Arkansas Wildlife Fishing Report
BY Jim Harris
ON 09-11-2019
Sept. 11, 2019
Jim Harris
Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s weekly fishing report for Sept. 11, 2019. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter listed for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news. Note: msl = mean sea level; cfs = cubic feet per second.
Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk
For real-time information on stream flow in Arkansas from the U.S. Geological Survey, visit: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/rt
For water-quality statistics (including temperature) in many Arkansas streams and lakes, visit: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats will be conducting foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Conway in 2019. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Conway through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 9-11-2019) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) reports that the lake has its normal stain and is at a normal level. Bream are deeper off the shoreline and biting redworms. Reports are good. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Work the brushpiles, stumps and under the green cypress trees. Black bass are biting in the morning and evening. Topwater baits are working. Good reports. Catfish are good on chicken liver.
(updated 9-11-2019) Hatchet Jack’s in Crystal Hill (501-758-4958) had no report.
Little Red River
(updated 9-11-2019) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service they are getting 2-4 hours of daily generation on weekdays providing good river conditions on all sections. Fly patterns of midges, soft hackles, emergers, sowbugs and streamers will be productive. Consider pink and cotton candy bodies on chartreuse jig heads for Trout Magnet spin-fishing. 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 Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecasted generation schedule.
(updated 9-11-2019) Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips.com (501-690-9166) said the river remains low and clear.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 461.72 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.54 feet msl).
(updated 9-11-2019) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 461.72 feet msl, or 0.82 feet below normal pool of 462.54 feet msl and falling with generation. “As we move closer to an early fall, falling water and water temps, we will continue to see the bite overall pick up for all species in the lake as (the AGFC) has really helped the shad population overall and all species are healthy and eating at present, a big shout out to all involved,” Tommy said. Crappie are being picked up all over the lake and rivers either by trolling or fished vertical with jigs, minnows or crankbaits in 18-30 feet with some as deep as 43 feet. Walleye can be caught dragging crawlers or fluke- or swimbait-type baits on the bottom or on a drop shot rig, 25-43 feet. Bream are eating, guarding fry and getting ready for another spawn with this moon; try crickets, crawlers, small crankbaits or inline spinners, from super shallow out to 28 feet. Catfish are chewing whatever they can find. Just get your bait in the water on all types of rigs all over the lake. Black bass are eating spoons, Inky Dinks, inline spinners, swimbaits and plastics drug around as well as topwater baits from super shallow out to 60 feet. Hybrid and white bass are chasing shad on top and down under, and the Texas Tornado is really shinning in the smaller version right now as well as spoons, topwater baits, swimbaits, Alabama rigs and spoons. Fish them in 25-60 feet of water.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said the water is a little cloudy and high because of the storm Monday evening. Bream reports were poor this week. Crappie, however, were good, particularly in the early mornings. Fish with a yellow jighead. Black bass are good using purple worms. Fish just off the shoreline. Catfishing is good with chicken livers, while trotlines are being baited with goldfish.
Lake Overcup
NOTICE: AGFC employees and contractors using airboats will be conducting foliar applications of EPA-approved herbicide – which will cause no harm to wildlife, people or aquatic life such as fish – to treat alligatorweed on Lake Overcup in 2019. By federal law, these herbicides have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. The AGFC asks adjacent landowners to NOT irrigate for lawn or garden use with water from Lake Conway through March 1, 2020. For more information, please contact the AGFC Fisheries Office in Mayflower at (877) 470-3309.
(updated 9-4-2019) Johnny “Catfish” Banks of Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) said surface temperature is around 86 degrees. Water level is high by about 1 foot. Clarity is good. Bream are doing well on crickets and redworms. Some are catching a lot and some not so good. Fishing seems to be going well on the south bank. Bass are doing well around brushtops and structure around the banks with spinner and crankbaits. Crappie are slow but anglers are still catching some good one sin 7-9 feet of water around stumps. Catfish are being caught on jugs and trotlines with bream, minnows and salties.
Brewer Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) Angler Larry Walters had no report.
