Arkansas Fishing Report 12-23-10 |
Central Arkansas
Lake Conway
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is low and relatively clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows, pink/white and yellow/white Crappie Stingers and pearl Bobby Garland minnows. Bass and catfish are slow.
Dan at Gold Creek Marina (501-607-0590) said crappie are biting well in the creek channel and on the bank with pink minnows and jigs. Bream are slow on redworms fished off the bottom. White bass are hitting jigs, minnows and spoons. Bass are slow. Catfishing is slow on nightcrawlers. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said there’s been little to no generation. Trout are biting well on wax worms and Power Bait drifted in the current. Fly-fishing is good on shoals.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.31 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the lake level is falling, and the surface temperature is in the mid-50s. White bass and hybrid bass continue to bite well. Look for shad schools on your sonar and keep an eye out for gulls feeding at the surface. Once you find a school, drop a spoon or hair jig just beneath the shad and work it slowly. Bass are biting well on windblown points and bluff ends and in standing timber. Spinnerbaits, grubs and Rat-L-Traps are working well on windy areas, and jigs are the ticket for bluff ends and timber. Crappie are biting in brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 feet of water on jigs tipped with minnows. Catfish are biting on cut bait in river bends close to deep water.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the water is falling, and is extremely clear in the south basin. Surface temperatures are ranging in the upper 40s to low 50s, depending on location. Most all game fish are pushing deeper, both on the main basin and within the creeks and tributaries. Baitfish are holding in the 30- to 50-foot zones. A few walleyes and good spotted bass can be spooned up out of standing timber in these deeper reaches of the creeks and feeder arms. The largemouth bite is still best on the swimbait and most minnow imitations when fished around wood and rock. Hybrid activity has slowed, and most of the hybrids in the creeks seem to have moved out.
Harris Brake Lake
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is still low. No one is fishing because of the weather and holiday season.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the dam has been repaired. The lanes are still being marked and the stumps are being cut. Fish habitat is still being built. The fishing has been slow, but some are still being caught. Crappie are hitting No. 6 minnows and white/chartreuse jigs. Bass have been hitting spinnerbaits. Catfish are doing fair on trotlines using shad. Bream are slow. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said bass and crappie are fair on No. 6 minnows. Catfish are being caught on trotlines and noodles baited with large minnows and chicken liver. Bream are slow. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake level is 9.2 feet below the spillway. The shallow areas at the front and back launch ramps have been dug out, allowing for better launching and loading of boats. If going west be careful due to shallow water, the old Hwy 10 is only 8 to 12 inches deep. Despite the low water fishing is excellent. Black bass are excellent on crankbaits and jigs fished off the points and the edges of the channels 10 to 15 feet deep. The mid-section of the lake has been most productive. Spotted bass are biting well on jighead worms fished 12 to 20 feet deep near structure. White bass are fair, with some schooling activity on the south side of Big Island and in front of the restricted area. Fish early and late with Spooks, near nutings and trolled rogues. Crappie are excellent on 1/32-oz. red/white jigs and small pink minnows fished around structure in 18 to 20 feet of water. Catfishing is fair with some large blue catfish and flatheads being caught on cut shad, bream and prepared bait.
Lake Valencia
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
Sunset Lake
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are fair on crickets. Bass are biting well on crawdad-colored crankbaits. Catfishing and crappie fishing are slow.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well on Kalin’s grubs. Bass are biting well on shad-colored crankbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said few anglers are on the water. Catfish are moving into deep holes and are biting well on worm and shad combinations in the late evening. Spotted bass are over rocky areas and are biting fairly well on jig-and-pig combos during the warmest part of the day. (Last Updated 12/5/2010)
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) no report.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said crappie are fair on black/chartreuse jigs fished around brush. No report on any other species.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on pink minnows and on chartreuse/white mini jigs below Murray Lock and Dam. Catfishing is good on live sunfish and cut shad. Sauger are biting well below the dam on the bottom.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and is slightly higher than normal. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around brush in 3 to 4 feet of water. No report on any other species.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) is closed to fishing for the winter and will reopen February 1, 2011.
Lake Pickthorne
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
North Arkansas
White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is running at normal levels with two generators running most of the time and six running periodically. Trout fishing is good. Rainbow trout are being caught on small spinners and drifted live bait. Some good brown trout have been caught on white marabou jigs.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said some nice rainbows and a few nice browns have been hitting black/silver Shad Raps during morning generation. Low fishing pressure this week have the fish holding in slow water below eddies.
