(updated 8-31-2016) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is stained and the surface temperature is 86 degrees. The level is normal. Bream are excellent about 10 feet off the shore; use worms or crickets. Crappie are fair in about 6 feet depth and in the cypress trees; use minnows and jigs. Bass are fair around the lily pads on topwater frogs and buzzbaits. Catfishing is excellent on YoYo’s, limb lines using goldfish or chicken hearts as bait. Set the bait about 5-6 feet deep.
(updated 8-24-2016) Hatchet Jack’s (501-758-4948) said crappie are fair in about 12-14 feet depth. Use picnk and crappie minnows.
(updated 8-31-2016) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip ‘em All Guide Service said they are seeing increased generation of two units for several hours daily on the Little Red. Expect this generation schedule to continue until the Greers Ferry lake returns to seasonal pool level of 262.5. Even with the increased generation schedule, there are opportunities to wade fish early mornings on the upper and middle sections of the river. For fly fishing, Lowell recommends streamers, sowbugs, midges and Woolly Buggers. For Trout Magnet fishing, he recommends candy cotton, hot pink and red-colored bodies on chartreuse jigheads. Mark your calendars for the annual Little Red River Cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 10. For more information on the cleanup check the Little Red River Foundation and TU Chapter 722 Facebook pages. Always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Corps of Engineers website (swl-wc.usace.army.mil) for real time water release and the Southwest Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecasted generation schedule.
(updated 8-31-2016) Greg Seaton with Little Red Fly Fishing Trips (501-690-9166) said the river remains clear with an increase in generation. The Corps of Engineers has informed me that they have requested about 10 hours of two-unit generation for the next several days due to the 3 feet of excess water in the lake. Southwest Power has the final say of setting the time of this generation and it looks like it will be from about 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day to correspond to the peak demand period. It would be wise to check this each day before making plans for the holiday weekend. Rainbows and browns are taking small mayfly emergers, nymphs and midge pupas. Size 18s and 20s seem to be the best choice. Wishing you a Happy and Safe Labor Day weekend. Please show courtesy to your fellow anglers especially during the crowded holiday weekend and don’t forget to join your local TU Chapter and Little Red Foundation for the river cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 10 at Red River Adventures Trout Resort.
(updated 8-31-2016) James Dillard at
Tailwater Fishing Co. said the fishing has been excellent. There have been consistent water releases each afternoon/evening from the dam for 3-5 hours. Wading opportunities are best in the upper river in the mornings, while wading the lower river is best in the afternoons/evenings. Drift fishing from the boat is best to cover the most amount of water. The hot flies have been egg patterns, sow bugs and San Juan worms. Pink and yellow Trout magnets have been producing good numbers of fish as well.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 465.71 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 461.44 msl).
(updated 8-31-2016) Tommy Cauley of
Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 465.72 feet and coming down some with generation, it is 3.18 feet above normal pool of 462.54 feet. It will be a little different fall fishing this year with a full pool. The black bass fishing is kind of tough as the fish are in a transition. But the bite should be great soon as a lot of fish are moving shallow with the new water. Use spinnerbaits, small crankbaits, and plastics in and around the bushes. For the deeper fish, a C-rig and football head will do the trick out to about 30 feet deep. The crappie will be biting good as well on beetle spins, jigs, and minnows around any wood in the lake suspended in 12-20 feet of wate. The catfish are eating any and every thing on jugs, lines and rod and reels, cut and live bait as the new water has them on the move. The bream will make beds again on the full moon and can be caught on crickets and crawlers from real shallow out to about 23 feet. The walleye will eat crawlers on drop shots in 18-28 feet of water as well as crankbaits. Aafter you locate, try a vertical approach at catching them. The hybrid and white bass are feeding on the threadfin trough out the lake at different times throughout the day and night. Use spoons, in-line spinners and small swimbaits for the best action in 25-40 feet of water.
(updated 8-31-2016) Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the lake is clear and the surface temperature was 84 degrees. Water level is normal. The fishing is slow, but fish are out there to be caught. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are good on spinnerbaits and topwater baits. Catfishing is fair on worms, stink bait and chicken livers.
(updated 8-31-2016) Johnny “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) said water level is still high but going down about 6 inches a day. Clarity is a little dingy but good overall. Bass are still chasing shad. Topwater plugs and buzzbaits are very effective (various colors ). Bream are doing great in shallow water and deeper 3-4 feet. Crappie are picking up on minnows in 8-11 feet of water. Twenty or or more were caught last weekend, all over two pounds. Catfish are slow for the bigger ones, but the smaller ones are doing good on limb lines and jugs. Banks says, “Come enjoy our little slice of HEAVEN” off state Highway 9 and have a safe and fun holiday.
(updated 8-31-2016) Fosters Four Seasons (501-868-9061) said water was clear and at a normal level. Bream are good on worms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bass are working early in the morning and late in the day on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwater lures. Catfishing is good on stick bait and chicken livers. No reports on white bass. Fosters has non-enthanol gas, sandwiches, tackle and more for anglers.
(updated 8-24-2016) Jolly Roger’s Marina reported that crappie are hitting again and black bass bite has improved. Black bass are good and biting on wacky rig worms, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits early in the morning and late in the day. Blacks can be caught in 15-20 feet of water. Blacks are on the sharp banks and 15 feet off the weeks. The rain and cooler weather have activated the bass. Kentucky bass also are good and are being caught on crankbaits and jigs. They can be found in 10-15 feet or water mixed in with the black bass. White bass fishing has been excellent all over the lake. Use CC Spoons, deep-diving Bandits and Bombers. When they are schooling in the main lake, use CC Spoons, white jigs and Rooster Tails. Rain improved the crappie fishing in the last week, as they are in 20 feet depth. Try the edges of the channls and on the old road beds and use crappie minnows or jigs. Bream fishing is excellent and the fish can be found at 15 feet on the bottom. Use crickets or live worms. Catfishing is good and the cats are being caught in 15-20 feet of water. Use stink bait, small bream and chicken livers. It’s not uncommon to pull in a 30-pounder here. Note that the Tuesday Black Bass tournament schedule has concluded and the Fish Off is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 17.
