Arkansas Wildlife Fishing Report
BY Jim Harris
ON 10-30-2019
Oct. 30, 2019
Jim Harris
Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s weekly fishing report for Oct. 30, 2019. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news. Note: msl = mean sea level; cfs = cubic feet per second.
Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: https://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: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats will be conducting foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Conway in 2019. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Conway through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 10-30-2019) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake is regular Lake Conway stained. The level is normal. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bream are good on redworm and crickets. Black bass are good. Use buzzbaits, topwater baits or spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on stink bait, goldfish, nightcrawlers and minnows.
Little Red River
(updated 10-30-2019) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service said the Little Red River is receiving sporadic and unpredictable generation. This is creating extremely low water conditions at times. Fly patterns of midges, gold ribbed hares ear and pheasant tails can be productive. Consider chartreuse and hot pink bodies on chartreuse jigheads for Trout Magnet spin fishing. Always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecasted generation schedule.
(updated 10-30-2019) Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips.com (501-690-9166) said the river remains low and clear. Generation Monday night and Tuesday morning helped with an increased flow in the river. The browns are beginning to move, but the shoals have been so low they are not being found in their usual patterns. The cold weather and hopefully an increase in generation will help the spawn. The rainbows are taking small emergers and midge pupa. The deeper pools at the foot of the shoals seem to be the most productive. Remember to watch for rocks, logs and the bottom while motoring in the low water.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.85 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.54 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 459.83 feet msl, or is 2.21 feet below normal pool for this time of year (462.04 feet msl), and it is falling some with generation. Crappie are still eating baits all over the lake and rivers, whether it’s a trolled crankbait, or fishing a jig or minnow straight up and down, they are catching them in 12-45 feet of water. Black bass are eating well, with the smallmouth bite going real good, on top or dragging something. Stay with shad or imitate crawfish. A lot of baits will work super shallow out to 60 feet. Schooling fish are roaming as well. Bream have slowed down some but can still be caught with crickets or crawlers, shallow out to 25 feet. No report on walleye. Catfish are eating well all over the lakes and rivers, also following schooling fish around eating leftovers. Try your favorite style or bait to catch them. Hybrid bass and white bass are on top down eating on structure to 60 feet all over the lakes and parts of rivers. Spoons, inline spinners, topwater baits, swimbaits, Alabama rigs – a lot of baits will work anywhere close to schools of shad.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) reported the water is a little murky and the level is “just a little high.” Crappie are good on minnows. Black bass are good using purple-colored plastic worms. Catfishing is good on the trotlines. Poor reports on bream.
Lake Overcup
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats will be conducting foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Overcup in 2019. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Overcup through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 10-23-2019) Johnny “Catfish” Banks of Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) says water level is about normal and clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 72 degrees. Bream are slow, but anglers are still catching some on crickets and redworms. Bass are doing good around brushtops and structure with topwater baits and plastic worms. Catfish are being caught on jugs and trotline with bream and minnows. Crappie are slow but should start picking up with this cooler weather. Visit John’s Facebook page (Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park) for any new updates and photos.
Brewer Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) David Hall, owner of Dad’s Bait Shop (501-977-0303), says the water remains clear. The surface temperature Monday early afternoon was 76 degrees. The level is back up to normal. Bream are good on redworms or crickets. Crappie are good. Use No. 6 crappie minnows and you’ll find them biting in 3-5 feet depth. Black bass are good. In the evening, they move shallow and hit topwater baits. Also fish with buzzbaits, Rooster Tails and bass minnows. Catfishing is good on No. 20 bass minnows or chicken liver.
Lake Maumelle
(updated 10-23-2019) Westrock Landing (501-658-5598) on Highway 10 near Roland said water temperature is ranging 66-68 degrees. Largemouth bass are good. Most of them can be found in 16-20 feet of water at dusk and dawn biting a variety of lures. Some reports have come in that say the black bass can be found in 8-12 feet and 16-20 feet. Use chatterbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, drop-shots and swimbaits. Kentucky bass are good. Some reports of them being found in 10-16 feet of water outside the grass line at dusk and dawn. They can also be found in 18-22 feet off drops and rocky banks. White bass are fair. Reports of them schooling but not staying up for long. Some can still be found mixed in with the crappie on the flats or near brush piles in 8-12 feet. Try using minnows, Rooster Tails, jerkbaits and rattle-style baits. Crappie are fair. Reports of them being found stacking in deeper water around 18-22 feet. Some can still be found scattered mixed in with the whites. Try using jigs and minnows. Bream have slowed. They are moving into deeper water around 18-22 feet. Try using crickets and worms. Catfishing is good. Try using chicken liver, nightcrawlers and baitfish.
Sunset Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said, “Even though it’s been since Sept. 24 since it was stocked with catfish, I have still had lots of people telling me they are still catching them off of chicken livers, nightcrawlers and No. 12 bass minnows. Some crappie being caught off of No. 6 crappie minnows.”
Bishop Park Ponds
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said the back pond is the one that was stocked on Sept. 25; it’s only stocked once a year for their derby. It is still producing some nice catch of catfish, being caught off of chicken livers, nightcrawlers and minnows. A few crappie being reported caught off of No. 6 crappie minnows. Bass are being caught off of plastics and bigger minnows.
Saline River Access in Benton
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) says that just as the levels get about right, the rain is making it pretty muddy. Give it time to settle down and, before you know it, the walleye will be good to go after. Get you some brooder minnows and use a No. 2 Eagle Claw plain shank hook, small split shot and throw that minnow out there and let it go. You are sure to catch a walleye or even smallmouth or Kentucky bass.
Outside the immediate area, Lisa hears that Lake Ouachita is a hot spot for crappie. They are biting on No. 4 crappie minnows and No. 6 crappie minnows. Also, DeGray Lake is doing well on the crappie using No. 6 crappie minnows.
Lake Norrell
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(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said crappie have been doing well on No. 6 crappie minnows up in the coves around 6 feet. They are not large in numbers but some very good slabs are being caught. Catfish and bass too have been hitting on minnows.
Lake Winona
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said crappie have been fair using minnows. Catfish are being caught off of minnows and bait shrimp, as well as nightcrawlers.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
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(updated 10-23-2019) Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo (501-354-8080) said few anglers are out. The fish are in transition, setting up for cold waters. Bass jigs are best for the time being for fishing for bass. Catfish are based off the jetties and on the downstream side of the dam. Use skipjack or shad. No reports on crappie. No reports on bream. Here are a few words for the duck and goose hunters with the waterfowl season coming: “It would be best to check out the rivers and use your GPS. Use your ramp as home. Use the main channel as a highway, then go 90 degrees; turn when you want to get out of the channel to your hunting way points. Hope you have good hunts.”
Arkansas River (Cadron Pool)
No report.
Little Maumelle River
(updated 10-30-2019) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the river has cleared. The water level is normal. No reports on bream or crappie. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Black bass were good using topwater baits and plastic worms. Catfish are good; use worms and set up your yo-yos for a good bite.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) says catfishing is good using minnows or cut shad. No other reports.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) Fish ‘N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) says the water is murky and is running very fast and high. They said the current was 147,000 (double the speed of watercraft advisory level) as of Monday and advise that anglers and boaters stay off the river. They did have reports of good bass fishing in the backwaters. Topwaters were working around the rocky points. Also try frogs and other walking-style baits.
(updated 10-30-2019) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) says the river is muddy and high. Crappie are excellent and are being caught in 6 feet depth on minnows; in the pool below Terry Lock and Dam, crappie are good on black/chartreuse jigs. Black bass are good on plastic worms – in particular, use the shaky head green pumpkin trick worms. Catfishing is good on minnows and cut shad. No reports on bream or white bass.
(updated 10-30-2019) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no reports from here this week. Last week, they reported that in the Terry Lock and Dam area of the pool, black bass are fair. Use crankbaits or worms and fish around the rocky points. They hear good reports on catfish, with worms and cut shad working best. Poor reports on bream and poor reports on crappie.
Clear Lake (off Arkansas-River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and the level is normal. The crappie bite is fair on minnows and jigs. No reports on bream, black bass or catfish.
Peckerwood Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Donna Muherin at Herman’s Landing (870241-3731) says the water is clear and the level is normal with no stumps showing. No reports on bream. are poor. Crappie are good on minnows a trolling/spider-rigging. Black bass are good using crankbaits or topwater lures. Catfishing is good; use stink bait, chicken liver or hot dogs.
White River
(updated 10-30-2019) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) says anglers on the White River in the Arkansas Ozarks have dodged rain drops several days this past week, basked in sunshine on others, and caught a passel of trout every day. Low overnight temps means cold mornings on the river, so add Toasty Toes and hand warmers to your tackle box if you’re leaving out any time before 10 a.m. Southwestern Power and the Army Corps of Engineers are continuing to release an average of 13,000 cfs through Bull Shoals Dam round-the-clock, but the lake level remains steady at nearly 2.5 feet above power pool because of rain and runoff across the White River basin.
The rainbow catch has been very good over the last seven days with the gold-and-black Rapala CD5s and CD9s and the copper Colorado spoon topping the go-to bait list, but you’d be wise to have some white and/or yellow egg patterns to thread on your hook if things get slow. The annual spawn is heating up, so be careful and gentle when returning the females to the river. “We have seen fewer browns and cutthroats during the last week, but those we’ve been able to bring to the boat have taken sculpins rather than stick baits. Try a black Maribou Jig on these overcast days; it changes up your fishing technique and keeps the interest high. Don’t let the cold keep you away – the trout catcher’s motto may well be ‘The colder, the better.’ See you on the river!”
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-4352169) said that during the past week, they had three days of rain (about an inch and a half in Cotter), cool temperatures and moderate to heavy winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals remained steady at 2.4 feet feet above seasonal power pool of 659 feet msl. This is 33.6 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock rose 0.7 foot to rest at 0.7 foot above seasonal power pool and 13.3 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose 2.3 feet to rest at 8.2 feet above seasonal power pool and 1.2 feet below the top of flood pool. The White had heavy generation with no wadable water. Norfork Lake rose 0.1 foot to rest at 2.9 feet above seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 23.3 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork had moderate generation with no wadable water. Due to heavy rains over the last two weeks all of the lakes in the White River System are now at or over the top of power pool. Expect heavy generation for the next few weeks.
Hopper season is on the wane. Use a short (7½ foot) leader to turn over the big fly. Cast near the bank and hang on. The takes can be vicious. John says he prefers large western foam hoppers so that he does not need to dress them. Add a dropper nymph to increase your catch.
The White has fished very well. The hot spot has been the Wildcat Shoals. The hot flies were olive Woolly Buggers (sizes 8, 10), Y2Ks (size 14, 12), prince nymphs (size 14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead sizes 16, 18), pheasant tails (size 14), ruby midges (size 18), root beer midges (size 18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (size 10) and sowbugs (size 16). Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective (John’s current favorite combination is a cerise high water San Juan worm with an egg pattern suspended below it). Use long leaders and plenty of lead to get your flies down.
Remember that the White and Norfork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and 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 soles that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
(updated 10-23-2019) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said Monday at midmorning that no one has been fish due to it being cold and windy. The river level was high with six generators running at the dam. However, they report that the trout bite for them is god. PowerBait is working, along with spinning and drift rigs. “A lot of good-size rainbows” were caught. “They are a lot bigger than this time last year.” The biggest brown caught was 18 inches. Caught some others but they were not very big.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 661.59 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 659.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said the lake’s visibility is 5 feet. The lake is at 66 degrees on the surface, and he says it has finished turning over. The level is high. Crappie are excellent. They are abundant and being caught around brushpiles. Use crappie minnows. Black bass are fair. They’re being caught “junk fishing,” he describes it, with one bait not working any better than any other. Walleye are being caught trolling. No reports on bream and nothing reported on catfish. Check out Del’s YouTube page (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for his latest video reports and tips on catching the fish.
Norfork Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 555.50 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 552.00 feet msl; April-Sept., 555.75 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said Norfork Lake water continues to cool and the lake has nearly completed its annual turnover process. The water temperature is 68 degrees from the surface down to roughly 75-85 feet. The oxygen level is high down to the same level, then reduces along with the water temperature down to the bottom of the lake. This is a normal process for Norfork Lake and is in line with past years, with the exception that the lake temperature is a few degrees warmer than normal. The cold weather this week should make the lake finalize its turnover, which makes the temperature and oxygen level the same from the top to the bottom of the lake. The oxygen and lake temperature information was provided by Norfork Lake Striper Club on Oct. 28.
Lou says the bite continues to be good for bass, crappie and bluegills. White bass fishing has been getting really good over the last few days for the medium-sized whites. Vertical-jig with a ½- to ¾-ounce spoon to catch the whites. They will be on the bottom or suspended 15-25 feet down. “The biggest change since my last report is that the bait has moved out to the flats in 20-50 feet of water. This is the main reason the white bass bite is taking off. As the surface water temperature continues to drop into the low 60s, I would expect to start seeing more frequent topwater action for some of our species in the lake.”
The largemouth and spotted bass bite has been good and you can find them in a couple of areas. The bass continue to be shallow, very close to the shoreline. Shallow, sloping banks has still been the best, but they are showing up more and more on the rock bluff lines. Crankbaits are working very well, as are soft plastics. Cast your bait right next to the shore and retrieve back to the boat. Work your plastics slowly along the bottom. The fish are still using the sunken buckbrush to help them hide, so don’t hesitate casting right up into the brush. If you like to throw topwater baits, the fish are coming up for them. The topwater baits are working early in the morning. Cast your bait, such as a Zara Spook, up to the shoreline, then use a walk-the-dog retrieval method back to the boat. There is still some topwater action for bass in the mornings and evenings but it has slowed a little at this time. A second area that has just started to be good is on large deeper water flats. “I have found some nice schooling, feeding bass in 20-40 feet of water. It does take some time watching your electronics to find the schools. My best method for these deeper fish is to vertical-jig a spoon. You will catch one after another once you find the school. Staying on the school of feeding fish is difficult to do, but if you get lucky enough to stay on top of them you will have a blast for a long time.”
The crappie bite continues to be good, but has slowed a little. “I am still catching some nice slabs, but It seems like I need to jump around a lot. I catch a couple fish off of brush then they seem to stop biting. I move to another brush and catch a few then need to move again. You can still catch your limit, but it will take some work. If it was easy it would not be any fun. I am still using a ¼-ounce spoon. Firetiger, white and chartreuse, white and green and white and pink have been my best colors. The fish have been from 10-20 feet down over brush and you need to be on the brush as I am not finding any on the outsides of the brush. The crappie will start to move around a little more as the water cools and will come shallower in the evenings. The bite has not started for me until around 8:30-9 a.m., but I have not tried in the dark with lights out.