Lake Maumelle
(updated 9-11-2019) Westrock Landing (501-658-5598) on Highway 10 near Roland said largemouth bass are fair. Most of them can be found in 16-20 feet of water at dusk and dawn, biting a variety of lures. Some reports have come in this week saying the black bass can be found in 8-12 feet and 16-20 feet. Try using chatterbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, drop-shots and swimbaits. Kentucky bass are fair. Some reports of them being found in 10-16 feet of water outside the grass line at dusk and dawn. They can also be found in 18-22 feet off drops and rocky banks. White bass are fair. Reports of them schooling but not staying up for long. Some can still be found mixed in with the crappie on the flats or near brush piles in 8-12 feet. Try using minnows, Rooster Tails, jerkbaits and rattle-style baits. Crappie are slow. Reports of them being found stacking in and around brush in 12-15 feet of water. Some can still be found scattered mixed in with the whites. Try using jigs and minnows. Bream are good. They can be found up shallow. They are on shallow beds around 8 feet or less. Try using crickets and worms. No reports on catfish.
Sunset Lake
(updated 8-28-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said bream have been doing well on crickets and redworms. Bass are good on bass minnows and brooder minnows. Catfish have been biting chicken livers and bait shrimp, even though it hasn’t been stocked since June. Stocking should resume again in September when it cools some. “I haven’t heard anything lately on the crappie there,” Lisa says.
Bishop Park Ponds
(updated 8-28-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said bream are good on crickets. Bass are fair on brooders. Catfish have been hitting chicken livers and cut bait. No word on the crappie.
Saline River Access in Benton
(updated 8-28-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said crappie have been slow but are biting No. 6 crappie minnows. Catfish have been good on black salties and goldfish on trotlines. Bass have been good on topwater baits, plastic lizards and brooder minnows. Bream, especially the big bream, have been doing great on crickets. Lyle Park has been doing well on them, he said.
As for hot spots in the vicinity, Lisa says that for two weeks in a row she’s been hearing a lot of people are catching lots of little bass and then some nice-size crappie at Lake Nimrod. Most are using No. 12 bass minnows there. And, at Lake Ouachita, some very nice crappie are being caught off the No. 4 crappie minnows by several people, and big bream off of crickets there as well. “Plus, I have a guy that has been going to Ouachita and using No. 6 crappie minnows and said him and his wife have been averaging 20-25 crappie, but they have been huge slabs,” Lisa reports.
Lake Norrell
(updated 8-28-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said the bream have been doing great on crickets, especially from the shoreline. Catfish have been hitting nightcrawlers. Crappie are fair on No. 6 crappie minnows. Bass are good on minnows and plastics.
Lake Winona
(updated 8-28-2019) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said crappie are slow on No. 6 crappie minnows. Bass have been plentiful on No. 12 bass minnows. Bream are good on crickets. Catfish have been caught off of goldfish and black salties.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
(updated 9-11-2019) Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo (501-354-8080) says hot weather and low water has kept fishermen coming early and leaving the water about 10 p.m. The Petit Jean River and Point Remove Creek have been good in the overhanging trees. Bream have been good on crickets. Bass have been good; fish the timber with Gitzits. White bass have been slow on points. Try fishing with white/shad-colored crankbaits. Catfish can be caught on the front side of the jetties and up creeks. Use worms.
Arkansas River (Cadron Pool)
No reports.
Little Maumelle River
(updated 9-11-2019) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream are fair on worms or crickets. Fish around the docks. No reports on crappie. Black bass are good both early in the day and late. Topwaters are good, as are plastic worms. Catfishing is good on worms or chicken liver.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
(updated 9-11-2019) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) says all that they’ve heard is that bream are fair on waxworms.
(updated 9-11-2019) Hatchet Jack’s in Crystal Hill (501-758-4958) reports that bream are being caught in the river on redworms and crickets. Striped bass are reported good. Use spinnerbaits and plastic worms.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
(updated 9-11-2019) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) says good bream reports continue to come in. The redear are in the backwaters and are being caught at a depth of 4-5 feet on redworms. Crickets also are a good bet. Crappie are good on minnows, with the reactions coming at 10-12 feet. Black bass are good. In the early mornings, they are hitting black buzzbaits and black Whopper Ploppers. Catfishing is fair below the hydroelectric plant at the Murray Lock and Dam. White bass reports are good. They’re being caught below the dam on white pearl Super Flukes. Below the Terry Lock and Dam, bream are good there on redworms and crickets, and white bass are biting just below the dam on those same white/pearl Super Flukes.
(updated 9-11-2019) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) had no reports.
