Oct. 10, 2018
Jim Harris Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine
Weekly Fishing Report
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Oct. 10, 2018. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email AGFCfishingreport@outlook.com 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 for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.
Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: http://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: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/nwis/current/?type=quality
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
NOTICE: An irrigation restriction on Lake Conway will be in effect through March 1, 2019. The irrigation restriction will allow the AGFC to apply Environmental Protection Agency-approved aquatic herbicides to treat and reduce the spread of alligator weed, a non-native, invasive aquatic plant. Herbicides used will not cause harm to aquatic organisms, such as fish, and are not harmful to people or wildlife that may come into contact with treated vegetation or water. Herbicides that will be used have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. Therefore, the AGFC strongly recommends adjacent landowners DO NOT irrigate water from Lakes Conway for lawn or garden use during this period.
(updated 10-10-2018) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the clarity is stained and the lake level is normal. No surface temperature was recorded. Bream are fair on redworms and crickets. Crappie are good and are biting small minnows and small jigs. Bass are good in spinnerbaits, topwater baits and crankbaits. Catfishing is good using chicken liver or nightcrawlers.
NOTE: A U.S. Geological Survey water level and precipitation gauge has been installed on the north side of state Highway 89 bridge on Lake Conway. The gauge information is available to the public and can be access 24/7 at the following USGS website: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ar/<wbr/>nwis/uv/?site_no=07263265&<wbr/>PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Little Red River
(updated 10-10-2018) Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips.com (501-690-9166) said the river continues to be clear and cool with afternoon generation. This should be scaled down with the coming cooler weather. The rain that was due Tuesday evening and into Wednesday may dingy the water Wednesday, but the Army Corps of Engineers are scheduled to run about five hours of generation Wednesday afternoon and this should help clear the river. The bite has been good the last few days with a few browns in the catch. It’s about the time of year for the browns to start getting active and feeding before the spawn in November. All fish are in good shape and seem to be putting on weight this fall. Small flies are still producing for him, Greg says, and will probably be the best choice as long as the water is low and clear. Remember, the app for your phone is USACE Little Rock for information on generation and SWPA forecasts. 866-494-1993 is the phone number for proposed generation. 501-362-5150 is the number for current generation (enter 3 for Greers Ferry Dam).
(updated 10-10-2018) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service said the Little Red is receiving a few hours of afternoon generation weekdays with lesser amounts on weekends. For fly-fishing, midges, soft hackles, sowbugs and streamers are recommended. Hot pink and cotton candy bodies on chartreuse jigheads are recommended for Trout Magnet spin fishing. Be safe while enjoying the river. Always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Corps of Engineers website (swl-wc.usace.army.mil) for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecasted generation schedule.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.43 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.04 feet msl Oct. 1-April 30; 463.04 feet msl May 1-June 1; 462.54 feet msl June 1-Sept. 30).
(updated 10-10-2018) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 459.22 feet msl and falling. It is 2.82 feet below normal pool of 462.04 feet msl for this time of year. The Arkansas Team Bass Trail had a great tournament last weekend, as most of the field caught limits of bass both days of the event, and most said they caught fish after fish on both days. The crappie continue to eat good all day most days, in and around any wood in the lake in 12-30 feet of water; use minnows and jigs. No report on walleye other than a lot are being caught around all of the other fish schooling. Bream are eating crickets and crawlers in 6 inches to 15 feet of water. Catfish are eating all over the lake on a variety of baits, and a variety of depths and techniques. Black bass are eating just about anything in your tackle box if you put it in front of one, in depths from super shallow out to 60 feet. Hybrid and white bass are eating spoons, inline spinners, topwater baits and the like all over the lake in 25-60 feet of water, with a lot of fish on the surface in places as well. Just stay around the shad.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 10-10-2018) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said the water is clear and the level is still “a little high.” No surface temperature was recorded, but it’s been nice early. Bass continue to be good. At last check, minnows were working best. Catfishing is good, no baits were suggested. No reports on bream. Crappie are fair with minnows, and they’ll also bite a cricket.
NOTICE: An irrigation restriction on Lake Overcup will be in effect through March 1, 2019. The irrigation restriction will allow the AGFC to apply Environmental Protection Agency-approved aquatic herbicides to treat and reduce the spread of alligator weed, a non-native, invasive aquatic plant. Herbicides used will not cause harm to aquatic organisms, such as fish, and are not harmful to people or wildlife that may come into contact with treated vegetation or water. Herbicides that will be used have up to a 120-day irrigation restriction after application. Therefore, the AGFC strongly recommends adjacent landowners DO NOT irrigate water from Lakes Overcup for lawn or garden use during this period.
(updated 10-10-2018) Johnny “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) said the water level is high by about 2 feet and clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 82 degrees. Bass are doing well around brush tops and structure around the banks. Bream are slow, but anglers are still catching some on crickets and redworms. Catfish are being caught on jugs and trotlines with bream and minnows. Crappie are being caught on jigs and minnows in 9-10 feet of water fishing 6 feet deep. “They should start picking up with this cooler weather,” Johnny says.
Brewer Lake
(updated 10-10-2018) Larry Walters at Bones Bait Shop (501-354-9900) said he would rate the past week at Brewer Lake as a 7 or an 8 out of 10 for the fishing. Clarity is clear and the level is normal. No surface temperature was recorded. Crappie are fair. You’ll find them around brush piles and they’ll bite minnows and Twister Tail jigs. Focus on a depth of 10-12 feet. Bass are fair on crankbaits and worms. Catfish are good and are hitting minnows as well as chicken liver. Bass reports were poor.
