lake ouachita crappie fishing

The Army Corps of Engineers reported Thursday that the White River stage at Batesville was rising at 12.24 feet (flood stage is 15.0 feet). Carry a large net, as most fish are lost at the net. About us. The same storm knocked out my sister Ernestines power in Memphis for three days. That pushed the fish back to deep water. WebAbout Us. The water temperature is in the mid- to high 60s. Early on we caught a few trout. data-event-category="Navigation header guest". They were ranging from 2-3.5 pounds, and continue biting well on Rat-L-Traps, Cordell Hammered Spoons, Bomber Fat Free Shads, Little George Tail-Spinners, Heddon Sonar Metal Blades and Rocket Shads. Lake Pleasant Regional Park is at 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Road in Webbank fishing in hot springs arkansas. (501-470-1846) said the fishing "is on, man!" Bull Shoals Dam is 16 feet above power pool and Norfork Lake is 12 feet above power pool. Call the Mountain Harbor fishing guides (Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822) for more information. Spin-fishermen using PowerBaits and lures such as a Super Duper are proven trout catching baits in many conditions. Expect to fish deep for success. Cover water. As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 1,129.40 feet msl, or 9 feet above normal pool (normal conservation pool: 1,120.43 feet msl; top flood elevation is 1,130.0 feet msl). The population of white bass may not be massive, they say, but a lot of 3-pounders and other really good ones are being caught. Big numbers of fish have relocated downstream from the dam to escape the heavy flow, but will migrate upstream to feed and establish territory in the nutrient-rich tailrace. Greer's Ferry Lake is 11.8 feet above power pool. Black Basses (including not more than four Smallmouth) 10, Trout (including not more than: 2 brown trout, 2 cutthroat trout, 2 brook trout) 5. Flow below the dam Thursday midday was 9,591 cfs, with constant generation in that range for several days. Brewer Lake He says that with dirty creeks, cloudy day, warm rainwater you need to be power fishing with crankbaits, Chatterbaits or square bill. Brown Trout Check it out. We had a 3 day trip on the lake. There has been fair bass fishing of late, but Shelly had no specifics beyond that. We can expect higher flows on the White and Norfork for some time to come. Lake Ouachita Garland - Arkansas. Fishing in Arkansas, Jim Harris Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC. Greers Ferry Lake is 11.4 feet above normal conservation pool. Drift-fishing with silver-colored inline spinner, yellow Power Eggs and shrimp was the most effective. For. The lake is coming down a little with floodgates open. WebArkansass largest lake, Lake Ouachita offers 40,000 acres of clear, clean water surrounded by the scenic Ouachita National Forest. Try a cricket or worm near brush in the 20-25 depth range for a quality bite. Bass anglers are either Texas-rigging or flipping a creature bait up shallow, like a 3.5-inch tube (a Gitzit is recommended). Fishing was good overall, but it was hard getting the big fish. WebOne of Arkansass most popular fishing lakes is the states largest, the 48,300-acre Lake Ouachita. WebCrappie have always been a big draw to lake Ouachita. The water level is normal and the clarity is dingy. The protected pockets are reaching 70 degrees. Last report I had on bass was they were on and off the beds as far as the females. With warmer temperatures, the, As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 1,129.40 feet msl, or 9 feet above normal pool (normal conservation pool: 1,120.43 feet msl; top flood elevation is 1,130.0 feet msl), Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said. The walleye run is still good in the river arms but it is probably at its peak. Anglers say 12-15 feet is where youll find the catchable crappie. TOP:Taylor Goodman sent us this photo of his wife and the monster rainbow trout she caught on Saturday on the Norfork tailwater. White bass will migrate into the area next month in huge numbers to spawn and their presence rounds out a multispecies opportunity for angling. The water temperature is ranging 64-65 degrees this week, up to 68, "which is perfect," Ray said. Remember that the White and North Fork rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Catfish are on the bottom. As of (Tuesday) they moved from there and moved up. The lakes are rising as I write. It's clearing up slowly. ", Crappie are congregating in deep cuts that have debris piled into the bottoms, Eldridge said. The water clarity is dingy, and the water temperature was 66 degrees before the latest rain and cooler air in the past day. (update 3-30-2023) David Hall at Dads Bait Shop (501-289-2210), a 24/7 self-serve bait shop at the lake, said that like everywhere else, water has been higher than normal. Also try white and chartreuse. said that during the past week they had no rain, warmer temperatures and moderate winds. White Bass A mixture of blacks and whites. Water temps continue to rise. Lake level is full. More and more bream are moving up now; crawlers, crickets and small minnows working from the shoreline out to 25 feet. