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The Spring Break bite is picking up all over

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Arkansas anglers having luck with crappie, trout

Arkansas Wildlife Editor Our reporters from around the state note more signs of spring, as if the storms coming in this week weren't enough. Of course, we're referring to the signs the fish give us that they are going to be biting!

We're even hearing some word that bream are peaking out from their hiding places. Crappie, of course, are in their spawn or prespawn, and they've moved shallow in lakes around the state, we hear. Black bass are being caught in better numbers and are even ripe for topwater in a lot of spots. White bass runs are being noted from Millwood Lake and Little River up through central Arkansas.

Trout, naturally, have been active for several weeks. In fact, a young angler (no name given) from Bella Vista who was a guest of fishing guide Austin Kennedy on the Beaver Lake tailwater recently got a thrill by hoooking and hoisting a beautiful rainbow trout (above photo).

There's plenty of exciting fishing news from all the major species this week throughout the state. Check it out this week, starting today in Central Arkansas.

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir — Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake is “a little cloudy” and surface temperature as of Wednesday morning was ranging 56-58 degrees.

Water level is normal.

Bream are starting to appear. The bite this week on redworms and crickets has been fair. Crappie are good. THey are moving to shallow water with the warm-up. Use minnows or jigs. Black bass are good and are also moving into shallow water. Try spinnerbaits and topwater baits.

Catfishing is good on trotlines. — Hatchet Jack’s Sports Shop in Crystal Hill off I-40 (758-4958) reports that crappie are “really good” off the Highway 89 bridge. Use minnows and jigs.

Lake Beaverfork — Angler Dennis Charles checked in from Beaverfork and saidanglers are catching a few bass in the shallows and grass. “On the scanner we saw very few fish,” he added. Dennis also went to Lake Cargile by Hattieville on March 25. “We cough a few crappie and bass, using jigs and chatterbaits. For more from Dennis’s fishing excursions around the central Arkansas region, visit his Facebook page at https://www.facebook. com/groups/arkansasfishingadventures.

Little Red River — Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood says the river is now back up this week, running a little high with slightly colored water. The trout have been “pretty good” on a Trout Magnet, jerkbaits, Rapala Shad Rap and Bouyant Spoons. Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips. com (501-6909166) said the river is muddy below Sulphur Creek due to the rain Wednesday night. “I have not been above this area, but I would think the clarity of the upper section of the river is better. The Corps of Engineers is still running one unit plus approximately 600 cfs through the floodgates.

This amounts to a flow of about 3,400 cfs around the clock. This generation will help clear the lower section in the next day or two,” Greg said.

The lake is again rising into the flood pool so this generation schedule will probably continue for the near future.

Large nymphs drifted deep or streamer fishing are the best options for fly-fishermen at this time.

Remember to be careful of the docks and downed trees along the shore during this higher level of flow. Avoid drifting against the upstream side of these objects.

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 (501-3625150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Corps

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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.

— Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 462.02 feet msl.

It is 0.98 feet above normal pool and is rising.

“Generation has been keeping it at bay and also has lowered it some, but it is on its way back up. The fish are changing by the hour, lots of movement, here one minute, gone the next, so to speak,” Tommy said, “with all these pressure changes, water temp changes up and down, discolored water, etc. So, if you find bait and fish, stay with them. If you don’t, move until you do and do not leave fish to find fish; just figure those out. And it helps learning the process as well for down the road.”

Crappie are eating in river channels or creek channels, flats, in bushes or out in front of bushes. Jigs, minnows and crankbaits working, super shallow out to 30 feet.

Walleye will eat when water color is right in rivers. A lot are trying to spawn, some have, and the rest are traveling. The lake fish have just not heeded the call of spring yet. Lots of baits will work and, of course, live bait, but storm after storm is keeping the water muddy.

Some bream have shown up shallow; try crickets and crawlers. Black bass are scattered all over out to 40 feet. Alabama rigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits out deeper, Texas-rigged lizards and jigs working shallow, and there is some topwater action as well.

Hybrid and white bass are scattered as well super shallow out to 45 feet and moving all the time. Try Road Runners, spoons, inline spinners, grubs and Alabama rigs for best action. No report on catfish.

Fish ’N Stuff (501-8345733) in Sherwood says bass are good on the north end of the lake, hitting jerkbaits, jigs and Alabama rigs. Crappie are good in 15 feet depth around standing timber. Try a monkey milk crappie tube.

— Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the lake has mostly cleared and the water is high. Crappie remain good. Use minnows and jigs, and the crappie will also bite the minnows on trotlines. Black bass continue to bite well; try crankbaits and topwater lures. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers or shad. Still nothing reported on bream.

— New owner Phil Thomas at Lakeview Landing (501354-5309) said the lake is clear and at a normal level.

Crappie are good on minnows (try bass minnows for best bite) and black/chartreuse jigs. Bass are good on a variety of baits. A 34pound catfish was caught this week, and overall the catfish bite is good on usual catfish baits.

— Angler Dennis Charles said he ventured to Brewer Lake recently. Crappie and bass both were good along the grass lines.

David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-977-0303) said the lake is mostly clear though there is a little cloudiness. Lake level is normal. Surface temperature has been in the low 60s. Crappie fishing continues to be good. The crappie seem close to the bottom, but in some places they are moving up around structures at about 6 feet deep, David said. Minnows and jigs are being used, but David suggests using spider- rigs down deep to catch a limit. Black bass are fair; they are moving around the shoreline. Use minnows.

Catfishing is fair; they are also moving around the shoreline and biting minnows. Bream haven’t reported. Anglers note: Dad’s Bait Shop is now 24/7 self-serve.

— Hatchet Jack’s Sports Shop in Crystal Hill off I-40 (501-758-4958) hears that crappie are biting well on yo-yos at night time.

WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported Wednesday that water temperature is ranging 53-55 degrees.

Largemouth bass are good.

Some can be found in the grass on the banks and around the grass in 8-12 feet depth biting a variety of lures. Try using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits or swimbaits.

Kentucky bass are fair.

Some reports 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. Try using jigs.

White bass are great.

Reports of the white bass being shallow by the west bridge. They’re making their annual run toward the creek. Try using swimbaits, Rat-L-Traps and minnows.

Crappie are fair. Some reports of the crappie moving in. They can be found in the coves about 20 feet and some are headed toward the shoreline.

Others are saying the females can be found deep.

Try using minnows and jigs. No reports of bream or catfish this week. If you want to try for a bream, toss a cricket or redworm.

Catfish will favor chicken liver, worms and crayfish now.

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