News Taffy

Central Arkansas

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir

Bates Field and Stream ( 501-470-1846 ) filed no fishing report this week. Little Red River Lindseys Resort ( 501-302-3139 ) said the water clarity is good but the lake is low; one generator is running about 2 p.m. Trout are good; try wax worms, Power Bait and marshmallows. Trout Magnets, jigs and crankbaits are working, too. For fly anglers, go with sowbugs, Purple Haze, zebra midges and other midges, primarily in the morning.

Greers Ferry As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 457.6 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 461 MSL). Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service said the water temperature was cool for this time of year at 78-81 degrees. Black bass are relating to brushpiles, shallow wood and on summertime drops; some are suspended. Use the Arkansas Claw for the suspended fish, Texas-rigged worms for the drop fish, as well as jigs. For shallow wood fish, use jigs and spinner baits, and on the in-between fish, use jighead worms and drop-shots. Bream fishing is good using crickets and night crawlers, shallow-running crank baits, as well as in-line spinners. The walleye bite is better now; fish night crawlers on jigheads in 15-35 feet of water. The catfish bite is great all over the lake. Crappie are eating jigs tipped with minnows. Hybrids and white bass are eating swim baits, the Arkansas Claw, in-line spinners and spoons fished from 25-40 feet of water.

Cody S. Smith of www.fishgreersferry.com said the lake is 4 feet below conservation pool and falling slowly with small to medium burst of generation daily. The hybrid bite is as good as Ive seen in a long time. We are boating a dozen to two dozen. Hybrids are in the 3- to 6-pound class daily, with some fish reaching the 7- to 9-pound class occasionally by crawling Smittys A Rig in 29-40 feet of water. White bass are surfacing well periodically throughout the entire day with mid-morning being the slowest between 10 a.m. and noon. You can catch all you want right now on the Cindy K spinner fished fast through surfacing fish. Right now there are also some really nice black bass shallow with the shad fry and smaller juvenile threadfin shad. They will eat a Spook, frog or popper as long as they are feeding on bait. Time of day does not really seem to matter because it changes every day being in the right place at the right time is the key to success right now. Feeding times vary across the reservoir and if you hit it just right, you can stay on feeding fish for the entire morning.

Greers Ferry Tailwater Just Fishing Guides said mornings are better than afternoons. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hares ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top-water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light Cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or, if possible, a double-nymph rig. Doubles are very possible. Water releases have been once per day in the afternoon for two-four hours, 3,000-4,000 cfs.

Harris Brake Lake

Harris Brake Lakeside Resort ( 501-889-2745 ) said the lake is stained and low. Bream are good with worms and crickets. Crappie and bass have been poor. Catfish are good, especially with chicken liver and Danny Kings Blood Bait. Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville ( 501-889-2011 ) said crappie have been biting No. 6 and 8 minnows, Slab SlayR and StrollR in white/salt and pepper, red/chartreuse shad and bone white, and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. Catfish have been good; theyre taking minnows, worms and goldfish. Bass are fair on tequila sunrise and dark-colored worms, spinner baits, Rooster Tails and Flukes. Bream are biting great on night crawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers.

Lake Overcup

Overcup Landing ( 501-354-9007 ) said the lake is a little low and clear. Water temp is 90 degrees. Crappie are good in deep water (about 15 feet). Fish 5-10 feet deep with pumpkin seed/chartreuse or red/blue/clear sparkle jig, or No. 6 minnows. Bream are good with crickets and red worms. Catfish are good on live bream and liver. Bass have been slow.

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville ( 501-889-2011 ) said crappie are biting well on No. 6 minnows, Baby Shad, StrollR and Slab SlayR in white/salt and pepper, red/chartreuse, bone white Baby Shad, and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. Bream are biting great on night crawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are hitting tequila sunrise and dark worms, spinner baits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.

Brewer Lake Overcup Landing ( 501-354-9007 ) had no reports coming in this week.

Lake Cargile Overcup Landing ( 501-354-9007 ) had no report this week.

