(updated 3-23-2016) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is stained. The surface water temperature is 54 degrees. Bream are biting well on wax worms and crickets around 4 feet deep about 20 feet from the banks. Crappie are biting well on jigs and on yo-yos baited with minnows fished at night around cypress trees. The flats around Gold Creek also have been good for fishing, with some fish being caught as shallow as 18 inches during the heat of the day. Bass slowed down dramatically with the cold front and wind. They are fair at best on white spinnerbaits and soft-plastic lizards. Catfishing is good on cut bait and chicken livers.
(updated 3-16-2016) Daniel Zajac at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said said crappie are biting fairly well early and late in the day. Bass fishing is fair on small jigs and small spinners. Bream are fair on redworms. Catfishing is good on live and prepared bait.
(updated 3-23-2016) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip ‘em All Guide Service said it looks like we are going to catch a break on the generation schedule over the next few days if the rain will hold off. Seeing some hatches coming off on the lower section of the river with warmer temperatures and low water. Pheasant tails, micro jigs and sow bugs are working well for fly-fishing. For Trout Magnet fishing, use hot pink, cotton candy and white-colored bodies on chartreuse jig heads. 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 (www.swl-wc.usace.army.mil) for real-time water release and the Southwest Power Administration (swpa.gov) to see forecasted generation schedule.
(updated 3-16-2016) Greg Seaton with Little Red Fly Fishing Trips (501-690-9166) said the river is clearing. Drift fishing is good on the upper sections of the river. The lake level is about 459.7, but the Corps of Engineers still wants a level of 457 to repair the second generator, so they will continue to run the one unit around the clock to lower the lake to this level. Large nymphs, micro jigs and San Juan worms are still good flies during these conditions. The weather is improving and looks dry for the next several days.
(updated 3-23-2016) James Dillard at Tailwater Fishing Company (501-207-1770) said fishing has been excellent. Lower flows are expected the rest of the week as long as heavy rains do not fall. Be mindful of rising water while wading. The hot flies have been prince nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs and San Juan worms. Trout Magnets have been working very well for spin fishing anglers as well.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.26 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 462.04 msl).
(updated 3-23-2016) Tommy Cauley of
Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is 2.25 feet below normal pool and falling. Bass fishing is good all over the lake. Some fish are still a little deep, but most have started to move shallow or stage for the upcoming spawn. A Carolina-rigged lizard is working well in front of the brushy shorelines, as are crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Carolina-rigged lizards and football head jigs are working in deeper water for fewer, but larger fish. Crappie are biting well suspended in about 5 feet of water. Casting or jigging grubs, jigs and twister tails is working, as are minnows under a float. Catfish are eating live bait on trotlines and jugs on the upper and lower end of the lake. Some bream are up shallow and others are biting on pieces of nightcrawler and crickets fished around floating docks. Walleye action has slowed some upriver, but the lake fish are coming on now. Try dragging minnows on a drop shot or swimming a grub around any shoals at night. White bass and hybrids are spawning upriver and can be caught on live bait, grubs and in-line spinners.
(updated 3-2-2016) Cody Smith at
www.fishgreersferry.com said the Corps of Engineers has sufficiently dropped water levels in order to allow maintenance on the gates. Water levels should stabilize on both the lake and river. Water surface temperatures range from 46 to 52 degrees. Water clarity is moderately stained from two thirds of the way up the main tributaries throughout the main lake. The water clears significantly as you progress up through the feeder arms. Water temperatures are significantly cooler in these areas though, and very little activity has been seen. For now, stick to the dirty water. The bite is much better from the bank out to 25 feet or so in these locations. Look for your most active bite for hybrids to be at 12 to 20 feet deep. Walleye should be upriver in 2 to 10 feet of water. Crappie should be around brush in 8 to 18 feet of water. Bass are anywhere from the bank to 18 feet deep, but should make a push shallow in the coming weeks.
(updated 3-9-2016) Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the water is murky and the surface temperature is slowly rising. Bream are fair. Crappie are biting excellently on minnows fished deep out near the island. Bass are biting well on chartreuse jigs. Catfishing is fair on minnows. The fishing should get really good after the lake settles from the incoming rain.
