Arkansas Weekly Fishing Report
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Randy Zellers (501)223-6406, e-mail:
rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us |
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| This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s
fishing report for April 30. 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.
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| Fishing Tip:
Make bait keepers out
of used soft-plastic worms and lizards. Cut them into small disks and
save them in a separate bag. When you need to bait a hook with a
minnow or nightcrawler, place a disk on the hook after the live bait
and your offering will be harder for a fish to steal. |
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| 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 –
389.24 feet, Tailwater – 388.42 feet, Flow – 136,780 cubic feet per
second
Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12):
Headwater –
371.76 feet, Tailwater – 353.70 feet
Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam
10):
Headwater – 337.60 feet, Tailwater – 302.81 feet
Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9):
Headwater –
285.91 feet, Tailwater – 282.59 feet, Flow – NO READING AVAILABLE
Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8):
Headwater –
266.31 feet, Tailwater – 265.89 feet
Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7):
Headwater –
247.14 feet, Tailwater – 239.81 feet, Flow – 167,289
Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6):
Headwater –
230.61 feet, Tailwater – 227.61 feet, Flow – NO READING AVAILABLE
Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4):
Headwater –
195.48 feet, Tailwater – 194.01 feet
Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3):
Headwater –
183.48 feet, Tailwater – 182.34 feet
Mills Dam (Dam 2):
Headwater – 160.81 feet,
Tailwater – 155.88 feet, Flow – 163,523 cubic feet per second
White River Levels:
According to the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages
are:
11 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage – 19 feet)
13 feet at Batesville (flood stage – 15 feet)
26.1 feet at Newport (flood stage – 26 feet)
32.6 feet at Augusta (flood stage – 26 feet)
22.9 feet at Georgetown (flood stage – 21 feet)
30 feet at Clarendon (flood stage – 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing
Report:
Catfish are available in selected ponds around Arkansas. Fish
early morning or late afternoon and try using liver, worms or
stinkbait fished near the bottom of the ponds. Bream are becoming more
active in the ponds this month. Try worms and crickets near brush
tops. For more information on stockings, please call toll-free
1-866-540-FISH (3474). |
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CENTRAL ARKANSAS
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| Lake Conway:
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is
stained and at normal level. Bream are biting well around lily pads on
worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good in 6 to 8 feet of water on
minnows. Bass are biting well on plastic worms and buzz toads.
Catfishing is also good on trotlines with bream or minnows.
Daniel Zajac at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590)
said crappie are still being caught on cypress trees 3-7 ft deep.
Readears are biting redworms and crickets on the flats. Bass are fair
on flukes and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is fair on trotlines and yo-yos
overnight. The water temperature is 68 to 72 degrees and the clarity
is fair.
Little Red River:
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and high,
with heavy generation. Fishing for trout is very good on Power Bait,
corn, spinnerbaits, Rapalas and wax worms.
Jed Hollan at the
Little Red
Fly Shop said the big news remains water, water, everywhere. All
five White River impoundments are releasing copious amounts of water
in an effort to lower lake levels. If you take your boat out on the
river looking for trout, try casting a midge (#22 or smaller in cream
or black), Adams (#18-#20), elk hair caddis (#14-#16) or March brown
(#14) during hatches. To improve the odds of catching a trout in this
high water, go deep instead of surface fishing. You could try a sowbug
(#14-#16 in gray or tan with a bead head), zebra midge (#16-#22 red,
black or chartreuse), San Juan worm (#16-#18 red or pink), copper John
(#14-#16) or any streamer, such as a wooly bugger, in sizes #4-#12
olive, brown or black. Choose a fly that has lots of flash or sparkle.
If you elect to fish sub-surface in high water, you will need to use
split shot or sink putty to get your fly down quickly.
Greers Ferry:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports
the lake’s elevation at 485.12 feet MSL.
