Sept. 2, 2021
Jim Harris Managing Editor Arkansas Wildlife Magazine
This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Sept. 2, 2021. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news. Note: msl = mean sea level; cfs = cubic feet per second. All Corps of Engineers lake and river readings were taken at 10 a.m. the day of publication (Sept. 2).
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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
TOP AND LEFT: Greers Ferry Lake fishing guide Tommy Cauley (pictured) got the honors to net a walleye caught by angler Chris Fischer recently on beautiful Greers Ferry. This was one of several walleye caught that day by the duo, fishing in 60 feet of water. Tommy said Thursday that some walleye are roaming under schoolers, others are suspended and on the bottom from 30-50 feet; crawlers and artificial baits are working to catch them. Meanwhile, black bass are eating very shallow, on topwater and out deep too, on a variety of baits.
Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir
(updated 9-2-2021) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said Tuesday afternoon that the lake is the usual Lake Conway stain but the water is still low. Bream are good on small hair-tie jigs, redworms and crickets. Crappie are good, but the best bite is still coming at night on small minnows and small jigs. Black bass are biting well. Anglers are using cranks, 7- to 10-inch curly tail worms, Whopper Ploppers and floating worms like a Senko. Catfishing is good with stink bait, dough bait, trotline minnows, nightcrawlers and goldfish.
Lake Beaverfork
(updated 9-2-2021) Angler Dennis Charles said that there was no change in his reports from a week ago. “I again have visited many lakes in the past few weeks; all lakes and large ponds that are within an hour’s drive of Conway are getting my attention. I am disabled/retired and fish six days a week, so if you see me, stop me and tell me what you caught and how. I’m fishing Lake Beaverfork, Brewer Lake, Lake Cargill, Lake Conway, Lake Winona, Nimrod, Overcup, Harris Break, Galla, Kingfisher, and the Arkansas River west from Toad Suck to Cypress Creek Landing. The river is fun to fish this week with calm water and lots of fish.
“Here’s what I’m finding around these spots:
Crappie: Typical locations around the lakes, they are active around 10 feet, use normal stuff.
Bream: Look for their beds and try normal baits; they are being caught a bit away from their beds.
Bass: They are lurking IN THE GRASS; use weedless.
Cats: No reports.
Gar: These guys are fun, but I need to invent a way to clean them. They are the armadillo of the lakes.
Hybrids: Choctaw, they are being caught, go find them.
For more info specific to Beaverfork, check out https://www.facebook.com/Conways-Lake-Beaverfork-Fishing-Reports-111202737334235.
Also, visit Dennis’ Facebook page (Arkansas Fishing Adventures) for more information. Also, for anglers looking for additional information about bass fishing around the area, Dennis suggests checking out the Arkansas Bass Fishing Facebook page.
Little Red River
(updated 9-2-2021) Guide Mike Winkler, now operating Little Red River Guide Service (501-690-9166, 501-507-3688), says the Little Red River generation schedule has been fairly consistent. Usually running 4-6 hours a day with generation starting around 1 p.m. till 6 p.m. throughout the week. On the weekends generation is minimal with excellent wading for the entire river. Concentrate on fishing the deep holes and oxygenated shoals. Stripping Woolly Buggers or Crackle Backs have been productive and nymphing under an indicator using
Guide's Choice Hare's Ear 14, Pheasant soft hackle size 14, sowbugs size 14-18 and midges size 18.
(updated 9-2-2021) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the Army Corps of Engineers is running more water from Greers Ferry Dam in the afternoon. Water is clear and low in mornings and up higher in afternoon from generation. Trout are good on Marabou Jigs, Trout Magnets, Rooster Tails and Rapala No. 5 Shad Raps.
(updated 8-26-2021) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-230-0730) said, “We continue to see a summertime generation pattern with 4-6 hours of afternoon generation on weekdays and less generation on weekends. With hot air temps and limited generation, we are seeing warmer water temps, so be careful not to overstress the caught fish and get the fish back in the water quickly, spending a little extra time reviving when releasing.”
Midges, pheasant tails, sowbugs and Woolly Buggers are recommended for fly-fishing. For Trout Magnet fishing use pink- and red-colored bodies on chartreuse or gold jigheads. 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.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 459.59 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.54 feet msl, top flood elevation 487.0 msl).
(updated 9-2-2021) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said water is clear and a little low. Fishing for bass is tough, but they are catching fish schooling on small swimbaits, CC Spoons and small topwater baits in the lower end of the lake. They’re also catching them in 10-12 feet of water on blue/white hair jigs.
(updated 9-2-2021) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry is at 459.59 feet msl. It’s now 2.95 feet below normal pool of 462.54 feet msl and falling, and will continue to do so with evaporation and generation going forward. The black bass are eating real shallow, on top, and out deep as well, on a variety of baits. Fish accordingly, stay around the bait. Crappie are eating, just a little deeper, on minnows and jigs. Trolling is picking up some as well from 20-50 feet.
Some walleye are roaming under schoolers, others are suspended and on bottom from 30-50 feet; crawlers and artificial are working as well. Catfish are eating all over lake and rivers. Cut and live bait working. Be sure to fish around the baitfish. Bream are guarding fry and preparing for another spawn with the moon being full again on Sept. 20; use crickets, crawlers or small crankbaits super shallow out to 25-30 feet.
Hybrid and white bass are chewing at different times during the day and night. Some have moved shallower and some deeper -- 25-60 feet doing the trick. Again, stay around the bait, and use spoons, topwater baits, inline spinners or swimbaits.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 9-2-2021) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the lake is clear and the water level is still low. Bream fishing is good in the early morning, and again later in the evening. Bream are shallow and biting redworms and crickets. Crappie have picked up, and anglers had good results this week fishing the deep areas. Use minnows. Black bass are good and still active around the shoreline. Catfishing is good in the early mornings and in the evenings. Try nightcrawlers, baby bream and regular catfish bait.
