September 30 , 2009 Edition

Fishing Tip:  The terms “cover” and “structure” are often used interchangeably, but they mean different things when anglers are talking: “Cover” refers to some sort of obstruction or object in the water. Tires, stumps, brush piles, lily pads and other vegetation are examples of cover. Structure is a feature on the lake bottom that creates a change in depth. Ledges, creek channels, points and humps are examples of structure. Now that you know the difference, the following sentence should make perfect sense. “The best fishing is often found on structure with cover on it.”

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 the water is clear (for Conway) and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is fair on shiners.

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 high and clear with one unit running all day. Trout fishing is good on Power Bait and wax worms with marshmallows. Countdown Rapalas, spoons and marabou jigs also are working well.  

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse has been releasing water every day for more than a week. Aquatic insect hatches include midges, blue-winged olive mayflies, caddis flies, pale morning dun mayflies and sulphur mayflies. The majority of the bugs hatching, however, are the bwo and midges. The most productive dry flies have been the elk hair caddis (size 20; tan), bwo (size 18-20), midge (size 22) and Adams (size 18-20). The best sub-surface flies to try should include sow bug (size 14-16; tan, smoky olive or UV tan), zebra midge (size 16-22; red, black or copper), San Juan worm (size 14; red, fluorescent cerise 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 462.14 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 461 MSL).

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service  said the water level is falling. The surface water temperature is dropping to 73-77 degrees. Hybrids are not schooling a lot with the changing weather, but they are bunched up under the water. Wednesday of last week a group of four anglers caught 170 fish in 7½ hours, and on Monday, a group of three boated 80 whites and hybrids in a 3½-hour period. They are biting well when they are feeding, you have just got to stay over the top of them and use spoons and in-line spinners as well as hair jigs. Black bass are biting well; some are even schooling. Try top-water baits and hair jigs for the schoolers and football heads, Carolina rigs and Texas rigged worms for the deeper fish on points and humps and brush pile fish. Some shallow fish are being caught with flukes and small crankbaits and spinnerbaits, dropshots and double dropshots are working deep also. Some crappie are around shallow bushes some are out in open water, but most are suspended in the pole timber or over brush piles in 15 to 20 feet of water. No report on catfish. Walleye are mixed with hybrids and white bass getting easy meals. A few can be caught with jig head crawlers in 27 feet of water and on trolled crankbaits. Bream are biting well on crawlers and crickets.

Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) said not many anglers are on the water because of the weather and hunting seasons cranking up. 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 hunting has everyone preoccupied and fishing is slow, but the crappie are biting on jigs. Catfish have been biting well on nightcrawlers and bobbers.

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 high and clear. Bream fishing is slow. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on shad and goldfish.    

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is high, clear and around 75 to 80 degrees and dropping. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished 5 to 6 feet deep in 8 feet of water. Bass are biting well on black soft-plastics and spinnerbaits fished around grassy areas. Catfishing is good on large minnows.

Brewer Lake:  

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is high and clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished around shallow cover. Bass are biting well on buzzbaits and pink soft-plastic worms fished around brush. Catfishing is good on bream and cut shad.

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 and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. Catfishing is good on live bream and minnows.    

Lake Valencia: 

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the water is at normal level and is stained. Bream are fair on crickets. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and minnows. Catfishing is good on prepared paste baits and nightcrawlers.  

Sunset Lake: 

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on watermelonseed lizards fished in 5 to 6 feet of water. Catfishing is slow.  

Saline River Access in Benton: 

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are slow. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. Catfishing is slow.   

Arkansas River at Morrilton:

Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the flows are dropping. Catfishing is good below dams 10 and 9. The best action is coming on whole shad drifted down to the Hwy. 7 bridge below dam 10 and to the Hwy. 9 bridge below dam 9. Bream are biting well in the backwater around woody cover on crickets. Bream are also being caught on the backside of jetties on black Mepps spinners and Rooster Tails. Stripers are biting fairly well around the tips of jetties on live shad. Kentucky bass are biting fairly well on chartreuse and blue chatterbaits fished around creek mouths. Largemouth bass are biting fairly well on firetiger Rat-L-Traps in Coppers Gap, Flagg Lake Cutoff and Point Remove Creek. White bass are fair around jetty tips with shad present.  

