Weekly Fishing Report

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

Randy Zellers (501) 223-6406, e-mail: rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us

            This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Feb. 6, 2008. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.

           

Fishing Tip: Crappie anglers looking to score during winter months may want to take a little advice from “Mr. Crappie” Wally Marshall when it comes to scouting out where to begin their search:

In lakes that provide cooling water for electrical power plants, look for crappie around cover and structure near discharge outlets where warm water flows into the lake. A temperature gauge can help you determine the pattern so you can fish where crappie are likely to be. On lakes that don't have a power plant, the upper end, usually opposite the dam, where the major stream or streams flow into it, tend to produce the best winter fishing. Crappie move to these headwaters in late winter because this is where the water first begins to warm.

For more great tips, visit the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Library.

 

 

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

Trimble Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 13): Headwater – 391.91 feet, Tailwater – 372.68 feet, Flow – 16,634 cubic feet per second

Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater – 371.59 feet, Tailwater – 340.00 feet

Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater – 337.71 feet, Tailwater – 286.78 feet

Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater – 285.55 feet, Tailwater – 266.03 feet, Flow – 21,450 cubic feet per second

Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater – 265.29 feet, Tailwater – 251.39 feet

Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater – 249.14 feet, Tailwater – 231.47 feet, Flow – 28,380 cubic feet per second

Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater – 231.28 feet, Tailwater – 213.27 feet, Flow – 22,531 cubic feet per second

Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater – 196.15 feet, Tailwater – 183.02 feet

Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater – 182.14 feet, Tailwater – 163.24 feet

Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater – 162.10 feet, Tailwater – 122.49 feet, Flow – 11,399 cubic feet per second

 

           

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

 

3.3 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage – 19 feet)

6.5 feet at Batesville (flood stage – 15 feet)

1.9 feet at Newport (flood stage – 26 feet)

14.4 feet at Augusta (flood stage – 26 feet)

2.9 feet at Georgetown (flood stage – 21 feet)

13.8 feet at Clarendon (flood stage – 26 feet)

 

 

Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report:  Red and yellow Power Bait has been the hot trout bait in ponds this week. Trout fishing remains excellent on Trout Magnets and black woolly buggers. For more information on trout stockings, call toll-free 1-866-540-FISH (3474).

 

 

CENTRAL ARKANSAS:

             
            Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair in 3-5 feet of water on minnows and jigs.

 

Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said water conditions are normal with no generation. Trout are still biting well on wax worms with marshmallow combinations and crankbaits.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse is releasing water for hydroelectric power generation most days from 6-9 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. There have been no weekend water releases lately.  Incredible midge hatches continue and the trout are rising to them all along the Little Red. Top-water "bug puppets" (flies) that are working include the midge (size 22, cream or black), caddis (size 18-20, tan) and Adams (size 18-20). Below the surface, try a red butt soft hackle emerger (size 14-16), sow bug (size 14-16, UV tan, peacock or light gray), copper john (size 16, red, green or copper), zebra midge (size 16-22, red, black or copper) and wooly bugger (size 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 choppy and at a normal level. Crappie fishing is fair in 4-10 feet of water on small minnows and jigs.

 

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting fairly well on worms and Crappie Stingers.

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are normal. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting decently on yo-yos with minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines.

 

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. Bass are fair around brush on watermelon-colored 6-inch worms. Catfishing is fair in 8 to 10 feet of water on stink bait.

 

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are fair on Tennessee shad-colored grubs. Bass are good on jerkbaits and crankbaits.

 

Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said the river is in fair condition. Bass are biting on jigs around rocky points.

 

Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are fair on yo-yos baited with minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines baited with minnows.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bass are fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on minnows.

 

Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are fair on slip-cork rigs. Catfish are biting well on cut bait.

 

Pickthorne Lake: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bass are fair on spinnerbaits.

 

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said bass are the best thing going on spinnerbaits or top-water lures.

 

            Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is excellent on minnows and jigs.

 

 

NORTH ARKANSAS:

 

White River: Mountain River Fly Shop said the cold weather should mean plenty of water coming through the dam, which means the Upper End of the river will be host to a fair number of boats. Try to run up behind other fly fishers, don’t drive over their drift, get in line for a drift and don’t cut in. Then everyone can have some fun. Fishing has been very good on the White. The trout are definitely hungry. Red White Tails have been very popular, egg patterns continue to do well, particularly the Flashtail Mini Eggs and Unreal Eggs. Red Head Olive Woolly Buggers are working extremely well also.

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 two generators running daily. Trout fishing is very good on Power Bait, Rapalas and jigs.