(updated 3-2-2016) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) said the crappie are biting on minnows and Bobby Garland Baby Itty Bit Swim’Rs in monkey milk, pennyback shad, blue ice shimmer and Cajun cricket in 4 to 10 feet of water. Catfishing is good on worms, shad and minnows. Bass are biting buzzbaits and worms. White bass are biting well on Johnson Silver Minnows and Bobby Garland Itty Bit Swim’Rs. Bream are biting on crickets and worms.
Overcup Landing had no report.
(updated 3-23-2016) Fosters Four Seasons (501-868-9061) said the water is a little muddy and the surface temperature is slowly rising into the mid-50s. Bream are fair around brush piles in 10 to 15 feet of water on crickets. Crappie are biting well in the shallows on no. 6 crappie minnows. White bass have started their spawning run upstream and anglers are beginning to catch them at Bringle Creek Access. Catfishing is fair on worms.
(updated 3-16-2016) Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water level is 0.61 feet above the spillway. The water is 55 degrees at mid-lake and 58 degrees at the west end. Largemouth bass are excellent on wacky-rigged worms, buzzbaits and jerk baits in 4 to 8 feet of water around the Highway 10 bridge. Spotted bass are biting well on jigs and crankbaits in 10 to 15 feet of water. White bass are west of the Highway 10 bridge and are biting well on grubs, Rooster Tails and jigs. CC spoons also are working when the whites are schooling. Crappie are biting well. They are suspended about 15 feet deep in 20 to 25 feet of water around the edges of the channel around brush. Minnows and jigs are the best bet. Bream are slow, but a few can be found in 20 to 25 feet of water around brush on crickets and worms. Catfishing is good on stink bait, small bream and chicken livers fished in 15 to 20 feet of water.
(updated 3-23-2016) Lisa's Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said a few people did well over the weekend on catfish using nightcrawlers and chicken livers. A few bream are being caught on crickets. No report on the crappie or bass.
(updated 3-23-2016) Lisa's Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said even with all the rain, we finally got a few reports of bass being caught on brood minnows and bass minnows. The high current and heavy winds left a lot of logs and limbs in the channel, so be careful navigating the river.
(updated 3-23-2016) Lisa's Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said some people are reporting a few bream being caught on crickets in deep water. Crappie are biting well on no. 6 crappie minnows. No recent reports of bass or catfish have come in.
(updated 3-23-2016) Lisa's Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said bass been biting well on black salties and brood minnows. Catfish are biting well on chicken livers and nightcrawlers. Crappie are fair on no. 12 bass minnows. No report on bream.
(updated 3-23-2016) River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is clear and at normal level. The surface temperature is 54 degrees. Bream are biting well on worms and crickets in 4 to 5 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished 4 to 5 feet deep around cover in the mornings and evenings. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished along the edge of the channel in about 5 feet of water. Catfishing is good on yo-yos run at night.
(updated 3-23-2016) The folks at
Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the water is muddy. Crappie have been fair on minnows fished along the backside of jetties in 6 to 15 feet of water. Bass are biting well on jigs in black/red and California craw. No report on bream or catfish.
(updated 3-23-2016) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is murky and a little high. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished in backwater areas 4 to 5 feet deep. Bass are slow. Catfishing is good on cut bait.
(updated 3-23-2016) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is a little high and murky. Bream are fair on worms and crickets in 4 to 8 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs in 4 to 5 feet of water about 10 feet off the bank. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, soft plastics and black/green crankbaits. No report on catfish.
(updated 3-23-2016) Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is clearing up and is 50 degrees. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and brown/chartreuse jigs fished around brush in 4 to 5 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished around timber in 3 to 4 feet of water. Catfishing is good on jugs and yo-yos baited with hot dogs and minnows.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 659.05 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 659 msl).
(updated 3-23-2016) K Dock Marina (417-334-2880) said the water temperature is 50 to 55 degrees and the water is stained. Black bass are biting well in the 10 to 15 foot range. Try jigs, jerk baits and pearl-colored swim baits and flukes. Wiggle Warts and spinnerbaits are working well on breezy days. Crappie are slow but improving on live minnows and small soft plastics. They are not on the banks yet, so concentrate on brush and trees in 10 to 15 feet of water. Walleye are slow, but a few can be caught on crankbaits and night crawlers. White bass are slow right now.
