September 23 , 2009 Edition

Boating Tip: Inflatable life vests are considered a type V floatation device under US Coast Guard regulations. They are comfortable and convenient, but they must be worn at all times while on board to count as a life vest. Anglers and boaters who take their vests off while on the water need a type I, II, or III life vest for each person on board within easy reach. If you have a type V, you must wear it all day or have a backup (Type I, II, or III) available.

Arkansas River Levels are available at:
http://www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil/WCDS/Reports/Daily/Pao_rvrs.txt

White River Levels are available at:
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries/status_white.shtml

Central Arkansas

Lake Conway:

Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said bream are fair about 20 to 30 yards from the bank. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around deeper cypress trees. Catfishing is fair on trotlines.

Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said fishing is fair for all species. 

Little Red River: 

Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and high from the rain. Generators didn’t turn on until Monday. Trout fishing is good on spinners and white glow worms.  

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said generation at the Greers Ferry powerhouse began running one or two generators at midnight on the 20th concluding the evening of the 21st. Releases occurred again the morning of the 22nd continuing for 14 hours. Smaller afternoon releases should once again become the norm provided we don't get more rain. The average dissolved oxygen in the water coming through the turbines is 7.0 ppm with an average temperature of 54 degrees. Aquatic insect hatches have changed somewhat in the past week or so and angler catch rates are going up! Not only are we seeing the usual midge and blue-winged olive mayfly hatches, but also small hatches of caddis flies, pale morning dun mayflies and sulphur mayflies in the mix. Good dry flies to try include the Adams (size 18-20), midge (size 22-32; black or cream), crackleback (size 14), hopper pattern (size 10), PMD (size 16-18), BWO (size 18-24), and sulphur (size 16). Productive sub-surface flies include sow bug (size 14-16; tan, smoky olive and UV tan), zebra midge (size 16-22; red, black or copper), copper john (size 14; red), chronic (size 14), San Juan worm (size 14; red, fluorescent cerise, hot pink or worm brown), red butt soft hackle (size 14-18) or woolly bugger (size 8-12; olive, brown or black). 

Greers Ferry:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 462.88 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 461 MSL).

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is rising and the water temperature has fallen because of the rain. White bass and hybrids are schooling randomly all over the lake. They are up one minute and disappear the next. Staying with them may be easier if we get some stable weather. Try top waters, in-line spinners, spoons and hair jigs for the best results. Crappie are biting well out in open water as well as around the pole timber in 15 to 25 feet of water; minnows and jigs are working the best on crappie. Bream are biting well in shallow areas on nightcrawlers and crickets. Walleye are fair under the schooling hybrids and black bass. Fish a spoon under schools of fish or drag a nightcrawlers on a jig head in 27 feet of water. Black bass are scattered, with some up shallow and some out deep. Texas-rigged worms, Carolina rigs and football head jigs are working well. If the fish suspend, try a drop-shot rig. Shallow fish will hit flukes, spinnerbaits and small crankbaits.   

Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) had no report.

Harris Brake Lake:  

Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said no one is fishing because the lake is being drawn down and will remain so until Dec. 12th.

Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said catfish are biting very well on nightcrawlers and bobbers since the heavy rain.

Lake Bailey (Petit Jean State Park): 

Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no report.     

Lake Overcup:  

Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is dingy and high. Bream are slow, but some have been caught on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are biting well on soft-plastics near brush. Catfishing is good on chicken livers.    

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is high, dingy and about 80 degrees. Bream are slow on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on salt-n-pepper jigs in 10 feet of water. Bass are biting well on black soft-plastics fished near the grass. Catfishing is fair on live bream. A 40-lb. flathead was caught on Saturday.

Brewer Lake:  

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and in the low 80s. Bream are fair on worms and crickets fished near the bank. Crappie are biting well on minnows and white jigs. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfishing is good on goldfish and live bream.