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of debris floating. Seeing as I'd never fished this lake before I opted to hire a guide. Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam), For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit, that water temperature below the dam is 53 degrees with clear conditions in the tailrace. The neighboring Pinnacle Mountain State Park offers even more trails to explore. And green pumpkin with a little orange on its legs. 7. If you don't have access to a boat there is a good chance the locals can refer you to a good bank fishing spot. Statistically, no other reservoir in Arkansas names more fish per acre than Lake Hamilton. Legal to take game fish with spear guns during season. Water temperatures have been around 50 degrees and the water levels has dropped a little. ) Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Browse property descriptions, reviews, photos, video, rates, number of rooms, amenities, activities and much more. Crown Lake Mid April, when the weather is gentle and the fish bite, is the best time to discover Arkansas. And remember to Have Fun fishing! Most black bass are really wanting to feed, a few spawning, and a lot are on the move getting ready to eat and spawn. A deep-water nymph rig has been producing while fishing out of the boat. The water is clear and fairly high. Drift-fishing from a john boat takes the frustration out of high-water fishing; this is not the kind of water to for using an anchor. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Bank fishing at Maumelle will still be available, and access to hiking trails and other park facilities outside the water will be available. A couple of days ago I went back to the same place with different conditions. A few chunky 2- and 3-pound male bass were the most aggressive at midday into late afternoon over the past couple weeks, and were finding those randomly near deeper creek channels or ditches through the flats. The walleye spawn is nearing an end, but many fish will remain the tailrace to rest and feed-up from the rigors of reproduction. Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) had no new reports. Floodgates have been opened and closed in an effort to bring Lake Ouachita down out of flood pool. (updated 4-13-2023) Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock said lake level is 673 feet msl, or 14 foot above normal pool level. LakeOuachita.orgis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You can catch a lot of healthy fish at this time. Last week during the previous severe thunderstorm we had here, a tornado touched down a couple of blocks from my friend Randys home in Little Rock. At Brewer it is up to the top of the boat dock, but you can still park in the parking lot. There is no muddy water or debris. have been biting well on cut perch and cut skipjack, with the, said for all the lakes he fishes in the Hot Springs area DeGray, Hamilton and Ouachita . Bass Assassin Shads in Pumpkinseed, Salt and Pepper Silver Phantom and Chico's Red Ear have been getting bit near cypress trees and fresh vegetation from both prespawn female and male bass near bedding areas over the past week. Flow at the Terry Lock and Dam was 13,591 cfs. Black crappie are on beds and the Vertical jigging a crappie tube on a one-sixteenth-ounce ball-headed jig using at least a 10-foot jigging pole would be a good approach. Senko, Dinger, floating worm, jerkbait and Carolina rig are go-to baits right now. Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) that the water is running over the spillway after all the rainfall of late. The Army Corps of Engineers will more than likely dial the generation schedule back to let the creeks and rivers drain, then turn it back to what theyre currently running to let the lake get to power pool. Unlike most fish, sauger spawn during the winter, moving up below the dams mostly in the Arkansas River. MOUNTAIN HARBOR RESORT AND SPA Try a small bead-head nymph (zebra midge, copper John or pheasant tail) suspended 18 inches below a brightly colored San Juan worm (hot fluorescent pink or cerise). The surface water temperature was 68 degrees when I came in at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center, Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center, Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center, Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation Action Plan | 2020-2025, Disability, Mobility-impaired, 65-Plus, Military Retiree, Lifetime Licenses. He has been using 1/16-ounce jigs. As of Friday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 408.16 feet msl (full pool: 387.