Lake Maumelle Jolly Rogers Marina reports black bass are good, 15-18 feet deep. Blacks are hitting spinner baits early in the day, then go to deeper lures such as pig and jigs and Carolina rigs. Early do the drop-off and during the day, deep structure. Kentucky bass are good. Lots of Kentucky bass are being caught on Rooster Tails, jigheads and worms 10-18 feet deep. White bass are fair. Theyre being caught toward the restricted area and north shore on Rooster Tails, trolling with lures 15 feet deep and jigging with CC spoons. Crappie have been excellent. They are 14-18 feet deep on the edges of the channels, and are hitting small jigs and colored grubs and small minnows. Bream are excellent. Theyre hitting worms and crickets from 10-15 feet deep. Bream are really big this year. Catfish are excellent on trotlines with prepared bait and large minnows and bream. They are 10-13 feet deep; any deeper and the live bait dies quickly.

Hatchet Jacks Sport Shop ( 501-758-4958 ) said crappie are going for jigs and minnows in 15-25 feet of water. Bass are fair with deep-diving crankbaits, jerk baits and other lures, as long as they run deep. Catfish are good. Go with slicks and chicken liver. No report this week on bream.

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville ( 501-889-2011 ) said crappie are good in coves and brushpiles on Baby Shad and Slab SlayR in red/chartreuse, bone white and pearl, and orange/chartreuse, as well as No. 6 minnows and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. White bass are biting in the river channel on Rooster Tails in white or salt and pepper. Bream are great on night crawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are hitting tequila sunrise and other dark worms, spinner baits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.

Lake Valencia Hatchet Jacks Sport Shop ( 501-758-4958 ) said catfish are good with worms, chicken hearts and chicken liver. No reports on other species this week.

Sunset Lake Turbyfills Outdoor Sports ( 501-315-3061 ) said the lake is clear and low. Fishing for all species has been slow; no specific reports this week.

Saline River Access in Benton Turbyfills Outdoor Sports ( 501-315-3061 ) said the river is low and clear. Bream are good on crickets. No report on crappie. Bass are good near shoals or swift water. No report on catfish.

Arkansas River at Morrilton

Charleys Hidden Harbor in Oppelo said shad are spawning; they are about 1.5 inches long. Try fishing with a sixteenth-ounce Rat-L-Trap in shad color for bass. Throw on rocks and crank back. This technique has been working very well. Fish the wood with jig-and-pig for bass, too. White bass are chasing shad in Flagg Lake cut-off, Copper Gap and Point Remove Creek. Fish sandbars and, late in the day, try Zara Spooks and shallow-diving crankbaits. Also try jetty points and back sides with CC Spoons and jigs in deep holes. Bream are bedding on sandbars. Use cane or crappie poles 14 feet long or better with crickets. Catfish have been good at night in 4-10 feet of water. Use cut skipjack.

Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)

Hatchet Jacks Sport Shop ( 501-758-4958 ) had this report from Little Maumelle River and Maumelle River: Bream are excellent with crickets and worms. Crappie are good on minnows and jigs in deep water. Bass are fair try top-water baits in the morning, and top-waters and shaky head worms in the evening. Catfish are good with slicks and cut bait. Main River Channel: Bass are fair at the jetty ends. Use medium-diving crankbaits, jigs and shaky head worms. Catfish have been good on slicks and cut bait. No reports on other species.

Palarm Creek: No report this week.

Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool) Vince Miller from Fish N Stuff said the river is stained and low. Bream are good on crickets. Crappie are good; theyre going for minnows. Bass have been fair on top-water baits early in the day. Try sandbar drops later in the morning. Catfish are good with stink bait, chicken liver and cut shad. Hatchet Jacks Sport Shop ( 501-758-4958 ) had this report from Burns Park and the main channel: Bass are good at jetty ends. Try medium-diving crankbaits or shaky head worms. Catfish are fair in the channel with cut bait and slicks. No reports on other species.

Fourche Creek: No report this week.

