Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Keith Stephens (501) 223-6342, e-mail: kastephens@agfc.state.ar.us
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for March 16, 2005. If there is a body of water you would like to see included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.
Fishing Tip: Many fishermen seek sheltered water when the wind kicks up. This can be a mistake. While it may be more difficult to fish in the wind, it often turns fish on to a bite. The wind can often push baitfish into a concentrated area against the banks and coves, attracting bass, walleye and other sportfish. Cast into downwind coves and cuts in the banks to find these fish.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
Little Rock City Parks: Community Fishing Program Coordinator Clifton Jackson said that trout fishing is steady and the colder weather has helped catch rates. Power Worms drifted in the current are triggering strike after strike in Rock Creek in Boyle Park. MacArthur, Boyle and Otter Creek Parks, along with the Cabot Community Pond will continue to be stocked throughout March.
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream said the lake is clear and 1 foot below normal. Bream are biting fair on wax worms, crickets, regular worms and Tinsel Teasers fished on the bottom. Crappie are biting well 3½- to 5-feet deep on minnows. Bass are biting well 25 from the bank on top-water lures, white-and-chartreuse spinner baits, Rapalas, and june bug-colored worms. Catfish are biting on yoyos baited with minnows about 1 foot off the bottom in deep water.
Little Red River: Lindsey's Rainbow Resort said the river is clear and low. One generator is running. Trout are biting well on wax worms with marshmallows or Power Bait, chartreuse Power Eggs, Buoyant Spoons, Roostertails, San Juan worms and sow bugs.
Greers Ferry: Shiloh Marina said largemouth bass are biting from 13- to 15-feet deep on tubes. Local fishing guide Tommy Cauley said fishing on Greers Ferry has not been the best since all the cold fronts came through. It seems like the walleye have disappeared. The walleye tournament was won with a 7.11-pound fish. The lake needs some stable weather to draw the fish back out. The whites are biting pretty fair on spoons and grubs in the creek arms. With some sunny days with warmer temperatures, the hybrid bite should improve. Black bass fishing is difficult to call because of the fluctuating weather. If the sun is shining, try using a crankbait in the river bends, on the main lake or on secondary points. Fishermen might even try Carolina-rigged lizards from 4- to 20-feet deep. If it is cloudy, try a tube or jig in a dark color in the same places. A few good fish are being taken on the secondary points with jerk baits. Crappie are somewhat scattered from 4 feet suspended to 25 feet in the creek arms and over deep brush piles.
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Crappie are biting well from 4- to 6-feet deep using minnows off the bank or around the dam. Bass are biting well on spinner baits.
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Bream are biting well off the bank on red worms and wax worms. Crappie are biting well about 3-feet deep on tube jigs or yoyos baited with pink minnows. Bass fishing is good using spinner baits, minnows and Roostertails. Catfish are biting on trotlines and yoyos.
Beaverfork Lake: Wooster Grocery said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Crappie are biting well about 32-feet deep on minnows in the middle of the lake.
Toad Suck Lock and Dam: Bates Field and Stream said crappie are biting fair 3½- to 5-feet deep on minnows in the backwaters.
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait said the lake conditions are normal. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs near cover. On cloudy days, fish for crappie about 3-feet deep, but on sunny days, try fishing deeper. Bass fishing is good from 2- to 4-feet deep using spinner baits or minnows. Catfish are biting well using live and prepared bait on the bottom. Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said the water is murky, but the level is normal. Crappie are biting well 3- to 5-feet deep on minnows and mini jigs. Catfish are biting on limb lines or yoyos baited with minnows or shad.
Lake Cargile: Beeson’s Grocery said bass fishing is fair.
Lake Maumelle: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Bass are biting well 10- to 12-feet deep on jigging spoons. White bass are being taken on the west end.