(updated 9-11-2019) Fish ‘N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) says the water on Tuesday was dirty from the previous day’s storm. Black bass reports have been fair. Early, anglers are fishing with topwaters, buzzbaits and frogs. Later, go with shallow-diving black Bandit 100-200 series and finesse jigs. Catfishing is fair with stinkbait (below the dam) and nightcrawlers. No reports on bream or crappie.
(updated 9-11-2019) Hatchet Jack’s in Crystal Hill (501-758-4958) reports that bream are being caught in the river on redworms and crickets. Striped bass are reported good. Use spinnerbaits and plastic worms.
Clear Lake (off Arkansas-River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 9-11-2019) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) says bream reports remain good. They’re mainly biting crickets, but throw a worm just in case. Catfish are mainly biting worms, with fair results. Also, chicken liver, stink bait and nightcrawlers are good baits. No reports on crappie and nothing on black bass.
Peckerwood Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) Donna Muherin at Herman’s Landing (870241-3731) says the water is clear and is normal (there are no stumps showing). Bream are good on redworms or crickets. Crappie are fair; anglers are trolling and spider-rigging. Catfishing is good with worms, stinkbait and hot dogs. No reports on black bass.
White River
(updated 9-11-2019) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) says Bull Shoals Dam has been generating around the clock for several weeks and we’re seeing the lake level drop approximately a half-foot each day; in turn, White River water levels have been plentiful. Each morning this past week has started out at nearly 10,000 cfs (equivalent to about three units generated by Bull Shoals), with increases in the afternoon
sometimes up to six or seven units (18,000 to 21,000 cfs). Terrific time to fish the big stick baits and flashy streamers. The size 7 Rapala Scatter Raps or the No. 9 countdowns, silver and black, will swim at the perfect depth to attract the browns sitting near the bottom – way down there 6-9 feet. “We’re looking at the purple-gold X-Rap (XR-8) for some action in this water level, too, with its trailing red flashy skirt. It will stay mid-depth at 3-5 feet and move like a minnow. Speaking of minnows, the browns are especially drawn to the bigger ones right now, so if you can’t get your hands on live minnows, the baits mentioned here should imitate them perfectly, as will the 3/8-ounce Smithwick Lace Minnow suspending rogue.” They also say the rainbow catch is, as always, spectacular. Pink and red floating worms, sometimes with a shrimp bit added to the barb, bring the rainbows “out in droves.” White or black 1/8-ounce jigs add to the creel count and keep the action moving. “Looks like the very warm weather will continue through the next 10 days or longer, so make sure to keep plenty of water and electrolyte-laden drinks on hand and keep on anglin’.”
(updated 9-11-2019) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) says the clarity is “not bad.” There have been six to eight generators running, bringing fast water. The trout bite is excellent. PowerBait is the go-to. Rainbows are really good if you’re fishing with a guide; one anglers caught 40 fish on one excursion. There are not a lot of browns, they report, and the ones being caught are small.
(updated 9-11-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said that last week they had no rain, hot temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals fell 2.1 feet to rest at 13.4 feet above seasonal power pool of 661 feet msl. This 20.6 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell 0.4 foot to rest at 0.6 foot below seasonal power pool and 14.6 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell 1 foot to rest at 2.8 feet above seasonal power pool and 5.8 feet below the top of flood pool. The White had heavy generation with no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell 1.2 feet to rest at 7.3 feet above seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 16.9 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork had moderate generation all day. Seasonal power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. Most of the lakes in the White River System are at or over the top of power pool. Expect heavy generation for the foreseeable future.
Hopper season is in full swing. Use a short (7½-foot) leader to turn over the big fly. Cast near the bank and hang on. The takes can be vicious. John says he prefers large western foam hoppers so that he does not need to dress them. Add a dropper nymph to increase your catch.
The White has fished very well. The hot spot has been Rim Shoals. 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 (John’s current favorite combination is a cerise San Juan worm with an egg pattern suspended below it). Use long leaders and plenty of lead to get your flies down.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 673.53 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 659.00 feet msl).
(updated 9-11-2019) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said the Bull Shoals Lake level remains high, while the surface temperature Monday afternoon was 85 degrees. “It’s really hot and high water,” he said. Crappie are being found in depths of 25 feet. The bite is good on minnows and jigs. Target the rocky points. No reports on bream. Black bass are good. Look for them in 20-30 feet. Topwater lures are hit or miss, he said. Best success will come from fishing on points with jigs and trolling. Check the rocky points. No reports on catfishing. White bass are good, with anglers trolling for them at depth of 28-32 feet. Check Del’s YouTube page (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for his latest video report on what’s biting and techniques to use.
