Arkansas Fishing Reports

02-16-2008

Fishing Tip:
Wind can make finding fish with slow-moving, winter lures difficult. Here’s some advice from Kevin Van Dam on tackling the

winter wind:
Many times, windy areas hold the warmest available water. Baitfish will usually be found there, and larger predators are going to be there, too. Run a windy bank using your graph or depth finder to see where baitfish are congregated. Try slow trolling a spinnerbait, or use a crankbait with a tight wobble to locate the fish. After you catch a few, you can switch to a jig n’ pig and fish more slowly.

Arkansas River Levels:

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Tuesday the Arkansas River stages are: Trimble Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 13): Headwater – 391.91 feet, Tailwater – 372.68 feet, Flow – 16,634 cubic feet per second
Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater – 371.59 feet, Tailwater – 340.00 feet
Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater – 337.71 feet, Tailwater – 286.78 feet
Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater – 285.55 feet, Tailwater – 266.03 feet, Flow – 21,450 cubic feet per second
Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater – 265.29 feet, Tailwater – 251.39 feet
Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater – 249.14 feet, Tailwater – 231.47 feet, Flow – 28,380 cubic feet per second
Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater – 231.28 feet, Tailwater – 213.27 feet, Flow – 22,531 cubic feet per second
Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater – 196.15 feet, Tailwater – 183.02 feet
Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater – 182.14 feet, Tailwater – 163.24 feet
Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater – 162.10 feet, Tailwater – 122.49 feet, Flow – 11,399 cubic feet per second

White River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages are:
3.3 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage – 19 feet)
6.5 feet at Batesville (flood stage – 15 feet)
1.9 feet at Newport (flood stage – 26 feet)
14.4 feet at Augusta (flood stage – 26 feet)
2.9 feet at Georgetown (flood stage – 21 feet)
13.8 feet at Clarendon (flood stage – 26 feet)

CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is clear and a little high. Crappie are biting well on minnows and white/chartreuse jigs. A few bass have been caught.

Little Red River:Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and low with little generation in the mornings. Trout are still biting well on wax worms with marshmallows and nightcrawlers.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House is following the same protocol as previous weeks. There have been no weekend water releases for four weeks. Monday through Friday, releases have been from 7-11 a.m. and 5-8 p.m. Wading possibilities are somewhat limited. One good plan is to fish at Winkley Shoal from first light until the high water arrives around 9:30-10 a.m. and drive to Libby Shoal for an additional hour of fishing until the fast water hits there. After lunch you can finish the day at JFK Park. The incredible midge hatches have not diminished. Midges were hatching in the Wal-Mart parking lot the other day, for Pete's sake. We are also seeing a few caddis flies and black gnats coming off. Dry flies that are attracting trout include a midge (size 22, cream or black), Adams (sizes 18-20) and caddis (sizes 18-20, tan). Below the surface, productive flies include sow bugs (sizes 14-16, peacock, UV tan or light gray), zebra midges (sizes 16-22, red, copper or black), red butt (sizes 14-16), San Juan worms (sizes 16-18) and woolly buggers (sizes 10-12, olive or black).

Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.74 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the surface temperature is 38-45 degrees. The fishing is tough to say the least. Walleye are poor from all the stained water coming into the creeks. The only success has been on a jighead tipped with a minnow. Hybrids and whites are biting some, but they are slow. Spoons, in-line spinners and swim baits may catch a few. The bass fishing is slow. A few have been caught on jighead worms, live minnows and on jerk baits worked with 15- to 20-second pauses between jerks.

Shiloh Marina said water conditions are normal. Walleye are fair on minnows.

Harris Brake Lake:Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said water conditions are normal and all species have been slow.

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said water conditions are normal. A few crappie have been caught on white stingers.

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are normal. All fishing is fair.

Brewer Lake:Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are normal. All fishing is fair.

Lake Maumelle: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are biting well in 18 to 20 feet of water on minnows. All other species are slow.

Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said trout are being caught on nightcrawlers.

Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on Tennessee shad grubs. Bass are fair on crawdad crank baits.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and all species are slow.

Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said water temperature is in the low 50s. Drum fishing is excellent on black/blue jigs at the base of jetties. Kentucky bass are doing well on jigs in 15 to 20 feet of water. Catfish are biting well in deep holes on whole shad.

Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said fishing has been on the slow side lately.

Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are biting well in 3-10 feet of water on minnows and assorted jigs. Catfish are biting well on live and prepared bait.

Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie are fair on yo-yos baited with minnows. Catfish are fair on live sunfish and cut bait.

Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said catfish are the best thing going on sunfish and shad fillets.

Palarm Creek: Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop said crappie fishing is fair on live pink minnows. Catfish are fair on trotlines baited with cut bait.

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said fishing is slow for all species.

Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and a little low. Crappie are being caught around brush in 6 feet of water on pink minnows and red/chartreuse jigs.

NORTH ARKANSAS

White River: Mountain River Fly Shop said the cold weather should mean plenty of water coming through the dam, which means the Upper End of the river will be host to a fair number of boats. Try to run up behind other fly fishers, don’t drive over their drift, get in line for a drift and don’t cut in. Then everyone can have some fun. Fishing has been very good on the White. The trout are definitely hungry. Red White Tails have been very popular, egg patterns continue to do well, particularly the Flashtail Mini Eggs and Unreal Eggs. Red Head Olive Woolly Buggers are working extremely well also.

Gaston’s White River Resort said trout anglers have seen many water conditions lately. Anytime between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., two to four units are generating. Around 9 a.m. until noon, the dam will shut down and the water level drops. However, the trout are still feeding during low water periods. The bulbous bivisible is working well for fly-fishermen where creeks run into the river. We also recommend the partridge and orange soft hackle, gold ribbed hare’s ear, copper john, copper zebra midge, Y2K bug, the sow bug and the draggin’ egg. During high water, try peach or white egg patterns, white and pink micro jigs and San Juan worms. Nightcrawlers are doing well for the bait anglers when the water is low. Yellow Power Bait has also been effective. Some other lures being used are No. 5 silver or gold floating Rapalas and Smithwick blue-backed Rogues. Any minnow-shaped lure has potential.

Sportsman’s White River Resort said water conditions are normal with heavy generation daily. Trout are biting very well on Power Bait and brown or white jigs.

McLellan’s Fly Shop said water levels have been squirrelly lately, but most days you can find low water if you know when they've open and shut the gates, and you know your river mileages. Best flies have been tan or copper scuds, sow bugs, golden unreal eggs, fluorescent orange flash-tail mini-eggs, micro mayflies, triple-B flashbacks, and various zebra midges.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 652.13 feet MSL.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 548.71 feet MSL.

Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) had no report.

101 Grocery and Bait said the surface water temperature is in the low 40s. Live bait trolled slowly under planer boards has worked well on stripers, but the bite is over by 8 a.m. The fish are holding in less than 50 feet of water. Walleye fishing has been slow, but jigging spoons and ice fishing jigs are doing a good job for some. Just remember do it slow. Crappie fishing has been fair using small minnows and jigs. White bass have been fair using jigs. Largemouth and smallmouth bass have been fair on deep-diving crankbaits and jigs.

Norfork Tailwater: Gene’s Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low with generation in the mornings. Trout fishing has been good on Power Bait and corn.

Mountain River Fly Shop said most reports off Norfork continue to be fair at best, with many smaller fish being caught. Wading was wide open this week with the warmer weather, but generation started yesterday with the cold front pushing through.

Small scuds (olive, gray and tan), McLellan’s hunchback, Davys sow bug (gray) and small Kaufmann’s (brown or olive) have been doing well. Zebras and super midges have been productive, as well as WD40s.

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guides said the generation pattern on the Norfork has been a mixed bag. We had a few days with no generation and some days with a brief period of heavy generation. This has created excellent wading conditions every day.