Shiloh Marina said the water is stained and 25 feet
high. Walleye are biting well around the trees on minnows. Hybrids are
biting early in the morning on spinnerbaits and Rogues.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level
fell off a bit and is down to 485.88 this morning and falling slow.
White bass and hybrid fishing is good now that the water has cleared;
try grubs and in-line spinners. Bass fishing is picking back up after
some cold nights. Weightless Rite Bite Cinkos and other Senko-type
lures are working well in the shallows, as are Chatterbaits, Shakey
Hookers and spinnerbaits. A few walleye have been caught dragging
nightcrawlers across flats in 17 feet of water. Crappie are biting
well on Road Runners and minnows. Bream are moving to the shallows.
Catfishing is good all over the lake on live and prepared baits.
Harris Brake Lake:
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is stained and
is still dropping. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are hit
or miss but can usually be caught on minnows or jigs. Catfishing is
fair on minnows and worms.
Lake Overcup:
Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said water conditions
are normal. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are
biting very well on minnows and jigs. Catfish are being caught on
worms, goldfish, and crawfish.
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and is
almost back to normal level. Bream fishing is fair on red worms, wax
worms, and crickets. Crappie are biting well in 5 to 7 feet of water
on minnows and brown jigs. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and
plastic worms. Catfishing is good on cut bait and nightcrawlers.
Sunset Lake:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water
conditions are normal. Bream are good on crickets. Crappie are biting
well in shallow water on 2-inch lemon-colored grubs. Bass are
excellent on watermelonseed lizards and floating worms. A few catfish
have been caught on liver.
Saline River Access in Benton:
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061)
said the river is normal. Crappie are biting well on red/chartreuse
Road Runners around brush piles. Bass are biting well on crankbaits
and pumpkinseed finesse worms.
Arkansas River at Morrilton:
Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Opello said
the current is still strong. Backwater fishing is really heating up.
Fishing along flooded grasslines and overhangs has been the best bet
for most game fish. Some nice largemouth are being caught on buzzing
toads flipped up in flooded grass and under overhangs and twitched
erratically on the retrieve. White bass are in the creek mouths and
jetty tips early and late in the day. White or pearl-colored Shad Raps
are working well. Catfish are cruising flooded areas and biting well
on worms. Gar are in the shallows and will bite a free-floating hook
baited with a minnow or bream. Be sure to let the gar run with the
bait a little while before setting the hook. Crappie are biting well
around flooded timber and laydowns on live minnows.
Lake Maumelle:
Jolly
Rogers Marina said the water is 0.3 feet above the spillway. Black
bass are biting excellently in 3 to 7 feet of water. Spinnerbaits,
tubes and crankbaits are all working well. There are still some fish
spawning on the south bank. Kentucky bass are mixed in with the
largemouths. Crappie are biting well but the spawn is a little behind.
There are several reports of crappie being caught 20 feet deep on
small jigs and minnows. Bream are moving to the shallows and biting
well on crickets and redworms. Catfishing is fair on live and prepared
bait in 5 to 15 feet of water.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bass are the best
thing going on CC spoons.
Brewer Lake:
Overcup
Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is still very high and
dingy. All species are slow right now..
Arkansas River at Little Rock:
Vince Miller from
Fish N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) said the water is still high and in
bad condition. All species are slow.
Little Maumelle River:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are fair
on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well on
spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on trotlines with cut bait.
Big Maumelle River:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said bream are
biting well on red worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on pink
minnows. Catfish are biting very well on cut bait and chicken hearts.
Palarm Creek:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are biting well
on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good cut bait
and chicken hearts.
Murray Lock and Dam:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are
good on minnows and red or chartreuse jigs. White bass are biting well
on chartreuse twister tails. Catfishing is excellent on cut shad and
nightcrawlers.
Pickthorne Lake:
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said that bream are biting
well on red worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Catfish
are good on stink bait or cut bait.
Terry Lock and Dam:
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said
catfish are the best thing going on large minnows.