(updated 10-10-2018) WestRock Landing (501-658-5598), formerly Jolly Roger’s Marina, says the fishing is starting to pick up for crappie and catfish. The thermocline is at 14 feet. The crappie are in about 15-20 feet of water. People are reporting that they are on brush. Normal type of tackle, chartreuse jigs to catch them. Smaller jigs. Bass are fair. They quit biting about 8 a.m. and pick back up later in the evening. They are still doing the dusk to dawn type deal. Catfishing is good. Not a whole lot of people are talking about what they’re doing to catch them. Bream are poor.
(updated 10-10-2018) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said catfish are still doing well since the stocking back in September. Chicken livers and nightcrawlers been doing well for some on the cats. Crappie are slow, but best on No. 4 crappie minnows and pink crappie minnows. Bream are fair on crickets. Bass are doing well on brooder minnows and No. 12 bass minnows.
Bishop Park Ponds
(updated 10-10-2018) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said that, like Benton’s Sunset Lake, the ponds also were stocked with catfish back in the last week of September. One of Lisa’s regular customers who goes there said that while he was trying to fish for crappie with No. 6 crappie minnows, he kept catching catfish. He did also catch one crappie and several nice bass, she added. That's really about all she has heard from Bishop Park.
Saline River Access in Benton
(updated 10-10-2018) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said bass have been good on brooder minnows. Also on plastics, especially on green pumpkins and watermelon red colors. Crappie are OK on No. 6 crappie minnows. Bream are good on crickets and redworms. Catfish are good on black salties, especially on trotlines.
(updated 10-10-2018) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said crappie have been slow, but try No. 6 crappie minnows. Catfish have been hitting bass minnows and nightcrawlers. Bass have been doing fair on No. 12 bass minnows. Bream have been good on crickets.
Lake Pickthorne
(updated 10-10-2018) Hatchet Jack’s (501-758-4948) said crappie are fair on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs.
Lake Valencia
(updated 10-10-2018) Hatchet Jack’s in North Little Rock (501-758-4958) says catfishing is fair. Use chicken liver or nightcrawlers.
Lake Willastein
(updated 10-10-2018) Hatchet Jack’s in North Little Rock (501-758-4958) says bream are fair around the piers. Use redworms or crickets. Bass are fair on topwater poppers and buzzbaits. No other reports.
(updated 10-10-2018) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) said, “Now, this lake has been crazy when it comes to catching the crappie. I have actually had reports of crappie being caught off of three different minnows: No. 4 and No. 6 crappie minnows and No. 12 bass minnows.” Catfish and bass also have been caught off No. 12 bass minnows. You’ll catch some bream off crickets.
(updated 9-26-2018) Charley’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo (501-354-8080) said that Monday and Tuesday anglers were seen catching both catfish and bass. The water is a little high and stained. For catfish, use a whole shad and worm combination. A lot of smaller fish are on front of the jetties, but the larger ones are on the back side. Reports have been good. Black bass are on the front side of sunken jetties. Use shad-colored crankbaits. Throw one on top and swim them back upstream. Bass are also off points of jetties, so use a dark lizard with a chartreuse tail. Reports are good. White bass are on top of sunken jetties chasing shad. Use a Firetiger crankbait. The catch has been good.
No report.
(updated 10-10-2018) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) says the water clarity remains clear and the water level is normal, much like what it has been the past couple of weeks. And with that the fishing also has been much the same, Ray says. Crappie are fair. Bass are fair. No reports on bream and no reports on catfish or white bass.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
(updated 10-10-2018) Hatchet Jack’s (501-758-4948) said white bass are good near the Murray Lock and Dam. Use white Twister Tails and spoons.
(updated 10-10-2018) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) said the reports from the Maumelle pool mirror what they’re hearing from the Little Rock pool. The river is at normal height and the clarity is a little cloudy. No surface temperature was recorded. Bream are fair on crickets; fish for them in 5-6 feet of water. Crappie are fair and are at 5-6 feet depth. Pink minnows and mermaid-colored Crappie Magnets are working. Bass fishing is excellent. Fish around rocky points with small shad-colored swimbaits, Rat-L-Traps and green pumpkin Brush Hogs. Catfishing is fair below the dam with skipjack. The white bass bite has been excellent, too. Also, anglers report catching stripers on chartreuse Bucktail 1-ounce jigs.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
(updated 10-10-2018) Vince Miller from Fish ’N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) said the river clarity is stained. The river level and current are normal, no surface water temperature was recorded. Bass continue to be good. They are going after shallow-diving crankbaits and are active around the jetties. Also fish the rock piles with shaky head worms. Crappie are fair. Focus on brush piles and rocky points with black and chartreuse crappie tubes. In deeper water, got with jigs. Bream are fair on redworms. No reports on catfish.
(updated 10-10-2018) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water clarity is clear, with a normal level and current at Terry Lock and Dam. No reports on bream. Crappie are fair on minnows or jigs. Bass are fair with worms or crankbaits. Fish around rocky points. Catfishing is good behind the dam.
(updated 10-10-2018) Hatchet Jack’s (501-758-4948) said that below Murray Lock and Dam, catfishing is fair using skipjack or shad.
