10-20-2007, 12:10 AM
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake is clear and at a normal level. Some bream are being caught on wax worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is picking up on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good on top-water baits. Some catfish have been caught on jugs and trotlines.
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is normal. Generators are still running in the afternoons. Trout fishing has been excellent on chartreuse Power Bait and Power Eggs, wax worms, lures and olive or brown marabou jigs.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said generators are releasing small amounts of water mid-afternoon. About half of the capacity of one generator has been the norm (2200 CFS) with generation lasting one to three hours. Caddis, blue-winged olives and midges continue to hatch all along the river, especially late afternoons and evenings. Trout have been seen rising to hatches as late as 10 p.m. This, in part, explains why our trout are lethargic in the morning. They are not feeding early the next day because they are not hungry. When they are actively feeding, you will find that the following dry flies work well: Caddis (sizes 18-20, tan), BWO (sizes 18-22), midges (sizes 22-24) and Adams (sizes 18-20). Sub-surface flies that attract trout include sow bugs (sizes 14-16, light gray, tan, purple haze or peacock), zebra midges (sizes 16-22, red or black), pheasant tails (size 16), princes (size 16), P&O or Chuck's emergers (size 16) and wooly buggers (sizes 10-12, olive or black). Egg patterns in size 14 (salmon color) are taking fish everywhere because of the rather significant rainbow spawn that is currently underway.<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 457.03 feet MSL.<br />
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 have continued to get better 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.<br />
Shiloh Marina said the water is clear and fishing has been slow with few anglers on the lake.<br />
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said lake conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass fishing is good on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on large minnows.<br />
Beaverfork Lake: The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department said fishing has been extremely slow.<br />
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is clear and low. Crappie are beginning to bite around the banks. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on liver and large minnows.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said lake conditions are normal. Some bream have been caught on crickets. Crappie fishing is good on small minnows. Bass fishing is pretty good on top-water baits and plastic worms. A few catfish have been caught on live bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Brewer Lake: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Bass fishing is fair on top-water baits. Catfish are being caught on live bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the river is clear and at a normal level. The fishing has been very poor.<br />
Lake Maumelle: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie is the best thing going on minnows in deep water.<br />
Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said catfish are the best thing going on liver and nightcrawlers.<br />
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is normal. Bream are being caught on crickets in 8-10 feet of water. Bass fishing is good on top-water baits.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the river is muddy and a little high. Crappie fishing is fair around brush on chartreuse Rooster Tails. Bass fishing is good on chartreuse spinnerbaits.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Kentucky bass are biting well on crayfish, jigs and mud bug-colored crankbaits. White bass are doing well on shad and Rooster Tails. Catfish are biting well on whole shad. Bream fishing is good on black Rooster Tails and crickets. Crappie fishing is good in 4-8 feet of water on red or yellow jigs.<br />
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish "˜N Stuff said the river is still low with a slow current. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and jigs in the backwaters.<br />
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Catfishing is good on trotlines.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear, but has no current at all, which has made fishing extremely slow.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and low. A few bream have been caught on crickets in 5-8 feet of water. Crappie fishing is good in 4-5 feet of water on minnows. Bass fishing is fair in 3-4 feet of water in grassy areas on spinnerbaits.<br />
Peckerwood Lake: Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) said lake conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits and top-water baits. Catifishing is good on liver.