Norfork Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 562.55 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 552.00 feet msl; April-Sept., 555.75 feet msl).
(updated 9-11-2019) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters said the bite has died at the dam. The oxygen level is so low the stripers are not moving and laying in the mud to keep alive. The lake usually starts a slow temperature drop, but with the hottest weeks next week Tom sees no relief, he said. “We did have two good outings, then on Friday Sean (his son) and I both had clients and I caught one and Sean had no bites. I suggest if you’re trying to striper fish you will need to find cooler waters and make sure if you hire a guide have him tell you where your fishing – if they say the dam, cancel your trip.
“Both Sean and I fished up toward Calamity Beach and found active fish and bait. The water is a little cooler and since it’s not that deep the fish have move to oxygen due to some current coming from the river. I will fishing up there until the lake turns over in late October. It’s a long boat ride but worth the effort if you want to catch stripers. The best will be 6- to 8-inch gizzard shad fished on downlines and long lines weighted with a split shot. If you do not want to travel that far, wait until its start getting cooler at night and the water temperature gets into the mid-70s, then try the creeks and Robinson Point. One trick is go up the creeks until you find a drop in the water temperature, the stripers will be close by.”
(updated 9-11-2019) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said fishing continues in the summertime pattern.
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 9-11-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said that over the past week Norfork Lake fell 1.2 feet to rest at 7.3 feet above seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 16.9 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork had moderate generation all day. Seasonal power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. Most of the lakes in the White River System are at or over the top of power pool. Expect heavy generation for the foreseeable future.
Hopper season is in full swing. Use a short (7½-foot) leader to turn over the big fly. Cast near the bank and hang on. The takes can be vicious. John says he prefers large western foam hoppers so that he does not need to dress them. Add a dropper nymph to increase your catch.
The Norfork has been fishing slow. The dissolved oxygen level is low and has slowed the bite. Navigate this stream with caution as things have changed a bit during the recent flooding. There has been major gravel recruitment at the bottom of Mill Pond and the dock hole. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (sizes 18, 20, 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 ruby midge (size 18) suspended 18 inches below a red fox squirrel and copper (size 14). The fishing is better in the morning.
Dry Run Creek is fishing better. The browns have begun making their annual migration up stream. With school back in session it will be less crowded during the week The hot flies have been sowbugs (size 14), Y2Ks (size 12), various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise size 10) and mop flies.
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 9-11-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are low and clear. The smallmouths are more active with the warm conditions. His favorite fly is a Clouser minnow. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.
Beaver Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,123.92 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.00 feet msl).
(updated 9-11-2019) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) says, “Beaver Lake is still smack dab in a stubborn pattern. Until we get some cooler nights and a lake turnover, this is going to continue. Good news is, each week we get closer!” Jon says the best fishing is trolling for crappie and using minnows on structure in 20 feet of water. Bass are schooling very early and late and in the middle of day; try plastics on a Ned Head and you should be able to pick some up. Stripers are scattered and if you can locate shad, stripers will be near. Walleye continue fair on crawler harnesses /slow death rigs. “I use Mack’s Smile Blade Rigs with good success. The key in this presentation is fish slow, less than 1.0 mph. Walleye are very finicky feeders. Speed is very important on troll or lack of,” Jon says. Catfishing remains good on all the usual methods. “Hang in there. Good fishing is right around corner!”
(updated 9-11-2019) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream are good on crickets. Crappie are good, with anglers mostly trolling. Use minnows. Black bass are good early in the morning and late evenings. Topwaters, plastic worms, large jigs and large worms are working. Catfishing is good using worms and minnows. Walleye are hitting bottom bouncers with nightcrawlers.
Beaver Tailwater
(updated 9-11-2019) Guide Austin Kennedy (470-244-0039) said the tailwater have produced some nice trout this past week. Most fish were caught with quarter-ounce spoons and various PowerBaits, fished with light terminal tackle. This week the hot spot has been the Spider Creek area. Most fish caught in that area have been slot fish, 13- to 16-inches, and had to be released, but the fight was great. Some hybrid bass are being caught between Beaver and Holiday Island, pulling various crankbaits in 6-10 inches of water. A few small walleye are still being caught in the same area jigging live minnows. No report this week on smallmouth bass, catch up with that next time. Hope you all stay hydrated. Get out there and catch some fish!