(updated 10-10-2018) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) said the river is at normal height and the clarity is a little cloudy. No surface temperature was recorded. Bream are fair on crickets; fish for them in 5-6 feet of water. Crappie are fair and are at 5-6 feet depth. Pink minnows and mermaid-colored Crappie Magnets are working. Bass fishing is excellent. Fish around rocky points with small shad-colored swimbaits, Rat-L-Traps and green pumpkin Brush Hogs. Catfishing is fair below the dam with skipjack. The white bass bite has been excellent, too. Also, anglers report catching stripers on chartreuse Bucktail 1-ounce jigs
Clear Lake (off Arkansas River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 10-10-2018) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and the level is normal. No temperature was recorded. Crappie are good on minnows or jigs. Bass reports were good, with anglers using spinnerbaits, crankbaits or worms. No reports on bream. No reports on catfish.
Peckerwood Lake
(updated 10-10-2018) Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) reported the water clarity is clear, and the water is normal with no stumps showing. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows or jigs. Bass are fair and hitting topwater plugs. Catfishing is fair with hot dogs and stink bait. No reports on bream.
White River
(updated 10-10-2018) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) says the rainbow bite has been steady and plentiful here on the tailwaters of Bull Shoals Lake in the Cotter area. The Rebel Wee Craw and Teeny Craw (chartreuse/orange and ditch/brown with orange belly) were pulling in 12- and 13-inch rainbows for waders and bank fishers; casting from a jon boat required live crawdads for better action. As the weather cools, put the crawfish baits away and turn to orange and yellow egg pattern baits drifted across the bottom near the channel during the low water releases or closer to the bank if the river is running swifter and deeper. “Water releases have started earlier in the day over the last couple of weeks; beginning at 1 p.m. and running for four or five hours, hitting the Cotter area at 5-6 p.m. with up to 12,000 cfs (equivalent to four generators), then dropping back to less than one unit (about 2,500 cfs) by the next morning when we're leaving out to fish another day. Join us. The river will capture your heart.”
(updated 10-10-2018) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said the river clarity remains clear and the river level there has been high. The level starts out low in the morning and rises in the afternoon. Rainbow trout fishing remains excellent. Browns are not being caught at all, they report. Anglers can see them in the water but they are not eating.
(updated 10-10-2018) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said last Friday that during the past week they have had no measurable rain, warmer temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals rose 1.3 feet to rest at 2.7 feet below seasonal power pool of 661 feet msl. This is 38.7 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell 0.3 feet to rest at 4.5 feet below seasonal power pool and 18.5 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose 0.5 feet to rest at 2.7 feet below seasonal power pool and 12.3 feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we had no wadable. Norfork Lake rose 0.4 feet to rest at 2.4 feet below seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 28.6 feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had little generation and wadable water every day. Seasonal power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. All of the lakes in the White River system are now below the top of power pool. The White has fished well. The hot spot has been Rim Shoals. They are still hitting grasshoppers for some nice topwater action. The hot flies were olive Woolly Buggers (sizes 8, 10), Y2Ks (size 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 size 14 Copper John with a size 18 ruby midge suspended below it. Use lead to get your flies down. Remember that the White and Norfork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soles that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 656.02 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 659.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-11-2018) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said Thursday the lake level is at 659 feet msl and the water temperature is about 76 degrees. And it looks like it final might cool off. Had some big weather come in. This cold front will hopefully get those fish moving a little more. It’s been kind of stagnant. The Army Corps of Engineers are running a little water at the dam and the days are getting shorter. These fish are starting the move up. As the temperature cools off these fish are starting to get a little more comfortable coming up shallow, so day in and day out don't forget to check the shallow part. The fish for me have been following into the creeks arms, the bigger creek arms, following the channels going in those bass seem to be keyed in on the shad. If you’re around the shad you’re going to be around the fish. But the key is just keep moving, chucking and winding. It’s power fishing time of year; so, if you put in the work, it'll pay off. Just don't be afraid to move. In the morning starting off, there's a topwater bite. Either throwing a Lucky Craft or Sammy, a buzzbait if there's some wind. If there's a little more wind you can throw the Whopper Plopper. That morning bite, if it's windy and cloudy all day you can stay and throw topwater all day. If it lays flat on you, you're going to have to mix it up, obviously. Going into the creeks and following the channel swing banks, sides of points with wind on them, the big key is to stay in the wind. If you're in the wind you're going to get bit. The square bill is catching some fish. Obviously those fish are a little bit shallower. The jig bite is producing. Green pumpkin or green pumpkin orange, some shad or crawdads. If it does lay flat and if you get some sun, you can still catch them drop-shotting deep up around the docks, hot on the points. The fish seem to be still in that 26-28 feet range. Those are mostly Kentucky bass with some smallmouth bass mixed in. We have been catching quite a few smallmouth even up shallow. If it’s super windy, throw a spinnerbait. The spinnerbaits are starting the work, but you need to have a lot of wind for that the work.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 551.29 feet msl (normal conservation pool: September-April 552.00 feet msl; April-September, 554.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-10-2018) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said October sure is an exciting month to fish Norfork Lake. The bite for most species is good to very good. The lake has remained fairly stable over the last week, which helped the bite improve. Of course, don't forget about November and December as great fish periods for all species. Plan your Norfork Lake fishing vacation by calling Hummingbird Hideaway Resort. The crappie have moved back into the brush. Find brush in 25 - 35 feet of water and it will be holding fish. You may need to bounce from one brush pile to another, as the bite will slow after you catch several fish. The crappie are suspended to or buried inside the brush 20 - 25 feet down. Small jigs will work, as well as, small 1/8 to 1/4 ounce spoons. Live bait on a small grub or live bait on a hook with a slip float is always a great choice. The walleye bite continues to be good in the dam area. The walleye that I have found are in 80 - 90 feet of water on the bottom. A few of them are starting to move up and are being caught in 65 feet of water in the same general area. Live nightcrawlers are catching fish, as well as, 1 ounce spoons vertically jigged. You can also bait a jig head with a plastic worm or crawdad and bounce it along the bottom in the 80 foot range. The second location for walleye is in 30 - 40 feet of water along a gradually sloping shoreline. Trolling a crawler harness or bouncing a spoon along the bottom will also work. A third place to find walleye is inside of or close to brush piles. The bass bite has been very good over the last week. The larger fish have continued to move out of their deep water summer home into very shallow water to feed. Shallow shorelines that are holding bait will be holding feeding bass. If you find some sunken timber sticking up, there will be some bass hanging out. Your favorite plastics, such as worms, crawdads, or June bugs will work great. Work your bait along the bottom back to your boat and hang on. Good locations to fish for bass are back into the major creeks and larger coves where the bait has moved back to the area. They are biting great in 2 feet of water.
