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 14, 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: Summer is an excellent time of year for top-water bass fishing. But the best bite is always during the early morning and late evening hours. If you’re willing to set your alarm clock a little earlier, you could have your limit by the time the rest of the anglers get to the lake.
 

CENTRAL ARKANSAS:

Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream said the water looks stained and is at its normal level. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets 2 to 6 feet deep. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well at night on dip baits.

Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort said the water is clear and at its normal level. Generators have not been running much. Trout are biting well on wax worms, marshmallows and yellow Power Eggs.

Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.08 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said black bass are biting on top-water baits, buzzbaits, Texas-rigged worms, Carolina-rigged worms and lizards 15 to 35 feet deep. They are schooling on bends and the tops of ledges. Hybrids and whites are biting in creek channels. Walleye are biting on bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses 27 feet deep. Crappie are suspended over brush piles and pole timber 20 feet deep. Bream are biting around docks and brush piles 27 feet deep. Catfish are biting on jugs and trotlines baited with cut bait, bream or prepared bait 15 to 17 feet deep. Flatheads are spawning.

Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing said the lake is a little dingy and is at its normal level. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets 4 feet deep. Crappie are biting fairly well 8 to 10 feet deep. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits around banks and structures. Catfish are biting very well on slicks.

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing said bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows 4 to 5 feet deep. Bass are biting fairly well. Catfish are biting well on yo-yos and noodles baited with dog food or shrimp. Smaller catfish are biting on rod-and-reel poles baited with nightcrawlers.

Beaverfork Lake: Wooster Grocery said bream and crappie are biting well on crickets in the late afternoon.

Toad Suck Lock and Dam: Bates Field and Stream said the water is flowing some. Catfish are biting well on prepared baits below the dam when the water is flowing.

Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait said the water is clear and at its normal level. Bream are biting well. Crappie are biting well on crickets and worms. Bass are biting fairly well. Catfish are biting in deep water on worms.

Lake Maumelle:  Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on red worms and crickets 12 to 16 feet deep. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on black spinnerbaits with gold blades and Zoom U-tails early in the day and at night. Catfish are biting well on live sunfish and large minnows in creek channels and back coves.

Arkansas River: Charley’s Hidden Harbor near Oppelo said Lock 9 reports a flow of 8,000 cubic feet per second with a headwater of 285.70 and a tailwater of 264.50. The AGFC stocked stripers on Monday. Black bass are biting well on tequila sunrise tubes in main channels and drops of 12 to 15 feet. Early in the morning and late at night try a Devil’s Horse or Jitterbug under overhangs and brush piles. Bream are biting very well on crickets around beds. Stripers are biting very well early and late in the day on spoons and Rooster Tails in main channels near riprap. Fish 12 to 20 feet deep. Kentucky bass are biting well on Tiny Torpedoes and Johnson spoons with a pearl trailer around creek mouths. Catfish are biting fairly well early in the morning on live bream 2 to 4 feet deep. Crappie are biting fairly well on live minnows around brush overhangs 4 to 8 feet deep near Copper’s Gap.

Arkansas River (Little Rock area): Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bass are biting on buzzbaits, shad-colored crankbaits and 4-inch finesse worms around jetty points with a current.

Outdoor Super Store said the water is clear and slow. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on crankbaits and plastic baits around sandbars. Catfish are biting fairly well on stink bait, chicken livers and hearts.

Pickthorne Lake: Outdoor Super Store said the water looks muddy. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on plastic worms and buzzbaits early in the morning. Catfish are biting fairly well on stink bait and chicken livers.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on crickets and red worms. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits early and late in the day. Catfish are biting well on nightcrawlers and chicken hearts around levee channels.

Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfish are biting well on chicken hearts and worms.

Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports said the water is clear and at its normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets 2 to 4 feet deep. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on top-water baits. Catfish are biting well on hot dogs 4 to 6 feet deep.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s said the water is clear and at its normal pool. Bream are biting well on crickets 2 to 4 feet deep. Crappie and catfish aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on green pumpkin worms fished 4 to 6 feet deep.

