Arkansas Fishing Report from Anglers

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Thought some of your membership might enjoy this:

Sittin' Here Wishin' That I Could Go Fishin'
A song and video for everyone who loves to fish!
http://youtu.be/6lycoRjPW-U

April 18, 2012 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry lake is at 462.72 and falling it is 1.69 feeet above normal pool of 461.03 and the temp ranges from 66 to 69 degrees.

The white bass and hybrid bass are eating pretty good in 25-38 feet of water on in-line spinners, the Arkansas claw.

The black basses are all in the 3 different stages of spawn as the cooler night temps have cooled off the bite.

Some crappie have spawned and some have not , but are eating none the less, on minnows and jigs.

Walleye have become real funky, but the bite should pick up with a few days of sun.

The bream have even slowed down some what but can be caught with crawlers and crickets.

No- report on catfish

April 16, 2012 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service - As of Monday 16 Apr, the lake level is nearing normal level. There is a decreased current in the river. The Largemouth Bass are in various stages of the spawn. Little River's oxbows over the past week have much improved water clarity. Warmer temperatures over the past week have again increased surface water temps.

Surface temps as of Monday 16 Apr are currently ranging 67ºF early to 76ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

Lake level as of Monday 16 Apr, is currently is 259.8 mfsl, and holding, which is approx 7 inches above normal. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was with all gates open, for total discharge of 1,978 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday was unavailable.

Clarity and visibility as of Monday on main lake diminished with all the thunderstorms and fresh incoming water; stained somewhat in the river and main lake structure; currently ranging approx 5-6 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, albeit, with some stain, ranging approx 15-24 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

River Run East facilities are still undergoing maintenance and upgrades, and as such, still closed until mid-July 2012. All other ramps and USACE parks are open. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements.

To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Tony Porter at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive project updates, lake level information updates, or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.

The Details:

Largemouth Bass: The best bass bite over the past week and aggressiveness of various stages of the spawn, continues improving with the increase of surface temperatures. Numerous techniques are catching bass, including buzz baits, Cordell Redfins, spinnerbaits, and soft plastic shad jerk baits. Lizards, worms and jigs around stumps, grass, dead lily pad stems, and wood laydowns in the oxbows, away from river current are working. Majority of the female bass up Little River are now postspawn.

For various stages of spawning bass, Strikeworks Jigs in pumpkinseed/chartreuse, or Bruised Turtle, and Lake Fork Super Tubes, or lizards in black, or black & blue colors, are working with much patience. Yum Wooly Bugs and Berkley Pit Bosses in watermelon red or California colors are working also on the pre-spawn or bedding bass. We are also catching some 15-18" Bass on stumps in 8-10 foot depths with these magnum or over-sized tubes and slow rolling large Booya or War Eagle Spinnerbaits in cole slaw, firetiger, or spot remover colors. Best colors of tubes in clearer water back in the oxbows are smoke or watermelon-red, or purple smoke.

For the oxbows, where the water is much, much clearer, pitching a brown/pumpkinseed/chartreuse, or Hot PB&J, or Diablo Craw colored StrikeWorks Jigs around stumps, laydowns, and in lily pad stems were taking 17-19" size Bass. Salty Rat Tails, Yum Dingers, and trick worms, wacky-rigged in purple smoke fleck, watermelon-red, or Merthiolate colors are taking some nice 14-18" Largemouth Bass and a few Kentucky Bass. Dead-sticking Bass Assassin Shads and the trick worms on a light wire hook were catching a few pre and post-spawn female bass in the 4-6 pound range, worked extremely slowly around new blooming lily pads.

Rat-L-Traps will get you bit from aggressive pre-spawn males and the few female bass that are yet to commit to the bed and still staging although the majority of the female bass are now postspawn. Best colors continue to be Toledo Gold, Red Chrome, Red Zombie or Sexy Zombie colors, for Largemouth Bass in the 15-18" length range. The key to the best reaction on the Rat-L-Trap bite is deflecting off stumps in flats of 5-6' water depth, close to 8-12' drop offs. Bomber Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad, Citrus Shad, or white colors are catching a few Largemouths back in the oxbows away from muddy current, where the water clarity is much better by using the same deflection retrieves on stumps, as is working for the Rat-L-Traps on flats adjacent to deeper creek channel bends and swings. Bites happen just after the moment of deflection on the stump or timber, with a purposed pause.