Lake Maumelle: 

Jolly Roger’s Marina said largemouth bass are biting well on Gitzits, spinnerbaits and jigs in 15 to 20 feet of water during early morning and evening hours. Kentucky bass are mixed in with the largemouth and are hitting the same lures. White bass are fair; some are schooling around the east end of the lake. CC spoons, Rogues and clear Near Nuttings are working fairly well. Crappie are biting well on minnows and 1/32-oz. jigs in 19 to 25 feet of water. Bream are excellent on worms and crickets fished in 10 to 20 feet of water on rocks and the breakwater at the marina. Saugeye are fair on Rogues and jigs trolled 10 to 15 feet deep. Catfishing is good on minnows, worms and prepared bait 8 to 15 feet deep.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is clear to stained and high. Bream are biting well on redworms. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on large minnows and shad. Crappie are poor.    

Lake Valencia: 

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is high and stained. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and minnows. Catfishing is good on worms.  

Sunset Lake: 

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and murky. Bass are biting fairly well on dark-colored soft-plastics and top-water lures. All other species are slow.  

Saline River Access in Benton: 

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and muddy from the rain. No fishing to report.   

Arkansas River at Morrilton:

Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the flow is back up with all the recent rain. No fishing report.  

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool):

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on redworms and crickets in the backwater areas of the Little Maumelle River, the Maumelle River and Palarm Creek. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and soft-plastics in backwater areas with heavy cover. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and large minnows.  

Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool):  

Vince Miller from Fish N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) said the current in the river is above the small-craft warning. Not much fishing to report.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is high and clear. Bream fishing is good on redworms around Burns Park, Fourche Creek and Murray Lock and Dam. Bass fishing is good on crankbaits, soft plastics, spinnerbaits and large minnows in the backwater areas. Catfishing is good on shad and large minnows.

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said that around Terry Lock and Dam, the water is muddy and high. Bream are fair on worms and nightcrawlers in the backwater areas. Catfishing is fair on shad in backwater areas. All other species are slow.   

Clear Lake: 

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is high and muddy. Bream are fair on worms and crickets fished around any sort of shallow cover. Crappie are fair on minnows Bass are fair on nightcrawlers and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is slow.

Peckerwood Lake: 

Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is high and clear. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets around stumps. Crappie fishing is good. One angler reported catching 26 crappie in 3 hours on jigs. Bass are biting well. Catfishing is good on crickets. 

Lake Pickthorne:

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is high and stained. Bream are fair on redworms and crickets. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on large minnows and worms.

North Arkansas

White River: 

Mountain River Fly Shop had no report this week.

Julie Raines at His Place Resort said the generation patterns, although fluctuating, have been low to medium-low for the last week, in the range of 1-2 generators, with small spikes up to 3 generators. From Wildcat Shoals to Cotter, a somewhat wider portion of the river, we’ve had fair to good wading access most days. That is also enough water to navigate by boat, although some shoals might require short portages. Fishing has been very good. For bait fishermen, soft-shelled crawdads, sculpin, shrimp, nightcrawlers and redworms have given the best results; it hasn’t really changed much from last week. Hot pink Nitro worms are still working really well, as is chartreuse Power Bait.

For those who like to fish artificials, smaller Buoyant Spoons and Size 3 and 5 Rapala Countdowns in Silver/Black and Gold/Black have been the top producers, although this week several folks have reported that the Rainbow Rapalas are doing well for them. For fly-fishing, the olive woolly bugger has also been a go-to fly. A few guests also reported that brown woolly buggers were working for them. Pink San Juan worms, beadhead midges and various Copper John-style patterns have also been effective. For up-to-the-minute flow information and explanations, visit http://www.hisplaceresort.net/River-flow.htm.  

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service had no report this week. 

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said there has been little to no generation lately. The area received 8 to 10 inches of rain during he last wave of storms. Trout fishing is poor because the water is so dingy. Logs and debris are all in the river. Some fish have been caught on drifted Power Bait and live sculpins.     

White River (From Buffalo City to Red’s Landing):

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the Buffalo River came up between 10 and 15 feet over the last few days. The water is very muddy and fishing is limited to small stretches that may produce a few fish on Power Bait. Make sure you get the bait to the bottom if you want to catch fish.