“The bluegill bite has been good. I typically catch a few nice ones on my ¼ ounce spoon while crappie fishing, but fishing with crickets is the best. Best areas have been in small cuts in the bluff walls especially if there is some brush in the cut. You will find them anywhere from 15-30 feet deep.
“Striped bass fishing is still the slowest bite. Not unusual for this time of year, but that bite should take off shortly. Once the lake finalizes its turnover and cools a few more degrees the bigger fish will move to the flats. This is not to say I have not been catching stripers and hybrids. There are large schools of this species out on the flats in 20 – 50 feet of water feeding on shad along with the whites. The issue is that most of the fish are on the short side at this time. There are a few nice size fish in side of the schools of smaller fish and you will hook up on occasion. It is still a blast to catch a 17 – 20 inch striper on light tackle, if you are looking for some fun action. Look for bigger stripers back in the major creeks such as Big Creek, Bennett’s Bayou and up river around the state line.”
Norfork Lake level continues to drop slowly and sits at 555.58 feet msl. The lake surface temperature in the morning this week was 66-68 degrees depending on location. The main lake is fairly clear and the creeks and coves are somewhat stained.
(updated 10-30-2019) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters had no report.
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake rose 0.1 foot to rest at 2.9 feet above seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 23.3 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork had moderate generation with no wadable water. Due to heavy rains over the last two weeks all of the lakes in the White River System are now at or over the top of power pool. Expect heavy generation for the next few weeks.
Hopper season is on the wane. Use a short (7½ foot) leader to turn over the big fly. Cast near the bank and hang on. The takes can be vicious. John says he prefers large western foam hoppers so that he does not need to dress them. Add a dropper nymph to increase your catch.
The Norfork has been fishing better on the moderate flows but has been a bit crowded. The dissolved oxygen level is slightly improved. Navigate this stream with caution as has been major gravel recruitment at the bottom of Mill Pond and the dock hole due to flooding. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (sizes 18, 20, 22) like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (sizes 14, 16) like the Green Butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small ruby midge (size 18) suspended 18 inches below a red fox squirrel and copper. The fishing is better in the morning.
Dry Run Creek is fishing better. The browns have begun making their annual migration upstream. With school back in session it will be less crowded during the week. The weekends can be pretty busy. The hot flies have been sowbugs (size14), Y2Ks (size 12), various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise size 10) and mop flies.
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are a bit high and off-color. The smallmouths are still active. John’s favorite fly is a 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.
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s weekly fishing report for Oct. 30, 2019. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news. Note: msl = mean sea level; cfs = cubic feet per second.
Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: https://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: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats will be conducting foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Conway in 2019. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Conway through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 10-30-2019) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake is regular Lake Conway stained. The level is normal. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bream are good on redworm and crickets. Black bass are good. Use buzzbaits, topwater baits or spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on stink bait, goldfish, nightcrawlers and minnows.
Little Red River
(updated 10-30-2019) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service said the Little Red River is receiving sporadic and unpredictable generation. This is creating extremely low water conditions at times. Fly patterns of midges, gold ribbed hares ear and pheasant tails can be productive. Consider chartreuse and hot pink bodies on chartreuse jigheads for Trout Magnet spin fishing. Always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecasted generation schedule.
(updated 10-30-2019) Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips.com (501-690-9166) said the river remains low and clear. Generation Monday night and Tuesday morning helped with an increased flow in the river. The browns are beginning to move, but the shoals have been so low they are not being found in their usual patterns. The cold weather and hopefully an increase in generation will help the spawn. The rainbows are taking small emergers and midge pupa. The deeper pools at the foot of the shoals seem to be the most productive. Remember to watch for rocks, logs and the bottom while motoring in the low water.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.85 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.54 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 459.83 feet msl, or is 2.21 feet below normal pool for this time of year (462.04 feet msl), and it is falling some with generation. Crappie are still eating baits all over the lake and rivers, whether it’s a trolled crankbait, or fishing a jig or minnow straight up and down, they are catching them in 12-45 feet of water. Black bass are eating well, with the smallmouth bite going real good, on top or dragging something. Stay with shad or imitate crawfish. A lot of baits will work super shallow out to 60 feet. Schooling fish are roaming as well. Bream have slowed down some but can still be caught with crickets or crawlers, shallow out to 25 feet. No report on walleye. Catfish are eating well all over the lakes and rivers, also following schooling fish around eating leftovers. Try your favorite style or bait to catch them. Hybrid bass and white bass are on top down eating on structure to 60 feet all over the lakes and parts of rivers. Spoons, inline spinners, topwater baits, swimbaits, Alabama rigs – a lot of baits will work anywhere close to schools of shad.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) reported the water is a little murky and the level is “just a little high.” Crappie are good on minnows. Black bass are good using purple-colored plastic worms. Catfishing is good on the trotlines. Poor reports on bream.
Lake Overcup
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats will be conducting foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Overcup in 2019. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Overcup through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 10-23-2019) Johnny “Catfish” Banks of Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) says water level is about normal and clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 72 degrees. Bream are slow, but anglers are still catching some on crickets and redworms. Bass are doing good around brushtops and structure with topwater baits and plastic worms. Catfish are being caught on jugs and trotline with bream and minnows. Crappie are slow but should start picking up with this cooler weather. Visit John’s Facebook page (Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park) for any new updates and photos.
Brewer Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) David Hall, owner of Dad’s Bait Shop (501-977-0303), says the water remains clear. The surface temperature Monday early afternoon was 76 degrees. The level is back up to normal. Bream are good on redworms or crickets. Crappie are good. Use No. 6 crappie minnows and you’ll find them biting in 3-5 feet depth. Black bass are good. In the evening, they move shallow and hit topwater baits. Also fish with buzzbaits, Rooster Tails and bass minnows. Catfishing is good on No. 20 bass minnows or chicken liver.
Lake Maumelle
(updated 10-23-2019) Westrock Landing (501-658-5598) on Highway 10 near Roland said water temperature is ranging 66-68 degrees. Largemouth bass are good. Most of them can be found in 16-20 feet of water at dusk and dawn biting a variety of lures. Some reports have come in that say the black bass can be found in 8-12 feet and 16-20 feet. Use chatterbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, drop-shots and swimbaits. Kentucky bass are good. Some reports of them being found in 10-16 feet of water outside the grass line at dusk and dawn. They can also be found in 18-22 feet off drops and rocky banks. White bass are fair. Reports of them schooling but not staying up for long. Some can still be found mixed in with the crappie on the flats or near brush piles in 8-12 feet. Try using minnows, Rooster Tails, jerkbaits and rattle-style baits. Crappie are fair. Reports of them being found stacking in deeper water around 18-22 feet. Some can still be found scattered mixed in with the whites. Try using jigs and minnows. Bream have slowed. They are moving into deeper water around 18-22 feet. Try using crickets and worms. Catfishing is good. Try using chicken liver, nightcrawlers and baitfish.
Sunset Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said, “Even though it’s been since Sept. 24 since it was stocked with catfish, I have still had lots of people telling me they are still catching them off of chicken livers, nightcrawlers and No. 12 bass minnows. Some crappie being caught off of No. 6 crappie minnows.”
Bishop Park Ponds
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said the back pond is the one that was stocked on Sept. 25; it’s only stocked once a year for their derby. It is still producing some nice catch of catfish, being caught off of chicken livers, nightcrawlers and minnows. A few crappie being reported caught off of No. 6 crappie minnows. Bass are being caught off of plastics and bigger minnows.
Saline River Access in Benton
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) says that just as the levels get about right, the rain is making it pretty muddy. Give it time to settle down and, before you know it, the walleye will be good to go after. Get you some brooder minnows and use a No. 2 Eagle Claw plain shank hook, small split shot and throw that minnow out there and let it go. You are sure to catch a walleye or even smallmouth or Kentucky bass.
Outside the immediate area, Lisa hears that Lake Ouachita is a hot spot for crappie. They are biting on No. 4 crappie minnows and No. 6 crappie minnows. Also, DeGray Lake is doing well on the crappie using No. 6 crappie minnows.
Lake Norrell
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(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said crappie have been doing well on No. 6 crappie minnows up in the coves around 6 feet. They are not large in numbers but some very good slabs are being caught. Catfish and bass too have been hitting on minnows.
Lake Winona
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said crappie have been fair using minnows. Catfish are being caught off of minnows and bait shrimp, as well as nightcrawlers.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
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(updated 10-23-2019) Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo (501-354-8080) said few anglers are out. The fish are in transition, setting up for cold waters. Bass jigs are best for the time being for fishing for bass. Catfish are based off the jetties and on the downstream side of the dam. Use skipjack or shad. No reports on crappie. No reports on bream. Here are a few words for the duck and goose hunters with the waterfowl season coming: “It would be best to check out the rivers and use your GPS. Use your ramp as home. Use the main channel as a highway, then go 90 degrees; turn when you want to get out of the channel to your hunting way points. Hope you have good hunts.”
Arkansas River (Cadron Pool)
No report.
Little Maumelle River
(updated 10-30-2019) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the river has cleared. The water level is normal. No reports on bream or crappie. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Black bass were good using topwater baits and plastic worms. Catfish are good; use worms and set up your yo-yos for a good bite.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) says catfishing is good using minnows or cut shad. No other reports.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) Fish ‘N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) says the water is murky and is running very fast and high. They said the current was 147,000 (double the speed of watercraft advisory level) as of Monday and advise that anglers and boaters stay off the river. They did have reports of good bass fishing in the backwaters. Topwaters were working around the rocky points. Also try frogs and other walking-style baits.
(updated 10-30-2019) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) says the river is muddy and high. Crappie are excellent and are being caught in 6 feet depth on minnows; in the pool below Terry Lock and Dam, crappie are good on black/chartreuse jigs. Black bass are good on plastic worms – in particular, use the shaky head green pumpkin trick worms. Catfishing is good on minnows and cut shad. No reports on bream or white bass.
(updated 10-30-2019) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no reports from here this week. Last week, they reported that in the Terry Lock and Dam area of the pool, black bass are fair. Use crankbaits or worms and fish around the rocky points. They hear good reports on catfish, with worms and cut shad working best. Poor reports on bream and poor reports on crappie.
Clear Lake (off Arkansas-River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and the level is normal. The crappie bite is fair on minnows and jigs. No reports on bream, black bass or catfish.
Peckerwood Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Donna Muherin at Herman’s Landing (870241-3731) says the water is clear and the level is normal with no stumps showing. No reports on bream. are poor. Crappie are good on minnows a trolling/spider-rigging. Black bass are good using crankbaits or topwater lures. Catfishing is good; use stink bait, chicken liver or hot dogs.
White River
(updated 10-30-2019) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) says anglers on the White River in the Arkansas Ozarks have dodged rain drops several days this past week, basked in sunshine on others, and caught a passel of trout every day. Low overnight temps means cold mornings on the river, so add Toasty Toes and hand warmers to your tackle box if you’re leaving out any time before 10 a.m. Southwestern Power and the Army Corps of Engineers are continuing to release an average of 13,000 cfs through Bull Shoals Dam round-the-clock, but the lake level remains steady at nearly 2.5 feet above power pool because of rain and runoff across the White River basin.
The rainbow catch has been very good over the last seven days with the gold-and-black Rapala CD5s and CD9s and the copper Colorado spoon topping the go-to bait list, but you’d be wise to have some white and/or yellow egg patterns to thread on your hook if things get slow. The annual spawn is heating up, so be careful and gentle when returning the females to the river. “We have seen fewer browns and cutthroats during the last week, but those we’ve been able to bring to the boat have taken sculpins rather than stick baits. Try a black Maribou Jig on these overcast days; it changes up your fishing technique and keeps the interest high. Don’t let the cold keep you away – the trout catcher’s motto may well be ‘The colder, the better.’ See you on the river!”
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-4352169) said that during the past week, they had three days of rain (about an inch and a half in Cotter), cool temperatures and moderate to heavy winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals remained steady at 2.4 feet feet above seasonal power pool of 659 feet msl. This is 33.6 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock rose 0.7 foot to rest at 0.7 foot above seasonal power pool and 13.3 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose 2.3 feet to rest at 8.2 feet above seasonal power pool and 1.2 feet below the top of flood pool. The White had heavy generation with no wadable water. Norfork Lake rose 0.1 foot to rest at 2.9 feet above seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 23.3 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork had moderate generation with no wadable water. Due to heavy rains over the last two weeks all of the lakes in the White River System are now at or over the top of power pool. Expect heavy generation for the next few weeks.
Hopper season is on the wane. Use a short (7½ foot) leader to turn over the big fly. Cast near the bank and hang on. The takes can be vicious. John says he prefers large western foam hoppers so that he does not need to dress them. Add a dropper nymph to increase your catch.
The White has fished very well. The hot spot has been the Wildcat Shoals. The hot flies were olive Woolly Buggers (sizes 8, 10), Y2Ks (size 14, 12), prince nymphs (size 14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead sizes 16, 18), pheasant tails (size 14), ruby midges (size 18), root beer midges (size 18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (size 10) and sowbugs (size 16). Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective (John’s current favorite combination is a cerise high water San Juan worm with an egg pattern suspended below it). Use long leaders and plenty of lead to get your flies down.
Remember that the White and Norfork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and 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 soles that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
(updated 10-23-2019) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said Monday at midmorning that no one has been fish due to it being cold and windy. The river level was high with six generators running at the dam. However, they report that the trout bite for them is god. PowerBait is working, along with spinning and drift rigs. “A lot of good-size rainbows” were caught. “They are a lot bigger than this time last year.” The biggest brown caught was 18 inches. Caught some others but they were not very big.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 661.59 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 659.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said the lake’s visibility is 5 feet. The lake is at 66 degrees on the surface, and he says it has finished turning over. The level is high. Crappie are excellent. They are abundant and being caught around brushpiles. Use crappie minnows. Black bass are fair. They’re being caught “junk fishing,” he describes it, with one bait not working any better than any other. Walleye are being caught trolling. No reports on bream and nothing reported on catfish. Check out Del’s YouTube page (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for his latest video reports and tips on catching the fish.
Norfork Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 555.50 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 552.00 feet msl; April-Sept., 555.75 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said Norfork Lake water continues to cool and the lake has nearly completed its annual turnover process. The water temperature is 68 degrees from the surface down to roughly 75-85 feet. The oxygen level is high down to the same level, then reduces along with the water temperature down to the bottom of the lake. This is a normal process for Norfork Lake and is in line with past years, with the exception that the lake temperature is a few degrees warmer than normal. The cold weather this week should make the lake finalize its turnover, which makes the temperature and oxygen level the same from the top to the bottom of the lake. The oxygen and lake temperature information was provided by Norfork Lake Striper Club on Oct. 28.