The majority of the striped bass and many of the hybrids have moved out of the dam area and have dispersed lake wide. I have found some smaller stripers back in major creeks along with the bigger hybrids, but no large schools at this time. With our upcoming cold front moving in, the lake will start to cool down fairly rapidly. The cooler water will get the stripers energized and they will start to school and feed heavily. This time of year there is typically a good striper bite up river in the cooler oxygenated water on the Missouri side of the lake. I have been finding some large hybrids back in major creeks feeding on shad. They have been mixed in with big schools of white bass.
The white bass bite has been really good back in the major creeks and on the large flats. Large schools of fish are feeding and vertically jigging a spoon will catch you plenty of fish. Keep your eyes open for top water action for whites and largemouth bass early in the morning. Have your top water bait or a Kastmaster handy to have loads of fun. Norfork Lake water level has fallen slightly (5.4 inches from last report) and currently sits at 551.15 feet. The lake surface water temperature has remained fairly stable over last week and was at 78.5 degrees this morning but will increase slightly during the day. The main lake clarity is getting deeper and the visibility appears to be around 7 - 10 feet down. The coves are also starting to clear. The current thermocline appears to still be roughly 40 feet down. Norfork Lake water level has fallen slightly (5.4 inches from last report) and currently sits at 551.15 feet. The lake surface water temperature has remained fairly stable over last week and was at 78.5 degrees this morning but will increase slightly during the day. The main lake clarity is getting deeper and the visibility appears to be around 7 - 10 feet down. The coves are also starting to clear. The current thermocline appears to still be roughly 40 feet down. Fishing is getting exciting and will continue to get better and better as the cooler weather cools off the lake water temperature. If you are looking for a daily update of what is happening fishing wise on Norfork Lake, follow Hummingbird Hideaway Resort’s facebook page for daily activity updates.
(updated 10-10-2018) Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters said Norfork Lake's striper migration has begun. I have seen 2 striper guides fishing the Robinson Point area but I suspect they are not having much luck. The latest oxygen report shows that area has less than 1 percent of oxygen. They will be catching hybrids but stripers are moving to areas that contain lots of bait and oxygen. I started north of the state line on Wednesday and went up to 4 feet of water and caught a fat 14-pound stripers. I then moved down and fished an area that was loaded with white bass. I marked some fish but had no takers. I went back on Thursday and caught 7 stripers, white bass, walleyes, and catfish. My son had a trip on Friday and they caught their limit with 2 fish in the 12- to 14-pound range. I went up on Saturday and missed the bite but did catch 3 good ones. On Sunday we got a late start. I started fishing up the river about a ¼ mile of where I had caught the fish on Thursday and promptly caught an 8-pound striper. I have been using 2 to 3 inch gizzard shad using just a split. I set out 4 rods and have been doing very well. My son was pre-fishing up there and he was also using down lines with 6 inch gizzards. I put 4 downlines out too and on types of rigs with had triples. I limited out with 9 stripes in 4 hours and had many more chances to catch more. This stripers are very active and can be released to fight another day. As the warm water cools the action will get very hot. Down river you should start to find stripers in Big Creek and Bennett's Bayou but we need to get that water temperature down to the mid-seventies or lower for the bite to be strong.
The lake temperature had dropped 7 degrees but the warmer than normal weather has pushed the temperature back to 80 degrees. Until the temperature gets normal for this time of year do not expect to catch many stripes on the main lake. The best bite are the walleye that are 80' deep in the dam cove areas and hybrids. As the water cools the bait will begin to school and will move to shallower water in the mouths of the creeks. Check Big Creek if you're on the lower end of the lake and Robinson Point, Float and Panther Creeks in the mid-lake area. The Fouts area will begin holding fish along with areas from Red Bank to the 160 bridge. Find the bait and you will find the stripers. They will be hungry and begin their fall feeding pattern.
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 10-10-2018) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said last weekend that over the previous week Norfork Lake rose 0.4 feet to rest at 2.4 feet below seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 28.6 feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we had little generation and wadable water every day. Seasonal power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. All of the lakes in the White River system are now below the top of power pool. The Norfork has fished well. There have been some nice midge and sporadic caddis hatches that have provided some limited topwater action. Navigate this stream with caution. 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 (size 14, 16) like the Green Butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. Try a small bead-headed nymph (zebra midge, Copper John or pheasant tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise #10). The fishing is better in the morning. John’s favorite rig has been a red fox squirrel nymph with a ruby midge dropper. Dry Run Creek is fishing much better. The hot flies have been size 14 sowbugs, size 12 Y2Ks and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise size 10).
