Central Arkansas Lake Conway
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is low. Bream are slow to fair. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass and catfish are slow.
Dan at Gold Creek Marina said bass are biting well on jigs. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bream are slow. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers.
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low with very little generation. Trout are biting well on wax worms. Fly anglers are catching fish on egg patterns, midges and brassies.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.67 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is falling, and the temperature is in the low 60s. Walleye fishing is tough, with very few fish showing up. No report on bream. The catfish continue to bite despite the cold weather. The bass are still scattered from shallow to 70 feet of water; try spinnerbaits on windy banks, jigs out deep, and c-rigs and jig head worms in-between. No report on crappie. The hybrids and white bass are still biting, but you have got to find the bait, it is a lot tougher now than it has been, most have moved deeper even out to 70 feet and some are schooling and eating topwater baits.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said Greers Ferry is currently 7 feet below normal pool. Water surface temperatures range in the mid 60s. The bite on most species has been good early, but tapers off throughout the day. Water conditions are clear with visibility down to 15 feet in some areas. Shad are spread out from main lake pockets to the backs of select creeks. You must be around bait if you want to get bit right now, seek out the shad and game fish will be close by.
Harris Brake Lake
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) the water is low and murky. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs with pink heads fished in 10 to 16 feet of water. Bass are biting well on Rat-L-Traps. No report on catfish or bream.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the lake renovation is underway, with brush piles built, 350 tons of lime scattered on the lake bed and 1/3 of the boat lanes marked. Work on the dam is about ¾ complete and a new ramp is being poured. Fishing has slowed somewhat, but crappie are still being caught on white/chartreuse and black/chartreuse jigs in deeper water. Bream are slow. Catfish are being caught on trotlines using shad and chicken livers. Bass are fair.
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report.
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake level is 8.7 feet below the spillway. The launch ramps at Jolly Roger’s will be worked on next week. Largemouths are biting well off points and the edges of channels on the west end of the lake in 8 to 12 feet of water on crankbaits. Spotted bass are excellent on jighead worms fished 18 to 20 feet deep near structure. White bass are fair, with some schooling activity on the south side of Big Island early and late. Spooks, Near Nuthings and Rogues are catching a few. Crappie are biting well on structure in 18 to 20 feet of water on 1/32-oz. red/white jigs and small pink minnows. Bream are slow, but some are being caught in 10 to 20 feet of water. Catfishing is good, with some nice flathead and blue catfish being caught on cut shad, bream and prepared bait.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on minnows fished in deep water. White bass are biting well on Rooster Tails. Catfishing is good on trotlines baited with chicken hearts and stinkbait.
Lake Valencia
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and chicken hearts.
Sunset Lake
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is at normal level. Bream, crappie and catfish are all slow. Bass are fair on topwaters.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is low. Bream are excellent on small brown Rooster Tails. Crappie are slow. Bass are excellent on white buzzbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said not many people have been on the river this week. Some nice catfish have been taken in shallow water on whole shad. Spotted bass are following the shad in shallow water in the evenings. Use firetiger-colored Chatterbaits and jigs around jetties. Stripers are being caught below the dam and in Coppers Gap on live shad. Bream are in the back of Petit Jean River and Point Remove Creek. White bass are shallow and are following the shad. (Last updated 10/20/2010)
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on black/chartreuse jigs. Bass are fair on black/red tubes, chrome Rat-L-Traps and 8-inch black/red flake worms.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said the water is low and there is very little flow. Bass are biting well on black crankbaits fished around jetties and rocky shores in the main river. Catfish are fair on cut bait. No report on any other species.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on pink minnows fished under a slip-cork rig or on white/chartreuse and red/chartreuse jigs. Bass are fair to good on shad-colored crankbaits fished around jetties. Catfishing is excellent on live minnows and cut skipjack.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is at normal to low levels and the clarity is good. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on jigs. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and chicken livers. No report on bream.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is low and clear. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. No report on bream or catfish.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) is closed to fishing for the winter and will reopen February 1, 2011.
Lake Pickthorne
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and white/chartreuse jigs fished on a slip-cork rig around timber. Bass are slow. Catfishing is fair to good on stinkbait and chicken hearts.
North Arkansas White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said two to 6 generators are running. Rainbow trout are biting well on shrimp drifted in the current. Brown trout are spawning in the no fishing zone near the dam.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said two generators are running most of the day. This has made drift fishing with corn downriver from Norfork tailwater the hot place to be this week. Some nice rainbows and browns have been caught.
Guide Davy Wotton said temperatures are dropping. The Bull Shoals Dam Zone is now closed to fishing for the spawn, and the area below the dam zone to the State Park now is catch-and-release only. Most brown trout are in spawning zones, digging redds and spawning. Please leave these fish alone so they can have a successful spawn for the health of the fishery. The best options during lower water flows are midge patterns in sizes 14 to 20 if fish are seen feeding on the surface. White-tail, prism, shimmer and zebra midges are the go-to flies. Sow bugs and scuds in gray, gray/olive and orange have produced during overcast conditions. Afternoons have been good for fishing both soft hackles in the riffle zones and small streamers in deeper water. When drift fishing moderate generations, combinations of midge, prism and San Juan worms have been very good, if fishing colored water and when overhead light is diminished then you may need to add hi-vis flies such as eggs and worms.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the water levels have remained constant and we have had no extra flow from the Buffalo River. The end result is that the fish have been and are biting very steady with more brown trout coming every day. Some people are having 100-fish days on White River Zig Jigs in ginger or green/ginger and black/gold/white no. 7 or 9 Countdown Rapalas.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said the river level at Highway 65 is 3.7 feet and flows of 27 cfs. Temperatures are in the low 50s. Not very much floating is possible, but walking and wading to fish the deeper holes can be good. Tube baits and other soft plastics are working for spin-fishing. Crawdad and minnow patterns will work for fly-fishing. Slow down your presentations for both types of fishing.