(updated 8-24-2016) Hatchet Jack’s (501-758-4948) reported that bass have been biting fair late in the evening. Try using black and blue jigs, black buzzbaits, Texas-rigged fighting baits and frogs. Catfishing is fair on trotlines. Baits that are working best are cut shad, goldfish, brooders and minnows.
(updated 8-24-2016) Vince Miller from
Fish ’N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) had reports that bass were good on drop-shorts and crankbaits, while bream were good and biting redworms.
(updated 8-31-2016) Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said catfish have been biting well on chicken livers, nightcrawlers and minnows. Bream fishing has been fair with crickets and redworms. Bass fishing has been "OK," according to one customer using minnows and green pumpkin trick worms. Reports of only a few crappies biting pink minnows.
(updated 8-31-2016) Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said the river should be great for this weekend. Bass will bite large minnows, four-inch lizards in almost any color, small crankbaits or small spinnerbaits. Catfish have been biting minnows, nightcrawlers and chicken livers. Crappie are starting back up in some deep holes and back waters. No. 6 minnows and small crankbaits fished fast have been working fairly well for some. Gar fishing is fun and challenging with minnows fished on strong hooks and heavy line. Bream will almost always bite crickets or worms on the river and are usually abundant and fun to catch regardless of size. Take a kid fishing this weekend and everyone stay safe.
(updated 8-31-2016) Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said bream are deep and biting crickets and redworms fished 12-18 inches off the bottom. Catfish are biting minnows, black salties and goldfish on jug lines and trotlines at night. Bass have been hitting live minnows, plastic worms and lizards or early in the morning a small topwater bait. Crappie are tight-lipped – or anybody that's catching them is.
(updated 8-31-2016) Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said the crappie have slowed down for our Winona customers but they are still catching enough to keep them going for now. Size 6 and 12 minnows are the baits they seem to prefer. Bass have been biting those minnows as well. Bream fishing is fair with crickets and redworms. Catfish are biting good in the evenings on nightcrawlers, chicken livers and minnows.
(updated 8-31-2016) Charlie’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo (501-354-8080) said there are few people fishing but the water is getting right. White bass are chasing shad early in the morning and late. The fishing is good around the creek opening and around jetties; go with a crankbait in shad or pearl colors. Also, where you have schools on the graph in front of jetties, use a CC spoon or a Critter Getter. Catfish are good and are moving in and out of the jetties in 5-10 feet of water, up to 15-25 feet by mid-day. Use worms. Bream are better in the backwater on worms. Black bass are in the timber; use a June bug-color bait. Kentucky bass are active when the the water levels are in the grass. Try a Firetiger color for them. Stripers are below the dam, so float a bream or shad about 6-feet deep.
(updated 8-31-2016) Professional angler and guide Cody Kelley reported bass fishing at the Cadron Pool has been a little better the last two weeks. With flows around the 20,000 cfs the fish will keep feeding pretty much all day long. Just remember to work the main river areas with moving water. The fresh water will typically be cooler and more oxygenated than the hot backwaters. Although you can definitely catch fish by fishing slow, Kelley said he prefers to stay on the move, fishing all of the main river structure that he comes to. Try squarebill crankbaits, bandit crankbaits, and 1/2 spinnerbaits tight to cover that has the most current on it. Catfishing has been consistent, but not great. Definitely spend the majority of your efforts chasing cats after dark. You still want to focus on deeper areas, but because there are times of slack current, you might need to drift over multiple holes before you get that good bite. Live shad and bream have been working the best lately.
(updated 8-31-2016) River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the river was clear and at a normal level. Bream are good and biting worms and crickets. Crappie are in about 3-5 feet of water and are biting fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are good in shallow water early in the morning and late in the day on spinnerbaits and soft plastic worms. Catfishing is good at night, with chicken livers working as the best bait.
(updated 8-31-2016) Vince Miller at Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) reported the water was clear and at a normal level. Bream are good on worms and crickets. There were no crappie reports. Bass are biting fair on spinnerbaits and topwater baits. Catfishing is good by the dams. Chicken livers seem to be working best.
(updated 8-31-2016) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water in the Clear Lake portion of the pool is normal, and the fishing has been good. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are good and hitting spinnerbaits and plastic worms nad lizards. Catfishing is fair. Nearer Terry Lock and Dam, the water is murky but is at a normal level. The fishing remains good throughout in that area. Bream are good on worms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwaters. Catfishing is good behind the dam; use cut bait.
(updated 8-31-2016) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) reported water is dingy but at a normal level this week. Bream are in 5-6 feet of depth near the Willow Beach area, with wax worms working. Crappie are fair and are suspended in 12-15 feet depth around the Burns Park area; use a red-colored jig. Bass are fair early in the day and are biting crankbaits and topwater frogs. Catfishing has been good. Reports from the airport area said they are about 25 feet down and are biting skipjack. In the Terry Dam area, the water is dingy. Bream and crappie fishing were poor. Bass reports were fair, with green plastic worms and Shakey Head baits working. Catfishing was fair below the dam on cut shad.
(updated 8-24-2016) Hatchet Jack’s (501-758-4948) said catfishing was fair in the Terry Lock and Dam area. Most success was through snagging and baitfishing using shad, skipjack and goldfish.
(updated 8-31-2016) Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is clear and at a normal level. Catfishing is excellent using shad or cut baits. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwater lures. There were no reports on bream or crappie catches.
(updated 8-24-2016) Hatchet Jack’s (501-758-4948) said that catfishing in the lake is excellent using nightcrawlers, minnows and chicken hearts. Bream are fair around the docks on worms and crickets. Bass are fair on the deeper side of Willastein. Try using spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and squarebill crankbaits. No reports on crappie.