White Bass: Whites have all but finished their annual spawning migration runs to Patterson Shoals areas where anglers were reporting catches of 25-60 White Bass / day. Whites are now scattered along Little River and the oxbows in loose and broken schools.

Crappie: Jigs worked around cypress trees and knees continue taking some nice slabs and pre-spawn Crappie this week continue to hold in 4-8' depths in the oxbows near base of cypress trees up Little River.

Longnose Gar: Very large Gar (in excess of 20 pounds each) are very shallow continuing to make fine opportunities for bow fishermen.

Cats: remain very good this week again, on trot lines, yo-yos, tight lines, along current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River. Blues and Channel Cats continue biting best on cut shad, chicken liver, & blood bait, in 15-18 feet of Little River on the outer break lines in current or on yo-yos tied along the Little River, in 14-15 feet depths.

April 16, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Steve Olomon of Steve's Guide Service.

http://www.fishingwithsteve.com/

The lake dropped 4 1/2ft. from last week to put the lake just 2ft. above normal pool level of 552. The water temp dropped also to the mid 60's. With the lake dropping so fast the bite was tough this week. The Corps is supposed to stop letting water out early this week. Then the lake will stabilize and fishing will get better. When the wind wasn't blowing there were some fish feeding on the surface early in the morning and just before dark. When it's windy they just don't come up. We caught a few nice largemouth on a white Spook busting baitfish out in 100ft. of water. We also caught some bass and whites on a 4" white swim bait. A few stripers were caught on points at night on rouges.

April 12, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report By Scuba Steve from Blackburns Resort The lake level is 556.67 and is dropping very rapidly at the rate of 8-1/2 inches a day. Surface temperature has also dropped to 67 degrees with much cooler weather which has returned to about normal. The lake is mostly tea colored due to the drop but that has not stopped fishing any. Smallmouth Bass and hybrid stripers are biting very well as are catfish and bluegill. Some very large fish are being taken everyday with most people catching fish. They stabilized the level long enough for a pretty good crappie and bass spawn. The walleye had already spawned before the rain. It is staring to get a little dry here with the lake level about normal for this time of year. Top water bite is picking up nicely in the AM about sunrise.

April 12, 2012 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/12/2012

During the past week, we have had no measurable rain, warm temperatures and less windy conditions. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three and nine tenths of a foot to rest at seven tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool or fifteen and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one and five tenths feet to rest at three and five feet above power pool or six and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had very heavy generation (at or near maximum generation) early in the week and lower generation later in the week. There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell four and six tenths feet to rest at four and seven tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty three and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had heavy generation with additional flows entering the river through the flood gates. This week the total flows were around 9,000 cubic feet per second (maximum flows are around 7,200 CFS). There has been no wadable water. The Corps of Engineers has been aggressively drawing down the lakes to prepare for spring rains and we should receive wadable water soon.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam was closed to fishing from November 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. It was opened to fishing on February 1, 2012. When you are fishing there you should avoid the use of drag chains to prevent damage to trout redds and the brown trout eggs in them. On low water, you should wade carefully to avoid them. They will appear as clean depressions in the gravel bottom.

On the much higher flows that we received this week, the key to success has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns below an indicator. You should use a leader/tippet combination of twelve feet or longer and heavy weight (AAA split shot or heavier). To increase the takes, suspend a dropper fly beneath the lead fly. Productive choices would be copper Johns, sowbugs and fluttering caddis nymphs. Concentrate on fishing the bank, submerged islands and weed beds. There have been reports of shad coming through during the heavy generation and some anglers have reported success fishing shad patterns.

Another productive technique for this high level of generation is to bang the bank with large articulated streamers on a fast sinking sink tip fly line (250 grains or heavier). In order to cast these flies on these lines, you will need at least an eight weight fly rod. Suggested flies are butt monkeys, sex dungeons and zoo cougars. This technique is heavy work and not for the casual fly fisher. It will not produce large numbers of trout but can generate some big fish.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are low and clear. The water temperature is at the level for the Smallmouth to be active. Some anglers have reported success with Clouser minnows and crawfish patterns. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

There has been generation continuously on the Norfork. On higher flows, the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange). Here again banging the bank with large articulated streamers can produce some large trout. With the flood gates open, warm water species are escaping from the lake into the river.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and clearing. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season has not started yet and we have much less traffic on stream. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot spot has been the Bayou Access. The hot flies have been brown woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

April 10, 2012 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service -
USE EXTREME CAUTION DURING NAVIGATION ON MILLWOOD LAKE DURING HIGH GATE RELEASE DISCHARGE RATES! LIMBS, LOGS,TREES, GRASS MATS, AND DEBRIS CONTINUE WITH HEAVY CURRENT IN LITTLE RIVER!!

