Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report
BY agfc
ON 09-15-2022
Sept. 15, 2022
Reports are updated weekly, although some reports may be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for current news for the lake or stream you plan to fish.
TOP AND LEFT:
Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk
For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt
For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality
Download the Fish Brain app and follow AGFC at: https://fishbrain.com/pages/GbHVNDc5/arkansas-game-and-fish-commission
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
(updated 9-22-2022) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said bream are good on crickets, redworms and hand-tied jigs. Catfish are fair on dough bait, preferably Doc’s Catfish Brand, nightcrawlers, black salties, goldfish, skipjack and shad. Bass are good on Rebel Pop-Rs and similar baits, mini buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, baitfish, creature baits and worms.
Water is low and the normal Lake Conway stain.
Little Red River
The Army Corps of Engineers reports the outflow at Greers Ferry Dam to be 20 cfs (turbine) as of noon Thursday, Sept. 22. Generation on Wednesday reached maximum flow (6,445) at 6 p.m., lasting until 7 p.m. Greers Ferry Lake is 6.5 feet below normal conservation pool. Check with the Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time release data or by calling (501) 362-5150). Also check the Southwestern Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecast generation schedule.
(updated 9-22-2022) Mike Winkler of Little River Fly Fishing Trips (501-507-3688) said that the Southwestern Power Administration has been usually generating two units of water starting around 3-4 p.m. and running for a few hours, nothing really consistent. The weekend generation schedule has been about the same.
With the reduced flows the fish seem to be in the shoals and deeper holes or anywhere were there’s moving water. Also try fishing around the moss beds.
The best bite has been early mornings before the water falls out and the daytime temperatures start to get hot. Small pheasant tails, egg patterns and midges have been working well. Small streamer patterns have been working while fishing the falling water from the boat using sink lines or intermediate sink tips.
(updated 9-22-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said trout are good on Trout Magnets in pink and white colors and 1/16-ounce Marabou Jigs in olive above the shoals.
(updated 9-15-2022) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-230-0730) said Greers Ferry Dam generation release varies daily between two and six hours of release. These releases occur in the afternoon on weekdays and weekends. This pattern will provide wading opportunities on the upper river in the mornings and on the lower river in the afternoons. Lowell suggests small pheasant tails, hare’s ear, Frenchies and midges for fly-fishing. For Trout Magnet fishing, he recommends pink and darker colored bodies on chartreuse or gold jig heads. Always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Corps of Engineers website (swl-wc.usace.army.mil) for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecasted generation schedule.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Thursday noon, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 456.01 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.54 feet msl, top flood elevation 487.0 msl).
(updated 9-22-2022) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said
the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 456.08 feet msl, 6.46 feet below normal pool, and will continue to fall with generation at least until fall rains. A lot of surface temps are ranging 80-85 degrees. Black bass are all over place, super shallow out to 60 feet, eating lots of stuff, chasing bait on top, etc. Fish the old tree line off the original river channel for some good fish that have never seen a bait, or use something on top, or drag for rest.
Crappie are still coming in strong on minnows and jigs at a variety of depths also. Catfish are eating live and cut bait in guts and flats all over lake and rivers. Walleye are being caught under other species chasing bait and also ganged up on points, humps and flats eating crawlers in 16-60 feet of water.
Bream are guarding fry and chasing moving baits and also eating crickets and crawlers. They are super shallow out to 25 feet. Hybrid and white bass are chewing a lot – 300-fish days not uncommon now, with a mix of a lot of other species as well, blowing shad up on the bank out to 60 feet. Inline spinners, spoons and swimbaits as well as topwater are working; just stay around bait.
(updated 9-22-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said bass are good in 15-20 feet of water, schooling during the early morning and late evening and hitting topwater Zara Spooks and Whopper Ploppers in bone or clear colors. Fishing is good in the evenings on single swimbaits, drop-shots and Carolina rigs.
Crappie are good drop-shotting minnows around standing timber and on curly tail grubs with Roadrunner head in blue or white colors.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 9-22-2022) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said the lake remains at a lower level and is muddy. Catfish are good on goldfish and chicken liver on noodles. Crappie are good in the early morning on minnows and jigs, while anglers are finding them in deeper water during the day.
Bream are good on redworms and crickets. No reports on bass.
Lake Overcup
No reports.
Brewer Lake
(update 9-8-2022) David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-289-2210) says fishing has been consistent for several weeks now. Bass are coming up to the top in the afternoons around the shoreline on white spinnerbaits, plastic minnows, worms and crickets. Bream are good on redworms around the brush. Crappie are 6 feet deep over underwater brush piles in the channels spider-rigging on crappie minnows and Baby Shad plastics. Catfish are good on small goldfish and stink bait and nightcrawlers on the bottom. Water is normal level and a little cloudy.
Lake Maumelle
(updated 9-8-2022) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported water temperature in the low 80s. Largemouth bass reports have been good. Reports have largemouths being found shallow around the grass chasing bait. Some are also being caught on topwater lures. Other reports say they are deep after 9 a.m. and will respond to a drop-shot. Try using Carolina-rigged lizards, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and drop-shots. Kentucky bass (spotted bass) are also good. There are some reports of them being bound near drop-offs around 16-20 feet and off rocky banks, and other reports of them being found on brush piles. Try using a Texas rig on brush, or try jigs. White bass are slow. Reports have them being found deep now, around 30 feet depth. No reports on crappie. Bream are fair, with reports of them being found shallow, around 6-8 feet. Crickets and worms have been working well. Catfish are good. All species are being caught and biting on anything, but try chicken liver, worms and crayfish for best success.
Note that the lake has been off limits this week for two tournaments scheduled for this Saturday: The High School Bassers Safelight-3 with 60-80 boats expected, and the Tuesday Night Bass League Fish-Off of 21 boats is Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight. Look for a plethora of reports from the weekend in next week’s report.
