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 June 7, 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.

         
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CENTRAL ARKANSAS:
       
Urban Fishing Report: Catfish anglers have been most successful early in the morning and late in the evening with chicken liver and shrimp. A 53-pound blue catfish was caught last week in the Sherwood Community Pond. Bream are continuing to bite on worms throughout the day in shallow water. Remember, Free Fishing Weekend is this weekend from noon on Friday, June 9 through midnight on Sunday, June 11. Residents and non-residents may enjoy fishing anywhere in the state without a fishing license or trout stamp. Creel and length limits still apply. 

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

 
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort said the river looks clear and generators have been running from time to time. Trout are biting well on Power Bait, corn and the other usual baits.

 
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.38 feet MSL.
Shiloh Marina said water conditions are great.  White and hybrid bass are biting on red and white Secret Weapons around the south end of the narrows before sunrise and after sunset.

 
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing said the lake looks dingy and is at its normal level. Bream are biting well on worms, crickets and popping bugs. Crappie fishing is fair. Bass are biting fairly well on white spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on large minnows and stinkbait.

 
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing said the lake is clear, but still a little green from fertilization. The water level is normal. Bream are biting well on red worms and crickets in shallow water. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows out in deeper water. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting very well on trotlines with dog food or minnows.

 
        Beaverfork Lake: Tag’s bait store said the cricket bite is hot. Bream are bedded up and the store can’t keep crickets in stock! If you’re looking for some fast fishing action, now’s the time to go.

 
Toad Suck Lock and Dam: Bates Field and Stream said the water is muddy and at the normal level. Bream are bedded in the backwater and biting well on wax worms, crickets and red wigglers 12 to 18 inches deep around woody cover. Crappie are biting fairly well around cypress trees 6 feet deep. Papermouths are biting well on minnows under a bobber. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, Zoom Horny Toads and tubes 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 river looks normal. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are deep and biting fairly well (if you can find them) on minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on live and prepared baits.

 
Lake Maumelle: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on worms and crickets in depths around 12 feet.
 
Arkansas River: Charley’s Hidden Harbor near Oppelo said Lock 9 reports a flow of 3,000 cubic feet per second with a headwater of 285.30 and a tailwater of 264.50. Rain and overcast days have brought some nice fishing. Kentucky bass are biting well on Devil’s Horse top-water baits in the morning and chatterbaits later in the day around the tips of jetties in depths of 4 to 6 feet. Channel catfish are biting very well on worms around the front side of jetties. Bream are biting well on crickets and are still bedding around shallow docks near banks. Black bass are biting well around the main channel on the sides of drops and on overhangs when the water is high. Try Tiny Torpedoes flipped under the overhangs. Later in the day, use spinnerbaits around the jetties where the water runs through the breaks. Whites and stripers are still on the edges of deep holes and biting decently on jigging spoons. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows around the backs of jetties and up in the creeks.

 
Arkansas River (Little Rock area): Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bass are biting well on black/red flake 4-inch finesse worms around jetty points. Catfish are biting well on live sunfish, chicken livers and hearts around the eddies in the current.

 
Pickthorne Lake: Outdoor Super Store said bream are biting well on red worms and crickets. Crappie are not biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on buzzbaits early in the morning and late in the day. Catfish are biting well on chicken hearts and live baits around levee ditches.

 
Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfish are biting well on chicken livers and hearts.
       
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports said the water looks fairly clear and is at its normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and Rooster Tails in depths of 5 to 10 feet. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows in depths of 10 to 15 feet. Bass are biting fairly well on Texas-rigged worms and top-water baits. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver and stinkbait 5 to 10 feet deep.

 
        Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s said the water is clear and at its normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and small artificial baits. Crappie are biting decently on 2-inch grubs. Bass are biting well on small crankbaits and top-water baits. Catfish are biting fairly well on stinkbait and hot dogs.

 
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said the water is clear and at its normal level, but fishing is slow because of little generation. Catfish are biting shad when the water is running.

 
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center said the lake is clear and at its normal level. Bream are biting exceedingly well on crickets in depths of 1 to 2 feet around brush piles and stumps. Crappie fishing is poor. Bass are biting well on white spinnerbaits and white buzzbaits in depths of 4 to 6 feet. Catfishing is slow.

 
Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing said the lake is clear and about 10 inches low because of irrigation. Bream are biting very well on crickets. Crappie are biting on jigs around lily pads. Bass are biting fairly well on buzzbaits. Catfish are biting well on worms and chicken livers.

 
Burns Park: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream, crappie and bass aren’t biting much. Catfish are biting well on trotlines with shad fillets and green sunfish.