Guide Davy Wotton said bitter cold and wind have kept many anglers off the water, but just before the cold snap, fish were biting extremely well. Generation levels have been up and down, with a few hours of zero generation. The river has produced some great fishing, both for rainbows and trophy browns. Many methods have been working, from dead drifting small midges and sow bugs to stripping large streamers. During high water, the best flies have been San Juan worms, eggs, dead drifted sculpin jigs and woolly buggers. During the afternoons, when sun has warmed water, dry flies have also been working well, particularly a size 12 black gnat. Often as not for wade fishermen, small flies in the size of 14 to 18 may be needed, midge pupa in black and red, sowbugs in grey or tan, micro eggs and flies of that nature will be needed.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing has been steady as long as you go to the bottom with Power Bait, worms or corn. The fluctuation of the water levels in the last week have slowed the jig and Rapala bite. There have been some nice browns caught in the 18- to 24-inch range on Rattlin Rogues in Blue/Silver/Orange, but you don’t get a lot of bites. Fish the deeper banks when the water levels have been up for a couple of days. When the water levels slow, go to the fly rod with olive or black woolly buggers and fish any fast runs you find along shoals, gravel bars and shallower banks.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said Hwy. 7 river levels are very low (11 cfs, 3.52 feet). Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow. At Hwy. 65, the river level is (83 cfs, 3.90 feet). Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow. At Hwy. 14, the river level is low(142 cfs, 2.71 feet). Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow.
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said river levels are very low (59 cfs, 10.74 feet). This level is deceiving as the low water bridge at Kelly’s Access backs up the water. Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 649.51 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said bass are shallow and are biting on jigs and crankbaits on bluff ends and rock slides along bluff walls. Natural-colored Wiggle Wart crankbaits are catching good size smallmouth bass on bluff wall transitions. Some really good spotted bass can be caught in the standing timber along bluffs with a jig-and-minnow. Be sure to downsize your line and slow down your retrieve. Some really nice walleyes are being caught on live bait fished on a jig on the same type structure and on the outside of main lake brush piles and drop offs. Water temps are in the low- to mid-50s, and suspending stick baits are catching some really good walleye and striped bass now. Crappie are biting better when we have a few days of stable weather, they are pretty shallow on those days, suspending around wood cover and along steep banks. The best bait for crappie seems to be minnows fished on a slip bobber about 6 feet deep over brush piles or a jig-and-minnow worked slowly while casting to the shore line in the creek arms.
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said Bull Shoals Lake level is at 650.2 feet, 3.8 feet below flood pool. Water releases are around the clock with flows up to 16,000 cfs. Best fishing is from a boat. Streamers, egg, San Juan worms and bigger brighter nymphs are working. Woolly Buggers in olive, black and brown have been working on a sink-tip line. Try a soft hackle or other nymph tied to the bend of the streamer hook about 12 inches back. This rig has been picking up a few fish also.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 545.59 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
STR Outfitters said fishing has been good using live bait. Stripers are biting free-lined shad trolled slowly on a split-shot rig in 60-80 feet of water. Bass fishing has been good around 25-30 feet deep. Crappie fishing has been good, but depths have varied from 4-25 feet using minnows. White Bass fishing has been fair. Walleye fishing has been slow. (Last Updated 12/5/2010)
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is 50 degrees. Bass are still hitting crankbaits close to the bank, around 5-10 feet deep. The deeper fish are hitting jigs and grubs. There are some stripers up in the river above Red Bank. Look for them in the creeks of the lake, too. Look around 10-30 feet deep and drop a jigging spoon to them.
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait had no report.
Norfork Tailwater
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) had no report.
Charlie’s Rainbow Trout Resort had no report. The cold weather has kept most anglers off the water.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said the fishing has been excellent. Rapala Countdowns in black and gold size 7 have been producing some nice browns and cutthroats in the 16- to 20-inch range during morning generation. Low fishing pressure this week has the fish holding close to the bank.
Guide Davy Wotton said the tailwater has produced some good wade fishing opportunities, all be it fish are getting a little wise from fishing pressure. Small midge patterns, sizes 18 to 22, sow bugs size 18 to 6, fished on long leaders with micro indicators will help catch these wary fish.
Northwest Arkansas
Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,113.66 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said Striper fishing has been fair and is expected to pick up with the warm weather this week. Fish are scattered and you will have to check multiple locations to get your fish. Stripers can be caught by "free-lining" and "ballooning" this week. Run your baits about 100-150 feet behind the boat. Use gizzard shad about 4-5inches long. If using balloons, tie the balloon on about 15 feet ahead of your bait and use no weight allowing the bait to swim freely where it is comfortable. On the mid and lower sections of the lake, the water is in the mid-40s to low 50s. Most fish are upriver in the Rocky Branch and Copper Mine areas. In the upper section of the lake, check around the islands at Prairie Creek. Beaver Shores, Hickory Creek, War Eagle Marina, the mouth of War Eagle where it meets the White river and up to the Sidewalk Hole are producing some stripers as well as a few walleye. In Horseshoe Bend, walleye and stripers are being caught on the rocky shoreline on the fare side and the flats near the swimming area. Also check the flat near the old pond and the island between it and Monte-NE. In the Blue Springs Area, check the holes upriver from the Highway 412 bridge, including Cedar Bluff. Pay special attention to the last deep holes near Nells Bluff. Most walleye around Monte-NE and Hickory Creek will be about 20 to 30 feet deep on points and mid-stream humps. Check upstream and down tream edges of humps and points. Three-way rigs fished with crawlers or natural blue Rapalas are producing well. Crawler harnesses in chartreuse or orange color variations are working well. Troll crawlers and Papalas at about 1/2 to 3/4 mph with a lift drop presentation, the bite will occur on the drop back. Use a 14-inch dropper to your sinker and a 4-foot leader to your bait. Bannana style crankbaits trolled 1.5 to 2 mph are also working along channel contours. Click here to check the daily lake level and flow data link.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been hitting crawdad-colored crankbaits along chunk rock banks. They have also been hitting watermelon and pumpkin colored jig and pig combos around docks and timber close to deep water. Crappie have been biting well above brush piles and timber in 10 to 30 feet of water. Fish a minnow or a tube jig under a float just above the brush 5 to 15 feet deep. The best places have been upstream in either the White or War Eagle arm, Monte-NE, and Hickory Creek. White bass have been holding in the mouths of main lake coves and off main lake points and are suspending 15 to 40 feet deep. Small casting spoons have worked best once a school has been located. Catfishing has been good from the bank late in the day into the evening using stink bait or liver. The 412 access, Hickory Creek, and 12 bridge have all been good.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is 6 feet low. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bass are fair on crankbaits, jigs and drop-shot rigs. Some stripers are biting around Rocky Branch on shad fished under a balloon.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said Beaver Lake level is at 1114.8 feet, 5.6 feet below flood pool. Water releases have been happening twice a day, morning and evening, with flows up to 7,000 cfs. There is still wadeable water between the releases. Best flies are 14-16 sow bugs/scuds in tan, olive and gray, Zebra Midges in gray, tan/cream and black and smaller streamers such as Woolly Buggers in olive and black. On high flows try throwing bigger streamers, egg and San Juan Worm patterns.