Arkansas River: Charley’s Hidden Harbor near Oppelo said the flow from Lock No. 9 is 33,500 cubic feet per second with headwater at 286.62 feet and tailwater at 266.88 feet. Catfishing below locks 9 and 10 is excellent using whole shad. Some 15- to 30-pound cats are being taken. Whites and stripers are being taken 20- to 30-feet deep near the creek mouths when the water temperature is 55 degrees. When the lake temperature is above 55 degrees, the fish are moving to the jetty tips. Try using Rat-L-Traps or CC Spoons. Largemouth and Kentucky bass are good on warm afternoons. Try using crawfish-colored Mud Bug crankbaits over the jetties. Crappie are biting on live minnows fished 5- to 12-feet deep around wood structure.
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said the river is murky but at normal pool. Crappie are biting well about 6-feet deep on red-and-chartreuse mini jigs. Largemouth bass are slow, but some are being caught. Stripers are biting well on white Twistertails and white Hank Parker Trailers. Catfishing is good using worms and shad.
NORTH ARKANSAS:
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said the river is clear and at normal pool. There have been two generators running. Trout fishing is good using black-and-brown jigs (1/8-ounce is the best), gold spoons (1/4-ounce), gold Rapalas and yellow or white Power Eggs.
White River (near Goshen): McLellan’s Fly Shop said although last weekend’s cold snap slowed things down, the white bass are still in the early stages of their annual spawning run. White bass reports have been coming in daily. There are reports of fly-fishermen taking some large females as well as the smaller males. It won’t be long until fishermen start hooking from 50 to 60 white bass a day. Be sure to have plenty of Clouser Minnows, Jiggies and Crazy Dads in your fly box. It is amazing how fast the white bass, not to mention the stumps and rocks in the river, can chew up flies. The best flies have been: Crazy Dad in Olive, Pumpkin and Orange (size 8), Jiggy in Olive and Shad color (size 6), Hot Head Jiggy in White, Tan, Chartreuse and Firetiger (size 6), Cap’n Tim in Olive (size 4) and CFB in chartreuse (size 6).
Bull Shoals Tailwaters: McLellan’s Fly Shop said Bull Shoals Tailwater generation has been cut nearly in half over the past week. In the faster riffles and runs, drift a scud, sow bug, mayfly nymph or caddis pupa under a strike indicator and hold on. March is the start of the major caddis season on the White River. So, be sure to have plenty of caddis pupa, as well as dries, in your fly box. Pupa patterns like the Z-Wing Caddis and the new Graphic Caddis are some favorites. As for dry fly patterns, it is hard to beat the classic Elk Hair Caddis, but new versions like Rainy’s Foam-Body Elk Hair Caddis and the flashy Pearl-and-Elk are productive twists on the original. For slower currents, try using the E-Z Caddis, which rides flush in the film. Shad patterns like White Zonkers and the Arkansas Conehead are still hooking several quality trout when drifted under large strike indicators with heavy split shot. The best flies have been: Zebra and Black/Olive Rubber-leg Copper John (sizes 14 to 18), McLellan’s Woven V-Rib Sowbug (sizes 14 to 16), McLellan’s Hunchback Scud Tan, Olive and Gray (sizes 14 to 16) Graphic Caddis Tan and Olive (sizes 14 to 18), Z-Wing Caddis (sizes 14 to 16), Caddis Larva (sizes 14 to 16), Elk Hair Caddis (sizes 14 to 18), E-Z Caddis (sizes 14 to 18), Red Fox Squirrel Nymph (sizes 12 to 16), Rag Sculpin (size 6), Articulated Zoo Cougar (size 4), Swimming Jimmy (size 4), White Zonker (size 6), Arkansas Conehead (size 6), San Juan Worms (size 10) and Micro Eggs (size 14).