No reports. Remember to sign up for the Seniors fishing event at Lake Valencia scheduled for Sept. 9.
(updated 8-31-2016) Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said catfish are being caught on chicken livers, bait shrimp and minnows. Bream are biting crickets. Bass are being caught on minnows, red shad-colored plastics and wacky-rigged plastic worms. Crappie are biting slow but some are hitting pink and size-6 minnows.
(updated 8-31-2016) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) said water is dingy. There were no reports of any bream or crappie catches. Bass fishing is fair using spinnerbaits, topwater lures and plastic worms. Catfishing is fair, with shad and chicken livers getting the best bite.
(updated 8-24-2016) Hatchet Jack’s (501-758-4948) reported that crappie are fair in the Maumelle River. They are in about 10-12 feet using crappie minnows and white or chartreuse jigs. Bass are fair in the Maumelle River early in the day and late. Use spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and Zara Spooks. Below the Arkansas River dam, crappie have been reported as fair on minnows and various colors of jigs. Bass are fair around the jetty points when the water is flowing. Use Sinkos, creature baits and squarebill crankbaits. Catfishing is fair using bass minnows, cat shad and chicken hearts.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 661.60 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 659.00 msl).
(updated 8-31-2016) K Dock Marina reported that lake conditions have really changed in the last recently. Rain and cool nights have dropped the surface temps down about 10 degrees from last two Saturdays ago. Water is also stained, making it great for bass fishing. The walleye and crappie bite should get better now that we are reading water temps in the low 80s instead of the middle 90s. Been seeing a lot of large catfish being caught on a variety of methods. Both channel and flathead cats are starting to feed. Most recent water surface temperature was 82 degrees. Black bass are good topwater, including Zara Spooks, Ploppers and buzzbaits. Also good on large plastic worms and jigs in 18-25 feet off of points and steep bluffs. Also good on large crankbaits in the same range. Walleye are fair to slow on bottom-bouncing nightcrawlers in 30-plus feet of water. Crappie are slow on live minnows in brush piles. They are suspended in 20 feet. (Crappie should start to come up better with the surface temp cooling down.)
(updated 8-31-2016) Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock reported water temp has come down quite bit. Cold nights have come through, some big changes on the lake. The 92-, 94 is down to 84 for the high. Over the apex. Rain coming in, water coming in back of creeks, big fish are beginning to move around a little bit. Guys are catch8ing walleye trolling right now, using deeper crankbaits. They’re trolling the flats up around Oakland, some of the main lake points. Those walleye are suspended about 25-30 feet and the baits in that general area too. We;’ve got a thermos, about 30 foot. You don’t have to fish deeper than 30 feet to get some action, For bass, the ledges are still holding a lot of fish. The Whopper Plopper is working. Fish the conditions. If you have wind and cloudy conditions, start fishing the PowerBaits. You can flip a jig up around the ledge rock. The fish are starting to come up into the bushe, try a Right Bite ½-ounce jig there. There is a ton of shad back in the creeks. There aren’t a lot of bass there yet, but it’s just a matter of time before the bass move back in there. If it’s sunny and calm, a drop-shot will work well. Pulled a lot of fish on the drop-shot the other day. Robo worm with a 12-14-inch leader so they’re being caught off the bottom. Most of the presentation is vertical over the trees, channel swings. A lot of times you’ll three or four fish from the same school. Topwater has been on and off. If it’s sunny out and not a lot of wind, they’re hitting the Lucky Craft Sammie and the old Biffle Bug, and the Green Pumpkin Red and Green Pumpkin Orange. Lot of fish are suspended at about 20 feet and jerkbaits are working. Early in the morning they will be a little bit shallower. Fish the conditions.
(updated 8-31-2016) Ron Gamble at
Cotter Trout Dock said that, by now,
school's back in session most everywhere; they always experience a lull (the August doldrums) just before school starts. Now it’s time to get back to business as usual. That applies to the baits that are producing good catches, too. Nice batches of rainbows are being rewarded to anglers using standard PowerBait – shrimp-corn combos; switch them up, change colors when the bite slows and wait for the trout. A favorite spoon this past week was the bronze Colorado, smallest size available because the water level is low until late afternoon. Looks like a pattern has been established regarding releases from the dam: low all morning and dropping until SWPower begins generation early in the afternoon. By 5 in Cotter, they begin to see the rise, and some days it can be 4-5 feet of additional water.
(updated 8-24-2016) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) reported the river level low. As many as six generators are running on the weekends, and the water generally is low early in the mornings and higher in the evenings. A few big browns were caught but they’ve slowed down with the warmer weather of late. Most success has been on Rapalas and rouges. Rainbows are biting PowerBait, red and gold spoons and Little Cleos. There just hasn’t been much fly fishing of late.
(updated 8-31-2016) John Berry at
Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said that in the past week they have had a couple of rain events (a combined total of half an inch here in Cotter), moderate temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals rose 0.4 feet to rest at 0.4 feet above seasonal power pool of 661 feet. This is 33.6 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell a foot to rest at 4.1 feet below seasonal power pool and 18.1 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell 0.4 feet to rest at 4.5 feet below seasonal power pool and 13.1 feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, they had heavy generation in the afternoon last week with wadable water every morning. On the White, the bite has been excellent. The hot spot has been Rim Shoals, with reliable wading water. The hot flies were olive Woolly Buggers (sizes 8, 10), Y2Ks (sizes 14, 12), prince nymphs (size 14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead sizes 16, 18), pheasant tails (size 14), ruby midges (size 18), root beer midges (size 18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (size 10), and sowbugs (size 16). Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective (my current favorite is a hare and copper nymph (size 14) with a size 18 ruby midge suspended below it). The best bet for large trout has been to bang the bank with large articulated streamers delivered with heavy 24-30-foot sink tips (350 grains or heavier) on bigger water. You will need an 8- or 9-weight rod. This is heavy work but the rewards can be great.