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides said river levels are very low (51 cfs, 2.52 feet). Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the boat dock will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 14. After Jan. 14, people can pick up their season passes for the dock. No one has been fishing in the last week.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said fishing is slow and the wind has made it difficult. Channel catfish are biting well on chicken liver in deep water. All other species are slow. Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 15 for the holiday season.
Northeast Arkansas
Lake Poinsett
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett is still very low, but those that are fishing seem to be doing fairly well on crappie and bass. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said no one is fishing during the cold weather. No report.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park had no report. No one is fishing.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are running 250cfs and water clarity is clear. Low water makes for some great wade-in conditions. Fishing has been excellent the last few weeks. Not many people brave the cold temps during this time of year and it cuts down on fishing pressure. There are more big fish caught during winter than any other time of the year. Great success was achieved last week with streamer techniques. Fast short strips back were really hot. Beadhead woolly buggers were the hot fly.
Southeast Arkansas
Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park said bream fishing has been good. Crappie fishing has been fair. Bream are being caught mostly on crickets. Crappie are being caught on minnows. Catfish are biting well on crickets and blood bait. Bass are slow on black plastic worms.
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said wind and cold weather have slowed fishing, but minnows continue to be a good option for crappie on Cane Creek.
Lake Monticello
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said very few boats are on the water because of the cold.
Southwest Arkansas
Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 255.59 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level remains fairly consistent from last week, and is 43 inches below normal pool and falling, with current in Little River of 191 CFS. Surface temps are 50-57 degrees. Use extreme caution at boat ramps and navigating Millwood during the drawdown (in effect through Feb 2011). Stumps and boat ramps are very shallow. Some cutover boat lanes through timber are inaccessible. Clarity on the main lake improved; currently ranging approx 12-18 inches, and 15-25 inches in Little River. Largemouth, spotted and white bass remain good. Bass schooling activities have subsided, but large schools remain at junctions of creeks and ditches along Little River following large schools of shad. The best lures have been Rat-L-Traps, Bomber Fat Free Shad crankbaits, bulky worms and jigs. Slow rolling spinnerbaits is beginning to work as well. The best bite has shifted to early afternoon and the heat of the day. The best Rat-L-Trap colors have been the Tennessee Shad/Gold, White Shad, or Crawfish patterns like the Toledo Gold. The best Bomber Fat Free Shad colors continue to be Tennessee Shad, White or Citrus Shad. Crank the baits slowly along ditches, creek mouths, and intersections where dumps into Little River intersect, and around any remaining vegetation in these creek channel mouths. The best jig colors are White or Texas Craw. Fish cypress trees and stumps in deeper sections of the creek channels for best results. White bass are still stacked up in Little River, but the surface activity has died. Whites remain in the immediate vicinities of Hurricane Creek, Jack’s Isle, Horseshoe and other oxbows that connect with the Little River and the dumps into the river. They’re biting Bomber Fat Free Shads, Rat-L-Traps, Cordell Gay Blades, Cordell CC Spoons, Little Georges and white/red Rooster Tails. Crappie improved last week. Limits can be caught on jigs in just a few hours. Channel catfish remain consistent over the past week on trotlines in Little River and yo-yo’s hung from cypress tree branches in 14-18 feet of water baited with cut shad, earthworms, blood bait and cotton seed meal cake.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low and clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair to good. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low and clear. No report on bream. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair to good. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 537.43 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is low, murky and 50 degrees. Bream are slow. Crappie are slow. Bass are fair on small crankbaits and jigs in 1 to 6 feet of water. Catfish and walleye are slow.
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Jeff Guerin of www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com said fishing has been decent. The new trout in the tailwater are actively hitting flies such as the smidge, but getting hooked up with the strikes has been a bit difficult. When fishing for these new fish, it’s best to set the hook by tightening the line without raising the rod. The fish will stick themselves. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Cossatot River
Cossatot River State Park had no report.
