MonticelloLive

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for October 31.

Fishing Tip:  Fall bass get very active because schools of shad are grouped up and the cold weather causes some to be slower, easier targets for the bass. Here’s a tip from bass fishing pro Gerald Swindle’s video Classic Patterns on how to capitalize on the situation: A buzzbait is an excellent search tool on fall mornings. Even if you don’t hook  a fish that swirls on the bait, you know fish are in the area. Immediately throw a worm or jig where the fish hit, and you’ll often get a second strike. Even if you don’t catch a fish right then, you can come back when the morning bite dies and work the area with a jig or finesse worm to pick up the fish. Check out more tips from 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 – 391.61 feet, Tailwater – 371.99 feet, Flow – 10,150 cubic feet per second
Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater – 372.26 feet, Tailwater – 338.51 feet
Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater – 337.68 feet, Tailwater – 285.44 feet
Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater – 284.95 feet, Tailwater – 265.46 feet, Flow – 16,638 cubic feet per second
Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater – 265.17 feet, Tailwater – 251.45 feet
Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater – 250.33 feet, Tailwater –231.33 feet, Flow – 12,760 cubic feet per second
Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater – 231.22 feet, Tailwater – 212.83 feet, Flow – 13,910 cubic feet per second
Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater – 196.18 feet, Tailwater – 182.72 feet
Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater – 182.12 feet, Tailwater – 163.78 feet
Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater – 162.89 feet, Tailwater – 123.97 feet, Flow – 16,339 cubic feet per second.     

White River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Wednesday the White River stages are:
2.4 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage – 19 feet)
6.5 feet at Batesville (flood stage – 15 feet)
2.3 feet at Newport (flood stage – 26 feet)
14 feet at Augusta (flood stage – 26 feet)
1.8 feet at Georgetown (flood stage – 21 feet)
12.6 feet at Clarendon (flood stage – 26 feet

Statewide Family and Community Fishing Report:   Fishing for channel catfish has been good in community ponds on chicken livers fished on the bottom. Bream are being caught with redworms and nightcrawlers in mid-day. Hybrid striped bass will be stocked in designated ponds when water temperatures fall below 64 degrees.  Rainbow trout will be stocked in the Fort Smith, Springdale, Rogers and Jonesboro ponds by Nov. 3 with a trout kick-off event held at Murphy Pond in Springdale Nov. 3 at 9 a.m. Trout will be stocked in the other community ponds by the first week of December. For more information, call the fish stocking hotline, 1-866-540-FISH(3474) toll-free. 

CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Conway: Bates Field and Stream said water conditions are normal and cooling. A few bream have been caught on crickets. Crappie fishing has picked up a lot on pink minnows and white or chartreuse jigs. Some bass have been seen schooling near the main channel.