Murray Lock and Dam: No report on bream. Crappie and white bass are good on jigs and minnows. No report on largemouth bass. Catfish are good; theyre hitting slicks and cut bait.

McSwain Sports Center ( 501-945-2471 ) said the water is clear and low. Bream and crappie are reportedly poor, although bass are good. Theyre hitting top-water baits early and late in the day. Catfish are good. Use shad on the bottom.

Clear Lake

McSwain Sports Center ( 501-945-2471 ) said the lake is low and clear. Bream are good with crickets. Crappie are good with minnows in brush tops in 4-5 feet of water. No reports on bass and catfish.

Peckerwood Lake

Hermans Landing ( 870-241-3731 ) said the water is clear and low, although stumps arent yet breaking the surface. Catfish are good theyre going for minnows, cut bait or cut shad. No solid reports on other species.

Lake Pickthorne

Hatchet Jacks Sport Shop ( 501-758-4958 ) had no report on the lake this week.

Lake Willastein

Hatchet Jacks Sport Shop ( 501-758-4958 ) said bream are good with crickets and red worms. Crappie are good with minnows and jigs; go deep. Bass are reported to be excellent; try Texas-rigged red and black worms, and black buzz baits. Catfish are good. Theyre going for night crawlers and chicken hearts.

North Arkansas

White River

Sportsmans White River Resort ( 870-453-2424 ) said the water is clear and low with little generation. Trout fishing is excellent, especially with PowerBait; try yellow or pink. Go with small spinners and spoons Rooster Tails, Little Cleos or Copper Johns. In higher water, try Rogues and Rapalas. For fly anglers, scuds, sow bugs, zebra midges and grasshoppers are working.

Jim Brentlinger at Lingers Guide Service and Fishing Lodge ( 870-499-5185 ) had this report for Buffalo City to Reds Landing: The water level remains somewhat low but is beginning to pick up a little bit each day. The fishing is definitely limited to specific areas. When you find an area that is holding fish, be sure to fish it repeatedly. There are many areas that just dont hold fish. Try Rapalas in the faster water, Zig Jigs everywhere else or Power Baits on the bottom. Do yourself a favor and get out on the water early. The extremely high temperatures are dangerous and should be watched closely. Fish early in the day and quit at noon. You will catch plenty of fish and it will be much safer for you.

Buffalo River

Just Fishing Guides said as of Wednesday, the river was low and getting lower. Ponca was very low at 1.45 feet, Pruitt was very low at 3.22 feet, Tyler Bend was low at 3.34 feet and Buffalo Point was low at 2.63 feet. Water temperature was averaging in the upper 70s. The river level is extremely low for floating; the water is clear. Most of the Ozark streams are about a quarter of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with bait fish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, Woolly Buggers and Clouser Minnows. The top-water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, Woolly Buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up; fish with white or gray Flukes, 4-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crankbaits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also.

Crooked Creek

Just Fishing Guides said the gauge at Kelleys Slab was reading 9.6 feet Wednesday, a good level for wade fishing. Most of the Ozark streams are about a quarter of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with bait fish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, Woolly Buggers and Clouser Minnows. The top-water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, Woolly Buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up; fish with white or gray Flukes, 4-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crankbaits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also.

Bull Shoals Lake

As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 653.4 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 654 MSL).

Mike Worleys Guide Service said the water temperature is 87 degrees. The walleye bite has been a little slower during the last week but most days we are still catching them in 22- to 28-inch range on jigging spoons and night crawler rigs fished on bottom-bouncers. Crankbaits like Shad Raps or Flicker Shads trolled on lead-core line or flat-line trolling deep-diving crankbaits like Tail Dancers or Reef Runners also are working. Black bass are shallower and biting on soft plastics, crankbaits and live crayfish. Some crappies are being caught on the lead core/crankbaits trolled over brushpiles. The weather is very hot so be sure to drink lots of water and use sun screen.