Lou says the bite continues to be good for bass, crappie and bluegills. White bass fishing has been getting really good over the last few days for the medium-sized whites. Vertical-jig with a ½- to ¾-ounce spoon to catch the whites. They will be on the bottom or suspended 15-25 feet down. “The biggest change since my last report is that the bait has moved out to the flats in 20-50 feet of water. This is the main reason the white bass bite is taking off. As the surface water temperature continues to drop into the low 60s, I would expect to start seeing more frequent topwater action for some of our species in the lake.”
The largemouth and spotted bass bite has been good and you can find them in a couple of areas. The bass continue to be shallow, very close to the shoreline. Shallow, sloping banks has still been the best, but they are showing up more and more on the rock bluff lines. Crankbaits are working very well, as are soft plastics. Cast your bait right next to the shore and retrieve back to the boat. Work your plastics slowly along the bottom. The fish are still using the sunken buckbrush to help them hide, so don’t hesitate casting right up into the brush. If you like to throw topwater baits, the fish are coming up for them. The topwater baits are working early in the morning. Cast your bait, such as a Zara Spook, up to the shoreline, then use a walk-the-dog retrieval method back to the boat. There is still some topwater action for bass in the mornings and evenings but it has slowed a little at this time. A second area that has just started to be good is on large deeper water flats. “I have found some nice schooling, feeding bass in 20-40 feet of water. It does take some time watching your electronics to find the schools. My best method for these deeper fish is to vertical-jig a spoon. You will catch one after another once you find the school. Staying on the school of feeding fish is difficult to do, but if you get lucky enough to stay on top of them you will have a blast for a long time.”
The crappie bite continues to be good, but has slowed a little. “I am still catching some nice slabs, but It seems like I need to jump around a lot. I catch a couple fish off of brush then they seem to stop biting. I move to another brush and catch a few then need to move again. You can still catch your limit, but it will take some work. If it was easy it would not be any fun. I am still using a ¼-ounce spoon. Firetiger, white and chartreuse, white and green and white and pink have been my best colors. The fish have been from 10-20 feet down over brush and you need to be on the brush as I am not finding any on the outsides of the brush. The crappie will start to move around a little more as the water cools and will come shallower in the evenings. The bite has not started for me until around 8:30-9 a.m., but I have not tried in the dark with lights out.
“The bluegill bite has been good. I typically catch a few nice ones on my ¼ ounce spoon while crappie fishing, but fishing with crickets is the best. Best areas have been in small cuts in the bluff walls especially if there is some brush in the cut. You will find them anywhere from 15-30 feet deep.
“Striped bass fishing is still the slowest bite. Not unusual for this time of year, but that bite should take off shortly. Once the lake finalizes its turnover and cools a few more degrees the bigger fish will move to the flats. This is not to say I have not been catching stripers and hybrids. There are large schools of this species out on the flats in 20 – 50 feet of water feeding on shad along with the whites. The issue is that most of the fish are on the short side at this time. There are a few nice size fish in side of the schools of smaller fish and you will hook up on occasion. It is still a blast to catch a 17 – 20 inch striper on light tackle, if you are looking for some fun action. Look for bigger stripers back in the major creeks such as Big Creek, Bennett’s Bayou and up river around the state line.”
Norfork Lake level continues to drop slowly and sits at 555.58 feet msl. The lake surface temperature in the morning this week was 66-68 degrees depending on location. The main lake is fairly clear and the creeks and coves are somewhat stained.
(updated 10-30-2019) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters had no report.
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake rose 0.1 foot to rest at 2.9 feet above seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 23.3 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork had moderate generation with no wadable water. Due to heavy rains over the last two weeks all of the lakes in the White River System are now at or over the top of power pool. Expect heavy generation for the next few weeks.
Hopper season is on the wane. Use a short (7½ foot) leader to turn over the big fly. Cast near the bank and hang on. The takes can be vicious. John says he prefers large western foam hoppers so that he does not need to dress them. Add a dropper nymph to increase your catch.
The Norfork has been fishing better on the moderate flows but has been a bit crowded. The dissolved oxygen level is slightly improved. Navigate this stream with caution as has been major gravel recruitment at the bottom of Mill Pond and the dock hole due to flooding. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (sizes 18, 20, 22) like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (sizes 14, 16) like the Green Butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small ruby midge (size 18) suspended 18 inches below a red fox squirrel and copper. The fishing is better in the morning.
Dry Run Creek is fishing better. The browns have begun making their annual migration upstream. With school back in session it will be less crowded during the week. The weekends can be pretty busy. The hot flies have been sowbugs (size14), Y2Ks (size 12), various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise size 10) and mop flies.
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are a bit high and off-color. The smallmouths are still active. John’s favorite fly is a 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 Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,128.84 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) says, “Well, same old story. Lots of rain in Northwest Arkansas.” Beaver Lake is sitting at 1128.52 feet msl (normal pool is 1120 feet msl). “When the lake is 8 feet above normal it tends to scatter fish. We need some stable weather and water levels and fishing will pick up. I really anticipating some good striper and white bass fishing up the far reaches of War Eagle Arm and the White River Arm this fall and winter as soon as it settles down.” Jon says the shad will ball up around Point 12 and natural walk areas. “This is when we break out spoons and catch some amazing fish.” Right now all species are fair. You have to be mobile and look in backs of all major arms. The lake is cooling fast and, “as i said, if rain will slow down the fishing will get good. Unfortunately it is supposed to rain another 2 inches this week,” he said. “Bass can be caught and I have heard of some people already throwing Alabama rigs and doing good on them.” Crappie are in 12-25 feet and being caught on jigs and minnows, Walleye are still being caught on crawlers Carolina-rigged off main points. Stripers are scattered throughout lake and are fair to good on brooders and shad. Catfish are fair up War Eagle Arms.
(updated 10-30-2019) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the clarity is muddy. A few stripers were caught on shad. Crappie are biting soft plastics, minnows or jigs in 8-12 feet depth, with a good bite reported. Black bass appear to be trying to get into their fall pattern. The bite is good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. No reports on bream. Nothing reported on catfish.
Beaver Tailwater
(updated 10-30-2019) Guide Austin Kennedy (470-244-0039) said that with all the rain we have received over this past week, the Army Corps of Engineers has been generating pretty much all day. With the flowing water and elevated river levels, the bite has been consistent, but nothing like before. “Trout were the only fish targeted this past week. I had good responses from various PowerBaits, fished with light terminal tackle. Had a little better response with various jigs, from 1/8 to 1/4 ounce, in various colors. This week’s hot spot has been between U.S. Highway 62 and Spider Creek. Remember to try florescent colors with the stained water. Hope you all are staying warm and dry. Until next time, stay safe and have fun!”
Lake Fayetteville
(updated 10-23-2019) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says the clarity returned a little dingy. The surface temperature has dropped nicely to 63 degrees. Water level is normal. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, plastic worms “and pretty much anything.” Catfishing is fair; use nightcrawlers or glow worms. Poor reports this week for bream.
Lake Fort Smith
(updated 10-30-2019) Ralph Donnangelo, superintendent at Lake Fort Smith State Park, had no report.
Lake Sequoyah
(updated 10-30-2019) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) says the lake is dingy. The level is very high. All species were poor this past week.
Crown Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and the level is still down about a foot. Bream reports were poor. Crappie are good and can be found around brushpiles and stumps biting minnows or jigs. Bass are favoring small jigs and topwater baits, and the reports are good. Catfish are fair. Surface water temperature now is ranging in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Lake Charles
(updated 10-30-2019) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park said Sunday that they had a few nice bass caught off the pier using a black/chartreuse square-bill crankbait. The bass bite is good. Shelly asks anglers to please stop in at the Visitors Center and “tell us you fishing story!” The fishing should be at peak through this Thursday, based on moon days. 31. No reports were available this past week on bream, crappie or catfish.
Lake Poinsett
(updated 10-30-2019) Lake Poinsett is closed until next year as repairs continue on the habitat. The Lake Pointsett State Park Visitors Center sells bait still, and the shop is in proximity to many other fishing destinations in northeast Arkansas. Ome Coleman at the Lake Poinsett State Park says, “We are still selling plenty of minnows. Although the lake is still gone, we are still here to supply your fishing supply needs.”
Also, District 3 biologists in the AGFC Fisheries Division report that 232 spider buckets have been staged and ready to be deployed in Lake Poinsett. Spider buckets are artificial habitat structures composed of ABS pipe, set in concrete-filled buckets. These new structures will replace degraded woody habitat as part of the lake renovation. These structures have benefits for all lake species. They can be placed on the ground in shallow, shoreline areas to benefit catfish and largemouth bass or on pallet towers in open waters to give a more tree-like appearance for crappie and sunfish species.
Also, The foundation work began on the new water control structure on Oct. 8, with the driving of the first foundation H-piling. In total, nine 50-foot pilings will be driven. The 50-foot pilings will create the foundation and support for the water control structure.
The upcoming public forum on Lake Poinsett project progress and plans for 2020 is scheduled for Nov. 12; it had previously been reported as Nov. 14. The event will be held in Harrisburg.
Spring River
(updated 10-30-2019) Mark Crawford of Spring River Flies and Guides says water levels are running at 290 cfs (350 average) at the spring and water clarity has been clear. Lots of bugs are hatching lately and the shad and other baitfish are eating them up. “White flies like my Guppie and White Lightning have been the go to this week,” he said. “Olive has worked well with a Y2K for when the bite is off.”
On spinning tackle a Florida pink or white Trout Magnet has been hot. “With a Trout Slayer rod and Florida pink Trout Magnet we have caught everything from smallmouth to panfish to trout. All fish give an incredible fight on this ultralight setup. Berkley Flicker Shad in gold and black work great, too.”
Mark says a walleye estimated at 8 pounds was caught this week by one of his anglers using an olive Woolly Bugger. “The Spring River has a large supply of walleye up and down the river system. They are hard to catch. This is the third one caught on a guide trip over the past 6 years,” he said.
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Spring River is fishing well. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork rivers. Canoe season is officially over. Be sure to 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 (size 10), cerise and hot pink San Juan worms (size 10) and Y2Ks (size 10).
Walcott Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Walcott Lake (Crowley’s Ridge State Park) had no reports.
White River
(updated 10-30-2019) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is clear and the level is 11-12 feet high but steady. Black bass are biting fair on crankbaits. Catfish reports are good, with stink bait and Sonny’s Bait working best. Walleye reports were fair; use minnows or jigs. No reports on bream or crappie.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team said water temperatures are in the mid-60s, visibility is up to 1.5 feet in Lake Langhofer, less than 6 inches on the main river channel. The water was up about a foot on Sunday and the river was ripping from the recent rains, so be careful if you venture out to the main channel over the next few days. Black bass are biting well on white-colored shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits with some wind or light current, and dark-colored jigs in calm areas. If you don’t notice shad in the area, you should probably move on until you find them again.
Arkansas River (Pool 2)
No reports.
Cane Creek Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Austin Davidson, park interpreter at Cane Creek State Park, had no report.
Lake Chicot
(updated 10-30-2019) Brian Whitson, park interpreter at Lake Chicot State Park (870-265-5480), says that despite the weather, the fish are still biting on Lake Chicot. The biggest problem is getting out to the lake. The boat ramp at Lake Chicot State Park is still accessible, although several others around the lake are not. Fishing from the shoreline may involve going out into mud and vegetation to get close enough to fish. Please use caution and be aware of your surroundings when fishing on Lake Chicot. The drawdown of the lake does encourage more fish to bite and more schools of fish in one place, but it can also cause unexpected hazards for those not aware of their surroundings.
Lake Monticello
(updated 10-30-2019) The lake is undergoing a drawdown so that the dam can be repaired and the fish habitat rebuilt. There are no limits on game fish during the drawdown. Some nice fish reportedly were still being caught in late September, though the lake is noticeably way down now.
Millwood Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 259.79 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood is on FIRE with the largemouth and Kentucky bass. Nice fat, chunky largemouth bass continue chasing and busting shad over the past week with cooler temps during early morning. The overall surface activity improved in the pads and on shallow flats adjacent to creek channel swings. Bass continue moving in an out of lily pad stands chasing shad and blowing up with abandon on Bass Assassin Shads, Chrome Johnson Spoons with a 3-inch grub in pearl, white or snow storm trailer. This shallow, lily pad bite can break into a frenzy in several different areas at the same time. When bass begin chasing and breaking on shad into the lily pads can be mayhem, it’s a GREAT TIME TO TAKE A KID FISHING on Millwood Lake. The largemouths are following these schools of shad and chasing them at the surface again with improved consistency over the past few weeks. Squarebill crankbaits like the Echo 1.75 in shad patterns and Ghost Minnow. The Bomber Fat Free Fry and Fat Free Guppy are also catching these schooled up bass. “We caught several doubles simultaneously, multiple times on Little John cranks, Rat-L-Traps, Echo 1.75’s, and squarebills. Good lily pad stands remain in Mud Lake and Horseshoe Lake.
Siefert said the lake remains 7 inches above normal conservation pool, sitting Monday at 259 feet msl. The discharge is around 10,700 cfs in Little River, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. The tailwater below the dam and gates as of Monday was about 237 feet msl. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake the guide service’s website linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. The Corps recently replaced 19 missing buoy markers on Little River from Yarborough Point to Paraloma Trail; use caution where river buoys are still missing.
Surface temps as of Tuesday ranged 63 degrees early to 68 later under full sun, depending on location; expect that to fall rapidly over the coming week if the cold fronts slam us again. Continue to use caution in navigation on Little River and Millwood watching for stumps, random broken, or floating timber. Clarity is consistent from last week, improving daily in the oxbows.
Siefert says white baas continue roaming and schooling up with juvenile largemouths and spotted Bass following shad in Little River at creek dumps and the oxbows at dawn, most surface breaking diminished over the past couple weeks in Horseshoe and McGuire Lakes in the oxbows up Little River. Rat-L-Trap Tail Spinners, Bomber Fat Free Shads, Fingerlings, and Fat Free Guppy cranks in Tennessee Shad or Citrus Shad were catching a mixed bag of bass following schools of shad along both sides of points extending into Little River with stumps present. Best colors were the Millwood Magic, Citrus Shad and Louisiana Shad colors over the past couple weeks. Some mouths of creek dumps held very large schools of whites and Kentucky bass over the past several weeks. The crappie have scattered over the past couple weeks with the increased current in Little River and increase in off-color water stain, and remain elusive. Blakemore Roadrunners in white, white/chartreuse or blue/chartreuse and minnows and white and blue jigs were getting bit a couple weeks ago by vertical jigging near standing timber in Horseshoe. Catfish improved over the past week with the increased current in Little River. Yoyo’s, jug lines and noodles in oxbows like Horseshoe on Little River and White Cliffs Campground were working early in the week, best in the afternoon, using blood bait, punch baits or chicken livers.
