The 71/2-foot heavy action rods are great for flipping distances less than 15 feet away from the boat. But when you’re pitching 30 feet or so, a softer tipped 7-foot rod gives more forgiveness and accuracy to land the bait with less splash. The softer tip also has some spring to it so a fish isn’t feeling you pull against him when you’re checking your bait.

Trimble Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 13): Headwater – 392.64 feet, Tailwater – 372.12 feet, Flow – 12,860 cubic feet per second

Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater – 371.55 feet, Tailwater – 339.86 feet

Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater – 338.07 feet, Tailwater – 284.96 feet

Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater – 284.88 feet, Tailwater – 265.02 feet, Flow – 8,143 cubic feet per second

Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater – 265.36 feet, Tailwater – 250.02 feet

Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater – 249.22 feet, Tailwater – 231.42 feet, Flow – 5,720 cubic feet per second

Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater – 231.15 feet, Tailwater – 213.18 feet, Flow – 7,031 cubic feet per second

Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater – 196.28 feet, Tailwater – 182.57 feet

Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater – 182.00 feet, Tailwater – 163.10 feet

Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater – 162.23 feet, Tailwater – 123.73 feet, Flow – 16,339 cubic feet per second

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

4.1 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage – 19 feet)
6.2 feet at Batesville (flood stage – 15 feet)
2 feet at Newport (flood stage – 26 feet)
14.8 feet at Augusta (flood stage – 26 feet)
3.3 feet at Georgetown (flood stage – 21 feet)
13.2 feet at Clarendon (flood stage – 26 feet) 

CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said water conditions are normal. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are fair in deeper water on pink minnows and white/chartreuse jigs. 

Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said water conditions are normal with little generation in the mornings. Trout fishing is good on wax worms with marshmallows and crankbaits.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse is releasing water most days in the mornings and afternoons with no action in between. Releases have been from 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. The river is crystal clear and richly oxygenated. There are wade fishing opportunities on the Little Red all day, beginning at Winkley Shoal at first light then driving down to Libby Shoal mid-morning until about noon then finishing your day at JFK Park. Be careful and exit the stream immediately when fast water arrives. Midge hatches are occurring every day on the Little Red, especially in the afternoon sunshine. A few caddis flies and sulphur mayflies are coming off but not anything like those midge hatches. The top-water flies of choice include midges (size 22, cream or black), adams (size 18-20) and caddis (size 18-20, tan). Sub-surface flies that are working well include the lowly but abundant sow bug (sizes 14-16, UV tan, peacock or light gray), zebra midge (sizes 16-22, red, black or copper), red butt emerger (size 14-16), copper john (size 16, red or copper) and woolly buggers (sizes 10-12, olive or black).

Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 458.43 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water temperature ranges from 30 to 42 degrees during the day. Some sunny weather and warm rains would really bring the bite back. Hybrids and white bass have been moving around with the cold weather, but are still schooled up and can be found by looking for concentrations of gulls over the water. Once you find them a jigging spoon will catch bottom-hugging fish, and a Buckshot In-line spinner, grub, hair jig and swimbait will catch suspended fish when reeled in very slowly. Crappie are biting in the late afternoon on sunny days around channel bends with pole timber and ledges with timber on them. Small minnows are working the best on the crappie. Walleye have slowed, but warmer water and longer days should see an increase in staging activity soon.

Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is a little murky and at a normal level. Crappie fishing is slow on small minnows and jigs. A few bass have been caught in 5 to 6 feet of water on jigs.

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are the best thing going on minnows and Crappie Stingers.

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said fishing is slow for all species.

Brewer Lake: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said fishing is slow for all species.

Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal, but fishing is slow for all species.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Bass are biting on crayfish-colored Rapala crankbaits.

Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said bad weather has kept most anglers off the water. Catfishing is good in deep holes of the river on whole shad. Stripers are biting well below locks nine and 10 on large bucktails and spoons. Kentucky bass are fair spinnerbaits slow-rolled on the inside edges of jetties in 8 to 15 feet of water. Drum are biting well on crayfish-colored tube jigs at the bases of jetties where sand and rock meet.

Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff had no report.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie fishing is good on live minnows fished in the backwater area around Burns Park.

Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) reported water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on live minnows fished under a slip-cork and assorted jigs.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are biting well on pink minnows.

Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfishing is good on liver. All other species are slow. 

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is low and all fishing is slow.

NORTH ARKANSAS

White River: Mountain River Fly Shop said the cold weather hasn’t kept some anglers from the water. It seems like we have been saying it every week, but Davy’s Super Midge was the hot item, particularly the Red and Black White Tails. The standard versions work very well, but the White Tail is grabbing fly fishers and they are catching fish. Mobile white flies, like Deep Shad patterns, white woolly buggers or anything “fleshy,” tied with rabbit or marabou can work pretty well run deep during generation periods. It's time to add some heavy tippet and big shot to the shopping list.

Gaston’s White River Resort said trout anglers have seen many water conditions lately. Anytime between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., two to four units are generating. Around 9 a.m. until noon, the dam will shut down and the water level drops. However, the trout are still feeding during low water periods. The bulbous bivisible is working well for fly-fishermen where creeks run into the river. We also recommend the partridge and orange soft hackle, gold ribbed hares ear, copper john, copper zebra midge, Y2K bug, the sow bug and the draggin’ egg. During high water, try peach or white egg patterns, white and pink micro jigs and San Juan worms. Nightcrawlers are doing well for the bait anglers when the water is low. Yellow Power Bait has also been effective. Some other lures being used are No. 5 silver or gold floating Rapalas and Smithwick blue-backed Rogues. Any minnow shaped lure has potential.

Anglers White River Resort said water conditions are normal with little generation. Trout fishing has been excellent on yellow and pink Power Bait and drop rigs.

Sportsman’s White River Resort said water conditions are normal with four units generating in the mornings. Trout fishing is great on jigs, Rooster Tails, Power Bait and worms.

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said a small rain has kept lake levels and the White River system on the rise. The generation pattern on the White has been for one or two spikes of heavy generation each day followed by periods of no generation or low generation. This has created some limited wading opportunities and some excellent boating opportunities. It has been extremely cold and very windy. Keep in mind that the Catch-and-Release area below Bull Shoals Dam will open Feb. 1. To avoid crowds, try to fish early or late or on a weekday. Despite the cold and windy weather, the fishing on the White has been good. One hot spot has been the Narrows. There have been several reports of great fishing on Y2Ks and egg patterns. On high water, brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns have been quite productive. Wildcat Shoals has also been fishing well, particularly on the lower end of the shoals. When there is a bit of water, egg patterns have produced well, while on low water, partridge and orange soft hackles and green butts have done the job. Rim Shoals is fishing very well. Anglers walking down to White Shoals have been rewarded. Remember that this is a long hike and if the water comes up it will be dangerous. Always check generation before beginning this trek. The hot flies for this section have been olive woolly buggers, olive scuds and black zebra midges with silver wire and a silver bead. The deeper holes along the first island have been productive, particularly with Y2Ks. On high water the hot fly has been the San Juan worm in cerise.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 651.94 feet MSL.

Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) said bass are biting well on crankbaits in 5 to 15 feet of water on overcast days. Hula grubs and Carolina-rigged French fries are working fairly well in 10 to 25 feet of water. Walleye are biting fairly well on spoons fished over large flats in 35 to 40 feet of water. Bottom bouncers baited with nightcrawlers are working well on walleye as well.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 547.66 feet MSL.

Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and about 5 feet low. Black bass are biting well on jigs and jerkbaits. A few white bass have been caught on jigs. Stripers are biting on jigs and jerkbaits as well.

101 Grocery and Bait said the water temperature is between 38.6 and 41 degrees. Striper fishing is good in the early morning using live bait and a deep-diving stick baits 15 feet deep in 20-60 feet of water. Walleye are beginning to stage on deep drop offs going into the creeks; jigs and small live bait have been good producers. Crappie fishing is fair. White bass are biting well. Largemouth bass have been biting well in the coves on spring craw-colored crankbaits and jig-and-craw combos.