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool):

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on crickets and worms around the backwater areas and tributaries. Crappie are fair on medium-sized minnows in Maumelle River and Palarm Creek. Bass are biting well on soft plastics, spinnerbaits and minnows in these areas as well. Catfishing is good on shad and large minnows.  

Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool):  

Vince Miller from Fish N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) said the current is high. No report.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said the current is high and the water in the backwaters is rising. Bream are biting well on red worms in Burns Park, on crickets around Murray Lock and Dam and on crickets and worms around Fourche Creek. Crappie fishing is pretty much at a standstill. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits near Burns Park and on spinnerbaits and soft plastics in other backwaters. Catfishing is good on large shad, minnows and nightcrawlers at the mouths of backwaters and the main channel.

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said that around Terry Lock and Dam, the water is muddy and high. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on soft-plastics. Catfishing is fair on skipjack.   

Clear Lake: 

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is high and murky. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair on soft plastics. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers.

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. Bass are biting well. Catfishing is good on crickets. 

Lake Pickthorne:

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on medium-sized minnows. Bass are biting well on soft-plastics. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and large minnows.

North Arkansas

White River: 

Mountain River Fly Shop said it’s been hard to establish a pattern this week on the generation schedule, given the heavy rain last week, which stalled some generation due to flooding downstream. There were a few bursts of higher flow midweek and it now seems to have settled to around a unit of flow (although the recorded message will tell you three generators). So the prospects for some wadable water this weekend remain good. Midges remain very strong, pick your size according to the flow. Davy’s Whitetails are stocked back up courtesy of a care package from Teresa Van Winkle. We have also had very good reports on the Pearl Super Midge and standard black zebras. WD40s have been very good in the lower flows, as have Olive Zebras. Try the Tailwater Sow bug and McLellan’s Woven V-Rib for the lower flows plus the Wotton Sow bugs.

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 said the rain raised all the levels in the White River system reservoirs. But there were long windows of no generation last week because of flooding downstream. This created some excellent wading. On some days, drift fishing was very limited. The fishing in the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam has been much better this week. The rains caused some off-color conditions downstream and this was the only clear water for several days. With the low flows, it was difficult to navigate around all the new habitat structures. Midge patterns have been the ticket. The hot flies have been the black zebra midge with silver wire and silver bead, the red zebra midge with silver wire and silver bead and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. On moderate flow, brightly colored San Juan worms (red, cerise and hot fluorescent pink) and egg patterns (orange and yellow) have been the go-to flies. Wildcat Shoals was hit or miss. On low-water days, when the water was relatively clear, the black zebra midges have been the go-to nymph. The hot flies have been the partridge and orange soft hackle and the green butt. Dan’s turkey tail emerger and the olive woolly bugger were also effective. This is a broad shallow shoal that can provide limited wading on low levels of generation. Be very careful, as there is a lot of bedrock in this area, which can be treacherous to wade. It did not fish well on those days when it was severely stained. Rim Shoals was hit-or-miss due to the runoff from the heavy rains. The hot flies have been the black zebra midge with silver wire and silver bead in size 16, prince nymphs in size 16 and beadhead sow bugs size 14. Other flies, specifically hot pink fluorescent San Juan worms and olive woolly buggers accounted for some large fish. If you encounter high water, Rim Shoals Trout Dock maintains a water taxi and will ferry you to wadable water for a nominal fee. 

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 is still about 1.5 feet above normal, but the color is a nice green. Combine the green water from the Buffalo and the clear water being generated at Bull Shoals and you have some great fishing water all the way down the river. Power Baits in green, white or pink are working well. Spin fishermen are doing well with No. 7 or 9 Rapalas in black/gold/white and White River Zig Jigs in Ginger or Ginger/Brown.