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 10-10-2018) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek are navigable. The smallmouths are active. John’s 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.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,117.47 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.00 msl).
(updated 10-10-2018) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said that the water level is normal and the water surface temperature his been in the mid-70s. No clarity was reported. Bream are g on crickets. Crappie are fair pulling crankbaits, and minnows are also working. Target the fish in 8-12 feet depth and fish around the brush piles. Bass fishing stayed fair this week. Spinnerbaits and topwaters were working, along with jigs. Catfish are fair on prepared or live bait.
(updated 10-10-2018) Bailey’s Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) striper activity for this week rates as good. Beaver Lake stripers are in fall transition mode and are heading into their fall locations. They are on the move, and being mobile/flexible will be key to finding them. Mike Bailey says they are seeing some topwater action, so get those binoculars out and be on the lookout! For you diehard live baiters, fishing using weighted lines, balloons and downlines between about 20-40 feet deep during daylight hours should get you some stripers. For the artificial baits you can try trolling umbrella rigs with white or chartreuse jigs/grubs or plugs like Rapala No. 14 husky jerks in black back or purple back colors, as well as Smithwick Rogues in similar colors in 5- to 6-inch model on planer boards to stagger your presentation. You should also try casting rattle traps on points and bars at night. Make sure you do not keep striper under 20 inches and not more than three striper/hybrid or combination. Walleye must be 18 inches long with a limit of four. Fish location is greatly influenced by lake level and current flow. Current in Beaver Lake from generation will generally position fish on upstream or downstream edges of structure; check the daily lake level and flow data link on Bailey’s website. Mike also says live bait is always the go-to approach on Beaver Lake when fishing for trophy stripers. This week, water surface temperatures remain in the mid-70s. Mike suggests checking out these hot spots on the mid- and upper sections of the lake, where stripers are on the prowl throughout and there is topwater activity noted: Point 1 (lots of topwater activity around the campground island and the area between there and Honey Creek), Big Clifty, points 5 and 6, Rambo Creek Arm (check the main lake points and humps and also look in back near the tree line), Rocky Branch, Ford and Cedar creeks (pay attention to where tree line intersects channel), Larue (check the main channel bends and cuts), Coppermine, Ventris, Shaddox Hollow, the Highway 12 bridge (lot of fish coming out of the river late due to high water) and Prairie Creek, plus new hot spots Blackburn Creek and Beaver Shores.
Mike says walleye are in fall migration mode and can be found on main lake structures like points and gravel bars. Three-way rigging, down-rigging or using snap weights with Rapalas in natural colors for clear water, or chartreuse/orange and clown colors in areas of stained water, are effective – but hang on tight because the walleye and striper territories overlap some and you my hook more than you bargained for. Try Rapala Tail Dancers, Bagley Rumble B's, Flicker Shad, Bandit 300 Series and Arkie 350s in colors that include orange and chartreuse. Also try slow death rigs and spinner rigs on bottom bouncers on long points and humps near the channel rigged in orange/chartreuse.
(updated 10-3-2018) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said there has been a little bit of a shift this week and that shift comes with the lack of water. Austin says he didn't even attempt to get close to Spider Creek by boat. “My last attempt, I was in 6 inches of water and I did not go further,” he said. However, he said, the trout have seemed to have migrated towards Houseman Access. “I have been catching trout in nice numbers, in 8-10 feet of water, fishing with light terminal tackle and various PowerBaits. The spoons have not been a great hit this past week, but the Rooster Tails still did the trick. I would say this weeks ‘hot spot’ has been between Houseman Access, and just upstream to the first bend. Did not fish for bass this week, as I am getting into the time of year that I only fish for trout and an occasional fall walleye. I did not mark anything on the graph that would suggest any walleye have made it up from Table Rock, but when I do, you all will be the second to know! Have fun, enjoy the weather and stay safe.”
(updated 10-10-2018) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the lake clarity is stained. Surface water temperature was 74 degrees, and the level is normal. Crappie remain fair on jigs and crankbaits. Bass improved this week to fair, with spinnerbaits and crankbaits both working. Catfishing reports were fair on worms and catfish bait. No reports came in on bream.
(updated 10-10-2018) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) reports that the water clarity is clear, and the level is normal. The surface water temperature remains in the 70s. Bream are fair on redworms. Crappie are good on minnows; target the fish in 10 feet of water. Bass are good on artificial lures/plastics. Catfishing is good; both channels and flatheads were reported.
(updated 10-10-2018) Ome Coleman at Lake Poinsett State Park said, “Some more rain (maybe) to make the fish happy; cooler weather to make the fishermen happy. We get a lot of questions about when Lake Poinsett will be ready to fish again. That lets us know that you are looking forward to catch some more nice crappie, bass, brim and catfish here. That makes us here at Lake Poinsett State Park happy. The AGFC will be able to answer your questions. We are still selling the live bait and other fishing accessories and we love to hear your fishing reports.” While Lake Poinsett is closed to anglers until 2020 for extensive repairs, there are other lakes in the immediate area to check out, including Lake Hogue and Lake Charles. Also, the AGFC’s Family and Community Fishing Program is stocking the pond at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.
(updated 10-10-2018) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is clear and is at normal level. The surface temperature is 75 degrees. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are beginning to bite, with a fair bite at night. Use minnows. Bass are fair early in the morning and then again late in the evening. No baits were mentioned. Catfishing is fair on chicken liver or nightcrawlers.