Lake Fayetteville
(updated 9-11-2019) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) says the lake is a little stained but is at normal level. Surface water temperature Monday was 81 degrees early that afternoon. Bream are fair on redworms or crickets. Crappie are good. Anglers report them biting at 8 feet on minnows or jigs. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Catfishing is good. They are chasing the bluegill around and are being caught on chicken liver and live shad.
Lake Fort Smith
(updated 9-11-2019) Ralph Donnangelo, superintendent at Lake Fort Smith State Park, had no report.
Lake Sequoyah
(updated 9-11-2019) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) says the lake is lightly stained. Water level is normal. The bream bit is excellent. You’ll find the bream at 5 feet and eager to nibble a redworm. Crappie reports are poor. Black bass are biting poor. Channel catfish are fair on worms.
Crown Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is “pretty clear” and at a normal level. Bream are good on worms, particularly nightcrawlers. No reports on crappie. Bass are good both early and late. Topwaters are working. Catfishing is good with worms, chicken liver, perch and nightcrawlers.
Lake Charles
(updated 9-11-2019) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park says the water temperature Sunday afternoon was 70 degrees and the clarity was murky. Water level is normal. Bream are still biting worms, crickets and jigs. Crappie are biting in the morning on worms and jigs. There is also an evening bite. Catfish are good and going after chicken liver. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits and plastic worms, but time your fishing for early morning or later in the evening for best success.
Lake Poinsett
(updated 9-11-2019) Lake Poinsett is closed until next year as repairs continue on the habitat. The Lake Pointsett State Park Visitors Center sells bait still, and the shop is in proximity to many other fishing destinations in northeast Arkansas.
Spring River
(updated 9-11-2019) Mark Crawford of Spring River Flies and Guides says water levels are running at 360 cfs (350 average) and water clarity has been clear. The trout have been biting well. “Guppies, my minnow imitation, has been hot this week,” he said. “The trout are hitting right when it hits the water and at the end of the swing. The smallmouth bass have been hitting olive Woollies on a short fast strip back upstream. Watch for them chasing it.” The canoe hatch is coming to an end. After Oct. 1 all of the canoe rentals will close for the season, except for Riverside Resort and Saddler Falls. “Really looking forward to the fall season and cooler temperatures,” Mark says.
(updated 9-11-2019) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) 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 officially over. 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).
Walcott Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) Walcott Lake (Crowley’s Ridge State Park) had no reports.
White River
(updated 9-11-2019) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
(updated 9-11-2019) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no report.
Arkansas River (Pool 2)
No reports.
Cane Creek Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) Austin Davidson, park interpreter at Cane Creek State Park, had no report.
Lake Chicot
(updated 9-11-2019) Brian Whitson, park interpreter at Lake Chicot State Park (870-265-5480), says storms Monday could have slow down the fishing somewhat, but with the drawdown it does appear the fish have been biting more. Lake level is low and some boat ramps are not accessible. The lake is still usable for fishing and some boating, but do use caution while boating and fishing on Lake Chicot.
Lake Monticello
(updated 9-11-2019) No reports. The lake is undergoing a drawdown so that the dam can be repaired and the fish habitat rebuilt. There are no limits on game fish during the drawdown.
Millwood Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 257.46 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl).
(updated 9-11-2019) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Millwood Lake remains under a planned, 2-foot drawdown for maintenance at the dam and millet planting for fall migratory flight paths, according the AGFC and the Army Corps of Engineers. The lake is slowly rising and on Monday was 16 inches below normal conservation pool, at 257.9 feet msl. The discharge was 197 cfs in Little River according to the USACE. The tailwater below the dam and gates as of Monday is around 225 feet msl. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website helpful links page, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels, especially during drawdown conditions. Surface temps as of Monday ranged near 83 degrees early to 91 later under full sun, depending on location. Continue to use caution in navigation on Little River and Millwood watching for stumps, random broken or floating timber while the drawdown remains in effect. Clarity and visibility has been consistent over the past couple of weeks. The main lake and lower sections of Little River are better than upriver near standing timber. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity and visibility is moderate stain, ranging 5-10 inches.
