11-29-2007, 09:10 PM
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's fishing report for Nov. 28. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please call or e-mail us with information on possible sources for that lake or river.
Fishing Tip: Here's a tip from bass fishing pro Gerald Swindle's video Classic Patterns on jig fishing in the winter: When the fish are lethargic, try fishing main lake docks and cover with a slow-falling jig during the warmest part of the day. While fish will school up and suspend over open water, there will be a few fish moving close to the cover to feed, and this is where a jig will grab them. Check out more tips from the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Library.
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 - 391.70 feet, Tailwater - 371.64 feet, Flow - 16,240 cubic feet per second<br />
Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater - 370.72 feet, Tailwater - 338.72 feet<br />
Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater - 337.66 feet, Tailwater - 286.27 feet<br />
Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater - 285.49 feet, Tailwater - 265.55 feet, Flow - 40,417 cubic feet per second<br />
Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater - 264.88 feet, Tailwater - 251.18 feet<br />
Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater - 249.17 feet, Tailwater - 231.48 feet, Flow - 19,800 cubic feet per second<br />
Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater - 231.07 feet, Tailwater - 213.23 feet, Flow - 21,849 cubic feet per second<br />
Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater - 195.95 feet, Tailwater - 183.01 feet<br />
Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater - 182.16 feet, Tailwater - 165.02 feet<br />
Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater - 162.90 feet, Tailwater - 124.87 feet, Flow - 22,500 cubic feet per second<br />
White River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages are:<br />
2.8 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage - 19 feet)<br />
6.2 feet at Batesville (flood stage - 15 feet)<br />
0.8 feet at Newport (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
12.3 feet at Augusta (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
0.8 feet at Georgetown (flood stage - 21 feet)<br />
10.6 feet at Clarendon (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Hybrid striped bass are biting well on white, 2-inch Mister Twister grubs with 1/16-ounce jigheads and on spoons. White and silver Rooster Tails are also catching fish. Use a slow retrieve with occasional pauses for the best chance at a strike. Trout fishing has been excellent in Lake Atalanta, Murphy Lake, Wells Lake and Craighead Forest Youth and Senior's Pond. Green or yellow Power Bait and corn are catching most of the fish. Central Arkansas locations will be stocked with trout in early December. For stocking information, call 1-866-540-FISH (3474) toll-free.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is stained and at a normal level. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits.<br />
Little Red River:Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is clear and low with no generation. Trout fishing has been excellent on wax worms, Power Eggs and nightcrawlers. Fl-anglers are doing well with sow bugs and egg patterns.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said has released no water in seven days. The river is dead low and wading opportunities are great. There are multiple aquatic insect hatches with caddis flies, mayflies and midges coming off most days. Many large brown trout and rainbows are being caught and released in the Little Red around shoals areas. Caddis flies (looks like a small cream moth), mayflies (small insect with upright wings) and midges (looks like a tiny mosquito but doesn't bite) are abundant. Adams (sizes 18-20), BWO (sizes 18-20), midges (size 22, cream) and elk hair caddis (sizes 18-20) are the dry flies of choice. For subsurface flies try a sow bug (size 14-16, peacock, purple haze, light gray or tan), pheasant tail (size 16), hare's ear nymph (sizes 14-16), zebra midge (sizes 16-22, red, black or copper), or woolly bugger (sizes 10-12, olive or black). A size 12 olive wooly bugger stripped fast just under the surface has proven to be not only productive but fun! If a big brown takes your wooly bugger, hang on! An egg pattern is a go-to fly during the spawn. The best size is 14 and the best colors vary from salmon, bubble gum, peach to cerise (red). To me, a chartreuse egg pattern represents an infertile egg and there are always lots of them in the river. You should have several different colors of egg patterns including chartreuse. After you have caught a few fish in one spot, put on a different color egg and continue fishing.<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 456.81 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said hybrid and white bass fishing continue to be very good all over the lake, many birds have shown up, making it a little easier to find surface activity when the bite is slow. Spoons, buckshot in-line spinners and some top-water action can still be had, but the fish are moving deeper. Some fish have moved to 60 feet while others can be caught in 38-50 feet. The bass fishing has gotten better with many fish moving shallower. Spinnerbaits, flukes, Rat-L-Traps, top-waters and jighead worms are all working fairly well near shallow cover. Smallmouth and a few largemouths are biting around 20 feet deep on football head jigs, drop-shot rigs and Carolina rigs. Catfishing has been excellent on jugs set 17 feet deep. Walleye are being caught around the hybrid activity with spoons fished on the bottom. Crappie are biting fairly well in the pole timber on jigs and minnows.<br />