Lake Columbia
(updated 10-30-2019) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) has heard no reports.
Lake Greeson Tailwater
Visit www.littlemissouriflyflishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Lake Greeson
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 536.81 feet msl (normal pool: 548.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Angler Ted Lovell, who was fishing for bass at Greeson last week, reported that lots of threadfin shad schools were migrating to the backs of creeks and main lake pockets. Bass are feeding on them, and all the fish were caught very early in the morning, then the fishing action slowed down about noon. Fish were caught on a variety of lures: shad-colored crankbaits, spinnerbaits and watermelon/green pumpkin/black and blue jigs. All spotted bass and largemouth bass; no smallmouth bass were caught. Water temps ranged 65-72 degrees. Water was stained from recent rains.
(updated 10-30-2019) Jason Lenderman of JL Guide Service (870-490-0804) said the lake level is almost 11 feet below full pool of 548 feet, which is normal for this time of year. Water temps are in the upper 60s. The bass are in their fall patterns. They can honestly be caught anywhere from 1 foot deep to 30 feet deep right now. If you find the shad, you will find the bass. Bandit 200 crankbaits in shad colors are working on rocky points and flats really well. Booyah Hard Knockers in chrome/blue are also working well in these areas. Carolina-rigged Yum Finesse Worms or Christie Craws are also working well. Cotton Cordell Spoons are good along creek channel drops as well. Crappie have been good lately. They can be caught in brush 15-25 feet deep on minnows and jigs.
DeGray Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 398.15 feet msl (normal pool: 408.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-23-2019) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said that as every day goes by, the crappie are stacking up on the brushpiles in 15-20 feet of water. Fish jigs and minnows 8-12 feet deep. Use the faux spawn to your advantage. The females are staging, and you might find a few males in shallower water. Once the water temp drops into the 50s they’ll move back out to the staging brushpiles.
(updated 10-16-2019) John Duncan of yoyoguideservice.com at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Fall is here! A little. Water temperatures have dropped the last two weeks from mid-80s to low 70s. Wow.” The lake level Tuesday was 397.75 with a rise of .07. Shad are on the move to the coves and pockets. Most of the fish are following the shad to some extent. Crappie fishing in the brush is slow. Trolling seems to be the preferred method at this time. Use Bandit 300s with a mixture of colors and eliminate from there. Some white bass are still showing up early around the Shouse Ford area but it’s slowing down. No report on black bass or bream. Lots of suspended fish around the 20-feet depth around the river channel in the mid-lake area. Pull some deep-diving crankbaits (ShadRap) in shad color to the depth of suspended fish. Boat traffic has reduced noticeably (it’s hunting season). There are tons of ridges slightly under water, islands and humps below the surface. Follow the deeper routes for safety and watch for others. Good fishing!
De Queen Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 438.12 feet msl (normal pool: 437.00 feet msl).
No reports.
Dierks Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 524.42 feet msl (normal pool: 526.00 feet msl).
No reports.
White Oak Lake
(updated 10-23-2019) Curtis Willingham of River Rat Bait (870-231-3831) in Camden reports that crappie are deep in both Upper and Lower lakes and the bite is fair. Anglers are using shiners. “We sent a lot of bait that way this weekend,” Curtis says. No other reports.
Felsenthal
(updated 10-16-2019) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) said a few crappie being caught trolling and in treetops in the river. Catfish being caught tight-lining. Black bass have slowed down a little. No report on bream.
Lake Atkins
(updated 10-30-2019) Sharon at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) says the clarity is clear and the lake level is normal. Surface water temperature is ranging 59-61 degrees. Bream reports were poor. Crappie are good. Some are deep but most appear to want to move shallow. Black bass are fair on spinnerbait. Anglers are catching a few. Catfishing is poor.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 10-30-2019) Steve Donahou at Lake Catherine State Park says the lake is murky and has a surface temperature of 62.2 degrees. The lake will be lowered 1 foot daily for the annual fall drawdown of 3 feet. Bream are fair. They are at a depth of 10 feet and are biting worms. Fish the brushpiles. Crappie reports remain poor. Black bass are fair but the fishing is very slow. Spinnerbaits and purple plastic worms are working best. Catfishing is good. Use nightcrawlers and chicken liver. No reports on white bass.
Lake Catherine (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 10-30-2019) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports the water temperature is 55 degrees below the dam with clear conditions in the tailrace. Entergy is alternating a minimum flow pattern along with selected days of generation that last several hours, as Lake Ouachita remains over 9 feet below flood pool. Beginning Nov. 1, the winter drawdown begins for both lakes Hamilton and Catherine. Each lake will be lowered 3 feet and this level will remain in place until early March 2020. The lakes will each fall 6 inches per day until the 3-foot draw is achieved. Quality trout fishing will return to Lake Catherine in late November when the trout stocking program resumes for the winter season. These fish are stocked in the tailrace and normally ready to be caught the week of Thanksgiving. October still holds numbers of white bass although the size is smaller than in a normal year. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and jig presentations will all draw strikes from these temperate bass from the dam to the bridge as they feed on shad that are thriving in the tailrace. Hybrid bass also run alongside these fish and will feed on the same prey items. Stripers have been observed feeding below the bridge in the late evening. Balloon rigs with gizzard shad give anglers a good chance to hook a big striper, but artificial lures such as Super Spooks and Alabama rigs should not be overlooked. Strong rods and lines are recommended for these predator fish, as they possess great power and are often in the 20- to 40-pound range. Blue catfish in the 4- to 6-pound range have been caught next to the dam on live minnows and stink baits. Anyone navigating Lake Catherine should always wear a life jacket and be aware of the generation schedules. All park rules and regulations must be followed in the Carpenter Dam tailrace.
Lake Dardanelle
(updated 10-23-2019) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-647-9945) said water temperature is in the mid- to lower 70s. River clarity is poor with flow. Some creeks are dingy, some are clearing on the upper end some are clear throughout the creek. Shad is starting to move into the creeks, which makes for a shallow bite. Bass have been good on jigs and Bamboozie around wood and rocks. Spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps have been working well in pockets and the mouth of creeks. Frogs and buzzbaits have been working well on the outside of vegetation. Crappie have been hit-and-miss in and around 8 for the water; minnows and jigs (Monkey Milk) have been working good, while chartreuse and Electric Chicken jigs have also been producing. White bass are in some of the creeks. Rat-L-Traps have been working well along with small white swimbaits. Bream have been fair in the creeks and in the back of the pockets and along the jetty rocks with vegetation. Crickets and worms have been working well. Catfish have been good in the creeks and backwater areas. Fish with large minnows, small bream and worms. Large catfish have been biting well on cut bait such as skipjack and bream just inside of pockets.
(updated 10-23-2019) Jason Baumgartner, park aquarist at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7495) says they experienced mostly sunshine and mild temperatures for the past week until a front moved through early Monday morning. Gusty winds brought white capped waves across the lake earlier this week. High pressure is forecast to remain in the area until a cold front arrives late in the week. Visibility is limited to only a few feet. Surface temperature is 64 feet. As of Monday (Oct. 21) the river at Ozark Lock & Dam 12 has risen about a foot since last report to 346 feet msl. Ozark tailwater release has risen over the past weekend from 58,000 cfs to 67,000 cfs. There has been no power generation at Ozark for several months now. Downriver, pool elevation near Lake Dardanelle State Park has held near 338 feet msl since last report. The Dardanelle tailwater has held at 11 feet. Release there has risen slightly to about 73,000 cfs. The powerhouse has been generating all day for the last several months. The Dardanelle lock is undergoing maintenance and the anticipated completion date has been changed to Oct. 25. Mariners are asked to contact the lock via radio on Channel 16 or by phone (479) 890-4987, in advance of arrival, for current conditions.
Anglers, Please use caution when on the water as the river bottom has changed in many areas. Lake Dardanelle State Park continues to host tournaments every weekend this fall. Reports from anglers are that the bass fishing is tough, and bites have come on soft plastic and jigs. The fall tournament season is nearing its seasonal break at the state park. For tournament scheduling and updates, please contact the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center at (479) 967-5516.
Lake Hamilton
(updated 10-30-2019) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred all-welded aluminum Xpress fishing boats in Hot Springs, reports lake levels up a little and water temps at or below 70 degrees after the last few days of rain and increasing murkiness in the water up creek channels. Reports have been very strong over the last week. Fish are eating very well in preparation for winter. Chrome, chrome and blue and white spoons have been doing well for all bass species, fished vertically or cast on steep sloping points with chunk rock on them. Believe it or not, frogs and toads are doing well in the shallows and structure (docks) just off the main points. Other mentionable baits are white willow bladed spinnerbaits and the watermelon seed worm rigged Carolina or Texas style.
Crappie are really firing up now due to the colder water conditions. Look for good, quality crappie on deeper docks and brush piles 20 feet or so and expect them to keep moving deeper and closer to the current as it gets even cooler. Minnows and shad-colored jigs and small spoons are producing. Walleye are starting to turn on, also. They can be found hanging around bridge piers in the main channels and will happily take spoons and shiner minnows when the conditions are good.
(updated 10-23-2019) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said that as every day goes by, the crappie are stacking up on the brushpiles in 15-20 feet of water. Fish jigs and minnows 8-12 feet deep. Use the faux spawn to your advantage. The females are staging, and you might find a few males in shallower water. Once the water temp drops into the 50s they’ll move back out to the staging brushpiles.
Lake Nimrod
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 342.76 feet msl (normal pool: 342.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) says the lake is a little murky and the level is a little low. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Black bass are good on plastic worms, live worms and bass minnows. No reports on catfish or white bass.
(updated 10-30-2019) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) had no report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 568.80 feet msl (normal pool: 578.00 feet msl)
(updated 10-30-2019) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) reports that black bass are good. The topwater bite is working early, late and on cloudy days. Drop-shot rigging a finesse worm is working well for spotted bass. Walleye are fair. Three-quarter-ounce CC Spoons jigged vertically and nightcrawlers on drop-shot rigs are still producing good stringers. Stripers are good. These fish are located in the eastern part of the lake and are being caught on live bait or big hair jigs. Bream are fair with reports of fish being caught with grubs and worms in 15-25 feet of water near brush. Crappie are fair to good. Try a small jig near brush in 20-30 feet of water. Catfish are good and anglers are having luck with rod and reel using live nightcrawlers or hot dogs around brush piles. The water clarity is clear; surface temperature is 78-82 degrees. The lake level Tuesday was 568.18 feet msl. Contact the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822 for more information.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.56 feet msl (normal pool: 384.00 feet msl).
No report.
Horseshoe Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Professional fishing guide Ronnie Tice (901-687-6800) said the water is a little dingy with the level high (around 40 feet depth of water maximum). They received 6 inches of rain last Saturday, and the bream numbers weren’t great on Saturday either, he said. Crappie are good but the fish are scattered after the rain. Best results are coming from trolling on the bottom or fishing under and around the piers. Black bass are good. The lake hosted a fishing tournament Saturday where there were good numbers caught. Crankbait are working best. Fish off the shoreline and around rocky points. Catfishing is excellent. Ronnie emphasizes that the cats are “on fire” with rod-and-reel; bait with stink bait.
Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Natalie Faughn, assistant superintendent at Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040), said there is not much to report out there way. They have some anglers hanging on to the end of the season, but no big catches to report. “Most of our fishermen have hung up the rods and picked up their camo; hunting season is upon us here in the forest,” she said.
Cook’s Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Conservation Education Center (870-241-3373) says the fishing season is over at Cook’s Lake. “Fishing was very slow this year but that is the cards we were dealt,” he said. After this Thursday, Oct. 31, fishing is closed until spring 2020 so that the lake can serve as a waterfowl rest area. Check back in late February for the spring plans and reopening for fishing. For information, please contact the center at 870-241-3373.
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s weekly fishing report for Oct. 30, 2019. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news. Note: msl = mean sea level; cfs = cubic feet per second.
Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: https://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: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats will be conducting foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Conway in 2019. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Conway through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 10-30-2019) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake is regular Lake Conway stained. The level is normal. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bream are good on redworm and crickets. Black bass are good. Use buzzbaits, topwater baits or spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on stink bait, goldfish, nightcrawlers and minnows.
Little Red River
(updated 10-30-2019) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service said the Little Red River is receiving sporadic and unpredictable generation. This is creating extremely low water conditions at times. Fly patterns of midges, gold ribbed hares ear and pheasant tails can be productive. Consider chartreuse and hot pink bodies on chartreuse jigheads for Trout Magnet spin fishing. Always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecasted generation schedule.
(updated 10-30-2019) Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips.com (501-690-9166) said the river remains low and clear. Generation Monday night and Tuesday morning helped with an increased flow in the river. The browns are beginning to move, but the shoals have been so low they are not being found in their usual patterns. The cold weather and hopefully an increase in generation will help the spawn. The rainbows are taking small emergers and midge pupa. The deeper pools at the foot of the shoals seem to be the most productive. Remember to watch for rocks, logs and the bottom while motoring in the low water.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.85 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.54 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 459.83 feet msl, or is 2.21 feet below normal pool for this time of year (462.04 feet msl), and it is falling some with generation. Crappie are still eating baits all over the lake and rivers, whether it’s a trolled crankbait, or fishing a jig or minnow straight up and down, they are catching them in 12-45 feet of water. Black bass are eating well, with the smallmouth bite going real good, on top or dragging something. Stay with shad or imitate crawfish. A lot of baits will work super shallow out to 60 feet. Schooling fish are roaming as well. Bream have slowed down some but can still be caught with crickets or crawlers, shallow out to 25 feet. No report on walleye. Catfish are eating well all over the lakes and rivers, also following schooling fish around eating leftovers. Try your favorite style or bait to catch them. Hybrid bass and white bass are on top down eating on structure to 60 feet all over the lakes and parts of rivers. Spoons, inline spinners, topwater baits, swimbaits, Alabama rigs – a lot of baits will work anywhere close to schools of shad.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) reported the water is a little murky and the level is “just a little high.” Crappie are good on minnows. Black bass are good using purple-colored plastic worms. Catfishing is good on the trotlines. Poor reports on bream.