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said not much water is being generated, which hurts fishing prospects. Stripers are biting well on 1-ounce CC spoons. Catfish are biting well below the dam on cut shad.

Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center said the water is clear and at its normal level. Bream are biting very well on crickets 2 to 4 feet deep. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting well on white spinnerbaits or buzzbaits around brush. Catfish are biting fairly well on nightcrawlers.

Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing said the water is clear and a foot lower than its normal level. Bream are biting well. Crappie are biting around lily pads and deep water. Bass are biting very well.

Burns Park: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfish are biting well on shad filets, nightcrawlers and chicken hearts.

Fourche Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on red worms and crickets. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on finesse worms and tubes. Catfish are biting well on trotlines and jigs baited with sunfish or shad filets.

Murray Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center said catfish are biting cut shad along the bottom of the main channel.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said stripers and white bass are biting on CC spoons and twin tails early in the day. Crappie aren’t biting much. Catfish are biting well on shad filets, nightcrawlers and live sunfish.

Little Maumelle Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on crickets and worms around cypress knees and lily pads. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on top-water baits like Zoom Horny Toads. Catfish are biting well on limblines and trotlines baited with cut shad, chicken hearts or live bait.

Big Maumelle Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on crickets and red worms. Crappie aren’t biting much. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and Zoom Flukes. White bass and stripers are around the Old Spillway. Catfish are biting well on trotlines and jigs baited with shad.
 

NORTH ARKANSAS:

White River: Gaston's White River Resort said fishing has been great and frequent generation kept the water cool. Fly fishermen have been catching trout on partridge and orange soft hackles, red butt soft hackles, black parachute ants, bulbous bivisibles, olive wooly buggers and sow bugs. Spin fishermen have been successful with Buoyant Spoons and Little Cleos on a slow retrieve, yellow PowerBait and wax worms, or red worms on a no. 6 hook with a no. 9 bell sinker.

Wilderness Trail said trout fishing has been great and there is little to no generation. During times of little to no generation, try yellow or sunrise Berkley Power Eggs baited with red worms or nightcrawlers. During generation, try Buoyant Spoons, Little Cleos or Countdown Rapalas. Fly fishermen have been successful with olive wooly buggers, blood midges, zebra midges and sow bugs. 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 653.82 feet MSL.

Wilderness Trail said the water is ½ foot below normal pool and there has been some generation daily. Crappie are biting on minnows, tubes and grubs over flats and brush piles. Largemouth bass are biting Zara Spooks, Sammy’s, X-raps and buzzbaits in the morning along the bluff walls. During the day, try Carolina rigs baited with Baby Brush Hogs, Yum Wooly Hawgtails, finesse worms, trick worms or 5-inch Senkos around drop-off points. Smallmouth bass are biting tubes, Mojo-rigged centipedes and finesse worms in the morning along pea rock banks. Larger smallmouth are biting Carolina rigs and football jigs in depths of 30 to 35 feet. Kentucky bass are biting on spoons and drop-shot rigs baited with a 4-inch worm. At night, bass are moving into brush piles. The best baits to use are a jig-and-pig, Brush Hogs and Gene Larew worms. Walleye are biting on crawler harnesses and leech harnesses on bottom bouncers around flats and channel swings. The best baits have been Hot N’ Tots, Reef Runner Ripshads and Rapala Glass Shads. At night, fish around flats with White Glass Shads or a crawler or leech harness with red or orange blades.

Sugar Loaf Harbor said the water looks fair and is just below the normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs around 15 to 20 feet from brush piles. Bass are biting well on top-water baits. Noodles and jugging seems to be working well for catfishing. Walleye are biting well on crawler harnesses around 14 to 18 feet from flats.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 553.20 feet MSL

Norfork Tailwater: Gene’s Trout Dock said the water is crystal clear and the flow has been on and off. Both bait and fly-fishing has been phenomenal. Try frozen shad and Power Eggs.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,113.84 feet MSL.