(updated 9-15-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reports that bass are good up in the grass and rock transition areas on jigs and any shad patterns.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
At noon Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam was 9,910 cfs. The stage at Morrilton is at 9.63 feet (flood stage is 30 feet). Flow further upriver at Dardanelle Lock and Dam the flow was 0 cfs.
Little Maumelle River
(updated 9-22-2022) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) says that not a lot of anglers have been out. As for fishing reports, everything is pretty much the same. Water is clear and at a normal level. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs at 3-4 feet depth. Bass are good on plastics and crankbaits. No reports on bream and catfish, but Ray says the conditions are right to catch them.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam was 9,302 cfs.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam was 8,520 cfs. The elevation is 249.14 feet msl. The stage in the Little Rock pool was at 7.48 feet (flood stage is 23 feet). Flow at the Terry Lock and Dam was 9,099 cfs.
(updated 9-22-2022) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) says water is pretty normal and stained, but clearing up. Bass are good in the early morning and late evening on buzzbaits and Whopper Ploppers in white, black and bone colors. After the early morning, more fish are being caught on the main river on shaky head in redbug color and 5/16-ounce or quarter-ounce finesse jigs around jetties in green pumpkin orange color and black/blue color. Fishing is good below the dam on Bandit 200 and 300 crankbaits around the rocks.
Catfishing is good below the dam on stink bait and nightcrawlers.
(updated 9-22-2022) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) said catfish are good below Terry Lock and Dam on skipjack. Crappie are fair into the jetties in 12-15 feet of water. Bass are good early on topwater.
Clear Lake (off Arkansas River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 9-22-2022) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said bream are fair on redworms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass are fair around rock edges. Catfishing is reported good.
Peckerwood Lake
(update 9-8-2022) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (870-626-6899) said crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on chicken liver and hot dogs. Water is low and stumps are showing. No reports came in mentioning bass or bream.
White River
(updated 9-22-2022) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said the days are getting shorter and, finally, a little cooler. The tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam is continuing to run low after a long period of high water. Bull Shoals Lake is below seasonal power pool of 661 feet msl elevation, currently sitting at 658.67 feet msl. The river flow is
below one unit (1,000-2,000 cfs) followed by heavier generation late in the afternoon, returning to lower flows before dawn.
The rainbow catch has been phenomenal. Bring in some healthy, brightly colored trout using spinners with gold blades and olive/brown skirts, or try your favorite Rooster Tail with a rainbow body and a bright pink tail. An eighth-ounce jig with white, white-gray or orange-black skirts bobbed in the center channel will attract a few, or rig a line with some garlic-flavored yellow or pink PowerBait and shrimp to keep you busy reeling. Float your bait just above the bottom – in the clear water of the White you can easily see the river bed. It’s best to keep it in or near the river channel during low-water generation.
The browns are continuing to respond best to minnows for now, but as the spawn kicks
into high gear in the next month or so, keep your options open and carry an array of baits to pique their curiosity.
If you’re casting flies, the ruby midge, as well as red/silver or black/silver, were a constant success; copper Johns made a splash last week, too.
Early fall is a great time to get on the water without having to sweat the temperatures or the catch. Respect the resource, and your fellow anglers, and continue to enjoy our Natural State.
(updated 9-22-2022) Dave McCulley, owner of Jenkins Fishing Service in Calico Rock, says this week the fishing has been really good. The water levels have been cresting between 7-8 feet in the mornings and dropping down to about 4 feet. The water has some dinginess in the morning, but by noon the water clears. Running upriver a few miles will allow a fisherman to find cleaner water earlier. Starting off the day drift-fishing with silver bladed inline spinners with Power Eggs and shrimp is working best. As the water drops, throwing artificial baits such as Rapala Countdowns, Blue Foxes or quarter-ounce spoons work well. If you want to throw artificial during the morning, add a split shot weight 8-12 inches up the line to get the bait deeper or fish deeper diving lures like Shad Raps. We have seen several fat 16-plus inch rainbows caught this week. We had one trout stocking this week.
(updated 9-22-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said that during the past week, they have had no rain, hot temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals fell 0.8 foot to rest at 2.2 feet below power pool of 661 feet msl. This is 36.2 below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell 0.7 foot to rest at 6 feet below power pool and 20 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell 1 foot to rest at 2.4 feet below power pool or 11 feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, there has been marginal wadable water. Norfork Lake fell 0.1 foot to rest at 1.1 feet below power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 25.3 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork tailwater has had more wadable water. All of the lakes in the White River system are now below power pool. With the current lake levels, expect lower flows and more wadable water.
On the White, the hot spot has been Rim Shoals. “We have had lower flows in the morning that have been fished very well. The hot flies were Y2Ks, prince nymphs, zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead), pheasant tails, copper Johns, pink and cerise San Juan worms, gold ribbed hare’s ears and sowbugs. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. My favorite has been a pheasant tail nymph with a ruby midge dropper,” John said.
He also said, “My wife, Lori, and I share a love of fly fishing. We have been fishing together, for over 22 years. We try to fish together at least once a week. It doesn’t always work but we try to make it happen. It is no secret that we met in a fly-fishing class on the Spring River. I was teaching the class for my old fly-fishing club, the Mid South Fly Fishers. Lori was a student. I worked with her that day and was smitten. We began dating and got married.
“My brother, Dan, and I were teaching fly-fishing at a variety of venues and soon realized that Lori was a natural teacher and we quickly involved her in teaching our fly-fishing classes. She was particularly adept at teaching fly-casting. After Lori moved to Cotter, we realized the teaching fly-fishing was something that we both enjoyed and began looking for the best venue to hold classes. Our neighbor, Dr. Eddie Dry, is a biology professor at ASU-Mountain Home. He suggested that ASU-MH would be a good spot for our classes. We loved the idea.