(updated 3-23-2016) Bull Shoals Boat Dock said fishing has been very good lately. The water temperature is warming up and the fish are getting active. White bass are beginning to run in the backs of creeks. Howard Creek, Jamey Creek and the Theodosia arm are doing well. Early morning walleye fishing has been good on jerk baits in the river arms as well. Black bass are in prespawn mode, so look for north-facing creek arms where any runoff is coming in. Work your way from the back of the creek to about midway in the creek. Megabass and McStick jerkbaits are working well. Wiggle Warts also are producing well along rocky areas. If you can find some isolated cover, be sure to hit it with a jig.
(updated 3-23-2016) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the current is pretty high, with six generators running. Trout are biting ell on jigs and stickbaits. Many rainbow trout are being caught on drift rigs baited with frozen shad, corn and Power Bait.
(updated 3-9-2016) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said the White has seen heavy generation with no wadable water. The combined outflow and generation equal 27,500 cubic feet per second (cfs) or the equivalent of nine full generators. The hot spot has been the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers (sizes 8-10), Y2Ks (sizes 12-14), 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). Streamer fishing has heated up with the high water. With the heavy flows, the fish have been pushed to the bank. The best bet for large trout has been to bang the bank with large articulated streamers delivered with heavy, 24- to 30-foot sink tip line. You will need an 8- or 9- weight rod. This is heavy work but the rewards can be great.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 553.81 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 553.75 msl, April-September – 556.75 msl).
(updated 3-23-2016) Guide Steve Olomon said fishing is starting to heat up. This past week we had air temperatures in the 70s and 80s and the topwater bite was just getting underway. Then we got a nasty cold front that dropped the water temperature from the low 60s to the low to mid-50s. The night bite for stripers, hybrids and walleye is underway. Throw a stick bait to the bank and reel it real slowly, just so it has that slow wobble back and forth. I like to throw a dark color if there is no moon or it’s cloudy. If the moon is up and it’s clear, throw a light color. Look up in the major creeks and within a few miles of the dam. The whites were starting to come up back in the creeks on points and along the flats. The bigger whites were staying a little deeper in 10-15 feet of water. Bass are hitting jerk baits, jigs, crankbaits and a Texas-rigged worm.
(updated 3-16-2016) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters said surface water temperature has been 55 to 58 degrees the last few days. Stripers have moved all the way up the creeks and are being caught on live bait and Rattling Rogues. I heard one report of stripers busting shad in Panther Creek in the evenings. Stripers are shallow in the mornings and evenings. If you're using live bait, set your lines 20 feet behind your floats and run your planner boards next to shore. Norfork is in prime condition to have an awesome March, both day and night. We are seeing a good top water and night bite for the rest of this month and into April. This is going to be an incredible spring for you early bird anglers. A good tool to use to make your plans with is on the web at www.FishNorfork.com for everything Norfork Lake! Be sure to check out the spring striper tactics article.
(updated 3-2-2016) Larry Olson of Hand Cove Resort said the night bite for stripers has been very good. Last night Larry boated 15 fish by 2 a.m., two hybrids and the rest being stripers. All fish were under 15 pounds, but they were aggressive and striking a Smithwick Rogue. All were caught east of the dam in the main Big Creek area. Surface water temperature is in the 50s. Last night was a good night. By 2 AM I boated 15 fish, 2 hybrids and 13 stripers the largest being about 15 pounds. They were all pretty aggressive, all but one took my Rogue in the mouth. All were caught east of the dam in the main Big Creek areas. The water temperature was in the 50s.
(updated 3-9-2016) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said in an effort to lower the lake levels before the spring rains, the Corps of Engineers has opened flood gates. Releases on the Norfork equal 10,000 cfs, the equivalent of three full generators. The water has been off-colored, but is beginning to improve. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (sizes 18-22) like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (sizes 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 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise, size 10). There have been reliable hatches of small midges (try a size 24 Adams parachute) and caddis (size 18 elk hair caddis). My favorite combination has been a cerise worm with a Sunday special dropper.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,120.43 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120 msl).
(updated 3-23-2016) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is stained and a little above normal. The river arms are beginning to clear. Crappie are fair, but have not moved up to spawn yet. White bass and stripers are un the White River and War Eagle arm, and fishing has been excellent on large minnows. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits up shallow. The black bass will be spawning soon. Walleye are still up the river arms, but have just about completed their spawn. Catfishing is slow. No report on bream.