A couple of weeks ago, Berry got a call from Randy in Memphis. He had been referred to Berry by Barry Smith and Susan Hillebrand, John’s old friends and regular guide clients. The success of Berry’s guide service relies on repeat business and referrals. Randy wanted John to do a three-person guide trip for him, his father and his son. Three-person guide trips are not popular with fly fishing guides. In fact, there are just a few fly fishing guides that will even accept the business. The main problem is that three people in a 20-foot river boat casting 9-foot or longer fly rods are an invitation to disaster. For the guides who use oars, there is just not enough room to accommodate another client. Even on a wade trip it is difficult to keep all of your clients close together in spots that will be productive. The guide ends up trooping the line, in order to keep everyone on fish. The more clients you have the less individual attention each one will receive. At the same time, there are some really good reasons why a three-person guide trip is a good idea. One is that is less expensive for the clients to hire one guide rather than two. The guides that do take three clients require an up charge for the extra client (three clients lose more flies, need more tippet and eat more lunch than two) but it is still way less than two guide fees. In addition, sometimes the three clients just want to be together. It could be the celebration of a milestone in life or just an opportunity to bond through a shared experience. Randy was looking for a bonding experience with his 81-year-old father, Grand Dad, and his son, Ethan. Grand Dad was a bit past a wade trip and we settled on a boat trip. Randy said that he and Ethan were relative newcomers to the sport but that Grand Dad was an avid fly fisher years ago. They agreed that trying to fish all three at one time might be counterproductive and decided that two would fish at a time with one angler sitting it out. When one would catch a few nice trout he would trade places with the angler sitting it out so that everyone got in on the action.
They began the trip with a casting lesson and they all agreed that it helped. It was a bit overcast and the temperature was in the 70s, when they began. The river was on the bottom and 1-2 inches of rain was in the forecast. There was a light wind out of the south east at about 5-10 mph. We began catching fish on the first drift. The hot fly was a ruby midge with a hare and copper not far behind. At the end of the first drift, Grand Dad was cranking in his line but was turning the crank in the wrong direction. It took me a minute before I realized that the last time he fly fished he was using an old automatic reel that operated with a spring and did not have a crank. It did not hold him back. He finished the day with the most trout. After we had been out a few minutes, it began to rain but quit almost as soon as we got our rain jackets on. Randy managed to land the large trout, a fine, stout, vividly colored, 18-inch rainbow. Ethan had landed the first couple of fish. The group as a whole landed quite a few trout with success spread fairly evenly. On this occasion, three generations of a family had a stellar time fishing three in a boat.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 554.30 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 553.75 msl, April-September – 552.00 msl).
(updated 8-31-2016) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters said the Norfork Lake stripers continue to feeding heavily in the early morning and late afternoon. They are feeding in the 32-38-foot range. Most of the fish are right on the bottom off the main points and humps. After sunup they are moving out to the 40-foot range, roaming and chasing shad. When you hit a school every rod will get hit. Tom said he and his fishing party had five rods out and more than once all were hit at the same time. It was total madness. The fish can be found near the dam. Start looking in Shoal Creek for whites and hybrids, then look at all the points within a mile of the dam; you will find them feeding before light. Walleyes are being caught on points and flats using bottom bouncers and spoons in 28-35 feet of water. The best live bait this past week for stripers has been gizzard shad.
A client of Tom’s who has fish with him for over 10 years booked a 3-boat 2-day trip for his clients this past Saturday and Sunday. Doug Schultz's group had nine people, three in each boat. The weather was great; the rain that was predicted never happened, so everything was perfect for two great days of fishing. With all new clients there is a learning curve trying to catch a striper before light. The first day they landed 23 stripers with four over 20 pounds, the biggest being 24 pounds. The second day they boated 27 stripers. Everybody figured out how to hook the fish and they were done by 6:35 on Sunday. All told the group boated 50 stripers in two days. This time of year they practice catch-and-keep because the stripers are under heavy stress from the warm water. A lot of people release a striper and see it swim away believing the fish will be OK. Statistics show that the mortality rate is very high. They may live a couple of days but most of them die, so it’s better to keep the fish you catch. The bite is unbelievable and should continue this way into September. The fall bite will be starting soon as the water starts to cool down, so make your plans on the web with www.FishNorfork.com for everything Norfork Lake. Be sure to read Tom’s Fall Striper tactics on the www.NorforkLakeChamber.com website.
(updated 8-24-2016) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort Norfork Lake's summer fishing pattern is showing signs that it is starting to change. Typically around beginning to the middle of September the striped bass move from the south end of the lake and scatter throughout the lake with a tendency to move upriver to the cooler water. This year appears to be a little different. The lake has great oxygenated water down to and a little past the thermocline and then the oxygen level drops to a very low level. This is keeping all species of fish above 40 feet with most concentrating around the 30-35 feet level, regardless of the water depth. The lake surface water temperature has cooled off a bit and currently is in the low 80s down from the 90-degree water temperature of a week ago. I am sure the cooler water is a big relief to the striped bass, as they prefer temperatures in the 60s and low 70s. Because of the change that is occurring, Lou says he is starting to find feeding striped bass up in the mid to northern parts of the lake, which is a little earlier than normal.