Crooked Creek: 

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service had no report this week.

Bull Shoals Lake:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 656.92 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 654 MSL).

Lake Norfork:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 556.66 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).

101 Grocery and Bait said the surface water temperature is in the mid- to upper 70s. Crappie fishing has been good in 20-25 feet of water around brush piles using minnows. Bluegill fishing has been good using crickets and worms. Bass fishing has been good in the mornings and evenings. Catfishing has been good, nightcrawlers being the choice bait. Trotlines have been doing well. Striper fishing has been fair. Spooning around the dam area has been a good choice for stripers. Walleye fishing has been good; nightcrawlers seem to be their favorite bait. Over all fishing has been good and as the water cools even more it will get just better. The Stripers and Walleye will begin moving up the lake and they will be everywhere. The white bass are exploding in the Udall area. This is only the beginning of a great fall fishing season.

Norfork Tailwater: 

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said there is a large amount of muddy water which has backed up from the confluence with the White. It clears between River Ridge Resort and Bill Ackerman Access, but the water is very low. White River Zig Jigs have been producing a few fish but the bites are few and far between.Mountain River Fly Shop said all the focus has been on the White River, but we have heard some decent reports from the North Fork, including a bunch of nice rainbows falling to streamers during weekend flow. On the lower water, soft hackles are doing very well.

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service had no report.  

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Lake:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,120.88 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 1,120 MSL).

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said fishing for all species has been very good. Bass can be caught on a variety of lures all day. Early and late, try a buzzbait or top-water plug fished around visible cover close to the bank. Later in the day, a spinnerbait worked along the same areas should produce. Crappie have been holding close to brush piles in 15 to 25 feet of water. A minnow or tube jig fished along side the pile should produce some nice slabs. Another option is to work the same lures up standing timber in coves close to the creek channels. Whites continue to work the surface early and late lake wide and can be caught on a variety of shad-imitating lures. Catfishing has been good at night in the Prairie Creek arm and the 12 bridge. Try liver or stink bait.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is high and clearing. Bream are slow, but a few have been caught on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow, but a few have been caught around 12 feet deep on tube jigs, minnows and trolled Hot-N-Tots. Bass are slow. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver and prepared baits.

Beaver Tailwaters: 

Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides had no report.  

Kings River:

Zachary Hoyt at Just Fishing Guides had no report.  

Lake Fayetteville: 

Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky and a little high. Bream are slow on worms. Crappie are slow and the few that have been caught have been deep. Bass fishing is fair on top-water lures fished around deep cover. Catfishing is slow, but some have been caught on worms.

Lake Sequoyah: 

Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is dingy and high. Bream are fair on worms and crickets in 4 to 8 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows and Roadrunner jigs fished around treetops in 4 to 8 feet of water. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms fished around rocks and treetops in 2 to 8 feet of water. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver and goldfish in 8 to 15 feet of water.  

Northeast Arkansas

Crown Lake: 

Boxhound Marina ( 870-670-4496) said the water is a little high and clear. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Bass fishing is picking up a bit on top-water lures. Catfishing is good on stink bait.

Lake Frierson: 

Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and a little high. Bream are fair on redworms fished around the pier. Bass are fair on minnows and spinnerbaits. No report on any other species.    

Spring River: 

Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the heavy rains muddied the water for a day, but the river is clearing up quickly. Large, dark and bright patterns are working well. Schools of minnows have been thick on the river. Imitations of these can really pay off.  

Southeast Arkansas

Lake Chicot:

Lakeshore Motel and Marina (870-265-9901) had no report.  

Lake Monticello: 

Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said bass fishing patterns on Lake Monticello have not really changed over the last week or two. There are still bass offshore on the drops in 8 to 16 feet of water on worms and jigs. The jig bite actually seems a little better than the worm bite. Black/blue jigs are doing the trick as far as jigs go. Dark worms like tequila and black/red flake are catching some fish. There is some brief surface activity, if you are lucky enough to be on top of them when it happens. Catfishing is pretty good on blood bait and chicken livers. There have been some really nice catfish coming out of the lake lately.