Bull Shoals Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said mornings are better than afternoons. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hares ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top-water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light Cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or, if possible, a double-nymph rig. Doubles are very possible. Water releases have been all over the place but mainly in the afternoon for four-six hours, 1,500-8,000 cfs.

Lake Norfork

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 549.2 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool: Sept.-April - 552 MSL, April-Sept. - 554 MSL). STR Outfitters - Tom Reynolds said stripers are moving toward the dam. I have been finding them on the flats in front of points and roaming in deep water. The schools are still shallow, less than 30 feet in deep water. The fish seem to be boat shy, so if youre using live bait, your best bet is floats away from the boat, set them from 22 to 26 feet. Spoons are working if you can stay with the schools; they are moving so its a job to keep up with them. Guide

Steve Olomon of Steves Guide Service said the water temp is in the low 80s. The stripers are starting to go deeper. Start looking for them down at least 40 feet and get your bait down to their depth. If you drop a spoon and they dont hit it within five or six drops, they probably arent in the feeding mood so move on and find some more. Bass are still coming up early and just before dark chasing baitfish. Throw a Zara Spook Jr. in white or clear or a Pop-R. Try swimming a grub when they quit feeding on the surface or throw a Texas-rigged worm or a jig. Campground News: Jordan Campground on Norfork Lake is open April 1-Oct. 1 and managed by Jordan Marina. Formerly run by the Army Corps of Engineers, Jordan Campground is a favorite of families camping on the south end of Norfork Lake and is the gateway to Sand Island and Jordan area beaches. This area also is a favorite of scuba divers, with 30 dive sites within 2 miles of the campground. Jordan Campground has 41 RV and tent sites; sites with 50-amp service and 30-amp service are available for $20 per night. The campground, adjacent to Jordan Marina, also features a swimming beach, picnic pavilion, boat launch and two restrooms. For more information, call (870) 499-7223 or Jordan Marina at (870) 499-7348 .

Norfork Tailwater

Just Fishing Guides said mornings are better than afternoons. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hares ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top-water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light Cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or, if possible, a double-nymph rig. Doubles are very possible. Water releases have been once per day in the afternoon for four-eight hours, 1,500-3,000 cfs.

Northwest Arkansas

Beaver Lake

As of Wednesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 1,116.1 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL). Baileys Beaver Lake Guide Service ( 479-366-8664 ) said grab your headlamps the night bite is on! This is my favorite time of year; the big fish are on the feed big time! Beaver Lake stripers are still scattered and can be caught from Prairie Creek to the dam. Striper fishing will be excellent with striper taken on live shad fished on down lines and lightly weighted balloon lines trolled 50-100 feet back, 35-45 feet deep. Downriggers are also producing with artificials; try Rapala No. 14 Husky Jerks in black back or purple back colors. Stripers will be in areas holding bait near the main channel. You may have to hit multiple spots to get your fish. Use live shad, as always, when fishing for trophy stripers; theyre hitting shad in the 4- to 12-inch range. Indian Creek is a hot spot. Check the back of Indian Creek past the power lines. Also, Dry Creek is producing stripers. Fish the mouth of this arm. Point 5 is another hot spot. Check Docs Cabin and the mouth of the Big Clifty arm. Other hot spots include Copper Mine and Ventris. Most walleye are about 15-30 feet deep. Fish are being taken off area flats near the channel. Try the areas mentioned above. Flat-line troll with Hot N Tots, Rapala Tail Dancers, Shad Raps, Reef Runners or Ripsticks in natural blue or black/back combos, or chartreuse/orange and clown colors. Jigging spoons around brush and rock piles also are producing.

Southtown Sporting Goods ( 479-443-7148 ) had no fishing report this week.

Jason Piper of JTs Crappie Guide Service ( 479-640-3980 ) said bass have been biting well early and late in the day on 6-inch Finesse worms on a three-eighths-ounce shaky head jighead around docks and along bluff lines or boulders. In the middle of the day, try using a 4-inch Finesse worm Carolina-rigged over main lake points and flats. Crappie fishing has been very good early in the day. Fish have been holding tight to brushpiles and timber in 20-35 feet of water close to bluff lines, along channel drops and under docks. Best lures have been 1.5-inch Curl Tail grubs or tubes on a sixteenth-ounce round jighead.