“We went to ASU-MH and presented the concept for the class. It was immediately accepted and we began teaching fly-fishing there. We have done the class twice a year for several years. We did take off for a couple of years due to COVID-19. Thankfully we are back now. We had our usual spring class and it was very successful.
“Now we are ready to do it again. The fall class will be held on the Arkansas State University campus in Mountain Home on Thursday nights beginning Oct. 6 and running for four weeks (on Thursday nights). Classes are 6-8 p.m. The first hour is fly-casting instruction and it is held outside (during inclement weather, it will be inside). The second hour is classroom and is held inside on the first floor of Dyer Hall in Room D106. There is plenty of parking nearby.
“The casting instruction will be led by Lori. She has been teaching fly-casting for over 20 years and is considered the best fly-casting instructor in the area. I will assist her. I have been teaching fly-casting for over 30 years. She is a better casting instructor than I am. The goal is to teach every student to cast a fly rod comfortably.
“I will lead the fly-fishing classroom instruction. I have been doing this for over 30 years. Lori will assist. The classes will be casual and questions will be welcome. I consider myself to be the better classroom instructor of the two of us.
“If this sounds like something you would be interested in, go online to asumh.coursestorm.com and sign up. There is a modest fee. All the needed equipment will be provided.”
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 658.57 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 661.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 695.00 feet msl). Total outflow from the dam at noon Thursday was 2,112 cfs. The reported lake elevation at Table Rock Lake was 910.82 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 917.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 931.0 feet msl), with outflow of 1,257 cfs.
(updated 9-22-2022) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said Thursday morning that water is almost back to normal. The constant generating has stopped. Water temperature is 82 degrees, give or take a degree. Typical summer patterns are still working. The cooler nights have the shad starting to move. There are always shallow fish. Target channel swings, points and ledges close to deep water. Whopper Ploppers, buzzbaits and a topwater like a Lucky Craft Gunfish early in the day are working. When topwater slows, use a half-ounce flutter spoon in a shad pattern and a small swimbait. Then move to a Mooneye Tater Shad or drop-shot a Jewel Spoon. Most of the shad are suspended at 30-35 feet. Almost all species are present. A lot of fish have moved up into the brushpiles and are coming into play with lowering water levels. The creek fish have pulled back with the water coming down. The topwater bite will slow down when the sun starts getting high. Move out with a Jewel Special Ops Football Jig in green pumpkin-orange variations and keep the boat out around 40 feet. Fishing is good around channel swings, standing timber, ledges and laydowns. Use a Beaver/big worm like an Ole Monster in green pumpkin red or red shad plum as well. Fish the conditions.
Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.
Norfork Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 554.54 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 553.75 feet msl; April-Sept. 556.25 feet msl; top flood elevation 580.0 feet msl). Total outflow from Norfork Dam at noon Thursday was 2,471 cfs. Wednesday saw 11 hours of generation (1 p.m. to midnight) averaging 2,450 cfs.
(updated 9-22-2022) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at Blackburn’s Resort said Wednesday morning that the lake level was 554.61 feet msl and had dropped a half-inch in the last 24 hours with three-quarters of a generator running about half the time. It has been fairly stable since reaching the power pool of 556.75 feet msl a few weeks ago with a very slow steady drop. The White River at Newport is 5.47 feet, so they are not letting much water out anywhere on the chain of lakes or Norfork Lake. It makes for good wade fishing on the rivers. The surface water temperature is 83 degrees and rising slowly with the hot weather. That should change with the cold front coming through starting on Thursday with a drastic drop in ambient temperatures on the first day of fall.
“We have not had any rain for about 2½ weeks and it is getting very dry again. The thermocline started at about 35 feet with cold water at 37 feet yesterday when I went diving. The visibility has deteriorated a bit since the last report but is still OK for spearfishing, and the color is good for pole fishing with the creeks being more stained but clear near the shore. The visibility gets a little better in the Robinson Point area than in the Blackburn’s area and is best off steep, river channel, chunk rock banks.
The lake is not anywhere near starting its turnover, which always comes sometime in October. Sometimes it is abrupt and other times gradual, taking a week or a little more depending on how fast the surface water cools.
The crappie are still on main lake brush that is about 30 feet deep and are above it and roaming, feeding on baitfish, which are scattered in the water column. Kentucky bass and bluegill are on the same brush and at various depths. Drop a jigging spoon in the brush and you will be surprised what you catch. “The larger walleye are getting scarce and the most that I am catching are short with a keeper in about one in five or six. Bluegill are still good off docks on crickets and catfish are biting on live bluegill near the bottom. If you find schools of bluegill, you can be sure there are some catfish around. The lake overall is in very good condition for fishing, diving swimming and boating.”
For a daily fishing report and lake condition go to www.blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve’s Blog.
(updated 9-15-2022) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said, “It was a very good morning of fishing on Norfork Lake. Joe, a current guest headed
to the area, and I have been catching walleye and went looking for striped bass as well. Joe found the walleye in 27 to 32 feet of water. He caught them by trolling Flicker Minnows, as well as vertical jigging a purple monkey Tater Shad. The striped bass should start to scatter out of the dam area anytime now. I started out the morning by graphing areas that the stripers have shown up in the past. In the 3rd area, I marked some fish in 30 feet of water that looked like walleye and spots. I jigged for a short time with no takers. I moved around on this main lake point and finally on the inside of the point I found some big arcs. The fish were feeding in 38 to 50 feet of water and they were all over the place. I caught my fish using several different baits and colors. I was vertical jigging Tater Shads. The best color of Tater Shad this morning for me was the glimmer shad. I also was vertical jigging a 3/4 ounce white with a chartreuse Binks spoon. I ended up landing 4 stripers and hybrids and 3 others came unhooked during the battle. They caught fish off the bottom, as well as near the surface as the fish were chasing and hammering the bait before it got to the surface.