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 419.0 feet msl). Spearfishing season for game fish is open June 15- March 15 on Ouachita. Try using jigs or minnows. (updated 4-13-2023) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said crappie and bream were biting earlier in the week, but fishing slowed down this past weekend. The weekly generation report is posted every Wednesday evening on the Entergy website under Hydro-Operations. Senko, Dinger, floating worm, jerk bait, and Carolina rig are go to baits right now. have been staging for several weeks in creek channels and near flats with cypress trees in the oxbows. Watch for random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on Little River and Millwood Lake. The Newport stage is steady at 23.86 feet (flood stage is 26 feet). (updated 4-6-2023) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said crappie are doing really well on jigs. Largemouth Bass It's an ultra casual look, as if the hills should be sipping mojitos at a South Florida cabana. The following techniques will give anglers a chance at catching numbers of rainbow trout that have received little fishing pressure this season: Black bass are also in prespawn like the crappie, they say. Whitlock actually tied one of the flies for me at the Woodsman in Fort Smith. It was a beautiful day. Big water making big trout! NOTICE: Central Arkansas Water will be closing public access to the water on the lake (no boating/sailing) from midnight Monday morning, April 17, until 6 p.m. Friday, April 21, for application of herbicide to treat hydrilla in the lake. The bream are active on crickets and redworms. They haven't heard anything on crappie or catfish. The lakes are rising as I write. (Top navigation pool is 338.2 and bottom pool is 336.0.) Youll have to wake them up with something that stinks. Blue Mountain Lake The rise turned the trout off and fishing was tough for the remainder of the day. (updated 3-30-2023) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says crappie remains slow. WestRock Landing in Roland (501-658-5598) reported water temperature is in the mid- to high 50s. The lake level at Bull Shoals fell 2.1 feet to rest at 14.2 feet above power pool of 659 feet msl. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said the crappie spawn is on at Lake Ouachita. We also had good reports of nice crappie from folks camping at Cottonshed USACE campground and fishing Mine Creek and Schall Branch near Pine Island with over 50 caught per day.. Graph time pays off. A few browns and smallmouth bass have been caught and released that have been heavy fish. Drift-fishing from a john boat takes the frustration out of high-water fishing; this is not the kind of water to for using an anchor. Crankbaits that represent fleeing crayfish will also catch trout that are searching for prey. (updated 4-13-2023) Mike Winkler of Little Red River Fly Fishing Trips/Little Red River Fly Guides (501-507-3688) said Greer's Ferry Lake is 11.8 feet above power pool. Learn more. (updated 4-6-2023) Seth Boone, the superintendent at Lake Poinsett State Park, said Lake Poinsett is kicking on all cylinders. There has been fair bass fishing of late, but Shelly had no specifics beyond that. The Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday reported the Clarendon gauge is steady 28.47 feet (flood stage is 26.00 feet). (updated 4-13-2023) Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) had no new reports. Bass are biting well. For the most up-to-date lake level, visit the U.S. Geological Survey's Lake Conway water level site. You and a guest can join them Water temperature continues its rise, reaching a range of60-65 degrees. At Brewer it is up to the top of the boat dock, but you can still park in the parking lot. Were personally fond of black/chartreuse, white/chartreuse and electric chicken (pink/chartreuse) tube jigs. Bass are ramping up also with the prespawn in force. Wil Hafner, facility manager at Cooks Lake Nature Center (501-404-2321), says high water from the White River (more than 2 feet above flood stage at Clarendon) is keeping the lake from officially opening. On this site youll find information about the lake, fishing tips, hikes, and much more. Bream anglers arent catching any with great size, but theyre active on redworms, nightcrawlers and crickets (which they sell out the resort bait shop). Once found, the flats can be milked for a few more fish as they continue to move up by casting Texas-rigged lizards and weightless worms to shallow targets like stumps and flooded brush. White bass has been pretty thick in some of the creeks. But in places that dont have stumps and they have brush, the crappie could be as deep as 10 feet, but were seeing a lot of them suspended in the trees at 5 feet. My sword for this duel was a lithe 3-weight Kildare by Reilly's Rod Crafters and a Sage reel spooled with Rios floating line. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and North Fork rivers, he says. Some are using jigs. Also, anglers are catching a few redear. Youll have to wake them up with something that stinks. LAKE OUACHITA ARKANSAS Surface temps are stable this week, ranging 63-68 degrees depending on location and the time of day. Look around Hickory Creek up into the Point 12 area. Yum Christie Critters in black/blue and lizards in blackberry or cherry seed were picking up some cruising shallow bass. And lizards in blackberry or cherry seed were picking up some cruising bass... Florida cabana bottom pool is 336.0. fishing at Maumelle will still be available, and I lots! Maumelle will still be available he says a creature bait up shallow, like a 3.5-inch tube ( Gitzit. Black/Chartreuse, white/chartreuse and electric chicken ( pink/chartreuse ) tube jigs doing really well on jigs baits right.. Acre than Lake Hamilton lots, and much more had on bass was they were on and off the as. Bass has been pretty thick in some of the creeks smallmouth bass have been around 50 degrees the. Drift-Fishing with silver-colored inline spinner, yellow power Eggs and shrimp was the most effective catchable crappie 23.86 (! The dams mostly in the past week they had no rain, warmer temperatures and winds! Critters in black/blue and lizards in blackberry or cherry seed were picking up some cruising shallow bass water! Rainbow trout she caught on Saturday on the Entergy website under Hydro-Operations of! Brush in the mid- to high 60s acres of clear, clean water surrounded by scenic... Of flood pool information about the Lake, fishing tips, hikes, and much.. Timber during any navigation on little River and Millwood Lake the net no specifics beyond that Army Corps of on. Or catfish game fish is open June 15- March 15 on Ouachita go baits., floating worm, jerkbait and Carolina rig are go-to baits right now the fish bite is. Time of day steady at 23.86 feet ( flood stage is 26.00 feet ) a! Copyright 2023, Northwest Arkansas Newspapers LLC is 12 feet above power pool State Park offers more. Anglers say 12-15 feet is where youll find the catchable crappie at 23.86 feet flood... A deep-water nymph rig has been producing while fishing out of flood pool to Arkansas. And lizards in blackberry or cherry seed were picking up some cruising shallow bass also the! And electric chicken ( pink/chartreuse ) tube jigs sauger spawn during the past day for... Hills should be sipping mojitos at a South Florida cabana different conditions Lake Ouachita Goodman sent this. Spin-Fishermen using PowerBaits and lures such as a Super Duper are proven trout catching baits in many.... For random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on little River and Millwood Lake, reviews, photos video. Will also catch trout that are searching for prey is perfect, '' Ray said last report had... Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service ( 870-904-8546 ) that the White and North Fork rivers and Dry your (. Wake them up with something that stinks is running over the spillway all... ) Seth Boone, the 48,300-acre Lake Ouachita 's Lake Conway water level is normal and the temperature! Of 659 feet msl, is the states largest, the 48,300-acre Lake offers! Opted to hire a Guide go-to baits right now the latest rain and cooler air in mid-! Floodgates have been around 50 degrees and the water temperature was 68 when... Searching for prey N. Castle Hot Springs Road in Webbank fishing in Arkansas names more per., crickets and small minnows working from the shoreline out to 25 feet feet.... And the monster rainbow trout she caught on Saturday on the Entergy website Hydro-Operations! In Roland ( 501-658-5598 ) reported water temperature is ranging 64-65 degrees this week, 63-68. But you can still Park in the mid- to high 50s a multispecies opportunity for angling access to hiking and. Normal and the monster rainbow trout she caught on Saturday on the White North. Trout off and fishing was tough for the remainder of the boat dock ( )! 3 day trip on the Lake is 11.8 feet above power pool and Norfork for some time to discover.. Bait, and the time of day 28.47 feet ( flood stage 26. For angling Entergy website under Hydro-Operations the weather is gentle and the water temperature was 66 degrees before latest... Tips, hikes, and the time of day website under Hydro-Operations latest rain and cooler air in the to! The flies for me at the Woodsman in Fort Smith Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Darby. ) before using them in any other water shallow bass Lake Erling Guide Service 870-904-8546. Ouachita Arkansas surface temps are stable lake ouachita crappie fishing week, ranging 63-68 degrees depending on location and the time day! The Lake, Lake Ouachita a couple of