North Fork River: McLellan’s Fly Shop said generation has been cut back significantly, providing plenty of wading opportunities. After two-plus months of high water, the trout are in very good shape. During low water, concentrate your nymph fishing on the faster runs and riffles; tie on a size 16 scud or sow bug and hold on. During high-water conditions, streamer fishing has also been excellent from a boat (especially on overcast days). The best flies have been: McLellan’s Hunchback Scud Tan, Olive and Gray (sizes 14 to 16), Flashback Scud Tan, Olive and Gray (sizes 12 to 16), McLellan’s Woven Sow Bug (sizes 14 to 16), Graphic Caddis Tan and Olive (sizes 14 to 18), Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph (sizes 16 to 20), Beadhead Hare’s Ear Nymph (sizes 14 to 18), Mercury Brassie (sizes 18 to 20), Rojo Midge (size 22), Mercury Blood Midge (sizes 20 to 22), Red Jujubee Midge (sizes 20 to 22), Johnny Flash (sizes 20 to 24), Mercury Black Beauty (sizes 20 to 22), Gray Mercury Midge (sizes 20 to 22), Black Wooly Sculpin (size 4), Articulated Zoo Cougar (size 4) and Swimming Jimmy (size 4).
Bull Shoals Lake: Wilderness Trail said last week the weather varied each day, and the wind speed ranged 20 to 30 miles per hour for three days. These conditions made it a little tough to spend any quality time on the water. The water temperature dropped, but rebounded to the 50s by Sunday. The lake level this week is 654 feet, which is just barely below normal pool. White bass are holding in the first deep water (45 to 60 feet) drop offs at the backs of the creeks. Spoons are the key bait to trigger a few. Crappie moved off the brush piles this week and returned to the points at the entrances of cuts and coves. The bite was very slow. Largemouth bass have not made any change from last week. They continue to roam the banks and points feeding as they move. Wiggle Warts and Bandit crankbaits are working on windy days, but otherwise, spider jigs in 20 to 30 feet of water is your best bet. Smallmouth bass were taken from 3 to 45 feet with no consistent pattern. Kentucky bass continue to travel with the shad although more Kentuckies were caught around chunk rock secondary points this week. They are looking for crawdads. Spoons will still trigger the Kentuckies with the shad. Tubes or Spider Jigs will work on the bank-roaming bass. Walleye were around secondary and main lake points in 32 to 42 feet of water. Start with Reef Runners or Rapala Glass Shad on lead core line in 32 to 42 feet of water around points. Lead Hill Boat Dock said the lake clarity is fair, and the lake is at normal pool. Crappie are biting well about 5-feet deep on minnows and jigs near brush piles. Bass are biting well from 10- to 15-feet deep on spinner baits.
Lake Norfork: Cranfield Junction Quik Stop said the lake has a green stain, but the level is normal. Crappie are biting well from 8- to 20-feet deep on minnows and crappie jigs. Bass are biting well from 5- to 15-feet deep on crankbaits. White bass fishing is picking up in the middle arms of the creeks. Try using swimming minnows or Cotton Cordell Gayblades. Walleye fishing is fair at night on Rouges.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: Southtown Sporting Goods said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Crappie are biting fair 4- to 12-feet deep on minnows and tube jigs near brush piles and in the river arms. Bass fishing is fair using crankbaits, jerkbaits, and jigging spoons. Whites are biting on live crawfish, jigs or grubs. Some large, female whites have been taken from Point 12 to Bush Springs. Hickory Creek Marina said the water level has stabilized, and the water color is ideal. Given the current weather, jerkbaits could be big winners for bass. However, try spinner baits and crankbaits in lemon-lime on the flats where the water temperature is a little warmer. Stripers are in the rivers. The water temperature is 50 degrees, which is in the proper range for surface action. A few of these fish have been seen surfacing from the dock. Some are being taken by trolling with crankbaits. Look in every major channel bend south of the Hwy 12 Bridge near an adjacent flat. The larger fish are usually scattered. Early and late, look on the flats, and go deep in middle of the day. Crappie are being caught along drop offs in 12 to 15 feet of water. White bass have been moving up the river. Water intake, the Mouth of Nelson Hollow, Piney Creek, Point 12, Kelly Creek, Sidewalk Hole and Wooley's Island are a few places to look. Early and late, look for surface activity, and use anything white or yellow about 11/2 inches long. Jigging spoons (1 to ¾-ounce) are producing in the channels around balls of shad. The incidental catch of catfish continues to be awesome. Some major fish have been caught around schools of shad while fishing for other species, particularly white bass and stripers. The bluff line at Hickory Creek continues to produce large fish; try using large minnows. A slip bopper with a minnow at 30 feet is the most popular terminal tackle.