(updated 9-2-2021) See Angler Dennis Charles’ report under Lake Beaverfork.
Lake Overcup
(updated 9-2-2021) Phil Thomas at Lakeview Landing (501-354-5309) said the big news is that catfish are very good now on chicken liver and shad. Bream are also good in the evenings on redworms and crickets. No reports on bass or crappie. The lake clarity is dingy and the level is fallen to low.
Brewer Lake
(update 9-2-2021) David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-289-2210) had no reports.
(updated 9-2-2021) See Angler Dennis Charles’ report under Lake Beaverfork.
Lake Maumelle
(updated 8-19-2021) WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) said the water is cooling slightly with the most recent rain, and has a surface temperature around 82 degrees in the mornings. Largemouth bass and Kentucky bass are fair to good. The largemouth are being found deep in their summer patterns, and anglers should try using drop-shot with soft plastics, heavy spinnerbaits along the grassline and swimbaits. Kentucky bass are relating to rocky banks that drop sharply to 16-20 feet of water and are biting on jig-and-plastic combinations. White bass are fair with some sporadic surface schooling activity, but the fish aren't staying at the surface long. Some anglers also are catching white bass along the sides of the river channel in 15-18 feet of water on swimbaits. Crappie are biting fairly well and are relating to the tops of brush piles in 10-15 feet of water. Bream also are holding in brush in 10-15 feet of water. Minnows are working best for the crappie, while redworms and crickets are always a go-to for bream. Catfishing has been good, with many blue catfish being caught on trotlines in the approved trotline-fishing area. A 31- and 53.5-pound blue cat were both caught last week.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Ormond Lock and Dam was 6,108 cfs. Flow further upriver at Dardanelle Lock and Dam was 0 cfs.
(updated 8-19-2021) Charlie Hoke at Charlie's Hidden Harbor at Oppelo (501-354-8080) says that the catfish are doing really well. They’re being caught on whole shad and anglers catching them are going to secondary drop-offs near the channel. There is about 25-28 foot of water in that area. The catfish they are catching are an interesting hybrid, Charlie notes. They are called white cats in that area: the look like a blue catfish body with a smaller, channel cat head. “They also are called humpback blues,” he said, “because they had that real small channel cat head and the body is so big.”
He adds that bream have been biting well. “People were out bass fishing with ultralight along the grass lines; early, early in the morning; using 1/32- and 1/16-ounce black Rooster Tails and catching the heck out of pan-sized bream.
“I haven’t had that many black bass fishermen, but the ones we’ve had, what they’re doing is going down there where there is wood and using shad-colored crankbaits -- we’ve got so much shad up here, it’s unreal. What’s being caught are not big fish, really just anywhere from three-quarter pound to 3 pounds, just banging those crankbaits against the wood.”
He said the white bass are schooling early in the mornings, and are around the mouths of creeks such as the Petit Jean River and Point Remove Creek. Anglers are catching white bass on Rat-L-Traps and shallow-diving crankbaits in shad or pearl color. They are also catching white bass below the Ormond Dam on spoons.
“Things have just begun to pick up a little around here in the last 10-12 days,” he said. There is little to no flow in the river this week. “It’s just like a lake out there. We need it up to 35 (thousand)-40 (thousand), 60 (thousand cfs) flow to really get the fish going. The water is gorgeous, though. It’s still a little bit hot now, but in three or four weeks, if you want to head downriver, say in the second week of September, it will be cool enough to camp out and travel up and down the river and see how beautiful this area is.”
Little Maumelle River
(updated 9-2-2021) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the river remains clear and is at a normal level as of midweek. Bream are fair on redworms and crickets. Black bass are good, both early in the day and late in the evening, with best success coming on shad-colored crankbaits. Catfish remain hungry at night on the regular catfish baits. No reports still on crappie.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam was 5,815 cfs.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam was 3,667 cfs. Flow at the Terry Lock and Dam was 3,906 cfs.
(updated 9-2-2021) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) said the water is stained and current is low, level is normal, like last week. Bass fishing is a little tough; anglers are chasing balls of shad on sandbars and isolated logs and ends of jetties with deep-diving crank bait in 10-12 feet depth. A little topwater (Spooks/Pop-Rs) is working in the early morning. Catfish are good below the dam and behind the jetties on the main river on nightcrawlers and stink bait.
(updated 9-2-2021) Hatchet Jack’s Sports Shop in Crystal Hill off I-40 (758-4958) said that the hydroelectric plant at Murray Lock and Dam “has been shut down, so not a lot of people are fishing.” They note the upcoming catfish tournament on the river set for Sept. 18. Call Hatchet Jacks’ for more information.
(updated 8-26-2021) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) said bream are good on crickets and redworms around the rocks around Big Dam Bridge area (Murray) and Burns Park area on the river off the rocks. Bass are good early morning on topwater around the sandbar drops and rock jetties around the Willow Beach area on Pop-Rs and Zara Spooks. Late in the day the bite is good on Senkos at 10-15 feet deep. Crappie are being caught out deep off the end of the jetties around 18 feet depth on Bobby Garland Baby Shad in full moon color. Catfish are fair below the hydroelectric plant at Murray Lock and Dam on cut shad. The white bass are fair below Terry Lock and Dam on Vibric Rooster Tails.
Clear Lake (off Arkansas River-Little Rock Pool)
(updated 9-2-2021) McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) says the weather offered some respite for fishing this week. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. They’ve heard fair reports on catfishing, too, but nothing was reported on crappie or bass fishing. The lake is clear, as it should be, and the level is normal.