Two weeks ago, Lou was fishing the south part of the lake with his granddaughter using threadfin shad and they were limiting out most days with stripers and hybrids. After she went back home, Lou changed his tactics and switched from live bait fishing to vertical jigging with a spoon and to casting lures for largemouth bass. Lou says he has mainly been fishing within 6 miles in all directions from Hummingbird Hideaway Resort. His best bite has been in the late afternoon. Large schools of fish are feeding in 25-35 feet of water mainly on large flats. If you find the bait, there will be fish not far away. The south end of the lake continues to be very productive for striped bass early in the morning with live bait in the same 30-35 feet of water. Look for stripers off of points within 0-2 miles of the dam and you should find some nice fish. The walleye, white bass, catfish and spotted bass bite has been improving and they are in the same type of areas as the stripers and hybrids. One great thing about vertical jigging with a spoon is that they will catch all species. Earlier this week, Lou caught every species in the lake except crappie by vertical jigging. He also likes to horizontal jig by casting out a Kastmaster type of blade bait, letting it sink to the bottom then jerk it back to the boat bouncing it along the bottom. Lou says he’s used his spoons the same way, but have had more success with the blade type baits. He has caught most of his walleye using a ¾-ounce spoon, but instead of vertical jigging he has been moving slowly with his trolling motor and dragging the spoon along the bottom and jerking it as he is moving. Most times they attack it as it hits the bottom after a jerk. Crappie appear to be scattered out on the same flats as all the other fish. They have not moved into the brush as of yet, but will do very soon. He is picking up a few while jigging my spoon, and the catches have been 15-plus-inch monsters. There are some nice largemouth mixed in with all the other species in the same areas, but have had more luck on rocky points going into a creek or cove. Most of the fish caught have been suspended 10-20 feet down and a wiggle wart has worked great. There has also been some sporadic topwater action with a Zara Spook puppy since they wanted smaller bait. For you nighttime bass fisher people, work the bottom with a jig and pig along the bluff lines or use a tube jig or dark spinner bait by docks after dark.
Lake Norfork level is rising very slowly and currently sits at 554.29. Minimal power generation occurring to allow this rise. The lake surface water temperature has fallen to around 83-84 degrees, but it will rise once the air temperature warms up again. The main lake is clear with the creeks and coves stained.
(updated 8-24-2016) Guide Steve Olomon of
Steve’s Guide Service said the lake was 554.2 feet msl over the weekend and the water temperature ws in the mid 80s. Look for stripers on the lower end of the lake from Point 2 to the dam and a couple miles east up in Big Creek near Hand Cove and Jordan. Most of them are suspended down 40 feet and can be on the bottom in 40 feet or out in 100 feet of water. Check the bays down by the dam and out off the points or the deep side of the points. On a clear day Steve lies to use a silver jigging spoon and on cloudy days he likes white. Use at least a 3/4-ounce and use a barrel swivel on your spoon. It helps eliminate line twist. The Fle-Fly bendable spoons are working well. Early in the morning there are some bass hitting topwater. For the deeper fish in the 15-40-feet range, throw a jig, Texas-rigged worm, drop-shot with a small minnow-type bait or a 4-inch worm. Try a jigging spoon for the deeper ones. Some walleye have been hitting jigging spoons down around 35 feet. There are some nice whites and hybrids suspended around 35 feet.
(updated 8-31-2016) John Berry at
Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) saidNorfork Lake rose 0.5 feet to rest at 1.4 feet below seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet and 25.6 feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had reliable wadable water every morning, with light generation in the afternoon. The Norfork has fished better on the lower water and has not been as crowded with wadable water on the White. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (#18, #20, #22) like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (#14, #16) like the green butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. Double fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead headed nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended eighteen inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise #10). There have been reliable hatches of small midges (try a size 24 Adams parachute) and caddis (try a size 18 elk hair caddis). The fishing is better in the morning. My favorite fly has been the Green Butt. Dry Run Creek has been very busy, with summer vacation, in full swing. It has not fished as well but is still yielding some trophy trout. The hot flies have been sowbugs (#14), Y2Ks (#12) and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise #10). While you are at the creek you should visit the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.
(updated 8-31-2016) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said that with the weather warming, smallmouths are more active. John Berry's favorite fly is a Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering the river. There are no dams and the river is prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
(updated 8-31-2016) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said the river is navigable. Try John Berry's favorite lure for smallmouths, the Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering. There are no dams, there are large drainages and the creek prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,116.73 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120.00 msl).
(updated 8-31-2016) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) reported the water surface temperature was in the low 80s and the water level was high. The walleye bite is good on points in 18-25 feet of water. Use a spoon. Bass fishing is good at night using spinnerbaits and buzzbaits, while topwaters are drawing good action early in the day. Crappie fishing is fair for anglers trolling with spider rigs. Bream are fair on crickets. Catfishing is good on prepared and live bait.
(updated 8-31-2016) Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) reported stripers have been on the move but are on the feed when you find them. Fall is fast approaching and striper are positioning themselves into typically fall spots. Mike said he has been seeing some topwater activity from white bass and stripers in the 5-15-pound range, so make sure you have a swimbait, spoon, jig or favorite topwater like a Spook tied on and ready for blasting fish. They are chasing bait up from about 30 feet deep, pinning them to the surface, and will hit anything thrown into the fray and moving at a fast pace out of it. HANG ON TIGHT WHEN THEY HIT! Beaver Lake stripers are on main lake structures and mouths of coves, etc. Some Beaver Lake stripers are using gravel bars, points, humps, treetops and cuts in the bank to corner bait. Fishing weighted-down lines will definitely get you some fish. Striper will hit live shad fished on down lines 30-60 feet deep. Also try trolling small umbrella rigs with white grubs or chartreuse for stained water, plugs like Rapala No. 14 husky jerks in black back or purple back colors and Smithwick Rogues in similar colors in 5-6-inch model on downriggers. Jerkbaits like flukes, swimbaits and jigs will also produce. Fish are greatly influenced by lake level and current flow, and current in the lake from generation will generally position fish on upstream or downstream edges of structure; check Bailey’s web site for daily lake level and flow data link. Check out these hot areas on the mid- and lower sections: Dam and Hybrid Cove, Point 1, Indian Creek, Lost Bridge North, Point 3, Lost Bridge South, Point 4, Big Clifty and Point 5. Walley are on the main lake in numbers and on the feed. They can be found in 10-20-feet depth depending on where you fish. Use three-way rigging Rapalas in natural colors for clear water, or chartreuse/orange and clown colors in areas of stained water. Try slow death rigs and spinner rigs on bottom bouncers in orange/chartreuse. Bink pro scale 1-ounce jigging spoons in white or white/chartreuse combo and a variety of jigs like the wobble head with a night crawler fished along chunk rock banks.are also producing walleye.