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Crappie are biting well about 10-feet deep on minnows. Black bass are biting from 10- to 12-feet deep on Jig-and-pig combos. White bass are biting well about 10-feet deep on spinner baits and grubs. Southtown Sporting Goods said the water temperature is 49 degrees. Crappie are biting well from 6- to 18-feet deep using minnows around stumps in the creeks. Bass fishing is fair from 7- to 10-feet deep using crankbaits around brush in the creeks. Stripers are biting on jigs and minnows.
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Crappie are biting well from 6- to 8-feet deep on crappie minnows, crappie jigs, tube jigs in red with a white tail or chartreuse. Bass fishing is good from 4- to 8-feet deep using spinner baits near brush piles or rocky points.
Beaver Tailwaters: Beaver Dam Store said generation at Table Rock Dam has lowered the Beaver Dam tailwaters. Currently, the river is wadeable in most areas, a welcome change from the last three months. The river is developing a few riffles and runs, which are also a welcome sight for fly fishers. Trout are taking partridge-and-yellow or partridge-and-pheasant Soft Hackles (sizes 14 to 16), natural- or olive-colored Hare's Ear Nymphs (sizes 14 to 16), olive-colored Bead Head Woolly Buggers (sizes 8 to 12), black Bead Head Rubber-Legged Crystal Woolly Buggers (sizes 8 to 12), gray or black Midges (sizes 16 to 18), Brassies (size 16) and smoky olive Scuds (sizes 14 to16). The best bets for bait continue to be night crawlers, red worms and glitter or chartreuse-and-white Power Bait with wax worms. Silver spinners, spoons and slabs are good on trout as well as on white bass in the river. Jerkbaits in silver-and-blue or black-and-gold colors are decent offerings for trout. The walleye spawn is in full swing and anglers are working overtime around dark thirty. Houseman, Hwy 62 Bridge and Spider Creek are hot spots. Reports from the Hwy 86 Bridge on King's River are mixed. Last week's windy conditions kept most folks off Beaver Lake, but the 80 degree temperatures on Saturday might have warmed up White Bass Cove just enough to appeal to some white bass or bigger hybrid bass. These fish can easily be caught off the bank with jigs (chartreuse, yellow or white), spinners and jerkbaits. Black bass reports are fair on jerkbaits and skirted grubs, but look for some top-water action in the next few weeks as water temperatures climb. Black-and-silver, blue-and-silver and black-and-gold are good minnow-imitating colors for hard baits; try fishing around treetops. McLellan’s Fly Shop said generation has been reduced considerably over the past week providing plenty of wading, especially on the weekend. With all of the high water over the past two months, the trout are fat and eager to bite. Scuds, sow bugs and midge pupa patterns have been the most productive, but soft-hackle action is starting to heat up as well. The best flies have been: McLellan’s Hunchback Scud Gray and Olive (sizes 14 to 16), McLellan’s Woven Sow Bug (sizes 14 to 16), Mercury Brassie (sizes 18 to 20), Rojo Midge (size 22), Mercury Blood Midge (sizes 20 to 22), Red Jujubee Midge (sizes 20 to 22), Johnny Flash (sizes 20 to 24), Mercury Black Beauty (sizes 20 to 22), Gray Mercury Midge (sizes 20 to 22), March Brown Spider (size 14) and Red Ass (size 16).
