Weekly Fishing Report

Weekly Fishing Report

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 May 26, 2006. 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: When fishing for bream with crickets, a long-shanked hook is great for getting the hook out of the bream’s mouth quickly and with as little damage as possible. When they’re bedded up, bream won’t pay any attention to the extra-long hook, either.

Statewide Urban Fishing Report: Catfishing has been very good at program ponds with the recent increase in water temperatures. Chicken livers are catching the majority of fish, but minnows and blood bait are catching a few. Several big blue catfish in the 10 to 40 pound range were also stocked this week into select program ponds in the central Arkansas area. Bream fishing continues to be good, with bigger bream being caught on crickets in 5 to 7 feet of water. Smaller bream are biting very well in the shallows around the edges of the ponds on red worms, and provide a great opportunity for children to catch some fish.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS:

Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream said the water is stained and at normal pool. Bream are biting excellently at 1 to 2 feet on red worms and crickets around lily pads and close to banks. Crappie fishing is poor, but they are biting at 8 to 10 feet on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on white spinnerbaits, plastic worms and white and black buzzbaits. They are biting under the surface around brush and rocky points. Trotline catfishing is good on minnows around the Gold Creek area.

Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort said the water is clear, and generation has been off and on. The generators have only come on a few afternoons a week and run for only an hour or two. Pink or chartreuse PowerBait is working well on the trout. Corn, nightcrawlers, Trout Magnets and Berkley Power Honey Worms are working well drifted under a bobber. Fly anglers are doing well on olive woolly buggers and gray sow bug patterns.

Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.95 feet MSL.

Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing said the lake is stained with and at full pool. Bream are biting well using worms and crickets 2 to 6 feet deep. Crappie are biting fairly well 10 to 14 feet deep. Bass are biting fairly well using spinners and minnows. Catfishing is good using chicken livers, worms and stink bait.

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing said the water is clear and at normal pool. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass are biting top-water lures, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are biting well on trotlines baited with chicken liver and perch.

Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing said the lake is clear and full. Bream fishing is good on crickets. The crappie are moving into deep water, so fishing is poor. Bass fishing is good with spinnerbaits and minnows. Catfishing is good with stinkbait, chicken livers and minnows.

Toad Suck Lock and Dam: Bates Field and Stream said the water is muddy and at normal levels. The bream are bedded up in the backwater and biting well 12 to 18 inches deep. The best bite has been on wax worms, crickets and red wigglers around woody cover. Crappie are fair around cypress trees in 6 feet of water. Minnows fished under a bobber are working the best on the papermouths. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, Zoom Horny Toads and tubes fished around the first access to deeper water from the bank. Catfishing is excellent on red worms, blood bait and stinkbait.

Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait said the water is at normal pool. Bream are biting well on red worms, nightcrawlers and crickets. Bass fishing is good with spinners and top-water lures. Catfishing is good on liver. Crappie fishing is poor.

Little Maumelle Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well using crickets, red worms and jigs in lily pad beds around cypress knees. Crappie are biting fairly well using live minnows and tube jigs in lily pad beds. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and top-water stick baits. Catfishing is good using trotlines and limblines baited with live bream or minnows. Channel and blue catfish are biting shad, chicken livers and hearts. Flatheads are biting live minnows and green sunfish.

Palarm Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting fairly well on crickets and red worms. Crappie and bass are poor. Catfishing is good using chicken livers and hearts, cut shad and green sunfish.

Big Maumelle Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are good using crickets and red worms. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting fairly well on shallow crank baits, buzzbaits and finesse worms. Catfishing is good using jigs, trotlines, live minnows, slicks, cut shad and chicken livers and hearts.

Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charlie’s Hidden Harbor said the flow from Lock #9 is 15,000 CFS with a headwater of 286.5. Fish are on the front side of the jetties. Bream are biting crickets around sand bars. Crappie are biting neon baits in depths of 4 to 8 feet or minnows around overhangs. Whites are biting well in the early mornings before 9 a.m. using top-water lures like tiny torpedoes and spooks. After daybreak, switch to shad color shallow-diving crankbaits. Stripers and Kentucky bass are biting well on CC spoons jigged in depths of 8 to 15 feet around jetty tips. Black bass are biting buzzbaits in depths of 4 to 6 feet during the morning. After daybreak switch to crankbaits in shallow waters. Catfishing is fairly good using live bream at the top of jetties in the morning and on the front side of jetties after daybreak.

Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are poor but some success has been made in the early morning using white Rooster Tails, marabou spinners, white twister tails, CC Spoons and chrome Little Georges. Catfishing is good using shad filets and sunfish; snagging has been fair.

Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake level is 1.8 feet below the spillway. Saugeye are still being caught around 15 to 20 feet deep on gray crappie jigs. Largemouth bass are biting well on crankbaits and spinnerbaits in the coves and off the points. The spawn has ended and the fishing has picked up well. Drop-shotted finesse worms are good on points and ledges where the shallow and deep water meets. Tournament weights are higher than the last three years. Kentucky bass are being caught around 15 to 25 feet deep in the same areas as the largemouths and bream. They are biting three-inch pumpkin grubs, worms and flipping’ tubes. White bass are schooling in Three Fingers Cove and are biting CC Spoons. Near Nuttins and Rogues with orange bellies have been effective on white bass near the surface. The crappie have finished their spawn and moved to deeper water. They are being caught around brush and rock structure at 10 to 20 feet. Kalin’s Tennessee Shad and chartreuse jigs have worked well along with small minnows. Catfishing is fair in shallow water. They are biting large minnows, large Canadian worms and chicken livers. Bream are in the backs of coves in the shallows and biting well on crickets fished 8 to 10 feet deep. They should be on spawning beds next week.

Arkansas River (Little Rock area): Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said the water is murky and falling with a fast moving channel. Largemouth and Kentucky bass are biting well at the jetty points on finesse worms, crankbaits and buzzbaits. Catfishing is good on trotlines baited with live slicks and shad fillets.

Pickthorne Lake: Outdoor Super Store said bream are biting fairly well in 2 feet of water on crickets fished around fallen timber. Bass are biting well in 2 to 6 feet of water on the back side of the levy on red shad colored worms fished on a Texas-rig. Catfishing is good on stinkbait and chicken livers.

Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are poor. Catfishing is good using chicken livers and nightcrawlers.

Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s said water levels are normal and the clarity is good. Bream are biting well on crickets in 2 to 4 feet of water around brush piles. Bass are biting well on top-water lures around brush. Catfishing is good on stink bait. Crappie fishing is poor.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s said the water clarity is good and at normal levels. Bream are biting well on crickets in 2 to 4 feet of water around brush. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well in 2 to 4 feet of water on 4-inch green pumpkin worms and top-water baits. Catfishing is good with stinkbait around brush and stumps in depths of 2 to 4 feet.

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said the water is stained and at normal pool. Bass fishing is good in 2 to 3 feet of water on white spinnerbaits around rocky points and rock jetties. Catfishing is good on cut shad fished along the bottom. All other species are poor.

Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center said the water is clear and at normal pool. Bream are biting well on crickets in 1 to 2 feet of water next to the banks and around stumps. Crappie are fairly good in early morning or late evening using minnows in depths of 4 to 5 feet. Bass are biting well on bloodline worms in 3 to 4 feet of water around brush or trees. Catfishing is fair in the late evenings using nightcrawlers on the bottom of the lake.

Fourche La Fave River: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said Kentucky and largemouth bass fishing is fair with shallow-diving crankbaits. Catfish are biting trotlines, limblines and yo-yos baited with skip jack, cut shad and rice field slicks.

Burns Park: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfishing is good on shad filets and live slicks. Crappie fishing is poor.

Lake Willastein: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said water levels are normal and clear. Bass fishing is good on buzzbaits and plastic worms. Crappie fishing is fair on live minnows and slip cork rigs. Bream are biting well on crickets and red worms. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and chicken hearts.

NORTH ARKANSAS:

White River:McLellan’s Fly Shop said there has been very little generation below the Bull Shoals Dam lately, providing plenty of wade fishing on the upper river. Try tan and olive Hunchback Scuds and Woven Sow Bugs. Fishing high water out of a boat has been productive using large scuds, eggs, and San Juan worms. With all of the low water, the White River has had a spectacular caddis hatch. In early morning, try nymph fishing the shoal areas with a Z-Wing Caddis, Graphic Caddis or Caddis larva. As caddis swim to the surface, try the Submarine Soft Hackle, Swing Caddis or Swing Nymph through the riffles. When you see caddis in the air and trout rising to the surface, try a dry fly like Elk Hair Caddis, E-Z Caddis, Candy Caddis or Web Wing Caddis and cast to the risers.