The surface lake temperature this morning was near 80 degrees and the lake level is falling slowly. The current lake level sits at 554.66 feet msl. The main lake is mainly clear to slightly stained with the creeks and coves a little more stained.” Lou posts nearly daily on his Facebook page with photos and where the fish are biting and what’s biting. Check it out.
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 9-22-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said Norfork Lake fell 0.1 foot to rest at 1.1 feet below power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 25.3 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork tailwater has had more wadable water. All of the lakes in the White River system are now below power pool. With the current lake levels, expect lower flows and more wadable water.
There has been more wadable water on the Norfork in the morning and it has fished a much better. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Grasshoppers have produced fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). My favorite rig has been a pheasant tail nymph #14 and a ruby midge #18. The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.
Dry Run Creek has fished poorly. School is back in session and the creek is not as busy. Weekends can get a quite crowded. The hot flies have been sowbugs, various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and white mop flies. Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. Be sure and carry a large net, as most fish are lost at the net.
“If this sounds like something you would be interested in, go online to https://asumh.coursestorm.com and sign up. There is a modest fee. All needed equipment will be provided.”
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 658.57 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 661.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 695.00 feet msl). Total outflow from the dam at noon Thursday was 2,112 cfs. The reported lake elevation at Table Rock Lake was 910.82 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 917.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 931.0 feet msl), with outflow of 1,257 cfs.
(updated 9-22-2022) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said Thursday morning that water is almost back to normal. The constant generating has stopped. Water temperature is 82 degrees, give or take a degree. Typical summer patterns are still working. The cooler nights have the shad starting to move. There are always shallow fish. Target channel swings, points and ledges close to deep water. Whopper Ploppers, buzzbaits and a topwater like a Lucky Craft Gunfish early in the day are working. When topwater slows, use a half-ounce flutter spoon in a shad pattern and a small swimbait. Then move to a Mooneye Tater Shad or drop-shot a Jewel Spoon. Most of the shad are suspended at 30-35 feet. Almost all species are present. A lot of fish have moved up into the brushpiles and are coming into play with lowering water levels. The creek fish have pulled back with the water coming down. The topwater bite will slow down when the sun starts getting high. Move out with a Jewel Special Ops Football Jig in green pumpkin-orange variations and keep the boat out around 40 feet. Fishing is good around channel swings, standing timber, ledges and laydowns. Use a Beaver/big worm like an Ole Monster in green pumpkin red or red shad plum as well. Fish the conditions.
Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.
Norfork Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 554.54 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 553.75 feet msl; April-Sept. 556.25 feet msl; top flood elevation 580.0 feet msl). Total outflow from Norfork Dam at noon Thursday was 2,471 cfs. Wednesday saw 11 hours of generation (1 p.m. to midnight) averaging 2,450 cfs.
(updated 9-22-2022) Steven “Scuba Steve” Street at Blackburn’s Resort said Wednesday morning that the lake level was 554.61 feet msl and had dropped a half-inch in the last 24 hours with three-quarters of a generator running about half the time. It has been fairly stable since reaching the power pool of 556.75 feet msl a few weeks ago with a very slow steady drop. The White River at Newport is 5.47 feet, so they are not letting much water out anywhere on the chain of lakes or Norfork Lake. It makes for good wade fishing on the rivers. The surface water temperature is 83 degrees and rising slowly with the hot weather. That should change with the cold front coming through starting on Thursday with a drastic drop in ambient temperatures on the first day of fall.
“We have not had any rain for about 2½ weeks and it is getting very dry again. The thermocline started at about 35 feet with cold water at 37 feet yesterday when I went diving. The visibility has deteriorated a bit since the last report but is still OK for spearfishing, and the color is good for pole fishing with the creeks being more stained but clear near the shore. The visibility gets a little better in the Robinson Point area than in the Blackburn’s area and is best off steep, river channel, chunk rock banks.
The lake is not anywhere near starting its turnover, which always comes sometime in October. Sometimes it is abrupt and other times gradual, taking a week or a little more depending on how fast the surface water cools.
The crappie are still on main lake brush that is about 30 feet deep and are above it and roaming, feeding on baitfish, which are scattered in the water column. Kentucky bass and bluegill are on the same brush and at various depths. Drop a jigging spoon in the brush and you will be surprised what you catch. “The larger walleye are getting scarce and the most that I am catching are short with a keeper in about one in five or six. Bluegill are still good off docks on crickets and catfish are biting on live bluegill near the bottom. If you find schools of bluegill, you can be sure there are some catfish around. The lake overall is in very good condition for fishing, diving swimming and boating.”
For a daily fishing report and lake condition go to www.blackburnsresort.com and click on Scuba Steve’s Blog.
(updated 9-15-2022) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said, “It was a very good morning of fishing on Norfork Lake. Joe, a current guest headed
to the area, and I have been catching walleye and went looking for striped bass as well. Joe found the walleye in 27 to 32 feet of water. He caught them by trolling Flicker Minnows, as well as vertical jigging a purple monkey Tater Shad. The striped bass should start to scatter out of the dam area anytime now. I started out the morning by graphing areas that the stripers have shown up in the past. In the 3rd area, I marked some fish in 30 feet of water that looked like walleye and spots. I jigged for a short time with no takers. I moved around on this main lake point and finally on the inside of the point I found some big arcs. The fish were feeding in 38 to 50 feet of water and they were all over the place. I caught my fish using several different baits and colors. I was vertical jigging Tater Shads. The best color of Tater Shad this morning for me was the glimmer shad. I also was vertical jigging a 3/4 ounce white with a chartreuse Binks spoon. I ended up landing 4 stripers and hybrids and 3 others came unhooked during the battle. They caught fish off the bottom, as well as near the surface as the fish were chasing and hammering the bait before it got to the surface.
