August 8, 2007 Edition

Trimble Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 13): Headwater – 390.36 feet, Tailwater – 381.82 feet, Flow – 83,615 cubic feet per second

Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater – 371.29 feet, Tailwater – 348.58 feet

Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater – 337.48 feet, Tailwater – 297.09 feet

Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater – 285.52 feet, Tailwater – 277.26 feet, Flow – 98,118 cubic feet per second

Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater – 264.12 feet, Tailwater – 263.55 feet

Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater – 248.08 feet, Tailwater – 235.53 feet, Flow – 104,770 cubic feet per second

Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater – 230.57 feet, Tailwater – 222.09 feet, Flow – 110,539 cubic feet per second

Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater – 195.16 feet, Tailwater – 189.08 feet

Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater – 181.45 feet, Tailwater – 177.71 feet

Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater – 161.87 feet, Tailwater – 140.82 feet, Flow – 116,259 cubic feet per second

White River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages are:

3.6 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage – 19 feet)
7.8 feet at Batesville (flood stage – 15 feet)
3.6 feet at Newport (flood stage – 26 feet)
15.0 feet at Augusta (flood stage – 26 feet)
3.7 feet at Georgetown (flood stage – 21 feet)
12.8 feet at Clarendon (flood stage – 26 feet)

CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and at normal level. Trout are biting well on wax worms with marshmallows, Power Bait, corn, nightcrawlers, crankbaits and Shad Raps.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry power house is responding to the hot weather with increased flows. Both generators are being used most days, but releases are remaining relatively short. Sculpin can be found from the dam down to Jon's Pocket Shoal. These small (6 inches or so), prehistoric looking fish can be found in both salt and fresh water. They are bottom feeders that love to eat trout eggs. Big brown trout love to eat them and when they do, they grow quickly. Aquatic insect hatches continue as in previous weeks with blue winged olives, pale morning duns and sulphurs leading the way. The dry flies catching the most fish are the ones that imitate the above three mayflies. Flies such as the CDC Baetis dun (sizes 18 through 20), CDC PMD dun (size 18), BWO dun patterns, Adams (size 18) and Midges in size 22 either cream or black will get the job done. Sub-surface flies that work include sow bugs (tan or light gray in sizes 14 through 16), zebra midges (red or black, sizes 16 through 22), pheasant tail (size 16), gold ribbed hare's ear (sizes 14 through 16), copper John (chartreuse or red in sizes 14 through 16), prince nymphs (size 16), soft hackle emergers and most any streamer such as the Woolly Bugger (olive or brown sizes 10 through 12).

Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.61 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said hybrid and white bass fishing is hit and miss.  They are schooling some and can be caught on top on Chug Bugs and Super Spook Jrs.. When they’re deep, use Buckshot inline spinners and spoons as well as swimbaits. Try Point 14 and Point 6, EdgemontBridge and Cove Creek. Bass fishing is good for largemouths in 28 feet dragging jigs and Carolina rigs. Smallmouth have been holding in 22 feet of water and can be caught on Carolina-rigged lizards and Baby Brush Hogs on points. Small bream can be caught shallow in main-lake pockets, but the better ones are out in 22 feet of water, biting well on crickets and nightcrawlers. The crappie are suspended in 15 to 20 feet of water over 80 feet and can be caught with minnows and jigs. The bite has slowed with the heat. Walleye are coming in real slow with calm conditions and the heat. Try dragging crawlers or leeches in 43 feet of water about 3 miles an hour.

Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) said the water is clear and at normal level. Whites and hybrids are starting to come up.

Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is clear and at normal level, but it is dropping a little. Bream are in 6 feet of water, biting on worms and crickets at about 4 feet. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms.  Catfishing is fair on trotlines with live bait.

Lake Beaverfork : The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department said the water is a little murky and low. Bream are biting well on crappie. Crappie fishing is slow.  Bass are biting well on plastic worms and spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on chicken liver.

Lake Overcup : Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is clear and dropping. Crappie are hitting early on minnows. Catfish are biting well on small bream.