Largemouths have slowed over the past couple weeks with the heat. Most bass are suspended over cover and structure behind points along Little River. The level of topwater activity has diminished over the past couple of weeks with early, cloudy mornings being best days from dawn to around 9 a.m. Largemouth bass continue retreating to the first and second drops out of the flats and deeper sections of the creeks or the river behind primary and secondary points out of river current once the sun gets above the trees. The best baits drawing early morning reactionshave been chrome Johnson Spoons in lily pads. This method has been working for several months, and on a cloudy morning Mike and his crew are getting the best reactions using a gold spoon with a 3-4-inch tail thumping Bang Die Dapper swimbait on the single hook. If the sun is bright on cloudless mornings, they simply change from gold Johnson Spoon to a chrome version with the same Bang Die Dapper trailer. At daylight, throw the spoon and trailer as far back in the pads near creek channels and work it out to the creek over the tops of the lily pads.
White bass continue schooling up with juvenile largemouths and spotted bass on shad in the oxbows at dawn, occasionally surface breaking on shad and bait in Horseshoe and McGuire lakes in the oxbows up Little River where water clarity is best. Hammered Cordell Spoons with red/white bucktails, chrome/black or chrome/blue, and Millwood Magic colored Rat-L-Traps, Spin Traps and Bomber Fat Free Guppy cranks in Tennessee Shad or Citrus Shad were catching these surface schoolers breaking on shad along with a host of topwaters in the middle of the mayhem, like chrome/black or clear-blue nose Cordell Crazy Shads, clear Baby Torpedoes, and Heddon Dying Flutters. For several weeks, juvenile and adolescent Kentucky Bass have been roaming and schooled up with the largemouths and white bass chasing Shad. Spin-tail Rat-L-Traps, Bomber Fat Free Frys, and Fat Free Shads in Citrus Shad or Tennessee Shad colors were catching some Spotted bass from 1-2 pounds over the past couple weeks, albeit randomly, in the oxbow lakes. Crappie have slowed with the heat and stained water over the past couple weeks. Blues and channel cats have been slow, but are more consistent at night, over the past couple weeks using chicken gizzards and livers, hot dogs and punch bait with fair to good catches of cats from 2 to 4 pounds. Best yo-yo activity was in the back of the oxbows, hung from cypress tree limbs and timber from 8-12 feet deep. Trotlines in Little River have not done as well lately, over the past few weeks since the Corps reduced current in Little River. Bream were biting redworms and crickets off the floating dock at Jack’s Isle over the weekend with several kids having a big day.
As for the largemouth bass, Mike adds that over the past couple weeks, the schooling bass have been less visible at surface, yet can still be found randomly in the oxbows like Horseshoe and Mud Lake and McGuire Lake, most being adolescents and juveniles. Heddon Dying Flutters, Baby Torpedoes or Cordell Crazy Shads have been working on early-morning breaking yearling and adolescent schooling bass. StutterSteps and Spit’n Images continue to draw good reactions from schooling largemouths when you can find or hear them breaking near grass, vegetation or lily pads. Mostly, juvenile bass were randomly breaking for 30-60 seconds at a time, early just after dawn in the backs of several oxbows up Little River a few weeks ago. When the bass are not surface breaking, you can still locate the large schools on your electronics. These large schools of juveniles and adolescent largemouths,= can be caught randomly using Bomber Fat Free Shads and Fat Free Frys, in Tennessee Shad or Citrus Shad colors, along with jigging a Cordell Hammered Spoons, tail spinner Rat-L-Traps and War Eagle Underspins with a 3- to 4-inch pearl or white grub trailer. Rat-L-Trap MR-6 medium-diving cranks in Millwood Magic, Threadfin Shad or Louisiana Shad colors have been getting reactions over the past couple weeks on the fringes of large schools of juvenile black and white bass chasing shad in the oxbows. Several anglers hooked into a nice mixed school of largemouth and white bass last week trolling crankbaits and spoons in McGuire Lake and Horseshoe Lake oxbows, up Little River. Trolling medium to medium-deep crankbaits continues to be a proven method to locate large, mixed-bag schools of black and white bass this time of year in the oxbows and in Little River or Saline River. Once you locate a large blob or school of shad on your electronics, that is a good place to begin slow-trolling crankbaits from 30-40 yards behind the boat. Most of these schooled up bass are suspending under the shad from 12-15 feet deep.
Lake Columbia
(updated 9-11-2019) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) has heard no reports of late.
Lake Greeson Tailwater
Visit www.littlemissouriflyflishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Lake Greeson
(updated 9-11-2019) Tamara Lunsford, park superintendent at Daisy State Park near Kirby, had no report.