 
Fourche La Fave River: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream and crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on finesse worms. Catfish are biting fairly well on limblines, yoyos and trotlines baited with chicken hearts and livers or cut bait.

 
Murray Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said the water is clear and at its normal level. Catfishing is good.
 
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie aren’t biting very well. White bass are biting fairly well on split tails early in the morning. Catfish are biting well on shad filets. Try shagging or bait fishing.

 
Little Maumelle Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on crickets around lily pads. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits, buzzbait and stickbait. Catfish are biting well on chicken hearts and livers and Catalpa worms.

 
Palarm Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream and crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on finesse worms and tubes. Catfish are biting well on limblines and trotlines baited with cut baits or slicks.

 
Big Maumelle Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on crickets, red worms and wax worms. Crappie and bass aren’t biting much. Catfish are biting well on trotlines baited with chicken hearts or cut baits.

 
NORTH ARKANSAS:
 
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said there was some generation almost every day this week. Anglers are seeing low water in the morning and then current from a couple of units in the afternoon and evening. Fishing from a boat is great when the water is running. Buoyant Spoons and Little Cleos work great in the current and any type of worm with some yellow PowerBait is always excellent. Fly anglers are using black ant flies, no. 14 Red Ass, no. 14 Brown Bivisible dry, and Light Fluttering Caddis dry fly patterns.

McLellan’s Fly Shop said fishing has been good on the upper river during the morning and on the lower river in the evening. Wade fishing has been productive with tan/olive McLellan’s hunchback scuds, woven sow bugs and midges. Fishing from a boat has been productive with large scuds, eggs and buckskin wigglers. On the lower river, try dead-drifting pheasant tails, skip nymphs or sulphur emergers. Many flies have given great results.

 Wilderness Trail said trout have been biting red worms, nightcrawlers and Berkley Power Eggs in yellow and pink during times of little or no generation. Fly fishermen have done well with olive woolly buggers, blood midges, zebra midges and red fox squirrel nymphs. During generation, try Buoyant Spoons, Little Cleos and Countdown Rapalas. Brown trout are biting Jointed Rapalas, 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 654.24 feet MSL.
Wilderness Trail said the lake level is just a few inches above normal pool at 654.46 feet. Water temperatures are 75 to 77 degrees. Bluegills and sunfish are close to the banks and are easy to catch with bobbers and worms. Crappie are moving toward deeper brush piles. Try Bobby Garland Swimming Minnows in Blue Thunder and Crystal Minnow or crappie minnows on a colored jighead. Bass are biting well from 9 p.m. to midnight on jig-and-pig tube baits. Largemouth are around secondary points and brush piles. Smallmouth are on main lake points. Largemouth bass are biting on Zara Spooks and Pop R’s in the morning. Try fan-casting around a point. In the afternoon, try Carolina rigs with finesse worms or Brush Hogs in depths of 28 to 30 feet. Smallmouth bass are biting on spider jigs, tubes and grubs from dawn to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m. to midnight around drop offs and ledges in depths of 25 to 30 feet. Kentucky bass are still under the shad. Try top-water baits during frenzy feedings and drop-shot rigs during the heat of the day. Walleye have been hiding in depths of 30 to 32 feet around drop offs. In the morning or early evening, try bottom bouncing with nightcrawlers or leeches on a harness. At night, try Shad Raps and X-raps. Long liners are doing well with Deep Little Rippers, Bill Norman DD14’s and Bandit walleye cranks.

Sugar Loaf Harbor said bream aren’t biting much. Crappie are biting very well on minnows and grubs. Bass are biting top-water baits in the morning. Walleye are biting well on bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses.

 
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 553.64 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Quik Stop said the water is clear and slightly above the normal level. Bream are biting very well on crickets in depths of 2 to 6 feet. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs around deep brush piles. Bass are biting very well on top-water baits early and late in the day. Try Carolina rigs, Brush Hogs and Gene Larew floating tubes. Trolling seems to be working well for catching stripers and walleye. Walleye are biting on spoons. White bass in Bennetts Bayou are biting very well on Road Runners.

 
Norfork Tailwater: McLellan’s Fly Shop said that generation has been sporadic during the last week, but the water is low enough for wading in the morning. On the upper river, the usual scuds, sow bugs, and midges are still hooking plenty of trout.  On the lower river, it’s time to switch to sulphur nymphs, pheasant tails and skip nymphs. Be sure to have plenty of adult sulphur patterns ready for the middle of the day, when adults start to hatch. 