NORTH ARKANSAS<br />
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said the generators have been shut down in the morning, but later in the day, one or two units have been on. With any amount of flow, fly-fishing or spin fishing for trophy trout has been very good. Trout can be caught on a variety of different lures. The most common bait is two Power Eggs or a pink rubber worm with a single yellow or white power egg called the "Barbie Bait," set up on a White River rig. Red/gold buoyant spoons and small spinners are very effective when generators are running. When the generators really get going, switch to Countdown Rapalas, pearl shad Excalibur's and pink, green, or brown jigs. Fly-fishermen are still having excellent catches with 1/64-ounce chrome dome pink jigs under a large strike indicator. Rising trophy browns have also been hitting Hank's Bulbous Bivisible or Hank's Quick Sight Ant. When throwing jigs, remember to set the strike indicator where the jig is 1-2 inches off the bottom.<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort said the water is clear and normal. The generators are completely shut off, but fishing for trout is still pretty good on Power Bait. Fly fishing is very slow.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 649.95 feet MSL.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) said the water temperature has dropped to 77-79 degrees, depending on location. There has been a really good bite as of late, with all of the guides bringing in some terrific stingers of fish, mostly Kentucky bass, but the crappie have been turning on as well. Live bait has been working the best on bass and walleye, especially nightcrawlers on split shot rigs. The fish have been suspending over deep water and can be found on bluff ends and long points near deep drop offs. Deep water refers to water anywhere from 55 to 120 feet with the fish suspended at 40 to 50 feet. There is a good top-water bite in the morning, but keep a small top-water lure ready as schools of fish can start feeding through out the day. Jigging spoons have been very productive on bass and walleye. The walleye bite has been best at early morning and dusk. Look for schools of shad on your graph and work your lure though them. Also, try casting your spoon with a sinking and retrieving motion.<br />
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.59 feet MSL.<br />
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and low. Crappie fishing is good in about 20 feet of water around brush on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is decent on spinnerbaits, jigs and finesse worms. Stripers are being caught on top-water baits and spoons.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and normal. Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing has been good on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, corn and a variety of jigs.<br />
Mountain River Fly Shop said the best wade fishing in the area has been on Norfork, which has basically been shut down from dawn until mid-afternoon. Norfork Lake is close to turning over, which will slow the fishing for a while. Midges, scuds and buggers have been the fare of choice and there are some big fish out there. Copper beadhead zebra midges have been killer, whether you are using a black body or a brown body. Red zebra midges have also been doing well when the sun gets high. Don't forget the small stuff - olive WD40s, tungsten rainbow warriors and Craven's poison tung on these sunny days. Black woollies were all the talk earlier this week. Every other angler through the store had a tale to tell about fishing black woollies. Most were swinging and stripping the buggers across the noses of rising fish.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,115.11 feet MSL.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream fishing has been good on crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is starting to pick up on top-water baits and drop shots.<br />
Wiegmann's Guide Service (479-756-5279) said the water is clear in the mid-lake and dam areas. Bass fishing has been decent, but is better at night for anglers. The most effective baits have been crankbaits, black Jitterbugs, dark-colored worms and spinnerbaits. Some small bass are being caught during the day using buzz baits. Some stripers can be caught on shad and shiners.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good early on crankbaits.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said all species are slow.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is muddy and at a normal level. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows. A few bass are being caught on minnows and lures. Catfishing is fair on live bait.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and low with a temperature in the lower 70s. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on liver and nightcrawlers.<br />
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and low. Catfish are the best thing going on liver and nightcrawlers.<br />
Eleven-Point River: Woody's Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said the river is clear and at a normal level. All species are still slow<br />
Spring River: Many Islands Camp (870-856-3451) said the water is clear and normal. Trout fishing has been excellent using Rooster Tails, spinnerbaits and salmon eggs.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Chicot: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) lake conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on wax worms and crickets. A few crappie are being caught on minnow and jigs. Bass fishing is good on top-water baits. Catfishing is good on worms.<br />
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is normal. Crappie is the best thing going on minnows and jigs.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.59 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 72 to 75 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is at 2 to 3 inches because of wind. Current is at 1,159 cubic feet per second. Largemouth bass and white bass continue schooling in many locations along Little River, and her oxbows, from mid- to late morning and again near dusk. The bass bite remains excellent on swimming jig heads with Bass Assassin Curly Shad trailers and on Rat-L-Traps early in the morning. Schooling bass are hitting a variety of minnow-imitating top-water lures as well. Salt-n-pepper or smoke-colored grubs on a 1/8- to 3/8-ounce jig head are working the best when swum from 3" to 6 feet deep. The schools are surfacing when the wind picks up and dropping to the bottom when the surface is calm. Follow the school with your electronics and you should be able to catch fish on spoons and Rocket Shads up to a half-hour after the surface action stops. The best jig bite is still on peanut butter and jelly color with black/blue pork or plastic chunks fished along stumps near intersections between the main river and creek channels. Texas-rigged 10-inch worms in junebug/red, plum, blue ice and sour grape are also catching some good bass in the same areas. Spot remover and firecracker colored War Eagle spinnerbaits are still taking good keeper-sized bass around any remaining lily pad stems and vegetation. Crappie are biting fairly well along Little River on live shiners and hair jigs, but are scattered and shallow, at 3-7 feet in trees and lily pads. Channel catfish are biting well with the improved current in Little River. Some keeper channel cats were caught over the past few days, up to 7 and 8 pounds each, using Catfish Charlie, goldfish and cut bait on trotlines and yo-yos.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on crickets, and crappie fishing is good on jigs.<br />