Shiloh Marina said fishing has been slow for all species.<br />
Harris Brake Lake:Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on liver.<br />
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is clear and a little high. Crappie fishing is good around the bank on minnows and red or orange jigs. Catfishing is excellent on liver and large minnows.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and 4 inches high. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on small minnows and white jigs. Catfishing is good on shad and cut bait.<br />
Brewer Lake:Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on small minnows. Catfish are biting well on cut bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Bass fishing is good on top-water baits and watermelon-colored 5-inch lizards.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and low. Crappie are biting well in about 6 feet of water on Tennessee shad-colored jigs around brush piles. Bass fishing is good on white 8-oz. spinnerbaits. Walleye fishing is fair on orange crawdad crankbaits.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said largemouth are biting fairly well on chartreuse and white spinnerbaits fished around wood cover in 6 to 10 feet of water. Catfishing is fair on the front side of the jetties and in front of the dams on whole shad. Some white bass have been caught around Coppers Gap, Flagg Lake Cutoff and across form the Petit Jean River on white Shad Raps. White bass are also being caught below the Dam Nine on Rooster Tails. Stripers are holding below dams nine and 10 and are biting well on 2-oz. jigs with Mr. Twister grubs. Crappie are behind the jetties and biting fairly well on minnows near the banks.<br />
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish "˜N Stuff said the water is normal with little current. Bass fishing is fair in the backwater on crankbaits, jigs and pumpkin-colored 6-inch worms.<br />
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in 6-8 ft of water on minnows and assorted jigs. Catfishing is fair on any kind of bait.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water conditions are normal, but fishing is very slow.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and a little low. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Crappie fishing is picking up and is good in 4-5 feet of water on blue/white jigs. A few largemouth bass have been caught on white spinnerbaits around grassy areas.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Angler's White River Resort said the water conditions are normal. Trout fishing has been excellent on Power Bait and spinnerbaits. The average is about 40 fish per day and anglers are catching bigger trout as the water cools down.<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort said water conditions are normal with little generation. Bait fishing is a little slow, but anglers are having some luck on Little Cleos, Power Bait, and Buoyant Spoons. Fly-anglers are using egg patterns and black or olive woolly buggers.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 648.14 feet MSL.<br />
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.60 feet MSL.<br />
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and 5 feet low. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs. Stripers are biting well on stick baits. Catfishing is fair on liver.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low with no generation. Fishing has slowed down, but browns are still being caught on nightcrawlers.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,113.62 feet MSL.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in 10-12 feet of water on minnows. Bass fishing is fair in deep water on crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Stripers are biting well on live shad and large Rat-L-Traps.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well in 4-6 feet of water on minnows and crappie tubes around stumps. Bass fishing is fair in 4-6 feet of water on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and Rat-L-Traps. Catfishing is fair in 4-10 feet of water on liver and sunfish.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is clear and low. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Crown Lake:Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and low. Bream fishing is fair on worms. Crappie fishing is good in 12-14 feet of water on minnows.<br />
Lake Frierson:Lake Frierson State Park said no anglers have visited the water lately.<br />
Eleven-Point River: Woody's Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said fishing for all species is slow.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Chicot : Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is clear and low. A few bream have been caught on wax worms. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs around the docks. Catfishing is fair on minnows.<br />