Horseshoe Bend, White River upstream from War Eagle Marina, Monte NE and Eden Bluff have been good. White bass have been schooling lakewide late in the day over main lake flats and the adjacent coves. Alabama-rigged 2-inch Curly Tail grubs or Kastmaster spoons have been most effective once a school has been found. Catfishing has been great at night from the shore with liver or worms. Horseshoe Bend, Monte Ne, Hickory Creek and the Arkansas Highway 12 bridge have been good places to fish.

Beaver Tailwater Just Fishing Guides said mornings are better than afternoons. Heavier flows are the norm in the afternoon as the weather heats up. Bead-head nymphs such as pheasant tails and hares ears are producing well. Early terrestrials like beetles and ants are getting some top-water action. Be sure to have some sulphur and light Cahill dries in your fly box. Try a hopper/dropper combo to maximize your chances of hook-ups or, if possible, a double-nymph rig. Doubles are very possible. Water releases have been all over the place but mainly in the afternoon for two hours at 4,000 cfs.

Lake Elmdale

Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat ( 479-871-6305 ) said the lake level is about 18 inches below normal, although the water clarity is medium. Hot weather and penetrating sun have caused fish to move off regular feeding areas into deeper, cooler water. Change your methods to put more fish in the boat. Crappie are usually at the 12-foot depth. Downsize your baits for best results. Small tube jigs tipped with Crappie Nibbles or an inch of live worm should work. Use small minnows hooked through the eyes (not in the back) for best bait action and life. Move it up and down a few times, then let it sit still. Watch for the smallest movement in your float. Poppers and chuggers are producing more strikes from bass than the buzz bait. Try something slow and seductive. Frogs fished weightless are good. Finesse worms with eighth-ounce slip sinkers fished wacky worm style have worked well in mid-mornings. Try red bug color. Black/red and double willow-leaf spinner baits at night have been good. Black top-water baits are working, too. Cut perch on juglines fished overnight in various areas produced no catfish for a foursome from Benton County. Id recommend stink bait. Ha!

Kings River

Just Fishing Guides said the river gauge near Grandview was reading 2.42 feet and 149 cfs Wednesday. Most of the Ozark streams are about a quarter of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with bait fish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, Woolly Buggers and Clouser Minnows. The top-water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, Woolly Buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up; fish with white or gray Flukes, 4-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crankbaits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also.

Lake Fayetteville

Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock ( 479-444-3476 ) said the water is clear and normal. Bream fishing is fair with crickets. Bass are fair with a variety of lures. Catfish are fair theyre hitting crickets. No report this week on crappie. Lake Sequoyah Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock ( 479-444-3475 ) said the lake was stained and 4 inches low. Water temperature is 89 degrees. Catfish are fair with chicken livers, shad and live bait. No reports on other species.

Upper White River (Twin Bridges area)

Just Fishing Guides said warm-water streams and rivers have been fishing very well (although HOT!) lately with both quantity and quality fish being caught. Fly-fishing has been good with Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely streamers, woolly buggers and Clouser minnows. The top-water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, woolly buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up fish with white or gray Flukes, 4-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crankbaits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also.

War Eagle Creek

Just Fishing Guides said most of the Ozark streams are about a quarter of their normal flows for this time of year. Be prepared to walk and drag your boat quite a bit. We have had spotty, scattered showers but not enough to make any difference. All of the rivers have fallen in the last week. All are at or near record lows for the date and all time. However, warmwater streams and rivers have been fishing very well lately in both quantity and quality. Fly-fishing has been good with bait fish patterns, Bogle Bugs in white, Tequeely Streamers, Woolly Buggers and Clouser Minnows. The top-water bite with flies is really going gangbusters. Spotted bass are holding near woody debris. Smallmouth are in the deeper channels. Sunfish have been caught with about anything that hits the water. Small poppers, Woolly Buggers, spiders, beetles and hoppers are raking in the sunfish. Sometimes it is hard not to catch them. Spin fishing has picked up; fish with white or gray Flukes, 4-inch Zoom lizards in watermelon red and tube baits in green pumpkinseed. Crankbaits, buzz baits and spinners have worked well also.