Sportsman's One Stop (870-863-7248) said crappie fishing has been good on jigs. Bass are biting well on watermelon-colored worms.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Catfishing is good on shiners.<br />
White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park said the fishing on White Oak Lake continues to improve. Bass are being caught on live bait in the early morning. Fishing for catfish is good on live and prepared bait. The water temperature is stable and the water is clear.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 535.57 feet MSL.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said Lake Greeson's water temperature and level are holding fairly steady with water temperature around 80 degrees. The crappie are showing up on brush piles better than weeks prior and the cooling trend should stack them up even better. Recently, crappie have been caught on brush piles in 18-28 feet of water with most fish suspended at 15-18 feet. The crappie are starting to become more aggressive, and will hit jigs as well as minnows. Spotted bass are still being caught on rocky points off the main channel.<br />
Little Missouri River: Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri Fly Fishing said evening fishing is nothing short of excellent on sub-surface flies such as the smidge pattern. The front came through, but bright, sunny skies are still the order of the day. When you can get a little breeze to add some chop to the water, try a light Cahill.<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 394.82 feet MSL.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said the lake is clear and low. The temperature is in the mid 70s. Bream can be caught in 20-25 feet of water on redworms and crickets. Crappie are biting in 15-20 feet of water on live bait. Bass fishing is good on Carolina rigs, worms, jigs and early and late they can be caught on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Some catfish have been caught on noodles and live bait.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is clear and normal. Crappie fishing is good in 12-15 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing has been good on crankbaits and plastic worms.<br />
Bill's Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said the water is muddy and low. Crappie fishing is good around brush on minnows and jigs. Bass are being caught on buzzing toads. Catfish are being caught on shad in shallow water.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 384.34 feet MSL.<br />
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water is a little muddy and at a normal level. A few bream have been caught on worms. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms and jigs. Catfishing has been good on worms, minnows, and liver.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is normal. Bream fishing is fair on crickets and nightcrawlers. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on cut bait, nightcrawlers and minnows. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Striper fishing is good below the dam.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 568.18 feet MSL.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said breaking action is very spotty, but there is some surface feeding very early. At mid-morning, a drop-shot rig or Carolina rig is working well along the outside edge of the grass with quite a few fish being caught. Although it's a slight bit slower, the larger fish are biting well on 1-ounce jigs flipped to the outside edge of the grass. Stripers are slow. No report on crappie or bream.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 76 to 80 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass are biting well and can still be caught on buzzbaits, Rooster Tails and Spooks on main lake points and secondary points. Top-water buzzing toads are still getting good results fished over and around moss beds. Spotted bass are excellent on live crawfish fished near brush 15- to 25-feet deep. Walleye are biting well on spoons and crankbaits fished over humps and main lake points with brush piles. Stripers are very good on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. Top-water action is picking up but is still one or two weeks from being very good. Bream are good on crickets and worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are good and are being caught over grass and brush in deep water. Try large moss flats and brush in water 20- to 35-feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Arkansas shad, Tennessee shad and white are still the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are good on live bait and cut bait in 20 to 25 feet of water on jugs and trotlines.<br />
Lake Catherine: Diamondhead Marina (501-262-2272) said lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Bass fishing is picking up around the shorelines on top-water baits.<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the rainbow trout stocking program will begin again on November 16. These fish will be 11 inches and longer and are in good condition and ready to be fished for. As previously reported, the trout population at Carpenter Dam is minimal at best with most of the tailrace water over 70 degrees. With the winter drawdown beginning November 3, remaining trout will be forced completely out of the area. Since the majority of threadfin shad have migrated out of the tailrace area, the striper and hybrid activity has been almost non-existent.<br />
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said small fish are breaking early in the morning and active.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is clear and at a normal level. A few bream have been caught on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good in deep water on minnows. Bass are schooling and the fishing is good. Catfish are biting well on shiners and goldfish.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is murky and high. Bream fishing has been good on crickets. Crappie fishing is picking up on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on trotlines and yo-yos in deep water. A few large bass have been caught, but most of the action has been on small fish.<br />