Grand Lake : Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is pretty clear and low. Crappie fishing is fair trolling minnows and jigs.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 257.90 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 58 to 62 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is 5-8 inches. Current is at 8,260 cubic feet per second to begin the winter drawdown. The drawdown should be complete in 10 days and will be in effect until Feb. 15, 2008. Largemouth bass are biting well along the river and its oxbows with the best action coming during the warmest part of the day. Shad-patterned crankbaits, curly tailed grubs with small jigheads and Rat-L-Traps are all working well fished slowly in 5 to 8 feet of water around creek channels with stumps along Little River. The bass are in transition where they will suspend over deep water most of the day and only occasionally roam shallow for food. The best jig bite remains on the Texas Craw color or black/blue. Texas-rigged 10-inch Power Worms in junebug/red, black grape and blue fleck are taking some nice largemouths on stumps and close to any remaining lily pads or live grass in 6-9 feet of water. The white bass bite is slow, and the fish seem to have scattered after their feeding binge from a month ago. The crappie bite continues to improve. The best bite has been in planted brush piles and trees in 17 to 25 feet of water on hair jigs, tubes or shiners. The crappie bite should get better as the fish stack up during the cool weather. Increased current in Little River has turned on nice-sized channel cats from 4-10 pounds each. Many catfish have been caught using cut shad, minnows and chicken hearts on trotlines and yo-yos along the river and in oxbows hung from cypress trees in 6-8 feet water.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Crappie is the best thing going on shiners.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good on shiners. Catfishing is good on worms.<br />
White Oak Lake:White Oak Lake State Park said fishing has been very slow for all species because of the rain and hunting seasons.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 535.90 feet MSL.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said surface water temperature is starting to drop and was at 57 degrees Monday. Crappie are moving into a winter pattern. They are scattered and being caught on jigs and minnows fished 15 to 25 feet deep on brush piles in 24 to 36 feet of water. Stripers have been hot using down lines with live bait 25 to 45 feet deep. Catfishing has been fair on trotlines run near the bottom in 45 feet of water.<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 394.04 feet MSL.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said fishing has been slow with few anglers on the water.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is murky and low. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on crankbaits and jigs. A few catfish have been caught on shad.<br />
Bill's Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 384.10 feet MSL.<br />
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water is muddy and low. Bream fishing is fair on worms. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. A few catfish have been caught on liver, worms and minnows.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clear and low. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs. White bass fishing is fair on jigs and minnows. Stripers are biting well below the dam. Catfishing is fair on worms, minnows and cut bait.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 568.10 feet MSL.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass are suspended in the channels around 20 feet deep and are trying to school up. The fishing is excellent with a spoon if you can find them on your electronics. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits fished over the grass are working well, and a jig fished on the deep edge of the grass is also producing some good fish. Crappie are biting well on Tennessee shad colored jigs and crankbaits over the grass. Stripers are beginning to get active with the cold weather with spoons and surface lures working well.<br />
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports the trout stocking program for November has begun. Rainbow trout are now in the tailrace area and are adjusting well. The water level is extremely low because Entergy is working on the dam. Boaters and wading anglers are advised to use caution while in the tailrace. The fish are moving around in small schools close to the banks and can be caught using Rooster Tails and Super Dupers in white and silver. Bank fishermen are using redworms and nightcrawlers floated under a bobber. Stripers are targeting trout and threadfin shad which are being forced to the surface and eaten. Fishermen casting C-10 Redfins and Super Spooks in rainbow trout colors are experiencing vicious strikes as these large predator fish are in feeding mode. By the end of January - rainbow trout fishing in Hot Springs will rival that of any area in the state.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is the best thing going on minnows.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said water conditions are about normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair in deep water on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is fair on liver.<br />
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 341.88 feet MSL.<br />
Bait N' More (479-272-4025) had no report; few anglers are on the water.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
No report this week.
EAST ARKANSAS
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is murky and at a normal level. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on top-water baits. Catfishing is good on worms and liver.<br />
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and low. Bass fishing is fair. A few walleye are being caught on minnows.<br />
Maddox Bay:Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said water is clear and pretty low. Crappie fishing is good in deep water trolling on minnows and black or chartreuse jigs. Bass are biting well in shallow water on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing are biting well in deep water on cut bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Island 40 Chute: Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said fishing is slow for all species.