Peckerwood Lake
(update 8-26-2021) Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) says the clarity remains “pretty clear” at Peckerwood and the level is low. Bream are good on the redworms and crickets. Crappie are fair; anglers are trolling and using minnows and jigs. Black bass are good. Catfish are good on hot dogs and worms.
White River
(updated 9-2-2021) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said Bull Shoals Lake is nearing desired power pool while moderate generation continues. White River levels are in the mid- to high range, but expect that to decrease in a few weeks. Opening week of school always bring a little slowdown on the river and this past week was no exception; less pressure on the river, a time to catch our breath before the autumn rush begins and the opportunity to welcome cooler temperatures. The morning temperatures have been blessedly cool -- low 70s, blue skies -- ushering in warmer afternoon temps. Maybe a little too warm for some, but the river is cold and clear.
“Our anglers have been nabbing lots of 12- to 13-inch rainbows, best if you decide to keep any and absolutely perfect for lots of action and making forever memories. Shrimp and PowerBait are a must in your bait bucket, but many guides say you can't beat the real thing, and they pack in live crawdads for their days on the river. Deeper water in the afternoon means more drift-fishing with limited wading opportunities but the trout love lots of water and bubbles. Look for structures on the riverbed that create oxygen (bubbly waters) and you'll find a hangout for trout.
“We've had some ups and downs this week. The brown bite has slowed some but it's still pretty spectacular for this time of year. They've shown up for sculpins, minnows, crawdads, shad and even the pink mousetail worms-- not always trophy size, but healthy, fighting browns that make your heart race while you're waiting to see just how big that fish is on the end of your line. Stay cool and keep fishing!”
(updated 9-2-2021) Sportsman’s White River Resort (870-453-2424) said no one has been out fishing all week, but they expect the fishing should pick up this weekend. The Corps of Engineers at the dam has “turned the generators all the way off because they were looking for a missing kayaker” who reported drowned. With the generators being off, they say, it “killed a bunch of fish and messed up the flow.”
The river remains high at 30 feet with the generators are running round-the-clock. When the fishing was going good last week for both browns and rainbow trout, anglers were using PowerBait, pink worms, stick bait, Yakima Vibric Rooster Tails in light green or brown, worms and shrimp.
(updated 9-2-2021) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service said that during the past week they had a minor rain event (a quarter of an inch in Cotter), hot temperatures and moderate winds. The lake level at Bull Shoals fell 2.8 feet to land at 7.7 feet above seasonal power pool of 661 feet msl. This is 26.3 feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock fell 0.3 foot to rest at 0.5 foot below seasonal power pool and 14.5 feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell 1.1 feet to rest at 0.1 foot above seasonal power pool and 8.5 feet below the top of flood pool. The White had an unexpected 18-hour period of wadable water with no generation.
Norfork Lake fell 1.8 feet to rest at 3.2 feet above seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 21 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork tailwater had some wadable water at night and a few hours of wadable water this past weekend during daylight.
Seasonal power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. The lakes are either at, below or nearly at power pool. Expect high levels of generation for the next couple of weeks at Norfork and Bull Shoals dams.
John says, “The hopper bite is a bit slower but there are still some good days. Bang the bank with a grasshopper. My favorite fly for this technique is a western pink lady in a size 8. Add a midge dropper to increase your catch.”
He adds that with higher flows, the fishing on the White has slowed a bit. The outrider was the brief period of very low water last weekend that fished well. The top spot has been Wildcat Shoals. The hot flies were olive Woolly Buggers (sizes 8, 10), Y2Ks (sizes 14, 12), prince nymphs (size 14), zebra midges (black with silver wire and silver bead or red with silver wire and silver bead sizes 16, 18), pheasant tails (size 14), ruby midges (size 18), root beer midges (size 18), pink and cerise San Juan worms (size 10), and sowbugs (size 16). Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective (John says his current favorite combination is a San Juan Worm with a girdle bug dropper).
John also offered this tip for fly-fishing when the preferred bait falls short, “There are many techniques to catch trout on a fly rod. You can fish nymphs, dry flies, streamers, wet flies, soft hackles and terrestrials to name a few. There is one constant, with all of them: Nothing works all of the time. There will be times when each of these techniques will produce trout with ease and there will be times where you could not buy a fish with them.
“One thing that many fly-fishers do is to choose a particular technique before they go fishing. We all have our favorite method to fish. I personally would rather fish a dry fly. There is something about a good fish taking a dry fly from the surface that flips my switch.
“My brother, Dan, would fish a size 32 dry fly (the smallest hook made) on a 70-foot cast. I always asked, ‘How can you see the fly to fish it?’ He answered that he could not see the fly but set the hook whenever he saw a rise near where he thought the fly was. Despite him being a more talented angler than I was, I usually out-fished him because I would fish whatever was the most effective technique in the situation.
“Last Saturday I took Kenny and John fishing. They wanted to fish grasshoppers. That was OK with me as I enjoy fishing them. A grasshopper is a bacon cheeseburger to a trout. It is a large, easy-to-see dry fly that draws big fish and vicious takes. My wife, Lori, complained that grasshoppers had demolished her parsley. I thought that bode well for our plans.
“We got to the ramp early. It was slightly cool with much warmer weather and rain scheduled for later in the day. We had a dense fog on the river. I quickly rigged their rods with a short leader (7 feet) and size 6 western pink lady grasshoppers. This is a big foam fly that floats well and does not have to be dressed.
