12-19-2007, 09:10 PM
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said water conditions are about normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits and worms. Catfishing is fair on worms.
Little Red River:Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low and muddy. Trout fishing is still very good on waxworms and marshmallow combinations, Power Bait and artificial jigs.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse is releasing water twice per day except on the weekends. Generation is beginning at 6 a.m., lasting for 2-3 hours before resuming at 5 p.m. for 2-4 hours. In most cases, both generators are being brought on line. This schedule is keeping the river gin clear and, if you are willing to "leap frog" from shoal to shoal, it is possible to wade fish most of the day. The best bet is to start at dawn at Winkley Shoal. Rising water should arrive about 9:30 a.m. Hop down to Libby Shoal for another hour or so of wade fishing. If the water release ends at 8 a.m., you will be able to go to JFK Park and wade fish in the early afternoon. You can finish the day with an early evening fishing expedition at Cow Shoal. Keep in mind that, at Cow Shoal, night fishing is taboo. You must stop fishing one-half hour after sunset. The brown trout are still spawning. Many fish larger than 10 lbs. are being landed every day. Midges are hatching on the river, golf courses, parking lots and anywhere else you find a puddle. Small midge dry flies in cream or black (size 22) are working well when trout are rising to the hatch. Zebra midges in sizes 16-22 in red, black or olive are working very well subsurface. Midges aren't the only hatch in town however. Blue winged olive mayflies are also coming off so try a size 18-20 BWO dry fly or Adams. Sow bugs (size 14-16, UV tan or peacock), pheasant tails (size 16), princes (size16), copper johns (size 14-16 copper, red or green), and woolly buggers (size 10-12 olive or black) are all catching trout every day. Since the river is clear right now, using fluorocarbon tippet is an excellent idea.<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 460.52 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water came up 4 feet in the last week and they are trying to release as much as they can to keep it down. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps, and small crankbaits fished shallow on the edge of flats. Bass are also biting on jigs and jighead worms near the first drops to deep water. Jigging spoons, football jigs and Carolina-rigged lizards are working well in 25 feet of water. Crappie fishing is so-so right now, when the water clears, the bite will get better in the tops of trees and over brush piles in main-lake cuts and the mouths of coves in 15-20 feet of water. The hybrid and white bass fishing has slowed, but as the water clears, look for birds feeding on shad, as well as shad on your electronics in 45-60 feet of water. Fish can be caught on jigging spoons, buckshot in-line spinners, swim baits and hair jigs once you find them. Catfishing is good on live and cut bait set 17 feet deep around main lake points. The walleye are in pre-spawn and will get better with the fresh water. They can be caught around bridge pilings and in the mouths of the major rivers as well as in the narrows on the move upstream.<br />
Harris Brake Lake:Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) had no report this week.<br />
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said fishing is slow for all species with the cold weather.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Brewer Lake:Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) had no report for Sunset Lake this week.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in deep holes on Tennessee shad colored grubs. Bass fishing is fair on jig-and-pig combos fished around brush and timber near deeper channel swings.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said few anglers are on the river. Catfish have moved to deeper holes and are biting well on shad/worm combinations. Stripers are holding on points near deep water and in front of dams 9 and 10. Fishing is fair on large wobble spoons. Kentucky bass are biting fairly well on the upstream side of jetties when there is flow. Deep diving crankbaits and silver spoons are working well. Some sauger are being caught around the dam on chartreuse jigs tipped with a minnow fished in moderate current.<br />
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish "˜N Stuff had no report this week.<br />
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water is low.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie fishing is good on pink minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on cut bait.<br />
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie fishing is good on minnows. Catfishing is fair on shad and chicken hearts.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said crappie fishing is excellent on minnows fished in 8 to 10 feet of water.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Anglers Resort will be closed until Jan. 3, 2008. No report.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 650.57 feet MSL.<br />
Lake Norfork:As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.85 feet MSL.<br />
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair around brush piles on jigs. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and jig-and-pig combos.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low. Trout fishing is very good on corn, shad and worms.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Beaver Lake : As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,113.32 feet MSL.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) had no report.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) will be closed until Jan. 14, 2008. No report.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) had no report.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and low. Fishing is fair for all species.<br />