 John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said generation has varied quite a bit. Some days have seen one or two spikes of heavy generation followed by periods of low generation. On other days, there have been short periods of very light generation. This has created some great wading opportunities and some excellent boating opportunities. It has been extremely cold and incredibly windy with a couple of warm pleasant days thrown in that allowed for some great fishing. The catch-and-release area below Bull Shoals Dam opened Feb., 1. Please avoid walking through the redds (spawning beds recently filled with fertilized eggs by brown trout). Now is a particularly vulnerable time for the eggs and they need to be left alone so that they can hatch and become big brown trout. The shad kill usually occurs some time from January to March during periods of very low temperature and high generation. This generally happens just after the brown trout spawn when they are very hungry. It is usually the best time to land a huge trout. This is not a reliable phenomenon and sometimes there is no shad kill. As yet, there have been no shad observed. One of the early indicators is gulls converging below the dams to feed on the shad. The best flies to use during the shad kill would be large white streamers. Be sure to carry both floating and sinking flies. There have been several reports of great fishing on black zebra midges with silver wire and silver beads and olive woolly buggers. Rim Shoals was fishing very well. The hot flies for this section have been olive woolly buggers, olive scuds and black zebra midges with silver wire and 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) had no report.

101 Grocery and Bait said the surface water temperature is in the low 40s. Live bait trolled slowly under planer boards has worked well on stripers, but the bite is over by 8 a.m. The fish are holding in less than 50 feet of water. Walleye fishing has been slow, but jigging spoons and ice fishing jigs are doing a good job for some. Just remember do it slow. Crappie fishing has been fair using small minnows and jigs. White bass have been fair using jigs. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have been fair on deep-diving crankbaits and jigs.

 

Norfork Tailwater: Gene’s Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low with very little generation. Trout fishing is still good on corn and nightcrawlers. Fly-anglers are having luck on sow bugs and woolly buggers.

Mountain River Fly Shop said most reports off Norfork continue to be fair at best, with many smaller fish being caught. Wading was wide open this week with the warmer weather, but generation started yesterday with the cold front pushing through.

Small scuds (olive, gray and tan), McLellan’s hunchback, Davys sow bug (gray) and small Kaufmann’s (brown or olive) have been doing well. Zebras and super midges have been productive, as well as WD40s.

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the generation pattern on the Norfork has been a mixed bag. We had a few days with no generation and some days with a brief period of heavy generation. This has created excellent wading conditions every day.

The Norfork has fished a bit better this week. There have been some reliable midge hatches in the afternoon. Anglers have done the best with Norfork beadheads in olive (size 18), and zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver beads and brown with copper wire and copper beads. When the fish are keying in on the midge emergers in the film, Dan’s turkey tail emerger (size 22) have been killer. To change things up, try large San Juan worms in red and worm brown and Y2Ks. They frequently tempt large trout. Dry Run Creek, as always, has been the place to take the kids fishing. The warm weekend drew out a few youngsters. Those few that showed up did exceptionally well. The hot fly was a size 14 sow bug. Other effective flies were olive woolly buggers and San Juan worms. Be sure and use at least 4X tippet and carefully pinch down those barbs.

           

 

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 (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been best in the Big and Little Clifty area. Crawdad-colored Wiggle Warts and watermelon jigs fished along chunk rock banks have produced some bass. Points with timber have been holding bass as well. Try using suspending jerkbaits in clown or bone colors. Crappie fishing continues to be best in the river arms. The Neals Bluff area and Friendship Creek have been good spots. Look in shallow bays on warm sunny days around laydowns and brush piles. On cloudy days try around standing timber near the channel in 10-25 feet deep. The best baits have been minnows and Shineee Hineee jigs. White bass are still in their winter haunts along deep main-lake points. Indian Creek, Eden's Bluff and Point 12 are all good spots to look. On warm, sunny days, they may venture out to flats or in shallow bays. Jigging or casting spoons will work best. Stripers have been in Prairie Creek and south towards Monte-NE. Umbrella rigs with 3/8-oz. jigheads dressed with white grubs have produced well. Catfish are biting well along bluff lines on shad or liver.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs around brush. Bass are fair in deep water on jerkbaits and plastic worms.

 

 

Lake SWEPCO: JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass on SWEPCO are a bit fussy on some days. Try crawdad-colored jigs or live minnows around pole timber. Shallow-running crankbaits have taken a few bass near the discharge. Bluegill in SWEPCO have been hitting crickets along timber and the deep channel on the east side.

 

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. Crappie are fair in 4-10 feet of water on minnows and tube jigs around structures. Bass are fair on minnows and bass jigs around rocky points. Catfish are being caught on worms and minnows in open water.

 

Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) had no report.

 

 

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

 

            Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are biting well on minnows. All other species are slow.

 

            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.

           

Spring River:  www.marksflyshop.com said mayfly and caddis hatches continue to grow. Stable weather will move in soon along with consistent fishing results. 

             

 

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

 

Lake Chicot: Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said water conditions are normal. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting fairly well on jigs.

 

Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said crappie are fair on trolled minnows.