“I launched the boat, loaded everyone on board and headed upstream. I began drifting downstream close to the bank. Kenny and John banged the bank mercilessly. They were good casters and drifted cast after cast near the bank. We fished for several hours and covered miles of river (both banks) without a sniff from the fish. We were all disappointed. I ran into several other experienced guides who were all fishing hoppers. Everyone was fishless. The last one had clipped off the hoppers and was changing over to nymphs.
“We held a quick boat meeting and all agreed it was time to change technique. I removed the hoppers and added tippet, split shot, a girdle bug and a size 16 midge. We took a nice trout on the first drift and two on the next. We were finally back in the game. We continued fishing the nymphs and finished the day with several trout.
We wanted to fish grasshoppers but that was not to be. Nothing works every time!”
Bull Shoals Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 667.21 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 661.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 695.0 feet msl), a drop of 3 feet from last week and a steady fall from the lake’s high this summer near 690 feet. The reported lake elevation at Table Rock Lake was 916.59 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 917.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 931.0 feet msl).
(updated 9-2-2021) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said conditions and results are like they’ve been for a few weeks. He continues to urge anglers to get up early and beat the heat for bass fishing and use topwater baits, poppers and Zara Spooks in the creeks. Look for shad-surfacing action. Use a buzzbait or Whopper Plopper to cover water if it’s cloudy. Once the topwater bite slows down, use a Beaver-style bait and a big worm on ledges and channel swing banks. With water dropping, fish on the points in 15-25 feet depth. If it gets tough, use a drop-shot off the points, the bluffs and ledges in 20-35 feet depth. Shad are starting to group up a little better. Fish the conditions. Clarity is good, the surface temperature is hanging around 86 degrees and the lake is falling and at a little over 6 feet high at last check. Check out Del’s YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.
Norfork Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reported the lake’s elevation at 558.09 feet msl (normal conservation pool: Sept.-April, 553.75 feet msl; April-Sept. 555.75 feet msl; top flood elevation 580.0 feet msl).
(updated 9-2-2021) Steve “Scuba” Street from Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental reported Tuesday that the lake level is 558.74 feet msl and has dropped 3½ inches in the last 24 hours with 1⅓ generators running continuously. “They took the White River at Newport down to 8 feet to try and keep the area lakes up as high as possible for as long as possible, but are bringing it back up now. It clouds up at the heat of the day about 3 p.m. every day but not much happens.
“We are still very dry here. It looks to be mostly sunny and warm for the rest of the week and good weather for the holiday weekend.
“The lake traffic will slow way down then and fishing will get better and the peace and quiet will get a lot better. This is an excellent time for a visit and the lake is in good condition. Get out that three-eighth-ounce spoon, white with red head, and drop it in and around brush piles in 30-35 feet of water. Several different species of fish are there and are being caught every day. I am too busy to get in much fishing, as I am sure most resort owners are, but get out for about an hour after the work is done and spoon for a bit and am catching fish every day. Mostly walleye, crappie, bass and bluegill with a few catfish thrown in. That is all I fish for anyway. Most all fish are released under my dock and the school is getting very big. I guess if I had more time for fishing I would not be doing my job very well. My time will come this fall and winter.
“I am ready for fall fishing. I do not look for a striper kill this September and sure hope there is not one. Come on down. We will not charge you too much.”
Norfork Tailwater
(updated 9-2-2021) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Norfork Lake fell 1.8 feet to rest at 3.2 feet above seasonal power pool of 555.75 feet msl and 21 feet below the top of flood pool. The Norfork tailwater had some wadable water at night and a few hours of wadable water this past weekend during daylight.
Seasonal power pool has been reset for the lakes in the White River system. The lakes are either at, below or nearly at power pool. Expect high levels of generation for the next couple of weeks at Norfork and Bull Shoals dams.
John says, “The hopper bite is a bit slower but there are still some good days. Bang the bank with a grasshopper. My favorite fly for this technique is a western pink lady in a size 8. Add a midge dropper to increase your catch.”
The Norfork is fishing moderately. Navigate this stream with caution as things have changed a bit during flooding in recent years. There has been major gravel recruitment at the bottom of Mill Pond and the dock hole. The most productive flies have been small midge patterns (sizes 18, 20, 22) like ruby midges, root beer midges, zebra midges (black or red with silver wire and silver bead) and soft hackles (sizes 14, 16) like the Green Butt. Egg patterns have also been productive. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. John says his current favorite combination is a San Juan worm with an egg dropper.
Dry Run Creek is fishing poorly. Weekdays are better with school in secession; fish early or late to avoid the crowds on weekends (the creek is open to fishing from sunrise to sundown). The Norfork National Fish Hatchery is open but the restrooms are still closed. The hot flies have been sowbugs (size 14), Y2Ks (size 12), various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise size 10), mop flies and egg patterns.
Remember that the White and North Fork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water.
Buffalo National River/Crooked Creek
(updated 9-2-2021) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Buffalo National River and Crooked Creek remain low and clear. With the warm temperatures, the bite is better. 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.
Beaver Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,121.28 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.43 feet msl; top flood elevation is 1,130.0 feet msl).
(updated 9-2-2021) Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said Beaver Lake is holding near normal levels and water temps have climbed this last week to mid-80s. The fish have slowed a bit with the exception of walleye, which are on the uptick as of late. That being said, look for walleye off main and secondary points. You can troll crawler harnesses or deeper-diving crank baits. Lot of short walleye and some nice keepers showing up.
Stripers are still roaming from Point 6 down to the dam area. Trolling live bait at 1 mph or less is producing a few every day for anglers targeting stripers. Crappie are mixed in the thermocline suspended and are also in deeper brush in the 20 feet range. Jigs and trolling cranks are the most productive methods.