(updated 9-11-2019) Jason Lenderman of JL Guide Service (870-490-0804) had no report.
DeGray Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) John Duncan of yoyoguideservice.com at Iron Mountain Marina says lake level is 398.41 feet msl, which is fairly low. There are lots of brushpiles showing you can mark. Water is clear and free of much debris. Full moon is here, use your electronics to find the bream beds. Arlie Moore and Lennox Marcus are solid areas to look for the beds, and don’t forget Ozane. Bass fishing reports are almost all about whites, small blacks and hybirds. Reports are that the hybrids are very spotty and will not stay up and you usually get one or two on spoons or swimbaits. It’s full moon time so use your electronics and side imaging. Find the beds in 6-8 feet deep and stand off and cast to the beds with a barrel sinker and swivel. Crappie are very slow and they are deep. Trolling is actually the best report for all fishing. Pulling deep-diving crankbaits and Alabama rigs that run around 16 feet is producing the most consistently. “It’s summer dog days and the fish are showing it. Go early. Hydrate and fish deep. Good luck.”
(updated 9-11-2019) Capt Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said white bass and hybrid bass are schooling.
De Queen Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 437.17 feet msl (normal pool: 437.00 feet msl).
Dierks Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 523.53 feet msl (normal pool: 526.00 feet msl).
White Oak Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) AGFC Fisheries biologists report that the black bass bite is very good at Lower White Oak Lake. Fish in the 6- to 7-pound range are being caught. The lake is in great shape after a total renovation that was completed a couple of years ago.
Felsenthal
(updated 9-11-2019) Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) said the fishing has picked up. Bass, crappie and catfish are biting well. Still some nice bream being caught.
Lake Atkins
(updated 9-11-2019) Sharon at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) says fishing remains constant with the past couple of weeks. The water is “pretty clear.” Overall the fishing is slow and patience is a must. Mainly, it’s way too hot for great fishing, she says.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 9-11-2019) Steve Donahou at Lake Catherine State Park (501-844-4176) said he spoke with State Park Marina Manager Tosha Walker, who says the clarity is clear and the surface temperature is 84.1 degrees. Water level and current are normal. Bream are good. The fish are at a depth of 6-12 feet, and anglers are using worms and crickets. Crappie reports are poor. “There have been very few reports of crappie taken on minnows. They (the crappie) have been slow to bite,” Walker said. Bass are fair on crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfish are good, with stink bait and chicken liver being used. “A lot of catfish have been taken lately on trotlines using shad and cut baits,” said Walker, who also related that she had “not heard of anyone catching white bass lately on the lake.”
Lake Catherine (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 9-11-2019) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that the water temperature is 65 degrees below the dam with clear conditions in the tailrace. Entergy is currently following a minimum flow pattern each day with Lake Ouachita nearly 8 feet below flood pool. Sadly, only small numbers of rainbow trout are left in the area because of the heavy flooding early in the year. Bank fishermen should take advantage of slack water periods by presenting trout with nightcrawlers and redworms fished just off the bottom with a marshmalow floater. Waxworms and mealworms used in the same manner will allow anglers to catch rainbows that are actively searching for food. Live bait presentations cannot be overemphasized because trout become much more wary as their environment warms and the summer heat sets in. September still holds numbers of whites, although the size is smaller than in a normal year. Crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and jig presentations will all draw strikes from these temperate bass from the dam to the bridge as they feed on shad for months. Hybrid bass also run alongside these fish and will feed on the same prey items. Stripers always migrate into the area in the summer months in search of food and cooler temperatures. Balloon rigs with gizzard shad give anglers a good chance to hook a big striper, but artificial lures such as Super Spooks and Alabama rigs should not be overlooked. Strong rods and lines are recommended for these predator fish that possess great power and are often in the 20 to 40 pound range. Anyone navigating Lake Catherine should always wear a life jacket and be aware of the generation schedules. All park rules and regulations must be followed in the tailrace.
Lake Dardanelle
(updated 9-11-2019) Jason Baumgartner, park aquarist at Lake Dardanelle State Park (479-890-7495) had no report.
(updated 9-11-2019) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-647-9945) had no report.
Lake Hamilton
(updated 9-11-2019) Capt Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said white bass and hybrid bass are schooling.