(updated 3-16-2016) Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said the annual Hooked on Fishing, Not on Drugs kids fishing event is right around the corner and volunteers with boats are still needed. Volunteers will take kids from the HOFNOD program out to go fishing on March 29. Lunch will be provided. Please call Mike at 479-366-8664 or email him at beaversafari.com@hotmail.com for more information and to volunteer. Surface water temperature is in the low to mid 40s. Stripers are making their way into backs of coves feeding on bait using warmer water temps, a degree or two is all it takes to concentrate bait and stripers. There has been some nice topwater action in the last week. Some fish are using deep water adjacent to road beds, gravel bars, tree lines and bluffs. Look for water temperatures that are concentrating bait. Stripers in the White River and War Eagle arms are in warmer water pockets, close to the banks and on the bottom along gravel bars. Use these intersections of warm water and structure to your advantage. Try dragging baits close to these areas, including along the bottom on gravel bars. Fishing is good on live shad fished on down lines 20 to 30 feet deep and on small umbrella rigs using white or chartreuse grubs. Trolling no. 14 Husky Jerks or Smithwick Rogues in black/chrome or purple/chrome are working as well. Dead sticking a large soft jerkbait also works. Hot spots for stripers include Indian Creek past the marina near the power lines, Lost Bridge South, Big Clifty, Points 5 and 6, the bluff in front of the marina at Rocky Branch and the smaller islands in front of Larue Cove, Cedar Creek, Ford Creek, Ventris, Shaddox Hollow, Monte-Ne, Hickory Creek and War Eagle and the White River. The runoff is beginning to clear, so try upriver of the mud line. Walleye are moving into the creek and river arms to spawn. Walleye can be found from 5 to 30 feet, deep depending on areas you fish. The best method is three-way rigging Rapalas in natural colors for clear water or chartreuse/orange and clown colors in areas of stained water. Also try slow death rigs and spinner rigs on bottom bouncers in orange/chartreuse.
(updated 3-23-2016) Beaver Dam Store said boats can now launch at River Access One directly below the dam, as well as Bertrand and Houseman boat ramps. Try fishing Power Bait in white, red, chartreuse or pink, tipped with wax worms or night crawlers. Troll downstream from Bertrand Boat Launch with Berkley Flicker Shads and no. 4, 5 and 9 Rapalas and Colorado spoons have been working well. Fly-fishermen are doing well on egg patterns, big nymphs, hare’s ear nymphs, midges and pheasant tails. The walleye run is on. Many fisherman are reporting walleye catches. Carl from the Beaver Dam Store recorded a 32-inch walleye weighing 13- to 14-pounds in his limit of fish.
(updated 3-9-2016) Austin Kennedy of Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service (479-640-8733) said fishing has been great. The Corps of Engineers is starting to slow generation, but that is likely to change due to the weather. Walleye are being caught in nice numbers on trolled crankbaits and jigged minnows. Most walleye are being caught between Houseman access and Beaver Town. White bass also are making a move upriver. Trout are being caught on crankbaits, spoons and light terminal tackle with various Power Baits. Water temperature between Houseman and Spider Creek is 48 to 50 degrees.
(updated 3-16-2016) Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said the fish turned on fast at Lake Elmdale last week. The lake is at its normal level, the water is clear to at least 6 feet and the surface temperature is 61 degrees. The crappie bite is on. I watched one gentleman keep 17 nice ones Sunday around noon he caught by casting a small white jig and retrieving it slowly. Start your search in 6 feet of water. Later the same day other anglers tried in the same area with minnows and had no luck. Timing is very important. Bass are fair on jigs. Bream are roaming the shoreline and hitting crickets, redworms and bream poppers. No report on catfish.
(updated 3-23-2016) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky and at normal level. Bream are fair. Crappie are picking up on jigs and twister-tail grubs. Bass are biting well on Zoom Flukes. Catfishing is slow.
(updated 3-23-2016) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at normal level. The surface temperature is 56 degrees. Bream are biting well on worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished 4 to 6 feet deep. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms fished near the banks. Walleye are biting well below the dam, as are white bass. Catfishing is good on chicken livers.