The Norfork has fished a bit better this week. There have been some reliable midge hatches in the afternoon. Anglers have done the best with Norfork beadheads in olive (size 18), and zebra midges in black with silver wire and silver beads and brown with copper wire and copper beads. When the fish are keying in on the midge emergers in the film, Dan’s turkey tail emerger (size 22) have been killer. To change things up, try large San Juan worms in red and worm brown and Y2Ks. They frequently tempt large trout. Dry Run Creek, as always, has been the place to take the kids fishing. The warm weekend drew out a few youngsters. Those few that showed up did exceptionally well. The hot fly was a size 14 sow bug. Other effective flies were olive woolly buggers and San Juan worms. Be sure and use at least 4X tippet and carefully pinch down those barbs.

McLellan’s Fly Shop said Norfork has run water for a couple hours per day. Try eggs and small olive scuds, and be sure to bring different midge pupae and emergers. Definitely bring BWO dries and emergers (spundun baetis, bat-wing emerger, and jujubaetis).

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,114.19 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass can be caught by using suspending jerk baits in bone or clown colors fished off points in the Clifty area. The river arms have produced a few bass on crawdad-colored jigs fished slowly along steep chunk rock banks. Crappie have been biting well up either river arm. Sidewalk hole, Blue Springs and Friendship Creek are all hot spots. Warm sunny days have been the best. Southern Pro tubes in red/chartreuse or black/chartreuse and minnows have been working best fished along timber or brush. White bass remain slow, but are biting along the deep side of main-lake points. Small jigging spoons should do the trick. Reports of striper action have been coming from Prairie Creek all the way to Point 12. Umbrella rigs with white grubs should do the trick trolled slowly behind the boat. Catfish are still biting along bluff lines. Cut shad and liver have worked well.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) reported that water conditions are normal. Crappie are biting well around brush on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on large spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Stripers are being caught on large minnows.

Beaver Tailwater: McLellan’s Fly Shop said Beaver Tailwater remains low most days despite the cold weather. As always this time of year, carry midge pupae in various colors and also tiny cream adults. There has been some fantastic BWO action lately, so be sure to have some spundun baetis or bat-wing emergers with you. Some big brown trout have been landed recently on streamers; throw as big a fly as your rod will allow – Sheila sculpins, ziwis or sculpzillas.

Ken Richards at Justfishinguides said trout are biting on midges. Black and silver zebra midges working best. Olive/gold and gray/blue midge pupae are working also. Suspend your fly just above the bottom. A slight breeze enhances the action of these flies and the bite seems to be better.

Lake SWEPCO:JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass are biting well all over the lake on live minnows. A crawdad-pattern jig has also been working. On calm mornings try fishing top-water with a pearl-colored soft jerk bait.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said not many anglers are available for a report.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) had no report.

Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said few anglers have been on the water. No report.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

CrownLake:Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass are biting well on jigs and Texas-rigged lizards.

Lake Frierson:Lake Frierson State Park said few anglers are on the water. No report.

Eleven-PointRiver: Woody’s Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) had no report.

SpringRiver: www.marksflyshop.com said mayfly and caddis hatches continue to grow. Stable weather will move in soon along with consistent fishing results.

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

Lake Chicot: Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) reported that water conditions are normal. Bream are excellent on wax worms. Crappie are biting well around the docks on minnows and jigs. A few bass are being caught on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is successful on about any kind of bait.

Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. All other species are fair.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 256.87 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 45 to 50 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is at 3-5 inches with 2-5 inch visibility in Little River. Current is 3,404 cubic feet per second. Both ramps at Paraloma, both ramps at Cotton Shed, the Saratoga ramp closest to the dike, and both ramps at Beards Bluff are unusable because of the drawdown. Winter drawdown has revealed many submerged objects at or just within inches of pool surface in boat lanes and Little River. Use extreme caution in navigation, many of the boat lanes during winter pool drawdown are now only 3-10 inches in overall depth in various places. Largemouth bass are biting well along Little River and her oxbows, with the best bites still during the heat of the day. Bass are relating to structure in Little River's deeper water, and are consistent over the past few weeks. There is not much reason to leave the river in search of bass. Pitching Texas-rigged Lil’ Critter Craws, 4" Southern Pro Flipping Tubes, Hog Assassins and Yum Wooly Bugs in Green Pumpkin, Watermelon/Red and Blackberry, or scumpernong-colored lizards to stumps close to deep water are drawing some strong largemouths up to 6 pounds each. Wacky-rigged Twitch Assassins and Charm Assassins, Senkos and Salty Rat Tails are taking some decent keeper bass. Rat-L-Traps, in the ¾-oz. or 1-oz. size, fished slower and deflecting on stumps along Little River are still taking keeper bass in 8-9 feet of water. The most productive colors are Red Shad, Red Chrome and Honey Bee. Stumps, cypress knees, and laydowns are the key during the day. Any points with stumps along Little River, between 10-15 feet deep seem to be the most consistent for crankbait bites. Bomber model As and Rebel Deep Wee R crankbaits in Bayou Bengal, Firetiger, or Secret Weapon colors are finding a few keepers. Schools of white bass are holding in very deep water off the river (18-28 feet), and hitting jigging spoons up Little River between Horseshoe Lake and White Cliff. Crappie almost completely shut down this week with the influx of fresh, muddy water. Channel catfish from 3-8 pounds are good on Catfish Charlie, cut baits or cut shad on trotlines and yo-yo's along the river and in oxbows hung from cypress trees in 10-15 feet water.

Local angler Dane Goodwin said the whites are beginning to get good. The water is extremely low and launching a boat in Little River at the Hwy. 59 landing is treacherous.

Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Bream are fair on wax worms. Crappie are biting well on jigs and shiners.

Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

White Oak Lake:White Oak Lake State Park said fishing has been slow for catfish and bass. Crappie are biting both live and artificial baits. The lake is extremely clear but lake levels are stable.

Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 542.25 feet MSL.

Lakeside Grocery reported bass are biting well in 8 to 10 feet of water on crankbaits.

Little Missouri River:Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri Fly Fishing said

DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 401.26 feet MSL.

DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) reported that water conditions are about normal. Bream are being caught in 20 to 30 feet of water around points on red wigglers and nightcrawlers. Crappie fishing is good in 15 to 25 feet of water around brush and grassy points on jigs and live bait. Black and Kentucky bass are being caught on crankbaits and jigs with pork trailers. Catfish are slow, but can be caught in deeper water on live bait.

WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle: Bill’s Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) reported that the water is a little muddy and at normal level. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair around shorelines on top-water lures. Black bass are being caught on spoons and jigs. Catfish are fair on punch bait and shad.

Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 387.38 feet MSL.

CNC’s End of the Line (479-947-2398) said water conditions are normal. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. A few catfish are being caught on liver.

Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is a little dingy and at a normal level. Crappie can be caught deep on minnows and jigs. White bass are fair on minnows. Catfish are fair on cut bait.

Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 573.13 feet MSL.

Lake Ouachita State Park reports that fishing has picked up. Water temperature is in the high 40s. Stripers are being caught on top-water lures such as Spook Jrs., spooning with CC spoons and trolling with crankbaits. Bass fishing is fair on finesse worms and spinnerbaits near structure. A few bream and crappie can be found in various areas.

Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said last weekend’s tournament at Lake Ouachita was very successful. Anglers did well on jigs, Rat-L-Traps and crankbaits around main-lake points.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and at 42-48 degrees. Largemouth bass are good and can be caught with Deep Little N’s and lipless crankbaits on main-lake points and secondary points. Walleye are slow on spoons over humps and main-lake points with brush. Stripers are very good on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. Smoke or pearl-colored grubs are working as well. Crappie are good and being caught over grass and brush. Try large moss flats and brush in water 15 to 25 feet deep.