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said the creek level is at 10.8 feet and the flow is 110 cfs at Kelly’s Access. Much of the lower creek is dry where the creek flows underground. Fish the deeper holes with baits that mimic the naturals, minnows and crawdads. Slow down your presentation as the water is cooling fast. The best time is late afternoon when the sun heats up the water.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 650.98 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the best walleye bite lately has been on jigging spoons on drop offs about 36-40 feet deep back in the creek channels. The main problem right now is turnover-related. The warm-up has caused the turnover to stall. Next week’s forecast calls for much colder weather, which hopefully will get it rolling again and get the fish biting. On cloudy, windy days the fish are biting crankbaits and jerk baits in shallow water back in the creek channels with a few keeper size walleyes mixed in. The fish seem to be really scattered right now from about 10-40 feet deep, with lots of shad moving back into the creek arms where the water is more stable.
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said generation is around the clock with 1-2 units. Some wade fishing is available in certain areas, but drift fishing is a better option. The trophy area below the dam is closed. A variety of tactics are working, including nymphing, swinging soft hackles and stripping streamers. Brown trout are in various stages of spawning, so be on the lookout for redds and don’t wade through them. Suggested patterns include: humpback scud, BH simple sow, pheasant tail, copper john, BH caddis, partridge/yellow, partridge/orange, partridge/peacock, San Juan worm, zebra midge, woolly bugger, zoo cougar, KC’s barred sculpin, sparrow and .56er.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 548.41 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said high winds kept most people off the lake this week.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is 70. Watch for fish chasing shad to the surface and they will hit any topwater bait. Try throwing a grub, shallow crankbait or a small swim bait also. Look for fish suspended 30-50 feet down and fish live bait or a spoon in front of them. With the water temperature dropping, the fish will start putting on the feed bag getting ready for winter. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait said fishing is good. The surface temperature is in the low 70s. Crappie fishing has been good using minnows and tube jigs. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Catfish have been doing well. Striped bass are spread throughout the lake. Walleye fishing has been fair on nightcrawlers and medium-sized shiners. Bass fishing is good using a variety of soft-plastics and jigs. White bass are being caught using rooster tails and jigging spoons. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Norfork Tailwater
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said McClellands down to the confluence has been really hot, especially if you can catch the water falling after running for a couple of days. Some of the best cutthroat action ever has been taking place the last week. Ginger Zig Jigs and Rapalas have been the producers. Make sure to pinch your barbs down if you are in the catch-and-release zone.
Charlie’s Rainbow Trout Resort said fishing is excellent. Some large browns have been sighted under our dock. Big browns are being hooked upstream, but it has been difficult to land them. Big browns are moving into spawn but are more aggressive than they are hungry. Lots of rainbows and cutthroats are being caught on worms bouncing off the bottom. The San Juan worm works well as with other fly patterns for fly fishers. Guide Doyle Nichols has been catching some big 20-inch cutthroats downriver at long hole using crawdad tails and Rapalas.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said due to one to two generators running last week, fishing has been excellent for rainbows and browns using corn and crawfish tails. The ramp at Quarry Park is still closed. Launch your boat at Norfork or rent one from one of the docks on the river.
Northwest Arkansas Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,115.66 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said the annual Hooked on Fishing—Not on Drugs event is Nov. 23, and we need more volunteer boats to take the kids fishing. If you are interested please call me.
Striper fishing has been fair. The stripers have pushed upriver in pursuit of bait and are keying on shad in the 4 to 5 inch range. They are feeding near the surface. Free-lining and balloons are the best methods to use on flats where shad are feeding. Live gizzard shad is the go-to for trophy-size stripers, but smaller shad produce more action. On the mid and lower sections check out these areas:
Rocky Branch – Check Fords Creek and Striper Island.
Copper Mine – Check around the gravel bar and the “tailings pile.”
In the upper section, try:
The islands on the flats around Prairie Creek.
The flats at Beaver Shores.
The rocky shore line at Horseshoe Bend on far side and the flats near the swimming area.
The flat near the old pond and the island between Horseshoe Bend and Monte-Ne. Walleye and crappie are holding around 10 to 20 feet deep on the shoals of Prairie Creek and Beaver Shores to War Eagle. Fish three-way rigs with No. 11 Rapalas or Hot ‘N’ Tots in chartreuse/orange. Troll about 1.5 to 2 mph and run baits a foot off the bottom for best results. Pay special attention to the areas around deer and bear islands. Crawler harnesses are also producing in chart. /orange combinations fished on bottom bouncers, trolled at speeds less than 1.5 mph.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been biting crawdad-colored crankbaits along sloping chunk rock banks and hula grubs fished in and around boat docks. Crappie have been biting well on minnows fished under a cork set 10 to 20 feet deep around brush piles and standing timber along creek channels and in the mouths of coves. White bass have been schooling occasionally on main lake flats early and late. Once located, cast a ¼- to ½-oz casting spoon at the surfacing fish. Catfishing has been very good from the bank after dark using liver or stink bait. Bluegill have been biting crickets and worms around blown down trees and rocks 2-10 feet deep.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and falling. Bream are biting fairly well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished in brush 8 to 15 feet deep. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and topwaters in shallow water and on dropshot rigs, Carolina rigs and spoons on deep ledges. Catfishing is slow on worms and chicken livers. White bass are biting well on spoons and Rat-L-Traps.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said very little generation is taking place. Lots of wading is available for fishermen. Best flies are zebra midges in various colors, sow bugs and scuds in tan, gray and olive and smaller woolly buggers. Lots of browns have been seen getting ready to spawn. Be careful and don’t walk in their redds (nests); handle the fish with care.
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides said the water level is 2.4 feet and flow is 36 cfs at Grandview Bridge. Water temperatures are averaging in the low 50s. This is getting close to the record low levels for the river. Fishing can still be good in the afternoons of warm days. Be sure to slow down your retrieve and fish along the bottom. Soft plastics for spin-fishing and minnow and crawdad patterns for fly-fishing are working. Clouser deep minnows, crazydads and Gitzits are the best flies.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky and at normal level. Bream are slow on worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are slow. White bass are fair to good on spoons and Rooster Tails.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is cold and clear. High winds have kept most anglers off the lake.
