(updated 4-13-2016) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is stained and 60 degrees. Bream are biting well on crickets fished about 15 feet from the bank around short creek arms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs in cypress trees standing in 6 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft-plastic minnow-imitations fished in shallow cover. Catfishing is excellent on blood bait, worms and goldfish.
(updated 4-6-2016) Daniel Zajac at Gold Creek Landing (501-607-0590) said crappie are biting fairly well in 3 feet of water on jigs or minnows. Bream fishing is good on crickets or redworms. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Catfishing is good.
(updated 4-6-2016) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip ‘em All Guide Service said after a few days of two units of generation, we are currently seeing the pattern go back to one unit of generation. Without significant rainfall, we should see this pattern continue with possible windows of no generation. Streamers, pheasant tails, hare’s ear nymphs, micro jigs and sowbugs are working well for fly-fishing. For Trout Magnet fishing, use hot pink, cotton candy and white bodies on gold and 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 (swl-wc.usace.army.mil) for real time water release and the Southwest Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecasted generation schedule.
(updated 4-13-2016) Greg Seaton with Little Red Fly Fishing Trips (501-690-9166) said the latest report from Southwest Power is that both units are operational and normal generation is now underway. This means that the normal lake level of 462.04 is now in effect. Generation will be on a demand-only basis as long as the lake level is at or below this point. Water has been low since Sunday and they are showing a 2-hour period of generation Tuesday morning from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and another from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wading should be available at the dam from late morning till 7 p.m. Caddis are beginning to hatch, so caddis pupae, emergers and dry flies will be productive. Fishing should be good with the lower water conditions.
(updated 4-13-2016) James Dillard at Tailwater Fishing Company (501-207-1770) said fishing is excellent now that the river is back down to low flows. Wading opportunities can be found up and down the river right now. The Corps will still be releasing water from the dam over the next several weeks, but only for a few hours each day. The hot flies have been pheasant tail nymphs, midges and sow bugs. Trout Magnets have been working very well for spin fishermen as well.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.12 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 462.04 msl).
(updated 4-13-2016) Tommy Cauley of
Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is 2.85 feet below normal pool and falling. Crappie fishing is going quite well despite the colder nights. Many fish are being caught suspended in 5 feet of water. The best approach has been trolling or casting a Beetle Spin or Roadrunner. Dipping a jig or jig-and-minnow combination has worked as well. Walleye continue to be caught sporadically up the river and the lake fish starting to do pretty well on the flats in the main lake. Bream fishing has picked up as a lot of fish moved shallow. Bass fishing is good all over the lake. Many bass are still pre-spawn and biting well at the edge of the brush. Hybrid and white bass fishing continues to be good in the rivers on jerk baits, flies, in-line spinners, spoons and even live bait.
(updated 4-13-2016) Cody Smith at
www.fishgreersferry.com said it’s the calm before the storm on the reservoir right now. The bite over the last few days has gotten slower with howling winds and muddy water. Surface temperatures are in the upper 50s lake-wide with limited 60-degree water temps in select pockets and bays. The fish are moving around a lot right now. Many fish that were shallow in March moved deeper, but the next wave should move shallow to spawn with the next warm rain.
(updated 4-13-2016) Harris Brake Lakeside Resort (501-889-2745) said the water has a greenish tint and the surface water temperature is in the 50s. Bream are fair on worms and crickets in 6 to 10 feet of water. Crappie are excellent in 6 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass and catfish are slow.
(updated 4-13-2016) 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 4-13-2016) Fosters Four Seasons (501-868-9061) said the water is cloudy and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass have been slow for some customers. Catfish are fair on trotlines baited with goldfish.
(updated 4-13-2016) Jolly Roger’s Marina said the water is 0.1 feet above the spillway and the surface water temperature is 60 degrees at mid-lake and 64 degrees at the west end. Largemouth bass are biting excellently on wacky-rigged worms, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits fished in shallow water. Bedding fish can be found in 3 to 6 feet of water on the north side of the lake. Spotted bass are being caught on the same lures as the largemouth, but will be slightly deeper, from 3 to 10 feet deep. White bass are fair. They are beginning to move back toward the lake. They are being caught around the bridge on the west end of the lake on Rooster Tails, grubs, jigs and spoons. Crappie are fair and are moving toward the banks. They are being caught on minnows and jigs. Bream are fair on crickets and live redworms in 20 to 25 feet of water.