Catfish are good up the War Eagle arm on live shad. Bream, as usual for this time of the year, are there for the taking. “Fall is coming up with some usually excellent fishing on the way,” he said.
Visit Jon’s Facebook page for latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.
(updated 9-2-2021) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) reports that walleye reports continue to be fair, with the best fishing in 25-33 feet on spoons. Bream fell off a little with fair results this week. Use redworms or crickets. Crappie also weren’t as responsive, and the results were just hit and miss. Anglers are pulling crankbaits or throwing them minnows. Black bass are fair both early in the day and then late in the evening. Topwater baits are working, but the bass get deeper through the day and begin to work best on jigs, drop-shots and spoons. There were no reports on catfish this week. The lake is clear and the surface temperature is ranging 86-87 degrees. Water level is normal.
Beaver Tailwater
(updated 8-26-2021) Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said fishing the tailwater has been good this week. The trout bite is good in some places and better in others. Most have been caught on light terminal tackle using Pautzke Fire baits. “Another method that has been doing good is drifting Fire eggs, during generation, under a float,” he says. “Adjust your float to the preferred strike zone. This application works great in slackwater areas.
“If you have not seen it already, on my fishing Facebook (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) page there is a new video out on how to jig for trout. I highly recommend it; it can be a game changer for sure.
“There are still some walleye being caught further toward Beaver town. Even though the majority of the walleye retreat back to the main lake, there are some nice schools that hang year-round in the river. Crawler rigs and jigging live minnows have been the ticket for these guys.
“This week’s hot spot has been between Parker Bottoms and the dam. I hope you’re able to get out and catch some fish!”
Lake Fayetteville
(updated 9-2-2021) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reported that the lake remains murky and is at a normal level. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie have been fair for the most part with most anglers, but a crappie specialist came by Tuesday of this week and did “really well,” they say. Use minnows or jigs. Catfishing is good on live bait. AGFC has stocked the lake with catfish recently. Black bass reports this week fell off with poor results.
Lake Sequoyah
(updated 9-2-2021) Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said fishing this week has been extremely slow. The lake clarity is fairly clear, but the level has fallen about 8-10 inches below normal. The only significant reports they heard concerned catfish. Anglers said they had fair catches, with nightcrawlers working.
Lake Charles
(updated 9-2-2021) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said the hot weekend turned off a lot of the fishing at Lake Charles. Bream were good, though, with worms and jigs working. But other species – crappie, black bass, catfish – were all no-shows especially over the weekend. The lake is its usual murky clarity and is at a normal water level. Sunday morning’s surface water temperature was recorded as 80.2 degrees. Look for the best “moon times” of the month to be coming up Sept. 3-9, Shelly said.
Lake Poinsett
(updated 8-19-2021) Seth Boone, park superintendent at Lake Poinsett State Park, says that while Lake Poinsett is still refilling, you can catch and release bream. Kayaks and canoes are recommended at this time, as the lake is still 8-8.5 feet from being at full pool. Poinsett is rainfall-dependent when it comes to refilling.
The gate at the dam at Lake Poinsett was closed last Dec. 1, following the completion of a three-year renovation projection, and the lake began to refilling. The lake has been undergoing an extensive renovation with a new water control structure, more than 10,000 linear feet of shoreline work, more than 100 habitat structures placed on the lakebed, and nearly 100 trees anchored for fish habitat.
Other forage species that were stocked this spring include fathead minnows, golden shiners and threadfin shad have been added in huge numbers to the lake to build up the food supply for the predators, which will be stocked in 2022.
Crown Lake
(updated 9-2-2021) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) reports that water temperature dropped 5 degrees from last week and is now 85 degrees. Lake clarity is clear and the water level is low. None of that was able to lead to any reports on fishing, however. Last week, some anglers had found some early morning success with black bass.
Spring River
(updated 9-2-2021) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels are running at 350 cfs and the water clarity is clear. The river looks great. Low and clear for easier wading. But be careful on the slick rocks.
“Over the last few months the catching has been excellent! Hopper dropper action on the fly with browns and extra rainbows being stocked from the AGFC’s Jim Hinkle Spring River State Fish Hatchery over the last few months. Groundbreaking is scheduled for renovations in Jim Hinkle hatchery on Sept. 23. This is going to be a big deal for helping the Spring River be an even better fishery in the future.
“A big stocking above Dam 3 in the town area and Cold Springs area of golden rainbow and extra rainbow trout has been a great boost to that area. It has been a great time to be fishing the Spring River. Streamers on cloudy days and hopper droppers on sunny days has been working well lately. Olive and black Woollies and prince nymphs and hare's ear for droppers can work well. My personal favorite is the El Diablo for a dropper and Y2K on the tough days.
“The smallmouth bass are hitting well on sculpin and crawfish patterns. (Wednesday) on the river we caught a nice smallie on a black Woolly. There are a lot of leeches in the river and can be a good thing to imitate.
“Cooler temps will get the bite on, so get out and have a safe and good time!”
(updated 9-2-2021) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Spring River is fishing well. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and North Fork rivers. The canoe season is upon us. Look out for the aluminum hatch! 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
The Army Corps of Engineers reported Thursday that the White River stage at Batesville was at 9.59 feet, more than 5 feet below the flood stage of 15.0 feet. The Newport stage was at 12.04, well below the flood stage of 26.0 feet. The stage at Augusta is steady at 23.28, more than 2 feet below flood stage of 26.00 feet. All readings have been steady for several weeks.
(updated 9-2-2021) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no reports this week.