Little Red River: Lindsey’s Resort said the water is clear and at normal level. Generation is at an absolute minimum. Trout fishing has been really good on chartreuse Power Bait, buoyant spoons, and black or olive marabou jigs.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the Greers Ferry Power House stopped daily scheduled releases on Oct. 16, and this protocol should continue until further notice. The lake level is 5 feet below top power pool, so some days will have no hydroelectric power generation and other days will feature small releases. The brown trout spawn is almost upon us. Browns in full spawn colors are being seen every day. Many of the males have kiped (hooked) jaws and the females are full of eggs. Most staged brown trout are in the pools above and below the shoals. When they move onto the shoals, the spawn will be on. Watch where you put your feet and don’t walk through the redds (a fish nest). Try to stay at least one long cast away from the nearest angler. Blue winged olives, caddis and midges continue to hatch every day along the Little Red. The caddis population is increasing while the sulphur and pale morning dun hatches are decreasing. The best dry flies include caddis (size 18-20), midges (size 22-24), BWO (size 18-22) and Adams (size 18-20). Sub-surface flies that are working well are egg patterns (size 14 salmon), sow bugs (size 14-16, light gray or peacock), zebra midges (size 16-22, red or black), pheasant tail (size 16) and wooly buggers (size 10-12, olive or black).
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 457.11 feet MSL.
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said hybrid fishing continues to be very good with catches of 50-100 fish a day. They can be caught on top as well as with a Buckshot Spinner or a Rite Bite jigging spoon around 35 to 43 feet deep all around the lake. Crappie are biting well with the better catches coming at night under lights in about 15 feet of water. Catfish are biting well with many large blue cats coming in on jugs. Walleye can be caught in various areas with the most consistent bite being around feeding hybrids and whites on spoons. Bass fishing is improving every day, even with all the pressure. Many bass are being caught around schooling fish on spoons, topwaters and jerk baits. When the action slows you can depend on a deep jig or Carolina rig to catch all three species of black bass as well.
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass fishing is fair on minnows and worms.
Lake Overcup: Lakeview Landing said the water is at normal levels. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is pretty good on nightcrawlers.
Overcup Landing said the water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is decent on redworms. Crappie fishing is good in shallow water using salt-and-pepper-colored jigs. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on liver and shad.
Sunset Lake: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on crickets. A few bass have been caught on clear top-water lures.  
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill’s Outdoor Sports said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on Tennessee shad jigs. Bass fishing is good on top-water lures.
Arkansas River at Morrilton: Charley’s Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said the weather has kept many anglers off the river lately. Many anglers are finding that the river bottom has shifted from the high current, increasing the need for boaters to go slowly when outside of the navigation buoys. Largemouth bass have moved to the backwaters and shallows and are biting well on white or shad-colored shallow-running crankbaits. Some white bass are schooling in the late afternoon where the shad have gathered near warmer water. Spooks and shallow-diving crankbaits are working well. Catfishing is good on whole shad fished 15 to 30 feet deep. Stripers are fair below dams nine and 10 and along sand bars where shad are schooled up. Wobble spoons with a 4-inch grub trailer are working fairly well. Kentucky bass are on the rocks and can be caught in late afternoon on white spinnerbaits and Rooster Tails.
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Vince Miller from Fish ‘N Stuff said the water is clear and low with slow current. Crappie fishing is starting to pick up with the cooler weather. Bass fishing has slowed, but bass can still be caught on brush hogs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits in the early hours.
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fishing has slowed somewhat, but there’s a very good flipping bite with some good fish being caught. A black/blue jig bounced along rock jetties is working well on largemouth.
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water conditions are poor and high. Bream are being caught in 2-4 feet of water around the banks on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is picking up on minnows and assorted jigs. Catfishing is good on live and prepared bait.
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is not running, which has caused all fishing to be slow.
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is muddy and low. Crappie fishing is good in 4-5 feet of water on pink minnows. Bass fishing is good in 3 feet of water on white spinnerbaits.
Peckerwood Lake: Herman’s Landing (870-241-3731) said all fishing is slow and the landing is closing until next spring.
 
NORTH ARKANSAS

White River: Gaston’s White River Resort said Eagle Claw Nitro Worms are still reeling in great catches. Pink, orange, and white are good colors to try (This bait is scented and cannot be used in the Catch-and-Release Area.). The most popular baits the guides are using are live nightcrawlers and redworms. Artificial lures that are catching trout well are red/gold Buoyant Spoons, and gold/nickel Colorado Spoons. Silver or Rainbow patterned countdown Rapalas are hit or miss, but can bring in a wall-hanger.
Sportsman’s White River Resort said the generators are running, but less during the week. Trout fishing has been good on silver spoons, red worms, and Power Bait. Fly fishing is good on zebra midges.
Angler’s White River Resort said the water is clear and normal. The generators are running in the late afternoon. Trout fishing has been very good on Power Bait, spinnerbaits, and Rapalas.
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 649.22 feet MSL.
Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) said fishing has been very tough for the last week and fall turnover is right around the corner.  Surface water temperature in the low 70s and high 60s. Kentucky bass are suspended along bluffs dropping to the 80-foot range. Live minnows and nightcrawlers are working fairly well on the points and bluff walls. Top-water lures will catch fish in the early mornings, and it’s good to have a topwater ready at all times for random breaking fish. Kentucky and largemouth bass are biting well on spoons in deep standing timber. Walleye have been non-existent for the last week or so. Crappie are picking up and can be caught on brush piles in 18 to 25 feet of water on slip bobbers baited with a minnow.
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 546.55 feet MSL.
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is fair in deep water on worms and crickets. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and top-water baits. Stripers are biting well on top-waters fished in 40-50 feet of water.
Norfork Tailwater: Gene’s Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said water conditions are normal. The generators are running in the afternoons. Trout fishing has been excellent on yellow Power Bait and wax worms.
 