(updated 4-6-2016) Lisa's Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said many catfish have been caught in the last couple of weeks, since the lake was stocked. Chicken livers , bass minnows and shrimp have been working well. Some bream are biting on crickets. Crappie are fair on pink minnows. Bass have been hitting some on crankbaits and bass minnows.
(updated 4-6-2016) Lisa's Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said the spotted bass have been plentiful at the spillway and biting well on brooder minnows. A very few smaller walleye have been caught lately on brooders. Bream are starting to hit crickets. Catfish have been good on chicken livers and night crawlers . A few anglers report catching crappie on no. 6 crappie minnows in the backwaters.
(updated 4-6-2016) Lisa's Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said crappie have been hitting a little on pink minnows. Bream have been slow on crickets. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits. Catfish are slow, but a few have been caught on chicken livers and bass minnows.
(updated 4-6-2016) Lisa's Bait Shop in Benton (501-778-6944) said some anglers have been catching crappie on blue jigs and bass minnows. Bass are fair on no. 6 crappie minnows. Catfish are biting chicken livers and night crawlers. No report on bream.
(updated 4-13-2016) River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is dingy and at normal level. The surface temperature is 58 degrees. Bream are fair on worms and crickets in 3 to 4 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around the banks in 3 to 4 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits, soft-plastic worms and crankbaits in 3 to 4 feet of water. Catfishing is slow, but a couple have been caught on yo-yos at night.
(updated 4-13-2016) The folks at
Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the water is still muddy and the surface temperature is 60 degrees. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in backwater areas in 8 to 12 feet of water. Bass are slow on jigs and soft-plastic beaver-style baits in 8 to 12 feet of water. Catfishing is slow.
(updated 4-13-2016) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is muddy and the surface temperature is in the high 50s. Crappie were great last week, but this week’s rain really shut them down. A few catfish have been caught, but that’s about it.
(updated 4-13-2016) Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said the water is dingy and at normal level. The surface temperature is 54 degrees. Bream are fair on worms and crickets in 8 to 10 feet of water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs fished around brush and stumps in 8 to 10 feet of water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on hot dogs and liver.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 658.71 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 659 msl).
(updated 4-13-2016) K Dock Marina (417-334-2880) said the surface water temperature is 54 to 57 degrees and the water is stained to clear. The bite is beginning to pick up around the K Dock area. Some good numbers of crappie are coming in. Anglers are using live minnows and Bobby Garland Swimming Minnows fished in 8 to 10 feet of water near timber and brush piles. The fish are not up on the banks, but that may change with some good days and nights of warm weather. White bass seem to be in the Beaver Creek arm of the lake. There aren’t many whites surface feeding on shad around the flats near K Dock. Walleye are slow on night crawlers and small crankbaits. Many short fish are being caught. The action is better up in the Power Site Dam area. Largemouth bass are biting well on Wiggle Warts, Alabama rigs and spinnerbaits. They also are being caught pretty regularly on finesse jigs and shaky head worms. They still haven’t moved out of prespawn patterns completely.
(updated 4-13-2016) Bull Shoals Boat Dock said said the water is in the low to mid-50s. Visibility is good around most of the lake out of the wind. Walleye have picked up in the last few days. The fish that have been caught did not have eggs in them, so they are likely finished spawning and are beginning to feed up and move off the banks for summer. Mnay crappie have been caught in the last week on 1/8- to 1/64-oz. jigs fishing along the banks in 8 to 15 feet of water. They are in the pre-spawn to spawning stage right now. Some bass are staged up in main lake pockets, but the larger creek arms and spawning flats on the sides of those creeks have been the best bet. Smallmouth are spawning, and a grub, hair jig or Carolina rig will work very well for them over rocky and gravelly points. Wherever you have some clay on the bank causing a small mudline is a good place to throw a Wiggle Wart or Storm Rock Crawler crankbait.
(updated 4-13-2016) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the water is green and has enough moss in it to start being a hindrance to anglers. Three to four generators are running, but it’s staying on the low side. Trout are fair on wax worms, jigs and stick baits. People who were persistent and fought through the moss had some success.
(updated 4-13-2016) Cotter Trout Dock said river levels for the past week have been generally in the one- to three-generator (fairly low) range. Each guide has their own preference for what works best for them, but they have mostly been taking out Power Bait and shrimp for rainbow trout. Lures, minnows and sculpin have been the best bet for brown trout. Weather has been cool in the mornings and warming up beautifully.