Northeast Arkansas

Crown Lake

Boxhound Marina ( 870-670-4496 ) reports the lake is clear and a foot low. Bream are good on red worms and crickets. Catfish are good with chicken liver. No reports on crappie or bass. Lake Frierson Lake Frierson State Park said the lake is murky, 2 feet low and falling. Bream have been fair, especially on crickets. Crappie are fair; theyre biting wax worms. Catfish are good. Try worms or, if youre using jugs, live bait. No reports this week on bass or saugeye. Spring River Mark Crawford with Spring River Flies and Guides said water flow is 300 cfs at the spring and the water is clear. With low and clear water, trout have been much pickier with their food. Guppies in white and orange are working great and Y2ks are hot. White and hot pink Trout Magnets and white Rooster Tails are working great. If youre on the water and the sun is beaming, you have to get the fly to the bottom. With low water, that has not been a problem. Beadhead flies will get you down great without hanging you up too bad. Trout have been moving up into the riffles and faster water.

Southeast Arkansas

Cane Creek Lake

Cane Creek State Parks Geoff Wright said bream fishing was really picking up. Lots of good-sized panfish are being caught with crickets. The best spots are between underwater log piles and lily pads. Southwest Arkansas Millwood Lake As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 259.6 feet msl (normal conservation pool 259.2 msl). Mike Siefert at Millwood Lake Guide Service said surface water temperature as of Monday were 79-88 degrees. Discharge rate as of Monday with one gate open was 170 cfs. The tailwater level as of Monday was 224.06 mfsl. Clarity and visibility on main lake structure improved in the last week; water is stained somewhat in the river; visibility ranges 10-15 inches. Clarity in oxbows is better, with some stain, ranging 20-36 inches. The best largemouth bass bite in the last week continues to be around dawn through mid-morning hours, then again a couple hours prior to dusk. Numerous techniques are catching bass, including buzz baits, soft plastic Bass Assassin shad jerk baits, and soft plastic frogs and toads are working around grass and lily pads. Points are holding most active fish at dawn. Creature and hog baits like Brush Hogs, Pit Bosses, Wooly Bugs, etc., and big, bulky 10-inch worms, spinner baits and jigs are good around stumps, grass, new lily pad growth and wood laydowns in the oxbows, away from river current. Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crank baits will spark bites from white bass. Theyre roaming oxbows in large, broken schools, and nice largemouths are chasing shad. White bass are scattered along Little River and the oxbows in loose and broken schools, and can be found by trolling crank baits and Rat-L-Traps in Little River and the oxbows. Several broken schools were busting shad at the surface in McGuire and Horseshoe oxbow lakes up Little River over the last few weeks. Daylight is the best time for these broken schooling fish. Crappie continue to hold in and over planted brushpiles and can be found with electronics in 15-18 feet on jigs and grubs on light-wire jigheads in brush and standing timber. Smoke-colored Cordell paddle tail grubs on eighth-ounce jigheads were working early in the week. Catfish continue to bite slow to fair this week, mainly because of reduced current in Little River. Trotlines, yo-yos and tight lines, in any remaining current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River, are best bets. Blues and channel cats were biting best on cut bait, shad and chicken livers in 15-20 feet of Little River on the outer break lines in any remaining current, on yo-yos tied along the Little River or hanging from cypress tree limbs in 10-15 feet of the oxbows.