Clear Lake:
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said water
conditions are normal. Bream are the best thing going on worms and
crickets.
Peckerwood Lake:
Herman’s Landing said the water is stained and at
normal level. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is
good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are biting well on cut bait and
nightcrawlers. |
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NORTH ARKANSAS
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| White River:
Gaston’s White River Resort said bass have been biting well on
spinnerbaits and crankbaits in the flooded timber all over the lake.
Crappie have been biting well under the logs. Try a minnow fished 1 to
2 feet under a float. White bass are still going strong upstream from
the 45 bridge in 4 to 6 feet of water on Shineee Hineee's. Stripers
have been scattered all over the lake. Good places to look have been
in Prairie creek, Indian Creek and up either river arm. Best bait has
been live minnows or shad.
Catfishing is outstanding both for bank fisherman
and limb liners on goldfish and cut bait.
John
Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the reservoirs on the White
River system have fallen a bit. They remain precariously close to the
top of flood pool. It has been very windy and there were lake wind
advisories on several days. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose
fell six tenths of a foot to rest at forty and two tenths feet above
power pool of 654.00 feet. This is eight tenths of a foot below the
top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake remained steady at
fifteen and five tenths of a foot above power pool or five tenths of a
foot below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose six tenths of a
foot to settle at nine and two tenths feet above pool or four tenths
of a foot below the top of flood pool. The flood gates at Bull Shoals
have been closed. The pattern on the White is to run all eight
generators around the clock. The fishing on the upper White has been
excellent, particularly the Catch and Release section below Bull
Shoals dam.. Large brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot pink,
cerise and fire orange have all been productive) and brightly colored
egg patterns. They must be fished with a lot of lead and, of course, a
really big strike indicator to float it all. I would recommend at
least 4X to handle the larger flies and additional weight. Make sure
that your indicator is set on the leader to enable the fly to tick the
bottom of the water column. Other generally hot spots on the river
have not fished as well as the upper river. Rim shoals and the Cotter
area, in particular, have not been producing well.
Mountain River Fly Shop said just as we were getting used to
fishing 10 units, with the spillways open, we came back to a more
standard 8 units last week. The fishing had been different but very
good all week. White River trout are going to be stacking on the
weight courtesy of the floodgates. As the water receded down the eight
units level, and below, the fishing was still pretty damn good up and
down the river. The Corp has been fluctuating the water significantly.
Virtually every day this week flows were cut back to two units around
midnight before gradually returning to 8 unit flows by "work hours".
This had opened up some small windows of wadable water downstream. One
angler led the way last Saturday with a 22” brown. Best flies remain
the San Juan Worm or Dynamite Worm. Other anglers picked up fish early
on Shad patterns, but went back to the reliable San Juans (red, pink,
and hot orange) and of course Kev's Pink Lady. With recent rain, we
are hearing reports that both the Table Rock and Beaver spillways have
opened in response. Just what impact that will have on this section of
the river remains to be seen.
Sportsman’s White River Resort said the water is
still high with the flood gates open. Trout are biting on plastic
worms, Rapalas, and Rogues.
Bull Shoals Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports
the lake’s elevation at 694.04 feet MSL.
Lake Norfork:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports
the lake’s elevation at 578.96 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141)
reported the water is high. No fishing report.
101
Grocery and Bait said walleye fishing has been good this week on
the points and in the coves with running creeks. Most walleye have
been caught on live bait. White bass are still biting well. Striper
fishing is good on live bait and some are doing well using Rogues
fished in less than 30 feet of water. Crappie fishing is picking up
using a minnow/jig combo around 20-30 feet deep. The water temperature
has been in the high 50s to mid-60s. Catfishing has been good using
limb lines and rod-and-reel with live bait. Bass fishing has been fair
on trick worms, lizards and flukes in the grassy areas and around the
trees and brush.
Norfork Tailwater:
Gene’s Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said water
conditions are normal with 2 generators on around the clock. Trout
fishing is excellent on corn, nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, and olive or
black wooly buggers.