DeGray Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 394.21 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).
Due to the low water, boaters should use extreme caution when navigating DeGray. Many unmarked islands and humps are just under the surface, which can cause serious damage and harm if struck.
Local angler George Graves said the water temperature is in the high 40s and is the same from the surface to 20 feet deep. Bass fishing is fair with some decent catches reported from deep water. Look for fish in 20 to 30 feet of water off deep points, ledges and along creek channels. Fish heavy jigs (1/2 to 3/4 ounce), and Texas-rigged worms. Also try a heavy jigging spoon along deep ledges. A green pumpkin, green pumpkin/red or redbug Zoom finesse worm has done well on largemouths and spotted bass. Some good areas for bass are around the islands just west of Point 28, the south bank across from Island 35, the area around Point 14 and the old creek channel in Big Hill Creek. Crappie fishing is fair with some of the deeper, 18 to 22 foot, attractors producing pretty well. Fish directly over the brush with a Tennessee shad or black/silver 2-inch grub on a 1/16-ounce jig head. Don’t even jig the lure, just ease around the brush very slowly with the trolling motor. Count on losing some jigs because you have to get real tight to the brush. The best areas for crappie have been between Arlie Moore and Shouse Ford; also try Big Hill Creek. Hybrids and white bass are starting to move into the big flat between Goat Island and Point Cedar. Very few are being caught, but this will change when the fish stack up in January. Use the sonar to locate the schools and drop a ½- to ¾-ounce chartreuse jigging spoon. Also try slow trolling a no. 5 or 7 Shad Rap in a shad pattern.
West-Central Arkansas
Lake Nimrod
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 337.03 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no new report.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) had no report due to lack of anglers.
Lake Dardanelle
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said crappie have slowed, but some larger fish are being caught. Red/clear sparkle jigs and crappie minnows are working best. Bass have been biting well, but most have been below the minimum length limit. Catfish are still biting well, even though the water has been a little slow. Most catfish anglers are using cut shad, which have been a little bit easier to find lately.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.22 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the store is closed until spring 2011. No report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 567.61 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said stripers are starting to bust the surface. Look for shad near the surface and cast Redfins. When the surface action dies, use a spoon. Bass fishing is good with many fish being caught on spinnerbaits fished around points and jigs fished around deep timber.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 48 to 54 degrees and is clearing. Largemouth bass are still very good on green pumpkin or peanut butter and jelly football jigs fished 10 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are fair and being caught on spoons fished 20 to 25 feet deep around brush. Stripers are good on live shad and downrigged hair jigs. Bream are slow on worms or crickets in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are very good near brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep on minnows or Tennessee shad-colored crappie grubs. Catfish are very good on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.
Lake Hamilton
Lake Hamilton has been lowered 3 feet for its annual winter drawdown. Navigation can be dangerous in some areas of the lake, as humps and points are only a few inches below the surface. Use caution while boating.
Daryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said bass and crappie are good on live bait and jigs. Larger fish are showing up with the cold weather.
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 48 degrees with clear conditions. The winter drawdown has made navigating the tailrace hazardous. Grass and moss growth is heavy for this time of year due to the lack of a regular generation schedule. Rainbow trout fishing is excellent with good numbers of fish in many areas of the tailrace. Spin fishermen casting jigs in white or gray around visible structure have taken the largest trout this week. Rooster Tails in brown or white are also working well used in slack water or in areas of current. Corn with a marshmallow floater has taken quality limits of fish along with redworms and wax worms fished just off the bottom. Fly fishermen are targeting areas of moving water with micro-jigs in black or white under a strike indicator. San Juan worms in hot pink or red offer trout a nice change from solely feeding on shad. Crappie and white bass are slow with these fish moving in and out of the tailrace chasing the shad schools. Trout are king now at Carpenter Dam and fishing will only get better as the new year approaches.
Rick Sawyer at Dozhier’s Rainbow Landing (501-262-2825) said trout are excellent below the dam.
Lake Atkins
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the lake is still low, but crappie fishing on Lake Atkins has been excellent the last few weeks! Those who know how to fish for crappie have no problem catching their limit within a few hours. Most have been caught on jigs fished in the coves and along the banks. Many small bass are still being caught as well. The redear have really picked up with large fish, some over one pound being weighed in. They are biting on crawlers and redworms. Catfishing is slow. (Last Updated 12/5/2010)
South-Central Arkansas
Moro Bay
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay had no report.
Ouachita River Oxbows
Jaret Rushing had no report.
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing had no report.
East Arkansas
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is at normal level and clarity is good. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and electric chicken-colored jigs fished in 4 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits fished around rocky areas. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
White River
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said fishing is slow and no anglers are on the river.
Maddox Bay
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is low. No one is fishing. No report.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is at normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair, and one 8-lb. bass came in last week.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is at normal level and is clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on crankbaits trolled in 22 feet of water. Bass are slow. Catfish are fair.
Lake Conway
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is low and relatively clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows, pink/white and yellow/white Crappie Stingers and pearl Bobby Garland minnows. Bass and catfish are slow.