The surface lake temperature this morning was near 80 degrees and the lake level is falling slowly. The current lake level sits at 554.66 feet msl. The main lake is mainly
clear to slightly stained with the creeks and coves a little more stained.” Lou posts nearly daily on his Facebook page with photos and where the fish are biting and what’s biting. Check it out.
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 9-22-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake fell 0.1 foot to rest at 1.1 feet below power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 25.3 feet below the top of flood pool. There has been more wadable water on the Norfork in the morning and it has fished a much better. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns like zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead). Grasshoppers have produced fish, particularly when used in conjunction with a small nymph dropper (try a size 20 black zebra midge). Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead-headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). John’s favorite rig has been a No. 14 pheasant tail nymph and a No. 18 ruby midge. The fishing is much better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday.
Dry Run Creek has fished poorly. School is back in session and the creek is not as busy. Weekends can get a quite crowded. The hot flies have been sowbugs, various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and white mop flies. Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. Carry a large net, as most fish are lost at the net.
Remember that the White River, Norfork tailwater and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 9-22-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are low. With hot temperatures, the smallmouths are less active. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
Beaver Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,118.82 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.43 feet msl; top flood elevation is 1,130.0 feet msl). The release at the dam as of Thursday morning was 20 cfs. The Corps released about 3,800 cfs between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Wednesday.
(updated 9-22-2022) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is sitting about 3 feet below normal levels, a 1-foot drop from last week, and water is in low 80s. Fishing remains fair for most anglers. Walleye have been caught on main lake humps and flats. Crawler harnesses and brood minnows are working. Look from Prairie Creek to the dam. Stripers are still in the same areas. Trolling live bait is the ticket. Shad and bream will work. Look for fish on electronics and fish areas where shad schools are located.
“The hot weather is supposed to break (Thursday) and once that happens I expect to stray to see a fall transition begin,” Jon says. “Fishing will be slow for a couple weeks or so and then should really pick up as water cools.”
Crappie are fair on trolled cranks and jigs fished around brush. Look for fish in 15 feet of water. Catfish are good in any method you choose.
“Be safe and enjoy the upcoming weather.” Visit Jon’s Facebook page for latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.
(updated 9-15-2022) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said that the lake is clear and fishing is fair. Crappie are moving to cover and fair on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair. Black bass are fair. Bream are fair. Early mornings and shallow water are the best conditions.
Beaver Tailwater
(updated 9-15-2022) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said this week has been a little tricky on the tailwater due to the lack of water. However, if you’re able to get around and hit some of the deeper pockets, it can really pay off. The Army Corps of Engineers still has been generating pretty much starting at or around 3 p.m., but that has not stopped the bite. In fact, it increases the bite in most cases. “Most of our fish were caught using light terminal tackle and Pautzke Fire Bait. Also, we have been using the Fire Eggs with great success. When the sun moved higher in the sky, we would switch it over to quarter-ounce spoons and coat the spoons using Pautzke Fire Gel. Try it.
“The water levels are still low and continue to fall, seems like each day. If we can get some overcast or rainy days, the bite should pick up a lot!
“This week’s hot spot for trout has been above Spider Creek. Try hitting the deeper holes and looking for slack water during generation. The white bass and walleye are still up toward Holiday island, but you need to look for them. Jigging live minnows off of points and humps have done the trick. There are still quite a few males in the river, so get after them.
“Remember, for additional tips, visit my fishing Facebook page (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service). Hope you all are able to get out and catch some fish.”
Lake Fayetteville
(updated 9-22-2022) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said black bass are good on soft plastics, frogs and worms. Catfish are good on typical catfish bait. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie are doing better this week than last week, but anglers still have to know where to find them.
Lake Sequoyah
(updated 9-22-2022) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report.
Lake Charles
(updated 9-22-2022) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said fishing continued to be good in all species this past week. Bream were enjoying worms and jigs. Crappie have picked up again with good results on minnows and jigs. Black bass are favoring crankbaits and soft plastic worms in good numbers. Catfishing is good using blood bait, stink bait and cut bait. Look for the good news to continue if those “moon times” mean anything: Best days are forecast through Sept. 28. Look for a similar week Oct. 22-28. Good days are forecast for Oct. 6-12.
The lake’s temperature on Sunday midmorning was 76.8 degrees. The water remains murky and high.
Lake Poinsett
(updated 9-8-2022) Seth Boone, the superintendent at Lake Poinsett State Park, said bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Bass and crappie are unknown at this time, though some anglers have shared limited success with spinners for bass. Catfish have bitten in the evening on stink bait, worms and livers. Remember that bass and crappie are catch-and-release at this time as the sport fish population rebuilds following the lake renovation.
Crown Lake
(updated 9-22-2022) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) reported that the lake is low. Still, fishing is fair. Bass are biting topwaters and soft plastics. Bream are fair on crickets. No other reports.
Spring River
(updated 9-8-2022) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said that over the last month the Spring River has been flowing at around 350 cfs, about average. Rain last few weeks has the level up to 450 cfs this week, running about a foot above normal. The clarity has been a very productive heavy green stain. Just take extra care wading with the higher river flow.
“Woolly Buggers have been hard to beat in olive and brown, but hey, they always work on the Spring,” Mark says. “Dry fly action with caddis, mayflies and stones can be found, just be aware we have huge shad that are a blast on dries, too. Nymphing big nymphs size 8-12, prince nymphs, and pheasant tails work great especially on tough days – it’s probably our favorite way to fish the Spring. The pocket water on the Spring River was made for nymphing! Y2ks always work, too.