(updated 4-6-2016) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said last week, the White River saw moderate generation with no wadable water. The bite has been a bit slow. The hot flies were olive woolly buggers (size 8-10), Y2Ks (size 12-14), prince nymphs (size 14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead, size 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 hot fluorescent pink or cerise San Juan worm with a hare and copper suspended below it). It is time for the big caddis hatch, which usually provides the best dry fly fishing of the year. I have observed a few caddis on the White and have had a report of a decent hatch at Rim Shoals. These are decent-sized flies, about size 14. Before the hatch, fish prince nymphs. When you see top-water activity but no insects, switch to a green butt or a partridge and orange. When you see trout taking adults from the top, switch over to an elk hair caddis. 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 lines (350 grains or heavier). 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 553.25 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April – 553.75 msl, April-September – 556.75 msl).
(updated 4-13-2016) Guide Steve Olomon said the surface water temperature is in the mid-50s to upper 50s back in the creeks. Look for the stripers in the major creeks. Find baitfish and the stripers will be close. There are a lot of them suspended 15-25 feet deep. They haven’t started coming up chasing baitfish. When the nights get a bit warmer, the bite will only get better. The night bite has been good throwing Rouges to the bank after dark. There were some big ones caught this past week. One in the 30-lb. range. There are some walleye being caught as well on the same banks as the stripers. Look on flats but don’t forget to look on some steeper banks. Remember to reel your bait slowly. Bass are hitting crankbaits in 5 to 15 feet of water. The jig is also a good bet. The whites are up in the creeks also and some were caught on a swimbait. There are a few small fish coming up the bite but doesn’t last very long.
(updated 4-13-2016) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters said last week was a week of disappointment. Everybody always asks when in spring is the best fishing. Many will say April 15, but I think most people jump the gun and try to book in mid-April. This week is a good example of jumping the gun. I fished every day and started the week catching multiple limits of stripers; then the cold weather started along with winds hitting over 30 mph on multiple days. I averaged 1 striper per day and on Saturday we had no bites at all. You would think having 9 fishing poles baited with the best shad would produce at least a bass but no such luck. I have been fishing both Big Creek and Bennett’s Bayou thinking the fish have moved up the creeks, but they have not. The night bite is going strong and fish are being caught on the main lake points. I took a look at my fishing calendars for the last eight years and they all say I should be fishing the main lake over brush piles and river channels. I switched today and caught a fat 9-lb. hybrid and 10-lb. striper, so until we can get consistent weather I’m sticking to the main lake.
(updated 4-6-2016) Berry Brothers Guide Service (870-453-2424) said the Norfork Tailwater saw some wadable water last week, but it fished very poorly. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (size 18-22) like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead), and soft hackles (size 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 (try a size 18 elk hair caddis). The fishing is better in the morning and late afternoon and tapers off midday. 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 1,120.10 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 1,120 msl).
(updated 4-13-2016) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is stained and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and worms in shallow water. Crappie are biting well on minnows and red/black/white jigs in shallow water. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits and crankbaits fished in shallow areas around the river arms. Ned rigs have also been very productive on bass. Catfishing is slow.
(updated 4-13-2016) Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said striper are making their way up the river and creek arms to feed. There has been some nice top water action! Some stripers are using gravel bars, points, humps, and cuts in the bank to corner bait. Beaver Lake Striper in the White River and War Eagle arms are feeding heavily throughout the day, gorging on shad. Run live shad on lightly weighted lines, free lines, balloons and planer boards for some good results. The white bass run is in full swing. They can be caught using a variety of methods, including grubs, spoons and Rooster Tails in orange, chartreuse and white. Also try trolling small umbrella rigs with white grubs or chartreuse for stained water. This week’s hot spots for stripers include Hybrid Cove near the dam, Indian Creek, Coppermine, Ventris, Shaddox Hollow, Prairie Creek, Coose Hollow, Blackburn Creek, Monte-Ne, War Eagle and the War Eagle/White River Jucntion. Walleye are in the creek and river arms finishing their spawn. Walleye can be found from 5 to 15 feet deep, depending on areas you fish. Three-way rigging Rapala Original Floating Minnows has worked well. Try orange/chartreuse slow-death rigs and spinner rigs on bottom bouncers baited with night crawlers and minnows.