Dan at Gold Creek Marina (501-607-0590) said crappie are biting well in the creek channel and on the bank with pink minnows and jigs. Bream are slow on redworms fished off the bottom. White bass are hitting jigs, minnows and spoons. Bass are slow. Catfishing is slow on nightcrawlers. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said there’s been little to no generation. Trout are biting well on wax worms and Power Bait drifted in the current. Fly-fishing is good on shoals.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.31 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the lake level is falling, and the surface temperature is in the mid-50s. White bass and hybrid bass continue to bite well. Look for shad schools on your sonar and keep an eye out for gulls feeding at the surface. Once you find a school, drop a spoon or hair jig just beneath the shad and work it slowly. Bass are biting well on windblown points and bluff ends and in standing timber. Spinnerbaits, grubs and Rat-L-Traps are working well on windy areas, and jigs are the ticket for bluff ends and timber. Crappie are biting in brush piles and standing timber in 15-25 feet of water on jigs tipped with minnows. Catfish are biting on cut bait in river bends close to deep water.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the water is falling, and is extremely clear in the south basin. Surface temperatures are ranging in the upper 40s to low 50s, depending on location. Most all game fish are pushing deeper, both on the main basin and within the creeks and tributaries. Baitfish are holding in the 30- to 50-foot zones. A few walleyes and good spotted bass can be spooned up out of standing timber in these deeper reaches of the creeks and feeder arms. The largemouth bite is still best on the swimbait and most minnow imitations when fished around wood and rock. Hybrid activity has slowed, and most of the hybrids in the creeks seem to have moved out.
Harris Brake Lake
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is still low. No one is fishing because of the weather and holiday season.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the dam has been repaired. The lanes are still being marked and the stumps are being cut. Fish habitat is still being built. The fishing has been slow, but some are still being caught. Crappie are hitting No. 6 minnows and white/chartreuse jigs. Bass have been hitting spinnerbaits. Catfish are doing fair on trotlines using shad. Bream are slow. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said bass and crappie are fair on No. 6 minnows. Catfish are being caught on trotlines and noodles baited with large minnows and chicken liver. Bream are slow. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake level is 9.2 feet below the spillway. The shallow areas at the front and back launch ramps have been dug out, allowing for better launching and loading of boats. If going west be careful due to shallow water, the old Hwy 10 is only 8 to 12 inches deep. Despite the low water fishing is excellent. Black bass are excellent on crankbaits and jigs fished off the points and the edges of the channels 10 to 15 feet deep. The mid-section of the lake has been most productive. Spotted bass are biting well on jighead worms fished 12 to 20 feet deep near structure. White bass are fair, with some schooling activity on the south side of Big Island and in front of the restricted area. Fish early and late with Spooks, near nutings and trolled rogues. Crappie are excellent on 1/32-oz. red/white jigs and small pink minnows fished around structure in 18 to 20 feet of water. Catfishing is fair with some large blue catfish and flatheads being caught on cut shad, bream and prepared bait.
Lake Valencia
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
Sunset Lake
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are fair on crickets. Bass are biting well on crawdad-colored crankbaits. Catfishing and crappie fishing are slow.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well on Kalin’s grubs. Bass are biting well on shad-colored crankbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said few anglers are on the water. Catfish are moving into deep holes and are biting well on worm and shad combinations in the late evening. Spotted bass are over rocky areas and are biting fairly well on jig-and-pig combos during the warmest part of the day. (Last Updated 12/5/2010)
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) no report.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said crappie are fair on black/chartreuse jigs fished around brush. No report on any other species.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on pink minnows and on chartreuse/white mini jigs below Murray Lock and Dam. Catfishing is good on live sunfish and cut shad. Sauger are biting well below the dam on the bottom.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and is slightly higher than normal. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around brush in 3 to 4 feet of water. No report on any other species.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) is closed to fishing for the winter and will reopen February 1, 2011.
Lake Pickthorne
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) had no report.
North Arkansas
White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is running at normal levels with two generators running most of the time and six running periodically. Trout fishing is good. Rainbow trout are being caught on small spinners and drifted live bait. Some good brown trout have been caught on white marabou jigs.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said some nice rainbows and a few nice browns have been hitting black/silver Shad Raps during morning generation. Low fishing pressure this week have the fish holding in slow water below eddies.
Guide Davy Wotton said bitter cold and wind have kept many anglers off the water, but just before the cold snap, fish were biting extremely well. Generation levels have been up and down, with a few hours of zero generation. The river has produced some great fishing, both for rainbows and trophy browns. Many methods have been working, from dead drifting small midges and sow bugs to stripping large streamers. During high water, the best flies have been San Juan worms, eggs, dead drifted sculpin jigs and woolly buggers. During the afternoons, when sun has warmed water, dry flies have also been working well, particularly a size 12 black gnat. Often as not for wade fishermen, small flies in the size of 14 to 18 may be needed, midge pupa in black and red, sowbugs in grey or tan, micro eggs and flies of that nature will be needed.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing has been steady as long as you go to the bottom with Power Bait, worms or corn. The fluctuation of the water levels in the last week have slowed the jig and Rapala bite. There have been some nice browns caught in the 18- to 24-inch range on Rattlin Rogues in Blue/Silver/Orange, but you don’t get a lot of bites. Fish the deeper banks when the water levels have been up for a couple of days. When the water levels slow, go to the fly rod with olive or black woolly buggers and fish any fast runs you find along shoals, gravel bars and shallower banks.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said Hwy. 7 river levels are very low (11 cfs, 3.52 feet). Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow. At Hwy. 65, the river level is (83 cfs, 3.90 feet). Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow. At Hwy. 14, the river level is low(142 cfs, 2.71 feet). Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow.
