MonticelloLive

 Fishing Tip:    When vertical jigging with a spoon during the winter, pumping your arm up and down can get very tiring; here’s a tip from bass fishing pro Jason Quinn that will keep you on the water:
Although it may look strange, turn your baitcaster upside-down and grip the rod ahead of the reel when you’re jigging in deep water. The weight of the reel will help balance the rod and make it easy to get a good action on the lure while only moving your wrist.

This tip and many others are available on “The Bass Pros, Season 1” DVD available at Bass Pro Shops. For more great tips, visit the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor Library.
 
Arkansas River Levels:  
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the Arkansas River stages are:
Trimble Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 13): Headwater – 391.01 feet, Tailwater – 371.84 feet, Flow – 12,550 cubic feet per second
Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater – 371.27 feet, Tailwater – 338.59 feet
Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater – 337.66 feet, Tailwater – 288.02 feet
Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater – 288.28 feet, Tailwater – 265.87 feet, Flow – 21,903 cubic feet per second
Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater – 265.08 feet, Tailwater – 251.62 feet
Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater – 249.23 feet, Tailwater – 231.39 feet, Flow – 23,100 cubic feet per second
Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater – 231.05 feet, Tailwater – 213.57 feet, Flow – 24,776 cubic feet per second
Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater – 196.00 feet, Tailwater – 183.35 feet
Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater – 182.12 feet, Tailwater – 165.45 feet
Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater – 162.23 feet, Tailwater – 122.03 feet, Flow – 33,799 cubic feet per second
White River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages are:
2.3 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage – 19 feet)
6.1 feet at Batesville (flood stage – 15 feet)
N/A at Newport (flood stage – 26 feet)
18.7 feet at Augusta (flood stage – 26 feet)
8.7 feet at Georgetown (flood stage – 21 feet)
21.8 feet at Clarendon (flood stage – 26 feet)
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report:   Trout fishing is excellent on Power Bait tipped with a waxworm or on in-line spinners. Nymph flies or woolly buggers in black or olive are catching fish on Rock Creek for fly anglers. For more information on trout stockings, call toll-free 1-866-540-FISH (3474).
 
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
 
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is muddy and high. Crappie fishing is fair on jigs. A few bass have been caught on crankbaits.
Little Red River:Lindsey’s Resort (501-302-3139) said water conditions are good, with one generator running all day. Trout have been biting very well on artificial lures such as Buoyant Spoons and Rapalas.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry powerhouse has continuously released water for 10 days, but should shut down Wednesday, Jan. 2 for five days of maintenance. Non-stop generation will resume with more heavy rainfall. The temperature of the lake water driving the turbines averages 48 degrees while dissolved oxygen levels hover around 6.8 mg/l – all good numbers. Midges continue to hatch every day along the Little Red. Blue-winged olive mayflies are also coming off periodically but can’t compare to the midges. Dry fly midges in size 22 (cream or black) are working well.  You might also try the smallest Adams you have. Below the surface, sow bugs (sizes 14-16, UV tan, peacock or light gray), zebra midges (sizes 16-22, red or black), pheasant tails (size 16), copper johns (sizes 14-16, red or copper), red butts (size 14-16) or woolly buggers (sizes 10-12, olive or black) are great selections.
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 460.28 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said hybrids and white bass are biting well on sunny days. Watch for shad on the depthfinder and birds crowding around surface schools. Spoons and hair jigs are working well. Walleye are poor with the murky water conditions. Crappie fishing is good on sunny days.
Harris Brake Lake:Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water conditions are normal and all fishing is fair.
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said fishing is slow for all species.
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is high, and all fishing has been slow.
Brewer Lake:Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is muddy and the fishing is poor for all species.
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good on pink minnows. Bass fishing is fair on white or chartreuse spinnerbaits and black/blue jigs.
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is high and fishing is very slow.
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said few anglers are on the river. Catfishing is strong in deep holes, 20 feet and deeper below dams 9 and 10 on whole shad. Stripers are biting well on live shad floated 6 to 8 feet deep below dam 9. Sauger are biting well below dams 9 and 10 and at Copper’s Gap on a jig tipped with a minnow and floated under a bobber. Drum are biting very well on tubes and crayfish near jetties and wingdams.
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff had no report.
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water conditions are poor but at a normal level. Bream fishing is good around the banks on worms. Crappie fishing is good in 4 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits. Catfish are biting well on about any kind of bait.
 
NORTH ARKANSAS

White River: Sportsman’s White River Resort said the water is extremely low with no generation. Some rainbow trout have been caught.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 650.44 feet MSL.
Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) said some anglers are back on the water now that hunting has slowed. Bass are biting well on crankbaits in 5 to 15 feet of water on windy or cloudy days. Hula grubs and Carolina-rigged French fries are working well in 10 to 25 feet of water. Vertical jigging a spoon over old forests and standing timber is working well on Kentucky bass. Walleye are biting fairly well on spoons fished over large flats in 35 to 40 feet of water. Bottom bouncers baited with nightcrawlers are working well on walleye as well. Crappie are biting fairly well around the boat docks on minnows under a slip bobber in 18 to 25 feet of water.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 547.55 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) had no report.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene’s Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said few anglers are on the water to give a report.
 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,113.43 feet MSL.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and low. Bass fishing is good on crankbaits in 8-10 feet of water. A few trout have been caught below the dam.
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said no anglers have been on the water lately.
 
