The big catches keep on coming…

The fishing remains hot all across the Natural State this summer

Arkansas Wildlife Editor Folks young and older are having the times of their lives out on the state's waters, despite this coronavirus pandemic of the past three-plus months. We appreciate the photos we're being sent with all the variety of fish being caught and the anglers catching them while practicing social distancing, like 16year-old Sarah Bailey of Malvern, who marvels at the mess of crappie she caught at Lake Ouachita (pictured, right).

Remember, if you've got a fish photo to share, send it to jim.harris@agfc.ar.gov for the weekly Fishing Report email. Looks like there are some good hints below as to where to catch the big one, or a unique one. For all your fishing guidance, check out this week's regional fishing reports below…

• Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir —

Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake is back to its normal lake stain, but the water level as of early Tuesday afternoon was high. Bream continue to bite well on

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worms or crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. Black bass are good; spinnerbaits, crankbaits, plastic worms, topwater baits, regular worms and frogs were all getting hits regularly. Catfish are good.

Use stink bait, nightcrawlers, goldfish, bream, dough bait and trotline minnows.

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— Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips. com (501-690-9166) said the river is clearing after a hard rain Monday morning. The generation is still on a 12-hour schedule and has been 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with two units of generation.

Everyone planning to use the water still should check each day because this can change.

Rainbows are taking large nymphs in deeper water and small midge pupas and mayfly nymphs on the shoals in shallow water.

“Large numbers of boats and anglers have been on the water especially on the weekends,” Greg says.

“Please be courteous when motoring by others while they are fishing. Slow down to no wake when passing, especially when others are standing in boats. Be safe and enjoy the river.'

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— Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 467.45 feet msl and falling with generation. It is 4.91 feet above normal pool of 462.54 feet msl.

Walleye have just kind of disappeared somewhat and are feeding here and there; try dragging or throwing crawlers around on different types of rigs and spoons in 15-40 feet of water on points, humps, shelves, etc. Bream are going strong all over the lake and rivers. Fish crawlers, beetle spins and small cranks in super shallow out to 30 feet. Black bass are super shallow to 40 feet – they are chasing bream shallow, to eating crawdads deep, and all in between with a lot of different baits working.

Crappie are as good as always, in and around any wood or manmade structure on jigs and minnows in 12-30 feet of water.

Catfishing is going strong, of course, with the cats “pretty much eating around the clock all over the lake and rivers with this type of weather. Just pick your poison and equipment as well, super shallow out to 40 feet,” he said. Hybrid bass and white bass are chewing well on the upper and lower ends on spoons, inline spinners, hair jigs, grubs and Alabama rigs.

Look in 15-50 feet of water. “Remember to wear a MASK to keep everyone safe and be ready for the dust storm that’s coming.”

(Tommy is referencing the Saraha dust storm that is crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the upper atmosphere and predicted to swing up into the U.S. and over the Midwest and Southeast regions, according to weather forecasters.) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood says the lake is a little high and clarity is clear. Smallmouth bass are responding well to Carolina rigs and Whopper Ploppers at the lower end of the lake. They’re in 15-20 feet of water.

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— Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) said the water is clear, surface temperature is 77 degrees and the level is normal as of 3 p.m. Tuesday. Bream reports have been good; use crickets, waxworms or redworms. Crappie are good, though they have moved to deeper areas.

Fish with jigs, especially a pink jighead, and shiner minnows. Black bass are good. They’re being caught near the shoreline. Best success is coming on a plastic worm (particularly in black and watermelon colors). Catfishing is good.

Use nightcrawlers and gold worms, or bait trotlines with goldfish or bream

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— The AGFC’s temporary advisory

concerning the appearance of blue-green algae bloom is in the process of being lifted, according to AGFC’s Matthew Schroeder. Signs are ordered and soon will be placed that indicate the advisory of a blue-green algae bloom is lifted.

Overcup Lake has been and remains safe to fish, but boaters and anglers are urged to use caution and avoid any algae that could appear on the water during warmer months. The algae can break down and release toxins into the water, and the AGFC has been monitoring the blue-green algae level for the past several weeks. Recent tests show that the advisory can now be lifted, Schroeder said Wednesday.

For more information call the AGFC Mayflower Regional Office at (877) 470-3309 weekdays 8 a.m.

to 4:30 p.m.

•

— David Hall, owner of Dad’s Bait Shop (501-977-0303), said the lake is still slightly stained and the surface water temperature is ranging hovering around 75 degrees. Water level is remains high. Bream are good around the shoreline, with redworms and crickets both working. Crappie are good in 10-12 feet depth over the underwater brush; fish them with minnows or jigs. Black bass are good; topwater lures, jigs and minnows have been working well. Catfishing is good on jugs baits with goldfish and Danny King’s Punch Bait.