Lake Overcup
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats will be conducting foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Overcup in 2019. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Overcup through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 10-23-2019) Johnny “Catfish” Banks of Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) says water level is about normal and clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 72 degrees. Bream are slow, but anglers are still catching some on crickets and redworms. Bass are doing good around brushtops and structure with topwater baits and plastic worms. Catfish are being caught on jugs and trotline with bream and minnows. Crappie are slow but should start picking up with this cooler weather. Visit John’s Facebook page (Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park) for any new updates and photos.
Brewer Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) David Hall, owner of Dad’s Bait Shop (501-977-0303), says the water remains clear. The surface temperature Monday early afternoon was 76 degrees. The level is back up to normal. Bream are good on redworms or crickets. Crappie are good. Use No. 6 crappie minnows and you’ll find them biting in 3-5 feet depth. Black bass are good. In the evening, they move shallow and hit topwater baits. Also fish with buzzbaits, Rooster Tails and bass minnows. Catfishing is good on No. 20 bass minnows or chicken liver.
Lake Maumelle
(updated 10-23-2019) Westrock Landing (501-658-5598) on Highway 10 near Roland said water temperature is ranging 66-68 degrees. Largemouth bass are good. Most of them can be found in 16-20 feet of water at dusk and dawn biting a variety of lures. Some reports have come in that say the black bass can be found in 8-12 feet and 16-20 feet. Use chatterbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, drop-shots and swimbaits. Kentucky bass are good. Some reports of them being found in 10-16 feet of water outside the grass line at dusk and dawn. They can also be found in 18-22 feet off drops and rocky banks. White bass are fair. Reports of them schooling but not staying up for long. Some can still be found mixed in with the crappie on the flats or near brush piles in 8-12 feet. Try using minnows, Rooster Tails, jerkbaits and rattle-style baits. Crappie are fair. Reports of them being found stacking in deeper water around 18-22 feet. Some can still be found scattered mixed in with the whites. Try using jigs and minnows. Bream have slowed. They are moving into deeper water around 18-22 feet. Try using crickets and worms. Catfishing is good. Try using chicken liver, nightcrawlers and baitfish.
Sunset Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said, “Even though it’s been since Sept. 24 since it was stocked with catfish, I have still had lots of people telling me they are still catching them off of chicken livers, nightcrawlers and No. 12 bass minnows. Some crappie being caught off of No. 6 crappie minnows.”
Bishop Park Ponds
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said the back pond is the one that was stocked on Sept. 25; it’s only stocked once a year for their derby. It is still producing some nice catch of catfish, being caught off of chicken livers, nightcrawlers and minnows. A few crappie being reported caught off of No. 6 crappie minnows. Bass are being caught off of plastics and bigger minnows.
Saline River Access in Benton
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) says that just as the levels get about right, the rain is making it pretty muddy. Give it time to settle down and, before you know it, the walleye will be good to go after. Get you some brooder minnows and use a No. 2 Eagle Claw plain shank hook, small split shot and throw that minnow out there and let it go. You are sure to catch a walleye or even smallmouth or Kentucky bass.
Outside the immediate area, Lisa hears that Lake Ouachita is a hot spot for crappie. They are biting on No. 4 crappie minnows and No. 6 crappie minnows. Also, DeGray Lake is doing well on the crappie using No. 6 crappie minnows.
Lake Norrell
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(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said crappie have been doing well on No. 6 crappie minnows up in the coves around 6 feet. They are not large in numbers but some very good slabs are being caught. Catfish and bass too have been hitting on minnows.
Lake Winona
(updated 10-30-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said crappie have been fair using minnows. Catfish are being caught off of minnows and bait shrimp, as well as nightcrawlers.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
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(updated 10-23-2019) Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo (501-354-8080) said few anglers are out. The fish are in transition, setting up for cold waters. Bass jigs are best for the time being for fishing for bass. Catfish are based off the jetties and on the downstream side of the dam. Use skipjack or shad. No reports on crappie. No reports on bream. Here are a few words for the duck and goose hunters with the waterfowl season coming: “It would be best to check out the rivers and use your GPS. Use your ramp as home. Use the main channel as a highway, then go 90 degrees; turn when you want to get out of the channel to your hunting way points. Hope you have good hunts.”
Arkansas River (Cadron Pool)
No report.
Little Maumelle River
(updated 10-30-2019) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the river has cleared. The water level is normal. No reports on bream or crappie. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Black bass were good using topwater baits and plastic worms. Catfish are good; use worms and set up your yo-yos for a good bite.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) says catfishing is good using minnows or cut shad. No other reports.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) Fish ‘N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) says the water is murky and is running very fast and high. They said the current was 147,000 (double the speed of watercraft advisory level) as of Monday and advise that anglers and boaters stay off the river. They did have reports of good bass fishing in the backwaters. Topwaters were working around the rocky points. Also try frogs and other walking-style baits.
(updated 10-30-2019) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) says the river is muddy and high. Crappie are excellent and are being caught in 6 feet depth on minnows; in the pool below Terry Lock and Dam, crappie are good on black/chartreuse jigs. Black bass are good on plastic worms – in particular, use the shaky head green pumpkin trick worms. Catfishing is good on minnows and cut shad. No reports on bream or white bass.
(updated 10-30-2019) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no reports from here this week. Last week, they reported that in the Terry Lock and Dam area of the pool, black bass are fair. Use crankbaits or worms and fish around the rocky points. They hear good reports on catfish, with worms and cut shad working best. Poor reports on bream and poor reports on crappie.
Clear Lake (off Arkansas-River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and the level is normal. The crappie bite is fair on minnows and jigs. No reports on bream, black bass or catfish.
Peckerwood Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Donna Muherin at Herman’s Landing (870241-3731) says the water is clear and the level is normal with no stumps showing. No reports on bream. are poor. Crappie are good on minnows a trolling/spider-rigging. Black bass are good using crankbaits or topwater lures. Catfishing is good; use stink bait, chicken liver or hot dogs.
White River
(updated 10-30-2019) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) says anglers on the White River in the Arkansas Ozarks have dodged rain drops several days this past week, basked in sunshine on others, and caught a passel of trout every day. Low overnight temps means cold mornings on the river, so add Toasty Toes and hand warmers to your tackle box if you’re leaving out any time before 10 a.m. Southwestern Power and the Army Corps of Engineers are continuing to release an average of 13,000 cfs through Bull Shoals Dam round-the-clock, but the lake level remains steady at nearly 2.5 feet above power pool because of rain and runoff across the White River basin.
The rainbow catch has been very good over the last seven days with the gold-and-black Rapala CD5s and CD9s and the copper Colorado spoon topping the go-to bait list, but you’d be wise to have some white and/or yellow egg patterns to thread on your hook if things get slow. The annual spawn is heating up, so be careful and gentle when returning the females to the river. “We have seen fewer browns and cutthroats during the last week, but those we’ve been able to bring to the boat have taken sculpins rather than stick baits. Try a black Maribou Jig on these overcast days; it changes up your fishing technique and keeps the interest high. Don’t let the cold keep you away – the trout catcher’s motto may well be ‘The colder, the better.’ See you on the river!”
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-4352169) said that during the past week, they had three days of rain (about an inch and a half in Cotter), cool temperatures and moderate to heavy winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals remained steady at 2.4 feet feet above seasonal power pool of 659 feet msl. This is 33.6 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock rose 0.7 foot to rest at 0.7 foot above seasonal power pool and 13.3 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose 2.3 feet to rest at 8.2 feet above seasonal power pool and 1.2 feet below the top of flood pool. The White had heavy generation with no wadable water. Norfork Lake rose 0.1 foot to rest at 2.9 feet above seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 23.3 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork had moderate generation with no wadable water. Due to heavy rains over the last two weeks all of the lakes in the White River System are now at or over the top of power pool. Expect heavy generation for the next few weeks.
Hopper season is on the wane. Use a short (7½ foot) leader to turn over the big fly. Cast near the bank and hang on. The takes can be vicious. John says he prefers large western foam hoppers so that he does not need to dress them. Add a dropper nymph to increase your catch.
The White has fished very well. The hot spot has been the Wildcat Shoals. The hot flies were olive Woolly Buggers (sizes 8, 10), Y2Ks (size 14, 12), prince nymphs (size 14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead sizes 16, 18), pheasant tails (size 14), ruby midges (size 18), root beer midges (size 18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (size 10) and sowbugs (size 16). Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective (John’s current favorite combination is a cerise high water San Juan worm with an egg pattern suspended below it). Use long leaders and plenty of lead to get your flies down.
Remember that the White and Norfork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and 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 soles that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
(updated 10-23-2019) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said Monday at midmorning that no one has been fish due to it being cold and windy. The river level was high with six generators running at the dam. However, they report that the trout bite for them is god. PowerBait is working, along with spinning and drift rigs. “A lot of good-size rainbows” were caught. “They are a lot bigger than this time last year.” The biggest brown caught was 18 inches. Caught some others but they were not very big.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 661.59 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 659.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said the lake’s visibility is 5 feet. The lake is at 66 degrees on the surface, and he says it has finished turning over. The level is high. Crappie are excellent. They are abundant and being caught around brushpiles. Use crappie minnows. Black bass are fair. They’re being caught “junk fishing,” he describes it, with one bait not working any better than any other. Walleye are being caught trolling. No reports on bream and nothing reported on catfish. Check out Del’s YouTube page (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for his latest video reports and tips on catching the fish.
Norfork Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 555.50 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 552.00 feet msl; April-Sept., 555.75 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said Norfork Lake water continues to cool and the lake has nearly completed its annual turnover process. The water temperature is 68 degrees from the surface down to roughly 75-85 feet. The oxygen level is high down to the same level, then reduces along with the water temperature down to the bottom of the lake. This is a normal process for Norfork Lake and is in line with past years, with the exception that the lake temperature is a few degrees warmer than normal. The cold weather this week should make the lake finalize its turnover, which makes the temperature and oxygen level the same from the top to the bottom of the lake. The oxygen and lake temperature information was provided by Norfork Lake Striper Club on Oct. 28.
Lou says the bite continues to be good for bass, crappie and bluegills. White bass fishing has been getting really good over the last few days for the medium-sized whites. Vertical-jig with a ½- to ¾-ounce spoon to catch the whites. They will be on the bottom or suspended 15-25 feet down. “The biggest change since my last report is that the bait has moved out to the flats in 20-50 feet of water. This is the main reason the white bass bite is taking off. As the surface water temperature continues to drop into the low 60s, I would expect to start seeing more frequent topwater action for some of our species in the lake.”
The largemouth and spotted bass bite has been good and you can find them in a couple of areas. The bass continue to be shallow, very close to the shoreline. Shallow, sloping banks has still been the best, but they are showing up more and more on the rock bluff lines. Crankbaits are working very well, as are soft plastics. Cast your bait right next to the shore and retrieve back to the boat. Work your plastics slowly along the bottom. The fish are still using the sunken buckbrush to help them hide, so don’t hesitate casting right up into the brush. If you like to throw topwater baits, the fish are coming up for them. The topwater baits are working early in the morning. Cast your bait, such as a Zara Spook, up to the shoreline, then use a walk-the-dog retrieval method back to the boat. There is still some topwater action for bass in the mornings and evenings but it has slowed a little at this time. A second area that has just started to be good is on large deeper water flats. “I have found some nice schooling, feeding bass in 20-40 feet of water. It does take some time watching your electronics to find the schools. My best method for these deeper fish is to vertical-jig a spoon. You will catch one after another once you find the school. Staying on the school of feeding fish is difficult to do, but if you get lucky enough to stay on top of them you will have a blast for a long time.”
The crappie bite continues to be good, but has slowed a little. “I am still catching some nice slabs, but It seems like I need to jump around a lot. I catch a couple fish off of brush then they seem to stop biting. I move to another brush and catch a few then need to move again. You can still catch your limit, but it will take some work. If it was easy it would not be any fun. I am still using a ¼-ounce spoon. Firetiger, white and chartreuse, white and green and white and pink have been my best colors. The fish have been from 10-20 feet down over brush and you need to be on the brush as I am not finding any on the outsides of the brush. The crappie will start to move around a little more as the water cools and will come shallower in the evenings. The bite has not started for me until around 8:30-9 a.m., but I have not tried in the dark with lights out.
“The bluegill bite has been good. I typically catch a few nice ones on my ¼ ounce spoon while crappie fishing, but fishing with crickets is the best. Best areas have been in small cuts in the bluff walls especially if there is some brush in the cut. You will find them anywhere from 15-30 feet deep.
“Striped bass fishing is still the slowest bite. Not unusual for this time of year, but that bite should take off shortly. Once the lake finalizes its turnover and cools a few more degrees the bigger fish will move to the flats. This is not to say I have not been catching stripers and hybrids. There are large schools of this species out on the flats in 20 – 50 feet of water feeding on shad along with the whites. The issue is that most of the fish are on the short side at this time. There are a few nice size fish in side of the schools of smaller fish and you will hook up on occasion. It is still a blast to catch a 17 – 20 inch striper on light tackle, if you are looking for some fun action. Look for bigger stripers back in the major creeks such as Big Creek, Bennett’s Bayou and up river around the state line.”
Norfork Lake level continues to drop slowly and sits at 555.58 feet msl. The lake surface temperature in the morning this week was 66-68 degrees depending on location. The main lake is fairly clear and the creeks and coves are somewhat stained.
(updated 10-30-2019) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters had no report.
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake rose 0.1 foot to rest at 2.9 feet above seasonal power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 23.3 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork had moderate generation with no wadable water. Due to heavy rains over the last two weeks all of the lakes in the White River System are now at or over the top of power pool. Expect heavy generation for the next few weeks.
Hopper season is on the wane. Use a short (7½ foot) leader to turn over the big fly. Cast near the bank and hang on. The takes can be vicious. John says he prefers large western foam hoppers so that he does not need to dress them. Add a dropper nymph to increase your catch.
The Norfork has been fishing better on the moderate flows but has been a bit crowded. The dissolved oxygen level is slightly improved. Navigate this stream with caution as has been major gravel recruitment at the bottom of Mill Pond and the dock hole due to flooding. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (sizes 18, 20, 22) like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (sizes 14, 16) like the Green Butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small ruby midge (size 18) suspended 18 inches below a red fox squirrel and copper. The fishing is better in the morning.
Dry Run Creek is fishing better. The browns have begun making their annual migration upstream. With school back in session it will be less crowded during the week. The weekends can be pretty busy. The hot flies have been sowbugs (size14), Y2Ks (size 12), various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise size 10) and mop flies.