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS

Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good on minnows in 20-25 feet of water. A few bass have been caught in deep water.
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said no anglers are on the water lately.
Eleven-Point River: Woody’s Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said no anglers are on the water lately.
 
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Chicot: Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is clear and high. Crappie are the best thing going on jigs.
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said fishing is slow for all species.
 
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 256.50 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 49 to 55 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is low. Current is 2,803 cubic feet per second. Largemouth Bass are relating to deep water in Little River and creek mouths dumping into the river. The best bite is during the heat of the day. Carolina and Texas rigs, crankbaits, Southern Pro Flipping Tubes and Rat-L-Traps have been the go-to baits. Bomber model A and Rebel Deep Wee R crankbaits in Black Pearl, Bayou Bengal or Secret Weapon colors, fished slowly from 8 to 12 feet deep, are finding some keeper bass deflecting off stumps near Little River. The largest bass are suspended on stumps over at least 8-12 feet deep. The jig-and-pig bite over the past few weeks has been on and off, with the the Texas Craw color (chart/ pumpkin/black) or black/ blue/ purple colors working most consistently. No report on white bass. The crappie bite continues to improve. The best bite has been along brush piles in 17-22 feet of water during mid-morning on live shiners. Jigging Blakemore Crappie Thunder Road Runners was taking some really nice fish as well. Current in Little River during pool drawdown has kept the channel cats biting well. Chicken livers, hot dogs, cut bait or Catfish Charlie on trotlines and yo-yos are working well along the river and in oxbows hung from cypress trees in 9-12 feet of water.
Lake Columbia: Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms. Crappie fishing is good on shiners and gray jigs.
Lake Erling: Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good in deep water on shiners.
White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park said few anglers are at the park lately.
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was not available.
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said the water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair in 10-15 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair on crankbaits and jigs. Stripers are schooling well on top-water lures, crankbaits and spoons.
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 399.56 feet MSL.
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) said no anglers have been on the water lately.
 
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle: Bill’s Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said the water is a little muddy and at a normal level. Crappie fishing is good around brush on minnows and jigs. Bass fishing is fair in deep water on crankbaits, jigs and spinnerbaits. A few catfish have been caught on stink bait and shad.
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 384.60 feet MSL.
CNC’s End of the Line (479-947-2398) had no report.
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clear and low. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs. White bass are biting on jigs and minnows. Stripers are biting fair on minnows below the dam. Catfishing is fair on nightcrawlers.
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was not available.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is 50 to 56 degrees and stained. Largemouth bass are fair and can be caught on Deep Little N’s, lipless crankbaits and grass jigs on main-lake points and secondary points. Walleye are still slow and are being caught on spoons over humps and main-lake points. Stripers are fair on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. Crappie are still good and being caught over grass and brush. Try large moss flats and brush in water 8 to 15 feet deep. These fish have moved out a little deeper with the cooler weather. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Catfish are fair with reports of these fish being caught with live bait and cut bait in water 20 to 25 feet deep on jugs and trotlines.
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fish are holding out on the deep sides of the points in the creek channels as deep as 50 feet. Largemouths, spotted bass and stripers are all holding together and can be caught on a spoon fished underneath balls of baitfish. Crappie are being caught on minnows and small jigs fished over the grass. It’s slow, but the crappie being caught are big.
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that the 5-foot drawdown will remain until early March, so boaters and waders alike are advised to use caution when traveling in the tailrace area. Water clarity is poor from heavy rains but will improve with no rainfall in the next few days. Clear water conditions are vital to a healthy trout environment. Rainbow trout fishing is very good as anglers are routinely catching fish larger than 15 inches, which is unheard of in December. Fly fishermen are recording limits of trout casting streamers and white wooly buggers as the fish key in on threadfin shad. Silver and white fly patterns are producing the best results. Bank anglers are having success throwing 1/8-ounce Roostertails in white and brown in areas of current. Waxworms and nightcrawlers floated under a bobber will hook large trout that are inhabiting the area. Boaters trolling the channels below bridge are landing trout larger than 2 pounds on small crawfish crankbaits during periods of generation. Stripers and hybrid activity remains spotty, but fish are being caught below the bridge on live bait rigs. Large brood shad and gizzard shad floated under a balloon have produced the most fish, most in the 10 to 14-pound range. Some top-water activity has been observed as these fish feed on the trout. Late evening has been the best time to take advantage of this feeding pattern. C-10 Redfins and Super Spooks in rainbow trout colors are an excellent choice.
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fishing is fair on crankbaits fished slowly around points with brush. Jerkbaits are also working fairly well.
Lake Hinkle: Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good in deep water around brush on minnows and jigs. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits.
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is clear and high. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. A few catfish have been caught on jigs.
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 342.65 feet MSL.
 
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
No report this week.
 
EAST ARKANSAS

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is murky and high. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs around brush piles. Bass are biting well on plastic worms around any structure. Catfishing is good on worms and cut bait.
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is very high and all fishing is slow.
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said no anglers have been on the water lately.
Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and a little low. Bream fishing is excellent in shallow water on wax worms. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs in deep water. A few catfish have been caught near piers on cut bait.
Island 40 Chute: Daily’s Boat Dock (870-739-3478) said no anglers have been on the water lately.