Gene’s Trout Dock said the river looks very clear, the generators have been running from time to time, and the fishing has been great. Fly fishermen are doing well using scuds, gray sow bugs, crawdad tail meat, frozen shad and half of a nightcrawler matched up with a Power Egg.

 
 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
 
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,113.90 feet MSL.
Southtown Sporting Goods said the lake looks good and is a little lower than normal. Bream are biting well on red worms and crickets in shallow water. Crappie are biting on minnows and live shad under floating lights at night. White bass are biting spoons under lights early or late in the day. Catfish are biting jigs with live bait and trotlines with goldfish or bream.

 
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock said the water looks fine and is at its normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and nightcrawlers in depths of 5 to 12 feet. Crappie are biting minnows and jigs in depths of 12 to 15 feet. Bass are biting well on jerkbaits and a variety of soft plastics. Catfish are biting well on worms and chicken livers fished on the bottom of the lake.

 
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock said the water is clear and lower than normal. Bream are biting fairly well on worms and crickets in depths of 7 to 8 feet around brush piles. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows, Road Runners, crappie minnows and crappie jigs in depths of 7 to 10 feet around brush piles. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits in depths of 4 to 10 feet around brush and mossy points. Catfishing is fair in depths of 4 to 20 feet in open water or around submerged logs. Catfish are biting on worms, chicken livers and cut sunfish.

 
Beaver Tailwaters: McLellan’s Fly Shop said generators have been running an hour or two in the middle of the afternoon, leaving most of the day and late evening for wading. Spring is a good time to swing soft tackles across the river. Try scuds, sow bugs or midge pupa patterns. Small cream midge adult patterns have also hooked several trout during the last week. Try soft tackles such as the swing nymph, submarine soft hackle or the wired red ass.

 
 
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
 
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina said bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting minnows in depths of 15 to 25 feet. Bass are biting fairly well on top-water baits early and late in the day. Catfish are biting well on chicken livers.

 
Spring River: Many Islands Camp said the river is clear and at its normal level. Trout are biting well on Berkley PowerBait.

 
Eleven-Point River: Woody’s Canoe Rental and Campground said river conditions are perfect for floating and fishing. Smallmouth bass are biting well on small bass jigs.

       
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
 
Lake Chicot: Fowler’s said fishing is a little slow. Bream are biting well in 2 to 8 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie and bass are poor. Catfishing is good on just about any prepared bait.

 
Cane Creek Lake: Cane Creek State Park said water levels are up a little. Bream are biting well on crickets fished along the southeast side of the bank. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well on 6-inch plastic worms in cranberry black and other dark colors. Catfishing is good by the spillway in deep water on trotlines baited with stinkbait.

 
 
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
 
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.81 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service said the water temperature ranges from 82 to 90 degrees. Water clarity has improved. Several river markers are missing on the main lake and Little River. Current in Little River increased, and release at the dam is 790 cubic feet per second. Largemouth bass are biting best early and late in the day. They are biting well on Heddon Spit’n Images in threadfin shad colors, Baby Torpedoes in leopard frog colors, Crazy Shads in chrome and black, buzzbaits in Tennessee shad and blue glimmer, Salty Rat Tails and Z-Nails in watermelon/red, blue fleck and green pumpkin colors, Bass Assassin Shads in gizzard shad and alewife colors and War Eagle Spinnerbaits in spot remover and mouse/chartreuse colors. Zoom Horny Toads are working well in the backs of pad fields where any hydrilla or grass intersects pads. Zoom Magnum Lizards and worms in Junebug and cotton candy colors are working well around cypress trees. Crappie are beginning to stack up again in Little River in water 15 to 19 feet deep around planted tree tops and are best on shiners. Channel catfish are biting well on cut shad, chicken livers and Catfish Charlie on trotlines in 12 to 18 feet of water in Little River, and at night on yo-yos around Jack’s Isle and north along the river.

 
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine said the water is clear and at normal pool. Bream are biting well in 8 to 10 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs fished in deep water. Bass are biting well on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on stinkbait, chick liver and live bait.

 
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine said the water is clear and at normal pool. Bream are biting well in 8 to 10 feet of water. Crappie fishing is fair in deeper water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on plastic worms and black buzzbaits. Catfishing is good on stinkbait and chicken liver.

 
        White Oak Lake: Charlie’s One Stop said the water clear and at normal pool. Bream are biting well on crickets in 2 to 8 feet of water. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows in 8 feet of water. Bass are biting fairly well artificial baits. Catfishing is good on stinkbait and chicken livers with trotlines.