Northeast Arkansas Lake Poinsett
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett is still down significantly, but fishing is still very good. Many anglers have had luck with bass and crappie. The boat ramp in the park is not usable as the cove is almost dry. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is low and clear. Crappie are biting well on minnows in shallow water. Bass are biting well on Rapala DT 10 crankbaits in 10 feet of water. No report on any other species.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and low. Catfishing is good on goldfish. No report on any other species.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels remain low and clear. Flows at the spring are 250cfs. During morning and late evening hours, heavy hatches of mayfly and caddis are coming off the water. Emerger patterns are the main flies to use during this time or even dry fly patterns sunk with a small BB shot. With the water so shallow, getting deep is not as important as finding pocket water with a little depth. With water clarity as good as it is, look for the trout. They will resemble dark shapes hanging on the bottom. Watch for their pink cheeks.
Southeast Arkansas Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park said catfishing is still slow, but steady. Bream have been slow as well. (Updated 10/6/2010)
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said fishing at Cane Creek Lake has picked up. Crappie are biting well on minnows and curly tail jigs in about 4 to 4.5 feet of water. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Monticello
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said the surface temperature hasn’t changed much in the last week or so. It is still between 68 and 71 degrees, depending on area and time of day. The bass are biting in the shallows on plastic worms and Senkos in earth-tone colors. There are a few bass being caught on crankbaits on and around points. Bass are starting to chase shad a little more than in previous days, but there still is not a consistent schooling bite. Be careful running around the woody areas of the lake. The lake is low and running is dangerous in the creeks. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Southwest Arkansas Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 255.58 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level is consistent from last week and is 43 inches below normal pool and falling, with current in Little River at 191 CFS. Surface temps dropped to 60 to 68 degrees, dependent on location and time of day. Use extreme caution at boat ramps, and navigation on Millwood during the four foot drawdown in effect through Feb 2011. Stumps and boat ramps are very shallow. Some cutover boat lanes through timber on main lake are inaccessible during drawdown conditions, and merely inches of depth remain. The bass bite continues to be very good with the cooler nighttime temperatures. Many schools of largemouths, white and spotted bass are randomly surface breaking along Little River and the oxbows, chasing schools of shad. The best times for schoolers has shifted to mid-day and early afternoon. Most bass are concentrating near almost any major creek junction with Little River and are biting Fat Free Shad and Bomber Crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, Shad Assassins and curly tail grubs on jig heads. When the bass begin schooling inside lily pads or other vegetation, a Johnson chrome spoon with white or smoke curly tail grub trailer works well. Large schools of white bass are randomly breaking topwater in Little River in front of Hurricane Creek, Jack’s Isle, Mud Lake’s first and second entrances, White Cliffs and the Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows. In subsurface schools, Rat-L-Traps or Little Georges and white Rooster Tails will catch these fish as well. The crappie bite improved this week with the improved water clarity. Best spots along Little River are over planted brush in 15-20 feet and once you find the school stacked over brush on your electronics, jigs w/smoke paddle-tail grubs, or Blakemore Roadrunners in white are the better baits. Channel catfish remain fair and consistent over the last week on trotlines in Little River and yo-yo’s hung from cypress tree branches in 14-18 feet of water using cut shad, Catfish Charlie and catalpa worms, along Little River and in Mud Lake or Horseshoe Oxbows.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair to good on topwater lures. Catfishing is fair to good on prepared baits.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on topwater lures. Catfishing is fair.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 537.29 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is clear to murky, depending on location and the surface temperature is around 53 degrees. Crappie are fair on minnows in brush about 14 feet deep. Bass are biting well on buzzbaits, Chug Bugs, topwaters and crankbaits in 1 to 5 feet of water. They are beginning to school in the main lake. Catfishing is slow. Walleye are slow.
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Jeff Guerin of www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com said the next six weeks may be my favorite time of the year to fish. The March Brown hatch in the spring is pretty awesome, but mostly because of the number of fish in the river at the time. The Light Cahill hatch of autumn is just as prolific and the fish are much better quality. With the latest storm coming up from the Gulf, it’s showery and mild. Totally different from the weekend! I was out for just a little while yesterday and the fog was so thick I was getting vertigo and having a hard time spotting the water much less the fish. The fish were fairly active and I talked about a dozen into taking the new fly and landed about six of those. There are still a lot of fish hanging around Sycamore Run, but they have been just about as tough as the fish up in the Park. We’re getting into a better generation pattern; this week they backed off to just noon to 6 p.m. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Cossatot River
Cossatot River State Park said the water level is at 2.04 feet and rising slowly due to some rains and the loss of foliage around the river. The temperature has remained fairly constant. Wade fishing has produced many rock bass on black Beetle Spins. The water is very clear now and the whole river is starting to come alive with fall color. Live minnows or crawdads are always a sure thing with the smallmouth bass. Keep in mind when fishing on Cossatot River the smallmouth limit is two and the length has to be a minimum of 12 inches. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
DeGray Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 395.20 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).
Due to the low water, boaters should use extreme caution when navigating DeGray. Many unmarked islands and humps are just under the surface, which can cause serious damage and harm if struck.
Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is in the low 60s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is good with quite a few limits reported. The best pattern has been fishing a Texas-rigged worm or jig down the edges of steep main lake or big secondary points. Fish from 10 to 30 feet down and make sure there is some rock or wood cover. Best colors for both the worm and jig have been green pumpkin and red glitter. Use a pretty heavy worm weight, (1/4 ounce) and a 1/2 to 3/4 ounce jig because the lure has to be either on or close to the bottom in the deep water. On some of the deeper drops a heavy jigging spoon is working fairly well. The jigging spoon pattern will only get better when the water gets colder. The best areas for bass have been between Edgewood and Shouse Ford. There is a sporadic top water bite in the morning, but it is not very reliable with the cool water. Very few reports on crappies. The low water really has the fish scattered with only a few coming from the deeper attractors at 18 to 20 feet. Try main lake shelters and fish directly over the thickest part with a shad pattern 2-inch grub on a 1/16-ounce jighead. Also try a minnow on the jig head, sometimes this works when nothing else does. Like bass, the best areas have been between Edgewood to Shouse Ford. Few hybrids have been caught, but the best area is the mouths of coves in the Caddo Drive and Arlie Moore areas. The fish have moved from the lower end of the lake to mid-lake. No reports on bream or catfish.