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said river levels are very low (59 cfs, 10.74 feet). This level is deceiving as the low water bridge at Kelly’s Access backs up the water. Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 649.51 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said bass are shallow and are biting on jigs and crankbaits on bluff ends and rock slides along bluff walls. Natural-colored Wiggle Wart crankbaits are catching good size smallmouth bass on bluff wall transitions. Some really good spotted bass can be caught in the standing timber along bluffs with a jig-and-minnow. Be sure to downsize your line and slow down your retrieve. Some really nice walleyes are being caught on live bait fished on a jig on the same type structure and on the outside of main lake brush piles and drop offs. Water temps are in the low- to mid-50s, and suspending stick baits are catching some really good walleye and striped bass now. Crappie are biting better when we have a few days of stable weather, they are pretty shallow on those days, suspending around wood cover and along steep banks. The best bait for crappie seems to be minnows fished on a slip bobber about 6 feet deep over brush piles or a jig-and-minnow worked slowly while casting to the shore line in the creek arms.
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said Bull Shoals Lake level is at 650.2 feet, 3.8 feet below flood pool. Water releases are around the clock with flows up to 16,000 cfs. Best fishing is from a boat. Streamers, egg, San Juan worms and bigger brighter nymphs are working. Woolly Buggers in olive, black and brown have been working on a sink-tip line. Try a soft hackle or other nymph tied to the bend of the streamer hook about 12 inches back. This rig has been picking up a few fish also.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 545.59 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
STR Outfitters said fishing has been good using live bait. Stripers are biting free-lined shad trolled slowly on a split-shot rig in 60-80 feet of water. Bass fishing has been good around 25-30 feet deep. Crappie fishing has been good, but depths have varied from 4-25 feet using minnows. White Bass fishing has been fair. Walleye fishing has been slow. (Last Updated 12/5/2010)
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is 50 degrees. Bass are still hitting crankbaits close to the bank, around 5-10 feet deep. The deeper fish are hitting jigs and grubs. There are some stripers up in the river above Red Bank. Look for them in the creeks of the lake, too. Look around 10-30 feet deep and drop a jigging spoon to them.
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait had no report.
Norfork Tailwater
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) had no report.
Charlie’s Rainbow Trout Resort had no report. The cold weather has kept most anglers off the water.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said the fishing has been excellent. Rapala Countdowns in black and gold size 7 have been producing some nice browns and cutthroats in the 16- to 20-inch range during morning generation. Low fishing pressure this week has the fish holding close to the bank.
Guide Davy Wotton said the tailwater has produced some good wade fishing opportunities, all be it fish are getting a little wise from fishing pressure. Small midge patterns, sizes 18 to 22, sow bugs size 18 to 6, fished on long leaders with micro indicators will help catch these wary fish.
Northwest Arkansas
Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,113.66 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said Striper fishing has been fair and is expected to pick up with the warm weather this week. Fish are scattered and you will have to check multiple locations to get your fish. Stripers can be caught by "free-lining" and "ballooning" this week. Run your baits about 100-150 feet behind the boat. Use gizzard shad about 4-5inches long. If using balloons, tie the balloon on about 15 feet ahead of your bait and use no weight allowing the bait to swim freely where it is comfortable. On the mid and lower sections of the lake, the water is in the mid-40s to low 50s. Most fish are upriver in the Rocky Branch and Copper Mine areas. In the upper section of the lake, check around the islands at Prairie Creek. Beaver Shores, Hickory Creek, War Eagle Marina, the mouth of War Eagle where it meets the White river and up to the Sidewalk Hole are producing some stripers as well as a few walleye. In Horseshoe Bend, walleye and stripers are being caught on the rocky shoreline on the fare side and the flats near the swimming area. Also check the flat near the old pond and the island between it and Monte-NE. In the Blue Springs Area, check the holes upriver from the Highway 412 bridge, including Cedar Bluff. Pay special attention to the last deep holes near Nells Bluff. Most walleye around Monte-NE and Hickory Creek will be about 20 to 30 feet deep on points and mid-stream humps. Check upstream and down tream edges of humps and points. Three-way rigs fished with crawlers or natural blue Rapalas are producing well. Crawler harnesses in chartreuse or orange color variations are working well. Troll crawlers and Papalas at about 1/2 to 3/4 mph with a lift drop presentation, the bite will occur on the drop back. Use a 14-inch dropper to your sinker and a 4-foot leader to your bait. Bannana style crankbaits trolled 1.5 to 2 mph are also working along channel contours. Click here to check the daily lake level and flow data link.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been hitting crawdad-colored crankbaits along chunk rock banks. They have also been hitting watermelon and pumpkin colored jig and pig combos around docks and timber close to deep water. Crappie have been biting well above brush piles and timber in 10 to 30 feet of water. Fish a minnow or a tube jig under a float just above the brush 5 to 15 feet deep. The best places have been upstream in either the White or War Eagle arm, Monte-NE, and Hickory Creek. White bass have been holding in the mouths of main lake coves and off main lake points and are suspending 15 to 40 feet deep. Small casting spoons have worked best once a school has been located. Catfishing has been good from the bank late in the day into the evening using stink bait or liver. The 412 access, Hickory Creek, and 12 bridge have all been good.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is 6 feet low. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bass are fair on crankbaits, jigs and drop-shot rigs. Some stripers are biting around Rocky Branch on shad fished under a balloon.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said Beaver Lake level is at 1114.8 feet, 5.6 feet below flood pool. Water releases have been happening twice a day, morning and evening, with flows up to 7,000 cfs. There is still wadeable water between the releases. Best flies are 14-16 sow bugs/scuds in tan, olive and gray, Zebra Midges in gray, tan/cream and black and smaller streamers such as Woolly Buggers in olive and black. On high flows try throwing bigger streamers, egg and San Juan Worm patterns.