(updated 8-24-2016) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said the tailwaters experienced a shift in water temperature this week. Temperature from Houseman to U.S. Highway 62 bridge went from 72 to 68 degrees. The trout bite slack off quite a bit around 9:30 a.m. Trout were biting on various PowerBaits, fished with light terminal tackle. A few walleye were also boated (males). Walleye have responded to jigging with live minnows and various soft plastics. White bass were also caught trolling Rapalas around 6 feet. With the Corps of Engineers generation times being mostly in the evening, you best chance to get in on fishing is the early morning hours.
(updated 8-31-2016) Beaver Dam Store reported the fly fishing in has been exceptionally good. Fishing the tailwaters of Beaver Dam should remain good. Norfork has been dumping trout last Friday and fishing s should be excellent below the dam. Good news for fishermen wading: Water levels have dropped significantly and many arears that were not accessible during higher water have opened up, creating more areas to fish. The big tree blocking access on the upstream sidewalk at Parker Bottoms has been removed. The AGFC has removed gravel blocking the stocking at Parker Bottoms. Now fish are being stocked in this area. The browns can be caught using midges, streamers and hopper patterns. For Rainbows, try drifting zebra midges, numphing and swinging small soft hackles. Good lures continue to be gold and silver Colorado spoons, red and gold Bouyant spoons and Flicker Shad in Pro Series Nos. 4 and 5. Good PowerBait colors are white, red, orange, yellow, chartreuse and peach. Good flies are pheasant tails, midges in blud dun, black, olive and hares ear, tungsten copper John’s. WD40s and Trout Magnets. Catfish are biting on Wicked Sticky catfish bait, along with Magic Bait crawfish/chicken blood bait.
Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said he closed the bait shop the remainder of the year.
(updated 8-31-2016) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reported the water conditions as clear and at a normal level, with a surface temperature of 82 degrees. Bream are good and are biting worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are good; use spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastic worms or flukes. Catfishing has been good, with goldfish working best.
(updated 8-31-2016) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) reported conditions of clear water clarity and normal level, with a surface temperature of 82 degrees earlier in the week. Bream are around the shoreline and are good, biting worms and crickets. Bass are fair with reports of catches all over the lake both early in the day and late. Topwaters are working best. Catfish were good on live bait and chicken livers.
(updated 8-31-2016) Seth Boone at Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett is still doing well with minnows and goldfish. Prime suspects to catch are crappie, catfish and, of course, bass. The bream have slowed down a bit, but are biting OK on nightcrawlers.
(updated 8-24-2016) Ome Coleman
at
Lake Poinsett State Park said that last Friday a local fisherman caught a 40-pound flathead catfish here at Lake Poinsett. No wonder they are selling a lot of goldfish. Minnows and crickets are still in demand for the crappie and bream. Redworms and nightcrawlers are selling slow. We need more fishermen to let us know what they are catching.
(updated 8-31-2016) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said water is clear and at a normal level, with the surface water termperature in the upper 80s. Bream fishing was good using worms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing rated good, but there didn’t seem to be too many bass, though there was some success late in the day. Spinnerbaits and plastic worms worked best. Catfishing was reported good.
(updated 8-31-2016) Mark Crawford with
Spring River Flies and Guides said wwater levels are running at 344 cfs at the spring and water clarity has been clear. It has been some tough fishing with the heat over the last week but we have also caught some really big trout. Guppies, olive Woolly Buggers and Y2ks have been the hot flies. Hot pink Trout Magnets and blue spinners have been good with spin fishers. Cooler weather in the forecast. Should be a really nice weekend.
(
updated 8-24-2016) John Berry in Cotter said the Spring River is fishing well. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season is in full swing and there are a lot of boats on the river. You should fish during the week, if you can. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive Woolly Buggers with a bit of flash (size 10), cerise and hot pink San Juan worms (size 10) and Y2Ks (size 10).
(updated 8-31-2016) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear but hot. The level measured at 7½ feet. Bream are fair and are biting crickets. Bass fishing is fair using plastic worms. No reports of crappie, catfish or walleye.
(updated 8-31-2016) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Team said water temperatures have dropped down into the mid 80s. Water visibility is around 1 foot on the main channel and in Lake Langhofer. Small black bass are schooling with white bass on the main channel of the river near certain jetties with water flowing over them. Larger fish are very difficult to find, but you can at least get some bites chasing these small ones. Use small shad colored crankbaits and work the lures with the current, not against it. Fish can be caught from shallow brush, docks and rocks in Lake Langhofer, but these fish have been pressured so much this summer that they are extremely difficult to catch right now.
No report.
No report.
No report.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 257.39 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.20 msl).