Southwest Arkansas

Millwood Lake:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 258.86 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 259.2 MSL).

Millwood Lake Guide Service said as of Monday, surface temperatures range from 82 to 88 degrees, depending on location and time of day. The drawdown is in effect until February 2010, and the lake will be brought down to 4 feet below pool level. The recent rain actually raised the lake almost to flood pool again, but the Corps will drop the level again as soon as they can. Yarborough Landing is still open, although extremely shallow. Wilton Landing on Hwy 71 is still open and gravel has been added to the end of the ramp to assist loading and unloading boats and trailers. Use extreme caution due to shallow ramps and siltation/sedimentation and drop offs at the end of ramps. The campground at lower Beards Bluff is closed. Thirteen gates are open 1 foot each and two sluice gates are open to 6 feet each, discharging 10,086 CFS. Main lake visibility is 2-4 inches away from any current in Little River. The river clarity worsened to 3-5 inches at best. Cold fronts, continual rain and thunderstorms continue to pass through southern Arkansas. The cool down has improved the feeding activity of bass. The best bite during the last few weeks is ranging from daylight until noon, but schooling largemouth bass are still being found all along Little River at random most any time of day. The most aggressive bass bite over the past week continues to be on smoke grubs rigged on white jig heads for schooling fish, along with Cordell Crazy Shads, Big O or Fat Free Shad crankbaits, YUM Buzz Frogs, Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits and Rat-L-Traps. Congregating bass schools are near most any creek mouth junction with Little River, in the lily pads and any remaining vegetation. During the schooling action, top-water bite is fantastic. The Bass Assassin Shads, Johnson spoons, Heddon baby Moss Bosses and buzz baits in white, and Yum Buzz Frogs are working well. Shallow- to medium-running crankbaits like the Cordell Big O or Fat Free Shads in gray mouse or citrus shad colors are taking some keeper size bass in the 3-6 pound class. Once the sun gets up high and bearing down, the best bass bite option continues to be on Texas-rigged lizards in redbug or chameleon colors; 10" worms in Peanut Butter 'n Jelly, June Bug, or The General colors. White Bass continue schooling close to the Black Bass over the past week around both Horseshoe Lake entrances and White Cliffs. These schooling whites were very aggressive, hitting Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic and smoke curly tail grubs on jigheads. The crappie bite died with the increased current and muddy water. Channel Cats are loving the increase in current along Little River and are biting well on cut shad, chicken livers, or Charlie on yo-yos hung from cypress trees in the oxbows over 10-15' depths, and on trotlines in Little River current.

White Oak Lake:

Local angler John Tilley had no report.

Lake Greeson:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was not available. (Flood pool – 548 MSL).

Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said despite the high water, fishing is great on Lake Greeson. The lake level is falling rapidly, so fish tight to the cover. The surface temperature is in the mid- to upper 70s. Crappie, bass and bream are being caught on hardwood brush piles and bamboo condos topping out at 10-12 feet deep in 18-24 feet of water on both live bait and jigs.  

Cossatot River: 

Davy Ashcraft at 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 405.11 feet MSL (Flood pool – 408 MSL).

DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said the water is high and muddy and the temperature is in the low 80s. Not much fishing is going on right now.

West-Central Arkansas

Lake Fort Smith:  

Local anglers reported crappie were biting well in from 16 to 20 feet of water at night under submersible lights. The better size fish were coming from 20 feet. No success has been reported during the day.   

Lake Nimrod:

Lake Nimrod Bait and More II (479-272-4025) had no report.  

Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said crappie are still biting well. The best action has come on pink/white jigs with spinners trolled slowly around 10 feet deep.    

Lake Dardanelle:

Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said catfish seem to be doing best on cut bream, worms and bass minnows between rains. Bass fishing has been slow.  

Blue Mountain Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 397.78 feet MSL.

Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said not many anglers are visiting the water now. No report.