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 342.13 feet MSL.<br />
Bait N' More (479-272-4025) said the water is at a normal level and murky. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and chartreuse or black jigs. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on worms and minnows.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Felsenthal: Sportsman's One Stop said the water is normal. Crappie is the best thing going on jigs and shiners.<br />
Felsenthal (Jones Lake): Russell Ice & Tackle (870-797-2993) said lake conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are starting to hit on watermelon/red plastic worms.
EAST ARKANSAS<br />
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is murky. Bream fishing is good on wax worms and crickets. A few crappie are starting to bite on minnows and jigs. A few catfish have been caught on nightcrawlers.<br />
River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said river conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair around the banks on red wigglers and crickets. Bass fishing is fair on crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfish are being caught in about 30 feet of water on cut shad.<br />
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and low. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows and jigs. Kentucky and white bass are hitting on crankbaits.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is almost back to normal. A few bream have been caught on crickets. Bass are biting on plastic worms.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said the lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Crappie fishing is excellent trolling on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs. Bass fishing has been good in shallow water around grassy areas on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is also good on trotlines with cut bait or nightcrawlers.
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is normal. Generators are still running in the afternoons. Trout fishing has been excellent on chartreuse Power Bait and Power Eggs, wax worms, lures and olive or brown marabou jigs.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said generators are releasing small amounts of water mid-afternoon. About half of the capacity of one generator has been the norm (2200 CFS) with generation lasting one to three hours. Caddis, blue-winged olives and midges continue to hatch all along the river, especially late afternoons and evenings. Trout have been seen rising to hatches as late as 10 p.m. This, in part, explains why our trout are lethargic in the morning. They are not feeding early the next day because they are not hungry. When they are actively feeding, you will find that the following dry flies work well: Caddis (sizes 18-20, tan), BWO (sizes 18-22), midges (sizes 22-24) and Adams (sizes 18-20). Sub-surface flies that attract trout include sow bugs (sizes 14-16, light gray, tan, purple haze or peacock), zebra midges (sizes 16-22, red or black), pheasant tails (size 16), princes (size 16), P&O or Chuck's emergers (size 16) and wooly buggers (sizes 10-12, olive or black). Egg patterns in size 14 (salmon color) are taking fish everywhere because of the rather significant rainbow spawn that is currently underway.<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 457.03 feet MSL.<br />
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 have continued to get better 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.<br />
Shiloh Marina said the water is clear and fishing has been slow with few anglers on the lake.<br />
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said lake conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass fishing is good on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on large minnows.<br />
Beaverfork Lake: The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department said fishing has been extremely slow.<br />
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is clear and low. Crappie are beginning to bite around the banks. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on liver and large minnows.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said lake conditions are normal. Some bream have been caught on crickets. Crappie fishing is good on small minnows. Bass fishing is pretty good on top-water baits and plastic worms. A few catfish have been caught on live bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Brewer Lake: Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Bass fishing is fair on top-water baits. Catfish are being caught on live bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the river is clear and at a normal level. The fishing has been very poor.<br />
Lake Maumelle: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie is the best thing going on minnows in deep water.<br />
Lake Valencia: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said catfish are the best thing going on liver and nightcrawlers.<br />
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is normal. Bream are being caught on crickets in 8-10 feet of water. Bass fishing is good on top-water baits.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the river is muddy and a little high. Crappie fishing is fair around brush on chartreuse Rooster Tails. Bass fishing is good on chartreuse spinnerbaits.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Kentucky bass are biting well on crayfish, jigs and mud bug-colored crankbaits. White bass are doing well on shad and Rooster Tails. Catfish are biting well on whole shad. Bream fishing is good on black Rooster Tails and crickets. Crappie fishing is good in 4-8 feet of water on red or yellow jigs.<br />
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish "˜N Stuff said the river is still low with a slow current. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and jigs in the backwaters.<br />
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Catfishing is good on trotlines.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear, but has no current at all, which has made fishing extremely slow.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and low. A few bream have been caught on crickets in 5-8 feet of water. Crappie fishing is good in 4-5 feet of water on minnows. Bass fishing is fair in 3-4 feet of water in grassy areas on spinnerbaits.<br />
Peckerwood Lake: Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) said lake conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits and top-water baits. Catifishing is good on liver.
