December 2, 2009 Edition

Fishing Tip:  When the water is flowing swiftly in the White and Little Red Rivers, it can be very dangerous. These are the times when hiring an experienced guide will help you enjoy the fishing and keep you safer. If you plan to trout fish the rivers, please give the contacts listed in this report a call to set up a float trip.

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 low. No report.

Dan at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) had no report.

Little Red River: 

Lindsey's Resort  (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and running fairly swift. Trout fishing is excellent on nightcrawlers and yellow Power Bait.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said protracted water releases have been occurring at Greers Ferry and will continue until the lake level is 461.44 feet above sea level. When both generators are operating near their maximum, do not try to fish from a boat on the Little Red unless you possess the skills of a fishing guide; otherwise, hire a guide with a boat. The average temperature of the water flowing though our dam is 57 degrees with an average dissolved oxygen level of 4.9 mg/L. Because of the high water in the river and, given the fact that it is likely to remain high for over a month, the Little Red Fly Shop is going to close Monday through Thursday. I will be operating the shop every Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Caddis fly and March brown mayfly hatches are mostly over. I am seeing the remnants of the blue winged olive mayfly hatch here and there but mostly it's midges coming off every day. Fishing with dry flies in our high water is problematic. Try an Adams (18), BWO (18-20), midge (22-32 cream or black) or an elk hair caddis (18-20 tan). Your best bet for fishing from a boat is to fish deep. Tie on an egg pattern (14 roe, salmon or bubblegum) or a San Juan worm (12-14 hot pink or fl. cerise) or both along with sufficient weight (AAA split shot) to get the flies down to the streambed and a large enough strike indicator to float it all. Other sub-surface flies to try include sowbug (14 peacock), chronic (14) or woolly bugger (8-6 purple or copper). All of the above flies have been catching trout on our guide trips.

Greers Ferry:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 473.93 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 461 MSL).

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is falling rapidly and the surface temperature is in the high 50s. White bass and hybrids continue biting well on vertically jigged spoons, in-line spinners and hair jigs. The fish are biting as soon as you can get the lure to them on sunny, windy days. If it’s cloudy, the action is slower. No report on crappie, catfish or bream. Walleye are biting well on drop-shotted worms, small Carolina-rigged worms and spoons in 27 to 35 feet of water. Bass fishing is slow. The deep bite is very tough, and the shallow bite in the bushes requires covering a lot of water with a crankbait, spinnerbait or jerk bait.

Shiloh Marina (501-825-6237) said the water is high and clear. Bass are fair on spoons fished around brush. All other species are slow.

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. 12.

Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) said crappie are biting well on jigs and minnows. White Crappie Stingers are working especially well.

Lake Bailey (Petit Jean State Park): 

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

Lake Overcup:  

Overcup Landing  (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are slow on redworms. Crappie are biting well on white Crappie Stinger jigs fished by the bank. Bass are fair on black soft-plastics fished in brush near the bank. Catfishing is fair on live bream and cut bait hung from trotlines.

Brewer Lake:  

Overcup Landing  (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on white/chartreuse jigs and minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits fished around cover near the bank. Catfishing is fair on cut bait.

Lake Maumelle: 

Jolly Roger’s Marina  said the water is 1.6 feet above the spillway. Black bass are in 15 to 20 feet of water and are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and tubes. Some good catches have come from the banks around muddy water as well. Kentucky bass are biting well in 15 feet of water on tubes, jigs and soft-plastic worms. White bass are schooling around the east end of the lake, and some are beginning to gather at the west end of the lake. CC spoons, clear Near Nuttings and Rogues have worked well. Crappie are biting well in 15 to 20 feet of water on minnows and 1/32-oz. jigs. Pink minnows will be the key to good crappie catches in the next few months. Saugeye are fair on trolled Rogues and jigs in 10 to 15 feet of water. Catfishing is good on minnows, worms and prepared baits in 8 to 15 feet of water.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said some saugeye are being caught on minnows.  

Lake Valencia: 

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfishing is fair on chicken hearts and nightcrawlers.

Sunset Lake: 

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal levels. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on pink/blue jigs in 12 to 15 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crayfish colored crankbaits in 10 to 15 feet of water. Catfishing is slow.

Saline River Access in Benton: 

Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on jigs and 2-inch chartreuse jigs. Bass are biting well on brightly colored crankbaits. Catfishing is slow.

Arkansas River at Morrilton:

Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo had no new report.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool):

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) sais crappie are fair on small minnows in backwater areas. Catfishing is fair on large minnows and nightcrawlers. 

Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool):  

Vince Miller from Fish N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) said the flow is in the 40,000-range, which is good. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished in the backwater. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and white or yellow grubs. Catfishing is fair.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are fair on small minnows in backwater areas. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is fair on large minnows and nightcrawlers.

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the current is back to normal. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are excellent on crankbaits and jigs fished around the jetties. Catfishing is fair on skipjack.   

Clear Lake: 

McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are slow. Crappie are excellent on chartreuse jigs and minnows in 5 to 6 feet of water. Bass are biting well on jigs. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers.

Peckerwood Lake: 

Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the lake is closed for fishing until Jan. 31, 2010.

Lake Pickthorne:

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on pink minnows fished under a slip-cork on a red/chartreuse mini jig.

North Arkansas

White River: 

Mountain River Fly Shop had no report.

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said there has been precious little wadable water, and the releases have increased. The stretch from Bull Shoals State Park down to Wildcat Shoals has fished very well from a boat. Small midge patterns (black zebra midges with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles have also been effective. Rim Shoals is still fishing well. The go to flies have been Y2Ks and cerise San Juan worms. It has fished much better in the morning than the afternoon. On the higher flows, hot fluorescent pink San Juan worms and orange egg patterns have been the most effective way to fish.

Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is running swiftly with seven generators open. Trout are biting well on Rooster Tails, Little Cleos and large Rapalas. No wading is possible right now.

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

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said fishing is excellent. The water is very clear with two to three generators running each day. Zig Jigs in ginger or ginger/orange and No. 7 Countdown Rapalas are all you need. If the flow increases to let the floodwater out of lakes Bull Shoals and Norfork, tie on a Magnum Rogue in blue/silver/orange and work the bank on the deeper side of the river. This will put the large browns right on the bank.

Crooked Creek: 

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are clearing, but fishing is still very slow.

Bull Shoals Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 679.69 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 569.36 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April – 552 MSL, April-Sept. – 554 MSL).

101 Grocery and Bait said fishing has been good for the most part. The surface temperature is in the low 60s. There is some stained water near the newly flooded brush that has been good for largemouth bass. Kentucky and smallmouth bass are being caught more often in the deeper water. Crappie fishing has been fair using minnows and small rubber baits with a very light jig and a slow presentation. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and live minnows. Walleye fishing has been slow. Striper fishing has been slow. White bass fishing has been fair on top-water baits.

Norfork Tailwater: 

Jim Brentlinger at Linger's Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) had no report.

John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service had no report.

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides had no report.

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Lake:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,128.27 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 1,120 MSL).

Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service said stripers are hitting shad all over the lake, with the hottest action being in the creek arms. A few fish are being caught on top-water lures early and late in the day. On the White river from the Highway 12 Bridge to the Highway 412 Bridge, concentrate efforts in backs of coves and shallow flats in the Horseshoe Bend Area. In the War Eagle Arm, try fishing shad or brood minnows 10-15 feet deep under balloons 50 ft behind the boat. Concentrate your efforts from the War Eagle/White River junction up War Eagle to the Sidewalk Hole. White bass and hybrids can also be taken in the area with some good top-water action taking place early and late in the day. Try fishing Rooster Tails or jigging spoons in silver or gold/chartreuse. Trolled jigs and umbrella rigs in chartreuse have also been producing fish in this area. Around Lost Bridge, fish 10-15 feet deep with shad or brood minnows "free lining" shad is also working. Trolled jigs, umbrella rigs (white) and crankbaits also have been producing fish in his area. In Indian Creek, fish 10-20 feet deep with shad or brood minnows. Trolled jigs, umbrella rigs (white) and crankbaits also have been producing fish in this area. Jigging spoons fished 10-20 feet deep on the primary points are producing fish. In Coose Hollow, fish are holding 10-20 feet deep. Shad, brooder minnows, trolled crankbaits, jigs and umbrella rigs have been working. Jigging spoons fished 10-20 feet deep on the primary points are also producing fish.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service  (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been fair. Try working crankbaits or jigs along chunk rock banks in the mid-lake area. Crawdad and firetiger are good colors to try. Crappie fishing is fair using minnows just above brush piles or pole timber in 25 to 40 feet of water. White bass have been collecting on main-lake points and main channel bends close to shore. Small curly tailed grubs or jigging spoons will produce. Catfishing from the bank continues to be good in the evening. Liver or stink bait will work lake wide.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is high and clear. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows, jigs and trolled Hot-n-Tots. Bass are fair on Carolina-rigged soft-plastics and on crankbaits fished in 12 feet of water around War Eagle. Catfishing is slow.