(updated 4-13-2016) Beaver Dam Store said water levels are returning to normal levels and many areas are accessible for anglers. Fly-fishermen are doing well on egg patterns, big nymphs, hare’s ears, midges and pheasant tails. It won't be long until the white bass make their way into the tailwater. These fish make for a great meal, so bring the kids, neighbors and family out to the tailwater. While fishing for trout, try Power Bait in white, red, chartreuse or pink, tipped with wax worms or night crawlers. You can also troll downstream from Bertrand Boat Launch with Berkley Flicker Shads and Rapala Original Floating Minnows. Colorado spoons also have been producing numbers of fish.
(updated 4-13-2016) Austin Kennedy of Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service (479-640-8733) said fishing has been great. Walleye are heading back to the lakes, but a few anglers are still catching males in the tailwater using various Rapala crankbaits. Trout fishing is also doing great with Power Bait on light terminal tackle and spoons. Crappie are being caught further downriver from Houseman access; try fishing structure and stick ups using live minnows or Shinee Hinee jigs. White bass are pretty much between Houseman and Beaver. They are being caught trolling Rapalas or casting an Alabama rig with white grubs.
(updated 4-13-2016) Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said the lake is about a foot below normal, with water clarity reaching 5 feet. The surface temperature is 57 degrees on the cooler side of the lake. Bad weather has kept many boaters away, but last Saturday was a little different. Many anglers had the time to play catch up. Square-billed crankbaits and bass jigs seemed to work the best in 10 to 14 feet of water. Crappie were biting well last week. Minnows fished at 8 to12 feet were the best approach. Some said drifting a minnow worked ok when the wind was high. Finding them on a graph, and dropping a minnow down to them was good too. Small white jigs tipped with a crappie nibble and cast out, using a super slow retrieve, proved best for the dock and bank fishermen. The area at the flood discharge (end of the dam), near rock Island and close to the boat ramp are the best areas so far. Bream are biting well. Redworms and crickets fished in 3 feet of water will tackle the bluegill, and redworms fished on the bottom near 10 feet should find a few redear as well.
(updated 4-13-2016) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear and at normal level. It gog a little murky from the last rain, but cleared up nicely. Surface water temperature is 59 degrees. Bream are biting well in 6 feet of water around woody cover. Crappie are biting well on minnows fished around brush and stumps in 6 feet of water as well. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished in shallow water. Catfishing is fair on worms.
(updated 4-13-2016) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at normal level. The surface temperature is 64 degrees. Bream are excellent on worms and crickets fished near the bank. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in 3 to 4 feet of water. Bass are excellent on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and soft-plastics. The bass are in prespawn, spawn and spawn modes right now, so you can catch them in the shallows on beds or fish slightly deeper to catch bass coming and going from spawning flats. Catfishing is good on blood bait, worms, chicken livers and stink bait.
(updated 3-30-2016) Lake Poinsett State Park said some bass are being caught, and a few people have already reported some bream bedding activity. There have been some good reports of crappie catches lately and the bait shop is selling a lot of minnows. No report on catfishing this week.
(updated 4-13-2016) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and the surface temperature ranges from the high 40s to the mid 50s. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are slow. Catfishing has been excellent the last few days.
(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 4-13-2016) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and at 61 degrees. Bream are slow, but a few have been caught around brush in 8 feet of water. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs in 8 feet of water. Bass are fair on crankbaits and soft-plastic hula grubs. Catfishing is slow on worms. Walleye are fair on live green sunfish.
(updated 3-30-2016) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Team said water temperatures are around 58 degrees in the main channel of the river, but up to 68 degrees in protected backwaters. Water visibility is low all around, about 6 inches in the main channel to just under a foot in Lake Langhofer and protected backwaters. Fishing pressure has returned and the banks are getting beaten hard, making it tougher to get bites shallow. Some fish can be found on the first ledge from spawning flats. We're not having much luck on the main channel at all. Shallow- to medium-diving crankbaits and soft plastic craws are producing the most bites.
(updated 3-30-2016) Cane Creek State Park said bass are starting to hit a wide variety of worms and Rapalas. Crappie are biting well on shiners. Catfish are really biting well on live bait. Bream are starting to bite 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 259.95 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 259.20 msl).