Lake Greeson

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 546.3 feet msl (Flood pool 548 msl). Lakeside Grocery and Bait ( 870-398-5304 ) said the lake is low and clear in deep water but murky in shallow areas. Surface temperature is 85 degrees. Bream have been good on crickets. Crappie are fair on minnows in 20-25 feet of water. Bass are fair early and late in the day on worms, jigs and top-water baits around rocky points. Catfish are good; try chicken liver. On trotlines, try bream in about 10 feet of water. Walleye are good on jigs and crankbaits in deeper water. For more information on crappie fishing at Lake Greeson, visit Jerry Blakes website, www.actionfishingtrips.com/tripreports.htm. Lake Greeson Tailwater (Little Missouri River) Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions.

DeGray Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 403.8 feet msl (flood pool 408 msl). Local angler George Graves reports: Yesterday I heard a knock on my back door. When I opened it, there was my magnolia tree begging for water. Now thats dry! Surface water temperature is in the mid-80s and the lake is clear throughout. Bass fishing is fair with most action early in the morning before the heat sets in. Look for surface activity all along the south side of the state park, especially in the big coves and in the spillway area. Throw surface lures such as Zara Spooks, Sammys, Pop-Rs and Flukes. Also try a 4-inch swim bait. If you must fish during the heat of the day, try main lake points next to deep water and fish a Texas- or Carolina-rigged worm or lizard down the steep side from 10 to 30 feet deep. Also try a heavy jig with some sort of crawfish trailer. Use darker colors in deep water. A few fish are coming from the big coves on the south side on spinner baits worked around standing timber and, once again, this is early in the morning activity. Crappie fishing is slow with the fish buried in the deep attractors and not feeding much. You can catch a few fish by being on the 20- to 25-foot main lake attractors early in the morning, even before sun-up. Fish a 2-inch Tennessee Shad grub or live minnows on a sixteenth-ounce jighead vertically and as tight to the brush as possible without getting snagged too often. If no action within a few minutes, move to another attractor, and if you hit enough attractors you should get enough for a meal. Fish attractors in the main lake between Island 34 and Iron Mountain; also try Brushy Creek. Hybrid fishing is good. It seems the hotter the weather, the better the hybrid fishing. Hybrid schools are scattered all along the south side of the state park, from Caddo Bend to DeRoche Ridge. Also on the south side of the lake between points 4 and 6, and the mouth of Brushy Creek. Troll the five-arm umbrella rig off points, humps and ledges until a school is found. The fish will be about 20 feet down. Load the U-rig with 3-inch Kalins white grubs on quarter-ounce jigheads, and troll it at about 2 mph on a long (120-foot) line. When a school is found, stop and cast spoons and big in-line spinners to the fish. This is early morning fishing, even before sun-up, and is usually over by 8:30 a.m. Bream fishing is good with fish in most any cove with some rock or wood cover. Use red worms or crickets. Tight-line the baits down to about 20 feet near the bottom for bigger bream. Catfish are good at night, especially channel cats, on noodles and trotlines. Set the trotlines in coves with lots of cover and drop the noodles in deep water with standing timber. Use Catfish Charlie, blood bait, night crawlers and hot dogs with soap (Irish Spring). Try big minnows, goldfish and small bream for bigger fish.

West-Central Arkansas

Lake Nimrod

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 344.4 feet msl (flood pool 373 msl). Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville ( 501-889-2011 ) said crappie are biting around brushpiles and the upper Fourche River on No. 6 and 8 minnows, Baby Shad, Slab SlayR and StrollR in white/salt and pepper, red/chartreuse, bone white shad, and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. Bream are biting great on red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Bass are going for tequila sunrise and dark worms, spinner baits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.

Lake Bailey (Petit Jean Mountain)

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville ( 501-889-2011 ) said bream are biting great on night crawlers, red worms, meal worms, crickets and rock hoppers. Catfish are biting well on worms, minnows and goldfish. Bass are good on dark-colored worms, spinner baits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.

Fourche La Fave River

Whiskers Sporting Goods in Perryville ( 501-889-2011 ) said the river is stained and very low. Crappie are hitting minnows and white/salt and pepper and red/chartreuse Baby Shad, and PowerBait Crappie Nibbles in green or yellow. Catfish are fair. Try stink bait, livers and goldfish in the river. Bass are going for tequila sunrise and dark worms, spinner baits, Rooster Tails and Flukes.