NORTH ARKANSAS<br />
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said the generators have been shut down in the morning, but later in the day, one or two units have been on. With any amount of flow, fly-fishing or spin fishing for trophy trout has been very good. Trout can be caught on a variety of different lures. The most common bait is two Power Eggs or a pink rubber worm with a single yellow or white power egg called the "Barbie Bait," set up on a White River rig. Red/gold buoyant spoons and small spinners are very effective when generators are running. When the generators really get going, switch to Countdown Rapalas, pearl shad Excalibur's and pink, green, or brown jigs. Fly-fishermen are still having excellent catches with 1/64-ounce chrome dome pink jigs under a large strike indicator. Rising trophy browns have also been hitting Hank's Bulbous Bivisible or Hank's Quick Sight Ant. When throwing jigs, remember to set the strike indicator where the jig is 1-2 inches off the bottom.<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort said the water is clear and normal. The generators are completely shut off, but fishing for trout is still pretty good on Power Bait. Fly fishing is very slow.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 649.95 feet MSL.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) said the water temperature has dropped to 77-79 degrees, depending on location. There has been a really good bite as of late, with all of the guides bringing in some terrific stingers of fish, mostly Kentucky bass, but the crappie have been turning on as well. Live bait has been working the best on bass and walleye, especially nightcrawlers on split shot rigs. The fish have been suspending over deep water and can be found on bluff ends and long points near deep drop offs. Deep water refers to water anywhere from 55 to 120 feet with the fish suspended at 40 to 50 feet. There is a good top-water bite in the morning, but keep a small top-water lure ready as schools of fish can start feeding through out the day. Jigging spoons have been very productive on bass and walleye. The walleye bite has been best at early morning and dusk. Look for schools of shad on your graph and work your lure though them. Also, try casting your spoon with a sinking and retrieving motion.<br />
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.59 feet MSL.<br />
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and low. Crappie fishing is good in about 20 feet of water around brush on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is decent on spinnerbaits, jigs and finesse worms. Stripers are being caught on top-water baits and spoons.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and normal. Rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing has been good on nightcrawlers, Power Bait, corn and a variety of jigs.<br />
Mountain River Fly Shop said the best wade fishing in the area has been on Norfork, which has basically been shut down from dawn until mid-afternoon. Norfork Lake is close to turning over, which will slow the fishing for a while. Midges, scuds and buggers have been the fare of choice and there are some big fish out there. Copper beadhead zebra midges have been killer, whether you are using a black body or a brown body. Red zebra midges have also been doing well when the sun gets high. Don't forget the small stuff - olive WD40s, tungsten rainbow warriors and Craven's poison tung on these sunny days. Black woollies were all the talk earlier this week. Every other angler through the store had a tale to tell about fishing black woollies. Most were swinging and stripping the buggers across the noses of rising fish.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,115.11 feet MSL.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream fishing has been good on crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is starting to pick up on top-water baits and drop shots.<br />
Wiegmann's Guide Service (479-756-5279) said the water is clear in the mid-lake and dam areas. Bass fishing has been decent, but is better at night for anglers. The most effective baits have been crankbaits, black Jitterbugs, dark-colored worms and spinnerbaits. Some small bass are being caught during the day using buzz baits. Some stripers can be caught on shad and shiners.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good early on crankbaits.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said all species are slow.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is muddy and at a normal level. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows. A few bass are being caught on minnows and lures. Catfishing is fair on live bait.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and low with a temperature in the lower 70s. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on liver and nightcrawlers.<br />
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and low. Catfish are the best thing going on liver and nightcrawlers.<br />
Eleven-Point River: Woody's Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said the river is clear and at a normal level. All species are still slow<br />