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,115.03 feet MSL.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and low. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. Crappie fishing is excellent in 8-12 feet of water around brush piles on minnows and tube jigs. Bass are biting well in 5-10 feet of water around the banks on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and spoons. A few catfish have been caught on trotlines and jug lines on shad and live bream. Striper fishing is good on shad, Roadrunners, and white or chartreuse jigs.                                   
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said water conditions are normal. A few crappie have been caught trolling around brush piles. Bass fishing is good on top-water lures and jigs.                                                         
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said fishing is slow for all species.
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is at normal level for this time of year. Bream and bass are both biting well on minnows.
 
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the water is a little murky and low. Bream fishing is fair on crickets. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. A few catfish have been caught on liver.
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said all species are slow.
Eleven-Point River: Woody’s Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said all fishing is slow
 
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS
Lake Chicot: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said water conditions are normal. Bream are biting well on wax worms. Crappie fishing is good on minnows and jigs. Catfishing has been good on worms and crickets.
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said water conditions are about normal. Crappie fishing is good trolling with minnows and jigs. Catfishing is decent on worms or minnows.
 
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS

Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 259.30 feet MSL.
Millwood Lake Guide Service said main lake and Little River surface temperature is 62 to 67 degrees, depending on location and time of day. Main lake clarity and visibility is at 2-3 inches. Current has decreased to 386 cubic feet per second.  
The activity of largemouth bass and white bass has declined, with schooling activities tapering off because of muddy water and current increase in the river. The bass bite has been consistent and very good on swimming jig heads with Bass Assassin Curly Shad trailers and Rat-L-Traps all morning, but this changed with the cold rains. Rat-L-Traps in diamond dust, white or chrome/blue, white Little Georges, and white/chartreuse Rocket Shads are very effective on random schooling bass. The schooling activity should fire back up as the water continues clearing this week. The best jig-and-pig bite seems to be shifting from peanut butter and jelly to Texas Craw colors. White noisy buzzbaits were working last week, but with the last two cold fronts moving in, the buzzbait bite has died. The Bass Assassin Shad jerkbait bite has taken a back seat to the rattling lipless crankbaits as well. Texas-rigged 10-inch worms, in junebug/red, black grape, or blue fleck are still taking some nice keepers on cypress stumps close to grass and remaining pads in 6-9 feet of water. Good areas for white bass are in Horseshoe, Mud and McGuire oxbows, along the most clear water you can find, and also in Hurricane Creek and Cemetery Slough. Crappie were shallow two weeks ago, roaming in and out of the cypress trees 3-8 feet deep, but shut off with the muddy water. Channel Catfish are fair on cut shad, minnows and Catfish Charlie on trotlines and yo-yos set 6-9 feet deep along the river and in oxbows.
Lake Columbia: Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is excellent in 6-10 ft of water on minnows and jigs. Bass are biting well on plastic worms. Catfishing is fair on worms.
Lake Erling: Steve’s Marine (870-234-2222) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows and jigs in shallow water. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms. Some catfish have been caught on worms.
White Oak Lake: White Oak Lake State Park said the water is cooling and the water level is stable after the recent rainfall. Crappie and bream are biting fairly well on minnows. The catfish are hitting prepared bait very well. Bass are biting well on live bait.
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 535.86 feet MSL.
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service said crappie are biting very well at all depths on planted brush piles. Bass are biting fairly well on rocky points.  Some catfish are being caught on jug lines.
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 394.72 feet MSL.
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fishing is still excellent on hybrids and black bass in the lower section of the lake near the state park. Top-water lures are working well on breaking fish from sunup to around 9 a.m. After the surface activity stops, Carolina rigs and jigs fished in the outside edge of the grass are working well until around noon.
 