John
Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said Quarry Park is closed because
he Corps of Engineers opened the flood gates to drop the water level
on Norfork Lake because it was well over the top of flood pool. This
means that the water flow (the equivalent of thirty generators) was
fifteen times the level we had previously considered the maximum. If
you want to boat, you must use the ramp at the confluence and motor
up. There has been a lot of high water and the same high water tactics
suggested for the White should also work here. During a recent fishing
trip, I saw a three foot gar and a thirty pound striper. The tales of
fish being washed into the river when the flood gates were open are
true. It should make for some very interesting fishing this year.
There were a couple of brief periods of wadable water. The fishing
during these was spectacular. There were literally millions of scuds
in the water and the nymphing action was non stop. The biggest fish
were an eighteen inch rainbow and a wild brown the same size. The
river has changed but it is still a great place to fish. Dry Run Creek
is back in business and fishing very well. After the recent flooding,
the hot fly has been the worm brown San Juan worm in smaller sizes.
Other hot flies have been sowbugs, olive woolly buggers, egg patterns
and Y2Ks. Make sure that you mash down all barbs.
Mountain River Fly Shop said last weekend’s periods of low water,
enabling state and federal officials to assess damage from the
spillway opening, appear now to be a thing of the past. We heard the
fishing was pretty good. |
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NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
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| Beaver Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports
the lake’s elevation at 1,128.85 feet MSL.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been
biting well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits in the flooded timber all
over the lake. Crappie have been biting well up near the bank under
logs. Try a minnow fished 1 to 2 feet under a float. White bass are
still going strong upstream from the 45 bridge in 4 to 6 feet of
water. Shineee Hineee's have been the best bait. Stripers have been
scattered all over the lake. Good places to look have been in Prairie
creek, Indian Creek and up either river arm. Best bait has been live
minnows or shad. Catfishing is outstanding both for bank fisherman and
limb liners on goldfish and cut bait.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the
water is muddy and high. Bream are biting fairly well on redworms and
crickets. Crappie are biting well in 4 to 10 feet of water on minnows
and tube jigs. Bass are fair in shallow water on spinnerbaits and
soft-plastic worms. White bass are fair on minnows and crawdads.
Stripers are fair on live bait.
Lake Fayetteville:
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476)
said the water is dingy and at normal level. Bream are biting well on
crickets. Crappie are scattered but can be caught on minnows. Black
bass are biting well on crankbaits and buzzbaits
Lake Sequoyah:
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water
is stained and a little high. Crappie are biting well below the
spillway on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good on buzzbaits and
spinnerbaits. Catfish are fair on worms. |
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NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
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| Crown Lake:
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is a little dingy
and at normal level. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting
well on minnows and small jigs. Bass fishing is good on buzzbaits and
flukes.
Lake Frierson:
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is dingy and very high.
All species are slow.
Spring River:
Mark’s
Fly Shop reported that water clarity is fair, but most
importantly, the water levels are coming down. Fishing conditions
could not be better. Mayfly emergers have been very productive this
week. Brown and black caddis and mayfly hatches have been steady in
early morning hours and in the late evening. |
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SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
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| Lake Chicot:
Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is
murky and still high. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting
well on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on trotlines with soap.
Grand Lake:
Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) had no
report. |
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SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
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| Millwood Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports
the lake’s elevation at 260.61 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service
said the main lake and Little River's water surface temp is ranging
approx 64º to 77º, depending of course, on location and time of day.