Crooked Creek: 

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are high and off color. Give them a few days to clear. The cooler temperatures have moderated the water temperature. The hot flies have been Clouser minnows and crayfish patterns. The White River below Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River is stained and fishing poorly.

Bull Shoals Lake:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 657.42 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 556.79 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: 

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is resurfacing the parking lot at the ramp at Quarry Park from Sept. 24 to Oct. 9. The ramp will be closed during this process and the area will effectively be closed to fishing. This will leave the Ackerman Access as the only access open on the Norfork River.

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said there is not much water being generated and the wade fishing is fairly slow. The area is seeing a lot of pressure from anglers, and that keeps the bites to a minimum. Sow bugs, scuds, San Juan worms will produce, but you must be patient.

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said there has been little generation on the tailwater with plenty of wading available. With wadable water on the White, the North Fork was not as crowded as it has been. On low water, small midge patterns have been the ticket. Try black zebra midges, Norfork beadheads in black or olive and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. Soft hackles like the green butt and the partridge and orange have been effective. On sunny, windy days the grasshopper has been particularly effective. Use 9-foot 4X leaders and carefully work the banks. Drop the fly on the water with a plop and give the fly a twitch from time to time, to initiate a vicious strike. The best patterns have been Dave’s hoppers and Rainey’s hoppers. There are some spawning rainbows in the catch-and-release section. You should avoid fishing for them to allow them to reproduce naturally. Also avoid walking through the redds (spawning beds). They will appear as light colored depressions in the gravel. Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot fly, as always, has been the sow bug. Other hot flies have been worm brown San Juan worms and egg patterns (orange). Be sure and bring a large net and a camera. The habitat improvement project for Dry Run Creek has begun. If you go down there, you will see trucks or cranes operating in the stream. The fish are still there, but it is important to avoid the areas under construction. This project will enhance angling opportunities for the handicapped and improve the creek’s fish-handling capacity.  

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Lake:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,120.70 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 1,120 MSL).

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said fishing continues to be great. Bass can be caught on a variety of lures. Try top-water baits early and late and crawdad- or shad-colored crankbaits close to bank during the day. Crappie have been biting well on minnows 10- to 20-feet deep around brush piles right on creek channels. Good places to fish have been Hickory Creek and Monte-NE. Whites continue to work shad on the surface on calm mornings and evenings. Small, 3/8- to ¼-oz. casting spoons have worked best. Catfishing has been good at Hickory Creek, Monte-NE, 12 bridge and Prairie Creek from the bank. The best baits have been stink bait and liver.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs in 8 to 15 feet of water. Bass are slow, but a few have been caught on Shakey head finesse worms during the day and top-water lures in the evening. Catfishing is slow, but some have been caught on chicken liver and prepared bait.

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 crappie are fair on trolled crankbaits and jigs. Bass are fair on soft-plastic worms. No report on any other species.

Lake Sequoyah: 

Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms fished around rocky areas in 4 to 8 feet of water. Crappie are slow on minnows and jigs fished around stumps and weed beds. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on chicken liver and shad in 4 to 8 feet of water near the main channel.  

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 at normal level. Crappie are biting well on nightcrawlers. Catfishing is good on worms.    

Spring River: 

Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the water has cleared up well. Levels are back to normal with a green tint to the clarity. High-sticking with nymphs has been the ticket. Get it down deep to the fish. Hexagenia's are hatching during evening hours. But there haven’t been many risers. I have had best luck lately with brownies and big coachmen fished deep.  

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 had no report.

Southwest Arkansas

Millwood Lake:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 258.34 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 259.2 MSL).