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Eleven-Point River: Woody's Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) had no report.<br />
Spring River: http://www.marksflyshop.com/ said there have been heavy rains and fluctuating temperatures this week. The fishing is great with all the food available to trout. Schools of minnows, crawfish, sculpins, freshwater shrimp, bloodworms, sow bugs, snails, year "˜round mayfly and caddis hatches drive the food chain here, so any imitators of these sources work well. Anglers are also catching trout on Power Bait.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Chicot: Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) had no report.<br />
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) had no report.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 257.15 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 49 to 55 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is at 3-5 inches because of high wind. Current increased to 2,803 cubic feet per second because of rains. Both ramps at Paraloma, the south ramp at Cotton Shed and the ramp closest to the dike at Saratoga. Use extreme caution in navigation, many of the boat lanes during winter pool drawdown are now only 3-10 inches in overall depth in many places. Largemouth bass are relating to the deeper water in Little River and creek mouths dumping into the river. Bass are fair, with the best bites during the heat of the day. Carolina- and Texas-rigged soft plastics, crankbaits, Southern Pro Flipping Tubes and Rat-L-Traps have been the baits to have rigged and ready lately. Bomber Model A and Rebel Deep Wee R crankbaits in Black Pearl, Bayou Bengal or Secret Weapon colors, fished slowly from 8 to 12 feet deep, are finding some keeper bass along Little River. Texas rigging Lil' Critter Craws, 4-inch Southern Pro Flipping Tubes, Baby Brush Hogs and Yum Wooly Bugs in Green Pumpkin, Watermelon/Red, Camo, Ozark Smoke and Blackberry and pitching to stumps with any close, remaining vegetation are drawing some good strikes and strong Largemouths up to 6-7 pounds each on points in Little River. Large Rat-L-Traps deflected off stumps in the river are working on keeper-sized bass as well. The Carolina Rig bite has jumped a notch and is finding good keeper bass responding over the past couple weeks, with the fish suspended in Little River. The crappie bite continues to improve along brush piles 17-22 feet deep on live shiners. Over the past week, jigging Blakemore Crappie Thunder Road Runners was taking some really nice slabs between 12-17 feet deep. Best color for the Crappie Thunder Road Runners was Silver Shad. Current in Little River during pool drawdown has kept the channel cats turned on. Chicken livers, hot dogs, cut bait or Catfish Charlie on trot lines and yo-yo's along the river has worked well.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said bream fishing is fair on worms. Crappie fishing is good on jigs. A few bass have been caught on a variety of spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfishing is fair on worms.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said bream fishing is fair on redworms fished at the bottom. Crappie fishing is good on a jig-and-shiner combination. Catfishing is fair on worms and crickets.<br />
White Oak Lake:White Oak Lake State Park said the fishing has picked up, especially the crappie. Crappie have been biting well on live shiners. Bass and catfish are picking up also.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 538.90 feet MSL.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service had no report this week<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 397.08 feet MSL.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) had no report.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) had no report.<br />
Bill's Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said the water is murky and low. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs around brush piles. Bass fishing is fair on crankbaits and jigs in deeper water. Catfishing is good on shad and stinkbait.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 392.26 feet MSL.<br />
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) will be closed until Feb. 1, 2008. No report.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in deep water on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good on jigs. Catfish are biting well below the dam on minnows.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 569.92 feet MSL.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water temperature is 50 to 56 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on finesse worms, spoons and lipless crankbaits on main lake points and secondary points. Punching a big jig in the grass has been effective for some anglers as well. Walleye are fair and still being caught on spoons over humps and main lake points with brush piles. Stripers are good on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. Smoke or pearl-colored grubs are working well right now. Bream are slow on crickets and worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are good and being caught over grass and brush. Try large moss flats and brush in water 8 to 15 feet deep. Catfish are slow with reports of these fish being caught with live bait and cut bait in water 20 to 25 feet deep on jugs and trotlines.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass fishing is good on jigs fished on the outside edge of grass near trees. Red crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps fished over the grass are catching bass as well. Stripers are biting fairly well in 35 to 40 feet of water on silver spoons fished underneath wads of baitfish. Crappie are fair on top of the grass. Not many are being caught, but they're good-sized fish.<br />