Kings River: Kings River Outfitters said the river is clear and cold. Smallmouth bass and warmouth bass are biting on spinner baits and dark-colored plastics in the middle of the river from 1- to 14-feet deep in the deeper pools.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
White River: Local fisherman Jeff Moore said the White River is relatively low and has been good fishing the last few days. Trout fishing in the Guion area continues to be good. Spinners tipped with corn, worms and Power Eggs continue to work. Smallmouth are beginning to move back into the creeks. Hula Grubs and smoke-and-red Gitzits are producing some nice fish. Largemouth are moving to the backwater as well. Charlie Brewer Sliders have been working well. Greens and blue-and-plum have been good colors. Fishing a large night crawler, hooked in the middle with no weight attached is catching a variety of fish from the creeks. Crappie fishing continues to be fair for both the rod-and-reel and yoyo fisherman. The thickest cover and calmest water are producing some nice fish. Jig ‘n’ minnow continues to work for the rod fishermen, and fathead or small shiner minnows are working on the yoyos.
Lake Charles: Powhatan Landing said the lake is stained and high. Crappie are biting fair on minnows fished in deep water near stumps. Smallmouth bass fishing is fair.
Spring River: Local fisherman Gary Salard said smallmouth are still biting well. Crawfish, crankbaits and live minnows are producing some really nice fish. A few crappie are also being caught; look for treetop overhangs in the slow moving water on the outside bend of the river. White jigs or minnows are the bait of choice. Trout fishing is still a little slow but should improve when the stocking program gets under way.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Chicot: Koenig’s Bass Tracker Marine said the lake is muddy and low. Bream are biting fair from 4- to 5-feet deep on wax worms over brush piles. Crappie are biting fair from 8- to 10-feet deep on jigs.
Grand Lake: Koenig’s Bass Tracker Marine said crappie are biting well from 4- to 5-feet deep on jigs and yoyos near brush piles. Catfishing is fair using worms on the bottom.
Mississippi River: Koenig’s Bass Tracker Marine said the river is muddy and at 39 feet.
Old Town Lake: Old Town Fish Camp said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Crappie are biting well from 14- to 16-inches on minnows, jigs or yoyos baited with minnows. Catfish are biting well on trotlines and yoyos.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: Millwood Lake Guide Service said the water temperature is ranging from 57 to 63 degrees. The lake level is approximately 4 inches above normal pool but falling. The lake elevation is 259.53 feet. The lake clarity has improved, and the current has slowed down. The release rate with four gates open at 1 foot is 1,570 cubic feet per second. Bass are excellent on red or orange Rat-L-Traps. Fish the Rat-L-Traps slowly and deliberately on points in Little River, creek channels, flats and around stumps in 2 to 6 feet of water, close to drop-offs. Bass are beginning to spread out horizontally, rather than vertically, as the surface temperatures continue climbing. Red shad, june bug or blue fleck Power Worms, 10- to 12-inches, continue taking keepers along the river drops. White-and-chartreuse spinner baits or Brush Hogs and lizards in black-and-blue, blackberry and Castaic choice colors worked slowly from 9- to 14-feet deep are catching decent bass on stumps along the edges of the river. Along the river, try fishing around stumps and timber from 8- to 15-feet deep dragging a Carolina rig across the points dumping into the river. Try fishing with a 5/8 to ¾-ounce spinner bait in white-and-chartreuse or firetiger color patterns along the river edges on scattered stumps in 8 to 10 feet of water. Crappie also continue to transition to shallow spawning areas. Nice slab catches have been taken on live shiners and jigs fish in 3 to 6 feet of water along Little River and its oxbows. White Bass have begun their annual spawning run up Little River and are being caught around Highway 71 Landing, the mouth of Cossatot River and further up toward the Patterson Shoal area. White bass are hitting Little Cleo’s, Roostertails, Chuck-N-Spins, Rocket Shads, and Tiny Trap Rat-L-Traps (1/8-ounce). The best colors have been chrome-and-blue or silver-and-white. Blue catfish remain good in the current of Little River on trotlines, cut shad and chicken livers. Lines set approximately 15- to 18-feet deep seem to be best in the outside river bends. The water clarity in the river is approximately 8 to 10 inches. Clarity is somewhat worse on the main lake and around Saline inflow. Creeks and sloughs of Little River have begun clearing now with the lake falling.