West-Central Arkansas Lake Nimrod
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 337.16 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no new report.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said the water is too low for anglers to get out and fish. No report.
Lake Dardanelle
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said crappie are biting excellently in 7 to 10 feet of water. Anglers report they are having trouble finding them, even in their best honey holes, in any water deeper than 12 feet. Everyone is still taking home limits or at least near limits. Jigs are fairing better as the weather cools, while minnows have stayed steady since the season began. Catfish have been steady on bass minnows and stinkbait, as shad are very hard to find. Largemouth bass have been very slow.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 383.93 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the store is closed until spring 2011. No report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 568.10 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said striper fishing is hit-and-miss, but with the water temp dropping, the breaking action is coming. Bass fishing is still good with some quality fish being caught on jigs and shad-colored spinnerbaits on main lake points and creek channel points.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 66-72 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass are good on topwater baits and jigs. Try Zara Spooks, Pop-Rs and buzzbaits over main lake and secondary points. Football jigs are working well in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are biting very well on spoons fished around brush in 20-25 feet of water. Stripers are fair on live bait and hair jigs. Bream are still fair on worms or crickets in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are excellent near brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep on minnows or Tennessee shad-colored crappie grubs. Catfish are still good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.
Lake Hamilton
Darryl Morris from Family Fishing Trips said the fall feeding frenzy is getting started on Lake Hamilton. Crappie are good to excellent and should improve this week. A few stripers are being caught around shad schools as well. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said the winter drawdown is underway below Carpenter Dam. The lake is being lowered 7 to 9 inches per day until a 5-foot draw is reached. Lake Catherine will remain at this level until mid-March. The tailrace below Carpenter Dam can be very dangerous in low-water conditions, especially when the turbines are running. Wade fishermen and boaters are advised to use caution when attempting to navigate these waters. Rainbow trout stocking is scheduled to begin in mid-November, which will bring much needed fish into the tailrace. Threadfin shad will begin to move into the dam area this month, which will bring good numbers of game fish. White and hybrid bass will be present again in very good numbers as the baitfish increase in volume. Crappie can also be caught mixed in with the whites and hybrids around visible structure. All these different species of fish are often caught together since the tailwaters are shallow and the river channel is narrow. There has been very little fishing done below the dam this month. The absence of shad has created a void where few game fish are present.
Lake Atkins
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said fishing has been very good in all areas of the lake. The water temperature has dropped from 70 degrees to around 62 to 64 degrees, which will really help bring bigger crappie to the banks. They’re still being caught on jigs, but those who know how and like to use minnows are catching them as well. The bream have picked up using worms and crickets, with more redear being caught than we’ve seen in a long while. They’re catching them off the pier and along the banks as well the boats. The catfish are still slow unless you’re using trotlines or yo-yos. They’re still catching small bass, but not as many. More 2 to 3 pound bass are being caught under the 16-inch length and more anglers are keeping their 4-fish limit. The best bass bite has been on Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits.
South-Central Arkansas Moro Bay
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the Ouachita River is at 64.50 feet (Normal low is 65 feet). Bream are slow on worms and crickets. Catfish are fair on worms. Crappie are fair on small tube jigs. (Updated 10/20/2010)
Ouachita River Oxbows
Jaret Rushing said most of oxbows have gone completely stagnant and the only action is coming from bowfin, pickerel, gar and other rough fish. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing said the lake is about 3 feet lower than usual, which exposed a lot of the stumps in the middle of the lake. Crappie and bass are fair on those stumps. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
East Arkansas Arkansas River at Pine Bluff
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is at normal level and clarity is good. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and electric chicken-colored jigs fished in 4 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits fished around rocky areas. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver.
White River
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and low. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around main river brush piles. Bass are fair on crankbaits. Walleye are fair on live bait and grubs. No report on bream or catfish.
Maddox Bay
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is low and clear. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in 3 to 6 feet of water.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows and chartreuse jigs. Bass are fair. Catfishing is fair.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is at normal level and the clarity is excellent. Bream are biting well on wax worms and worms fished around the trees. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished 17 feet deep and around the lily pads in the shallows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished close to lily pads. Catfish are biting well on minnows and cut bait.
Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is low. Bream are slow to fair. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass and catfish are slow.
Dan at Gold Creek Marina said bass are biting well on jigs. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bream are slow. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers.
Little Red River
Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is low with very little generation. Trout are biting well on wax worms. Fly anglers are catching fish on egg patterns, midges and brassies.
Greers Ferry
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 454.67 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL).
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said the water level is falling, and the temperature is in the low 60s. Walleye fishing is tough, with very few fish showing up. No report on bream. The catfish continue to bite despite the cold weather. The bass are still scattered from shallow to 70 feet of water; try spinnerbaits on windy banks, jigs out deep, and c-rigs and jig head worms in-between. No report on crappie. The hybrids and white bass are still biting, but you have got to find the bait, it is a lot tougher now than it has been, most have moved deeper even out to 70 feet and some are schooling and eating topwater baits.
Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said Greers Ferry is currently 7 feet below normal pool. Water surface temperatures range in the mid 60s. The bite on most species has been good early, but tapers off throughout the day. Water conditions are clear with visibility down to 15 feet in some areas. Shad are spread out from main lake pockets to the backs of select creeks. You must be around bait if you want to get bit right now, seek out the shad and game fish will be close by.