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the lake has returned to the normal 5-foot winter drawdown level. The tailrace is now much safer to navigate; however, caution is still advised when attempting to travel to the dam. The shoal areas are still very shallow and are only passable by boat during periods of generation. The water temperature has dropped from 59 degrees to the mid-40s after the cold rains and power generation. Rainbow trout fishing continues to be good and will become much better in the upcoming months. Fly-anglers are still able to wade and are catching limits of fish casting streamers and woolly buggers. San Juan worms are another excellent choice. Egg patterns are a perfect presentation as rainbows have an inborn instinct to feed on fish eggs. Spin fishermen are doing well throwing Rooster Tails in white and brown. Super dupers and Little Cleo's fished in the current will catch trout as they actively feed on threadfin shad. White and silver colors produce the best results fished on light line. Trolling the channels with small crankbaits has landed trout in the 2-pound range and male walleye in the 5 to 6-pound range. Stripers continue to be caught - most of which are in the 10 to 12-pound range. Fishermen using large top-water baits are having some success, but the biggest fish are being hooked on live bait rigs. Gizzard shad or brood shad are the baits of choice. Live baits always are more productive in winter at Carpenter Dam. As the water warms in May, jigs and top-water presentations will draw heart-stopping strikes from fish 20 pounds and larger.<br />
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing is improving. Bass are biting well on crankbaits, jerkbaits and jigs fished around brush on points and creek channels. A few stripers are upriver and are being caught on spoons and hair jigs. A few walleye are being caught on crankbaits fished over flats. There are plenty of yellow bass to be caught. There's no limit on yellow bass and harvest is encouraged.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good in 10-12 feet of water on minnows. Bass fishing is good on top-water lures and spinnerbaits.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are biting well on minnows.<br />
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 346.23 feet MSL.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Moro Bay: Moro Bay State Park said the rainfall in the northern half of the state has caused the river to rise 9.5 feet (74.5ft above sea level) during the last week. The current is fairly swift and the river is muddy. The crappie were biting well on shiners last week but that has almost certainly changed. Few people are fishing, so reports are uncommon; but it's a safe bet that fishing is tough right now at MoroBayState Park.
EAST ARKANSAS
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. A few catfish have been caught on cut bait.<br />
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is high and muddy. Walleye are biting fair on shad, minnows and small green sunfish. All other species are slow.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) had no report.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Bond's said that the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and worms.
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said water conditions are about normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits and worms. Catfishing is fair on worms.
Little Red River:Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low and muddy. Trout fishing is still very good on waxworms and marshmallow combinations, Power Bait and artificial jigs.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse is releasing water twice per day except on the weekends. Generation is beginning at 6 a.m., lasting for 2-3 hours before resuming at 5 p.m. for 2-4 hours. In most cases, both generators are being brought on line. This schedule is keeping the river gin clear and, if you are willing to "leap frog" from shoal to shoal, it is possible to wade fish most of the day. The best bet is to start at dawn at Winkley Shoal. Rising water should arrive about 9:30 a.m. Hop down to Libby Shoal for another hour or so of wade fishing. If the water release ends at 8 a.m., you will be able to go to JFK Park and wade fish in the early afternoon. You can finish the day with an early evening fishing expedition at Cow Shoal. Keep in mind that, at Cow Shoal, night fishing is taboo. You must stop fishing one-half hour after sunset. The brown trout are still spawning. Many fish larger than 10 lbs. are being landed every day. Midges are hatching on the river, golf courses, parking lots and anywhere else you find a puddle. Small midge dry flies in cream or black (size 22) are working well when trout are rising to the hatch. Zebra midges in sizes 16-22 in red, black or olive are working very well subsurface. Midges aren't the only hatch in town however. Blue winged olive mayflies are also coming off so try a size 18-20 BWO dry fly or Adams. Sow bugs (size 14-16, UV tan or peacock), pheasant tails (size 16), princes (size16), copper johns (size 14-16 copper, red or green), and woolly buggers (size 10-12 olive or black) are all catching trout every day. Since the river is clear right now, using fluorocarbon tippet is an excellent idea.<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 460.52 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water came up 4 feet in the last week and they are trying to release as much as they can to keep it down. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits, Rat-L-Traps, and small crankbaits fished shallow on the edge of flats. Bass are also biting on jigs and jighead worms near the first drops to deep water. Jigging spoons, football jigs and Carolina-rigged lizards are working well in 25 feet of water. Crappie fishing is so-so right now, when the water clears, the bite will get better in the tops of trees and over brush piles in main-lake cuts and the mouths of coves in 15-20 feet of water. The hybrid and white bass fishing has slowed, but as the water clears, look for birds feeding on shad, as well as shad on your electronics in 45-60 feet of water. Fish can be caught on jigging spoons, buckshot in-line spinners, swim baits and hair jigs once you find them. Catfishing is good on live and cut bait set 17 feet deep around main lake points. The walleye are in pre-spawn and will get better with the fresh water. They can be caught around bridge pilings and in the mouths of the major rivers as well as in the narrows on the move upstream.<br />