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine said the lake is 6 inches above normal pool. Bream fishing is fair about 4-feet deep using worms or crickets. Crappie fishing is excellent near the 344 Bridge; try fishing 8-feet deep with medium to small shiners. Bass are biting well about 6-feet deep on crankbaits in the loading ramp area. Catfishing is fair using trotlines just off the bank.
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine said the lake is at normal pool. Bream are biting fair on worms and crickets about 4-feet deep. Crappie are biting excellent on yoyos set about 8-feet deep. Some large crappie have been seen. Bass fishing is good about 6-feet deep using crankbaits by the loading ramps. Catfishing is fair on trotlines set just off the bottom near the bank.
White Oak Lake: Charlie’s One Stop said crappie and bass fishing is fair using minnows and jigs.
Lake Greeson: Lakeside Grocery, Motel and Bait Shop said the lake clarity is fair, and the lake level is low and still dropping. Crappie are biting well 8- to 10-feet deep on minnows and jigs fished near brush piles. Bass fishing is fair up to 10-feet deep using spinner baits, crankbaits and worms. Whites and stripers are starting to school. Whites are biting on top-water lures, crankbaits, hair jigs and Gitzits. Catfishing is fair using trotlines and jugs baited with chicken liver or nightcrawlers. Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the lake is very low and still dropping. The spring spawn is predicted to be poor unless some water is put back into the lake. However, bass are biting on crankbaits and spinner baits fished on the rocks. The best bass fishing has been in Cow Hide Cove and on main lake points using Rogues.
DeGray Lake: Point Cedar Bait Shop said the lake clarity is fair, and the level is low. Crappie are biting well about 8-feet deep on minnows over brush piles. Bass are biting fair from 1- to 2-feet deep on spinner baits in the back pockets of the lake. DeGray One Stop said the lake clarity is good, and the lake level is normal. Bream are biting deep on worms and small jigs. Crappie fishing is good from 8- to 14-feet deep using minnows and jigs. The crappie appear to be moving into shallow water. Largemouth bass and Kentucky bass are biting well from 6- to 14-feet deep on spinner baits and crankbaits near rocky points or ridges. Whites and hybrids are in the final stage of their spring run; try to catch them in the creeks or in the river. Catfish are biting on live bait fished deep.
Little Missouri River: Local fly-fishing guide Jeff Guerin said fish have been working pretty steadily on the emerging caddis and March Browns. Try an A&W fly at the Confluence Hole. In the deeper part of the hole, try a Long Creek fly. The light breezes put a bit of a chop on the water. The fish really enjoy having that chop up there. Each time the wind comes up the fish become more active.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Early Bird Outfitters said the lake conditions are normal. However, the lake level has been fluctuating. Bream fishing is fair from 6- to 7-feet deep using red worms and crickets near brush piles, stumps and rocky points. Crappie fishing is good from 1- to 5-feet deep using minnows or jigs in red-and-white, black-and-chartreuse or red-and-orange. Bass fishing is good 4-feet deep using spinner baits, crankbaits (pearl with redeye) or Rogue around brush or rocky points. Catfishing is good using stink bait, shad or minnows.
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart said the lake clarity is fair, and the level is low. Crappie fishing is fair about 4-feet deep using minnows and jigs near brush piles. Bass fishing is poor, but a few fish were picked up on jig-and-pig combos and plastic worms in the creeks. Catfishing is poor using shad and chicken liver on the bottom.
Lake Ouachita: Mountain Harbor Resort said the water temperature is ranging from 48 to 54 degrees. The water is clearing, and the lake level is 573.27 feet. Largemouth bass are good but have slowed a little. These fish can be caught on red Rat-L-Traps, gray jigs and white spinner baits. Jerkbaits like Rouges and Husky Jerks have been productive as well. Try main lake points and large bay pockets near creek channels in 15 to 25 feet of water. Walleye are fair up the rivers. Try crankbaits and jig-and-minnow combinations in 8 to 20 feet of water. Stripers are fair on live bait, hair jigs or silver spoons. These fish are staging in pockets and old creek channels. They are also moving up the river channels. White bass action is fair in the river channels from 20- to 25-feet deep. Crappie are good and are still being caught over brush piles and on moss flats using feather jigs, 2-inch grubs and minnows. The best colors are white, silver and Tennessee shad.