Harris Brake Lake
Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) the water is low and murky. Crappie are fair to good on minnows and jigs with pink heads fished in 10 to 16 feet of water. Bass are biting well on Rat-L-Traps. No report on catfish or bream.
Lake Overcup
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the lake renovation is underway, with brush piles built, 350 tons of lime scattered on the lake bed and 1/3 of the boat lanes marked. Work on the dam is about ¾ complete and a new ramp is being poured. Fishing has slowed somewhat, but crappie are still being caught on white/chartreuse and black/chartreuse jigs in deeper water. Bream are slow. Catfish are being caught on trotlines using shad and chicken livers. Bass are fair.
Brewer Lake
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) had no report.
Lake Maumelle
Jolly Roger’s Marina said the lake level is 8.7 feet below the spillway. The launch ramps at Jolly Roger’s will be worked on next week. Largemouths are biting well off points and the edges of channels on the west end of the lake in 8 to 12 feet of water on crankbaits. Spotted bass are excellent on jighead worms fished 18 to 20 feet deep near structure. White bass are fair, with some schooling activity on the south side of Big Island early and late. Spooks, Near Nuthings and Rogues are catching a few. Crappie are biting well on structure in 18 to 20 feet of water on 1/32-oz. red/white jigs and small pink minnows. Bream are slow, but some are being caught in 10 to 20 feet of water. Catfishing is good, with some nice flathead and blue catfish being caught on cut shad, bream and prepared bait.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said crappie are biting well on minnows fished in deep water. White bass are biting well on Rooster Tails. Catfishing is good on trotlines baited with chicken hearts and stinkbait.
Lake Valencia
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and chicken hearts.
Sunset Lake
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is at normal level. Bream, crappie and catfish are all slow. Bass are fair on topwaters.
Saline River Access in Benton
Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is low. Bream are excellent on small brown Rooster Tails. Crappie are slow. Bass are excellent on white buzzbaits. Catfishing is slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said not many people have been on the river this week. Some nice catfish have been taken in shallow water on whole shad. Spotted bass are following the shad in shallow water in the evenings. Use firetiger-colored Chatterbaits and jigs around jetties. Stripers are being caught below the dam and in Coppers Gap on live shad. Bream are in the back of Petit Jean River and Point Remove Creek. White bass are shallow and are following the shad. (Last updated 10/20/2010)
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on black/chartreuse jigs. Bass are fair on black/red tubes, chrome Rat-L-Traps and 8-inch black/red flake worms.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
Vince Miller from Fish ’N Stuff said the water is low and there is very little flow. Bass are biting well on black crankbaits fished around jetties and rocky shores in the main river. Catfish are fair on cut bait. No report on any other species.
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on pink minnows fished under a slip-cork rig or on white/chartreuse and red/chartreuse jigs. Bass are fair to good on shad-colored crankbaits fished around jetties. Catfishing is excellent on live minnows and cut skipjack.
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is at normal to low levels and the clarity is good. Crappie are fair on minnows. Bass are fair on jigs. Catfishing is good on nightcrawlers and chicken livers. No report on bream.
Clear Lake
McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is low and clear. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits and soft-plastic worms. No report on bream or catfish.
Peckerwood Lake
Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) is closed to fishing for the winter and will reopen February 1, 2011.
Lake Pickthorne
Hatchet Jack’s Sport Shop (501-758-4958) said bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and white/chartreuse jigs fished on a slip-cork rig around timber. Bass are slow. Catfishing is fair to good on stinkbait and chicken hearts.
North Arkansas White River
Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said two to 6 generators are running. Rainbow trout are biting well on shrimp drifted in the current. Brown trout are spawning in the no fishing zone near the dam.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said two generators are running most of the day. This has made drift fishing with corn downriver from Norfork tailwater the hot place to be this week. Some nice rainbows and browns have been caught.
Guide Davy Wotton said temperatures are dropping. The Bull Shoals Dam Zone is now closed to fishing for the spawn, and the area below the dam zone to the State Park now is catch-and-release only. Most brown trout are in spawning zones, digging redds and spawning. Please leave these fish alone so they can have a successful spawn for the health of the fishery. The best options during lower water flows are midge patterns in sizes 14 to 20 if fish are seen feeding on the surface. White-tail, prism, shimmer and zebra midges are the go-to flies. Sow bugs and scuds in gray, gray/olive and orange have produced during overcast conditions. Afternoons have been good for fishing both soft hackles in the riffle zones and small streamers in deeper water. When drift fishing moderate generations, combinations of midge, prism and San Juan worms have been very good, if fishing colored water and when overhead light is diminished then you may need to add hi-vis flies such as eggs and worms.
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said the water levels have remained constant and we have had no extra flow from the Buffalo River. The end result is that the fish have been and are biting very steady with more brown trout coming every day. Some people are having 100-fish days on White River Zig Jigs in ginger or green/ginger and black/gold/white no. 7 or 9 Countdown Rapalas.
Buffalo River
Just Fishing Guides said the river level at Highway 65 is 3.7 feet and flows of 27 cfs. Temperatures are in the low 50s. Not very much floating is possible, but walking and wading to fish the deeper holes can be good. Tube baits and other soft plastics are working for spin-fishing. Crawdad and minnow patterns will work for fly-fishing. Slow down your presentations for both types of fishing.
Crooked Creek
Just Fishing Guides said the creek level is at 10.8 feet and the flow is 110 cfs at Kelly’s Access. Much of the lower creek is dry where the creek flows underground. Fish the deeper holes with baits that mimic the naturals, minnows and crawdads. Slow down your presentation as the water is cooling fast. The best time is late afternoon when the sun heats up the water.
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 650.98 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).
Mike Worley’s Guide Service said the best walleye bite lately has been on jigging spoons on drop offs about 36-40 feet deep back in the creek channels. The main problem right now is turnover-related. The warm-up has caused the turnover to stall. Next week’s forecast calls for much colder weather, which hopefully will get it rolling again and get the fish biting. On cloudy, windy days the fish are biting crankbaits and jerk baits in shallow water back in the creek channels with a few keeper size walleyes mixed in. The fish seem to be really scattered right now from about 10-40 feet deep, with lots of shad moving back into the creek arms where the water is more stable.