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool)
(updated 8-19-2021) The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Bass Fishing Team reports that water temperature is in upper 80s, visibility up to 1 foot in protected backwaters. Black bass are biting fairly well on dark-colored worms and jigs worked slowly through brush and wood in Lake Langhofer. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and bladed jigs will produce along and at the ends of jetties against current when the river is flowing. If the river is up more than about 1 foot during your trip, focus effort on flooded vegetation and wood along the bank in Lake Langhofer and backwaters with spinnerbaits, bladed jigs and swim jigs.
Cane Creek Lake
(updated 9-2-2021) Cane Creek State Park had no new reports.
Lake Monticello
(updated 9-2-2021) Dam repair work has been underway by the city of Monticello’s contractor, while the AGFC has been rebuilding the lake bottom and areas near where the shoreline will be for fish habitat when the lake is refilled. Many artificial fish habitat structures have been created and put in place, awaiting the refilling of the lake when dam repair work is done.
Millwood Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 259.43 feet msl (normal pool: 259.20 feet msl; top flood elevation is 287.0 feet msl).
(updated 9-2-2021) Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said the lake on Tuesday was at 259.5 feet msl and in a slow fall; the oxbows' water clarity was stained. Little River clarity was stained with current discharge this week. Millwood Lake tailwater elevation was near 228 feet msl with gate discharge at the dam around 1,950 cfs in Little River, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide service’s website linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website, for updated gate release changes and inflow rates with rising and falling lake levels. NAVIGATION CONDITIONS ARE NORMAL on Millwood Lake with reduced discharge rates and flow conditions in Little River.
Surface temps remain stable this week, ranging 84-88 degrees depending on location. Continue to use caution in navigation on Little River and Millwood watching for random broken or floating timber in Little River. Lots of Little River buoy markers along the main lake channel MAY HAVE MOVED with recent gate changes at the Millwood Dam. Use caution in navigation on main lake river channels where river buoys may be out of channel from recent high winds.
Current along Little River decreased this week with discharge release at the dam, and river clarity ranges 6-8 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility of oxbows is 15-24 inches depending on location. Mud lines last week that were observed flowing into Horseshoe oxbow are dissipating, and oxbows began clearing. Further up Little River near White Cliffs and Wilton Landing has heavier stain conditions.
As for the fishing specifics:
* Largemouth bass and other black bass for the past several weeks have been randomly schooling at daybreak in the oxbows up Little River for a few hours. The best feeding periods have been from daylight to around 8-9 a.m., slowing in the heat of the day. Random surface strikes continue when schools of shad are chased by schools of juvenile and adolescent-sized bass. Good schooling breaks have been busting the Bill Lewis Stuttersteps, Cordell Boy Howdy's, Clear Baby Torpedoes, Heddon Dying Flutters and Cordell Crazy Shads in chrome/black back. Blowup reactions randomly continue in the lily pads, early on plastic frogs in black, white or pumpkinseed/pearl belly, near pads and grass. The schooling bass are chasing large pods of threadfin shad to the surface and blowing them out of the water at daylight in the oxbows of Clear Lake, Mud Lake and McGuire oxbow near vertical structure where the flats drop off into 8-15 feet of depth.
Reaction strikes are fair during the mornings until around 10 a.m. on Arbogast Jitterbugs and jointed jitterbugs in Cricket Frog, Coach Dog and Perch colors. Moss Bosses in white and Rattling Zara Mouses in gray are working randomly in the lily pads. Johnson chrome Silver Minnow spoons with a white 3-inch curly tail grub trailer are getting reactions in the pads by rumbling over and pausing in gaps between lily pads. “Be advised: You need 30-pound-plus braided line to hoss the bigger bass out of the salad and pads,” Mike said.
H&H Tandem Spinners in chartreuse/white and bream colors, Little John Custom Shad painted crankbaits, Bill Lewis Square-Bill SB-57 and MR-6 Crankbaits in Chartreuse Shad, Tennessee Shad and Millwood Magic colors, the three-quarter-ounce 1-knocker Rat-L-Traps, and Tandem Bass Assassin Rigs are also catching these surface schooling 3- to 4-pound fish. Ten-inch bulky worms in Blue Fleck, Black Grape and Peanut Butter 'n Jelly colors continue working for a few bass up to 4 pounds when the surface commotion subsides.
Where the creek mouths dump into Little River, near Snake Creek, Jacks' Isle and White Cliffs Creek, the Kentucky bass were found inside the main creek channels, just out of river current, over the past few weeks, and they were hitting hammered chrome Cordell Spoons with white/red bucktail, custom-painted Little John Cranks and Fat Free Shads, and behind points extending into Little River above Jack's Isle. Vertical-jigging of the spoons near standing timber and stumps continue working for some 2- to 3-pound largemouth and white bass.
Bass Assassin Shad Jerkbaits continue randomly working in the oxbows and the same flats and stumps with lily pads as the topwater frogs early in the morning. Best colors over the past few weeks have been Salt & Pepper Silver Phantom, Houdini and Bluegill Flash in the 5-inch sizes.
If you can find drops and vertical structure where the alligatorweed and lily pads converge on receding flats or deeper drops on secondary points, from 5-6 feet deep tapering out to 8-9 feet deep, custom painted S-Cranks and Little John Cranks in bream and shad patterns are still getting random reactions. Bandit 200 Cranks in Splatterback, LA Shad, Chartreuse Root Beer and Citrus Shad colors have been randomly working for several weeks for largemouth and white bass.
* Millwood had another mayfly hatch over the past two weeks, and have the bream active again under willow trees. Bream were fair to good at Millwood State Park and Jack's Isle over the past week on redworms, crickets and mayflies.