(updated 8-31-2016) Mike Siefert at
Millwood Lake Guide Service said all this rain during our typically hottest month of the entire year sure is a welcome site for us in southwest Arkansas. As of Monday, the lake level remained in drawdown, about 24-plus inches below normal conservation pool and steady. There is an increase current of Little River with the gates releasing around 5,335 cfs as of Monday. Tailwater level was 229.8 feet msl on Monday. Water temperature was stable over the past week, ranging from 77 degrees early to 90 late, depending on location. Navigation is cautious for Little River during drawdown conditions, as of Monday. The Corps of Engineers tells us the drawdown condition is planned to end this Friday (Sept. 2) as the work is expected to be completed at Cottonshed Park. Watch for gate changes at the dam late in the week by the Corps if ending drawdown occurs. Clarity and visibility are consistent over the last couple weeks, most areas on main lake and Little River due to falling water during the drawdown. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity & visibility ranges about 8-12 inches. Cottonshed and northeast section of the lake remain stained. Little River's visibility ranges 8-15 inches depending on location and current. The oxbow's clarity currently ranging about 15-25 inches depth. Little River above McGuire oxbow is semi-stained, some areas have fair to decent clarity. Bass continue good to very good over the past few weeks’ cooler surface temps, and are best from 2-3 pounds on topwaters early in the morning and late in the day out of the current and Little River. Most bass are aggressive at dawn around lily pad stands and shallow vegetation where you can find the clearest water away from current in backs of the creeks, flats and oxbows. Buzz baits in black neon, bluebird and avocado colors continue working well. Baby Torpedoes, Skitterbugs, Ken Pops, plastic frogs, Chug Bugs, and Jitterbugs, all remain a good topwater choice, early. Working topwaters around pads and vegetation across flats adjacent to deeper sections of the creek channels continue drawing good reactions at dawn. Good bites continue on the soft plastic frogs and Bass Assassin Shads this week around pads in clearest water you can find. Johnson chrome spoons with curly tail grub trailers have been taking some good fish in the lily pads. Bass Assassin Shads in Rainbow Shad, Crystal Shad, Salt & Pepper and Roadkill colors continue working best with the current water clarity and conditions. Rat-L-Traps in Ghost and Millwood Magic colors, 1.75 Echo crankbaits in Millwood Magic and Oxbow colors continue working in creek mouths, dumping into Little River. Chartreuse shad or Citrus Shad Bomber deeper-diving crankbaits continue to be best reaction colors in the oxbows over the past several weeks by largemouths and white bass alike. Berkley Craw Fatties in black neon, black/blue or grasshopper colors continue working in the oxbows, near cypress trees, and lily pads close to drops. Big, bulky 10-inch worms in blue fleck, watermelon candy, and June Bug-red are still working along Little River in 6-10 feet of depth, and also around creek mouths dumping into Little River.
Whites and hybrids continue roaming the oxbows and continue hitting the Tennessee Shad or citrus shad colored crankbaits in the back of the oxbows. Over the past few weeks week, with the heavy cloud cover, the whites were again surface-breaking on shad in back of Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows. Those fish were hitting small Smokey Joe Pop-R's, Ken Pop's and Chug Bugs with a rear feather tail hook, and Little Cleos, Rocket Shads, jigging spoons and Rooster Tails in red/white or chartreuse/white, and chrome Rat-L-Traps. Crappie fishing has improved over the past week on Blakemore Roadrunners, and vertical jigging Southern Pro Little Hustler tubes in planted brush piles from 12-16 feet of depth. Blues and channel cats remain good this week in Little River on trot lines set approx 8-10 feet deep, in creek mouths and outer bends of the river. Best trotline baits last couple weeks continue to be chicken livers, cut shad and buffalo.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 546.68 feet msl (Flood pool – 548.00 msl).
No reports were submitted for this week.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 405.49 feet msl (flood pool – 408.00 msl).
(updated 8-31-2016) Local angler George Graves surface water temperature is in the low 80s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is good early in the morning working the shad schools. Look for fish busting shad in the big coves between points 2 and 4. Also look for fish in coves all along the State Park. The fish will be in shad, which are now growing to a good size. Most any medium-size topwater lure will work. Also try 3-inch swimbaits and try to hit where the fish breaks and just let it sink; they will hit it on the way down. Don't be too surprised if a big hybrid takes your lure because they will mix in with the bass. Nothing to report on crappies; it seems the higher water has them off their feed. Hybrid fishing has slowed. It looks like the deep thermocline has some very cold water by the way it is marking so heavy on the sonar. The water could be a bit too cold for the fish to be actively feeding. A few fish are being caught at 50 feet in water over 100 feet deep. Just keep moving and looking with the sonar and eventually one will bite. Try a heavy jigging spoon and drop it to just above the fish. Look for fish in the coves at points 2 and 4 and off DeRoche Ridge. Bream fishing is good for small fish in shallow water in coves. The bigger shell crackers are still down deep at 20-25 feet off secondary points. Tight-line a redworm or cricket on a Carolina rig to just off the bottom. Catfish are fair on trotlines and noodles in the major creeks such as Big Hill and Brushy. Best baits are hot dogs, cut shad, nightcrawlers, chicken livers and prepared stink baits. For bigger fish use small live bream and big minnows.
(updated 8-31-2016) John Duncan with yoyguideservice.com said the lake is up considerably from the recent rains. There is debris floating on most of the lake but worse in the Shouse Ford area. The water temperature is around 85 degrees in most areas. That is a 6-degree cool-down change in August. The recent rains have brought so much fresh water that it has affected all fishing. Schooling fish have slowed down considerably. Whites and some small blacks are still schooling in the Edgewood area. Use small spoons, shad colored topwaters, spoons and crankbaits. Hybrids schools are spotty and do not stay up long. Some are still surfacing around markers 3 and 4. No report on black bass. Bream are finishing up spawn, and some catches around brush piles and rocky points have been reported. The crappie bite is still going on, just spotty. It is very unusual to catch crappie this time of year but they are still hanging out in the brush piles. The brush piles that were 15 feet deep recently are now 20 feet deep. Stay with the deep tops and brush piles. No report on black bass.
(updated 8-17-2016) Darryl Morris at
Family Fishing Trips reported shad are everywhere, and random schools of white bass are breaking early in the mornings. The latest bouts of rain should cool the water and help with catching all species.
No reports.
(update 8-24-2016) Local angler Jaret Rushing said the Ouachita River in Camden hit a pair of spikes over the past week and weekend, pushing water levels up to flood stage for several hours. Areas affected were the river, backwaters, oxbows and creeks/streams that are part of the Ouachita River systems.
(update 8-31-2016) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) said crappie are biting fair on the upper side, bass biting well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits, no report on bream or catfish.