Bull Shoals Tailwater
Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said generation is around the clock with 1-2 units. Some wade fishing is available in certain areas, but drift fishing is a better option. The trophy area below the dam is closed. A variety of tactics are working, including nymphing, swinging soft hackles and stripping streamers. Brown trout are in various stages of spawning, so be on the lookout for redds and don’t wade through them. Suggested patterns include: humpback scud, BH simple sow, pheasant tail, copper john, BH caddis, partridge/yellow, partridge/orange, partridge/peacock, San Juan worm, zebra midge, woolly bugger, zoo cougar, KC’s barred sculpin, sparrow and .56er.
Lake Norfork
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 548.41 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL).
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said high winds kept most people off the lake this week.
Guide Steve Olomon said the water temperature is 70. Watch for fish chasing shad to the surface and they will hit any topwater bait. Try throwing a grub, shallow crankbait or a small swim bait also. Look for fish suspended 30-50 feet down and fish live bait or a spoon in front of them. With the water temperature dropping, the fish will start putting on the feed bag getting ready for winter. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Highway 101 Grocery and Bait said fishing is good. The surface temperature is in the low 70s. Crappie fishing has been good using minnows and tube jigs. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Catfish have been doing well. Striped bass are spread throughout the lake. Walleye fishing has been fair on nightcrawlers and medium-sized shiners. Bass fishing is good using a variety of soft-plastics and jigs. White bass are being caught using rooster tails and jigging spoons. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Norfork Tailwater
Jim Brentlinger at Linger’s Guide Service and Fishing Lodge (870-499-5185) said McClellands down to the confluence has been really hot, especially if you can catch the water falling after running for a couple of days. Some of the best cutthroat action ever has been taking place the last week. Ginger Zig Jigs and Rapalas have been the producers. Make sure to pinch your barbs down if you are in the catch-and-release zone.
Charlie’s Rainbow Trout Resort said fishing is excellent. Some large browns have been sighted under our dock. Big browns are being hooked upstream, but it has been difficult to land them. Big browns are moving into spawn but are more aggressive than they are hungry. Lots of rainbows and cutthroats are being caught on worms bouncing off the bottom. The San Juan worm works well as with other fly patterns for fly fishers. Guide Doyle Nichols has been catching some big 20-inch cutthroats downriver at long hole using crawdad tails and Rapalas.
Randy Oliver at www.randyoliverguide.com (901-832-1903) said due to one to two generators running last week, fishing has been excellent for rainbows and browns using corn and crawfish tails. The ramp at Quarry Park is still closed. Launch your boat at Norfork or rent one from one of the docks on the river.
Northwest Arkansas Beaver Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,115.66 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).
Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said the annual Hooked on Fishing—Not on Drugs event is Nov. 23, and we need more volunteer boats to take the kids fishing. If you are interested please call me.
Striper fishing has been fair. The stripers have pushed upriver in pursuit of bait and are keying on shad in the 4 to 5 inch range. They are feeding near the surface. Free-lining and balloons are the best methods to use on flats where shad are feeding. Live gizzard shad is the go-to for trophy-size stripers, but smaller shad produce more action. On the mid and lower sections check out these areas:
Rocky Branch – Check Fords Creek and Striper Island.
Copper Mine – Check around the gravel bar and the “tailings pile.”
In the upper section, try:
The islands on the flats around Prairie Creek.
The flats at Beaver Shores.
The rocky shore line at Horseshoe Bend on far side and the flats near the swimming area.
The flat near the old pond and the island between Horseshoe Bend and Monte-Ne. Walleye and crappie are holding around 10 to 20 feet deep on the shoals of Prairie Creek and Beaver Shores to War Eagle. Fish three-way rigs with No. 11 Rapalas or Hot ‘N’ Tots in chartreuse/orange. Troll about 1.5 to 2 mph and run baits a foot off the bottom for best results. Pay special attention to the areas around deer and bear islands. Crawler harnesses are also producing in chart. /orange combinations fished on bottom bouncers, trolled at speeds less than 1.5 mph.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been biting crawdad-colored crankbaits along sloping chunk rock banks and hula grubs fished in and around boat docks. Crappie have been biting well on minnows fished under a cork set 10 to 20 feet deep around brush piles and standing timber along creek channels and in the mouths of coves. White bass have been schooling occasionally on main lake flats early and late. Once located, cast a ¼- to ½-oz casting spoon at the surfacing fish. Catfishing has been very good from the bank after dark using liver or stink bait. Bluegill have been biting crickets and worms around blown down trees and rocks 2-10 feet deep.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and falling. Bream are biting fairly well on worms and crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs fished in brush 8 to 15 feet deep. Bass are fair on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and topwaters in shallow water and on dropshot rigs, Carolina rigs and spoons on deep ledges. Catfishing is slow on worms and chicken livers. White bass are biting well on spoons and Rat-L-Traps.
Beaver Tailwater
Just Fishing Guides said very little generation is taking place. Lots of wading is available for fishermen. Best flies are zebra midges in various colors, sow bugs and scuds in tan, gray and olive and smaller woolly buggers. Lots of browns have been seen getting ready to spawn. Be careful and don’t walk in their redds (nests); handle the fish with care.
Kings River
Just Fishing Guides said the water level is 2.4 feet and flow is 36 cfs at Grandview Bridge. Water temperatures are averaging in the low 50s. This is getting close to the record low levels for the river. Fishing can still be good in the afternoons of warm days. Be sure to slow down your retrieve and fish along the bottom. Soft plastics for spin-fishing and minnow and crawdad patterns for fly-fishing are working. Clouser deep minnows, crazydads and Gitzits are the best flies.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky and at normal level. Bream are slow on worms. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are slow. White bass are fair to good on spoons and Rooster Tails.