Harris Brake Lake:Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) had no report this week.<br />
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said fishing is slow for all species with the cold weather.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Brewer Lake:Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) had no report for Sunset Lake this week.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in deep holes on Tennessee shad colored grubs. Bass fishing is fair on jig-and-pig combos fished around brush and timber near deeper channel swings.<br />
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley's Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said few anglers are on the river. Catfish have moved to deeper holes and are biting well on shad/worm combinations. Stripers are holding on points near deep water and in front of dams 9 and 10. Fishing is fair on large wobble spoons. Kentucky bass are biting fairly well on the upstream side of jetties when there is flow. Deep diving crankbaits and silver spoons are working well. Some sauger are being caught around the dam on chartreuse jigs tipped with a minnow fished in moderate current.<br />
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish "˜N Stuff had no report this week.<br />
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water is low.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie fishing is good on pink minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on cut bait.<br />
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said crappie fishing is good on minnows. Catfishing is fair on shad and chicken hearts.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no report.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said crappie fishing is excellent on minnows fished in 8 to 10 feet of water.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Anglers Resort will be closed until Jan. 3, 2008. No report.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 650.57 feet MSL.<br />
Lake Norfork:As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 546.85 feet MSL.<br />
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair around brush piles on jigs. Bass are biting well on crankbaits and jig-and-pig combos.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low. Trout fishing is very good on corn, shad and worms.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Beaver Lake : As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,113.32 feet MSL.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) had no report.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) will be closed until Jan. 14, 2008. No report.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) had no report.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and low. Fishing is fair for all species.<br />
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said fishing is slow for all species.<br />
Eleven-Point River: Woody's Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) had no report.<br />
Spring River: http://www.marksflyshop.com/ said there have been heavy rains and fluctuating temperatures this week. The fishing is great with all the food available to trout. Schools of minnows, crawfish, sculpins, freshwater shrimp, bloodworms, sow bugs, snails, year "˜round mayfly and caddis hatches drive the food chain here, so any imitators of these sources work well. Anglers are also catching trout on Power Bait.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Chicot: Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) had no report.<br />
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) had no report.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 257.15 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 49 to 55 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is at 3-5 inches because of high wind. Current increased to 2,803 cubic feet per second because of rains. Both ramps at Paraloma, the south ramp at Cotton Shed and the ramp closest to the dike at Saratoga. Use extreme caution in navigation, many of the boat lanes during winter pool drawdown are now only 3-10 inches in overall depth in many places. Largemouth bass are relating to the deeper water in Little River and creek mouths dumping into the river. Bass are fair, with the best bites during the heat of the day. Carolina- and Texas-rigged soft plastics, crankbaits, Southern Pro Flipping Tubes and Rat-L-Traps have been the baits to have rigged and ready lately. Bomber Model A and Rebel Deep Wee R crankbaits in Black Pearl, Bayou Bengal or Secret Weapon colors, fished slowly from 8 to 12 feet deep, are finding some keeper bass along Little River. Texas rigging Lil' Critter Craws, 4-inch Southern Pro Flipping Tubes, Baby Brush Hogs and Yum Wooly Bugs in Green Pumpkin, Watermelon/Red, Camo, Ozark Smoke and Blackberry and pitching to stumps with any close, remaining vegetation are drawing some good strikes and strong Largemouths up to 6-7 pounds each on points in Little River. Large Rat-L-Traps deflected off stumps in the river are working on keeper-sized bass as well. The Carolina Rig bite has jumped a notch and is finding good keeper bass responding over the past couple weeks, with the fish suspended in Little River. The crappie bite continues to improve along brush piles 17-22 feet deep on live shiners. Over the past week, jigging Blakemore Crappie Thunder Road Runners was taking some really nice slabs between 12-17 feet deep. Best color for the Crappie Thunder Road Runners was Silver Shad. Current in Little River during pool drawdown has kept the channel cats turned on. Chicken livers, hot dogs, cut bait or Catfish Charlie on trot lines and yo-yo's along the river has worked well.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said bream fishing is fair on worms. Crappie fishing is good on jigs. A few bass have been caught on a variety of spinnerbaits and jigs. Catfishing is fair on worms.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said bream fishing is fair on redworms fished at the bottom. Crappie fishing is good on a jig-and-shiner combination. Catfishing is fair on worms and crickets.<br />