(updated 3-16-2016) Lake Poinsett State Park said many anglers have come out to the lake in spite of the rain. They are catching some nice catfish and crappie. A few bass tournaments are scheduled for this month, and the action is beginning to pick up for them as well. The bait shop does not have any crickets right now, but will restock as soon as night temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees.
(updated 3-23-2016) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is 6 inches high and very clear. Surface water temperature is 52 degrees. Crappie are biting well on minnows, Squirmin’ Squirt jigs and Roadrunner jigs fished around brush in 15 to 20 feet of water. Try to find brush that tops out at 6 feet from the surface and drag your lures slowly at that depth. Bass are biting well on crankbaits, Texas-rigged 10-inch worms and black and blue jigs. No report on bream or bass.
(updated 3-16-2016) Mark Crawford with
Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels are running at 430 cfs and water clarity is clear. The river is looking great. Y2Ks and Guppies have been hot on the fly and hot pink Trout Magnets and yellow spinners have been hot spin fishing.
(updated 3-23-2016) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is at normal level. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished in 5 feet of water. Bass are biting well in 4 to 8 feet of water on a jig-and-pig combo. Walleye are fair. No report on bream or catfish.
(updated 3-9-2016) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Team said water temperatures are in the upper 50s in Lake Langhofer and on the main channel of the river. There are some shallow areas already over 60. Expect these temperatures to continue to climb. Visibility on the river is only a few inches with up to a foot of visibility in protected backwaters in Lake Langhofer. Again, with heavy rain predicted, it is likely that everything will be getting muddy soon, so break out the black/blue jigs and bright-colored crankbaits and spinnerbaits because the fish will likely be up as shallow as they can be by next weekend.
(updated 3-23-2016) Cane Creek State Park said the bass are biting great on worms and jigs. Crappie are biting very well on minnows beneath the spillway into the bayou. Catfish are picking up on live bait such as bream and minnows. Bream are biting fairly well on worms.
(updated 3-16-2016) Local angler Geoff Wright said few folks were fishing last week with the rain. The water is very high, covering many boat docks and piers. Boating conditions have been dangerous with the water so high and dirty.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 260.04 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.20 msl).
(updated 3-23-2016) Mike Siefert at
Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level continues falling and remains 1.3 feet above normal conservation pool. Current deceased with a gate discharge around 17,900 cfs Monday. Surface water temperatures range from 58 degrees early to 67 degrees late in the day. Some boat ramps are still closed, as is Millwood State Park. Clarity and visibility improved slightly during the last week. Water clarity is 8-10 inches in the main lake, 6-9 inches in Little River and 15-18 inches in the oxbows. Largemouth bass continue to improve with some good-size bass caught during the warmest part of the day.The best reactions over the past week continue to be on chatterbaits, swimbaits, jigs, crankbaits and lizards. Chatterbait colors that are working well include black/blue, Texas Craw and Avocado. Real Deal Custom Tackle jigs in Texas Craw, Okeechobee Spice, black/blue and black/purple colors continue working on sunny flats next to cypress trees and stumps close to creek channel swings. Many bass are being seen going to or coming off beds. Blackberry, pumpkinseed/chartreuse and green pumpkin lizards continue catching bass over the past several weeks near flats in the creek channels on stumps. red shad, orange shad, or Toledo gold Rat-L-Traps continue working on warm days in creek channels near spawning flats around cypress trees/knees. Big, over-sized, magnum gizzits and tubes in black/blue, or black/red, with rattles are taking good fish in creek channels. War Eagle spinnerbaits in spot remover, chartreuse/white, and hot mouse were taking nice Largemouths last week along vegetation lines and dead lily pad stems in Mud Lake and Horseshoe. Schools of white bass continue biting well between Highway 71 Bridge at Wilton and Patterson Shoals. Backwater sloughs feeding Little River, just out of the main river current, were holding some good schools of whites over the past several weeks. These bass were hitting Echo 1.75 square-billed crankbaits, Rat-L-Trap Tail Spinners, Little Georges, Little Cleos and medium-running cranks from 4-9 feet depths. Crappie have been caught over the past week hugging cypress trees in 6-8 feet of water on jigs and yo-yo's using shiners. Catfish continue biting consistently over the past week in Little River on trotlines using cut shad and chicken hearts and gizzards, set 7-12 feet deep.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 544.72 feet msl (Flood pool – 548 msl).
