Spotlight on Central Arkansas Fishing

Just a quick trip down I-40 or Hwy. 64 for some great fishing action

By Jim Harris

Arkansas Wildlife Editor

Before we let the action from a few weeks back fall by the wayside, we wanted to highlight this impressive 30-inch brown trout that was caught in late March on the Little Red River by Larry Solley, who was being guided by David Taylor. The good news about Arkansas’s trout tailwaters is, you won’t have to bundle up as much now or into summer, but the water will be cold enough to enjoy and catch big trout, too!

Central Arkansas Fishing Reports •

— For the most up-to-date lake level, visit the U.S. Geological Survey’s Lake Conway water level site.

Bates Field and Stream (501470-1846) said the lake is filling back up with the deluge from Thursday morning and more is predicted. The water had slowed down to where it wasn’t coming out of the dam, they say.

Bass have been really good around the Highway 89 bridge and up at Adams Lake.

Lot of them have been caught on shallow-running cranks.

Some bass still have eggs, some don’t.

Crappie have been so-so in numbers, but what has been caught have been big ones, they say. Catfish remain as good as ever, and the bream are trying to do something too now.

The bream were really beginning to take off before the cold spell, but then disappeared. But when it warms up, they should be really ready to bite. Redworms and crickets are the usual. You can see a lot of beds that you couldn’t see before and they are fairly easy to find. The beds are often deeper than you would expect, and you can see them still later in the day.

Lake Conway has no creel or length limits while the lake is in its drawdown phase as part of the AGFC’s renovation project.

Also, the Lake Conway nursery pond is open for fishing with the AGFC stocking various sport fish there. The pond is more than 60 acres and has bass, crappie and bream, and there were some rainbow trout stocked during the winter.

• Little Red River — For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time outflow report from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website or by calling (501) 362-5150). Also check the Southwestern Power Administration website to see forecast generation schedule.

Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips/Little Red River Fly Guides (501507-3688) said that with Greers Ferry Lake holding steady at power pool level and Southwestern Power Administration taking a break from water releases, the river’s running low these days. “It’s a bit unusual for April, but hey, that’s fishing for you!”

“Now, here’s the scoop: We’ve got rain on the forecast this weekend, which should bump up the lake levels a bit.

But for now, take advantage of the low river levels for some prime wading opportunities. It’s not every day you get these conditions in April!

“As for the fishing itself, it’s been solid lately. Caddis flies are out and about, especially in the warmer parts of the day. Try hitting the river with a nymph rig, using a Pheasant Tail soft hackle or a Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear under an indicator. And keep an eye out for those rising fish later in the day — an Elk Hair Caddis might just do the trick when they start sipping bugs off the surface.

“So, grab your gear and hit the water while the conditions are right. And if you need any more info or want to book a trip, you know where to find me!”

Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said Thursday the Little Red has been fishing really well of late. Rooster Tails, Rapala Countdowns and Maribou Jigs each have been bringing them in in good numbers. Also, a pink or white Trout Magnet will be a

See FISH, page A9

Photo courtesy of AGFC FISH

From page A8

good call.

Wading is possible, you just have to pay attention to the generation schedule (see sources linked above). Pick and choose when they are running water.

•

— For the Army Corps of Engineers’ real-time lake level and outflow report from Greers Ferry Dam, visit the Corps’ Little Rock office website.

Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-9401318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 461.92 feet msl, or 0.12 feet below normal pool of 462.04 feet — “and that could change pretty quick if we get the 7.56 inches of rain that is forecast.

“Lots of crazy stuff with the fish going on since the total eclipse happened. Crappie seem somewhat confused, as with the other species as well.

Try super shallow and out to 30 feet. Use jigs, minnows or crankbaits. Walleye are eating in the main lake, and the few that are left up rivers. Drag a crawler or crankbait 10-22 feet; some walleye are following under big schools of white bass and hybrid bass, so use a spoon for those. Hybrid bass and white bass are trying to get set up in the main lake and set up for the summer. A lot are still traveling, but ones that are set, use spoons, inline spinners, grubs and swimbaits in 15-35 feet. The shad spawn is going on in various places around the lake and rivers; when you find them stay with them for good catches of all species.

See FISH, page A10 FISH

From page A9

catches of all species.

Catfish are starting to show up more regularly; the usual stuff is working for them in the main lake and rivers.

Some bream are shallow but most are still around 8-15 feet. Crickets and crawlers are working fine as well as inline spinners.

Some black bass are spawning, more are on their way to spawn and some have finished. Use Carolina rigs, topwater, wake baits, drop-shots, crankbaits and spinnerbaits for the best action — there are too many baits that will work right now to mention — fishing super shallow out to 30 feet.

Be safe and wear your life jacket.

Fish ’N Stuff (501-8345733) in Sherwood says both the bass fishing and crappie fishing have been very good in the past week. Anglers are using various approaches for bass – a Carolina rig and a jig are both being favored.

On windier banks, a Chatterbait or spinnerbait have been working. Anglers also have been catching them off a floating worm up shallow. Anything in a bright color — Bubble Gum and Merthiolate are popular now — will get their attention. Also, anglers report catching a few on jerkbaits still.

Crappie fishing has been good using a little Roadrunner or a Fin Spin in one-eighth ounce or quarter ounce. Anglers have also been catching crappie up shallow around buckbrush or on standing timber in about 15 feet of water.

Water clarity up the lake is stained, but in the lower end it is really clear.

•

— Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said the pollen has given the water a very yellow tint. Water temperature has really risen in the last week. On Thursday it was 73 degrees. The catfish have responded very well and one angler caught 10 in a few hours during the morning on nightcrawlers in shallow water on the opposite end of the dam from the resort. Night fishing for catfish has also been very good. Largemouth bass are biting well on soft plastic worms and crankbaits fished around the shallow areas near the shoreline. Some bream are biting on crickets or redworms. Crappie are still slow for this time of year.

• Lake Overcup — John “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Landing off Arkansas Highway 9 said water level is up about 1.5 feet, while clarity is good. Surface temperature is around 61 degrees. Black bass are in the shallow water trying to spawn. Bream are slow but should pick up with warmer weather. Catfish are being caught on yoyos and trotlines baited with bass minnows. Crappie are still being caught but they are still moving around, and some males are in shallow water. It should all pick up with warmer and stable temperatures.

• Lake Maumelle — WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported that water temperature is ranging 66-68 degrees.

The largemouth bass bite is fair. Males can be found shallow in 2-8 feet of water, while females are being found in deeper areas at 10-15 feet of water. Use jigs, Alabama rigs, crankbaits, swimbaits, and try jerkbaits shallow in the afternoon.

Spotted bass (Kentucky bass) are good. Reports have them being found around brush in 8-12 feet of water, as well as shallow in 2-6 feet. Try using jigs and shaky heads.

Tuesday night’s bass results showed some pretty good weights, as Brandon Crain and Matt Hedrick caught 13.03 pounds with their 5-bass stringer to win. Brent and Riley Scott caught the 4.25-pound Big Bass. Steve Blaylock and Sam Lowery hauled in a 5-bass stringer of 11.87 pounds for second place.

No reports on white bass this week, but try Twister Tails if you’re looking.

Crappie are fair, with some reports having them being found on brush anywhere form 16-21 feet using jigs and minnows.