White Oak Lake:White Oak Lake State Park said the fishing has picked up, especially the crappie. Crappie have been biting well on live shiners. Bass and catfish are picking up also.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 538.90 feet MSL.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service had no report this week<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 397.08 feet MSL.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) had no report.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) had no report.<br />
Bill's Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said the water is murky and low. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs around brush piles. Bass fishing is fair on crankbaits and jigs in deeper water. Catfishing is good on shad and stinkbait.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 392.26 feet MSL.<br />
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) will be closed until Feb. 1, 2008. No report.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in deep water on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good on jigs. Catfish are biting well below the dam on minnows.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 569.92 feet MSL.<br />
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water temperature is 50 to 56 degrees. Largemouth bass are fair on finesse worms, spoons and lipless crankbaits on main lake points and secondary points. Punching a big jig in the grass has been effective for some anglers as well. Walleye are fair and still being caught on spoons over humps and main lake points with brush piles. Stripers are good on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. Smoke or pearl-colored grubs are working well right now. Bream are slow on crickets and worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are good and being caught over grass and brush. Try large moss flats and brush in water 8 to 15 feet deep. Catfish are slow with reports of these fish being caught with live bait and cut bait in water 20 to 25 feet deep on jugs and trotlines.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass fishing is good on jigs fished on the outside edge of grass near trees. Red crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps fished over the grass are catching bass as well. Stripers are biting fairly well in 35 to 40 feet of water on silver spoons fished underneath wads of baitfish. Crappie are fair on top of the grass. Not many are being caught, but they're good-sized fish.<br />
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that the lake has returned to the normal 5-foot winter drawdown level. The tailrace is now much safer to navigate; however, caution is still advised when attempting to travel to the dam. The shoal areas are still very shallow and are only passable by boat during periods of generation. The water temperature has dropped from 59 degrees to the mid-40s after the cold rains and power generation. Rainbow trout fishing continues to be good and will become much better in the upcoming months. Fly-anglers are still able to wade and are catching limits of fish casting streamers and woolly buggers. San Juan worms are another excellent choice. Egg patterns are a perfect presentation as rainbows have an inborn instinct to feed on fish eggs. Spin fishermen are doing well throwing Rooster Tails in white and brown. Super dupers and Little Cleo's fished in the current will catch trout as they actively feed on threadfin shad. White and silver colors produce the best results fished on light line. Trolling the channels with small crankbaits has landed trout in the 2-pound range and male walleye in the 5 to 6-pound range. Stripers continue to be caught - most of which are in the 10 to 12-pound range. Fishermen using large top-water baits are having some success, but the biggest fish are being hooked on live bait rigs. Gizzard shad or brood shad are the baits of choice. Live baits always are more productive in winter at Carpenter Dam. As the water warms in May, jigs and top-water presentations will draw heart-stopping strikes from fish 20 pounds and larger.<br />
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing is improving. Bass are biting well on crankbaits, jerkbaits and jigs fished around brush on points and creek channels. A few stripers are upriver and are being caught on spoons and hair jigs. A few walleye are being caught on crankbaits fished over flats. There are plenty of yellow bass to be caught. There's no limit on yellow bass and harvest is encouraged.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good in 10-12 feet of water on minnows. Bass fishing is good on top-water lures and spinnerbaits.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Catfish are biting well on minnows.<br />
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 346.23 feet MSL.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Moro Bay: Moro Bay State Park said the rainfall in the northern half of the state has caused the river to rise 9.5 feet (74.5ft above sea level) during the last week. The current is fairly swift and the river is muddy. The crappie were biting well on shiners last week but that has almost certainly changed. Few people are fishing, so reports are uncommon; but it's a safe bet that fishing is tough right now at MoroBayState Park.
EAST ARKANSAS
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. A few catfish have been caught on cut bait.<br />
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is high and muddy. Walleye are biting fair on shad, minnows and small green sunfish. All other species are slow.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) had no report.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Bond's said that the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and worms.