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are a bit high and off-color. The smallmouths are still active. John’s favorite fly is a 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 Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,128.84 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) says, “Well, same old story. Lots of rain in Northwest Arkansas.” Beaver Lake is sitting at 1128.52 feet msl (normal pool is 1120 feet msl). “When the lake is 8 feet above normal it tends to scatter fish. We need some stable weather and water levels and fishing will pick up. I really anticipating some good striper and white bass fishing up the far reaches of War Eagle Arm and the White River Arm this fall and winter as soon as it settles down.” Jon says the shad will ball up around Point 12 and natural walk areas. “This is when we break out spoons and catch some amazing fish.” Right now all species are fair. You have to be mobile and look in backs of all major arms. The lake is cooling fast and, “as i said, if rain will slow down the fishing will get good. Unfortunately it is supposed to rain another 2 inches this week,” he said. “Bass can be caught and I have heard of some people already throwing Alabama rigs and doing good on them.” Crappie are in 12-25 feet and being caught on jigs and minnows, Walleye are still being caught on crawlers Carolina-rigged off main points. Stripers are scattered throughout lake and are fair to good on brooders and shad. Catfish are fair up War Eagle Arms.
(updated 10-30-2019) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the clarity is muddy. A few stripers were caught on shad. Crappie are biting soft plastics, minnows or jigs in 8-12 feet depth, with a good bite reported. Black bass appear to be trying to get into their fall pattern. The bite is good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. No reports on bream. Nothing reported on catfish.
Beaver Tailwater
(updated 10-30-2019) Guide Austin Kennedy (470-244-0039) said that with all the rain we have received over this past week, the Army Corps of Engineers has been generating pretty much all day. With the flowing water and elevated river levels, the bite has been consistent, but nothing like before. “Trout were the only fish targeted this past week. I had good responses from various PowerBaits, fished with light terminal tackle. Had a little better response with various jigs, from 1/8 to 1/4 ounce, in various colors. This week’s hot spot has been between U.S. Highway 62 and Spider Creek. Remember to try florescent colors with the stained water. Hope you all are staying warm and dry. Until next time, stay safe and have fun!”
Lake Fayetteville
(updated 10-23-2019) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says the clarity returned a little dingy. The surface temperature has dropped nicely to 63 degrees. Water level is normal. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, plastic worms “and pretty much anything.” Catfishing is fair; use nightcrawlers or glow worms. Poor reports this week for bream.
Lake Fort Smith
(updated 10-30-2019) Ralph Donnangelo, superintendent at Lake Fort Smith State Park, had no report.
Lake Sequoyah
(updated 10-30-2019) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) says the lake is dingy. The level is very high. All species were poor this past week.
Crown Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and the level is still down about a foot. Bream reports were poor. Crappie are good and can be found around brushpiles and stumps biting minnows or jigs. Bass are favoring small jigs and topwater baits, and the reports are good. Catfish are fair. Surface water temperature now is ranging in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Lake Charles
(updated 10-30-2019) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park said Sunday that they had a few nice bass caught off the pier using a black/chartreuse square-bill crankbait. The bass bite is good. Shelly asks anglers to please stop in at the Visitors Center and “tell us you fishing story!” The fishing should be at peak through this Thursday, based on moon days. 31. No reports were available this past week on bream, crappie or catfish.
Lake Poinsett
(updated 10-30-2019) Lake Poinsett is closed until next year as repairs continue on the habitat. The Lake Pointsett State Park Visitors Center sells bait still, and the shop is in proximity to many other fishing destinations in northeast Arkansas. Ome Coleman at the Lake Poinsett State Park says, “We are still selling plenty of minnows. Although the lake is still gone, we are still here to supply your fishing supply needs.”
Also, District 3 biologists in the AGFC Fisheries Division report that 232 spider buckets have been staged and ready to be deployed in Lake Poinsett. Spider buckets are artificial habitat structures composed of ABS pipe, set in concrete-filled buckets. These new structures will replace degraded woody habitat as part of the lake renovation. These structures have benefits for all lake species. They can be placed on the ground in shallow, shoreline areas to benefit catfish and largemouth bass or on pallet towers in open waters to give a more tree-like appearance for crappie and sunfish species.
Also, The foundation work began on the new water control structure on Oct. 8, with the driving of the first foundation H-piling. In total, nine 50-foot pilings will be driven. The 50-foot pilings will create the foundation and support for the water control structure.
The upcoming public forum on Lake Poinsett project progress and plans for 2020 is scheduled for Nov. 12; it had previously been reported as Nov. 14. The event will be held in Harrisburg.
Spring River
(updated 10-30-2019) Mark Crawford of Spring River Flies and Guides says water levels are running at 290 cfs (350 average) at the spring and water clarity has been clear. Lots of bugs are hatching lately and the shad and other baitfish are eating them up. “White flies like my Guppie and White Lightning have been the go to this week,” he said. “Olive has worked well with a Y2K for when the bite is off.”
On spinning tackle a Florida pink or white Trout Magnet has been hot. “With a Trout Slayer rod and Florida pink Trout Magnet we have caught everything from smallmouth to panfish to trout. All fish give an incredible fight on this ultralight setup. Berkley Flicker Shad in gold and black work great, too.”
Mark says a walleye estimated at 8 pounds was caught this week by one of his anglers using an olive Woolly Bugger. “The Spring River has a large supply of walleye up and down the river system. They are hard to catch. This is the third one caught on a guide trip over the past 6 years,” he said.
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Spring River is fishing well. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork rivers. Canoe season is officially over. Be sure to 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 (size 10), cerise and hot pink San Juan worms (size 10) and Y2Ks (size 10).
Walcott Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Walcott Lake (Crowley’s Ridge State Park) had no reports.
White River
(updated 10-30-2019) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is clear and the level is 11-12 feet high but steady. Black bass are biting fair on crankbaits. Catfish reports are good, with stink bait and Sonny’s Bait working best. Walleye reports were fair; use minnows or jigs. No reports on bream or crappie.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team said water temperatures are in the mid-60s, visibility is up to 1.5 feet in Lake Langhofer, less than 6 inches on the main river channel. The water was up about a foot on Sunday and the river was ripping from the recent rains, so be careful if you venture out to the main channel over the next few days. Black bass are biting well on white-colored shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits with some wind or light current, and dark-colored jigs in calm areas. If you don’t notice shad in the area, you should probably move on until you find them again.
Arkansas River (Pool 2)
No reports.
Cane Creek Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Austin Davidson, park interpreter at Cane Creek State Park, had no report.
Lake Chicot
(updated 10-30-2019) Brian Whitson, park interpreter at Lake Chicot State Park (870-265-5480), says that despite the weather, the fish are still biting on Lake Chicot. The biggest problem is getting out to the lake. The boat ramp at Lake Chicot State Park is still accessible, although several others around the lake are not. Fishing from the shoreline may involve going out into mud and vegetation to get close enough to fish. Please use caution and be aware of your surroundings when fishing on Lake Chicot. The drawdown of the lake does encourage more fish to bite and more schools of fish in one place, but it can also cause unexpected hazards for those not aware of their surroundings.
Lake Monticello
(updated 10-30-2019) The lake is undergoing a drawdown so that the dam can be repaired and the fish habitat rebuilt. There are no limits on game fish during the drawdown. Some nice fish reportedly were still being caught in late September, though the lake is noticeably way down now.
Millwood Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 259.79 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood is on FIRE with the largemouth and Kentucky bass. Nice fat, chunky largemouth bass continue chasing and busting shad over the past week with cooler temps during early morning. The overall surface activity improved in the pads and on shallow flats adjacent to creek channel swings. Bass continue moving in an out of lily pad stands chasing shad and blowing up with abandon on Bass Assassin Shads, Chrome Johnson Spoons with a 3-inch grub in pearl, white or snow storm trailer. This shallow, lily pad bite can break into a frenzy in several different areas at the same time. When bass begin chasing and breaking on shad into the lily pads can be mayhem, it’s a GREAT TIME TO TAKE A KID FISHING on Millwood Lake. The largemouths are following these schools of shad and chasing them at the surface again with improved consistency over the past few weeks. Squarebill crankbaits like the Echo 1.75 in shad patterns and Ghost Minnow. The Bomber Fat Free Fry and Fat Free Guppy are also catching these schooled up bass. “We caught several doubles simultaneously, multiple times on Little John cranks, Rat-L-Traps, Echo 1.75’s, and squarebills. Good lily pad stands remain in Mud Lake and Horseshoe Lake.
Siefert said the lake remains 7 inches above normal conservation pool, sitting Monday at 259 feet msl. The discharge is around 10,700 cfs in Little River, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. The tailwater below the dam and gates as of Monday was about 237 feet msl. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake the guide service’s website linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. The Corps recently replaced 19 missing buoy markers on Little River from Yarborough Point to Paraloma Trail; use caution where river buoys are still missing.
Surface temps as of Tuesday ranged 63 degrees early to 68 later under full sun, depending on location; expect that to fall rapidly over the coming week if the cold fronts slam us again. Continue to use caution in navigation on Little River and Millwood watching for stumps, random broken, or floating timber. Clarity is consistent from last week, improving daily in the oxbows.
Siefert says white baas continue roaming and schooling up with juvenile largemouths and spotted Bass following shad in Little River at creek dumps and the oxbows at dawn, most surface breaking diminished over the past couple weeks in Horseshoe and McGuire Lakes in the oxbows up Little River. Rat-L-Trap Tail Spinners, Bomber Fat Free Shads, Fingerlings, and Fat Free Guppy cranks in Tennessee Shad or Citrus Shad were catching a mixed bag of bass following schools of shad along both sides of points extending into Little River with stumps present. Best colors were the Millwood Magic, Citrus Shad and Louisiana Shad colors over the past couple weeks. Some mouths of creek dumps held very large schools of whites and Kentucky bass over the past several weeks. The crappie have scattered over the past couple weeks with the increased current in Little River and increase in off-color water stain, and remain elusive. Blakemore Roadrunners in white, white/chartreuse or blue/chartreuse and minnows and white and blue jigs were getting bit a couple weeks ago by vertical jigging near standing timber in Horseshoe. Catfish improved over the past week with the increased current in Little River. Yoyo’s, jug lines and noodles in oxbows like Horseshoe on Little River and White Cliffs Campground were working early in the week, best in the afternoon, using blood bait, punch baits or chicken livers.
Lake Columbia
(updated 10-30-2019) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) has heard no reports.
Lake Greeson Tailwater
Visit www.littlemissouriflyflishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Lake Greeson
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 536.81 feet msl (normal pool: 548.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Angler Ted Lovell, who was fishing for bass at Greeson last week, reported that lots of threadfin shad schools were migrating to the backs of creeks and main lake pockets. Bass are feeding on them, and all the fish were caught very early in the morning, then the fishing action slowed down about noon. Fish were caught on a variety of lures: shad-colored crankbaits, spinnerbaits and watermelon/green pumpkin/black and blue jigs. All spotted bass and largemouth bass; no smallmouth bass were caught. Water temps ranged 65-72 degrees. Water was stained from recent rains.
(updated 10-30-2019) Jason Lenderman of JL Guide Service (870-490-0804) said the lake level is almost 11 feet below full pool of 548 feet, which is normal for this time of year. Water temps are in the upper 60s. The bass are in their fall patterns. They can honestly be caught anywhere from 1 foot deep to 30 feet deep right now. If you find the shad, you will find the bass. Bandit 200 crankbaits in shad colors are working on rocky points and flats really well. Booyah Hard Knockers in chrome/blue are also working well in these areas. Carolina-rigged Yum Finesse Worms or Christie Craws are also working well. Cotton Cordell Spoons are good along creek channel drops as well. Crappie have been good lately. They can be caught in brush 15-25 feet deep on minnows and jigs.
DeGray Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 398.15 feet msl (normal pool: 408.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-23-2019) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said that as every day goes by, the crappie are stacking up on the brushpiles in 15-20 feet of water. Fish jigs and minnows 8-12 feet deep. Use the faux spawn to your advantage. The females are staging, and you might find a few males in shallower water. Once the water temp drops into the 50s they’ll move back out to the staging brushpiles.
(updated 10-16-2019) John Duncan of yoyoguideservice.com at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Fall is here! A little. Water temperatures have dropped the last two weeks from mid-80s to low 70s. Wow.” The lake level Tuesday was 397.75 with a rise of .07. Shad are on the move to the coves and pockets. Most of the fish are following the shad to some extent. Crappie fishing in the brush is slow. Trolling seems to be the preferred method at this time. Use Bandit 300s with a mixture of colors and eliminate from there. Some white bass are still showing up early around the Shouse Ford area but it’s slowing down. No report on black bass or bream. Lots of suspended fish around the 20-feet depth around the river channel in the mid-lake area. Pull some deep-diving crankbaits (ShadRap) in shad color to the depth of suspended fish. Boat traffic has reduced noticeably (it’s hunting season). There are tons of ridges slightly under water, islands and humps below the surface. Follow the deeper routes for safety and watch for others. Good fishing!
De Queen Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 438.12 feet msl (normal pool: 437.00 feet msl).
No reports.
Dierks Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 524.42 feet msl (normal pool: 526.00 feet msl).
No reports.
White Oak Lake
(updated 10-23-2019) Curtis Willingham of River Rat Bait (870-231-3831) in Camden reports that crappie are deep in both Upper and Lower lakes and the bite is fair. Anglers are using shiners. “We sent a lot of bait that way this weekend,” Curtis says. No other reports.
Felsenthal
(updated 10-16-2019) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) said a few crappie being caught trolling and in treetops in the river. Catfish being caught tight-lining. Black bass have slowed down a little. No report on bream.
Lake Atkins
(updated 10-30-2019) Sharon at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) says the clarity is clear and the lake level is normal. Surface water temperature is ranging 59-61 degrees. Bream reports were poor. Crappie are good. Some are deep but most appear to want to move shallow. Black bass are fair on spinnerbait. Anglers are catching a few. Catfishing is poor.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 10-30-2019) Steve Donahou at Lake Catherine State Park says the lake is murky and has a surface temperature of 62.2 degrees. The lake will be lowered 1 foot daily for the annual fall drawdown of 3 feet. Bream are fair. They are at a depth of 10 feet and are biting worms. Fish the brushpiles. Crappie reports remain poor. Black bass are fair but the fishing is very slow. Spinnerbaits and purple plastic worms are working best. Catfishing is good. Use nightcrawlers and chicken liver. No reports on white bass.