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said bass fishing has been good on deep trees near the edges of drop-offs. Working a black/blue or green pumpkin ½ to 3/4-oz. jig through treetops has produced well. Large Rat-L-Traps and ¾-oz. shad-colored spinnerbaits worked slowly around the timber are also picking up some fish.

Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that rainbow trout fishing below Carpenter Dam remains excellent. Water temperature is holding at 45 degrees in the tailrace, but drops as much as 5 degrees as you approach the dam. Guided trips are the safest way to navigate the area and are still catching more than 50 fish an outing with numbers over 100 not unusual. Bank fishermen are quickly recording limits of trout on corn and redworms floated under a bobber. Also these baits can be fished on the bottom with marshmallows to float them toward the surface. Spin fishermen are catching larger trout by casting Rooster Tails and Super Dupers during generation. Artificial baits are highly effective when the turbines are turning as the trout are feeding heavily on threadfin shad. When generation stops fishermen should concentrate on areas with some visible current. Fly fishermen always stick to this technique and consistently catch fish. Woolly buggers, micro-jigs and San Juan worms fished in current will all draw strikes regardless of weather conditions. Striper and hybrid activity has been adversely effected by the on and off winter conditions but some fish have been caught on 1"4-oz. jigs in the main river channel below the bridge. The walleye run has begun as numbers of male walleye arrive to prepare for females.

Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fishing good with some decent fish being caught on crayfish-colored crankbaits in 10-15 feet of water around brush piles. Vertically jigging a ½-oz. spoon will catch a variety of fish in 20-30 feet of water. Crappie, walleye, Kentucky bass, white bass and yellow bass are all gathered up together on mid-lake humps and ridges.

Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is murky and a little high. Crappie fishing is good in 12 to 14 feet of water on minnows. Bass are biting well on crankbaits.

Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is very muddy since the tornado hit, and fishing has been slow.

SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Moro Bay: Moro Bay State Park said the water is clear and dropping. Crappie can be caught around docks in the bay on minnows and jigs.

EAST ARKANSAS

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on wax worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on crankbaits and top-water lures. Catfish can be caught on worms, nightcrawlers and cut shad.

White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report.

Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) had no report.

Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) reported that water conditions are normal. No fishing report.

Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said water conditions are excellent. Bream fishing is good in shallow water on worms and crickets. Crappie are being caught around piers on minnows and jigs. Catfish are good on cut bait and stink bait.

12-16-2007

Arkansas River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the Arkansas River stages are: Trimble Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 13): Headwater 391.61 feet, Tailwater 371.99 feet, Flow 10,150 cubic feet per second Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater 372.26 feet, Tailwater 338.51 feet Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater 337.68 feet, Tailwater 285.44 feet Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater 284.95 feet, Tailwater 265.46 feet, Flow 16,638 cubic feet per second Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater 265.17 feet, Tailwater 251.45 feet Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater 250.33 feet, Tailwater 231.33 feet, Flow 12,760 cubic feet per second Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater 231.22 feet, Tailwater 212.83 feet, Flow 13,910 cubic feet per second Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater 196.18 feet, Tailwater 182.72 feet Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater 182.12 feet, Tailwater 163.78 feet Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater 162.89 feet, Tailwater 123.97 feet, Flow 16,339 cubic feet per second.

White River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages are:

2.4 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage 19 feet)
6.5 feet at Batesville (flood stage 15 feet)
2.3 feet at Newport (flood stage 26 feet)
14 feet at Augusta (flood stage 26 feet)
1.8 feet at Georgetown (flood stage 21 feet)
12.6 feet at Clarendon (flood stage 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Fishing for channel catfish has been good in community ponds on chicken livers fished on the bottom. Bream are being caught with redworms and nightcrawlers in mid-day. Hybrid striped bass will be stocked in designated ponds when water temperatures fall below 64 degrees. Rainbow trout will be stocked in the Fort Smith, Springdale, Rogers and Jonesboro ponds by Nov. 3 with a trout kick-off event held at Murphy Pond in Springdale Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. Trout will be stocked in the other community ponds by the first week of December. For more information, call the fish stocking hotline, 1-866-540-FISH(3474) toll-free.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said water conditions are normal and cooling. A few bream have been caught on crickets. Crappie fishing has picked up a lot on pink minnows and white or chartreuse jigs. Some bass have been seen schooling near the main channel.

Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is clear and at normal level. Generation is at an absolute minimum. Trout fishing has been really good on chartreuse Power Bait, buoyant spoons, and black or olive marabou jigs.

Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House stopped daily scheduled releases on Oct. 16, and this protocol should continue until further notice. The lake level is 5 feet below top power pool, so some days will have no hydroelectric power generation and other days will feature small releases. The brown trout spawn is almost upon us. Browns in full spawn colors are being seen every day. Many of the males have kiped (hooked) jaws and the females are full of eggs. Most staged brown trout are in the pools above and below the shoals. When they move onto the shoals, the spawn will be on. Watch where you put your feet and don't walk through the redds (a fish nest). Try to stay at least one long cast away from the nearest angler. Blue winged olives, caddis and midges continue to hatch every day along the Little Red. The caddis population is increasing while the sulphur and pale morning dun hatches are decreasing. The best dry flies include caddis (size 18-20), midges (size 22-24), BWO (size 18-22) and Adams (size 18-20). Sub-surface flies that are working well are egg patterns (size 14 salmon), sow bugs (size 14-16, light gray or peacock), zebra midges (size 16-22, red or black), pheasant tail (size 16) and wooly buggers (size 10-12, olive or black).

Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 457.11 feet MSL.

Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said hybrid fishing continues to be very good with catches of 50-100 fish a day. They can be caught on top as well as with a Buckshot Spinner or a Rite Bite jigging spoon around 35 to 43 feet deep all around the lake. Crappie are biting well with the better catches coming at night under lights in about 15 feet of water. Catfish are biting well with many large blue cats coming in on jugs. Walleye can be caught in various areas with the most consistent bite being around feeding hybrids and whites on spoons. Bass fishing is improving every day, even with all the pressure. Many bass are being caught around schooling fish on spoons, topwaters and jerk baits. When the action slows you can depend on a deep jig or Carolina rig to catch all three species of black bass as well.

Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass fishing is fair on minnows and worms.

Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is at normal levels. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is pretty good on nightcrawlers.

Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is decent on redworms. Crappie fishing is good in shallow water using salt-and-pepper-colored jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on liver and shad.

Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on crickets. A few bass have been caught on clear top-water lures.

Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on Tennessee shad jigs. Bass fishing is good on top-water lures.

Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the weather has kept many anglers off the river lately. Many anglers are finding that the river bottom has shifted from the high current, increasing the need for boaters to go slowly when outside of the navigation buoys. Largemouth bass have moved to the backwaters and shallows and are biting well on white or shad-colored shallow-running crankbaits. Some white bass are schooling in the late afternoon where the shad have gathered near warmer water. Spooks and shallow-diving crankbaits are working well. Catfishing is good on whole shad fished 15 to 30 feet deep. Stripers are fair below dams nine and 10 and along sand bars where shad are schooled up. Wobble spoons with a 4-inch grub trailer are working fairly well. Kentucky bass are on the rocks and can be caught in late afternoon on white spinnerbaits and Rooster Tails.

Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish 'N Stuff said the water is clear and low with slow current. Crappie fishing is starting to pick up with the cooler weather. Bass fishing has slowed, but bass can still be caught on brush hogs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits in the early hours.

Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing has slowed somewhat, but there's a very good flipping bite with some good fish being caught. A black/blue jig bounced along rock jetties is working well on largemouth.

Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water conditions are poor and high. Bream are being caught in 2-4 feet of water around the banks on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is picking up on minnows and assorted jigs. Catfishing is good on live and prepared bait.

Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is not running, which has caused all fishing to be slow.

Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is muddy and low. Crappie fishing is good in 4-5 feet of water on pink minnows. Bass fishing is good in 3 feet of water on white spinnerbaits. Peckerwood Lake: Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) said all fishing is slow and the landing is closing until next spring.