Fishing Tip: Here's a tip from bass fishing pro Gerald Swindle's video Classic Patterns on jig fishing in the winter: When the fish are lethargic, try fishing main lake docks and cover with a slow-falling jig during the warmest part of the day. While fish will school up and suspend over open water, there will be a few fish moving close to the cover to feed, and this is where a jig will grab them. Check out more tips from the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Library.
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 - 391.70 feet, Tailwater - 371.64 feet, Flow - 16,240 cubic feet per second<br />
Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater - 370.72 feet, Tailwater - 338.72 feet<br />
Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater - 337.66 feet, Tailwater - 286.27 feet<br />
Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater - 285.49 feet, Tailwater - 265.55 feet, Flow - 40,417 cubic feet per second<br />
Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater - 264.88 feet, Tailwater - 251.18 feet<br />
Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater - 249.17 feet, Tailwater - 231.48 feet, Flow - 19,800 cubic feet per second<br />
Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater - 231.07 feet, Tailwater - 213.23 feet, Flow - 21,849 cubic feet per second<br />
Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater - 195.95 feet, Tailwater - 183.01 feet<br />
Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater - 182.16 feet, Tailwater - 165.02 feet<br />
Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater - 162.90 feet, Tailwater - 124.87 feet, Flow - 22,500 cubic feet per second<br />
White River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages are:<br />
2.8 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage - 19 feet)<br />
6.2 feet at Batesville (flood stage - 15 feet)<br />
0.8 feet at Newport (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
12.3 feet at Augusta (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
0.8 feet at Georgetown (flood stage - 21 feet)<br />
10.6 feet at Clarendon (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report: Hybrid striped bass are biting well on white, 2-inch Mister Twister grubs with 1/16-ounce jigheads and on spoons. White and silver Rooster Tails are also catching fish. Use a slow retrieve with occasional pauses for the best chance at a strike. Trout fishing has been excellent in Lake Atalanta, Murphy Lake, Wells Lake and Craighead Forest Youth and Senior's Pond. Green or yellow Power Bait and corn are catching most of the fish. Central Arkansas locations will be stocked with trout in early December. For stocking information, call 1-866-540-FISH (3474) toll-free.
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is stained and at a normal level. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits.<br />
Little Red River:Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is clear and low with no generation. Trout fishing has been excellent on wax worms, Power Eggs and nightcrawlers. Fl-anglers are doing well with sow bugs and egg patterns.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said has released no water in seven days. The river is dead low and wading opportunities are great. There are multiple aquatic insect hatches with caddis flies, mayflies and midges coming off most days. Many large brown trout and rainbows are being caught and released in the Little Red around shoals areas. Caddis flies (looks like a small cream moth), mayflies (small insect with upright wings) and midges (looks like a tiny mosquito but doesn't bite) are abundant. Adams (sizes 18-20), BWO (sizes 18-20), midges (size 22, cream) and elk hair caddis (sizes 18-20) are the dry flies of choice. For subsurface flies try a sow bug (size 14-16, peacock, purple haze, light gray or tan), pheasant tail (size 16), hare's ear nymph (sizes 14-16), zebra midge (sizes 16-22, red, black or copper), or woolly bugger (sizes 10-12, olive or black). A size 12 olive wooly bugger stripped fast just under the surface has proven to be not only productive but fun! If a big brown takes your wooly bugger, hang on! An egg pattern is a go-to fly during the spawn. The best size is 14 and the best colors vary from salmon, bubble gum, peach to cerise (red). To me, a chartreuse egg pattern represents an infertile egg and there are always lots of them in the river. You should have several different colors of egg patterns including chartreuse. After you have caught a few fish in one spot, put on a different color egg and continue fishing.<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 456.81 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said hybrid and white bass fishing continue to be very good all over the lake, many birds have shown up, making it a little easier to find surface activity when the bite is slow. Spoons, buckshot in-line spinners and some top-water action can still be had, but the fish are moving deeper. Some fish have moved to 60 feet while others can be caught in 38-50 feet. The bass fishing has gotten better with many fish moving shallower. Spinnerbaits, flukes, Rat-L-Traps, top-waters and jighead worms are all working fairly well near shallow cover. Smallmouth and a few largemouths are biting around 20 feet deep on football head jigs, drop-shot rigs and Carolina rigs. Catfishing has been excellent on jugs set 17 feet deep. Walleye are being caught around the hybrid activity with spoons fished on the bottom. Crappie are biting fairly well in the pole timber on jigs and minnows.<br />
Shiloh Marina said fishing has been slow for all species.<br />