Millwood Lake Guide Service said as of Monday, surface temperatures are currently in the mid to upper 70s, 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 3.5 feet each and two sluice gates are open to 6 feet each, discharging 16,970 CFS. Main lake visibility worsened with all thunderstorms and is 2-4 inches away from any current in Little River. Upriver oxbow clarity also is heavier stain than last week, and clarity is ranging from 1-2 feet at best, dependent upon location. Cold fronts, continual rain and thunderstorms continue to pass through southern Arkansas and have dropped surface temperatures dramatically. The feeding activity of bass is improving as temperatures have dropped and the bass continue to be in a much more aggressive mood. The most aggressive bass bite over the past week continues to be on smoke or holographic grubs rigged on white jig heads for schooling fish, along with top-water baits like Cordell Crazy Shads, Clear Baby Torpedoes, YUM Buzz Frogs, and Bass Assassin Shad jerk baits. For sub-surface schools, Rat-L-Traps, Cordell Big Os or XCalibur Fat Free Shads are working best. Many pods of schooling fish have been found near most any creek mouth junction with Little River, in the lily pads and any remaining vegetation. Bass Assassin Shads, Johnson spoons, Heddon Baby Moss Bosses and buzz baits in white, and Yum Buzz Frogs are working inside the vegetation where the Traps or cranks can't be used. Once the sun gets high, the best option continues to be to switch to lizards in redbug or chameleon colors or 10-inch worms in Peanut Butter 'n Jelly in clear water of the oxbows up Little River, and June Bug, The General, or Black Grape colors in stained and muddy areas. The jig bite continues to improve on cypress trees, knees, stumps and laydowns. Texas Craw, Black/blue, or Chartreuse Walnut colors continue catching keeper bass in the 3-5 lb class around hydrilla, milfoil, or coontail with stumps and cypress trees. Schooling White Bass disappeared with the increase in muddy water and current. The crappie bite almost completely shut down with all the current and muddy water. Channel catfish are loving the increase in current along Little River and biting well with the increase in current. They are best on bulky earthworms, cut shad, chicken livers, or Catfish Charlie hung from yo-yos in the oxbows over 10-15 feet of water.

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 the lake level is 547.53msl and falling. Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Crappie and bass are biting excellently on live bait and jigs. Several crappie have been caught that weighed more than 2 pounds.  

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 405.23 feet MSL (Flood pool – 408 MSL).

Local angler George Graves said the surface water temperature is in the mid-70s and the lower lake is clear with the mid-lake slightly dingy. Hybrid fishing is fair with most of the fish holding deep (50 to 55 feet) next to submerged timber. Look on the edges of the timber with your sonar to find fish. There will be mostly either singles or very small schools. However these fish are biting if a lure is presented about 40 feet down and held above the fish. If your sonar is tuned correctly, you can watch the fish take your lure. Best lures are heavy jigging spoons and swim baits. Brighter colors, such as chartreuse, work best. The fish are holding next to old creek channels or the main channel in water between 80 and 120 feet deep. There is no surface activity but there are big schools of shad between 20 and 30 feet down. The fish are scattered between Iron Mountain and the mouth of Brushy Creek. Morning is the best time to find active fish.

Bass fishing is fair with a few reports of some big fish, (4-pounds plus) being taken. The best pattern is a Texas-rigged worm fished near any brush or cover. The best area is between Edgewood and Point 15. The fish are holding on main-lake points and big secondary points. Fish between 10 and 20 feet deep. Also try a Carolina rig or a jig with a trailer. Green pumpkin and red shad colors are a good way to start. Crappie fishing is good with some nice catches coming from brush piles and fish shelters. Look for the brush in water 20 to 25 feet deep. Fish a 1/16-ounce jig with a 2-inch grub directly over the cover. Only jig the lure a little to get their attention because the bites will come when the jig is dead still. Tennessee shad is the best color, with Arkansas shad and white also being good. Look for shelters between Caddo Drive and Yancey Creek.

DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) had no report.

West-Central Arkansas

Lake Fort Smith:  

No report.   