As of Monday 09 Apr, the lake level continues falling from recently above normal conservation pool due to recent rains over the past weeks. There is a marked increased current in the river. The Largemouth Bass are in various stages of the spawn. Little River's oxbows over the past week have much improved water clarity. Warmer temperatures over the past week have again increased surface water temps.

Surface temps as of Monday 09 Apr are currently ranging 65ºF early to 75ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

Lake level as of Monday 09 Apr, is currently is 259.47 mfsl, and falling, which is approx 3 inches above normal. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was with all gates open, for total discharge of 9,440 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday is currently 240.18 mfsl and falling.

Clarity and visibility as of Monday on main lake diminished with all the thunderstorms and fresh incoming water; stained somewhat in the river and main lake structure; currently ranging approx 4-8 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, albeit, with some stain, ranging approx 15-24 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

River Run East facilities are still undergoing maintenance and upgrades, and as such, still closed until mid-July 2012. All other ramps and USACE parks are open. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements.

To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Tony Porter at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive project updates, lake level information updates, or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.

The Details:

Largemouth Bass: The best bass bite over the past week and aggressiveness of various stages of the spawn, continues improving with the increase of surface temperatures. Numerous techniques are catching bass, including buzz baits, Cordell Redfins, spinnerbaits, and soft plastic shad jerk baits. Lizards, worms and jigs around stumps, grass, dead lily pad stems, and wood laydowns in the oxbows, away from river current are working. Majority of the female bass up Little River are now postspawn.

For various stages of spawning bass, Strikeworks Jigs in pumpkinseed/chartreuse, or Bruised Turtle, and Lake Fork Super Tubes, or lizards in black, or black & blue colors, are working with much patience. Yum Wooly Bugs and Berkley Pit Bosses in watermelon red or California colors are working also on the pre-spawn or bedding bass. We are also catching some 15-18" Bass on stumps in 8-10 foot depths with these magnum or over-sized tubes and slow rolling large Booya or War Eagle Spinnerbaits in cole slaw, firetiger, or spot remover colors. Best colors of tubes in clearer water back in the oxbows are smoke or watermelon-red, or purple smoke.

For the oxbows, where the water is much, much clearer, pitching a brown/pumpkinseed/chartreuse, or Hot PB&J, or Diablo Craw colored StrikeWorks Jigs around stumps, laydowns, and in lily pad stems were taking 17-19" size Bass. Salty Rat Tails, Yum Dingers, and trick worms, wacky-rigged in purple smoke fleck, watermelon-red, or Merthiolate colors are taking some nice 14-18" Largemouth Bass and a few Kentucky Bass. Dead-sticking Bass Assassin Shads and the trick worms on a light wire hook were catching a few pre-spawn female bass in the 4-6 pound range, worked extremely slowly around new blooming lily pads.

Rat-L-Traps will get you bit from aggressive pre-spawn males and the few female bass that are yet to commit to the bed and still staging although the majority of the female bass are now postspawn. Best colors continue to be Toledo Gold, Red Chrome, Red Zombie or Sexy Zombie colors, for Largemouth Bass in the 15-18" length range. The key to the best reaction on the Rat-L-Trap bite is deflecting off stumps in flats of 5-6' water depth, close to 8-12' drop offs. Bomber Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad, Citrus Shad, or white colors are catching a few Largemouths back in the oxbows away from muddy current, where the water clarity is much better by using the same deflection retrieves on stumps, as is working for the Rat-L-Traps on flats adjacent to deeper creek channel bends and swings. Bites happen just after the moment of deflection on the stump or timber, with a purposed pause.

White Bass: Whites have all but finished their annual spawning migration runs to Patterson Shoals areas where anglers were reporting catches of 25-60 White Bass / day. Whites are now scattered along Little River and the oxbows in loose and broken schools.