Wilderness Trail said trout are biting well while generation is low on yellow, pink and sunrise Berkeley Power Eggs, red worms, nightcrawlers, olive Woolly Buggers, Blood Midges, San Juan Worms, trout crack and red fox squirrel nymphs. During active generation, try buoyant spoons, Little Cleos and Countdown Rapalas. Brown trout are biting Shad Raps, suspending rogues and nightcrawlers.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 654.54 feet MSL.

Wilderness Trail said lake temperatures jumped from 64.8 degrees to 70.4 degrees in two days. Lake level is ½ foot above normal pool. Buck brush is in 2 or more feet of water. The Largemouth, Smallmouth and Kentucky bass that haven’t already spawned are all on beds. Leaving them alone at this time is a good idea. Catfish are biting in the back of pockets and on the main creek arms. Try small sunfish, Magic Bait, nightcrawlers and hot dogs. White bass are biting shad in creeks with depths of 25 feet. Have a topwater tied on and be ready for them to break the surface. Post-spawn largemouth bass are striking top-water baits in the mornings and late afternoons on main lake points and secondary points in the creeks and pockets. Good baits have been Zara Spooks, Sammy’s, Spit’N Image and Chug Bugs. For secondary points, ledges and docks try spider jigs, tubes and brush hogs. Smallmouth bass are at the bottom of 23 to 27 foot depths and in the morning are in coves and creeks. Rigs, jigs, grubs, flukes and Senko’s are working well, but tubes are best. Try working your bait slowly across the bottom. Kentuckies are on their shad-chasing pattern. Pop R’s and Spit’N Images are triggering bites on frenzy feedings. Kentuckies are using brush for cover and can be caught using flukes or jigs during daylight hours. Walleye are active during the day in depths of 23 to 26 feet around flats and points with small rock. Try crawler and leech harnesses with bottom bouncers, shad raps, glass shad or reef runners.

Sugar Loaf Harbor said the lake is at normal pool and the clarity is fair. Crappie are biting well at 18 feet on minnows and jigs fished around brush piles. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Walleye are beginning to bite in 33 to 38 feet of water on bottom bouncers.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 554.11 feet MSL.

Cranfield Junction Quik Stop said crappie are fair on minnows. Stripers are fair. Black bass are biting Redfins waked in the middle of the lake.

Norfork Tailwater: Gene’s Trout Dock said the water is clear and has been flowing great over the weekend. Fly fishing is good with red wigglers and white Power Eggs.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,114.23 feet MSL.

Southtown Sporting Goods said the water is stained. While water levels have come up, most of the lake is still below normal. Bream are biting well on red worms and crickets. Crappie are being caught on minnows, tube jigs and Hot ‘n’ Tots trolled in 2 to 8 feet of water. Catfishing is good on rod and reel baited with minnows, worms and chicken livers. Catfish are also biting trotlines baited with perch and goldfish. Largemouth bass are biting well in the main lake on spinnerbaits, in the middle of the lake on Shakey Head worms and in river arms on crankbaits. White bass are being caught on spoons, Road Runners and Rooster Tails.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock said the water is at normal pool and clarity is good. Bream are biting well at 2 to 4 feet on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs in deeper water. Bass are biting all lures. Catfish are biting well on chicken livers and nightcrawlers.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock said the water is clear and in great shape for fishing. Bream are great using worms, bream jigs and crickets fished around brush piles around 2 to 4 feet deep. Crappie are very good using tube jigs, Road Runners and minnows fished around mossy points, brush piles and stumps around 2 to 8 feet deep. Bass are good using buzzbaits, crankbaits, topwaters and spinnerbaits fished around brush or rocks points in 2 to 8 feet of water. Catfishing is good using worms, chicken livers and goldfish around open waters or brush piles in 4 to 10 feet of water.

Beaver Tailwater: McLellan’s Fly Shop said there has been very little generation the last few days, providing plenty of wade-fishing opportunities. Scuds, sow bugs and midge pupa patterns have been very productive. Cream midge adult patterns have hooked several trout as well. Spring is a good time to swing soft hackles across the river. New soft hackle patterns like the Swing Nymph, Submarine Soft hackle and Wired Red Ass have all been hooking plenty of trout this spring.