Beaver Tailwaters: 

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides had no report.

Kings River:

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides had no report.

Lake Fayetteville: 

Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said fishing is slow and no anglers are visiting the lake.

Lake Sequoyah: 

Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets fished around rocks in 10 to 15 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows, jigs and Roadrunners in brush 1 to 5 feet deep. Bass are biting well on small spinnerbaits and crankbaits around brush in 1 to 5 feet of water. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver in 5 to 12 feet of water.

Northeast Arkansas

Crown Lake: 

Boxhound Marina ( 870-670-4496) said no one is fishing. No report.

Lake Frierson: 

Lake Frierson State Park  said no anglers are visiting the water. No report.  

Spring River: 

Mark Crawford at Spring River Fly Shop said the last few weeks have been beautiful. We’re catching really big fish, some 20-plus inches. The Grandma’s Brownie with a beadhead is still a very hot pattern. Minnow patterns and emerger patterns replicating caddis and mayflies in sizes around 12 are producing well. The river is running at about 450 CFS (its average flow). Water clarity is good with a green tint.  

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 the lake is back down to near normal. Bass are chasing shad from top to bottom. Senkos and Flukes are catching bass in the shallows. Soft plastics and shad-colored crankbaits are taking some fish in the mid-range depths of 8 to 12 feet. Some bass can be caught 27 to 35 feet deep on blade baits and tailspinners. The yellow bass are biting like crazy, but the size is pretty small. All in all, the fall bite is on pretty good!

Southwest Arkansas

Millwood Lake:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 255.92 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 259.2 MSL).

Millwood Lake Guide Service said exercise extreme caution boating Little River; many river markers are pushed out of place or missing because of current and major pool fluctuations. USACE will run the 4-foot drawdown from July 2009-February 2010. Many stumps are exposed or shallow enough in the boat lanes to cause major damage to boats and injure boaters. Many boat ramps are closed because of the proposed lake level during drawdown. Yarborough and Jack's Isle are still open. River Run East and River Run West are all closed due to high water. Boat ramp repair and improvements at the Millwood State Park are recently completed. Main lake and Little River water surface temps are 52 to 56 degrees. As of Monday, the discharge at the dam is 4,029 CFS. Main-lake visibility has increased to 9-12 inches. Bass have picked up, now that the lake is slightly below normal level. The best bite is mid-day. However, recent schooling activity of largemouth bass appears to be wrapping up for this fall's surface activity, although some random schooling can be located in remaining pad fields close to Little River, and in the oxbows, where clearer water can be found. Dead-sticking a Bass Assassin Shad jerk bait and Senkos and trick worms on a light wire hook allowing to fall for suspended bass, are randomly taking a few keeper size fish. Since the lake level and reduced current has began returning to normal, surface temperatures stabilize, best bite is a reaction presentation with slow rolling bulky spinnerbaits, large Rat-L-Traps and crankbaits. Slow rolling spinner baits in Spot Remover, Aurora, or Hot Mouse colors are the best option inside grass and vegetation in the oxbows, in the clearest water areas available, typically in the oxbows away from the current of Little River. Soft plastic Bass Assassin Shads, and trick worms continue working randomly for bass, around hydrilla, lily pad stems, and pondweed are working especially where you find new dollar pads and lily pads. Magnum tubes like the 3-4" Southern Pro Tubes are working in remaining flooded grass and stumps over the past week. Best colors we have observed working for tubes and gitzits are pumpkinseed/chartreuse tail, purple smoke, or smoke/black/red flake w/ chartreuse tail. Schooling white bass disappeared with the cooler temperatures and have not been found schooling over the past week or so. Crappie began biting a little better with the clearing water. The best bite was 12-13 feet deep on live shiners, hair jigs and tubes in white or white/chartreuse. Channel Catfish are biting extremely well on bulky earthworms, cut shad, chicken livers, or Catfish Charlie by either tight-lining, or on yo-yo's hung from cypress trees in the oxbows over 10-15 feet deep, and on trotlines in Little River current.

White Oak Lake:

Frequent rain has kept anglers off the lake. The water is high and muddy.

Lake Greeson:  

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 541.72 MSL (Flood pool – 548 MSL).

Cossatot River: 

Cossatot River State Park said the water is too high and swift for fishing.

DeGray Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 406.80 feet MSL (Flood pool – 408 MSL).