Ozark Pool:

Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is high and muddy. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on crankbaits. Catfishing is good on worms, cut bait and minnows.   

Lake Ouachita:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 578.04 feet MSL (Flood pool – 578 MSL).

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said stripers are excellent around deep holes in the main lake. Once you find the fish, catching them is easy. Largemouth bass fishing is very good with a lot of schooling action in the creeks. Topwaters and spinnerbaits are working very well.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is high, stained and at 74-78 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well on jigs fished in brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water. Largemouths, spots and whites are still breaking and can be caught on white Roostertails or top-water baits. Wacky-rigged watermelon seed trick worms and YUM Dingers have produced some good fish recently. Walleye are still very good and being caught on jigging spoons on main lake points or humps near deep water in depths of 16 to 24 feet. Stripers are still fair on live bait with shad or trotline minnows. Main lake points near creek channels or open water humps are the best areas. Bream are good with worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are fair to good and being caught near brush. Try brush in water 20- to 30-feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Tennessee shad and white are the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trot lines. Rod and reel fishing with hot dogs or dough bait has been very good in 15 to 20 feet of water.

Dave Lindhag from Striped Bass Adventures said fishing is good for stripers, but the fish are very deep. Most are coming from 50 to 70 feet near the main channel. Work along treelines. You may need to hit a few places before you find a school willing to work, but once you do, you can catch quite a few. Please remember that if you’re pulling a fish up from deeper than 30 feet or so, they may not survive the return trip to the depths. At that point, you’re better off keeping the fish and enjoying a tasty meal.

Lake Hamilton: 

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the surface water temperature is in the low 80s to upper 70s and the water color is stained to muddy because of the rain. A top-water lure, spinnerbait or a buzzbait is working in the creeks where the fresh water is coming in. Also people are finding schooling fish in the mouth of most major creeks. After dark, a Texas-rigged worm is best in the brush. Also try a black spider in brush as well. Bluegill are easy to catch in the back of most pockets.    

Lake Catherine: 

Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said the recent heavy rains caused a high water activation schedule to be put in place for several days. This warning has passed and normal operating procedures are back in place. Water temperatures remain in the low 60s below Carpenter Dam. The water has very good clarity. Rainbow trout fishing is extremely slow with very few fish being caught. The majority of trout are gone this time of year and quality trout fishing won't return to the tailrace until late November when the stocking program begins. This occurs every year with no exceptions. Trout are all stocked in at Carpenter by early April and none are put in again until November. Walleye are still being caught in the main channels by trolling small minnow-like crankbaits when the turbines are turning. Jigs tipped with minnows work well when casting around the bridge pilings. Spawning doesn't begin again until February so these fish are chasing shad and can be caught using these methods.

Lake Hinkle:  

Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is dingy and a little high. No anglers are reporting any luck on bream. Crappie fishing is poor, with only a few being taken deep. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and plastic worms around grassy areas on the bank. Catfishing is good on worms and chicken livers with most catfish caught being in the 3- to 8-lb. range.   

Lake Atkins:

Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is too high and muddy. Fishing is slow for all species and not many anglers are on the water.

South Central Arkansas

Moro Bay: 

Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the heavy rain has the river at 80 feet above sea level, and it is expected to rise another foot or two by Thursday. Not many anglers are on the water because of rain. The brave ones that came between showers, said bream were slow on crickets and worms. Crappie are slow, and those that were caught were small. Catfishing is dead slow because of all the debris in the water.  

Tri-County Lake:

No report.  

Ouachita River Oxbows: 

No report.

East Arkansas

Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:  

The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is too high for any decent fishing.     

White River: 

Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said no anglers are on the water. No report    

Maddox Bay: 

Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is high and dingy. Catfishing is fair on worms hung from trotlines. All other species are very slow.

Island 40 Chute: 

Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is about 6 to 8 inches high. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around stumps in 3 feet of water.

Horseshoe Lake:

Local angler Clyde Gregory said fishing is slow for all species, but the weather and the water level are perfect for a day out relaxing. As long as you don’t mind not catching many fish.