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AGFC Northeast Arkansas Fishing Reports

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Where are they biting near you?

From the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

www.agfc.com

(updated 9-14-2019) Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is “pretty clear” and at a normal level. Bream are good on worms, particularly nightcrawlers. No reports on crappie. Bass are good both early and late. Topwaters are working. Catfishing is good with worms, chicken liver, perch and nightcrawlers.

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• Lake Charles — (updated 9-14-2019) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park says the water temperature Sunday afternoon was 70 degrees and the clarity was murky. Water level is normal. Bream are still biting worms, crickets and jigs. Crappie are biting in the morning on worms and jigs. There is also an evening bite. Catfish are good and going after chicken liver. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits and plastic worms, but time your fishing for early morning or later in the evening for best success.

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• Lake Poinsett — (updated 9-11-2019) Lake Poinsett is closed until next year as repairs continue on the habitat. The Lake Pointsett State Park Visitors Center sells bait still, and the shop is in proximity to many other fishing destinations in northeast Arkansas.

• Spring River — (updated 9-15-2019) Mark Crawford of Spring River Flies and Guides says water levels are running at 360 cfs (350 average) and water clarity has been clear. The trout have been biting well. “Guppies, my minnow imitation, has been hot this week,” he said. “The trout are hitting right when it hits the water and at the end of the swing. The smallmouth bass have been hitting olive Woollies on a short fast strip back upstream. Watch for them chasing it.” The canoe hatch is coming to an end. After Oct. 1 all of the canoe rentals will close for the season, except for Riverside Resort and Saddler Falls. “Really looking forward to the fall season and cooler temperatures,” Mark says.

John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said the Spring River is fishing well. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork rivers. Canoe season is officially over. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff.

There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot flies have been olive Woolly Buggers with a bit of flash (size 10), cerise and hot pink San Juan worms (size 10) and Y2Ks (size 10).

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• Walcott Lake — (updated 9-14-2019) Walcott Lake (Crowley’s Ridge State Park) had no reports.

Fishing has been slow.

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• White River — (updated 9-11-2019) Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) had no report. Few fishermen on the water this week.

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• Horseshoe Lake — (updated 9-15-2019) Professional fishing guide Ronnie Tice (901-687-6800) said the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream are good on worms and crickets. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass are fair using spinnerbaits, as well as frogs and worms. Fish those on the banks around the cypress trees. Catfishing has been good. Anglers are using stink bait, shrimp and shad. ***

• Bear Creek Lake & Storm Creek Lake — (updated 9-14-2019) Natalie Faughn, assistant superintendent at Mississippi River State Park (870-2954040), said there was little fishing going on.

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• Cook’s Lake — (updated 9-15-2019) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Conservation Education Center (870-241-3373) said that because of lack of fishing on the lake, he had no report for this lake. Last week, Wil said the fishing should be getting better there as the White River level falls. Black bass recently were still being caught flipping creature baits in green pumpkin or blue sapphire as well as Jig Sooie Jigs in river craw.

Success has come from targeting hollow cypress trees. Now is also a good time to use square-bills in shad colors around the trees. Bluegill are starting to slow down. Crappie are being picked off of brush tops using jigs, action should pick up as the water continues to fall and the crappie move into their fall pattern.

Cook’s Lake is a 2.5-milelong oxbow off of the White River, nestled in the heart of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge near Casscoe in Arkansas County.

This fertile oxbow receives very little fishing pressure due to being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing. The scenic lake is full of slab crappie, giant bluegills, largemouth bass and catfish of all species. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing during normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through October, water level pending.

Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youth under 16 or mobility-impaired, and up to two helpers (who may also fish). Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat, but use only trolling motors. Before launching, please check in at the Conservation Education Center, and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, please contact the center at 870-241-3373.

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