Spring River: Many Islands Camp (870-856-3451) said the water is clear and normal. Trout fishing has been excellent using Rooster Tails, spinnerbaits and salmon eggs.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Chicot: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) lake conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on wax worms and crickets. A few crappie are being caught on minnow and jigs. Bass fishing is good on top-water baits. Catfishing is good on worms.<br />
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is normal. Crappie is the best thing going on minnows and jigs.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.59 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 72 to 75 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is at 2 to 3 inches because of wind. Current is at 1,159 cubic feet per second. Largemouth bass and white bass continue schooling in many locations along Little River, and her oxbows, from mid- to late morning and again near dusk. The bass bite remains excellent on swimming jig heads with Bass Assassin Curly Shad trailers and on Rat-L-Traps early in the morning. Schooling bass are hitting a variety of minnow-imitating top-water lures as well. Salt-n-pepper or smoke-colored grubs on a 1/8- to 3/8-ounce jig head are working the best when swum from 3" to 6 feet deep. The schools are surfacing when the wind picks up and dropping to the bottom when the surface is calm. Follow the school with your electronics and you should be able to catch fish on spoons and Rocket Shads up to a half-hour after the surface action stops. The best jig bite is still on peanut butter and jelly color with black/blue pork or plastic chunks fished along stumps near intersections between the main river and creek channels. Texas-rigged 10-inch worms in junebug/red, plum, blue ice and sour grape are also catching some good bass in the same areas. Spot remover and firecracker colored War Eagle spinnerbaits are still taking good keeper-sized bass around any remaining lily pad stems and vegetation. Crappie are biting fairly well along Little River on live shiners and hair jigs, but are scattered and shallow, at 3-7 feet in trees and lily pads. Channel catfish are biting well with the improved current in Little River. Some keeper channel cats were caught over the past few days, up to 7 and 8 pounds each, using Catfish Charlie, goldfish and cut bait on trotlines and yo-yos.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on crickets, and crappie fishing is good on jigs.<br />
Sportsman's One Stop (870-863-7248) said crappie fishing has been good on jigs. Bass are biting well on watermelon-colored worms.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Catfishing is good on shiners.<br />
White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park said the fishing on White Oak Lake continues to improve. Bass are being caught on live bait in the early morning. Fishing for catfish is good on live and prepared bait. The water temperature is stable and the water is clear.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 535.57 feet MSL.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said Lake Greeson's water temperature and level are holding fairly steady with water temperature around 80 degrees. The crappie are showing up on brush piles better than weeks prior and the cooling trend should stack them up even better. Recently, crappie have been caught on brush piles in 18-28 feet of water with most fish suspended at 15-18 feet. The crappie are starting to become more aggressive, and will hit jigs as well as minnows. Spotted bass are still being caught on rocky points off the main channel.<br />
Little Missouri River: Jeff Guerin of Little Missouri Fly Fishing said evening fishing is nothing short of excellent on sub-surface flies such as the smidge pattern. The front came through, but bright, sunny skies are still the order of the day. When you can get a little breeze to add some chop to the water, try a light Cahill.<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 394.82 feet MSL.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said the lake is clear and low. The temperature is in the mid 70s. Bream can be caught in 20-25 feet of water on redworms and crickets. Crappie are biting in 15-20 feet of water on live bait. Bass fishing is good on Carolina rigs, worms, jigs and early and late they can be caught on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Some catfish have been caught on noodles and live bait.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is clear and normal. Crappie fishing is good in 12-15 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing has been good on crankbaits and plastic worms.<br />
Bill's Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said the water is muddy and low. Crappie fishing is good around brush on minnows and jigs. Bass are being caught on buzzing toads. Catfish are being caught on shad in shallow water.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 384.34 feet MSL.<br />