Lake Catherine (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 10-30-2019) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports the water temperature is 55 degrees below the dam with clear conditions in the tailrace. Entergy is alternating a minimum flow pattern along with selected days of generation that last several hours, as Lake Ouachita remains over 9 feet below flood pool. Beginning Nov. 1, the winter drawdown begins for both lakes Hamilton and Catherine. Each lake will be lowered 3 feet and this level will remain in place until early March 2020. The lakes will each fall 6 inches per day until the 3-foot draw is achieved. Quality trout fishing will return to Lake Catherine in late November when the trout stocking program resumes for the winter season. These fish are stocked in the tailrace and normally ready to be caught the week of Thanksgiving. October still holds numbers of white bass although the size is smaller than in a normal year. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and jig presentations will all draw strikes from these temperate bass from the dam to the bridge as they feed on shad that are thriving in the tailrace. Hybrid bass also run alongside these fish and will feed on the same prey items. Stripers have been observed feeding below the bridge in the late evening. Balloon rigs with gizzard shad give anglers a good chance to hook a big striper, but artificial lures such as Super Spooks and Alabama rigs should not be overlooked. Strong rods and lines are recommended for these predator fish, as they possess great power and are often in the 20- to 40-pound range. Blue catfish in the 4- to 6-pound range have been caught next to the dam on live minnows and stink baits. Anyone navigating Lake Catherine should always wear a life jacket and be aware of the generation schedules. All park rules and regulations must be followed in the Carpenter Dam tailrace.
Lake Dardanelle
(updated 10-23-2019) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-647-9945) said water temperature is in the mid- to lower 70s. River clarity is poor with flow. Some creeks are dingy, some are clearing on the upper end some are clear throughout the creek. Shad is starting to move into the creeks, which makes for a shallow bite. Bass have been good on jigs and Bamboozie around wood and rocks. Spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps have been working well in pockets and the mouth of creeks. Frogs and buzzbaits have been working well on the outside of vegetation. Crappie have been hit-and-miss in and around 8 for the water; minnows and jigs (Monkey Milk) have been working good, while chartreuse and Electric Chicken jigs have also been producing. White bass are in some of the creeks. Rat-L-Traps have been working well along with small white swimbaits. Bream have been fair in the creeks and in the back of the pockets and along the jetty rocks with vegetation. Crickets and worms have been working well. Catfish have been good in the creeks and backwater areas. Fish with large minnows, small bream and worms. Large catfish have been biting well on cut bait such as skipjack and bream just inside of pockets.
(updated 10-23-2019) Jason Baumgartner, park aquarist at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7495) says they experienced mostly sunshine and mild temperatures for the past week until a front moved through early Monday morning. Gusty winds brought white capped waves across the lake earlier this week. High pressure is forecast to remain in the area until a cold front arrives late in the week. Visibility is limited to only a few feet. Surface temperature is 64 feet. As of Monday (Oct. 21) the river at Ozark Lock & Dam 12 has risen about a foot since last report to 346 feet msl. Ozark tailwater release has risen over the past weekend from 58,000 cfs to 67,000 cfs. There has been no power generation at Ozark for several months now. Downriver, pool elevation near Lake Dardanelle State Park has held near 338 feet msl since last report. The Dardanelle tailwater has held at 11 feet. Release there has risen slightly to about 73,000 cfs. The powerhouse has been generating all day for the last several months. The Dardanelle lock is undergoing maintenance and the anticipated completion date has been changed to Oct. 25. Mariners are asked to contact the lock via radio on Channel 16 or by phone (479) 890-4987, in advance of arrival, for current conditions.
Anglers, Please use caution when on the water as the river bottom has changed in many areas. Lake Dardanelle State Park continues to host tournaments every weekend this fall. Reports from anglers are that the bass fishing is tough, and bites have come on soft plastic and jigs. The fall tournament season is nearing its seasonal break at the state park. For tournament scheduling and updates, please contact the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center at (479) 967-5516.
Lake Hamilton
(updated 10-30-2019) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred all-welded aluminum Xpress fishing boats in Hot Springs, reports lake levels up a little and water temps at or below 70 degrees after the last few days of rain and increasing murkiness in the water up creek channels. Reports have been very strong over the last week. Fish are eating very well in preparation for winter. Chrome, chrome and blue and white spoons have been doing well for all bass species, fished vertically or cast on steep sloping points with chunk rock on them. Believe it or not, frogs and toads are doing well in the shallows and structure (docks) just off the main points. Other mentionable baits are white willow bladed spinnerbaits and the watermelon seed worm rigged Carolina or Texas style.
Crappie are really firing up now due to the colder water conditions. Look for good, quality crappie on deeper docks and brush piles 20 feet or so and expect them to keep moving deeper and closer to the current as it gets even cooler. Minnows and shad-colored jigs and small spoons are producing. Walleye are starting to turn on, also. They can be found hanging around bridge piers in the main channels and will happily take spoons and shiner minnows when the conditions are good.
(updated 10-23-2019) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said that as every day goes by, the crappie are stacking up on the brushpiles in 15-20 feet of water. Fish jigs and minnows 8-12 feet deep. Use the faux spawn to your advantage. The females are staging, and you might find a few males in shallower water. Once the water temp drops into the 50s they’ll move back out to the staging brushpiles.
Lake Nimrod
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 342.76 feet msl (normal pool: 342.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) says the lake is a little murky and the level is a little low. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Black bass are good on plastic worms, live worms and bass minnows. No reports on catfish or white bass.
(updated 10-30-2019) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) had no report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 568.80 feet msl (normal pool: 578.00 feet msl)
(updated 10-30-2019) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) reports that black bass are good. The topwater bite is working early, late and on cloudy days. Drop-shot rigging a finesse worm is working well for spotted bass. Walleye are fair. Three-quarter-ounce CC Spoons jigged vertically and nightcrawlers on drop-shot rigs are still producing good stringers. Stripers are good. These fish are located in the eastern part of the lake and are being caught on live bait or big hair jigs. Bream are fair with reports of fish being caught with grubs and worms in 15-25 feet of water near brush. Crappie are fair to good. Try a small jig near brush in 20-30 feet of water. Catfish are good and anglers are having luck with rod and reel using live nightcrawlers or hot dogs around brush piles. The water clarity is clear; surface temperature is 78-82 degrees. The lake level Tuesday was 568.18 feet msl. Contact the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822 for more information.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.56 feet msl (normal pool: 384.00 feet msl).
No report.
Horseshoe Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Professional fishing guide Ronnie Tice (901-687-6800) said the water is a little dingy with the level high (around 40 feet depth of water maximum). They received 6 inches of rain last Saturday, and the bream numbers weren’t great on Saturday either, he said. Crappie are good but the fish are scattered after the rain. Best results are coming from trolling on the bottom or fishing under and around the piers. Black bass are good. The lake hosted a fishing tournament Saturday where there were good numbers caught. Crankbait are working best. Fish off the shoreline and around rocky points. Catfishing is excellent. Ronnie emphasizes that the cats are “on fire” with rod-and-reel; bait with stink bait.
Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Natalie Faughn, assistant superintendent at Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040), said there is not much to report out there way. They have some anglers hanging on to the end of the season, but no big catches to report. “Most of our fishermen have hung up the rods and picked up their camo; hunting season is upon us here in the forest,” she said.
Cook’s Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Conservation Education Center (870-241-3373) says the fishing season is over at Cook’s Lake. “Fishing was very slow this year but that is the cards we were dealt,” he said. After this Thursday, Oct. 31, fishing is closed until spring 2020 so that the lake can serve as a waterfowl rest area. Check back in late February for the spring plans and reopening for fishing. For information, please contact the center at 870-241-3373.
Beaver Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,128.84 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) says, “Well, same old story. Lots of rain in Northwest Arkansas.” Beaver Lake is sitting at 1128.52 feet msl (normal pool is 1120 feet msl). “When the lake is 8 feet above normal it tends to scatter fish. We need some stable weather and water levels and fishing will pick up. I really anticipating some good striper and white bass fishing up the far reaches of War Eagle Arm and the White River Arm this fall and winter as soon as it settles down.” Jon says the shad will ball up around Point 12 and natural walk areas. “This is when we break out spoons and catch some amazing fish.” Right now all species are fair. You have to be mobile and look in backs of all major arms. The lake is cooling fast and, “as i said, if rain will slow down the fishing will get good. Unfortunately it is supposed to rain another 2 inches this week,” he said. “Bass can be caught and I have heard of some people already throwing Alabama rigs and doing good on them.” Crappie are in 12-25 feet and being caught on jigs and minnows, Walleye are still being caught on crawlers Carolina-rigged off main points. Stripers are scattered throughout lake and are fair to good on brooders and shad. Catfish are fair up War Eagle Arms.
(updated 10-30-2019) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the clarity is muddy. A few stripers were caught on shad. Crappie are biting soft plastics, minnows or jigs in 8-12 feet depth, with a good bite reported. Black bass appear to be trying to get into their fall pattern. The bite is good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. No reports on bream. Nothing reported on catfish.
Beaver Tailwater
(updated 10-30-2019) Guide Austin Kennedy (470-244-0039) said that with all the rain we have received over this past week, the Army Corps of Engineers has been generating pretty much all day. With the flowing water and elevated river levels, the bite has been consistent, but nothing like before. “Trout were the only fish targeted this past week. I had good responses from various PowerBaits, fished with light terminal tackle. Had a little better response with various jigs, from 1/8 to 1/4 ounce, in various colors. This week’s hot spot has been between U.S. Highway 62 and Spider Creek. Remember to try florescent colors with the stained water. Hope you all are staying warm and dry. Until next time, stay safe and have fun!”
Lake Fayetteville
(updated 10-23-2019) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says the clarity returned a little dingy. The surface temperature has dropped nicely to 63 degrees. Water level is normal. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, plastic worms “and pretty much anything.” Catfishing is fair; use nightcrawlers or glow worms. Poor reports this week for bream.
Lake Fort Smith
(updated 10-30-2019) Ralph Donnangelo, superintendent at Lake Fort Smith State Park, had no report.
Lake Sequoyah
(updated 10-30-2019) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) says the lake is dingy. The level is very high. All species were poor this past week.
Crown Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and the level is still down about a foot. Bream reports were poor. Crappie are good and can be found around brushpiles and stumps biting minnows or jigs. Bass are favoring small jigs and topwater baits, and the reports are good. Catfish are fair. Surface water temperature now is ranging in the upper 50s to low 60s.
Lake Charles
(updated 10-30-2019) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park said Sunday that they had a few nice bass caught off the pier using a black/chartreuse square-bill crankbait. The bass bite is good. Shelly asks anglers to please stop in at the Visitors Center and “tell us you fishing story!” The fishing should be at peak through this Thursday, based on moon days. 31. No reports were available this past week on bream, crappie or catfish.
Lake Poinsett
(updated 10-30-2019) Lake Poinsett is closed until next year as repairs continue on the habitat. The Lake Pointsett State Park Visitors Center sells bait still, and the shop is in proximity to many other fishing destinations in northeast Arkansas. Ome Coleman at the Lake Poinsett State Park says, “We are still selling plenty of minnows. Although the lake is still gone, we are still here to supply your fishing supply needs.”
Also, District 3 biologists in the AGFC Fisheries Division report that 232 spider buckets have been staged and ready to be deployed in Lake Poinsett. Spider buckets are artificial habitat structures composed of ABS pipe, set in concrete-filled buckets. These new structures will replace degraded woody habitat as part of the lake renovation. These structures have benefits for all lake species. They can be placed on the ground in shallow, shoreline areas to benefit catfish and largemouth bass or on pallet towers in open waters to give a more tree-like appearance for crappie and sunfish species.
Also, The foundation work began on the new water control structure on Oct. 8, with the driving of the first foundation H-piling. In total, nine 50-foot pilings will be driven. The 50-foot pilings will create the foundation and support for the water control structure.
The upcoming public forum on Lake Poinsett project progress and plans for 2020 is scheduled for Nov. 12; it had previously been reported as Nov. 14. The event will be held in Harrisburg.
Spring River
(updated 10-30-2019) Mark Crawford of Spring River Flies and Guides says water levels are running at 290 cfs (350 average) at the spring and water clarity has been clear. Lots of bugs are hatching lately and the shad and other baitfish are eating them up. “White flies like my Guppie and White Lightning have been the go to this week,” he said. “Olive has worked well with a Y2K for when the bite is off.”
On spinning tackle a Florida pink or white Trout Magnet has been hot. “With a Trout Slayer rod and Florida pink Trout Magnet we have caught everything from smallmouth to panfish to trout. All fish give an incredible fight on this ultralight setup. Berkley Flicker Shad in gold and black work great, too.”
Mark says a walleye estimated at 8 pounds was caught this week by one of his anglers using an olive Woolly Bugger. “The Spring River has a large supply of walleye up and down the river system. They are hard to catch. This is the third one caught on a guide trip over the past 6 years,” he said.
(updated 10-30-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Spring River is fishing well. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork rivers. Canoe season is officially over. Be sure to 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 (size 10), cerise and hot pink San Juan worms (size 10) and Y2Ks (size 10).
Walcott Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Walcott Lake (Crowley’s Ridge State Park) had no reports.
White River
(updated 10-30-2019) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the river is clear and the level is 11-12 feet high but steady. Black bass are biting fair on crankbaits. Catfish reports are good, with stink bait and Sonny’s Bait working best. Walleye reports were fair; use minnows or jigs. No reports on bream or crappie.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
(updated 10-30-2019) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team said water temperatures are in the mid-60s, visibility is up to 1.5 feet in Lake Langhofer, less than 6 inches on the main river channel. The water was up about a foot on Sunday and the river was ripping from the recent rains, so be careful if you venture out to the main channel over the next few days. Black bass are biting well on white-colored shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits with some wind or light current, and dark-colored jigs in calm areas. If you don’t notice shad in the area, you should probably move on until you find them again.
Arkansas River (Pool 2)
No reports.
Cane Creek Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Austin Davidson, park interpreter at Cane Creek State Park, had no report.
Lake Chicot
(updated 10-30-2019) Brian Whitson, park interpreter at Lake Chicot State Park (870-265-5480), says that despite the weather, the fish are still biting on Lake Chicot. The biggest problem is getting out to the lake. The boat ramp at Lake Chicot State Park is still accessible, although several others around the lake are not. Fishing from the shoreline may involve going out into mud and vegetation to get close enough to fish. Please use caution and be aware of your surroundings when fishing on Lake Chicot. The drawdown of the lake does encourage more fish to bite and more schools of fish in one place, but it can also cause unexpected hazards for those not aware of their surroundings.
Lake Monticello
(updated 10-30-2019) The lake is undergoing a drawdown so that the dam can be repaired and the fish habitat rebuilt. There are no limits on game fish during the drawdown. Some nice fish reportedly were still being caught in late September, though the lake is noticeably way down now.