(updated 10-3-2018) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are running at 260 cfs (350 average) and water clarity has been clear. The river remains low and clear, making for easier wading on the Spring. Cool cloudy days have the trout hitting great, and we are seeing bigger rainbows feeding. Go with olive Woollies on cloudy days and Y2Ks on the sunny days. On the cloudy days, also cast downstream with a slow steady strip back upstream to get the hits. On hatches, a nymph pattern will work great. Hot pink and white Trout Magnets are working well for spin fishing.
(updated 10-10-2018) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Spring River is navigable. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork rivers. Canoe season is almost 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).
White River
(updated 10-3-2018) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear, while the level is low by about 5.5 feet. Bream reports were poor. Crappie are biting fair. Bass fishing is fair. Catfish are biting poorly. Walleye reports have been fair. There was no information on any baits used for any species.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
(updated 9-26-2018) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team had no report.
Arkansas River (Pool 2)
No report.
(updated 10-3-2018) Park Interpreter Houston Wynn at Cane Creek Lake State Park says fishing at cane Creek is alive and well, and all of the main fish species are biting! Bass fishing is in high gear, and though fish are biting in numbers and with size, they can be found schooling at about 2- to 4-four pounds. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits seem to be landing in the best catches – anything that resembles the schooling shad should work. With the air temperatures the way that they are, mornings and evening are the best time to find these fish. Bream fishing is still in its summer-mode. With these fish still sitting on beds in shallow water, they can be caught in an abundance. You can find these fish at all times of the day in anywhere from 2-5 feet of water, with your larger fish hanging in the deeper water. Just about any bait will work, but the best reports have been coming from crickets. Catfish are still in summer mode, and they can be caught many different ways. Try the deeper channels of the lake during the daytime to find larger fish, while smaller or “eating size” fish will hang closer to the shore. At night the catfish will be following the shad up and down the shoreline, so fish anywhere that there is a bay or bait activity. Crappie are starting to be found more and more frequently. They’re starting to go in to their fall pattern and head into shallower waters around structure. Jigs are working at all times of the day. Minnows always seem to be effective as well.
No report.
(updated 10-10-2018) The lake has been drawn down about 7 feet and while the AGFC completes vegetation and fish cover work on the shoreline through September. The lake will rise with rainfall over the next several weeks and will cover the new anchoring of cut gum trees on the shallow shoreline areas. There has been little fishing going on during the hot days. During the drawdown, tree stumps are showing in the coves toward the east and northeast of the lake; those are good areas to fish for the bass as the temperature cools down this month.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 260.70 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 259.20 msl).
(updated 10-10-2018) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said Wednesday morning that there was some current in the river, as the Army Corps of Engineers made a gate change, and the discharge was around 6,000 cfs or more, he said. Also, the white bass were very active earlier this week, he said. Millwood’s level is on the rise with all of the recent thunderstorms, clocking in at almost a foot and a half over normal level on Wednesday morning but should drop with the gate change. For more information on Millwood Lake levels, contract work and maintenance, contact the Millwood Project Office at 870-898-3343. Millwood Lake drawdown has ended. Surface temps as of Monday ranged 72-77 degrees. Continue to use caution in navigation on Little River and Millwood watching for random, broken, or floating timber. Clarity and visibility have stained over the past week with rising lake pool, but remain fair to good in places. Further upriver finds highest turbidity rates. As of Monday on main lake structure away from current, clarity and visibility is moderate stain, ranging about 6-10 inches.
Mike says the recent cool rain and cloud cover continue dropping the surface temps, while thunderstorms stained up the lake more this week. Runoff from mud flats and creek channels have contributed to most stain along the river since last week. Bass have been surface-feeding in Little River, running shad to the surface, and in adjacent shallow flats to deeper ditches, creek channels, and points along the river. The largemouth bass, Kentucky bass and a few white bass continue randomly surface-schooling on shad along Little River and the oxbows at varying times early to mid-morning over depths of 15-20 feet, and also a few of the flats from 5-9 feet in lily pads and vegetation. Numerous schools of largemouths, Kentuckies (spots), and white bass are being found at mouths of creeks dumping into Little River on points, ranging from 5-10 feet deep with pads. Bass remain active at daylight up to 2 or 3 pounds. Surface feeding activity levels taper off except for the random schooling fish. Best baits drawing topwater reactions at early morning continue to be Heddon Spitn' Images, Cordell Crazy Shads, Stuttersteps and Bass Assassin Shads near pads and vegetation. Chatterbaits and H&H Spinnerbaits are working in same areas at same time as the surface feeders. Black/white and white/chartreuse or black/white/yellow H&H Spinners or Rocket Shads seem to produce best lately. Near mid-morning, 1/4- to 1/2-ounce Rat-L-Traps in Millwood Magic, Ghost, Holographic Transparent Shad, Livin Chrome and most any shad pattern are catching the schoolers breaking surface on shad, along with fast moving Chrome Johnson Silver Minnow Spoons with a white grub trailer running skipped tops of the lily pads. Rocket Shads, Hammered Cordell spoons, Rooster Tails and H&H Spinnerbaits skipped and retrieved quickly continue working when you see the surface breaking. The majority of these surface breakers are the younger buck bass, adolescents and juveniles from 1.5 to 2.5 pounds. These surface feeders are huge time to get kids interested in fishing while the action is hot!