“We’re catching plenty of rainbows in all sizes, and the browns are there. We chase them all the time and have seen huge brown trout and walleye chase big streamers, but after over 20 years of guiding on the Spring River, I have caught all my best, biggest fish – browns, walleye, smallmouth bass – on a bead head olive Woolly Bugger.
“Construction on Jim Hinkle is coming along nicely! The new silos are up and I can’t wait to see it all up and running soon. This will create a lot more opportunities for the Spring River and all trout waters in Arkansas.
“The canoe season is over on the Spring River. Labor Day weekend was the last blowout. Now it will get back to that quiet, wild little river we all love. Many Islands and Spring River Oaks will close at the end of September and will reopen the first of April. Riverside Resort is open year-round.
“Stay tuned to our blog for the latest river conditions and what’s working on the river on our website springriverfliesandguides.com.”
(updated 9-15-2022) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the water level on the Spring River is fishable. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork rivers. Canoe season is in full swing and the boats and rafts are here. Wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive Woolly Buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam at Pine Bluff was 9,420 cfs. The stage at Pine Bluff is steady at 31.44 feet (flood stage is 42 feet). Further upstream, the flow at the Maynard Lock and Dam was 6,031 cfs.
(updated 9-8-2022) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports water temperatures in mid- to low 80s. Visibility is about 8-12 inches in most areas. River flow has been mostly zero for weeks, with occasional bumps in flow around storm events. During flow periods, black bass on the main channel are more concentrated on obvious current breaks, jetty points and jetty openings to the main channel, eating shallow to medium crankbaits and other moving lures. Fish can also be caught along water willow beds on the lower end of the pool with small Texas-rigged plastics, finesse jigs, spinnerbaits, bladed jigs and topwater lures early. Focus on areas that are in shade. Larger fish are coming from Lake Langhofer brush piles using similar lures. Fall transition should begin in a few weeks and black bass activity will increase along with reduced fishing pressure. We’re still in summer pattern as of now.
Millwood Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 259.12 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl; top flood elevation is 287.0 feet msl). Total outflow at the dam is 974 cfs, an amount being steadily released this week.
(updated 9-22-2022) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said that Millwood Lake about at normal pool and steady. Clarity improved this week along Little River and the oxbows. Millwood Lake tailwater elevation is near 225 feet msl with gate discharge at the dam, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s web page linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate-release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. Watch for random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on Little River and Millwood Lake with discharge rates and fluctuations high flow conditions in Little River, and anytime high gate discharge conditions exist.
Surface temps were stable this week, ranging 75-80 degrees depending on location and the time of day. Current along Little River slightly cleared up this week, further up Little River with river clarity ranging 8-15 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity of oxbows is heavy stain, visibility about 20-30 inches depending on location. Further up Little River near White Cliffs and Wilton Landing has heavier stain conditions. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms. Numerous areas on Millwood Lake are fully choked with alligatorweed mats, and inaccessible for navigation or fishing. The Army Corps of Engineers is monitoring.
Use extreme caution on the east side of the boat ramp at Yarborough Landing. The concrete underwater on the easternmost side of the ramp, furthest from the concrete pier, has been broken for quite some time and boaters are backing their trailers off the end of the broken concrete.
Mike offered these specifics of the Millwood Lake fishing for this week:
* Largemouth and spotted bass are schooling most areas of Millwood main lake body and oxbows. Since last week’s report, the bass have been continuing their schooling activities lake wide, and active almost all day with the cooler water temps. Bass have been good and actively chasing shad over the past couple weeks with excellent activity and aggressive feeding in Little River and the oxbows. Hot spots include creek mouths dumping/draining into Little River with lily pads and grass along primary points being key locations. Flats next to deep creeks and secondary points with lily pad stands are a good target area as well. Chunky 2-, 3- and 4-pound bass have been the most aggressive at midmorning and most all day long. Good bass activity and topwater action are still happening early, hitting Spit’n Images, Chug Bugs, Pop R’s, Bass Assassin Shads or topwater plastic frogs in the pads.
These chunky 2-3 pound largemouths, with an occasional 5-pounder blowup, are random and scattered horizontally along the edge of vegetation, lily pad stands near 4-6 feet deep flats with stumps tapering out into 9-12 feet of depth. Best reaction we have seen over the past several weeks are at daylight on a variety of topwaters. Best reactions have been in the clearer water in oxbows near deep drops. Bill Lewis Stuttersteps, Storm Chug Bugs, Shad Assassins, Heddon Spit’N Images, Cordell Crazy Shads all have been drawing good, random, reactions on topwater at daybreak for several weeks now.
Soft plastic 5-inch Bass Assassin Shads and topwater soft plastic frogs have been drawing random good responses early in the morning in large lily pad clusters. Best color of Bass Assassin Shads have been Salt n Pepper Silver Phantom, Houdini and Pumpkinseed, and they continue drawing good reactions with some JJ’s Magic chartreuse dye dip for a flash of color. Junebug, black or Pumpkinseed-colored Horny Toads and soft plastic frogs, in clearest water you can find in the oxbows, are working for a random blowup from 2- to 4-pound largemouth bass.
“We continue finding numerous schools of juvenile, adolescent and adult size classes of ganged up in back of Mud Lake, Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows, near creek mouth junctions and dumps into Little River this week also. These groups and different age classes of Largemouth are most aggressively chasing Threadfin shad all morning long into mid-day. Primary and secondary points along Little River, near the first and second entrance to Mud Lake, Hurricane Creek, Horseshoe, White Cliffs, all were holding decent schools of adult, adolescent, and juvenile class schools of Largemouth and Kentucky (Spotted) Bass over the past week. Good action was also noted in the flats at White Cliffs near the deeper section of the creeks with multiple schools blowing shad out of the water at the same time in numerous locations. These breaking fish were chasing and feeding on Shad, and were eager to bust a Rat-L-Trap or shad colored square-bill Little John and Bill Lewis SB-57 crankbait. It’s a great time to take a kid fishing!