* White bass continued roaming Little River over the past few weeks, but have been random in locations. Last week, two anglers found large schools of whites in McGuire oxbow schooling with the largemouths near vertical structure, and in creek channel dumps into the oxbow near back of McGuire in front of standing timber. Random schooling was taking place from daylight until around 9 a.m. with shad pods breaking as the whites were pushing them to the surface. Johnson Beetle Spins, Hammered Cordell Chrome Spoons with a red bucktail, Rocket Shads, three-quarter-ounce Rat-L-Traps and Little Cleo's were all randomly catching whites over last couple weeks in McGuire.
* Crappie over the past week were random in strikes, on a solid bite one day, and flip a switch off the next day. The best bite seems to have shifted from jigs and Mizmo Tubes to minnows, in planted brushpiles in the oxbows up Little River and on main lake, from 8-12 feet of depth. Vertical-jigging seemed to work best for jigs a week or so ago, but minnows seemed to work best over the past week, randomly for crappie early, but were slow in the afternoon.
* Catfish improved on the main lake using King's Punch Bait, minnows, Catfish Charlie and hot dogs. Blues and channel cats up to around 4 pounds were fair and slightly more active this week.
Lake Erling
(updated 9-2-2021) Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) had no new reports.
Lake Greeson Tailwater
Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.
Lake Greeson
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Narrows Dam was 537.52 feet msl (full pool: 548.00 feet msl).
DeGray Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 399.93 feet msl (full pool: 408.00 feet msl).
(updated 9-2-2021) John Duncan of yoyoguideservice.com at Iron Mountain Marina says, “Summertime is upon us. Water temperature is in the high 80s and maybe hotter in midday. Lake levels are at 400 feet msl and lowering. I guess it is safe to say that this is a mirror of last week. Crappie are hard to come by now. Best bet is either trolling baits like Shad Raps or Bandit 300s. The problem there is you are going to catch a lot of bass (whites, Kentucky bass and hybrids). The other option is sniping with LiveScope.
“Surfacing fish is the main game in town as of now. Go early and watch for boats and birds. Whopper Ploppers, Zara Spooks and poppers are good for surface action. Spoons are great for surface action and below surface, also. The big thing about spoons is distance. Road Runners (quarter-ounce, white) are good producers, also.
“Little to report on bream or catfishing. Hot, hot, hot. Waiting on the cool down for sure. Be safe and hydrate. Good fishing!”
(updated 9-2-2021) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says, “We’ve been catching fair amounts of white bass trolling crankbaits. Watch for the schooling shad and surface activity of feeding fish. Be ready to cast spoons at the surface feeding schools.”
De Queen Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 437.35 feet msl (full pool: 437.00 feet msl).
Dierks Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 526.00 feet msl (full pool: 526.00 feet msl).
White Oak Lake Area
(updated 9-2-2021) Curtis Willingham of River Rat Bait (870-231-3831) says that crappie are good in the Ouachita River on minnows and jigs. Also in the river, anglers can find a good bite from the bass. Clarity is muddy and the water level is low.
Lake Atkins
(updated 9-2-2021) Donald Ramirez at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the lake remains clear and low, but he’s heard some fair reports on black bass fishing. The bass are deep, but they’ll bite worms. He had no other reports.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 8-26-2021) Slycked Back Fishing LLC in Hot Springs, producer of the toughest fishing products and built by Arkansans (who actually fish!), Lake Catherine still is proving to be a great fishery week after week, even in the heat. Water temps are in the mid-80s near Remmel Dam and progressively drop cooler heading toward Carpenter Dam where the temps are in the mid 50’s. Bass are good to fair most days but are very active in the morning early on topwater and especially when the wind blows. Catherine during the daylight has proved very tough. Fish go deep and seek current (oxygen). Catherine unfortunately does not have tremendous amount of cover (again because of the current). However, at night the fish move shallow to feed, and this is where they can be had. Intersecting the bass in between shallow areas as the sun sinks low with Texas-rigged worms and lizards, swim jigs and drop-shot rigs and targeting shallow areas during the darkness. Good bags are being caught on jigs, bladed jigs, buzzbaits, topwater walking baits and large Texas-rigged worms and lizards on grass lines and shallow areas in general. Covering water is key and also fun! It is a power fishing paradise when the sun goes down. When you are on them, you are on them! “Check us out on Facebook @SlyckedBackFishingLLC”
Lake Catherine (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro
(updated 9-2-2021) Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that water temperature below the dam dropped down and is 64 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Heavy afternoon and evening generation flows this past week have cooled down the tailrace from the hot temperatures of August. Entergy has posted a special generation schedule starting Friday, Sept. 3, that extends through Thursday, Sept. 9. Anyone planning on navigating the Carpenter Dam tailrace is urged to view these flow releases and plan accordingly. This schedule is posted weekly on the Entergy website for public viewing normally on Wednesday evening. Now that Lake Ouachita has been lowered over 7 feet below flood pool, weekly flows from area dams are now at a level where fishing and boating are now safe to continue. The rainbow trout fishing season below Carpenter Dam was marred by flooding. Very small numbers of rainbows remain in the tailrace currently, which is the norm for this time of year. The past three years have been adversely affected by high water, as trout despise muddy conditions. The trout season on Lake Catherine won’t resume until the AGFC’s stocking program begins again in mid-November.
Catfish have been caught below the bridge in the main channel and below the dam on cut bait and live minnows, as these fish have completed the end of their spawning cycle. The majority of fish caught have been in the 4- to 8-pound range. Blue catfish are the dominant species in the tailrace area. White bass have been observed breaking in the early morning hours chasing threadfin shad. Casting spinnerbaits and jigs in eighth-ounce weights has been the best presentation to catch these fish the past several weeks. Hybrid bass school alongside white bass and are being caught on the same techniques. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits against the current has been productive catching white bass and hybrids, as well as walleye in the 3-pound class. Walleye thrive in the tailrace in the summer months, as these fish prefer colder water temperatures than other area game fish. The summer months will be dominated by these fish species with migration in and out of the tailrace a weekly event. This pattern will be repeated almost every week until the summer heat is replaced by fall temperatures.