Harris Brake Lake:Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on liver.<br />
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is clear and a little high. Crappie fishing is good around the bank on minnows and red or orange jigs. Catfishing is excellent on liver and large minnows.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and 4 inches high. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on small minnows and white jigs. Catfishing is good on shad and cut bait.<br />
Brewer Lake:Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on small minnows. Catfish are biting well on cut bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Bass fishing is good on top-water baits and watermelon-colored 5-inch lizards.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and low. Crappie are biting well in about 6 feet of water on Tennessee shad-colored jigs around brush piles. Bass fishing is good on white 8-oz. spinnerbaits. Walleye fishing is fair on orange crawdad crankbaits.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said largemouth are biting fairly well on chartreuse and white spinnerbaits fished around wood cover in 6 to 10 feet of water. Catfishing is fair on the front side of the jetties and in front of the dams on whole shad. Some white bass have been caught around Coppers Gap, Flagg Lake Cutoff and across form the Petit Jean River on white Shad Raps. White bass are also being caught below the Dam Nine on Rooster Tails. Stripers are holding below dams nine and 10 and are biting well on 2-oz. jigs with Mr. Twister grubs. Crappie are behind the jetties and biting fairly well on minnows near the banks.<br />
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish "˜N Stuff said the water is normal with little current. Bass fishing is fair in the backwater on crankbaits, jigs and pumpkin-colored 6-inch worms.<br />
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in 6-8 ft of water on minnows and assorted jigs. Catfishing is fair on any kind of bait.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water conditions are normal, but fishing is very slow.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and a little low. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Crappie fishing is picking up and is good in 4-5 feet of water on blue/white jigs. A few largemouth bass have been caught on white spinnerbaits around grassy areas.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Angler's White River Resort said the water conditions are normal. Trout fishing has been excellent on Power Bait and spinnerbaits. The average is about 40 fish per day and anglers are catching bigger trout as the water cools down.<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort said water conditions are normal with little generation. Bait fishing is a little slow, but anglers are having some luck on Little Cleos, Power Bait, and Buoyant Spoons. Fly-anglers are using egg patterns and black or olive woolly buggers.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 648.14 feet MSL.<br />
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.60 feet MSL.<br />
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and 5 feet low. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs. Stripers are biting well on stick baits. Catfishing is fair on liver.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low with no generation. Fishing has slowed down, but browns are still being caught on nightcrawlers.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,113.62 feet MSL.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in 10-12 feet of water on minnows. Bass fishing is fair in deep water on crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Stripers are biting well on live shad and large Rat-L-Traps.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well in 4-6 feet of water on minnows and crappie tubes around stumps. Bass fishing is fair in 4-6 feet of water on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and Rat-L-Traps. Catfishing is fair in 4-10 feet of water on liver and sunfish.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is clear and low. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Crown Lake:Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and low. Bream fishing is fair on worms. Crappie fishing is good in 12-14 feet of water on minnows.<br />
Lake Frierson:Lake Frierson State Park said no anglers have visited the water lately.<br />
Eleven-Point River: Woody's Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said fishing for all species is slow.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Chicot : Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is clear and low. A few bream have been caught on wax worms. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs around the docks. Catfishing is fair on minnows.<br />