(updated 9-11-2019) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred all-welded aluminum Xpress fishing boats in Hot Springs, reports lake levels normal with some water release on the river section in the afternoons. Water clarity is at most places in the lake near 8 feet of visibility. Lake temps at the surface still hover around the 90-degree mark. Although the days are hot, the bass fishing is still decent in most areas of the lake. Main lake points are holding large numbers of bass –especially spotted Bass in depths of 15-20 feet and usually over brushpiles or chunk rock bottoms. If you can find some current, it is usually very lucrative to fish the downstream side of an obstruction in or near the current. Drop-shot rigs, Ned rigs, spoons and medium- to deep-diving crank baits are the way to target these fish. Shad-like colors, along with watermelon seed and plum colors, seem to do best. Bass are not super aggressive, so just be patient with them and downsize your bait and hooks. With the days getting shorter, bass are starting to bulk up on baitfish, but because of the warm temperatures they are resistant to go into a full-fledged binge. Odds are fall is going to roar in all of a sudden one of these days and when it does … IT’S ON and the reels will be screaming!
Catfish are good as usual on cheese and cut baits in creek channels and off main lake drop-offs near current. Several reports of hybrid schools feeding heavily at times near the Carpenter Dam area. No crappie report this week. Good Luck! And Go Greeson!
Lake Nimrod
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 342.90 feet msl (normal pool: 342.00 feet msl).
(updated 9-11-2019) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) reported that the clarity is clear and the water level is about 1 foot high as of Tuesday morning. Customers bought 11,000 crickets over the weekend, indicating that everybody was about that excellent bream bite that’s been going on at Nimrod. Crappie are good. One angler had a stringer of seven that weighed 12.48 pounds. Anglers are mostly using eighth-ounce and 1/16-ounce jigs, but minnows work too. The fish are about 5 feet deep in 7-8 feet of water. Black bass are good. Spinnerbaits are working well. The White War Eagle is a good one; a golden spinner with a white skirt will get their attention. Catfish are good. Chicken liver works, while noodlers are catching them up shallow with shad and chicken liver.
(updated 9-11-2019) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) had no reports.
Lake Ouachita
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 569.71 feet msl (normal pool: 578.00 feet msl)
(updated 9-11-2019) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) said black bass are fair to good. Texas-rigged worms, drop-shot rigs and spoons fished over points are working. The topwater bite is picking up early and late. Walleye are still fair. Three-quarter-ounce CC Spoons jigged vertically and nightcrawlers on drop-shot rigs are producing good stringers. Stripers are still good. They are located in the eastern part of the lake and are being caught on live bait or big hair jigs. Bream are good with reports of fish being caught with grubs and worms in 15-26 feet of water near brush. No reports on crappie. Catfish are good and anglers are having luck with rod-and-reel using nightcrawlers around brushpiles. Water temperature is ranging 86-90 degrees. Water clarity is clear. Contact the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822_ for more information.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 385.02 feet msl (normal pool: 384.00 feet msl).
(updated 9-11-2019) Angler Dane Goodwin had no report.
Horseshoe Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) Professional fishing guide Ronnie Tice (901-687-6800) said the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream are good on worms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass are fair using spinnerbaits, as well as frogs and worms. Fish those on the banks around the cypress trees. Catfishing has been good. Anglers are using stink bait, shrimp and shad.
Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) Natalie Faughn, assistant superintendent at Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040), said there was little fishing going on.
Cook’s Lake
(updated 9-11-2019) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Conservation Education Center (870-241-3373) said that because of lack of fishing on the lake, he had no report for this lake. Last week, Wil said the fishing should be getting better there as the White River level falls. Black bass recently were still being caught flipping creature baits in green pumpkin or blue sapphire as well as Jig Sooie Jigs in river craw. Success has come from targeting hollow cypress trees. Now is also a good time to use square-bills in shad colors around the trees. Bluegill are starting to slow down. Crappie are being picked off of brush tops using jigs, action should pick up as the water continues to fall and the crappie move into their fall pattern.
Cook’s Lake is a 2.5-mile-long oxbow off of the White River, nestled in the heart of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge near Casscoe in Arkansas County. This fertile oxbow receives very little fishing pressure due to being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing. The scenic lake is full of slab crappie, giant bluegills, largemouth bass and catfish of all species. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing during normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through October, water level pending. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youth under 16 or mobility-impaired, and up to two helpers (who may also fish). Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat, but use only trolling motors. Before launching, please check in at the Conservation Education Center, and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, please contact the center at 870-241-3373.
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