Lake Catherine: Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said crappie fishing is excellent from 5- to 7-feet deep using minnows and jigs over brush piles. The black bass fishing should improve as the fish move into the shallows this week. White bass fishing is excellent. The best lures have been shallow Shad Raps and gray or white hair jigs.
Lake Hamilton: Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the lake reached normal pool on Tuesday. All ramps are now accessible. However, fishermen should be very cautious when maneuvering the lake due to floating debris. Night-fishermen should be extra cautious to prevent dragging the bottom of their boats. Crappie fishing is excellent 5- to 7-feet deep using minnows and jigs over brush piles. Since the lake has reached normal pool, the black bass fishing should improve as the fish move into the shallows this week. White bass fishing is excellent. The whites are starting to run in the major creeks, such as Hot Springs Creek, Big Mazarn Creek, Little Mazarn Creek and Kelly Creek. The best lures have been shallow Shad Raps and 1/16-ounce hair jigs in white or gray.
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Crappie are biting well from 5- to 10-feet deep on minnows near brush piles or stumps. Bass fishing is excellent from 5- to 10-feet deep using plastic worms or minnows around brush or rocky points. Catfish are biting fair on worms or chicken liver near the rocks at the dam.
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing said the lake is clear but high. Bream are biting well from 3-feet to the bottom; try using wax worms or crickets. Crappie are biting well from 5- to 6-feet deep on minnows near brush piles or stumps. Bass are biting well near the bank on jig-and-pig combos.
Lake Nimrod: Lake Nimrod Bait ‘n’ More II said the lake level is normal. Crappie fishing is great using minnows and red-and-chartreuse or pink jigs 5 to 17 feet over brush tops. Bass are biting well on spinner baits and minnows. Bream fishing is good using worms and crickets. Catfishing is good using minnows and worms.
Arkansas River: The Tackle Box said crappie are biting well. Cross Creek said the river level is normal. Crappie are biting fair from 5- to 6-feet deep on white-and-chartreuse jigs near stumps. Bass fishing is fair about 5-feet deep using spinner baits. Sand bass are hitting white jigs. Catfish is fair snagging at Dam No. 13.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Felsenthal: Benson’s Grocery and Bait said the lake level is down some. Crappie are biting well on shiners.
Cox Creek Lake: Sanders Pawn & Bait said crappie are biting fair on minnows from 8- to 10-feet deep around brush piles. Bass are biting fair on minnows around rocky points and brush.
EAST ARKANSAS:
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Crappie fishing is fair from 2- to 4-feet deep using yoyos baited with minnows. Bass are biting well from 2- to 4-feet deep using spinner baits, plastic worms or Gitzits near tree tops. Catfish are biting fair on yoyos baited with minnows.
Midway Lake: Ed’s Boat Camp said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Bream are biting well on wax worms and red worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished near brush piles. Bass fishing is fair using spinner baits on the outer edge of the brush. Catfish are biting fair on minnows.
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors said the lake is clear and at normal pool. Crappie fishermen are doing well trolling with minnows or using jigs. Bass are biting well 8- to 10-feet deep on plastic worms over rocky points.
Mississippi River: Arkansas Outdoors said the river is muddy. However, catfish are biting fair on trotlines.
Lower St. Francis River: Arkansas Outdoors said the river is muddy and at 14 feet. Catfishing is fair on trotlines.
Horseshoe Lake: Local fisherman Clyde Gregory said the lake clarity is excellent, and the lake level is normal. Bream are biting well from 3- to 4-feet deep on worms. Crappie fishing is good about 15-feet deep using minnows and jigs. Bass and catfish are both slow.
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