 
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 547.14 feet MSL.
Lakeside Grocery, Motel/Bait Shop said lake levels have dropped slightly. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows. Bass are biting dark green soft plastics. Catfishing is good on worms.

 
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 407.51 feet MSL.
DeGray One Stop said water clarity is good and levels are down about 1 foot. Water temperatures are in the 80s. Bream are bedding and biting well on crickets and red worms. Crappie are scattered and slowing. Try minnows and jigs. Black and Kentucky bass are in shallow waters in the morning. Try top-water lures or jerkbaits. In the afternoons, the bass move to deeper water. Try spinnerbaits. Hybrids and whites are biting well on white Rooster Tails, CC Spoons, Boy Howdies and clear Spooks. Catfishing is good on trotlines and noodles with live bait.

 
 
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
 
Lake Dardanelle: Early Bird Outfitters said bream fishing is excellent on crickets. Crappie fishing is poor. Hybrid, white and stripped bass are biting well on Sassy shads and swim baits fished in open water near river turns. Catfishing is good on live bait.

 
Blue Mountain Lake: CNC’s End of the Line said the water is clear and at normal pool. Bream are biting well on worms, crickets and occasionally on corn. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on plastic worms and a variety of lures. Catfishing is good on worms.

 
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart said the river is clear, very slow moving and at its normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting some on minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on jigs and plastic baits. Catfish are biting fairly well on worms and shad.

 
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 577.55 feet MSL.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clearing and the temperature ranges from 72 to 78 degrees. Largemouth bass fishing is good on Texas-rigged worms, Yum Dingers and Carolina rigs. Try moss flats, standing timber and points for best results. Rooster Tails, top-water Spooks and Boy Howdies are still effective on wind-blown points and pockets. Walleye are fair to good on or near main lake points. Silver jigging spoons are working well in and around brush piles in 15 to 30 feet of water. Stripers are very good on live bait, bucktail jigs and C-10 Redfins. These fish are around main lake points and rock bluffs near or in river channels on all sections of the lake. Bream fishing is excellent on small jigs, crickets and worms fished around structure. 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. White, silver and Tennessee shad are the best colors. Catfish are excellent and being caught on cut bait, nightcrawlers and live bait. Try pockets and moss flats 10 to 15 feet deep.

 
Lake Hamilton: Lake Catherine State Park said bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are poor. Bass fishing is good on plastic worms fished around banks. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken liver.

 
Lake Catherine: Lake Catherine State Park said the lake is slightly stained because of the recent rains and water temperatures are a little high. Bream are bedding and biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are poor. Catfishing is good on worms fished near the state park. Walleye are biting well on Rapala crankbaits.

 
        Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop said the lake looks good. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets and worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in deep water. Bass are biting very well on minnows. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver, goldfish and minnows.

 
        Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing said the water is clear and at normal pool. Bream fishing is excellent in 2 to 4 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is poor. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms in plum apple and red shad. Catfishing is really good on worms, crickets and minnows.

 
        Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 345.26 feet MSL.
Lake Nimrod Bait ‘n’ More II said the lake is clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well in 2 feet of water on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs. Bass are biting well on soft-plastic worms in camouflage. Catfishing is good on goldfish, nightcrawlers and Danny King’s Punch Bait.

 
       
 
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
 
        Felsenthal: Hale’s One Stop said bream fishing is starting to pick up. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Catfishing is good on worms and minnows. All other species are poor.

 
 
EAST ARKANSAS: 
 
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box said the river is cloudy and water current is very slow. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets fished on the river at Island Harbor, in Pine Bluff Lake and Regional Park. Crappie fishing is poor. Striped bass are biting well on white hair jigs fished around Shepard and Huff islands. Catfishing is good on worms, shads and skipjack herring, but is slower on some jigs. Catfishing is especially good in Region Park, along the back side of Pine Bluff Lake and around the locks.

 
River City Sporting Goods said the river is clearing, but the water current is very slow. Bream are biting well in 2 to 4 feet of water on red worms and crickets fished around brush piles. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well around rock jetties on crankbaits during the day and top-water buzzbaits mornings and evenings. Catfishing is fair in 30 to 40 feet of water on nightcrawlers and cut shad. The slow current is resulting in fewer bites.

 
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing said the water is clear and levels are low. Bream fishing is good in 2 to 6 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair to good in 3 to 8 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and minnows. Catfishing is good on stinkbait and trotlines with live bait.

 
        Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors said the water is murky and at normal pool. Bream fishing is poor. Crappie are biting fairly well in 6 to 8 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfishing is poor.

        Six Rivers Sport Center said bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Catfishing is good on rice slicks.