Also, Bass Assassin Shads in Salt & Pepper Silver Phantom, Houdini and Bad to the Bone colors continue working for the past couple weeks near creek channels and flats 4-9 feet deep with stumps, lily pads and vegetation. Magnum Tubes like Gitzits have been working on stumps with best reactions on Black & Blue tail, Pumpkinseed/Chartreuse tail or Bluegill colors. Bass Assassin Skunk Apes are working in creeks from 8-10 feet deep on stumps. Best color of Skunk Apes over the past week are the Houdini or Hillbilly Special. Vertical-jigging spoons are still working with Kentucky bass and schools of largemouths in Little River behind points and washouts. Fair to large-size schools of white bass have been randomly schooling on surface feeding shad in Little River with the largemouths and Kentucky bass, and continue biting very well on Fat Free Shads, Rat-L-Traps, Cordell Hammered Spoons with red/white Bucktails and Rocket Shads. Crappie have been consistent over the past couple weeks from 6-12 feet of depth on minnows, shiners and vertically jigging crappie tubes or Cordell Paddle Tail Grubs in smoke colors. Catfish improved on trotlines over the past week; set the trotline from 8-14 feet deep using chicken hearts, gizzards, livers and punch baits.
Lake Columbia
Sportsman’s One Stop in El Dorado (870-863-7248) reports that a few bass being caught.
Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River)
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Lake Greeson
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 538.65 feet msl (full pool: 548.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-10-2018) Jason Lenderman of JL Guide Service (870-490-0804) says the lake level is 9.5 feet below full pool of 548 feet msl and has risen some in the last week. Water temps have made it to the mid- to upper 70s. The bass are moving into their fall patterns and will only get better as the water cools. Super Spook Jr’s, Zara Puppies, Booyah Hard Knockers and small swimbaits are seeing some action on main lake points with some schooling action taking place throughout the day, especially early and late. Shaky head-rigged Yum Finesse Worms and drop-shots rigged with Yum Kill Shots or Sharpshooters are working OK on main lake points around brush as well. The crankbait bite is picking up as well using shad colored Bandit crankbaits. Crappie are really coming on. They can be caught in 15-30 foot brush with minnows or Kalin’s Grubs.
(updated 10-10-2018) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips says crappie are stacking up in great numbers on brush piles in 18-24 feet of water fished with live bait 12-15 feet deep. The cooler weather will be a blessing for the fishing, he adds.
DeGray Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 397.66 feet msl (flood pool: 408.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-10-2018) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said, “The cooler weather is a blessing for us and the fishing. And, crappie fever is a legitimate sick day from work.” He says crappie continue to stack up on brush piles in 18-24 feet of water fished with live bait 8-15 feet deep. White bass and hybrids are still schooling. Watch for the large groups of boats. Everything from vertical-jigging spoons to topwater baits are producing.
(updated 9-26-2018) Local angler George Graves said surface water temperature is in the high 70s and the lake is clear throughout. “Seeing lots of deer with little ones crossing the road on my way fishing early in the morning,” George noted. “If you see a deer cross, slow down, because there probably be a little one following mama.” Overall, all fishing is very good due to the abundance of shad, which are schooling near the surface with the lower water temps. However, this will probably change with cold windy weather arriving. Bass fishing is only fair with mostly small fish reported. Look for fish between Arlie Moore and Iron Mountain feeding on shad in coves off secondary points. Best spots have been the big coves between points 2 and 6 on the south side and between Caddo Bend and the marina at the state park. Look for "breaking" fish and throw most any smaller topwater plug in natural shad. Also try soft plastics such as Flukes and 3-inch swimbaits. If no surface activity, try a Texas-rigged worm in green pumpkin or red shad. Crappie fishing is getting better as the water cools. Look for fish on attractors around 20 feet deep. Finding attractors at this depth can be the hardest part of crappie fishing right now due to the low water. When deep water cover is located, drop a 2-inch Kalin's Grub in Tennessee Shad on a 1/16-ounce jighead over the thickest part of the cover. Move slowly around the brush until fish are located. The fish will be mostly only in one spot so be sure to cover the entire attractor. Look for attractors between Edgewood and Shouse Ford and in the major coves.
George says that lots of white bass and some hybrids were showing in the huge shad schools in the Arlie Moore/Point 28 areas. Look for feeding, "breaking" fish and throw small topwater plugs. Sometimes the bigger hybrids will be a bit deeper, so try a small half-ounce spoon such as Kastmaster or Hopkins. The fish were feeding most all day during the hot wet weather, but don't be surprised if this action is over with the cold windy weather moving in. Bream fishing has been good but with the cold weather arriving, the fish will move to deeper water at 15-20 feet. Try the deeper points in coves and fish near the bottom baiting with redworm or crickets.
De Queen Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 437.49 feet msl (flood pool: 437.00 feet msl).
No reports.
Dierks Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 526.44 feet msl (flood pool: 526.00 feet msl).
No reports.
White Oak Lake
No report.
Felsenthal
No report.
(updated 10-10-2018) Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) reported the lake is clear with a normal level. Surface temperature has been reading 76-79 degrees. Crappie are picking up, Sharon says, with minnows or jigs working fair. The Atkins diet for bass this week has been Lucky Worms, and the reports have been good. Catfish are good if you throw them some shad. Bream reports are poor, but though things are slow, the bream are still biting. Give them a worm on the hook.
Lake Bailey (Petit Jean State Park)
No report.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
No report.
