Trout anglers seeing success on the Little Red

Nothern Arkansas continues to be a hot spot for fishing

Arkansas Wildlife Editor Yes, we've seen the news in this spot for most of 2021 — a nice brown trout and rainbow trout bite coming from the northern reaches of Arkansas. The Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam in north-central Arkansas is seeing some more predictable water this week and a good trout bite as well. Trent Carlson (right) was fishing with guide Greg Seaton when he caught this 20-inch brown Tuesday of this week.

Seaton reports in this week's Fishing Report that the bite has been good the last couple of days with warmer temperatures and low water.

However, he noted, “The weather is forecast to change by the weekend with rain and some thunderstorms expected. We’ll just have to wait and see about the amounts as this can affect the river.” Check the Southwestern Power Administration's site (swpa.gov) for updates there. Seaton adds that rainbow trout are taking small nymphs, midge pupa and micro jigs (in deeper water), while a few browns are being taken on the same flies.

Meanwhile, the success with catching browns on the Bull Shoals Lake tailwater of the White River below the dam continues.

The Cotter folks note that Bull Shoals Lake is at its desired normal level, and power needs aren't as great with rising temperatures.

Trout can adjust to water level changes without too much trouble but it might take a little time, so be ready to try several baits, they suggest. Those hot browns have been biting mid-sized to oversized sculpins and will chase a No. 5 Rapala Rainbow Countdown. March sees a great catch of browns, some even biting on the old standby of PowerBait and shrimp. Of course, rainbows abound, and the annual stocking of the cutthroat trout occurred last month, with several being reeled in on yellow and/or peach egg patterns, owing to its resemblance to fishery food. There are some excellent reports around the state of crappie, some signs that walleye are ready to spawn, and white bass are hinting at the coming run both at Millwood Lake in southwest Arkansas and at Lake Maumelle.

Central Arkansas Fishing Reports

• Little Red River — Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips. com (501-690-9166) said the bite has been good the last couple of days with warmer temperatures and low water.

The river is clear and low.

The lake has returned to the normal pool level and this means generation has been for power demand only. With the mild temps, this has been a minimum amount with no generation on Tuesday and Wednesday. Thursdays proposed generation was for about three hours beginning at 7 a.m.

“The weather is forecast to change by the weekend with rain and some thunderstorms expected,” Greg said. “We’ll just have to wait and see about the amounts as this can affect the river. One should check the generation forecasts and clarity of the river before planning weekend trips and early next week.

USACE Little Rock is a free app for your cell phone showing current releases and next day proposed generation (SWPA Forecasts).”

Rainbows are taking small nymphs, midge pupa and micro jigs (in deeper water). A few browns are being taken on the same flies. Caddis flies and March Brown hatches should start soon if the warmer weather continues.

There are a lot of caddis pupa in the river and this should mean a large hatch this spring.

Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood says the river is running a little low – the Army Corps of Engineers haven’t run water in a few days, they report. The clarity is clear.

Trout fishing is good; try using Rapala Shad Raps,

Continued on Page 11 FISHING (cont.)

marabou jigs, pink/white Trout Magnets and Rapala CountDowns in size 3 or size 5.

Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-230-0730) reminds anglers to 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 (swlwc. usace.army.mil) for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecasted generation schedule.

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— Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 461.86 feet msl and on a slow rise. It is 0.18 feet below normal pool of 462.04 feet msl.

There is still a winter pattern for most species at the moment with new movement everyday, and things changing by the minute.

“After this warm rain there is going to be lots of catching going on – that’s a lot easier, or should I say will be easier, to get bait in front of fish for better success,” Tommy said.

The crappie have been good, even with ice a few weeks back. Look 12-40 feet, with minnows and jigs working well. Black bass are eating a variety of baits. “Don’t lay down a jerkbait or Alabama rig until April 1. At least they are really gonna shine this spring.”

He said the bass are shallow out to 60 feet.

Bream have not made a big move yet; try crawlers in 15-20 feet. No reports on catfish, but now is time for the big blues to eat shallow on points, humps, etc.

Walleye are scattered and waiting as well to slide on to upper reaches of rivers to spawn; lake fish still not doing much yet. Hybrid and white bass are ganged up eating and are in the main lake and rivers moving with shad, in 25-60 feet of water. Use spoons, inline Largo Spinners and hair jigs.

Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood says the lake is at normal level and is clear. The surface water temperature on Wednesday was ranging 47-50 degrees. Bass are spotty. Some days they are good and some days not as good. Anglers report best catches coming on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatterbait and jigs fished in shallow water.

Meanwhile, in the deeper water try jerkbaits, Alabama rigs and single swimbaits.