Lake Sequoyah
Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is cold and clear. High winds have kept most anglers off the lake.
Northeast Arkansas Lake Poinsett
Lake Poinsett State Park said Lake Poinsett is still down significantly, but fishing is still very good. Many anglers have had luck with bass and crappie. The boat ramp in the park is not usable as the cove is almost dry. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Crown Lake
Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is low and clear. Crappie are biting well on minnows in shallow water. Bass are biting well on Rapala DT 10 crankbaits in 10 feet of water. No report on any other species.
Lake Frierson
Lake Frierson State Park said the water is muddy and low. Catfishing is good on goldfish. No report on any other species.
Spring River
Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water levels remain low and clear. Flows at the spring are 250cfs. During morning and late evening hours, heavy hatches of mayfly and caddis are coming off the water. Emerger patterns are the main flies to use during this time or even dry fly patterns sunk with a small BB shot. With the water so shallow, getting deep is not as important as finding pocket water with a little depth. With water clarity as good as it is, look for the trout. They will resemble dark shapes hanging on the bottom. Watch for their pink cheeks.
Southeast Arkansas Lake Chicot
Lake Chicot State Park said catfishing is still slow, but steady. Bream have been slow as well. (Updated 10/6/2010)
Cane Creek Lake
Cane Creek State Park said fishing at Cane Creek Lake has picked up. Crappie are biting well on minnows and curly tail jigs in about 4 to 4.5 feet of water. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Monticello
Fishing guide Greg Gulledge (870-723-3928) of MonticelloBigBass.com said the surface temperature hasn’t changed much in the last week or so. It is still between 68 and 71 degrees, depending on area and time of day. The bass are biting in the shallows on plastic worms and Senkos in earth-tone colors. There are a few bass being caught on crankbaits on and around points. Bass are starting to chase shad a little more than in previous days, but there still is not a consistent schooling bite. Be careful running around the woody areas of the lake. The lake is low and running is dangerous in the creeks. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Southwest Arkansas Millwood Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 255.58 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 259.2 MSL).
Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake level is consistent from last week and is 43 inches below normal pool and falling, with current in Little River at 191 CFS. Surface temps dropped to 60 to 68 degrees, dependent on location and time of day. Use extreme caution at boat ramps, and navigation on Millwood during the four foot drawdown in effect through Feb 2011. Stumps and boat ramps are very shallow. Some cutover boat lanes through timber on main lake are inaccessible during drawdown conditions, and merely inches of depth remain. The bass bite continues to be very good with the cooler nighttime temperatures. Many schools of largemouths, white and spotted bass are randomly surface breaking along Little River and the oxbows, chasing schools of shad. The best times for schoolers has shifted to mid-day and early afternoon. Most bass are concentrating near almost any major creek junction with Little River and are biting Fat Free Shad and Bomber Crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, Shad Assassins and curly tail grubs on jig heads. When the bass begin schooling inside lily pads or other vegetation, a Johnson chrome spoon with white or smoke curly tail grub trailer works well. Large schools of white bass are randomly breaking topwater in Little River in front of Hurricane Creek, Jack’s Isle, Mud Lake’s first and second entrances, White Cliffs and the Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows. In subsurface schools, Rat-L-Traps or Little Georges and white Rooster Tails will catch these fish as well. The crappie bite improved this week with the improved water clarity. Best spots along Little River are over planted brush in 15-20 feet and once you find the school stacked over brush on your electronics, jigs w/smoke paddle-tail grubs, or Blakemore Roadrunners in white are the better baits. Channel catfish remain fair and consistent over the last week on trotlines in Little River and yo-yo’s hung from cypress tree branches in 14-18 feet of water using cut shad, Catfish Charlie and catalpa worms, along Little River and in Mud Lake or Horseshoe Oxbows.
Lake Columbia
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are slow. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair to good on topwater lures. Catfishing is fair to good on prepared baits.
Lake Erling
Steve’s Outdoor Sports (870-234-2222) said the water is low. Bream are slow. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on topwater lures. Catfishing is fair.
Lake Greeson
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 537.29 MSL (Flood pool - 548 MSL).
Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is clear to murky, depending on location and the surface temperature is around 53 degrees. Crappie are fair on minnows in brush about 14 feet deep. Bass are biting well on buzzbaits, Chug Bugs, topwaters and crankbaits in 1 to 5 feet of water. They are beginning to school in the main lake. Catfishing is slow. Walleye are slow.
For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blake’s website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Jeff Guerin of www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com said the next six weeks may be my favorite time of the year to fish. The March Brown hatch in the spring is pretty awesome, but mostly because of the number of fish in the river at the time. The Light Cahill hatch of autumn is just as prolific and the fish are much better quality. With the latest storm coming up from the Gulf, it’s showery and mild. Totally different from the weekend! I was out for just a little while yesterday and the fog was so thick I was getting vertigo and having a hard time spotting the water much less the fish. The fish were fairly active and I talked about a dozen into taking the new fly and landed about six of those. There are still a lot of fish hanging around Sycamore Run, but they have been just about as tough as the fish up in the Park. We’re getting into a better generation pattern; this week they backed off to just noon to 6 p.m. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Cossatot River
Cossatot River State Park said the water level is at 2.04 feet and rising slowly due to some rains and the loss of foliage around the river. The temperature has remained fairly constant. Wade fishing has produced many rock bass on black Beetle Spins. The water is very clear now and the whole river is starting to come alive with fall color. Live minnows or crawdads are always a sure thing with the smallmouth bass. Keep in mind when fishing on Cossatot River the smallmouth limit is two and the length has to be a minimum of 12 inches. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
DeGray Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 395.20 feet MSL (Flood pool - 408 MSL).
Due to the low water, boaters should use extreme caution when navigating DeGray. Many unmarked islands and humps are just under the surface, which can cause serious damage and harm if struck.
Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is in the low 60s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is good with quite a few limits reported. The best pattern has been fishing a Texas-rigged worm or jig down the edges of steep main lake or big secondary points. Fish from 10 to 30 feet down and make sure there is some rock or wood cover. Best colors for both the worm and jig have been green pumpkin and red glitter. Use a pretty heavy worm weight, (1/4 ounce) and a 1/2 to 3/4 ounce jig because the lure has to be either on or close to the bottom in the deep water. On some of the deeper drops a heavy jigging spoon is working fairly well. The jigging spoon pattern will only get better when the water gets colder. The best areas for bass have been between Edgewood and Shouse Ford. There is a sporadic top water bite in the morning, but it is not very reliable with the cool water. Very few reports on crappies. The low water really has the fish scattered with only a few coming from the deeper attractors at 18 to 20 feet. Try main lake shelters and fish directly over the thickest part with a shad pattern 2-inch grub on a 1/16-ounce jighead. Also try a minnow on the jig head, sometimes this works when nothing else does. Like bass, the best areas have been between Edgewood to Shouse Ford. Few hybrids have been caught, but the best area is the mouths of coves in the Caddo Drive and Arlie Moore areas. The fish have moved from the lower end of the lake to mid-lake. No reports on bream or catfish.
West-Central Arkansas Lake Nimrod
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 337.16 feet MSL.
Greer’s Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) had no new report.
Lake Hinkle
Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-7419) said the water is too low for anglers to get out and fish. No report.
Lake Dardanelle
Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said crappie are biting excellently in 7 to 10 feet of water. Anglers report they are having trouble finding them, even in their best honey holes, in any water deeper than 12 feet. Everyone is still taking home limits or at least near limits. Jigs are fairing better as the weather cools, while minnows have stayed steady since the season began. Catfish have been steady on bass minnows and stinkbait, as shad are very hard to find. Largemouth bass have been very slow.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 383.93 feet MSL.
Teresa at CD’s Quick Stop (479-947-2178) said the store is closed until spring 2011. No report.
Lake Ouachita
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 568.10 MSL (Flood pool - 578 MSL).
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said striper fishing is hit-and-miss, but with the water temp dropping, the breaking action is coming. Bass fishing is still good with some quality fish being caught on jigs and shad-colored spinnerbaits on main lake points and creek channel points.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 66-72 degrees and clear. Largemouth bass are good on topwater baits and jigs. Try Zara Spooks, Pop-Rs and buzzbaits over main lake and secondary points. Football jigs are working well in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Walleye are biting very well on spoons fished around brush in 20-25 feet of water. Stripers are fair on live bait and hair jigs. Bream are still fair on worms or crickets in water 15 to 25 feet deep. Crappie are excellent near brush in water 20 to 30 feet deep on minnows or Tennessee shad-colored crappie grubs. Catfish are still good and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.
Lake Hamilton
Darryl Morris from Family Fishing Trips said the fall feeding frenzy is getting started on Lake Hamilton. Crappie are good to excellent and should improve this week. A few stripers are being caught around shad schools as well. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Lake Catherine
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, said the winter drawdown is underway below Carpenter Dam. The lake is being lowered 7 to 9 inches per day until a 5-foot draw is reached. Lake Catherine will remain at this level until mid-March. The tailrace below Carpenter Dam can be very dangerous in low-water conditions, especially when the turbines are running. Wade fishermen and boaters are advised to use caution when attempting to navigate these waters. Rainbow trout stocking is scheduled to begin in mid-November, which will bring much needed fish into the tailrace. Threadfin shad will begin to move into the dam area this month, which will bring good numbers of game fish. White and hybrid bass will be present again in very good numbers as the baitfish increase in volume. Crappie can also be caught mixed in with the whites and hybrids around visible structure. All these different species of fish are often caught together since the tailwaters are shallow and the river channel is narrow. There has been very little fishing done below the dam this month. The absence of shad has created a void where few game fish are present.
Lake Atkins
Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said fishing has been very good in all areas of the lake. The water temperature has dropped from 70 degrees to around 62 to 64 degrees, which will really help bring bigger crappie to the banks. They’re still being caught on jigs, but those who know how and like to use minnows are catching them as well. The bream have picked up using worms and crickets, with more redear being caught than we’ve seen in a long while. They’re catching them off the pier and along the banks as well the boats. The catfish are still slow unless you’re using trotlines or yo-yos. They’re still catching small bass, but not as many. More 2 to 3 pound bass are being caught under the 16-inch length and more anglers are keeping their 4-fish limit. The best bass bite has been on Rat-L-Traps and spinnerbaits.
South-Central Arkansas Moro Bay
Moro Bay State Park at the junction of the Ouachita River, Raymond Lake and Moro Bay said the Ouachita River is at 64.50 feet (Normal low is 65 feet). Bream are slow on worms and crickets. Catfish are fair on worms. Crappie are fair on small tube jigs. (Updated 10/20/2010)
Ouachita River Oxbows
Jaret Rushing said most of oxbows have gone completely stagnant and the only action is coming from bowfin, pickerel, gar and other rough fish. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
Tri-County Lake
Jaret Rushing said the lake is about 3 feet lower than usual, which exposed a lot of the stumps in the middle of the lake. Crappie and bass are fair on those stumps. (Last updated 10/27/2010)
East Arkansas Arkansas River at Pine Bluff
The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is at normal level and clarity is good. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and electric chicken-colored jigs fished in 4 feet of water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits fished around rocky areas. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver.
White River
Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and low. Crappie are fair on minnows fished around main river brush piles. Bass are fair on crankbaits. Walleye are fair on live bait and grubs. No report on bream or catfish.
Maddox Bay
Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is low and clear. Bream are fair on worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in 3 to 6 feet of water.
Island 40 Chute
Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are biting well on minnows and chartreuse jigs. Bass are fair. Catfishing is fair.
Horseshoe Lake
Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is at normal level and the clarity is excellent. Bream are biting well on wax worms and worms fished around the trees. Crappie are biting well on jigs fished 17 feet deep and around the lily pads in the shallows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits fished close to lily pads. Catfish are biting well on minnows and cut bait.