“Wacky rigged 5- and 6-inch Bang Fat Jobs, Yum Dingers and Salty Rat Tails in Houdini, Watermelon Candy and Junebug/red colors were working late last week from 5-10 feet deep in Mud Lake, Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows, around grass mats and lily pad stands after morning topwater bite subsides, and in the same areas where the topwater early bite is aggressive. Continue moving deeper near where creek channels and ditches cut through flats, or to the points, where the creek junctions dump and drain into the oxbow, as the sun rises and begins to heat up the flats adjacent to creek channels.”
Even after the sun gets up over the tree line after 9-10 a.m., schooling bass were continually chasing the threadfin shad, and eagerly hitting medium-diving crankbaits like custom painted Little John square bills, Bill Lewis MR-6 or SB-57 square bill, and Bandit or Bomber Fat Free Guppy and Fingerlings crankbaits working across 6-10 feet deep flats adjacent to 12-15 deep creek channel swings dumping into Little River. Bomber Fat Free Guppy’s and Fingerlings crankbaits in Tennessee Shad or Citrus Shad continue to be good color choices, working along deep creek channels and points reaching out into Little River and 8-12 feet deep creeks dump into Little River. The Little John custom painted square bills, Rat-L-Traps and MR-6s or SB-57s continue working with Millwood Magic, Sneaky Shad amd Tennessee Shad colors drawing best reactions from chunky largemouths along the Little River points and creek dumps from the oxbows, and further up river near Cemetery Slough. Little River’s water clarity got a lot more dirty with more stain this week, above McGuire where the sloughs dump into the river.
* “We found a few groups of 2- to 3-pound whites/hybrids breaking on shad along Little River near Hurricane Creek and the White Cliffs USACE campground over this last week. Many continue roaming Little River and the oxbows, and have been caught on vertical-jigging spoons, and custom-painted Little John Crankbaits, Bomber Fat Free Guppy and Bandit 200 crankbaits along Little River. Tail Spinner Trap Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, chrome/black back and chrome/blue back caught some pound whites in McGuire last week. Fat Free Shad crankbaits in Citrus Shad color, Little Georges, Beetle Spins, Rooster Tails and Rocket Shads, from 8-10 feet deep near ledges and vertical structure, were catching whites randomly in the oxbows. Schooling whites have been noted in the back of McGuire and Horseshoe oxbows off Little River early at daybreak on flats adjacent to deeper drops in the depths from 5-10 feet deep at random intervals over the past several weeks.
* No reports on crappie or bream.
* Catfish have been best over the past couple of weeks at night on trotlines and yo-yos set along outer bends of the river in stump rows of old river timber from 15-20 feet deep with chicken livers, hearts, gizzards, cut buffalo and blood bait working late over the weekend, and in the oxbows on yo-yos hung from cypress trees, if you could keep all the alligators off them and retrieve the fish quickly once hooked, before the gators get to them. Alligators have been noted hung up and dragging noodles around after eating the catfish or bait attached for several weeks.
Lake Columbia
No reports.
Lake Erling
NOTICE: The American Gamebird Research Education and Development Foundation, under recommendation from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, is conducting a 5-foot drawdown of Lake Erling in Lafayette County to combat the spread of giant salvinia, a highly invasive aquatic plant species not native to the United States. Giant salvinia, a free-floating South American plant that has become a major threat to fisheries in the southern U.S., was first spotted on a small portion of Lake Erling in 2018. Since that time the AGFC and AGRED, the lake’s owner, have worked together to monitor and minimize potential spread of the invasive species through information campaigns. With the recent detection of the plant at nearby Mercer Bayou and the spread of the plant within Erling, AGRED worked with the AGFC to determine a plan that would help combat the aquatic nuisance species. The drawdown will remain in effect until March 1, 2023, at which time the 7,000-acre lake will be allowed to refill. (updated 9-15-2022) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) reported Thursday that crappie are really good with catching limits every day. They are best 10-14 feet deep on hand tie jigs and silver minnows. Bream are good on crickets out around the islands. A few bass are schooling here and there. Catfish are really good on any kind of cut bait. The water level is dropping quickly due to the draining of the lake. (See above.)
Lake Greeson Tailwater
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Lake Greeson
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Narrows Dam was 540.15 feet msl (full pool: 548.00 feet msl).
No reports.
DeGray Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 399.50 feet msl (full pool: 408.00 feet msl).
(updated 9-15-2022) Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) reported that the water temperature is 80-82 degrees. There has been a lot of schooling activity with the mix of largemouth and spotted bass, along with hybrids and white bass. These fish can be caught on small topwater baits, small spinnerbaits or rooster tails. The bait fish they are feeding on are very small. The best peak times are from daylight until around 10:30 a.m. and in the evenings from about 5:30 p.m. until sunset. Crappie can be caught on jigs in about 15-20 feet of water on brush piles.
De Queen Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 431.46 feet msl (full pool: 437.00 feet msl).
Dierks Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 522.60 feet msl (full pool: 526.00 feet msl).
White Oak Lake Area
(update 9-22-2022) Curtis Willingham at River Rat Bait in Camden (870-231-3831) has opened back up after being closed for part of the summer when it was too hot to fish. Call for latest conditions.