(updated 4-13-2016) Mike Siefert at
Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level continues falling and remains 4.3 inches above normal conservation pool. Current in Little River decreased with a gate discharge around 1,900 CFS. Surface water temperature ranges from 60 to 70 degrees, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Water clarity is 6-9 inches in the main lake, 3-6 inches in the river and 10-15 inches in upriver oxbows. Warmer days, sun and stable weather have the bass in a feeding mood. The best activity is in early to mid-morning. The best reactions over the past week seems to be on Jingle Bugs, Craw Fatty's, Pit Bosses, lizards, big bulky 10-inch worms and spinnerbaits. Swim baits are starting to turn on over the past couple weeks, as well. Bass Assassin Shads in Grey Ghost, Mississippi Hippie, and Bad To The Bone colors are catching nice largemouths in newly sprouted lily pad stems and shoots near cypress trees. Rat-L-Traps in Toledo Gold, Sexy Sunfish and Fathead Minnow are working on warmer days sunlight, in creek channels and higher up in shallow flats, deflecting off stumps and timber, cypress trees/knees. War Eagle spinnerbaits in chartreuse/white, and firetiger were taking nice largemouths along vegetation lines and dead lily pad stems in Mud Lake and Horseshoe. Schools of white bass are still biting between White Cliffs and 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 squarebill crankbaits, Rat-L-Trap Tail Spinners, Little Georges, Little Cleos, and medium-running crankbaits. Crappie continue improving and have been caught over the past several weeks hugging cypress trees in 3-6 feet of water on jigs, small spinnerbaits, Rocket Shads, Blakemore Roadrunners, and on yo-yo's using shiners. Catfish continue biting consistently over the past week in Little River on trot lines using cut bait, chicken hearts, and gizzards, set 9-13 feet deep.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 546.84 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.
(updated 3-30-2016) Darryl Morris at
Family Fishing Trips said crappie are staging and spawning. Check out shallow spawning areas with minnows and jigs for best results.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 408.60 feet msl (flood pool – 408 msl).
(updated 4-13-2016) Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is in the low 60s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is pretty good with some nice catches reported. The best pattern has been the small points in the backs of spawning coves. Try a Carolina-rigged lizard worked slowly across the point and possibly dragging it through a bed. Work the lure in water 4 to 10 feet deep. Also some schooling bass are showing. Try a lipless crankbait in red or clear if the water is very clear. Quite a few spotted bass are showing along rocky points and bluff banks. Try a Texas-rigged finesse worm in green pumpkin. Look for fish along the bluff bank across from Point 15, the west side of Goat Island and at Point 28. A few crappie are coming from upriver at Shouse Ford and Point Cedar. Look for fish in spawning coves and fish shallow cover. Try a 2-inch curly tail grub or tube on a 1/16-ounce jig head. Tennessee shad is one of the better colors. Also try small minnows under a float. Hybrid fishing is still slow with only a few fish being caught. About the only pattern right now is trolling an umbrella rig loaded with 4-inch curly tail grubs or swim baits at 10 to 12 feet deep at 2 MPH. Run a long line, about 100 feet, and look for fish at Shouse Ford and Point Cedar. Catfishing is fair on trotlines baited with live minnows. Set the lines in the backs of coves in about 20 feet of water. The best areas have been between Point 15 and Goat Island.
Iron Mountain Marina said the water temperature was up to 64 degrees in Shouse Ford last week, but has since dropped to 59 after the fronts and wind. Crappie were biting well last week, and the fish had moved shallow. The minnow bite was good and Acid Rain-colored jigs were the best bet for artificials in shallow brush. Fish vertically to avoid all the algae in the brush. Bass fishing is good with bass moving to the shallows. Spinnerbaits and shallow crankbaits are working well. Some trolling is still taking place in the upper river around Shouse Ford and Point Cedar. No report on bream, white bass or hybrids. Jeffrey at the Corps of Engineers said the lake level remained constant last week. Hybrids were biting well in the Point Cedar/Shouse Ford area on Alabama rigs. Bass action remains good around brush on Senkos, spinnerbaits and Carolina rigs. The crappie bite was excellent on shallow brush piles and around button brush. Barry at the State Park Marina said Shouse Ford has been the best area to fish due to water temperature and clarity. Minnows still are working well for crappie. Bass were in the shallows until rain set in. Frank at Caddo Valley Bait Shop said crappie were biting well on lemon meringue and popsicle-colored jigs fished on a drop-shot rig. Bass are almost ready for the floating worm bite in the shallows.