(update 8-31-2016) Sportsman’s One Stop (870-863-7248) said said there were no fishing reports.
(update 8-24-2016) Local angler Jaret Rushing said there were no reports.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 337.02 feet msl (full pool – 342.00 msl).
(updated 8-31-2016) Andrew's Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) reported the water being clear and at a normal level, with the surface temperature hitting 85 degrees. Bream are fair on worms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Bass are good on spinnerbaits and topwater lures. Catfishing ranged from good to excellent, and the bite is on chicken livers and live bait.
(updated 8-31-2016) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) said they will be closed until mid-September.
(updated 8-31-2016) Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) reported water is clear and the level is low. That’s setting things up for fair to good fishing all around. Bream are good on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are good on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on trotlines and limb lines. White bass were reported as fair, too.
(updated 8-31-2016) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-774-9117) said water temperature has cool to the 80s. The lower end of the river is dirty, mid-river is stained, and upriver is clear. Fishing has been tough in the month of August with an overabundance of shad but will pick up with the cooler temperatures, with so many ways to catch them: buzzbaits, frogs in the lily pads and jigs, crankbaits, Rat-L Traps, spinnerbaits and topwater baits on jetties and wooded points. Using worms, beavers and scram shad around fallen trees will produce fish. Striper fishing has been really good on Rat-L Traps, crankbaits chatterbaits with a scam shad trailer, topwater, Spooks, prop baits and Poppers. White bass are still schooling mid-river and around main river points. Small crankbaits, Rat-L traps, tailspins, topwater, Chug Bugs, Pop-Rs and small Spooks will work fine. Bream have been good in the main river around fallen trees on worms and crickets. Catfish have been good on main river points and around steep drops in the main river. Worms, cut perch and stink bait have been working good. Minnows, dead or alive, have been working in the creeks.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 575.00 feet msl (full pool – 578.00 msl).
(updated 8-31-2016) Todd Gadberry at
Mountain Harbor Resort (870-867-2191) said the water is clearing and surface temperature is ranging 78-84 degrees. Black bass are fair and still being caught with Texas-rigged worms, pig-n-jigs and Pop-R’s. Brush piles on main lake and secondary points are producing the best results for “spots” when fished with live crawfish. Walleye are very good and are being caught jigging CC spoons. Stripers are fair on live bait. The central and east areas of the lake are still the best areas for these fish. Bream are still good. Crickets, maggots and redworms are best fished 20-25 feet deep. Crappie are still fair. Try using minnows or crappie jigs at depths around 25-30 feet deep fished on the bottom near brush. Catfish are fair. Try nightcrawlers, trot line minnows or hot dogs in depths of 15-20 feet. Contact Mountain Harbor’s guides – Mike Wurm (501-622-7717), Chris Darby (870-867-7822) or Jerry Bean (501-282-6104) – for more information.
(updated 8-31-2016) David Draper of the
Lake Ouachita Striped Bass Association said the LOSBA can offer information to would-be anglers about striper fishing on the lake. Draper said he has not been out personally of late, but has a couple reports from others. The lake is clear again after the heavy rains but the lake is also up a couple feet. Fishing with live bait is hit and miss. You can be in one boat catching fish and the boat 50 feet away doesn't get a bite. Fish are scattered and moving, they seem to be following the main channel so Draper’s advice is to try numerous areas that you know the main channel flows through. You may catch fish in a spot one day and never see a fish in that same spot the next day. He said he has not received any information about artificial baits but does know fish are between 25-60 feet deep.
(updated 8-17-2016) Darryl Morris at
Family Fishing Trips reported shad are everywhere, and random schools of white bass are breaking early in the mornings. The latest bouts of rain should cool the water and help with catching all species.
(updated 8-31-2016) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports reports that water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 64 degrees and rises to 67 degrees below the bridge. Clear conditions exist in the tailrace as the normal summertime pool levels continue until November. Recent heavy rainfall has caused Entergy to schedule heavy generation below Carpenter Dam in an effort to keep area lakes at normal pool. Flood gates have also been opened to aid in this effort. Rain is forecast for the rest of this week and into early next week so flow times below the dam could be longer than scheduled and increased flow rates are possible. Until normal conditions return, anyone navigating the tailrace should use extreme caution and only when the flood gates are closed. Sadly, the rainbow trout season is over until mid-November when the stocking program begins again. The vast majority of trout have either been caught or migrated away from the dam. The few fish that remain are extremely wary and almost impossible to catch. Thousands of threadfin shad have migrated into the tailrace in search of cooler water to spawn. Interestingly enough, few white bass or stripers have moved in to feed on the baitfish. No topwater activity has been observed and few bass have been caught. No catfish or drum have been taken in the swift conditions. Until lake conditions return to normal, fishing in the Carpenter Dam tailrace will be very poor.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 385.48 feet msl (flood pool – 384.00 msl).
No fishing reports were recorded.
(updated 8-24-2016) Natalie Carter, ranger at
Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040), said the lake had an active weekend following cooler temperatures. Crappie are responding well to live bait – biting at moderate to deep depths on crickets. Fishermen reporting higher activity levels with bream in the lake’s coves than previous weeks. Bass are responding well to jigs and worms, especially around underwater habitat and near the shoreline. No reports on catfish.
(updated 8-24-2016) Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040) reported the cooler temperatures prompted a more active weekend at Storm Creek. Bream are on their beds and responding well, both from the shoreline and from the boat. Crappie are biting at more shallow depths (8-10 feet) on live bait and jigs. No reports on bass. Some activity with catfish, but nothing noteworthy.
(updated 8-31-2016) Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) reportedthe water is clear and the level is high, leading to a slow week. Bass were fair, mostly spotty, though there were some areas where bass were being caught mostly on spinnerbaits, topwater lures and plastic worms. Bream fishing was poor, as were both crappie fishing and catfishing.