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Lake Dardanelle: Murphy’s Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is clear and low. A few crappie have been caught in 10-12 feet of water on tube jigs. Bass fishing is good in shallow water on crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
Bill’s Bait and Tackle (479-754-6354) said the water is a little muddy and low. A few crappie have been caught on jigs. Bass fishing is fair in deeper water on crankbaits and jigs. Catfishing is good on stink bait and shad.
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 384.36 feet MSL.
CNC’s End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the water is a little muddy and low. Bream fishing is good on worms. Crappie fishing has been excellent on minnows and jigs. A few bass have been caught on a variety of lures. Catfishing is good on worms, liver and large minnows.                                
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is clearing up and at a normal level. Bream fishing has been good on crickets and nightcrawlers. Crappie fishing is good on minnows. A few bass have been caught on crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good below the dam on minnows and nightcrawlers.
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 568.19 feet MSL.
Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fishing is good with some nice stringers of Kentucky bass coming from creek channels on spoons. There are some breaking fish, but overall the bite is spotty. Fishing is good flipping a ¾- to 1-ounce jig in dense grass around 15 to 17 feet deep. Stripers are hit-and-miss but should be picking up soon. Crappie are fair on the outside edge of the grass.
Mountain Harbor Resort said the water is clear and at 70 degrees. Largemouth bass are biting well on finesse worms, spoons and spooks on main lake points and secondary points. Spotted bass are biting excellently on live crawfish around brush in 15 to 25 feet of water. Walleye are biting well on spoons and crankbaits fished over brush on main lake points and humps. Stripers are excellent on live brood minnows and gizzard shad. Top-water action is picking up. Bream are slowing down, but are still biting well on crickets and worms in 18 to 25 feet of water. Crappie are biting very well over grass and brush in deeper water. Try large moss flats and brush 20 to 35 feet deep. Minnows and crappie grubs are working best. Catfish are biting well on live and cut bait fished from jugs in 20 to 25 feet of water.
Lake Catherine:Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, reports that the winter drawdown will begin Nov. 3-8. The initial draw will be 5 feet, but an additional 3 feet will be taken Nov. 18-21, so work can be performed on the dam. This water will be returned to the initial 5-foot level in December and back to normal levels in early March. Rainbow trout stockings will begin in mid-November, so fishing will greatly improve during winter.
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said fishing is mostly unchanged from last week. The bass bite is good in the mornings on crayfish-colored crankbaits. When the sun is high, switch to a Carolina-rigged Berkley Beast on main lake points. Some fish are being caught along the docks on jigs as well.
Lake Hinkle: Bill’s Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass are biting well on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is good on worms and liver.
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water conditions are normal. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and jigs. Catfishing is good on worms and liver.
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 342.17 feet MSL.
 
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Moro Bay:  Moro Bay State Park said water conditions are normal. Crappie are hitting on crawfish colored jigs. A few catfish are being caught on trotlines.
 
EAST ARKANSAS

Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is a little murky and at a normal level. Bream fishing is good in deeper water on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows. Bass fishing is good on spinnerbaits and plastic worms.
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and about 6 feet low. A few bass have been caught on spinnerbaits, plastic worms and Senkos.
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said all fishing has been slow lately.
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said all fishing has been slow.
Horseshoe Lake: Local angler Clyde Gregory said water conditions are normal. Crappie fishing is good around the piers on black/chartreuse jigs. Bass fishing is good on top-water lures fished over grassy areas. Catfishing is excellent on small shad and red hot dogs strung from trotlines