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides said river levels are very low (51 cfs, 2.52 feet). Water temperatures are in the mid 40s. Smallmouth fishing will be very slow.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the boat dock will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 14. After Jan. 14, people can pick up their season passes for the dock. No one has been fishing in the last week.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said fishing is slow and the wind has made it difficult. Channel catfish are biting well on chicken liver in deep water. All other species are slow. Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock will be closed Dec. 23-Jan. 15 for the holiday season.
Northeast Arkansas
Lake Poinsett
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett is still very low, but those that are fishing seem to be doing fairly well on crappie and bass. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said no one is fishing during the cold weather. No report.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park had no report. No one is fishing.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are running 250cfs and water clarity is clear. Low water makes for some great wade-in conditions. Fishing has been excellent the last few weeks. Not many people brave the cold temps during this time of year and it cuts down on fishing pressure. There are more big fish caught during winter than any other time of the year. Great success was achieved last week with streamer techniques. Fast short strips back were really hot. Beadhead woolly buggers were the hot fly.
Southeast Arkansas
Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park said bream fishing has been good. Crappie fishing has been fair. Bream are being caught mostly on crickets. Crappie are being caught on minnows. Catfish are biting well on crickets and blood bait. Bass are slow on black plastic worms.
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said wind and cold weather have slowed fishing, but minnows continue to be a good option for crappie on Cane Creek.
Lake Monticello
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said very few boats are on the water because of the cold.
Southwest Arkansas
Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 255.59 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level remains fairly consistent from last week, and is 43 inches below normal pool and falling, with current in Little River of 191 CFS. Surface temps are 50-57 degrees. Use extreme caution at boat ramps and navigating Millwood during the drawdown (in effect through Feb 2011). Stumps and boat ramps are very shallow. Some cutover boat lanes through timber are inaccessible. Clarity on the main lake improved; currently ranging approx 12-18 inches, and 15-25 inches in Little River. Largemouth, spotted and white bass remain good. Bass schooling activities have subsided, but large schools remain at junctions of creeks and ditches along Little River following large schools of shad. The best lures have been Rat-L-Traps, Bomber Fat Free Shad crankbaits, bulky worms and jigs. Slow rolling spinnerbaits is beginning to work as well. The best bite has shifted to early afternoon and the heat of the day. The best Rat-L-Trap colors have been the Tennessee Shad/Gold, White Shad, or Crawfish patterns like the Toledo Gold. The best Bomber Fat Free Shad colors continue to be Tennessee Shad, White or Citrus Shad. Crank the baits slowly along ditches, creek mouths, and intersections where dumps into Little River intersect, and around any remaining vegetation in these creek channel mouths. The best jig colors are White or Texas Craw. Fish cypress trees and stumps in deeper sections of the creek channels for best results. White bass are still stacked up in Little River, but the surface activity has died. Whites remain in the immediate vicinities of Hurricane Creek, Jack’s Isle, Horseshoe and other oxbows that connect with the Little River and the dumps into the river. They’re biting Bomber Fat Free Shads, Rat-L-Traps, Cordell Gay Blades, Cordell CC Spoons, Little Georges and white/red Rooster Tails. Crappie improved last week. Limits can be caught on jigs in just a few hours. Channel catfish remain consistent over the past week on trotlines in Little River and yo-yo’s hung from cypress tree branches in 14-18 feet of water baited with cut shad, earthworms, blood bait and cotton seed meal cake.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low and clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair to good. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low and clear. No report on bream. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair to good. Catfishing is slow.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 537.43 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is low, murky and 50 degrees. Bream are slow. Crappie are slow. Bass are fair on small crankbaits and jigs in 1 to 6 feet of water. Catfish and walleye are slow.
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Jeff Guerin of www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com said fishing has been decent. The new trout in the tailwater are actively hitting flies such as the smidge, but getting hooked up with the strikes has been a bit difficult. When fishing for these new fish, it’s best to set the hook by tightening the line without raising the rod. The fish will stick themselves. (Last Updated 12/1/2010)
Cossatot River
Cossatot River State Park had no report.