The water clarity along the river and main lake, is beginning to
improve. Upriver oxbow's clarity is about 8-10". The tailwater
elevation that was available below the spillway is 248.56 feet and
falling from increased discharge at the dam. Discharge/ Release Rate
at the spillway of 17,159 CFS. Decreased current in Little River and
increase in drop of pool on Red River continues to slowly lower the
water level. River Run East boat ramp and campground is closed due to
remaining high water. Lake level on Millwood as of Tuesday 28 April,
is still approx 1.3 feet above normal, and slowly falling, at 260.53
feet. Normal pool is 259.2 feet. Little River's clarity as of Monday,
is approx 4-5" visibility. Much debris, grass mats, tree limbs, etc is
coming down Little River. Use caution during navigations on Millwood
until normal pool can be returned. USACE is working diligently to
replace river buoys that were pushed to the bank during the 6-8 foot
rise. Over half of the bass have already spawned over last 2-3 weeks.
Large 10-12" worms, magnum lizards, large Rat-L-Traps, & magnum tubes
are working well. Largemouth bass the past week has been good. Some
Largemouth bass we are finding have already spawned out, as beds have
been seen up river at various locations. Some remain staging and full
of roe. Numerous males and fat females have been seen and caught up to
9 pounds each. The most aggressive bite remains on Bass Assassin
Shads, trick worms, top-water toads, and Senkos or big bulky
Rat-L-Traps. Southern Pro Tubes (with rattles) in black/red flake are
still working in off-colored water, and purple smoke in the clearer
water. 10-inch worms and Hog Assassins in black emerald, and green
pumpkin are working. Spot remover, orange and hot mouse War Eagle
spinnerbaits are taking some decent largemouths. Crappie took another
major improvement this past week. The big crappie have been caught
under cypress trees on pink and white, or red/white jigs over the past
couple weeks. The good news continues for blues, and remains
consistent and steady w/ the current in Little River over the past
couple weeks. Channel Cats, from 3-8 pounds each for the past several
weeks, are good, using dog food, cut shad or Charlie, on trotlines and
yo-yos along the river and in oxbows hung from cypress trees in 7-9
feet water depth, near river current. Bream are beginning to bite well
again along the banks on crickets and redworms around docks and
cypress trees. White or chartreuse popping bugs on fly rods are
catching nice redear. Longnose Gar still remain relatively shallow and
cruising and are actively seen in huge numbers in shallow water
spawning areas are making excellent opportunities for bow fishermen.
Lake Columbia:
Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) had no report.
Lake Erling:
Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) had no report.
White Oak Lake:
White Oak Lake State Park said the water level is at normal pool
and the surface temperature is still fairly cool. The water clarity is
clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Bass are biting well on
plastic worms. Catfish are biting well on jugs.
Lake Greeson:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports
the lake’s elevation at 547.87 feet MSL.
Lakeside Grocery said the water is stained and at
normal level. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well in 1
to 5 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass are good in shallow water
on spinnerbaits and top-water lures. Catfishing is very good on jugs
and trotlines with minnows.
Darryl
Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said the lake is
finally back down to just full pool. The cool nights are holding the
water temperature in the 60's, which is perfect to finish a good
spawn. The bass and crappie are a bit scattered but can be found in
staging areas and in the shallows. Each day things get better or back
to normal. Both jigs and minnows are working well.
DeGray Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports
the lake’s elevation at 408.03 feet MSL.
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said the water is
murky and has a 70 degree surface temperature. All the boat ramps are
now open again. Bream are picking up on red worms and crickets.
Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Hybrids and black and white bass
are schooling to the south end and are being caught on spoons,
jerkbaits, rooster tails, and top-water lures. Catfish are picking up
on trotlines with live bait.
DeGray Lake State Park said the water is warming up more in the
shallows and clarity is dingy from the high water but clearing slowly.
The crappie are in 15 to 2 foot of water, some large ones are being
caught on baby bass 1/12” jigs and electric chicken as well as yellow
and white jigs. They were moving into the shallows but now have moved
some what father out. The black bass are being seen paired up in the
shallows. Bream are starting to move in and are hitting crickets. The
catfish are starting to come in a little stronger than last week .
|
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WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
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| Lake Dardanelle:
Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) had no report.
Bill’s Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) had no report.
Blue Mountain Lake:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 411.55 feet MSL.