Southtown Sporting Goods said the water is clear and slightly low. Bream are biting well on red worms and crickets. Crappie aren’t biting much. Catfish are biting well on trotlines or limblines with live bait. Bass are biting very well at night on black spinnerbaits or jig-and-pig combos around brush piles. Early in the day, try top-water baits. Later in the day, try finesse worms such as Shakey Heads or Carolina rigs. White bass are schooling early in the morning around Point Twelve. Top-water baits are best for mornings, and spoons are best later in the day. Stripers are biting very early in the morning on top-water baits. Try live shad later in the day.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock said the water looks murky and is at its normal level. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs. White bass are biting well on crankbaits, chicken livers and minnows. Bluegill are biting well on worms and crickets. Catfish are biting well on chicken livers and nightcrawlers.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock said bream and bass are biting well. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Catfish are biting well on goldfish.
 

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina said bream are excellent on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows 15 to 25 feet deep. Bass are biting well on top-water baits early and late in the day. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver and nightcrawlers.

Spring River: Many Islands Camp said the river looks good. Trout are biting well on Berkley PowerBait and Roostertails.

Eleven-Point River: Woody’s Canoe Rental and Campground said the river is clear and high. Bream are bedded and biting well on worms and crickets. Goggle eye are biting well on grubs and plastic worms. Smallmouth bass are biting well on top-water baits, buzzbaits and soft-plastic worms fished early and late. Largemouth bass are biting fairly well around the creek mouths.

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

Lake Chicot: Fowler’s said bream are biting well on wax worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on crankbaits fished around docks. Catfish are biting well on goldfish.

Cane Creek Lake: Cane Creek State Park said the water is slightly high. 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.


SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.75 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said the water temperature ranges from 84 to 92 degrees. The lake is 6.7 inches above normal and falling slowly. Several river markers are missing on the main lake and Little River. Current in Little River is 790 cubic feet per second. The AGFC stocked around 147,000 Florida-strain bass in Millwood the last two weeks, bringing the total Florida bass stockings to just under 2,000,000 since the program began.

Fish are biting best early and late in the day. Bass are biting well on buzzbaits in shad and blue glimmer, poppers in chrome/black and chrome/purple, Salty Rat Tails and Z-Nails in watermelon/red, blue fleck and green pumpkin, Bass Assassin Shads in baby bass and crystal shad and War Eagle spinnerbaits in spot remover and aurora colors. Zoom Horny Toads and Heddon Zara Mice are working well mid-day fished in the backs of pad fields where hydrilla or grass meet the pads. Zoom Baby Brush Hogs in Junebug or Zoom Magnum Lizards in cotton candy work well. Southern Pro Fatbutt tubes in Appleseed and pumpkin/chartreuse are catching fish on cypress trees. The Bass Assassin Shads in baby bass and translucent colors and trick worms in baitfish, blue and grey work best around vegetation in creek channels. Crappie are biting well on shiners and jigs in the Little River around 14 to 17 feet deep in planted treetops. Channel cats and blue catfish are biting well on trotlines 17 to 20 feet deep baited with cut shad, chicken liver and Catfish Charlie. Catfish are also biting yo-yos baited with chicken liver, Catfish Charlie and homemade blood bait at night. Fish around Jack’s Isle and north along the river and hang yo-yos from cypress tree limbs 9-12 feet deep.

Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine said the lake looks good. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well on plastic worms and at night on top-water baits, buzzbaits and Jitterbugs. Catfish are biting well on cold worms, stinkbait and live bait.

Lake Erling: Steve's Marine said the lake looks good. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well on plastic worms and at night on top-water baits, buzzbaits and Jitterbugs. Catfish are biting well on cold worms, stinkbait and live bait.