(updated 3-16-2016) Gary Lammers of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported the water surface temperature is 61 degrees. The water is muddy on the north half of the lake and stained from Point 7 south. Bass are hitting 3/8-oz. KVD Special spinnerbaits in white with silver blades, shad-colored jerk baits and Alabama Rigs. Bass seem to be holding away from the bank a few feet. The sunshine and warmer temperature should have the males roaming the bushes. Crappie are biting well all over the lake. Use 2-inch Kalins grubs in shad or popsicle colors around brush tops and laydowns along the shore. For water safety information, visit http://watersafety.usace.army.mil.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 408.52 feet msl (flood pool – 408 msl).
Iron Mountain Marina reports the water temperature is 57 to 60 degrees. Crappie were biting well Monday on minnows and jigs. The water level is still a little high, but the Corps of Engineers is pulling water slowly, and the lake level is getting right for fishing. Bass are biting well on finesse worms and Rat-L-Traps. Some anglers are doing well on Carolina rigs as well. Some trolling for hybrids and large crappie is still taking place in the river around Shouse Ford and Point Cedar. Crappies also were in brush piles in upper river area. They were hitting Acid Rain-colored grubs in 12 to 15 feet of water. Caddo Valley Bait Shop said a lot of big crappie are being caught on minnows fished with a long pole in brush along sun-warmed shallows.
(updated 3-23-2016) Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is around 60 degrees. The water is clear up to Point 14 and somewhat stained on up to Point Cedar. Bass fishing is fair with several nice catches reported. Most of the fish are the smaller males; it looks like the bigger females haven't moved up yet. The best pattern has been throwing a crankbait, lipped or lipless across the secondary points outside the spawning coves. Natural shad patterns are best in clear water, and chartreuse colors are working when the water is stained. Best areas have been the big coves at Lennox Marcus, Caddo Drive and around Arlie Moore. Big Hill, Yancey and Brushy creeks also are producing fish. Spotted bass are biting pretty well along bluff banks around points 14 and 15. Also try the west side of Goat Island. A 4-inch Texas-rigged finesse worm in green pumpkin is hard to beat. A few crappies have come from the Shouse Ford and Point Cedar areas. Look for fish on deep (18 to 25 feet) attractors. Drop a 2-inch curly tail grub or tube in Tennessee shad on a 1/16-ounce jig head to just above the thickest part of the brush. Adding a Berkley Crappie Nibble will greatly improve your catch. Hybrids and white bass are still hard to find. Several reports from up the Caddo River showed only a few fish and very scattered. By the end of the month the spawn will be pretty much over and the fish will start to school again, especially in the Shouse Ford area. No reports on catfish or bream.
(updated 3-23-2016) Stacey Jackson at White Oak Lake State Park (870-685-2748) said bass are hitting on crankbaits, Zoom Brush Hogs and spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on trotlines using live and prepared catfish baits. Tight lining using worms and catfish baits also is working well. Crappie are biting on minnows and jigs in the upper lake. For lake information or a camping reservation please call White Oak Lake State Park at 870-685-2748 or stop in at the Visitor Center.
(updated 3-9-2016) Buddy Ham at Sportsman's One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) said bass are biting fairly well on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Crappie, bream and catfish are all slow. The rain will likely raise the water level dramatically again.
(updated 3-9-2016) Buddy Ham at Sportsman's One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) said bass are fair. No report on crappie, bream or catfish.
(updated 3-9-2016) Local angler Jaret Rushing had no report.
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) had no report.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 349.06 feet msl (full pool – 342 msl).
(updated 3-23-2016) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) said the water is muddy and high, but the water level is dropping quickly. Crappie are fair. Bass are biting well. No report on catfish and bream.
(updated 3-23-2016) Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville (501-889-2011) had no report.