(updated 4-13-2016) 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 4-6-2016) Buddy Ham at Sportsman's One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) said anglers are catching bass on jigs, jerk baits and spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting in backwater areas. No report on bream or crappie.
(updated 4-6-2016) Buddy Ham at Sportsman's One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) said anglers are still catching a few bass in the shallows. No report on bream or crappie.
(updated 3-9-2016) Local angler Jaret Rushing had no report.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 344.12 feet msl (full pool – 342 msl).
(updated 4-13-2016) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) said the water is clear and low. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs around any exposed stumps and brush you find. Bass are biting well on spirnnerbaits, crankbaits and soft plastics around exposed cover. Catfishing is slow.
(updated 4-13-2016) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-774-9117) said the surface water temperature is 61 to 68 degrees. Water clarity in the river is poor, but creeks were beginning to clear before the last rain stirred things back up. Bass fishing has been excellent on all stretches of the river. Rat-L-Traps, spinnerbaits, jigs and Bamboozie craws have all worked well. Buzzbaits and frogs also have been working well around cover in the mid-river area. Striper fishing has slowed due to the lack of current. Topwater poppers, jerkbaits and swimbaits all have played a role in the striper bite. White bass are in the creeks and are biting fairly well on small white crankbaits and tandem-rigged white jigs. Bream have been excellent in the creeks and along jetties with grass on worms and crickets. Catfishing has been good on minnows and worms in the creeks and on cut shad and bream where the river meets the mouths of creeks.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 577.03 feet msl (full pool – 578 msl).
(updated 4-13-2016) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort said surface water temperature is 62 to 66 degrees and the water is clearing up after the rain. Largemouth bass are excellent on Carolina-rigged lizards and floating worms fished around main lake and secondary points. Some fish have moved shallow to spawn. Walleye are biting very well in the clear water at the eastern half of the lake. Stripers are biting excellently on C-!0 Redfins with the west end of the lake being hot right now. Bream are biting well on crickets, maggots and redworms fished 10 to 20 feet deep. Crappie are excellent on minnows and crappie jigs fished 8 to 15 feet deep. Catfishing is very good on live or cut bait in 20 to 25 feet of water.
(updated 4-6-2016) The Trader Bill's Fishing Report with Tom Duke and Phillip Kastner said there are a lot of good fish being caught right now. The spawn is in full swing, and there are beds to be found all over the lake. A lot of fish are also waiting to pull up for the next wave of spawning during the next full moon. Surface water temperature ranges from the low 60s to high 60s. A good tactic to look for that next wave of spawning fish is to cast a Carolina rigged lizard parallel to the bank in 5 to 6 feet of water.
(updated 4-13-2016) Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said crappie and bass are in the middle of their spawn. Not all are spawning near the banks in shallow water, but rather seeking cover in slightly deeper water back from the banks. Soon, when complete with their spawn, they will move out to intermediate brush piles and we should enjoy this pattern on into the middle of June.
(updated 4-6-2016) The Trader Bill's Fishing Report with Tom Duke and Phillip Kastner said said there are a lot of good fish being caught right now. The spawn is in full swing, and there are beds to be found all over the lake. A lot of fish are also waiting to pull up for the next wave of spawning during the next full moon. Surface temperature has hovered between 60 and 65 degrees. Bed fishing has been hot, as has a floating worm or Carolina-rigged lizard.
(updated 4-13-2016) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 54 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. The lake is at normal summer pool and will remain at this level until mid-November. Rainbow trout fishing has been very slow for the last two weeks. With warmer temperatures, the fish will adapt and begin to feed in a more consistent pattern. White bass are making a spawning run to the dam. Many fish are being caught on small crankbaits trolled against the current. Jerk baits and 1/8- to 1/16-oz. jigs are working as well. Live minnows tightlined over deep water also will catch a few fish concentrated around rock structure. Crappie are spawning in the tailrace, and some large females have been caught on live minnows and jigging spoons. Crappie avoid current and will be found in areas protected from moving water. Freshwater drum have been biting well in deep water at the tailrace on nightcrawlers and spoons. Hybrids and stripers also will move into the tailrace each April, and often strike topwater baits such as Super Spooks and C-10 Redfins.
(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 4-13-2016) Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is high and the water clarity is good. Fishing is slow for all species.