Grand Lake : Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is pretty clear and low. Crappie fishing is fair trolling minnows and jigs.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 257.90 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 58 to 62 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is 5-8 inches. Current is at 8,260 cubic feet per second to begin the winter drawdown. The drawdown should be complete in 10 days and will be in effect until Feb. 15, 2008. Largemouth bass are biting well along the river and its oxbows with the best action coming during the warmest part of the day. Shad-patterned crankbaits, curly tailed grubs with small jigheads and Rat-L-Traps are all working well fished slowly in 5 to 8 feet of water around creek channels with stumps along Little River. The bass are in transition where they will suspend over deep water most of the day and only occasionally roam shallow for food. The best jig bite remains on the Texas Craw color or black/blue. Texas-rigged 10-inch Power Worms in junebug/red, black grape and blue fleck are taking some nice largemouths on stumps and close to any remaining lily pads or live grass in 6-9 feet of water. The white bass bite is slow, and the fish seem to have scattered after their feeding binge from a month ago. The crappie bite continues to improve. The best bite has been in planted brush piles and trees in 17 to 25 feet of water on hair jigs, tubes or shiners. The crappie bite should get better as the fish stack up during the cool weather. Increased current in Little River has turned on nice-sized channel cats from 4-10 pounds each. Many catfish have been caught using cut shad, minnows and chicken hearts on trotlines and yo-yos along the river and in oxbows hung from cypress trees in 6-8 feet water.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Crappie is the best thing going on shiners.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good on shiners. Catfishing is good on worms.<br />
White Oak Lake:White Oak Lake State Park said fishing has been very slow for all species because of the rain and hunting seasons.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 535.90 feet MSL.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said surface water temperature is starting to drop and was at 57 degrees Monday. Crappie are moving into a winter pattern. They are scattered and being caught on jigs and minnows fished 15 to 25 feet deep on brush piles in 24 to 36 feet of water. Stripers have been hot using down lines with live bait 25 to 45 feet deep. Catfishing has been fair on trotlines run near the bottom in 45 feet of water.<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 394.04 feet MSL.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said fishing has been slow with few anglers on the water.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is murky and low. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on crankbaits and jigs. A few catfish have been caught on shad.<br />
Bill's Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 384.10 feet MSL.<br />
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water is muddy and low. Bream fishing is fair on worms. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. A few catfish have been caught on liver, worms and minnows.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clear and low. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs. White bass fishing is fair on jigs and minnows. Stripers are biting well below the dam. Catfishing is fair on worms, minnows and cut bait.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 568.10 feet MSL.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass are suspended in the channels around 20 feet deep and are trying to school up. The fishing is excellent with a spoon if you can find them on your electronics. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits fished over the grass are working well, and a jig fished on the deep edge of the grass is also producing some good fish. Crappie are biting well on Tennessee shad colored jigs and crankbaits over the grass. Stripers are beginning to get active with the cold weather with spoons and surface lures working well.<br />
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports the trout stocking program for November has begun. Rainbow trout are now in the tailrace area and are adjusting well. The water level is extremely low because Entergy is working on the dam. Boaters and wading anglers are advised to use caution while in the tailrace. The fish are moving around in small schools close to the banks and can be caught using Rooster Tails and Super Dupers in white and silver. Bank fishermen are using redworms and nightcrawlers floated under a bobber. Stripers are targeting trout and threadfin shad which are being forced to the surface and eaten. Fishermen casting C-10 Redfins and Super Spooks in rainbow trout colors are experiencing vicious strikes as these large predator fish are in feeding mode. By the end of January - rainbow trout fishing in Hot Springs will rival that of any area in the state.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is the best thing going on minnows.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said water conditions are about normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair in deep water on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is fair on liver.<br />
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 341.88 feet MSL.<br />
Bait N' More (479-272-4025) had no report; few anglers are on the water.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
No report this week.
EAST ARKANSAS
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is murky and at a normal level. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on top-water baits. Catfishing is good on worms and liver.<br />
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and low. Bass fishing is fair. A few walleye are being caught on minnows.<br />
Maddox Bay:Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said water is clear and pretty low. Crappie fishing is good in deep water trolling on minnows and black or chartreuse jigs. Bass are biting well in shallow water on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing are biting well in deep water on cut bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Island 40 Chute: Daily's Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said fishing is slow for all species.