Fishing Spotlight: Central Arkansas

AGFC Wildlife Editor James Lasley of Little Rock (below) caught this nice 5-pound largemouth bass from a private pond just outside of town using a do-nothing worm on a light spinning rod. His dad, who provided the photo, says James lost another fish about the same size about 10 minutes later. Still, what a prize on that catch!

Elsewhere in Central Arkansas…

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir — Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the lake clarity is muddy and the lake has risen to 2 feet above normal as of Wednesday. Bream are fair on redworms and crickets.

Crappie are on their beds and the bite is fair using minnows and jigs. Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and topwater lures. Catfish are good on live bait, bream and trotline minnows.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has issued an advisory to property owners in the watershed of Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir to prepare for the potential of a flood event. Significant rainfall has accrued within the watershed of Lake Conway over a two-day period this week. The ground is completely saturated and significant rain runoff is increasing the lake's water level.

The AGFC has opened all spillway gates and the lake is discharging water at maximum capacity. At 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Lake Conway's water level was 2 feet above normal pool and rising at 0.5 inches per hour. The flood stage for Lake Conway is 3 feet above normal pool (266.0 feet msl). The rate of rise is slowing; however, if an inch or more rain falls over the lake through Thursday morning, it could cause the lake to rise at or above flood stage. Please be aware of future rainfall and the potential for flooding of private property adjoining Lake Conway through Thursday evening.

Lake Beaverfork — Angler Dennis Charles visited Beaverfork as well as several other lakes in the area with similar conditions (Lake Brewer, Lake Cargile). He says, “Every finned critter is increasing the bite. Water temperature is around 72 degrees and the crappie are doing fine; use floating lures with dive as well as jigs., Bass are hitting everything in the box in the shallows and in the grass, 'YES, in the grass and under the grass.'

Plasting worms, top poppers and Chatterbaits.

Bream are much better on crickets and worms.

Catfish are chasing plastics. ” Visit Dennis’ Facebook page (Arkansas Fishing Adventures) for more information – send Jim Harris, the AGFC managing editor, a photo of your catch and Jim just might post it here with the other photos.”

Little Red River — Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips. com (501-690-9166) said the river is beginning to clear but still muddy below Sulphur Creek. It is returning to normal levels with generation varying each day based on the amount of water the lower river will accommodate. It would be best to check Southwestern Power Administration (swpa.org) or the Army Corps of Engineers website (swl-wc.usace.army.mil) or by phone (501-324-5551) each day for the generation. The schedule should return to the posted amount on Thursday or Friday based

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on the amount of rainfall.

The river clarity should be closer to normal by the weekend.

Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood says water is fairly clear. Trout are really good on marabou jigs (olive color is best now), jerkbaits, Rapala Countdowns (rainbow trout or brown trout colors).

Rainbow trout are good on Trout Magnets in pink, white and moleworm gold colors and on Rooster Tails.

— Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is at 468.55 feet msl and is 5.51 feet above normal pool for this month of 463.04 feet msl; looks like it may come up another foot, maybe more, based on this week’s rainfall and what is expected, but they have been making progress in getting it down before this last rain event.

Crappie are scattered from on the bank out to 30 feet and also in big schools roaming around in 15 feet depth over 60 feet of water. Use jigs and minnows.

Catfish are searching and feeding all over; flatheads are getting ready to spawn.

All catfish baits and just about any live bait are working.

Bream are eating bass eggs and fry and are fixing to spawn as well; use crickets and crawlers, or just a bare hook will work sometimes.

Black bass are scattered from on the shoreline out to 40 feet. A lot of fish are in the old brush line starting to eat post-spawn, while some are starting to chase bait at mid-depths out away from brush but over structure. Fish vertical in the brush line, and drag something out deeper or stay with topwater baits.

Hybrid and white bass are super scattered as well.

Some are still up rivers, some are out to 45 feet, roaming eating at will. Use spoons, inline spinners, and topwater baits.

Drum are eating good on flats; use spoons. There are lots of young drum, they are fun catching and it hones your skills with a spoon.

Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood says the lake is still 5-6 feet high after last week’s big rise.

There is a slight stain. The surface water temperature is in the mid- to high 60s.

Bass are excellent on upper and lower end around windy areas and brush on spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwater (wake bait or Zara Spook). Up the river in dirty water, a Texas-rigged creature bait in green pumpkin colors with some flake in it on 3-ounce weight is a great way to fish, and they’re also having success using buzzbaits. Crappie are good in 15-20 feet depth on any natural-colored jigs (Tennessee Shad, blue/white or blue/silver colors). The walleye bite is good on points drop-shotting a nightcrawler or a blue/chartreuse swimbait.

— Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says the lake clarity still is muddy

or crickets. Crappie are still being caught in deeper water in fair numbers; use minnows or jigs.

Black bass are around the shoreline, and the bite is fair. Plastic worms and crankbaits are the way to fish them. Catfishing is good. Trotlines and yo-yos baited with goldfish and minnows are working.

— Johnny “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) said water level is up by 1.5 feet. Clarity is murky and surface temperature is around 70 degrees. Bass are doing well on crankbaits and plastic worms. Bream are starting to pick up. Crappie are doing fair but should be spawning out. Catfish are picking up on trotlines and jugs using perch and big shinners. “I caught a couple of flatheads (on Monday), 18.2 pound and 13.14 pounds,” Johnny said.

“Come see me at Overcup Bait Shop off Arkansas Highway 9 for all your fishing needs.”

Brewer Lake — David Hall at Dad’s Bait Shop (501-977-0303) said the lake clarity is a little cloudy at midweek and the water level is normal.

Bream are fair, he said.

They are starting to hit in the sunlight especially, David added. Try redworms and crickets, and work those around the brushpiles. Crappie are staying deep but the bite is good. Target brushpiles with minnows or jigs.

Anglers will find black bass moving in the afternoons. They’re biting bass minnows best. Catfishing is good on trotlines set up for deep water on the bottom.

Lake Maumelle — WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) said the lake surface water temperature is in the mid-60s. The largemouth bass bite is good. Some can be found in the grass on the shoreline and around the grass in 8-12 feet depth biting a variety of lures. Try using crankbaits, spinnerbaits and swimbaits.

Kentucky (spotted) bass are fair with some reports of them being found near drop-offs around 16-20 feet and off rocky banks. Jigs are working best. Phillip Cole and Jason Bargiel teamed to catch five bass totaling 13.07 pounds to win the Tuesday Night Tournament.