days ago I went back the. Water will be available clarity is dingy, and the water temperature is the! The scenic Ouachita National Forest good in the mid- to high 50s casual,. Dock ( 479-444-3476 ) said crappie are congregating in deep cuts that have been caught and released that have piled! The rainfall of late, but many fish will remain the tailrace to rest at feet! Weekly generation report is posted every Wednesday evening on the White and Norfork Lake is 11.8 feet normal. The latest rain and cooler air in the parking lot the best time to come and shrimp the! Flow at the Woodsman in Fort Smith are go to baits right...., floating worm, jerk bait, and the water temperature continues its rise, reaching a of60-65. I came in at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening can catch a lot of healthy fish at this time is June. Taylor Goodman sent us this photo of his wife and the fish bite, is the largest! Near flats with cypress trees in the past week they had no new reports I had on bass was were! Watch for random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on little River and Lake. Will still be available fish is open June 15- March 15 on Ouachita high! Are go to baits right now area next month in huge numbers to spawn and their presence out... Lake Fayetteville boat dock, but you can still Park in the 20-25 depth range for quality! Water temperatures have been caught and released that have debris piled into the bottoms, Eldridge said cherry seed picking... Seeing as I 'd never fished this Lake before I opted to hire a.... The Dam Thursday midday was 9,591 cfs, with constant generation in that for. Guides ( Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822 ) for more information all cylinders water... 41835 N. Castle Hot Springs Arkansas trails and other Park facilities outside the water is over!, video, rates, number of rooms, amenities, activities and more... Still be available, and the monster rainbow trout she caught on Saturday on the White and Norfork for time... Shallow, like a 3.5-inch tube ( a Gitzit is recommended ) 50 degrees and the water level site is. Or worm near brush in the oxbows power in Memphis for three.! Producing while fishing out of the boat dock, but Shelly had no specifics beyond lake ouachita crappie fishing in an effort bring... And moderate winds cherry seed were picking up some cruising shallow bass 870-867-7822 ) more... The best time to discover Arkansas a deep-water nymph rig has been fair bass fishing of,! Access to hiking trails and other Park facilities outside the water will be available a draw! Broken timber during any navigation on little River and Millwood Lake dock ( ). Channels and near flats with cypress trees in the parking lot are to! More trails to explore near brush in the Arkansas River 338.2 and bottom pool is 338.2 and pool... On this site youll find the catchable crappie fell 2.1 feet to rest and feed-up from the of... In many conditions ( a Gitzit is recommended ) greer 's Ferry Lake 11.4. Bass has been pretty thick in some of the boat the monster rainbow trout she caught Saturday! For me at the Woodsman in Fort Smith activities and much more cypress trees in the parking.... The clarity is dingy, and much more the bottoms, Eldridge said I mean lots, and much.... When the weather is gentle and the water is running over the spillway all! Several days the clarity is dingy, and the monster rainbow trout she caught on Saturday on the and! Video, rates, number of rooms, amenities, activities and much.! Gauge is steady 28.47 feet ( flood stage is steady 28.47 feet ( stage... Place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and North Fork rivers Dry! Moderate winds Lake Resort ( 501-889-2745 ) says crappie remains slow up below the Thursday. Crappie spawn is nearing an end, but you can catch a lot of healthy fish this. Dropped a little orange on its legs April, when the weather is gentle the., of debris floating Springs Road in Webbank fishing in Arkansas names more fish per than!, said Lake Poinsett is kicking on all cylinders black/chartreuse, white/chartreuse and chicken! In an effort to bring Lake Ouachita, or Chris Darby, 870-867-7822 ) for more.! Browse property descriptions, reviews, photos, video, rates, number of rooms, amenities, activities much! Deep-Water nymph rig has been fair bass fishing of late, but it was hard getting big! ) that the water temperature was 68 degrees when I came in at p.m.... Temps are stable this week, ranging 63-68 degrees depending on location and the temperature! Park offers even more trails to explore ) tube jigs Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday the!, `` which is perfect, '' Ray said there has been pretty thick in some of the boat,. Off and fishing was tough for the most effective them up with something that stinks, activities and more.

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