Local angler George Graves said the water temperature is in the upper 50s and the water is clear throughout the lake. Crappie fishing is good with the fish moving into crappie shelters. The best shelters will be in water 28 to 30 feet, with the fish suspended just above the top. Drop a 1/16-ounce jig with a 2-inch grub to about 15 feet; the fish will come up to it. Try fish attractors between Caddo Drive and Point Cedar. The attractors in the lower part of the lake are never very productive in fall or winter. Bass fishing is fair. Some good fish have been reported coming from deep main lake ledges and points 25 to 35 feet deep. Best lures have been heavy jigs and finesse worms. Darker colors work best at these depths. The bass are scattered and the best bet is to keep trying different spots. Winter is a good time to try a heavy jigging spoon and if you can find a school, the spoon is a way to catch a lot of fish in a hurry. Look for deep points and ledges between Edgewood and Point Cedar. Bream fishing is fair on fish shelters. Fish the edges of the shelters about 20 feet deep. Use worms or crickets. Some big bream are starting to show on the deeper attractors.

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 reports of crappie limits have slowed, but crappie fishing still seems to be doing well. Crappie minnows and peppered red head/chartreuse skirt jigs are the most popular. Anglers are fishing about 6 inches off the bottom. Largemouth bass have been fair, but not as good as days past. Catfish have done well. Cut shad and worms are the best baits.

Blue Mountain Lake:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 393.60 feet MSL.

Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) had no report.

Ozark Pool:

Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water has cleared a bit since last week. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. White bass are biting well on minnows and jigs. Black bass are slow. Catfishing is fair.  

Lake Ouachita:

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 576.95 MSL (Flood pool – 578 MSL).

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass are fair on jigs fished around deep grass and deep standing timber. Stripers are still slow.

Mountain Harbor Resort  said the water is stained and is 54 to 60 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well on jigs fished in brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water. Walleye are fair on jigging spoons fished around main-lake points or humps near water 20 to 30 feet deep. Stripers are fair on live shad or trotline minnows around main lake points near creek channels. Bream are slow on worms and crickets in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are still very good and being caught near brush 20 to 30 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best.

Dave Lindhag from Striped Bass Adventures had no report.

Lake Hamilton: 

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports had no new report.

Daryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips said crappie fishing is good on brush and crappie condos in 12 to 18 feet of water on jigs and live minnows.

Lake Catherine: 

Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that the winter drawdown is complete. Boaters and wade fishermen are advised to use caution when navigating the tailwater, because many rocks, trees and other hazards are exposed. Water temperature has fallen to 53 degrees. Rainbow trout fishing has picked up. Bank fishermen are catching trout using white or brown Rooster Tails in areas just out of heavy current. Nightcrawlers and redworms fished just off the bottom also are working well as trout are actively feeding. Wax worms under a bobber are catching trout around visible cover. Fly-fishermen are getting hits on olive-colored woolly buggers and white sow bugs. Sandbars and rock formations are the areas of choice as rainbows ambush shad and hatching insects. White and Hybrid bass are still feeding heavily on the threadfin shad. Good numbers of these fish are being caught every week by anglers casting Tiny Torpedoes and Zara Pups into schooling activity. Jerkbaits in black/silver are working well during periods of generation.

Lake Hinkle:  

Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is high and the clarity is good. Crappie are biting well on minnows in 10 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and top-water lures. Catfishing is fair on worms and chicken liver.

Lake Atkins:

Ken Vinson at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said crappie are biting well. Some good 2-3-pound crappie are hitting better on minnows. Jigs seem to be catching smaller crappie. Catfish are in deeper water from the drawdown. Bream are slow, but some are being caught around the bank on crickets and worms. Bass are still slow and on the small side. No good bass have been reported lately.

South Central Arkansas

Moro Bay: 

Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the park is open. The river is slowly going down (82.60 ft above sea level), but is 17.6 feet above normal. Some bank fishermen are out trying their luck for bream and bass. Duck hunters are out in droves.

Tri-County Lake:

Flooding has kept most anglers off the water.  

Ouachita River Oxbows: 

Flooding has kept most anglers off the water.

East Arkansas

Arkansas River at Pine Bluff:

The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Kentucky bass are fair on crankbaits and flipping jigs. Catfishing is fair on worms.

White River: 

Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said walleye are biting well below locks two and three on silver spoons and minnows.

Maddox Bay: 

Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is too high for most fishing. Some anglers are doing fairly well on crappie by hanging yo-yos baited with minnows. Catfishing is fair on trotlines.

Island 40 Chute: 

Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) had no report.

Horseshoe Lake:

Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are slow on crickets around stumps. Crappie are biting well on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs in 12 feet of water. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits fished around lily pads and brush. Catfishing is fair on cut bait and nightcrawlers.