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water is a little muddy and at a normal level. A few bream have been caught on worms. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms and jigs. Catfishing has been good on worms, minnows, and liver.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is normal. Bream fishing is fair on crickets and nightcrawlers. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on cut bait, nightcrawlers and minnows. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Striper fishing is good below the dam.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 568.18 feet MSL.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said breaking action is very spotty, but there is some surface feeding very early. At mid-morning, a drop-shot rig or Carolina rig is working well along the outside edge of the grass with quite a few fish being caught. Although it's a slight bit slower, the larger fish are biting well on 1-ounce jigs flipped to the outside edge of the grass. Stripers are slow. No report on crappie or bream.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 76 to 80 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass are biting well and can still be caught on buzzbaits, Rooster Tails and Spooks on main lake points and secondary points. Top-water buzzing toads are still getting good results fished over and around moss beds. Spotted bass are excellent on live crawfish fished near brush 15- to 25-feet deep. Walleye are biting well on spoons and crankbaits fished over humps and main lake points with brush piles. Stripers are very good on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. Top-water action is picking up but is still one or two weeks from being very good. Bream are good on crickets and worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are good and are being caught over grass and brush in deep water. Try large moss flats and brush in water 20- to 35-feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Arkansas shad, Tennessee shad and white are still the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are good on live bait and cut bait in 20 to 25 feet of water on jugs and trotlines.<br />
Lake Catherine: Diamondhead Marina (501-262-2272) said lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Bass fishing is picking up around the shorelines on top-water baits.<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the rainbow trout stocking program will begin again on November 16. These fish will be 11 inches and longer and are in good condition and ready to be fished for. As previously reported, the trout population at Carpenter Dam is minimal at best with most of the tailrace water over 70 degrees. With the winter drawdown beginning November 3, remaining trout will be forced completely out of the area. Since the majority of threadfin shad have migrated out of the tailrace area, the striper and hybrid activity has been almost non-existent.<br />
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said small fish are breaking early in the morning and active.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is clear and at a normal level. A few bream have been caught on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good in deep water on minnows. Bass are schooling and the fishing is good. Catfish are biting well on shiners and goldfish.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is murky and high. Bream fishing has been good on crickets. Crappie fishing is picking up on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on trotlines and yo-yos in deep water. A few large bass have been caught, but most of the action has been on small fish.<br />
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 342.13 feet MSL.<br />
Bait N' More (479-272-4025) said the water is at a normal level and murky. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and chartreuse or black jigs. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on worms and minnows.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Felsenthal: Sportsman's One Stop said the water is normal. Crappie is the best thing going on jigs and shiners.<br />
Felsenthal (Jones Lake): Russell Ice & Tackle (870-797-2993) said lake conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are starting to hit on watermelon/red plastic worms.
EAST ARKANSAS<br />
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is murky. Bream fishing is good on wax worms and crickets. A few crappie are starting to bite on minnows and jigs. A few catfish have been caught on nightcrawlers.<br />
River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said river conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair around the banks on red wigglers and crickets. Bass fishing is fair on crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfish are being caught in about 30 feet of water on cut shad.<br />
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and low. Crappie fishing has been good on minnows and jigs. Kentucky and white bass are hitting on crankbaits.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is almost back to normal. A few bream have been caught on crickets. Bass are biting on plastic worms.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said the lake conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Crappie fishing is excellent trolling on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs. Bass fishing has been good in shallow water around grassy areas on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is also good on trotlines with cut bait or nightcrawlers.