Trout are out and about for some early spring fishing

Spotlight on Central Arkansas in regional fishing reports

By Jim Harris

Arkansas Wildlife Editor

Spring arrives this week and with it comes the opportunity to get the fishing gear out and plan a trip. You might want to head to the middle of the state where the trout are already biting.

Central Arkansas Fishing Reports

Bates Field and Stream (501470-1846) said Wednesday morning that the lake is “mostly clear.” Surface water temperature ranges 52-54 degrees, and the lake level is normal. They hear good reports on crappie; use minnows or jigs. Black bass are in the shallows and have begun biting well. Catfishing is good using stink bait, nightcrawlers and using trotlines. Bream are poor.

Harris Brake Lake

Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the lake clearity remains muddy and the water level has risen past normal. Crappie remain in the deeper areas of the lake. Minnows and jigs are working for the boat anglers, while trotlines are also catching them.

Anglers have begun catching some large bass, they report, and the overall bass bite is good. Try a crankbait or topwater lure for best success.

Catfishing has been good using nightcrawlers. Hook up a trotline with a few. No reports on bream; it’s just not that time yet.

Lake Overcup

Randy DeHart at Lakeview Landing (501-354-5309) said Overcup is “pretty much clear” now and is high by about 1 foot. Now’s the time for crappie fishing at Overcup, it appears, with crappie being caught in excellent numbers. Fish for them in 1416 feet depth of water on minnows and jigs. No reports on bass or catfish. Bream are biting in fair numbers on redworms and crickets.

Brewer Lake Angler Dennis Charles said he ventured to Brewer Lake on Sunday. Bass were hitting everything for some anglers, while other anglers got nothing.

David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-977-0303) said the lake is clear and at a normal level.

Crappie fishing is good. The crappie are being found 15 feet deep. Minnows and Bobby Garland-style jigs are working best along with “live stuff,” he said. Focus on the brushpiles. Crappie was all that was reported. David adds that the baitshop is now 24/7 self-serve.

Lake Maumelle

WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported Wednesday that water temperature at Lake Maumelle was in the upper 40s to low 50s.

The bite is picking up significantly in the past few days, and it’s nearly white bass run time with that bite becoming excellent. Largemouth bass are good. Some can be found

See FISH, page A9

Photo courtesy of AGFC

The recent success with catching browns on the Bull Shoals Lake tailwater of the White River below the dam continues. Caleb Brown caught a nice one with friends (left photo), while Justin White held on to this monster (right). Thanks to Cotter Trout Dock for sending us the photos from the White River.

From page A8

in the grass and around 8-12 feet biting a variety of lures. Try using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatterbait and swimbaits. Kentucky bass (spotted bass) are fair. Some reports have come in of them being found in 10-15 feet of water outside the grass line.

They can also be found near drop -offs and rocky banks. The white bass are great! We’ve heard reports of the white bass shallow by the west bridge. They’re staging to make their annual run, which could happen any day. Try using Rooster Tails, Rat-L-Traps and jerkbaits. Crappie are good. With the warmer nights the crappie have moved into the banks. Other reports earlier in the weeks had them being found near humps or in 20-25 feet depth. Bream are slow. No reports this week, but try throwing crickets or worms just to be sure. Catfish are fair. Use chicken liver, worms or crayfish.

Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) says clarity is clear and the water level and current are normal. Crappie are being found in 56 feet depth of water with a good bite on minnows and jigs. Black bass are being caught in fair numbers for anglers throwing crankbaits or plastic worms. Catfish and bream fishing appears to be poor for the time being.

Arkansas River

On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam was 24,275 cfs. Flow at the Terry Lock and Dam was 22,561 cfs.

Fish ‘N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) said Wednesday that the river is at normal level and current and the clarity is stained, and even muddy in a few places. Bass are good on crankbaits that are shad-colored or red, as well as on white/chartreuse and black/blue Chatterbaits and black/blue jigs. Anglers are catching them just before they get into the backwaters and also on the main river on the jetties. Crappie fishing has been good using orange/ chartreuse and white/chartreuse crappie jigs fished in 10 feet of water behind the jetties. There were no other reports.

Zimmerman’s Exxon (501-944-2527) said they have heard that below the Terry Lock and Dam (below the Little Rock pool), white bass fishing is good. Use white grubs to get a bite.

Also below that dam, crappie are fair in 10-12 feet depth of water. Regular minnows and black/chartreuse Super Jigs are working best. In the Little Rock pool, reports had catfish biting fair on skipjack below the hydroelectric plant at Murray Lock and Dam.

Clear Lake

McSwain Sports Center (501-9452471) said the lake is slightly stained and the water level has dropped to low. They heard no reports of catches in the past week.

Peckerwood Lake

Donna Mulherin at Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) reports that the lake is a little dingy and is at a normal level.

Anglers have returned to Peckerwood with the better weather, and with the lake resting from fishing over the waterfowl season, and there are some hungry fish. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs. Black bass will also bite a jig, and there have been good catches. Catfish are biting in good numbers on the yo-yos, on any minnows throw their way, and on jigs. No reports on bream.