White Oak Lake: Charlie’s One Stop said the lake looks good. Bream and crappie are biting well on crickets and wax worms fished 10 feet deep. Bass are biting fairly well on artificial baits. Catfishing is good on chicken livers and wax worms fished at night.

Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 546.60 feet MSL.

Lakeside Grocery, Motel/Bait Shop said the lake is clear and slightly low. Bream are bedding and biting well on crickets and worms fished 3 to 5 feet deep. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished 15 to 20 feet deep around brush piles. Bass are biting fairly well on top-water baits and plastic worms. Catfish are biting well on nightcrawlers and trotlines baited with stinkbait and minnows.

DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 406.85 feet MSL.

DeGray One Stop said the lake is clear and low. Water temperatures are in the 80s. Bream are coming off beds and moving deeper. They’re biting well on red worms and crickets fished 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows fished off bluffs. They’re biting best at night on live bait. Black and Kentucky bass are in shallow waters in the morning and biting on top-water baits and jerkbaits. They move deeper in the afternoons and bite best on Texas-rigged worms and Carolina-rigged worms. Hybrid and white bass are biting well on Rooster Tails, CC Spoons, Boy Howdies and top-water baits. Catfish are biting fairly well on trotlines and noodles baited with live bait and minnows fished 15 to 25 feet deep. Set noodles at 8 feet deep. 


WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle: Early Bird Outfitters said bream are biting well on crickets and wax worms. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting fairly well. Catfish are biting well on shads, perch and stinkbait.

Blue Mountain Lake: CNC’s End of the Line said the lake looks good. Bream and crappie are biting well on worms and crickets. Bass are biting fairly well on minnows and crankbaits. Catfishing is good on worms and liver.

Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart said river current is slow except during generation. Bream are biting well on crickets and nightcrawlers fished in ponds and backwaters. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs fished deep. Black bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits, jigs and crankbaits. Striped bass are biting fairly well on top-water plugs. Catfishing is good below the dam and best during generation.

Lake Catherine: 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 Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop said the lake looks good. Bream are biting fairly well. Crappie are biting well on minnows in deep water. Bass are excellent on crankbaits, worms, buzzbaits and most prepared baits. Catfish are biting well on goldfish, perch and chicken liver.

Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing said the lake is slightly stained and at normal pool. Bream are excellent 2 to 3 feet deep on crickets. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting fairly well on Texas-rigged worms and black-and-blue jigs fished around brush piles. Catfish are biting well 4 feet deep on crickets and nightcrawlers.

Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 345.30 feet MSL.

Lake Nimrod Bait ‘n’ More II said the lake looks good. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished 8 to 10 feet deep. Bass are biting well on top-water lures like the Gilmore 15-point Jumper. Catfish are biting fairly well on gold fish and nightcrawlers.
 

SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Felsenthal: Hale’s One Stop said the river is rising. Bream are poor, but starting to pick up. Catfish are biting well on trotlines baited with crawfish and blood bait. All other species are poor.


EAST ARKANSAS 

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box said the river is murky. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and top-water baits. Catfish are biting well on worms, chicken liver and cut bait.

River City Sporting Goods said the river is clearing and there is no current. Bream are biting well on crickets and red wigglers fished 4 to 5 feet deep. Crappie are poor. Bass are biting well on top-water baits, Chug Bugs and buzzbaits fished around rock points. Bigger bass are biting on peanut-butter-and-jelly jigs. Catfish are biting well on nightcrawlers and cut shad.

Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing said the water is low. Bream are biting well at 1 to 1 ½ feet deep in open water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished near the surface and 5 to 8 feet deep. Catfish are biting well on stinkbait.

Bear Creek Lake: Six Rivers Sport Center said bream are biting fairly well on crickets and black grubs. Crappie are poor. Catfish are biting well on rice slicks.

Horseshoe Lake: Bond’s said the lake is clear and low. Bream are biting well on wax worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fairly well on minnows, crickets and wax worms. Bass are biting well on artificial baits. Catfish are biting well on minnows and nightcrawlers