 

 

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

 

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 256.38 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 45 to 47 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is at 5-6 inches with 8-10 inch visibility in Little River. Current is 1,240 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 still relating to deep water in Little River and creek mouths dumping into the river. The best bite is during the heat of the day on wacky rigs, Texas-rigged Hog Assassins, ¾-ounce Rat-L-Traps, large crankbaits and jigs. There isn’t much reason to leave the river in search of bass. Flipping or pitching Texas-rigged Lil’ Critter Craws, 4-inch Southern Pro Flipping Tubes, Hog Assassins and Yum Wooly Bugs in green pumpkin, watermelon/red, blackberry, or scumpernong-colored lizards, to stumps close to deep water are drawing some good strikes from fish up to 6 pounds. Wacky rigged Twitch Assassins, Charm Assassins, Senkos and Salty Rat Tails are taking some decent keeper bass when hooked with a light wire 1/0 hook. Some decent keeper bass are biting on Texas Craw-colored jigs with Watermelon or Green Pumpkin chunk trailers. Long tapering points with stumps in Little River, between 10-15 feet deep seem to be the most consistent location for Bomber model A and Rebel Deep Wee R crankbaits in Black Pearl, Bayou Bengal, or Secret Weapon colors. Sexy Shad-colored crankbaits are taking a few good bass also. White bass are schooled up in deep water in the river (18-28 feet deep) and biting fairly well on jigging spoons. The best crappie bite over the last few weeks, is coming from planted brush piles in 18-22 feet of water on live shiners or jigs. Southern Pro Crappie Tubes in smoke, white, or pink/white have been producing well. Steady current in Little River during pool drawdown over the last couple weeks has kept the channel catfish biting.  Good channel cats have been caught on homemade blood bait, Catfish Charlie, and cut shad on trotlines and yo-yo's 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 both upper and lower lakes has improved. The water is very clear and the lake is at full pool. Bream and crappie are biting well on crickets and jigs. Bass and catfish are fair.

 

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 cold weather has kept things slow. However, during the warmest part of the day, Long Creeks and A-and-W emergers managed to land some nice trout. There have even been a few March browns hatching during the warmest days.

 

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

DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said few anglers are on the water. No report.

 

 

WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

 

Lake Dardanelle: Bill’s Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said the water is muddy and a little low. Bream are fair on red wigglers. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and tube jigs. Bass are being caught on jigs and swimbaits. Catfishing is 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.

CNC’s End of the Line (479-947-2398) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are biting fair on minnows.

 

Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are fair in deep water on minnows and jigs. White bass can be caught on minnows and jigs. Black bass are biting fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfish are being caught around the dam on cut bait, nightcrawlers and 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 is 40-46 degrees and clearing. Largemouth bass are biting well on Deep Little N’s and lipless crankbaits on main-lake points and secondary points. Walleye are slow and still being caught on spoons over humps and main-lake points with brush piles. Stripers are biting well on live brood minnows and gizzard shad and Smoke or pearl-colored grubs. Crappie are still good and being caught 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 for artificial baits.

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass fishing is nothing short of excellent on Lake Ouachita right now. Many large bass have pulled up to the outside edge of the grass and fishing has been incredible. Rat-L-Traps fished over the outside edge have picked up some good fish when cranked slowly and ripped free from the grass. A jig-and-pig combo has been excellent on larger fish when worked along the outside edge of the hydrilla in 12 to 18 feet of water. Some fish are beginning to bite on jerkbaits, but it's slower than the jig or Rat-L-Trap bite. Some white bass are back in the creeks and biting on Norman Little N crankbaits and Berkley Frenzy crankbaits. Some stripers are beginning to bust the surface around South Fork.

 

Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that rainbow trout fishing below the dam continues to provide some the best angling in the state. Guided trips routinely catch 50 or more trout an outing with numbers nearing 100 not uncommon. Because of the low water conditions - extreme caution is advised when attempting to navigate the area. Fly-fishermen are able to wade the tailrace and continue to catch limits of quality trout by casting San Juan worms, micro-jigs and egg patterns in areas with current. Spin-fishermen are having success throwing Rooster Tails, Super Dupers, and small jigs around rock piles and sand bars. Boaters trolling small crankbaits below the bridge during periods of generation are catching larger trout. Bank anglers should stick to fishing the main channel with nightcrawlers, redworms and corn floated under a bobber. Striper fishing has improved in the last week with many fish taken in the 10- to 15-pound class on live bait rigs below the bridge in the main channel. Top-water action is very limited, but is present when these predator fish chase the trout schools to the top in search of a meal. The walleye spawn will begin in the next few weeks as the tailrace water approaches 50 degrees.

Diamond Head Marina reported that water conditions are normal. Bass are biting fairly well along shorelines on spinnerbaits.

 

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 on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

 

Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said water conditions are normal. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fair on minnows and jigs.

 

 

EAST ARKANSAS: 

  

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

 

White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said water conditions are normal, but all species are slow right now.

 

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. Fishing is slow for all species.

 

Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said water conditions are excellent. Bream are biting well in shallow water on worms and crickets. Crappie are being caught around piers on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and stink bait.