Norfork Tailwater: Gene’s Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said water conditions are normal with little or no generation. Trout fishing is fair on nightcrawlers.

Mountain River Fly Shop said generation on the tailwater has been a little hard to judge. Basically it’s been off most of the day during the past week. Short splashes of water have come early, late or not at all. Fishing can be good one day and bad the next it seems. Small emergers, like gray Glass Bead WD40s and small midge emergers fished up in and close to the surface film performed the best. Mercury Midges, particularly in gray or olive shades, and Black Beauties are also working. Fish some Parachute Adams and BWO Comparaduns or Sparkle Duns for the adults, and always keep some small Pheasant Tails or Micro Mayfly patterns in your box to match the early stages of the hatch.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,113.54 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service said (479-640-3980) said the best fishing for bass remains around Rocky Branch to Clifty. Best baits have been a jig-and-pig in crawdad colors fished slowly along steep chunk rock banks and suspending jerkbaits fished on points with standing timber. Crappie fishing has been best upstream in the river arms. Look for brush or standing timber in 20-30 feet of water near a channel, and you should find some fish. The best baits have been minnows and chartreuse Shineee Hineees. White bass have been deep around main-lake points. Good places have been Indian Creek, Edens Bluff and Piney Creek. Small jigging spoons have been effective. Stripers have been around the islands north of the Highway 12 bridge and in Coose Hollow and Prairie Creek. Umbrella rigs dressed with ¾-oz. jigheads and white grubs have been effective when trolled slowly.

Bluff lines with timber have been good for catfish using trotlines baited with cut bait and goldfish. Bream have been 15 to 30 feet deep under docks and along bluffs. Crickets or worms should do the trick.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) reported water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good on Shineee Hinnee jigs. Bass are fair on crankbaits and jerkbaits. A few stripers have been caught on shad.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said not many anglers are available for a report.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said water conditions are normal. Few anglers are on the water.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) reported water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good in deep water on minnows and small jigs. Bass fishing is fair on soft-plastic jerkbaits and jig-and-pig combos.

Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said few anglers are on the water.

Eleven-Point River: Woody’s Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) had no report.

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

Lake Chicot: Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on waxworms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting on top-water lures. Catfishing is good on worms, liver and crickets.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 43 to 45 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is at 5-6 inches with 6-8 inch visibility in Little River. Current is 1,255 cubic feet per second. Both ramps at Paraloma, both ramps at Cotton Shed, the Saratoga ramp closest to the dike, and both ramps at Beards Bluff are unusable because of the drawdown. Winter drawdown has revealed many submerged objects at or just within inches of pool surface in boat lanes and Little River.  Use extreme caution in navigation, many of the boat lanes during winter pool drawdown are now only 3-10 inches in overall depth in various places. Largemouth bass are relating to deep water in Little River and creek mouths dumping into the river. The best bite is during the warmest part of the day on wacky rigs, Texas-rigged Hog Assassins and large, ¾-ounce Rat-L-Traps. Pitching Texas-rigged Lil’ Critter Craws, 4-inch Southern Pro Flipping Tubes, Hog Assassins and Yum Wooly Bugs in Green Pumpkin, Watermelon/Red, Camo, Ozark Smoke and Blackberry near stumps close to deep water is drawing some good strikes from heavy bass. The heavy Rat-L-Traps are working best when deflected off stumps on the edges of Little River in 8 to 9 feet of water. Stumps, cypress knees and laydowns are the key during the day, since little vegetation remains submerged. The best crappie bite over the past couple weeks or so, was along planted brush piles and 16-20-foot deep trees during mid-mornings on live shiners or smoke grubs. Vertical jigging Blakemore Crappie Thunder Road Runners was taking some really nice slabs in the 12 to 17 foot range. Consistent and steady current in Little River during pool drawdown over the last couple weeks has kept channel cats biting on cut bait, cottonseed meal cakes and Catfish Charlie on trotlines and yo-yos along the river and in oxbows hung from cypress trees in 10-15 feet of water.

Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said crappie are the best thing going on minnows and jigs.

Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said crappie fishing is good on jigs and shiners. Catfishing is fair on worms and liver.

White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park said fishing on White Oak Lake has been spotty to poor. The lake is at full pool and the temperature is good, but the water is very clear. Crappie and catfish are poor and bass are fair.  The shad are not running yet.

Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 541.73 feet MSL.

Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said the water temperature is 42-45 degrees. Crappie, bream and white bass can all be caught on rosey red minnows, shiners and 1/6-oz. orange/silver/chartreuse hair jigs fished 15 to 21 feet deep around bamboo brush piles in 16-30 feet of water.

Little Missouri River: Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri Fly Fishing said the windy weather has made casting difficult, but the fish are flourishing. The AGFC recently stocked 2,500 trout from the Lake Ouachita net pens at the park and some large rainbows and small brown trout at River Ridge, Hind’s Bluff and Old Factory. Increased generation should help distribute these fish throughout the tailwater.

DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 399.94 feet MSL.

WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle: Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said water conditions are normal. Bass are fair. All other species are slow.

Bill’s Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said the water is a little murky and low. Crappie are hitting on minnows and tube jigs. Bass are biting fair in deeper water on spinnerbaits, jigs and crankbaits. Catfish are fair on shad and punch bait.

Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 384.38 feet MSL.

Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are the best thing going 14 feet deep on minnows.

Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 571.84 feet MSL.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water temperature is 40 to 46 degrees and the clarity is improving. Largemouth bass are biting well on Deep Little N’s and lipless crankbaits fished on main lake points and secondary points. Walleye are slow on spoons fished over humps and main lake points with brush piles. Stripers are still biting well on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. Smoke and pearl grubs are working well on the stripers, too. Crappie are biting well over grass and brush. Try large moss flats and brush in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Arkansas shad and white are the best colors.

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass fishing has been good on deep trees near the edges of drop-offs. Working a black/blue or green pumpkin ½ to 3/4-oz. jig through treetops has produced well. Large Rat-L-Traps and ¾-oz. shad-colored spinnerbaits worked slowly around the timber are also picking up some fish.

Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that rainbow trout fishing below Carpenter Dam is smoking hot! Guided trips are regularly catching 50 or more trout with ease and clients catching over 100 fish are not uncommon. Many of these fish are in the 14- to 17-inch range. Fly-anglers who concentrate on the shoals casting streamers and 1/100-oz. white micro-jigs under a strike indicator are catching trout at will in the late evening. Spin fishermen are having good success by casting white Roostertails and Super Dupers in areas with current. Little Cleo's are also working well but only during periods of generation. Artificial baits are not nearly as effective when the turbines are not running. Bank fishermen are recording limits of trout by using redworms and nightcrawlers floated under a bobber. Small minnows are also highly effective as the trout are keying on the injured threadfin shad sucked through the turbines. Water levels are still very low and caution is advised when boaters navigate the area. As the numbers of trout increase, the striper and hybrid fishing improves. Stripers cruise the tailrace looking for an easy meal and can be caught with ¼-oz. white jigs. As always, live bait rigs with brood and gizzard shad provide the best chance of hooking big stripers. Hybrid activity is fair with fish in the 2- to 4-pound range hitting white and grey jigs fished around rock pilings and sand bars.

Diamond Head Marina reports the water is clear and 4 feet low. Bass fishing is fair around the shorelines on top-water lures. Catfishing is good in deep water on any bait.

Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fishing good with some decent fish being caught on crayfish-colored crankbaits in 10-15 feet of water around brush piles. Vertically jigging a ½-oz. spoon will catch a variety of fish in 20-30 feet of water. Crappie, walleye, Kentucky bass, white bass and yellow bass are all gathered up together on mid-lake humps and ridges.

Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are biting well in deeper water on minnows. Bass are fair on top-water plugs and plastic worms.

SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

EAST ARKANSAS

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said water is a little murky and at a normal level. Bream fishing is good on crickets, redworms and wax worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on top-water lures. Catfishing is good on cut bait and nightcrawlers.

White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report.

Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) had no report.

Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) reported that water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair 18 feet deep on jigs.