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and just below normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie fishing is slow; some are being caught on jigs. Bass fishing is slow; some are being caught on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is fair on shad.

Brewer Lake : Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie fishing is slow; some are being caught on live minnows. Bass fishing is slow; some are being caught on plastic worms and topwater lures. Catfish are biting well on bream and shad.   

Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water clarity is good and the water is low.  All species are poor. 

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well around the lily pads.  Crappie fishing is poor. Bass fishing is fair. Catfishing is excellent. 

Maumelle River : Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting well on crickets and red worms. Crappie fishing is poor. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits.  Catfishing is excellent on trotlines with shad or chicken liver.

Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger’s Marina said the fishing is great. The numbers of Kentucky bass have been down in recent years, but they are back. Black bass are biting well despite the heat. Fishing is best around deep structure, but several anglers have caught fish in 5 to 7 feet of water with spinnerbaits. Kentucky bass are about 20 feet deep and biting well on tubes and weighted Flukes. White Bass fishing is fair. They are schooling in the early hours and in the evening toward the restricted zone. Bream fishing is excellent on crickets in about 15 feet of water. Catfish are biting well on prepared bait or large minnows in 15 to 20 feet of water.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said the water is clear and at normal level.  Bream are biting well in 10 to 12 feet of water on crickets. Crappie are biting well in deep water.  Bass fishing is fair, early and late. Catfishing is excellent.

Sunset Lake : Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and a little low. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie and bass fishing are slow.  Catfishing if fair on stink bait.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and low. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie and catfishing are slow.  Bass fishing is fair on topwater lures. 

Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s HiddenHarbor in Oppelo said black bass are hitting shallow-diving crankbaits in chartreuse. Catfish are moving to the downstream side of jetties. A nightcrawler cocktail early or late is working the best. White bass are schooling on sand bars; use a pearl crankbait. Stripers are hitting on jetty points on Rat-L-Traps. Bream fishing is good inside of major creek banks on crickets. 

Burns Park : Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie fishing is poor. Bass fishing is fair. The catfish bite is excellent.

Fourche Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bass and bream fishing are good. Crappie fishing is poor. Catfishing is excellent.

Palarm Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are biting on crickets. Bass are biting well on buzzbaits. Catfish are biting excellently on trotlines or pole fishing with shad filets and slicks.

Lake Valencia : Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said that water is clear and at normal level.  Catfishing is good.

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is dropping, but fishing is still slow.  

Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream fishing is fair in 4 feet of water on crickets. Crappie are biting well in 5 to 6 feet of water on minnows. A few large bass have been caught on white and chartreuse buzzbaits. Catfishing is slow. 

NORTH ARKANSAS

White River: Gaston’s White River Resort said trophy-sized trout are being caught on yellow Power Eggs or a combination of Power Eggs and pink Glow worms in dead low water. When one to two units are running, red/gold spoons and spinners catch most of the trout. On three to four unit days, black/gold Countdown Rapalas or black/orange belly Rogues will catch trophy trout. Fly-anglers want to look at pink or white 1/64^-oz. chrome headed jigs or red San Juan worms when there are two or more units running. In slow current, try fishing with a zebra midge, bulbous bivisible or a grasshopper pattern. 

Anglers White River Resort (870-585-2226) said the water is clear and slowly dropping. Fishing is slow; but they are biting at sunrise and hot pink Power Bait. 

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is clear and excellent. Fishing is good on Power Bait, jigs in the higher water and Roostertails or spoons. 

BullShoalsLake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 654.18 feet MSL.

Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) said bass still have a good top-water bite first thing in the morning. First light is an excellent time for early risers or late niters. Main-lake points, bluff ends, timber bluffs and the tops of brush piles are the best for top-water action. Zara Spooks, Zoom Flukes or any other shad-simulating topwater will work. When the top-water bite fades, it is time to go deep. Pinch a size 3 to 5 split shot on your line about 2 feet from a size 4 hook baited with a nightcrawler. Slowly work the bait over any structure you find between 25 and 35 feet of water. For artificial baits, try a Texas-rigged strawberry-colored worm with silver or gold flake, tube bait, or Carolina or mojo rigs with a 4-inch worm or centipede. Night fishing for bass has been fair on a jig-and-pig combos in a dark colors. Some walleye have been coming in to the dock during daylight hours; some techniques that have been working are split shotting or slow-trolling a nightcrawler around 30 feet deep, flat line trolling with deep-diving crankbaits or stick baits and downrigging. Some crappie are being caught around the brush piles and timber on the bluffs with small minnows, tiny tubes and small jigs. Try deeper brush piles with slip bobbers. White bass are being caught at night under the lights on minnows in 25 to 40 feet of water. The catfish have turned on with the water temperature rising. Trotlines and jug lines at night are producing good stringers.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 551.81 feet MSL.

Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie fishing is slow; some are being caught on minnows around brush piles. The bream bite is excellent on redworms and crickets around brush piles. Bass fishing is good, early and late, on plastic worms and jigs. Stripers are biting well early on topwaters and Roostertails. During the day they are biting well deep on Pogies and Bink’s spoons. Walleye are biting well on leeches, nightcrawlers with a crawler harness, Reef Runners and Hot-n-Tots.

Norfork Tailwater: Gene’s Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is slightly murky and low. Trout are biting well on chartreuse, white and yellow Power Bait. Flies that are producing well are scuds, midges and sow bugs.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well in 4 to 8 feet of water on redworms and crickets. Crappie fishing is slow, with some biting at night under lights on minnows and shad. Bass fishing is slow; but some are biting on shaky head rigs or Carolina rigs. The best bass bite is at night on plastics or black single-bladed spinnerbaits around brush. Catfishing is fair on trotlines or jug lines with live bait.    

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear and at normal level. A few bream have been caught in 6 to 10 feet of water. A few crappie have been caught on minnows. Bass are biting fair early.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream fishing is fair on redworms and crickets. Crappie fishing at night is fair on live minnows. Bass fishing is slow. Catfish are biting well on liver.

Eleven-Point River: Woody’s Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said the water is clear and at normal level. Catfish are biting well on worms. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. 

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

Lake Chicot: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is clear.  A few bream have been caught on worms and crickets. A few crappie have been caught in deep water on minnows. Catfish are biting well on worms and crickets. 

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.52 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said now that the lake has returned to normal pool, largemouth bass are in full summer patterns, relating to deep water during the heat of the day, venturing shallow early and late in the day and responding very well to topwater lures. Zara Spooks, Spit'n Images, toads and buzzbaits are all producing well early and late. Bass Assassin Shads in salt and pepper, and Floating Rat-L-Traps are catching good bass from the river in areas with grass and lily pads, and on points with mixtures of grass and pads. Once the sun gets high, 10 and 12-inch worms in blue fleck, junebug/red, and black grape are working well. The best jig bite continues to be on the Texas Craw color or black/blue.  Largemouths continue to respond to crankbaits like the Fat Free Shad in citrus shad color, and crawfish-patterned cranks like the Bandit 300. War Eagle spinnerbaits in chartreuse/white, or spot remover and aurora colors, are continuing to pick up roaming fish in and around vegetation. White bass were caught in large schools in HorseshoeLake and in the Little River near Hurricane Creek this week. Rat-L-Traps, Little Georges, Rocket Shads and Roadrunners were the baits of choice. Crappie are improving along Little River on live shiners from 15-20 foot deep in planted brush piles.  Channel catfish remain very good on trotlines from 9-15 feet deep, on the outside river bends where current is most prominent. Cut baits, Charlie, and chicken liver remain the most consistent producers. Bream are good around Jack's Isle and the state park on crickets, redworms and wax worms. Longnose or spotted gar remain shallow, and are cruising in the shallow flats and backs of creeks, making very good opportunities for bow fishing.

Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is up and stained.  Bream are biting well in the extreme shallows and in 4 to 5 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is poor. Bass are sill schooling and biting well. Power Hawgs in watermelon and junebug or large 10- to 12-inch worms in red shad or Tequila Sunrise are working best for bass. Catfish are still biting well on jugs, noodles and trotlines in 3 feet of water.

Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is up and stained.  Bream are biting well in 5 feet of water on crickets. Crappie fishing is poor. Large red shad worms are working well on the bass. Catfishing is good on jugs and noodles baited with live bream and set in 3 feet of water near the main channel.

Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 545.20 feet MSL.

Lakeside Grocery, Motel and Bait (870-398-5304) said all species are poor. 

DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 404.37 feet MSL.

WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle: Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is muddy and high.  Bream are biting well on worms and crickets.  Bass are biting in the creek channels, on worms and crankbaits.  Catfish are biting well on worms, stink bait and nightcrawlers.  Stripers are biting on topwater baits and sassy shads.

Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 385.88 feet MSL.

CNC’s End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water is a murky and a little low.  Crappie are biting on minnows and jigs. Catfish are biting early and late on worms, liver, small bream and large minnows. 

Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is muddy and high. A few bream are being caught on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. A few bass are biting well on white spinnerbaits or chartreuse crankbaits in the backwater.  A few catfish have been caught on shad and nightcrawlers.

Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 573.41 feet MSL.

Mountain Harbor Marina said largemouth bass still are slow and these fish can be caught with U-tail worms, swim baits and grass jigs. Jighead finesse worms and Texas-rigged Ole Monsters are also worth trying this time of year. Black spinnerbaits will be worth a try at night. Walleye are good and being caught on spoons and crankbaits near creek channels and main-lake points fished around brush piles. Stripers are slow to fair on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. The eastern end of the lake seems to be the best area for these fish. Bream are still very good on crickets and worms in 6 to 20 feet of water. Crappie are slow and being caught over grass and brush in deeper water. Try large moss flats and brush in water 20 to 35 feet deep.

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bream are picking up in 25 feet of water, on humps hear the timber, on crickets. Stripers are biting well, in the afternoons, on Mann’s 20+ crankbaits over flats holding brush piles. Bass are biting old monster worms in watermelon/red, plum and plum apple in trees sitting in 40 feet of water, fishing about 20 feet deep. A spinnerbait will catch a few fish early in the morning.

Lake Catherine:The Crazy Yankee (501-262-2272) said the water is clear and at normal level with a strong current. Bass are hitting early and late on the shore lines with topwater lures. Walleye are biting well in 16 feet of water. Stripers are biting well close to the dam.   

Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports the rainbow trout action at Carpenter Dam remains very consistent. The bite has slowed somewhat. Nightcrawlers and redworms will catch limits of fish as the trout actively search for forage other than the huge shad that inhabit the entire tailrace area. Heavy generation has kept water temperature at a steady 58 degrees. Fly-anglers casting San Juan worms are recording limits of trout over deep water as the sun runs the trout away from the shallows. Stripers and hybrid activity occurs almost daily as these predator fish follow the shad schools in and out of the tailrace area. Most of the fish school below the bridge in the evening as the generation period is highest. Large topwater baits that imitate rainbow trout and shad will produce strikes as well as ¼-ounce white jigs cast into the feeding schools.

Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bream fishing is excellent in 15 to 18 feet of water on crickets, near deep brush piles. Bass fishing is very slow. 

Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream fishing is excellent on crickets. Crappie are biting well in 10 to 12 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on worms, jigs and topwater baits. Catfish are biting well on liver, goldfish and perch.

Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is clear and low.  Bass are biting well on some spinnerbaits and worms. Catfish are biting well on worms and liver.

Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 343.71 feet MSL.

SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

EAST ARKANSAS

River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is beginning to go down, but no report because high water.

White River : Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bass are biting very well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, buzzbaits and plastics.

Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and low. Bream fishing is fair, in 4 to 5 feet of water, on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair in 6 to 8 feet of water on minnows and jigs around the treetops. Bass are biting fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfish are biting well on worms, minnows and stinkbait. 

Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is real murky and at normal level. All species are poor. 

Six Rivers Sport Center (780-295-3236) said the water is murky and low. Bream fishing is poor. Some are biting in 5 feet of water on crickets and redworms. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbait. Catfishing is fair; some are biting on sunfish and jigs.