Lake Atkins
(updated 9-15-2022) Donald Ramirez at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) says bass are good on big worms (California 420 and watermelon rigs in green pumpkin). Crappie are also good, but small in size on bobby garland purple and minnows. Catfish are good as always. Water level is low and a little murky in color.
Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 9-8-2022) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reported that very small numbers of rainbow trout remain in the tailrace below Carpenter Dam. The trout season normally comes to an end in early July but good numbers of large rainbows remained in the lake all through August. The fall trout stocking schedule is slated to begin in mid-November and quality trout fishing will resume for the public. Water temperature below the dam is 66 degrees and climbing to 70 degrees below the bridge. Clear conditions exist with a healthy summer environment created by a normal nunning of water through the dam. Generation keeps the water cool and prevents an overgrowth of moss and tall grass from dominating the area. Huge schools of threadfin shad are moving in and out of the tailrace, which brings white and hybrid bass in to feed. The majority of action occurs in the late evening when the turbines are running. Zara Super Spooks in clear or silver colors have taken numbers of white and hybrid bass in the 2- to 4-pound range. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits against the current will also target feeding bass below the bridge. Walleye are also present in the tailrace and can be caught trolling or tight-lining live minnows around the bridge pilings. These fish will migrate in and out of the area following the shad schools and can be observed feeding when numbers are right.
Anyone planning on navigating the Carpenter Dam tailrace is urged to be aware of the generation schedules posted weekly on the Entergy website. Always wear a life jacket when on the water and remember to follow all park rules and regulations.
Lake Dardanelle
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s flow at Dardanelle Lock and Dam as 0 cfs. Elevation was 337.81 feet msl and the tailwater was at 284.99 feet msl. (Top navigation pool is 338.2 and bottom pool is 336.0.)
No reports.
Lake Hamilton
(updated 9-22-2022) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred Xpress, all-welded, aluminum fishing boats in Hot Springs reports Lake Hamilton at normal pool with surface temps in the mid- to low 80s in all areas except the river channel. Water visibility is 10 feet or more. And summer continues – black bass, especially spotted Bass, are stacking up on main lake points and deeper flats. Shade or cover is vital with the ongoing heat and lake of cool water. The depth of 12-23 feet has had good numbers of “spots” that are very willing to take a drop-shot worm in seedless green or watermelon seed. Downsize your leaders to a 4- to 6-pound because of the water clarity. “When we finally get the water cooler, these fish will switch to a diet of 100% baitfish, but that has not happened yet.
“We searched for largemouth but were unable to locate an obvious pattern, but did have some nice fish follow a Zoom Horny Toad out from under docks in the river channel.”
Bream are thick in 10-15 feet of water in shaded areas. Crickets or live worms can fill a bucket in a hurry with some pan-sized fish that are hungry and aggressive. Crappie have been spotted suspended over brushtops in 20-30 feet of water but are extremely finicky eaters. Live minnows and 2-pound line are the best bet. “We didn’t target walleye or hybrids this week. Good luck and Go Greeson!”
Lake Nimrod
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was at 342.51 feet msl (normal pool: 344.51 feet msl; top flood elevation is 373.0 feet msl).
(updated 9-22-2022) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said Wednesday that the water is clear, surface temperature is 85 degrees and the level now is very low. Crappie are being caught in good numbers on both minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on jugs baited with black salties and perch; they’re working in the channel mostly. Bream have slowed down and are off the beds. Black bass are fair.
Lake Ouachita
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Blakely Dam was 569.05 feet msl (full pool: 578.00 feet msl).
(updated 9-15-2022) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said, “Crappie and bass are tough for me right now. Bream are great. Redworms and nightcrawler segments are working best for larger sunfish. Go deep, 16-24 feet.”
(updated 9-15-2022) John at Masterbaiters Bait and Tackle (501-209-6538) on Arkansas Highway 7 outside Hot Springs Village said he was out on Lake Ouachita on Sunday and caught 30 good-sized crappie in 12 feet of water over brush. He caught them on jigs and also on minnows. “The jigging spoons in 32 feet on points caught all the yellow and white bass you want. Was a fun four hours on the water,” he said.
(updated 9-15-2022) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out-of-state) said black bass are still good. Topwater baits and swimbaits seem to be working best. Walleye are good. A three-quarter-ounce CC Spoon vertically jigged near structure should produce some of these fish, and a nightcrawler fished on a drop-shot or bottom bouncer will work, too. Stripers are very good. Live bait and trolling hair jigs are working best now on the eastern part of the lake. Bream are fair on crickets or worms in 15-25 feet depth on structure. Crappie are very good on small jigs or minnows. Try brush in 20-30 feet depth. Catfish are fair on rod-and-reel with hot dogs or nightcrawlers. Water temperature is steady at 80-84 degrees as of Tuesday. Water clarity is clear. Lake level is 569.77 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.44 feet msl (full pool: 387.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 419.0 feet msl).
No reports.
White River/Clarendon Area
The Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday reported the Clarendon gauge is falling at 13.42 feet, almost 13 feet below the flood stage of 26.00 feet.
Cook’s Lake
(updated 9-8-2022) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Potlatch Cook’s Lake Nature Center (870-241-3373) says the action has been hit or miss in the last week. The lake has seen another2-foot drop in the last week, which continues to make for some tough conditions. Some crappie are being caught on black and chartreuse jigs slowly dropped vertically into hollow trees in about 5 feet of water. What black bass are being caught are on white spinnerbaits slow rolled near deeper trees. No reports on other species this week.
Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers, and up to two helpers (who may also fish). Cook’s Lake will be open to fishing during normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., water level pending. Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. Please call ahead at least a day in advance to register to fish. Before launching, please check in at the Nature Center classroom and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, please call the center at 870-241-3373.
Note: msl is mean sea level; cfs is cubic feet per second.
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Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Fishing Report
Apr. 18, 2024
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