Millwood Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 259.79 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood is on FIRE with the largemouth and Kentucky bass. Nice fat, chunky largemouth bass continue chasing and busting shad over the past week with cooler temps during early morning. The overall surface activity improved in the pads and on shallow flats adjacent to creek channel swings. Bass continue moving in an out of lily pad stands chasing shad and blowing up with abandon on Bass Assassin Shads, Chrome Johnson Spoons with a 3-inch grub in pearl, white or snow storm trailer. This shallow, lily pad bite can break into a frenzy in several different areas at the same time. When bass begin chasing and breaking on shad into the lily pads can be mayhem, it’s a GREAT TIME TO TAKE A KID FISHING on Millwood Lake. The largemouths are following these schools of shad and chasing them at the surface again with improved consistency over the past few weeks. Squarebill crankbaits like the Echo 1.75 in shad patterns and Ghost Minnow. The Bomber Fat Free Fry and Fat Free Guppy are also catching these schooled up bass. “We caught several doubles simultaneously, multiple times on Little John cranks, Rat-L-Traps, Echo 1.75’s, and squarebills. Good lily pad stands remain in Mud Lake and Horseshoe Lake.
Siefert said the lake remains 7 inches above normal conservation pool, sitting Monday at 259 feet msl. The discharge is around 10,700 cfs in Little River, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. The tailwater below the dam and gates as of Monday was about 237 feet msl. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake the guide service’s website linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. The Corps recently replaced 19 missing buoy markers on Little River from Yarborough Point to Paraloma Trail; use caution where river buoys are still missing.
Surface temps as of Tuesday ranged 63 degrees early to 68 later under full sun, depending on location; expect that to fall rapidly over the coming week if the cold fronts slam us again. Continue to use caution in navigation on Little River and Millwood watching for stumps, random broken, or floating timber. Clarity is consistent from last week, improving daily in the oxbows.
Siefert says white baas continue roaming and schooling up with juvenile largemouths and spotted Bass following shad in Little River at creek dumps and the oxbows at dawn, most surface breaking diminished over the past couple weeks in Horseshoe and McGuire Lakes in the oxbows up Little River. Rat-L-Trap Tail Spinners, Bomber Fat Free Shads, Fingerlings, and Fat Free Guppy cranks in Tennessee Shad or Citrus Shad were catching a mixed bag of bass following schools of shad along both sides of points extending into Little River with stumps present. Best colors were the Millwood Magic, Citrus Shad and Louisiana Shad colors over the past couple weeks. Some mouths of creek dumps held very large schools of whites and Kentucky bass over the past several weeks. The crappie have scattered over the past couple weeks with the increased current in Little River and increase in off-color water stain, and remain elusive. Blakemore Roadrunners in white, white/chartreuse or blue/chartreuse and minnows and white and blue jigs were getting bit a couple weeks ago by vertical jigging near standing timber in Horseshoe. Catfish improved over the past week with the increased current in Little River. Yoyo’s, jug lines and noodles in oxbows like Horseshoe on Little River and White Cliffs Campground were working early in the week, best in the afternoon, using blood bait, punch baits or chicken livers.
Lake Columbia
(updated 10-30-2019) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) has heard no reports.
Lake Greeson Tailwater
Visit www.littlemissouriflyflishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Lake Greeson
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 536.81 feet msl (normal pool: 548.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Angler Ted Lovell, who was fishing for bass at Greeson last week, reported that lots of threadfin shad schools were migrating to the backs of creeks and main lake pockets. Bass are feeding on them, and all the fish were caught very early in the morning, then the fishing action slowed down about noon. Fish were caught on a variety of lures: shad-colored crankbaits, spinnerbaits and watermelon/green pumpkin/black and blue jigs. All spotted bass and largemouth bass; no smallmouth bass were caught. Water temps ranged 65-72 degrees. Water was stained from recent rains.
(updated 10-30-2019) Jason Lenderman of JL Guide Service (870-490-0804) said the lake level is almost 11 feet below full pool of 548 feet, which is normal for this time of year. Water temps are in the upper 60s. The bass are in their fall patterns. They can honestly be caught anywhere from 1 foot deep to 30 feet deep right now. If you find the shad, you will find the bass. Bandit 200 crankbaits in shad colors are working on rocky points and flats really well. Booyah Hard Knockers in chrome/blue are also working well in these areas. Carolina-rigged Yum Finesse Worms or Christie Craws are also working well. Cotton Cordell Spoons are good along creek channel drops as well. Crappie have been good lately. They can be caught in brush 15-25 feet deep on minnows and jigs.
DeGray Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 398.15 feet msl (normal pool: 408.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-23-2019) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said that as every day goes by, the crappie are stacking up on the brushpiles in 15-20 feet of water. Fish jigs and minnows 8-12 feet deep. Use the faux spawn to your advantage. The females are staging, and you might find a few males in shallower water. Once the water temp drops into the 50s they’ll move back out to the staging brushpiles.
(updated 10-16-2019) John Duncan of yoyoguideservice.com at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Fall is here! A little. Water temperatures have dropped the last two weeks from mid-80s to low 70s. Wow.” The lake level Tuesday was 397.75 with a rise of .07. Shad are on the move to the coves and pockets. Most of the fish are following the shad to some extent. Crappie fishing in the brush is slow. Trolling seems to be the preferred method at this time. Use Bandit 300s with a mixture of colors and eliminate from there. Some white bass are still showing up early around the Shouse Ford area but it’s slowing down. No report on black bass or bream. Lots of suspended fish around the 20-feet depth around the river channel in the mid-lake area. Pull some deep-diving crankbaits (ShadRap) in shad color to the depth of suspended fish. Boat traffic has reduced noticeably (it’s hunting season). There are tons of ridges slightly under water, islands and humps below the surface. Follow the deeper routes for safety and watch for others. Good fishing!
De Queen Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 438.12 feet msl (normal pool: 437.00 feet msl).
No reports.
Dierks Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 524.42 feet msl (normal pool: 526.00 feet msl).
No reports.
White Oak Lake
(updated 10-23-2019) Curtis Willingham of River Rat Bait (870-231-3831) in Camden reports that crappie are deep in both Upper and Lower lakes and the bite is fair. Anglers are using shiners. “We sent a lot of bait that way this weekend,” Curtis says. No other reports.
Felsenthal
(updated 10-16-2019) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) said a few crappie being caught trolling and in treetops in the river. Catfish being caught tight-lining. Black bass have slowed down a little. No report on bream.
Lake Atkins
(updated 10-30-2019) Sharon at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) says the clarity is clear and the lake level is normal. Surface water temperature is ranging 59-61 degrees. Bream reports were poor. Crappie are good. Some are deep but most appear to want to move shallow. Black bass are fair on spinnerbait. Anglers are catching a few. Catfishing is poor.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 10-30-2019) Steve Donahou at Lake Catherine State Park says the lake is murky and has a surface temperature of 62.2 degrees. The lake will be lowered 1 foot daily for the annual fall drawdown of 3 feet. Bream are fair. They are at a depth of 10 feet and are biting worms. Fish the brushpiles. Crappie reports remain poor. Black bass are fair but the fishing is very slow. Spinnerbaits and purple plastic worms are working best. Catfishing is good. Use nightcrawlers and chicken liver. No reports on white bass.
Lake Catherine (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 10-30-2019) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports the water temperature is 55 degrees below the dam with clear conditions in the tailrace. Entergy is alternating a minimum flow pattern along with selected days of generation that last several hours, as Lake Ouachita remains over 9 feet below flood pool. Beginning Nov. 1, the winter drawdown begins for both lakes Hamilton and Catherine. Each lake will be lowered 3 feet and this level will remain in place until early March 2020. The lakes will each fall 6 inches per day until the 3-foot draw is achieved. Quality trout fishing will return to Lake Catherine in late November when the trout stocking program resumes for the winter season. These fish are stocked in the tailrace and normally ready to be caught the week of Thanksgiving. October still holds numbers of white bass although the size is smaller than in a normal year. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and jig presentations will all draw strikes from these temperate bass from the dam to the bridge as they feed on shad that are thriving in the tailrace. Hybrid bass also run alongside these fish and will feed on the same prey items. Stripers have been observed feeding below the bridge in the late evening. Balloon rigs with gizzard shad give anglers a good chance to hook a big striper, but artificial lures such as Super Spooks and Alabama rigs should not be overlooked. Strong rods and lines are recommended for these predator fish, as they possess great power and are often in the 20- to 40-pound range. Blue catfish in the 4- to 6-pound range have been caught next to the dam on live minnows and stink baits. Anyone navigating Lake Catherine should always wear a life jacket and be aware of the generation schedules. All park rules and regulations must be followed in the Carpenter Dam tailrace.
Lake Dardanelle
(updated 10-23-2019) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-647-9945) said water temperature is in the mid- to lower 70s. River clarity is poor with flow. Some creeks are dingy, some are clearing on the upper end some are clear throughout the creek. Shad is starting to move into the creeks, which makes for a shallow bite. Bass have been good on jigs and Bamboozie around wood and rocks. Spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps have been working well in pockets and the mouth of creeks. Frogs and buzzbaits have been working well on the outside of vegetation. Crappie have been hit-and-miss in and around 8 for the water; minnows and jigs (Monkey Milk) have been working good, while chartreuse and Electric Chicken jigs have also been producing. White bass are in some of the creeks. Rat-L-Traps have been working well along with small white swimbaits. Bream have been fair in the creeks and in the back of the pockets and along the jetty rocks with vegetation. Crickets and worms have been working well. Catfish have been good in the creeks and backwater areas. Fish with large minnows, small bream and worms. Large catfish have been biting well on cut bait such as skipjack and bream just inside of pockets.
(updated 10-23-2019) Jason Baumgartner, park aquarist at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7495) says they experienced mostly sunshine and mild temperatures for the past week until a front moved through early Monday morning. Gusty winds brought white capped waves across the lake earlier this week. High pressure is forecast to remain in the area until a cold front arrives late in the week. Visibility is limited to only a few feet. Surface temperature is 64 feet. As of Monday (Oct. 21) the river at Ozark Lock & Dam 12 has risen about a foot since last report to 346 feet msl. Ozark tailwater release has risen over the past weekend from 58,000 cfs to 67,000 cfs. There has been no power generation at Ozark for several months now. Downriver, pool elevation near Lake Dardanelle State Park has held near 338 feet msl since last report. The Dardanelle tailwater has held at 11 feet. Release there has risen slightly to about 73,000 cfs. The powerhouse has been generating all day for the last several months. The Dardanelle lock is undergoing maintenance and the anticipated completion date has been changed to Oct. 25. Mariners are asked to contact the lock via radio on Channel 16 or by phone (479) 890-4987, in advance of arrival, for current conditions.
Anglers, Please use caution when on the water as the river bottom has changed in many areas. Lake Dardanelle State Park continues to host tournaments every weekend this fall. Reports from anglers are that the bass fishing is tough, and bites have come on soft plastic and jigs. The fall tournament season is nearing its seasonal break at the state park. For tournament scheduling and updates, please contact the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor Center at (479) 967-5516.
Lake Hamilton
(updated 10-30-2019) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred all-welded aluminum Xpress fishing boats in Hot Springs, reports lake levels up a little and water temps at or below 70 degrees after the last few days of rain and increasing murkiness in the water up creek channels. Reports have been very strong over the last week. Fish are eating very well in preparation for winter. Chrome, chrome and blue and white spoons have been doing well for all bass species, fished vertically or cast on steep sloping points with chunk rock on them. Believe it or not, frogs and toads are doing well in the shallows and structure (docks) just off the main points. Other mentionable baits are white willow bladed spinnerbaits and the watermelon seed worm rigged Carolina or Texas style.
Crappie are really firing up now due to the colder water conditions. Look for good, quality crappie on deeper docks and brush piles 20 feet or so and expect them to keep moving deeper and closer to the current as it gets even cooler. Minnows and shad-colored jigs and small spoons are producing. Walleye are starting to turn on, also. They can be found hanging around bridge piers in the main channels and will happily take spoons and shiner minnows when the conditions are good.
(updated 10-23-2019) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said that as every day goes by, the crappie are stacking up on the brushpiles in 15-20 feet of water. Fish jigs and minnows 8-12 feet deep. Use the faux spawn to your advantage. The females are staging, and you might find a few males in shallower water. Once the water temp drops into the 50s they’ll move back out to the staging brushpiles.
Lake Nimrod
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 342.76 feet msl (normal pool: 342.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-30-2019) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) says the lake is a little murky and the level is a little low. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Black bass are good on plastic worms, live worms and bass minnows. No reports on catfish or white bass.
(updated 10-30-2019) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) had no report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 568.80 feet msl (normal pool: 578.00 feet msl)
(updated 10-30-2019) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) reports that black bass are good. The topwater bite is working early, late and on cloudy days. Drop-shot rigging a finesse worm is working well for spotted bass. Walleye are fair. Three-quarter-ounce CC Spoons jigged vertically and nightcrawlers on drop-shot rigs are still producing good stringers. Stripers are good. These fish are located in the eastern part of the lake and are being caught on live bait or big hair jigs. Bream are fair with reports of fish being caught with grubs and worms in 15-25 feet of water near brush. Crappie are fair to good. Try a small jig near brush in 20-30 feet of water. Catfish are good and anglers are having luck with rod and reel using live nightcrawlers or hot dogs around brush piles. The water clarity is clear; surface temperature is 78-82 degrees. The lake level Tuesday was 568.18 feet msl. Contact the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822 for more information.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.56 feet msl (normal pool: 384.00 feet msl).
No report.
Horseshoe Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Professional fishing guide Ronnie Tice (901-687-6800) said the water is a little dingy with the level high (around 40 feet depth of water maximum). They received 6 inches of rain last Saturday, and the bream numbers weren’t great on Saturday either, he said. Crappie are good but the fish are scattered after the rain. Best results are coming from trolling on the bottom or fishing under and around the piers. Black bass are good. The lake hosted a fishing tournament Saturday where there were good numbers caught. Crankbait are working best. Fish off the shoreline and around rocky points. Catfishing is excellent. Ronnie emphasizes that the cats are “on fire” with rod-and-reel; bait with stink bait.
Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) Natalie Faughn, assistant superintendent at Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040), said there is not much to report out there way. They have some anglers hanging on to the end of the season, but no big catches to report. “Most of our fishermen have hung up the rods and picked up their camo; hunting season is upon us here in the forest,” she said.
Cook’s Lake
(updated 10-30-2019) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Conservation Education Center (870-241-3373) says the fishing season is over at Cook’s Lake. “Fishing was very slow this year but that is the cards we were dealt,” he said. After this Thursday, Oct. 31, fishing is closed until spring 2020 so that the lake can serve as a waterfowl rest area. Check back in late February for the spring plans and reopening for fishing. For information, please contact the center at 870-241-3373.
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