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Do some fishing on the 4th

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Long holiday weekend offers extra time on the water

Arkansas Wildlife Editor With Independence Day falling on Monday, many people will be taking full advantage of an extended stay at their favorite lakeside retreat. The AGFC is asking that everyone enjoying the revelry be aware of the dangers brought about by drinking while aboard a boat. To help keep the weekend safe, wildlife officers throughout Arkansas are extenting Operation Dry Water through Monday.

Operation Dry Water is a weekend of increased enforcement throughout the nation to prevent instances of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

During last year’s Independence Day Weekend, Arkansas wildlife officers spent 2,137 manhours on the water, contacting nearly 2,000 vessels. They issued 228 warnings and 107 citations. Twelve individuals were arrested for boating under the influence; one boat operator was taken in for his third offense. All of these efforts may have prevented serious accidents while on the water or the drive home.

Beaver Lake Action

Fishing on the tailwater below Beaver Lake Dam has been hot lately. The main lake has seen an uptick of activity with stripers and other species, thanks to a slight cooling of the water, guide Jon Conklin informs. He reports that many guide friends of his have been putting some nice stripers in the box, both with a nighttime bite and in the early mornings. Lake walleye are also starting to pick up on trolled crawler harnesses, he says. Not to be forgotten, crappie are on a great bite with trolled crankbaits at 15 feet or so.

While looking for those crappie Monday, Jon got a big bite from a 37-pound blue catfish (above right).

He was trolling a Pico Crankbait. 'Quite a fight for sure! If you didn't know, catfish will suspend in the thermocline and readily hit trolled cranks,' he said.

So, if you’re aiming for some 4th of July fishing, anglers might want to aim their direction toward northwest Arkansas for a lot of fishing activity.

But if you can't get up that way, there are plenty of good reports that have come in from throughout the state this week in the Fishing Reports, so find a spot near you to wet a hook.

It was nice to see the temps drop some and the humidity fall a lot in the past few days! Have a good and safe Fourth of July on the water.

Around the Boathouse

The AGFC Fisheries Division reports that Nimmo Access on the Little Red River continues to be closed. The first sec-

Continued on Page 13 FISHING NEWS (cont.)

tion of the ramp was poured with concrete back in January, but due to sustained high-water levels, the contractor has been unable to push the slab in and pour the next section.

However, Fisheries reports, anglers and hunters have been launching at the side of the ramp “at their own risk” of potentially damaging their boats/trailers.

Until the access area is reopened, boaters who disobey the closed ramp sign may be issued a citation by AGFC Enforcement officers.

The AGFC urges boaters and anglers to please use the ramp across the river on Henry Gray Hurricane Wildlife Management Area as an alternative.

There are other access points to the Little Red upriver at Pangburn, or off the White River. Visit agrc.com for more information.

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