Lake Catherine (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
(updated 10-10-2018) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that Entergy is currently running a minimum-flow pattern of generation below Carpenter Dam. The lake is at a normal pool and will remain at this level until November when the winter drawdown is scheduled to begin. Rainbow trout fishing has been over for months as the last productive fishing ended in early July. Very few trout remain in the tailrace and no quality fishing will occur until the week of Thanksgiving when the stocking schedule begins again. Water temperature ranges from 67 degrees below the dam to 74 degrees below the bridge. Clarity is good and the overall look of the tailrace is healthy. In the absence of a healthy rainbow trout population, white bass and striper activity are the main sources of gamefish in the early fall. These fish feed heavily on the threadfin and gizzard shad population around the dam. Fall temperatures can bring about some topwater activity as these predator fish chase shad to the surface. Zara Spooks in white or shad colors work well along with Super Spooks in rainbow trout colors as feeding times are fast and short-lived. Stripers move in and out of the tailrace weekly and feed alongside white bass. Large fish over 20 pounds are often seen breaking water below the bridge. Live bait presentations are the best bet for hooking striped bass as artificial lures are often ignored by these wary bass. Gizzard shad presented under a balloon rig will work in slack or current and give anglers the best chance for a hook-up. Watching for breaking fish is crucial for success in the tailrace as schools of bass move quickly and feeding times are short. Walleye are being caught below the dam in deep water on jigging spoons in silver and gold colors. Numbers are few, but fish in the 5-pound class are present. Bream tend to congregate around the dam in the fall and can be caught on crickets and nightcrawlers fished just off the bottom with a marshmallow floater. Overall, fishing is slow for all game species in the Carpenter Dam tailrace but will improve greatly in the month of November when the rainbow trout stocking commences for the fall. Anyone navigating the area should be aware of the generation schedules and must always obey all lake and park rules.
No report.
Lake Hamilton
(updated 10-10-2018) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas born-and-bred, all-welded Xpress aluminum fishing boat in Hot Springs, reports Lake Hamilton’s water temps are at the 80-degree mark throughout. Water is clear with viability of 10 feet or more. “We had the privilege of captaining several boats over the weekend for the Arkansas High School Bass Fishing Series and were able to watch some talented young men and women represent their schools.” Most bass are offshore in 15-25 feet of water on high spots humps and points. Breaking fish are there in the mornings for sure, but the breaking doesn’t last long. Flukes, crankbaits and topwater baits like buzzbaits poppers and Zara Spooks do well on these fish, but it won’t last long. To be successful, anglers must fish deeper water with drop-shot rigs, spoons and wacky rigs in the 20-foot range. The bite is not aggressive, so use that spinning rod to feel the bites. Over the next week everything will change, and change fast! With the cooler weather, fish should ball up on points and gorge themselves with shad. Rat-L-Traps, spoons, crankbaits and flukes should be the ticket, but get them down in the water column. Fish points near the channels or points that the wind is ripping against. Be careful, have fun and Go Greeson!
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 342.87 feet msl (full pool: 342.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-10-2018) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said the water is a little cloudy. No surface water temperature was recorded. Water level is normal. Crappie are fair. Bass are fair. Catfish are fair. No baits or areas were mentioned. No reports on bream.
(updated 10-10-2018) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) said the water is clear and is at a normal level. Bream are fair on crickets. Crappie are fair on jigs. No reports came in this week on bass. Catfishing is good using chicken liver or crawfish.
(updated 9-26-2018) Lisa’s Bait Shop in Benton says a couple of customers are using bass minnows and are still doing great for crappie fishing.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 571.19 feet msl (full pool: 578.00 feet msl).
(updated 10-10-2018) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) said black bass are still good. Live crawfish are best at this time for spots, while some topwater action on flukes or Zara Spooks has been good on the west end of the lake. Walleye are good. Try using a CC spoon near brush for these fish. Stripers are still fair on live bait. Major creek mouths and main lake points on the eastern and central parts of the lake are the best for these fish. Bream have slowed, but are still being caught on crickets and worms in 15-25 feet of water near brush. Crappie are still fair and being caught with jigs or minnows in 15-20 feet of water near brush. Catfish are good. Cut bait, live bait and stink bait are all producing good bags. Lake conditions are good with the clarity clearing and the water temperature 74-78 degrees. Contact the Mountain Harbor guides – Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717; Chris Darby, 870-867-7822; and Jerry Bean, 501-282-6104 – for more information.
(updated 10-3-2018) Lisa Spencer at Lisa’s Bait Shop (501-778-6944) in Benton said her customers tell her nice crappie are still being caught off of size 4 crappie minnows hitting those brush tops.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 384.54 feet msl (full pool: 384.00 feet msl).
No reports.
Cook’s Lake
(updated 10-10-2018) The Cook’s Lake fishing season for youth under age 16 and for mobility-impaired anglers has ended. It will resume the first weekend of March 2019. 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.
No report.
(updated 9-26-2018) Natalie Faughn, ranger at Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040), says fishing and hunting seasons seem to have a reverse effect on each other at the park. With archery season now open, it seems most of their anglers have abandoned the boats and rods for tree stands and bows. However, Natalie says, they have had some positive reports coming from Bear Creek Lake about the catfish biting on yoyo’s using stink bait. Bass are biting a little bit deeper on chartreuse jigs. Bream and crappie activity seems to have slowed down.
(updated 9-26-2018) Natalie Faughn, ranger at Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040), said that like Bear Creek Lake, Storm Creek Lake doesn’t have much activity to report these days. Some anglers have been trying their luck with the bream but can’t seem to get more than a few bites with worms. “If someone is fishing down there and having some luck, please call the park and let us know! We won’t give away (all) of your secret spots,” she says.