Norfolk Tailwater: McLellan’s Fly Shop said one generator has been coming online between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., running a few hours, then coming on again in the evening. There has still been plenty of low water during the middle of the day for wade fishing. On the upper river, catch trout with Hunchback Scuds and Woven Sow Bugs. On the lower river, try caddis patterns like the Z-Wing Caddis and the Graphic Caddis. In the late afternoon and evening, try Elk Hair Caddis and Web-Wing Caddis.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina said the lake is clear and at the normal level. Bream are biting pretty well on crickets in depths of 2 to 6 feet. Crappie are biting fairly well using minnows and small jigs in deep waters. Bass are biting plastic worms and lizards. Catfishing is good using chicken livers.

Eleven-Point River: Woody’s Canoe Rental and Campground said river conditions are clean and clear with a water level slightly higher than normal. Anglers have been catching rock bass, and artificial bait has been used to catch Walleye.

Spring River: Many Islands Camp said the water is clear and about a foot above normal. Warm weather has encouraged canoeing, but not fishing. Trout fishing is good on salmon eggs.

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

Lake Chicot: Fowler’s said bream are biting well using wax worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well using minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good using cold worms and minnows.

Lake Monticello: Outdoor Super Store said lake conditions are clear with a level higher than normal. Bream are biting well using crickets. Bass are biting pretty well using top-water baits.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.29 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said the water temperature has increased, and ranges from 73 to 79 degrees. The main lake is still muddy from high wind. Several river markers are missing on the main lake and Little River. Current in Little River is decreasing, and release at the dam is 1,159CFS. Largemouth bass are biting well on Senkos, Salty Rat Tails and Bass Assassin Shads in watermelon, baby bass, or purple fleck colors and Zoom trick worms in white ice or bubble gum colors. Bass Assassin twitch worms and wacky rigs are catching keeper bass. Horny Toads work well around new pad growth. Zoom Magnum Lizards in big Texan, watermelon red and camouflage colors are still working well. In areas of heavily stained water more chartreuse color soft plastic and the pumpkinseed/chart tail, chartreuse pepper or watermelon red/chart tail yield more bites. The Bass Assassin shads and trick worms work best around vegetation near deeper water or creek channels, during feeding periods, especially in clear water in the back of the oxbows. Crappie are beginning to stack up again in Little River around 13-17 feet deep in planted tree tops and are best on white/pink or white/chart mini-tubes and shiners. Channel catfish are biting well on cut shad on trotlines in 13-18 feet of water in the Little River, and on yo-yos with chicken livers, hung from cypress tree limbs in 9-foot depths.

Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine said the water is 5 inches low and clear. Red-eared sunfish are bedded up and biting well at 5-6 feet on crickets. Bass are biting well at 3 to 5 feet on Tequila Sunrise plastic worms. Catfishing is good on stinkbait and trotlines with set hooks. All other species are poor.

Lake Erling: Steve's Marine said the water is clear and 5 inches low. Bream are biting well on crickets in beds around 5 to 6 feet deep. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well on tequila sunrise plastic worms in depths of 3 to 5 feet. Catfishing is good on baitfish and stinkbait.

Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 547.99 feet MSL.

Lakeside Grocery, Motel/Bait Shop said the water is a little high. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting on minnows after dark in depths of 25 feet. Bass are biting artificial baits in depths of 2 to 15 feet. Catfish are good on worms, chicken liver and stink bait.

DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 408.5 feet MSL.

DeGray One Stop said lake conditions are good with water levels higher than normal and temperatures in the 80s. Bream are biting well using worms and crickets around beds. Crappie are scattered around shallow ledges, but are biting well on minnows and tube jigs. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, top-water baits and shallow running crankbaits near the bedding bream. Hybrids and white bass are schooling in the middle section of the lake. Catfish are biting well on live bait fished around 12 to 20 feet deep.

WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle: Early Bird Outfitters said lake conditions are normal. Bream are hot on crickets in depths of 2 to 3 feet. Crappie are slow in deep backwaters. Bass are biting fairly well on silver spoons, white grubs, and sassy shads around ledges and drops. Catfishing is good using stink bait and goldfish.

Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart said the water is murky and at a normal level with no flow. Bream are coming on fairly well using worms and crickets. Crappie are poor. Bass are poor using jigs and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is fairly good using nightcrawlers and shad.

Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 578.75 feet MSL.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clearing and the temperature ranges from 70 to 76 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well using floating worms, Yum Dingers and Carolina rigs. Try moss flats, standing timber and points for best results. Flukes, Spooks and Boy Howdies are still effective on wind blown points and pockets. Walleye are fair on or near main lake points. White or chrome jerkbaits and Rat-L-Traps have been the most effective in waters 8 to15 feet deep. Stripers are very good on live bait, bucktail jigs or top-water C-10 Redfins. These fish are located around main lake points and rock bluffs near or in river channels on all sections of the lake. Top-water action is still good right now around main lake points and rock bluffs near or in the river channels on all sections of the lake. Bream are moving up to spawn and are still excellent and are being caught around structure with small jigs, crickets or worms. Crappie are fair and are being caught over brush piles and moss flats using feather jigs, 2-inch grubs and minnows. Try pockets and large moss flats 8 to 15 feet deep. Catfish are excellent and being caught on cut bait, nightcrawlers and live bait. Try pockets and moss flats 10 to 15 feet deep.

Lake Catherine: Trader Bill’s Sport Shop said the lake is stained and at normal pool. The water is around 70 degrees. Bream are spawning in about 5 feet of water and are biting excellently on worms and crickets fished near brush and stumps. Crappie are biting well in 7 feet of water on minnows fished near brush piles. Bass are biting well after dark in water 5 feet and less on black spinner bait. Catfishing is excellent in secondary points and creeks on bass minnows.

Lake Hamilton: Trader Bill’s Sport Shop said the water is stained at normal levels with temperatures in the low 70s. Bream are excellent using worms and crickets around stumps or brush piles in depths of 5 feet. Crappie are biting well on live minnows around brush piles in depths of 7 feet. Bass fishing is good using black spinners after dark around rocky points with depths less than 5 feet. Catfishing is excellent using large minnows around secondary points and creeks. Walleye are poor.

Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop said the water is a slightly high and dingy. Bream are beginning to bite on worms and crickets. The crappie have moved to deep water, but are still biting minnows and jigs in the loft of the water at 3 to 6 feet. Bass fishing is great on any bait. Catfishing is good on goldfish, minnows, dog food and hotdogs.

Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing said the water is stained and at normal level. Bream are excellent around banks using red worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well using minnows and jigs in deep water. Bass are biting well around the cypress trees using white spinnerbaits and a black jig-and-pig combo. Catfishing is excellent using trotlines baited with minnows.

Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 345.40 feet MSL.

Lake Nimrod Bait ‘n’ More II said bream are biting well using crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well using minnows. Catfishing is excellent using goldfish and chicken livers.

SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Felsenthal: Hale’s One Stop said the river will be dredged over the next 3 weeks, so fishing is very slow.

EAST ARKANSAS:

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): Six Rivers Bait Shop said river conditions are murky. Bream are coming up to bite using worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well in deeper water using jigs and minnows. Bass are biting well between the deep and shallow waters using spinners and plastic worms. Catfishing is good using worms, chicken livers and frozen shad.

River City Sporting Goods said river conditions are stained with normal water flow. Bream are biting well using worms and crickets around 2 to 4 foot beds, brush piles and sand bottoms. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well using spinnerbaits, crankbaits and top-water baits around grass lines near the main river channel. Catfishing is good using shad and nightcrawlers in depths of 30 to 40 feet.

Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing said the water is a little stained and that levels are slowly falling. Bream fishing is starting to pick up. They are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair with minnows. Bass are biting well on buzzbaits. Catfishing is good with chicken livers and minnows.

Bear Creek Lake: Six Rivers Sport Center said lake levels are normal and clarity is good. Bream are bedding and fishing is good on crickets. The crappie are deep, at 12 to 14 feet, and are biting chartreuse and black jigs. All other species are poor.

Horseshoe Lake: Local fisherman Clyde Gregory said the lake is clearing, but is still low. The lake was a popular spot for fishing over the weekend. Bream are biting well on crickets, red worms and wax worms around beds in shallow water. Crappie are fair and biting well on black/chartreuse and red/chartreuse jigs and minnows near piers. Bass are biting well on shallow-running crankbaits. Catfishing is very good with nightcrawlers and cut bait.