(updated 3-9-2016) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-774-9117) said surface water temperature is 54 degrees and the water is dirty with some clear creeks. The surface temperature is 65 around the nuclear plant. Largemouth bass have been good on spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and jigs on windy points and windblown banks. Flipping beavers, structure bugs and Bamboozie craws on swivel hooks in stumpy areas has been working very well, as have stick worms fished in the creeks and backwaters. Rat-L-Traps are working well around staging areas. Crappie are hit-or-miss. Some days they are shallow and biting fairly well on black/chartreuse jigs, other days they are deep and biting best on pink and brown. Some days have been minnow-only bites. Creeks have been better than the river for size and numbers of crappie. Striper fishing has still been good on the lower end of the river. Spinner baits, Rat-L-Traps, crankbaits and Alabama rigs have been the best for stripers. The bream have been good on crickets and worms in the smaller creeks around rocks with brush. Catfish have been fair, but with all the rain coming it should improve dramatically off of river points and the first drop out from the spawning flats. Try cut shad, perch, redworms and nightcrawlers. White bass up in the creeks have been fair on white tandem hair jigs, tailspinners and Rooster Tails.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 577.83 feet msl (full pool – 578 msl).
(updated 3-16-2016) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort said the surface water temperature is 56 to 60 degrees. The water is stained to muddy from recent rains. Black bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, large lipless crankbaits and jerk baits fished around secondary points. Walleye are still fair, and are making their spawning run up major rivers and creeks. Stripers are still biting well on brood minnows and swim baits. White and yellow bass are being caught on small spoons and hair jigs fished vertically over schools of shad. Most of these fish are moving upriver to spawn as well. Bream are fair on maggots, redworms and crickets fished 20 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are fair on minnows and crappie jigs fished around brush in 20 to 30 feet of water. Catfish are fair on live bait or cut bait in 20 to 25 feet of water.
(updated 3-23-2016) The Trader Bill's Fishing Report with Tom Duke and Phillip Kastner said anglers may want to start looking for white bass at the Highway 27 bridge and move upstream from there. The up and down temperatures and wind have likely pushed the white bass back a little deeper from where they were last week. It’s been difficult to find the white bass schooled up in the creeks.
(updated 3-23-2016) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said Lake Ouachita is out of flood pool and Entergy has scheduled regular generation schedules each week. Lake Catherine is now at normal summer pool. The water is clear from the dam to the bridge. Water temperature has risen to 56 degrees. Rainbow trout are extremely good below the dam with thousands of fish
thriving in the tailrace and thousands more scheduled to be released this month. Guided trips were catching and releasing big numbers of quality trout before the storms. When there are breaks in the heavy flows, very good numbers of trout will be caught again. Bank anglers have had success fishing in the main channel with white or yellow Power Bait. Redworms and nightcrawlers fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater have been very productive in slack water. Corn used with a bobber also is an excellent trout bait. Live minnows have accounted for larger trout since these fish target bigger prey. Boaters can safely move around with the water level brought back to normal. Exposed rock structure and sand bars provide current breaks for hungry trout as they ambush prey and rest. White or gray, 1/16- to 1/8-oz. jigs are a deadly suspended under a float in the current. Little Cleos and Super Dupers in gold or silver also work well. Rooster Tails in brown or silver have been effective near rock structure. Fly fishermen are now at a big disadvantage with the rising of the lake and should use extreme caution trying to access areas in fast water. Egg patterns and San Juan worms in red or pink under a strike indicator. Walleye continue to spawn below Carpenter Dam. Very few fish have been caught during the day. Most walleye are caught at night on Carolina rigs tipped with nightcrawlers or live minnows have been the most effective method for these finicky fish; however, trolling shallow-running crankbaits against the current has accounted for the largest walleye with a few catches topping 7 pounds. When the spawn nears completion in mid-April, these fish will remain in the tailrace to feed and rest before moving downstream to the main body of the lake. March marks the beginning of the crappie spawn below the dam. Warmer temperatures and rising water will bring these sport fish into the tailrace for several months. Live minnows, small jigs and crankbaits will all draw strikes and the size of the females can be as large as 2 1/2 to 3 pounds. Stealth is most important when tracking schools of these fish and fishermen should use trolling motors only when the turbines are not running. Very little timber is present in the tailrace, so these fish relate to the banks where rock structure and sand bars provide spawning areas and easy prey.
(updated 3-16-2016) Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040) had no report.
(updated 3-16-2016) Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040) had no report.
(updated 3-16-2016) Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is slightly stained and high. There haven’t been any good reports from anglers at all lately.
