

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 the Greers Ferry Powerhouse is running one generator for about an hour beginning at 4 p.m. The temperature of the water passing through the turbines is 55 degrees with dissolved oxygen content averaging 6.5 mg/l.  These are good numbers. All the shoals are wadeable every day. Aquatic insect hatches remain sparse with midges being the primary player. Dry flies that are catching fish include the adams (#16-18), crackleback (#12), hopper patterns (#12) and royal coachman (#16).  Good sub-surface patterns include sowbug (#14-16; tan, UV tan or olive), zebra midge (#16-22; red, chartreuse or black), San Juan worm (#12-14; red or fl. cerise), pheasant tail (#16). copper john (#14-16; red or green) and woolly bugger (#8-12; olive, brown or black). The Little Red River cleanup is scheduled for Saturday, the 6th of September.  If you are interested in helping clean up our world class trophy trout stream, please come to the Little Red Fly Shop around 8 a.m. that morning to get your trash bag and river area assignment. Bring your trash back to the shop at noon and the local chapter of Trout Unlimited will provide a free meal.

Ken Richards at justfishinguides.com said the water is still murky from the lake releases. Fly-fishing is good in shallow, fast water and near the dam. Woolly buggers, midges and sowbugs are working. Spin fishermen are having luck with yellow Power Eggs. Crankbaits with a lot of vibration such as Rebel Wee Craws are picking up fish in the dirtier water.

Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 461.98 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water temperature has dropped again. The bass fishing is good. Most fish have moved shallow and can be caught with spinnerbaits, topwaters, crankbaits, and Rat-L-Traps. The bite should stay good through fall. Catfishing is good throughout the lake; all species are biting a variety of prepared baits on flats close to deep water. Some walleye are being caught on spoons, crankbaits and dragged nightcrawlers in 27-34 feet of water. Bream have finished spawning, but are still shallow. Try crickets and nightcrawlers. Crappie fishing is pretty good in the standing timber in 15-20 feet of water and on brush piles in 20-25 feet of water with a jig/minnow combination or Roadrunner. White bass and hybrids are roaming and suspended. There is some surface action, but it is all over the lake. They are not holding on any structure and the cooler water should push the shad down, making them even harder to find.

Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is clear and a little high. All fishing has been fair.

Lake Beaverfork: The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department said the water is murky and a little high. Crappie are biting well on jigs. Bass are fair on worms. Catfishing is good on chicken liver.

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is murky and high. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are fair on white Beetle Spins. A few bass have been caught on worms. Catfishing is good on shad and worms.

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are normal with a surface temperature in the low 80s. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair in shallow water on minnows and dark-colored jigs. Bass are fair on worms, black spinnerbaits and black buzzbaits. Catfishing is good on noodles and live bait.

Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water temperature is 80 degrees, down from 88 degrees last week. Black bass are biting well. Kentuckies are biting very well in about 8 to 10 feet of water on 6-inch finesse worms. Largemouths are mixed with the Kentuckies and can be found about 15 feet deep as well. White bass are slow. Schooling activity has slowed, but some is around Jim’s Island and the Chimney. A CC Spoon is about the best way to entice the whites right now. Crappie are fair in 20 feet of water in small jigs and minnows. Bream are excellent on small worms and jigs in 10 to 15 feet of water. Catfishing is good about 20 feet deep on live sunfish and prepared baits. North Shore and the Reese area have been good bets for catfish.

Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfish are the best thing going on chicken hearts and nightcrawlers.

Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and a little high. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass fishing is good on watermelon seed lizards. Catfish are fair on any bait.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass are fair on crankbaits.

Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said crappie are fair 15 to 20 feet deep on minnows. Drum are biting well near jetties on crawfish. Bream are biting well along grass lines in backwater areas on crickets. Black bass are very good early on buzzbaits and black jigs. Kentucky bass are fair near rock bluffs or any structure on crankbaits and black Spooks. Catfishing is very good early and late on cut bait and whole shad. Catfish are also doing well below dams 9 and 10 on live bait.

Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said the water is muddy and is dropping. Bass are fair near sandbars on crankbaits and black or red tube jigs.

Little Maumelle River: Josh Jeffers at Pinnacle Mountain State Park (501-868-5806) said the water level is receding and the surface temperature ranges from 80 to 85 degrees. The water visibility and clarity is low. Bream are biting fair on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow on shiners and black/chartreuse 1/8-oz. crappie jigs. Bass are fair, and are being caught on small top-water baits and frogs early in the mornings and late in the afternoons. Texas-rigged creature baits are working well around thick grass and vegetation in the heat of the day. Small crankbaits and jigs are producing good fish around ledges and drops. Catfish are biting fairly well on nightcrawlers and different types of stink bait around ledges and drops.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are fair near pad beds on crickets and wax worms. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on limb lines and trotlines with live sunfish or cut bait.

Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are fair on minnows with a slip-cork rig. Stripers are fair on chartreuse twin tails. Catfishing is good on live sunfish and fresh shad.

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said water conditions are normal. Catfish are the best thing going on nightcrawlers.

Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said all fishing is slow.

Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said water conditions are normal. All species are slow.

 

NORTH ARKANSAS:
White River: Sportsman’s White River Resort said water conditions are normal. Trout fishing is good on wax worms, Power Bait, Little Cleos, Rattlin’ Rouges and Rapalas. Bank fishing is good on grasshoppers.