Lake Nimrod:

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

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

Lake Dardanelle:

Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said the weather has been awesome. The water is still a little high and muddier than normal. The water temp is starting to drop. Blue catfish have been running well, biting best on shad and bass minnows. Crappie have slowed with the muddier water and are a lot harder to find than a couple of weeks ago. Bass have been slow on all accounts, although locals report that white bass are starting to run. Catfish are your best bet these days. 

Blue Mountain Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 394.92 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 not available (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 72-76 degrees. Largemouth bass are still good and these fish can still be caught with jigs fished in brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water. Largemouths and spots are still breaking and can be caught on white Rooster Tails or top-water baits. Wacky-rigged watermelon trick worms or YUM Dingers have produced some good fish recently. Walleye are good and being caught on jigging spoons on main lake points or humps near 16 to 24 feet of water. Stripers are slowing on live bait with shad or trot line minnows. Main-lake points near creek channels or open water humps are the best areas. Bream are still good with worms or crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are 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 very good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines. 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 fish seem to be transitioning a bit with the cooldown. There have been a few breakers here and there, but most fish are deep, holding around 20 to 40 feet deep. If you can find a good school, you should be able to stay on top of them and drop live bait right above their heads for a bite. Most fish are in the teens, but a few 20-pounders have been caught recently.

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 normal operating procedures are in effect at Carpenter Dam after another round of rainfall last week. November begins the drawdown for both Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine, so residents are urged to pay close attention to water levels during this time. Rainbow trout fishing is very slow; however, a few trout have been caught on nightcrawler rigs in deep water around the dam. Most of the trout have moved away from the tailrace and good numbers of fish won't be present until November when the stocking program begins. Walleye are still being caught on minnows and small crankbaits in the main channel when the turbines are turning. These fish are averaging 1 to 3 pounds and are feeding on shad. As fall approaches, walleye travel into the old Ouachita River channel to search for shad and cool water. Anglers can catch quality fish this time of year if they can locate a school. Striper and hybrid activity is hit-and-miss with very little top-water action. October provides a good time for these fish to chase shad to the top as schools of threadfin shad move into the area. Observant fishermen can cast C-10 Redfins and trout-colored Super Spooks into the feeding fish and catch large stripers in shallow water. Brood shad are not working as well as gizzard shad fished under a balloon.

Lake Hinkle:  

Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are fair. Crappie are fair. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, minnows and soft plastics. Catfishing is good on shiners, chicken liver and worms.  

Lake Atkins:

Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is clear as a bell. The water has dropped about 1 1/2 feet since last week. Bream are slow, but are beginning to pick up. There just aren’t that many people bream fishing. A few crappie are beginning to come in, and those that are coming in are good sizes. The best bet for crappie is live minnows. Bass fishing is good, especially for smaller bass. Larger ones are a bit harder to come by. The shad are running pretty thick, so most of the action is coming on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Larger ones are coming on soft-plastics. Catfishing is excellent on bass minnows hung from noodles and limblines.

South Central Arkansas

Moro Bay: 

Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the water is at 79.00 feet above sea level. That is 14 feet above our normal (65 feet). The river rose to 80.90 Friday, Sept. 25, and now is slowly falling. Too much water is keeping fishermen away. Maybe hunting season is the favorite pastime now. Bream are biting slowly on worms. Bass are feeding in the shallow grassy areas. 

Tri-County Lake:

No report.  

Ouachita River Oxbows: 

The water is finally beginning to drop. Fishing has been tough and most anglers are cranking and winding spinnerbaits and crankbaits around shallow cover.

East Arkansas

Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:  

The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is high. Bream are biting well on worms in the harbor. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfishing is good on worms, chicken liver, skipjack and shrimp.     

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 fishing is slow and the water is high.

Island 40 Chute: 

Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the rain has kept most anglers off the water. No report

Horseshoe Lake:

Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and high. Bream are biting well in the cypress trees and lily pads on crickets and worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs around piers. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft plastics. Catfishing is excellent on worms and cut shad.