NORTH ARKANSAS

White River: Gaston's White River Resort said Eagle Claw Nitro Worms are still reeling in great catches. Pink, orange, and white are good colors to try (This bait is scented and cannot be used in the Catch-and-Release Area.). The most popular baits the guides are using are live nightcrawlers and redworms. Artificial lures that are catching trout well are red/gold Buoyant Spoons, and gold/nickel Colorado Spoons. Silver or Rainbow patterned countdown Rapalas are hit or miss, but can bring in a wall-hanger.

Sportsman's White River Resort said the generators are running, but less during the week. Trout fishing has been good on silver spoons, red worms, and Power Bait. Fly fishing is good on zebra midges.

Angler's White River Resort said the water is clear and normal. The generators are running in the late afternoon. Trout fishing has been very good on Power Bait, spinnerbaits, and Rapalas.

Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 649.22 feet MSL.

Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) said fishing has been very tough for the last week and fall turnover is right around the corner. Surface water temperature in the low 70s and high 60s. Kentucky bass are suspended along bluffs dropping to the 80-foot range. Live minnows and nightcrawlers are working fairly well on the points and bluff walls. Top-water lures will catch fish in the early mornings, and it's good to have a topwater ready at all times for random breaking fish. Kentucky and largemouth bass are biting well on spoons in deep standing timber. Walleye have been non-existent for the last week or so. Crappie are picking up and can be caught on brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water on slip bobbers baited with a minnow.

Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.55 feet MSL.

Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair in deep water on worms and crickets. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and top-water baits. Stripers are biting well on top-waters fished in 40-50 feet of water. Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said water conditions are normal. The generators are running in the afternoons. Trout fishing has been excellent on yellow Power Bait and wax worms.

NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,115.03 feet MSL.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and low. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie fishing is excellent in 8-12 feet of water around brush piles on minnows and tube jigs. Bass are biting well in 5-10 feet of water around the banks on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and spoons. A few catfish have been caught on trotlines and jug lines on shad and live bream. Striper fishing is good on shad, Roadrunners, and white or chartreuse jigs.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said water conditions are normal. A few crappie have been caught trolling around brush piles. Bass fishing is good on top-water lures and jigs.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said fishing is slow for all species. Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is at normal level for this time of year. Bream and bass are both biting well on minnows.

NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is a little murky and low. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. A few catfish have been caught on liver.

Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said all species are slow.

Eleven-Point River: Woody's Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said all fishing is slow

SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS

Lake Chicot: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on wax worms. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Catfishing has been good on worms and crickets.

Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said water conditions are about normal. Crappie fishing is good trolling with minnows and jigs. Catfishing is decent on worms or minnows.

SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.30 feet MSL.

Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 62 to 67 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is at 2-3 inches. Current has decreased to 386 cubic feet per second.

The activity of largemouth bass and white bass has declined, with schooling activities tapering off because of muddy water and current increase in the river. The bass bite has been consistent and very good on swimming jig heads with Bass Assassin Curly Shad trailers and Rat-L-Traps all morning, but this changed with the cold rains. Rat-L-Traps in diamond dust, white or chrome/blue, white Little Georges, and white/chartreuse Rocket Shads are very effective on random schooling bass. The schooling activity should fire back up as the water continues clearing this week. The best jig-and-pig bite seems to be shifting from peanut butter and jelly to Texas Craw colors. White noisy buzzbaits were working last week, but with the last two cold fronts moving in, the buzzbait bite has died. The Bass Assassin Shad jerkbait bite has taken a back seat to the rattling lipless crankbaits as well. Texas-rigged 10-inch worms, in junebug/red, black grape, or blue fleck are still taking some nice keepers on cypress stumps close to grass and remaining pads in 6-9 feet of water. Good areas for white bass are in Horseshoe, Mud and McGuire oxbows, along the most clear water you can find, and also in Hurricane Creek and Cemetery Slough. Crappie were shallow two weeks ago, roaming in and out of the cypress trees 3-8 feet deep, but shut off with the muddy water. Channel Catfish are fair on cut shad, minnows and Catfish Charlie on trotlines and yo-yos set 6-9 feet deep along the river and in oxbows.

Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is excellent in 6-10 ft of water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on plastic worms. Catfishing is fair on worms.

Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs in shallow water. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms. Some catfish have been caught on worms.

White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park said the water is cooling and the water level is stable after the recent rainfall. Crappie and bream are biting fairly well on minnows. The catfish are hitting prepared bait very well. Bass are biting well on live bait.

Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 535.86 feet MSL.

Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said crappie are biting very well at all depths on planted brush piles. Bass are biting fairly well on rocky points. Some catfish are being caught on jug lines.

DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 394.72 feet MSL. Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing is still excellent on hybrids and black bass in the lower section of the lake near the state park. Top-water lures are working well on breaking fish from sunup to around 9 a.m. After the surface activity stops, Carolina rigs and jigs fished in the outside edge of the grass are working well until around noon.

WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is clear and low. A few crappie have been caught in 10-12 feet of water on tube jigs. Bass fishing is good in shallow water on crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

Bill's Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said the water is a little muddy and low. A few crappie have been caught on jigs. Bass fishing is fair in deeper water on crankbaits and jigs. Catfishing is good on stink bait and shad.

Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 384.36 feet MSL.

CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water is a little muddy and low. Bream fishing is good on worms. Crappie fishing has been excellent on minnows and jigs. A few bass have been caught on a variety of lures. Catfishing is good on worms, liver and large minnows.

Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clearing up and at a normal level. Bream fishing has been good on crickets and nightcrawlers. Crappie fishing is good on minnows. A few bass have been caught on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good below the dam on minnows and nightcrawlers.

Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 568.19 feet MSL.

Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing is good with some nice stringers of Kentucky bass coming from creek channels on spoons. There are some breaking fish, but overall the bite is spotty. Fishing is good flipping a 34- to 1-ounce jig in dense grass around 15 to 17 feet deep. Stripers are hit-and-miss but should be picking up soon. Crappie are fair on the outside edge of the grass.

Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and at 70 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well on finesse worms, spoons and spooks on main lake points and secondary points. Spotted bass are biting excellently on live crawfish around brush in 15 to 25 feet of water. Walleye are biting well on spoons and crankbaits fished over brush on main lake points and humps. Stripers are excellent on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. Top-water action is picking up. Bream are slowing down, but are still biting well on crickets and worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are biting very well over grass and brush in deeper water. Try large moss flats and brush 20 to 35 feet deep. Minnows and crappie grubs are working best. Catfish are biting well on live and cut bait fished from jugs in 20 to 25 feet of water.

Lake Catherine:Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the winter drawdown will begin Nov. 3-8. The initial draw will be 5 feet, but an additional 3 feet will be taken Nov. 18-21, so work can be performed on the dam. This water will be returned to the initial 5-foot level in December and back to normal levels in early March. Rainbow trout stockings will begin in mid-November, so fishing will greatly improve during winter.

Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing is mostly unchanged from last week. The bass bite is good in the mornings on crayfish-colored crankbaits. When the sun is high, switch to a Carolina-rigged Berkley Beast on main lake points. Some fish are being caught along the docks on jigs as well.

Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on worms and liver.

Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on worms and liver. Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 342.17 feet MSL.

SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Moro Bay: Moro Bay State Park said water conditions are normal. Crappie are hitting on crawfish colored jigs. A few catfish are being caught on trotlines.

EAST ARKANSAS

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is a little murky and at a normal level. Bream fishing is good in deeper water on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and plastic worms.

White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and about 6 feet low. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits, plastic worms and Senkos.

Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said all fishing has been slow lately.

Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said all fishing has been slow. Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good around the piers on black/chartreuse jigs. Bass fishing is good on top-water lures fished over grassy areas. Catfishing is excellent on small shad and red hot dogs strung from trotlines.

Provided by: http://www.kansasangler.com/arreport.html