Always wear a life jacket when on the water and continue to follow park rules and regulations.
Lake Dardanelle
(updated 9-2-2021) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-647-9945) had no report.
Lake Hamilton
(updated 8-26-2021) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas-born-and-bred Xpress, all-welded aluminum fishing boats in Hot Springs, reports Hamilton’s water levels at full pool and water temps in the mid-80s throughout, with exception to the upper river channel down from Blakely Dam. Bass have been very active in the early mornings and be seen heavily school feeding on small shad and baitfish. These schoolers can be located off main lake points and off main bridge piers. Whopper Ploppers, Spooks and jerkbaits retrieved quick and erratically put good numbers in the boat with some fish in the 2-pound range, but most were 12 inchers. Once the sun rises, fishing really slows down. Bass can still be caught by working deeper shaded areas with a drop-shot rig. It is important to mention that downsizing your plastics is crucial for getting a bite. Cut worms in half or less and consider swapping to a Ned rig if you prefer.
“The nighttime is the right time for catching big bass. A bladed jig, Whopper Plopper, buzzbait or Spook fished down edges of hard structure in the shallows – I repeat, shallows (less than 4 feet). Running these baits down seawalls, grass lines and dock edges have been producing wonderfully if you can stand the mosquitoes and bad depth perception.”
Bream have been so good lately and a person can really lay it to them on bridge piers and docks at 20 feet. A live worm simply dangled over the side and set at 20 feet will have a fish fry in no time at all. Crappie are sluggish at best and no report of walleye.
“Arise fisher-folks! The pleasure boat traffic has dropped off significantly! Good luck and go Greeson! Gogreeson.com.”
Lake Nimrod
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 343.09 feet msl (normal pool: 343.93 feet msl; top flood elevation is 373.0 feet msl).
(updated 9-2-2021) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said the lake has turned a little dingy this week, with a surface water temperature of 89 degrees. Water level is normal. Bream really fell off this week with poor reports. Crappie are good; the crappie are being caught mostly at 8-10 feet depth on minnows. Also try a black/chartreuse jig or an Arkie or a Bandit fished in 2-6 feet depth. Black bass are fair on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and worms. Catfishing remains good, but the baits have changed this weeks. Anglers are having the best success trolling with Bandits and Road Runners in 6-10 feet depth.
Lake Ouachita
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at Blakely Dam was 570.65 feet msl (full pool: 578.00 feet msl).
(updated 9-2-2021) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) says black bass are still good. The topwater bite is still working, and a drop-shot rig is working well for spots. Walleye are fair and being caught on spoons and drop-shot nightcrawlers near brush on points. No report on stripers. Bream are still good and can be caught on worms and crickets. These fish are 15-20 feet deep on brush. No report on crappie. Catfish are good and being caught on rod-and-reel using nightcrawlers for bait near brush. Water temperature is ranging 86-90 degrees. Water clarity is clear. Lake level is 570.66 feet msl. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information.
(updated 9-2-2021) Capt. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) says, “We’ve been catching ample numbers of catfish on the drop-off near deep water channels. Fish the bottom with worms, cut bait or shrimp.”
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 385.03 feet msl (full pool: 386.36 feet msl; top flood elevation is 419.0 feet msl).
White River/Clarendon Area
The Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday reported the Clarendon gauge was holding steady at 20.12 feet, almost 6 feet below the flood stage of 26.00 feet.
Cook’s Lake
(updated 9-2-2021) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Conservation Education Center (870-241-3373) said the action on Cook’s Lake remains steady. Anglers have reported having great success with largemouth bass, quantity and quality. Anglers can find larger bass by flipping Texas rig black/red flake soft plastic or black/blue jigs into hollow cypress trees in about 8 feet of water. For numbers, anglers have been catching a lot of smaller bass in 2 feet of water or less next to the shoreline using the same baits as well as spinnerbaits and square-billed crankbaits. A few crappie and bluegill have been caught in the hollow cypress trees on blue/white Crappie Magnets.
Cook’s Lake is a 2-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. Due to current guidelines, Cook’s Lake will be open to fishing during normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., water level pending. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers and up to two helpers (who may also fish). Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. To comply with current guidelines, please call ahead at least a day in advance to register to fish. Before launching, please check in at the Conservation Education Center, and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, call the center at 870-241-3373.
Horseshoe Lake
(updated 8-19-2021) Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) said, “We are back up and fishing! For a summer pattern, the conditions have not changed much. With the heat, most fishermen are staying on the water until 11 a.m. or so with a few holding on a little longer. Pleasure boat traffic was not bad this past weekend. It is still summer, so be mindful of the ones enjoying the lake skiing and swimming. Be sure you have a clear view of your travel path as you move around the lake.”
Water temperature was in the low to mid-80s. “With bream, not a lot to report,” Kent said. “I tied on an eighth-ounce jig in black with a red head and caught a few around some of the piers. Nothing big, but they were fun! I'm sure a little looking and harder fishing would produce some better results.
“On crappie, we started in the mid-lake area in 18 feet of water and found fish from 6-10 feet deep. Our best bait was a blue and yellow CH Custom bait on a 1/16-ounce head. Spider-rigging was popular with several boats on the lake. If you like to pull cranks, do it. And, as always, you can catch some fish on the piers. Get those baits in the darkest place you can and be ready. The fish are feeding most of the day.”
He had no reports on catfish or black bass.
Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake
(updated 9-2-2021) Tyler Ball, park ranger at Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040), had no reports.