DeGray Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 394.21 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).
Due to the low water, boaters should use extreme caution when navigating DeGray. Many unmarked islands and humps are just under the surface, which can cause serious damage and harm if struck.
Local angler George Graves said the water temperature is in the high 40s and is the same from the surface to 20 feet deep. Bass fishing is fair with some decent catches reported from deep water. Look for fish in 20 to 30 feet of water off deep points, ledges and along creek channels. Fish heavy jigs (1/2 to 3/4 ounce), and Texas-rigged worms. Also try a heavy jigging spoon along deep ledges. A green pumpkin, green pumpkin/red or redbug Zoom finesse worm has done well on largemouths and spotted bass. Some good areas for bass are around the islands just west of Point 28, the south bank across from Island 35, the area around Point 14 and the old creek channel in Big Hill Creek. Crappie fishing is fair with some of the deeper, 18 to 22 foot, attractors producing pretty well. Fish directly over the brush with a Tennessee shad or black/silver 2-inch grub on a 1/16-ounce jig head. Don’t even jig the lure, just ease around the brush very slowly with the trolling motor. Count on losing some jigs because you have to get real tight to the brush. The best areas for crappie have been between Arlie Moore and Shouse Ford; also try Big Hill Creek. Hybrids and white bass are starting to move into the big flat between Goat Island and Point Cedar. Very few are being caught, but this will change when the fish stack up in January. Use the sonar to locate the schools and drop a ½- to ¾-ounce chartreuse jigging spoon. Also try slow trolling a no. 5 or 7 Shad Rap in a shad pattern.
West-Central Arkansas
Lake Nimrod
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 337.03 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no new report.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) had no report due to lack of anglers.
Lake Dardanelle
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said crappie have slowed, but some larger fish are being caught. Red/clear sparkle jigs and crappie minnows are working best. Bass have been biting well, but most have been below the minimum length limit. Catfish are still biting well, even though the water has been a little slow. Most catfish anglers are using cut shad, which have been a little bit easier to find lately.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.22 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the store is closed until spring 2011. No report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 567.61 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said stripers are starting to bust the surface. Look for shad near the surface and cast Redfins. When the surface action dies, use a spoon. Bass fishing is good with many fish being caught on spinnerbaits fished around points and jigs fished around deep timber.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 48 to 54 degrees and is clearing. Largemouth bass are still very good on green pumpkin or peanut butter and jelly football jigs fished 10 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are fair and being caught on spoons fished 20 to 25 feet deep around brush. Stripers are good on live shad and downrigged hair jigs. Bream are slow on worms or crickets in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are very good near brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep on minnows or Tennessee shad-colored crappie grubs. Catfish are very good on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.
Lake Hamilton
Lake Hamilton has been lowered 3 feet for its annual winter drawdown. Navigation can be dangerous in some areas of the lake, as humps and points are only a few inches below the surface. Use caution while boating.
Daryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said bass and crappie are good on live bait and jigs. Larger fish are showing up with the cold weather.
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 48 degrees with clear conditions. The winter drawdown has made navigating the tailrace hazardous. Grass and moss growth is heavy for this time of year due to the lack of a regular generation schedule. Rainbow trout fishing is excellent with good numbers of fish in many areas of the tailrace. Spin fishermen casting jigs in white or gray around visible structure have taken the largest trout this week. Rooster Tails in brown or white are also working well used in slack water or in areas of current. Corn with a marshmallow floater has taken quality limits of fish along with redworms and wax worms fished just off the bottom. Fly fishermen are targeting areas of moving water with micro-jigs in black or white under a strike indicator. San Juan worms in hot pink or red offer trout a nice change from solely feeding on shad. Crappie and white bass are slow with these fish moving in and out of the tailrace chasing the shad schools. Trout are king now at Carpenter Dam and fishing will only get better as the new year approaches.
Rick Sawyer at Dozhier’s Rainbow Landing (501-262-2825) said trout are excellent below the dam.
Lake Atkins
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the lake is still low, but crappie fishing on Lake Atkins has been excellent the last few weeks! Those who know how to fish for crappie have no problem catching their limit within a few hours. Most have been caught on jigs fished in the coves and along the banks. Many small bass are still being caught as well. The redear have really picked up with large fish, some over one pound being weighed in. They are biting on crawlers and redworms. Catfishing is slow. (Last Updated 12/5/2010)
South-Central Arkansas
Moro Bay
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay had no report.
Ouachita River Oxbows
Jaret Rushing had no report.
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing had no report.
East Arkansas
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is at normal level and clarity is good. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and electric chicken-colored jigs fished in 4 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits fished around rocky areas. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver. (Last updated 11/24/2010)
White River
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said fishing is slow and no anglers are on the river.
Maddox Bay
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is low. No one is fishing. No report.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is at normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair, and one 8-lb. bass came in last week.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is at normal level and is clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on crankbaits trolled in 22 feet of water. Bass are slow. Catfish are fair.
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About the Author
Randy Zellers 501-223-6406, e-mail: rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.usPosted by: Admin | Total views: 250 | Date: Dec 24th 2010
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