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 pattern on the White has been to run all eight generators around the clock with slightly higher flows in the afternoon. While these flows make for excellent boating, there have been few safe wading opportunities. The upper river from Bull Shoals Dam, through the State Park down to Cane Island Shoals has been a perpetual hot spot for months. The better fishing is in the morning when the water flows are generally a bit lower. The hot tactic for this area has been to bang the banks with streamers fished with sink tip or full sinking lines. Some guides recommend a fast retrieve while others suggest a slow one. The best bet is to vary your retrieve until you figure out what the trout want. Sculpin and baitfish patterns are the ticket for this technique. Fishing brightly colored San Juan worms under a strike indicator has also accounted for a lot of good fish. The section from the Narrows down to Wildcat Shoals has been red hot during the past week. Anglers have reported success on a variety of nymphs. The key to success has been to fish a brightly colored San Juan worm with a nymph on a dropper. The color of choice for the worm has been hot pink. The most popular nymphs have been zebra midges, trout crack, sowbugs, scuds, and bead head hares ears. Remember if you move into a Catch and Release section it is illegal to fish droppers there. Another hot spot has been the Rim Shoals Catch and Release section. The hot technique for this section has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms on long leaders (twelve to fifteen feet) with a large strike indicator and a lot of lead. The top producing colors have been red, cerise and hot pink.

Mountain River Fly Shop said there are many nice browns and some fat rainbows in the 16- to 19-inch class up and down the White. These fish have been very catchable. You will connect to some of the better fish if you work at it too, but it can be a little tough at time differentiating between the big browns and a stump on the bottom. Depth and weight is key, balancing the two to get your fly close to the bottom but not being dragged along it where it can’t be found. Don’t just tie on a San Juan Worm or Dynamite Worm and stick with the one color all day. Changing conditions can mean the color of choice fluctuating throughout the day, and as the water level changes. Essential are red, brown (including shades like tan in the Dynamite Worm) pink, cerise, orange and maroon. Try two flies outside the trophy zones. Eggs have been a popular choice in front of a worm, but a bright worm can be an attractor in its own right with a more neutral fly following, like a Clint’s Sunday Special, scud or Sowbug. Streamers are still doing well, but darker days, courtesy of this unseasonable August rain, have been best.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 681.19 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 567.22 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.

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 Norfork Lake has fallen one and four tenths of a foot to rest at sixteen and one tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or eleven and nine tenths of a foot below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run two generators with occasional brief periods of no generation at night. This made for some limited wading conditions at night. The Norfork is still not fishing as well as the White. There have been some night fishing wading opportunities in the last week. Be very careful and be ready to react to rising water. On high water the best strategy has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns. Dry Run Creek has looked abandoned. Kids are back in school and there is very little traffic there particularly during the week. Poaching continues to be a problem with adults frequently seen fishing there. If you see any illegal activity, call the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s poaching hotline 1 800-482-9262. If your cell phone cannot get a signal down on the creek, the adjacent Federal trout hatchery will gladly let you use their land line.

 

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,126.92 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been decent. Fishing at night has been effective under a black light with florescent line and Texas-rigged worms or crawdads. Rocky banks have been best. Morning fishing has been good by using a popper near the flooded trees. Crappie fishing has been good. Fish have been suspended 15 feet down above main lake brush piles. Small black/chartreuse tubes or minnows have been effective. Fish are also still holding along bluffs and under docks.

White bass are very scattered but can be found schooling with Kentucky bass in the mornings. Small top-water lures or spoons have been effective. Catfish have been taking worms or liver lake wide at night from the bank. Bluegill have been biting well 2 to 6 feet deep under docks on crickets.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said water conditions are normal with a surface temperature at 80 degrees. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are good on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and dark-colored plastics. Catfish are being caught on worms and cut bait.

Beaver Tailwater: Ken Richards at justfishinguides.com said fly-fishermen have been doing very well on the water lately. Trout are biting well on small olive woolly buggers, gray scuds and midge patterns. The best midge patterns have been zebra midges in olive, gray and red/gray. The water is falling fairly quickly, offering many places to wade and fish.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is dingy and at normal level. Bream are fair on crickets. A few crappie have been caught on minnows. Bass are biting well on buzzbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits and worms.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is muddy and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are fair on minnows, jigs and crappie tubes. Bass are fair on buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and top-water lures. A few catfish have been caught on worms.

Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said water conditions are normal. All fishing has been slow.

 

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Charles: Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the water level is normal and the surface temperature ranges from 70 to 75 degrees. The water clarity is 10 inches. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow on minnows, jigs, worms and crickets. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfish are biting well on carp minnows and worms.

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said water conditions are normal. Bream are fair on crickets and worms. Catfish are fair on minnows and worms.

Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and a little high. Bream are the best thing going on crickets and worms.

 

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Monticello: Greg Gulledge with Basshunters Custom Crankbaits said fishing on Lake Monticello hasn’t changed much since last week. The deep worm bite is still slower than normal. There are still a few nice bass coming in on the big worm in 8 to 20 feet. Schooling activity seems to be improving with cooler temperatures. The schoolers average 3 to 4 lbs. on Basshunter Kill Gills and Super Spook Jrs.  Hopefully the cooling temps will help the top-water fishing in the coming weeks.

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

Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said fishing has been slow.
 

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.89 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said the water clarity is 1 to 3 inches in the main lake away from current. The surface temperature is 77 to 82 degrees. Current in Little River is 1,059 cubic feet per second. All USACE boat ramps and campgrounds are open, as of Monday.  The State Park has one boat ramp still under repair, but the one closer to the campgrounds is open. Bass continue to bite very well, definitely the best during early and late hours. The most consistent reaction bite is on toads, Bass Assassin Shads, white jigs with white chunk trailers, and 10- or 12-inch worms. Top-water action is the best right at daylight and dusk on Jitterbugs, Spit’n Images, buzzing toads and buzzbaits. The crankbait bite has improved. Fat Free Shads and Cordell Big O’s in shad colors are working around flooded timber and laydowns. Bass Assassin Sh