Lake Hinkle

Bills Bait Shop ( 479-637-7419 ) said the lake is clear and normal. Bream are good, mostly on crickets. Crappie have been poor but try minnows and jigs in deep water. Bass have been good with crankbaits, spinners and minnows. Catfish are good with chicken liver and stink bait.

Blue Mountain Lake

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 386.2 feet msl (flood pool 419 msl). Lake Ouachita As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 574 feet msl (flood pool 578 msl).

Lake Hamilton

For a daily fishing report from Darryl Morris, visit Family Fishing Trips.

Lake Catherine

For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.

Shane Goodner, owner of Catchem All Guide Service, reports the water temperature below Carpenter Dam is 60 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. Regularly scheduled generation times have created a safe environment for fish since the water around the dam is shallow and tends to heat up quickly in summer. Rainbow trout fishing remains very slow with few fish caught this week. This pattern is normal this time of year with the majority of trout caught or migrated away from the dam. Live bait presentations give anglers the best chance for success as finicky rainbows feed for short periods of time and then stop quickly. Small live minnows tight-lined over deep pockets close to the dam have taken trout in the 17-inch class as these fish seek the coldest water for comfort and protection. Night crawlers and red worms are good enticements for hungry trout and work best fished just off the bottom. Wax worms, combined with a marshmallow floater, are good in either in slack water or a current situation. Bank fishermen are at a big disadvantage as the few high-quality areas that hold trout are out of reach. Boaters are more able to access these places and have success. Patience is a must with the slow bite and extra cautious fish. Die-hard fly-fishermen are catching small numbers of trout on San Juan worms in hot pink or red and egg patterns in orange cast with a strike indicator. The rest of the summer will be slow for trout until the stocking program begins again in mid-November. White bass are being caught in the late evening when the turbines are running. Threadfin shad schools are migrating in and out of the tailrace and the bass are feeding heavily on these baitfish at every opportunity. White or gray jigs in sixteenth-ounce or eighth-ounce sizes are good shad imitators, as well as jerk baits in bright colors. Trolling the main channel with small crankbaits in shad or crawfish patterns is an excellent technique to find schools of white bass that are feeding. Hybrid and striped bass have been observed chasing shad below the bridge in the late evening. Super Spooks in trout colors and C-10 Redfins in a silver pattern can draw heart-stopping strikes from these predator fish that seek cooler water and plentiful forage around the dam. Walleye are present and have been caught by jigging spoons in 20 feet of water close to the dam. Carolina rigs tipped with minnows or night crawlers have accounted for walleye in the 5-pound class at night.

East Arkansas

Bear Creek Lake

Mississippi River State Park said shellcrackers are still good about 2 feet deep in shaded coves around logs using crickets and jigs. Catfish are biting on worms and crickets in shaded coves around logs. Bass are good on top-water lures in deeper water early in the morning and in the evening. No word on Crappie.

Storm Creek Lake

Mississippi River State Park said fisherman at Storm Creek Lake said bream are good on plastic worms and crickets early in the morning and late in the evening. Bass, catfish and crappie are reportedly slow at this time.

White River

Triangle Sports ( 870-793-7122 ) said the river is running low but its clear. Stripers have been fair early and late in the date with Skinny Dippers. White bass also are fair early and late, also on Skinny Dippers. Walleye are fair; try Wally Divers late in the day or after dark.

Maddox Bay

Maddox Bay Landing ( 870-462-8317 ) said the water is clear and low. Bream are fair, especially with jigs and crickets. Crappie reports have been fair; try trolling minnows and jigs. Bass are fair on buzz baits and spinners. Catfish are fair with stink bait.

Horseshoe Lake

Local angler Clyde Gregory said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are good in lily pads; try worms and crickets. Crappie can be caught with minnows and jigs, also among lily pads. Bass have been good on plastic frogs in lily pads. Catfish are good; try worms or cut bait in cypress trees.