CNC’s End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water
is murky and still a little high. Crappie fishing is excellent on
minnows and jigs. Catfish are biting well on worms and large minnows.
Ozark Pool:
Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is
muddy and high. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits and jigs.
Catfish are fair on shad and nightcrawlers.
Lake Ouachita:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports
the lake’s elevation at 578.44 feet MSL.
Larry Hurley from
Poorman’s Guide Service said the lake is high, but dropping about
4 inches a day. Bass are biting very well on frogs near flooded worms.
Shakey head worms in watermelon colors. Carolina rigs on long, flat
points are producing well. Striper fishing has been poor. Walleye are
beginning to pull up shallow and should be biting crankbaits fairly
well. Bream are biting well on small grubs and crickets in the
shallows.
Dave Lindhag of
Striped Bass Adventures (501-760-6474) said the water is warming
and clear. Stripers are in the creek mouths and on the points. Live
gizzard shad are working well when freelined. All sizes of stripers
are biting well, but larger fish are biting best on 10 to 18-inch
shad. Most of the fishing is over by 9:30 in the morning and doesn’t
pick up again until 4:30 in the evening. Some stripers are being
caught in 20 to 30 feet of water on trolled umbrella rigs in the
mornings.
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of
Catch’em All Guide Service, said the waters below the dam have
finally cleared to normal, but very heavy generation has hampered the
fishing. Entergy is running nearly full load generation in order to
bring Lake Ouachita out of flood pool and this process has created
very swift water in the tailrace. All of the rainbow trout have been
stocked in the area for this season; however, these fish are extremely
hard to catch while the turbines are running full blast. Periods of
calm water are needed for the fish to return to their normal feeding
patterns. Some fish are being caught, but any good fishing will not
occur until the heavy generation subsides. The white bass run is in
full swing and fishermen are catching these fish by trolling small
crankbaits in the channels that imitate shad or crawfish. White jigs
in 1/8 ounce sizes are also working well around the submerged islands
and visible rock structures. The crappie spawn is winding down with
some fish still being caught on minnows and small jigs in areas that
are protected from the strong current. Mid - April marks the beginning
of the freshwater drum spawn below the dam. Huge female drum will
cover the area for the next month - many of which are from 20 to 40
pounds. While these fish are looked down upon by many anglers, you
would be hard pressed to find a fish that can provide the fight these
huge behemoths put out. Striper and hybrid activity is sure to improve
this month as the temperature is on the rise and the trout downstream
migrate towards the tailrace area.
Diamond Head Marina said that water conditions are
normal. A few bream have been caught on crickets. Crappie are good at
the west end of the lake on minnows and jigs. Bass are good around
shorelines.
Lake Hamilton:
Larry Hurley from
Poorman’s Guide Service said Carolina rigs are working well on
flats near brush and stumps. Inside the pockets and coves, throw a
trick worm in Merthiolate or white. White bass are breaking in the
mouths of the creeks, and a spinnerbait or Rooster Tail are working.
If the wind will allow it, use the lightest weight possible to slow
the fall of your soft plastics and give fish more time to react to the
bait.
Lake Atkins:
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said water conditions are
normal. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and
jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are
decent on minnows. |
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EAST ARKANSAS
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| Arkansas River (Pine Bluff):
River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303)
said the water is stained and finally going down. Bream are biting
well on wax worms, red worms, and crickets. Crappie are picking up on
minnows. Bass are biting well on lizards and spinnerbaits. Catfish are
biting well on shad, liver, and shrimp.
White River:
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is just
under flood stage and is still in poor condition.
Maddox Bay:
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) had no report.
Bear Creek Lake:
Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is
clear and high. All species are slow right now.
Horseshoe Lake:
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is in very
good condition. A few bream have been caught on wax worms and red
worms. Crappie are biting well in shallow water on minnows and jigs.
Catfish are biting well on minnows.
Island 40 Chute:
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) had no report.
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