Crappie: Jigs worked around cypress trees and knees continue taking some nice slabs and pre-spawn Crappie this week in 4-8' depths in the oxbows up Little River.

Longnose Gar: Very large Gar (in excess of 20 pounds each) are considering the spawn and are very shallow making fine opportunities for bow fishermen.

April 9, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters.

http://www.stroutfitters.com/

The stripers are off the points in the main lake. The Corps. has been lowering the lake with four gates and a generator going 24 hrs a day. This will continue until April 14th, the fish have moved from the creeks by the current from the dam. Fish the points from Diamond Bay to the dam and up to Brushy and Big Creeks. I have been catching most of the stripers dragging a split weight and threadfin shad in 25' of water. Today the best bite was after 10 am. The Threadfin started spawning in the marina so look for them on the points as the main lake warms. Fishing will continue to get better as the weather continues to warm.

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort.

http://www.hummingbird-hideaway.com/

Norfork Lake is bustling with fishing activity. The fishing and catching has been great. Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted Bass fishing is by far the best bite on the lake. Over the past week or so I have seen more 3 - 5 pound bass caught than ever before. I believe this shows that the previous high water years was a benefit to the Norfork Lake fishery with the increase in numbers of fish as well as the size. The fish are hitting top water lures early in the mornings and late in the day. Cast a spook, fluke, rogue or your favorite top water bait into the sunken buck brush, let it sit for 10 seconds or so then walk-the-dog back to the boat. You may get hammered immediately in very shallow water or they may follow it back and hit part way back to the boat. Once the sun comes up the fish are falling back into 12 - 20 feet of water. You can then cast crank baits, swimming minnows, jig and pigs. If it is windy try a spinner bait. I have found that the closer to the bottom you are the more strikes you will get. For those live bait fisher-people cast your bait right up into the buck brush with no weights. Let the minnow do its job and attract the fish. The Striper and hybrid bite is starting to happen, but is still a little inconsistent. Walleye are feeding in the same areas as the bass and stripers, I haven't landed any yet, but I know of quite a few nice size walleye are being caught. The surface water temperature has fallen to the upper 60's. The lake is still very stained with some clearing starting to happen in parts of the lake.

April 9, 2012 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry lake is at 465.43 and falling and is up 4,4 feet above normal pool of 461.03

The white and hybrid bass are just about done up the main rivers and some are already back in the lake chasing shad and eating pretty well , on small top water baits, spoons, in-line spinners ,swim baits, as well as on the Arkansas claw.

All the black basses continue to be in all 3 phases of the spawn , all over the lake and rivers.

The bream are up shallow with some bedding and others guarding fry ,eating crickets ,crawlers and small crank baits and flies.

Walleye are biting in the lake well with some wind and cloud cover on crawlers.

Crappie are in the bushes and out in front of the bushes , suspended and eating pretty good.

The catfish are eating baits on jugs and lines baited pretty shallow.

April 8, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Steve Olomon of Steve's Guide Service.

http://www.fishingwithsteve.com/

The Corp. has been letting water out and the lake level is dropping 6" a day. The lake is 559 and last week it was 562.5. The water temp was around 70 early in the week and has dropped to the mid 60's. The water is still dirty. You can see down about three feet. There are a few stripers coming up chasing baitfish but they aren't schooling. Just a fish or two here and there. The hybrids are doing the same. Most of the fish this week have been caught on a swim bait. We did manage to catch a few nice hybrids on Spooks and Red Fins. A few bass are coming up too. We also got a few nice whites on Spooks and swim baits.

April 5, 2012 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 4/05/2012

During the past week, we have had no measurable rain, warm temperatures and less windy conditions. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three and three tenths of a foot to rest at four and six tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty six and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell two and three tenths of a foot to rest at six tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake remained steady at five feet above power pool or four and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had very heavy generation (at or near maximum generation). There has been no wadable water. Norfork Lake fell one and nine tenths of a foot to rest at nine and three tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or eighteen and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had moderate generation with additional flows entering the river through the flood gates. Early in the week the total flows were at or near maximum and later in the week were greater, around 9,000 cubic feet per second (maximum flows are around 7,200 CFS). There has been no wadable water. The Corps of Engineers is aggressively drawing down the lakes to prepare for normal spring rains and we should expect them to reach power pool in a matter of days. There should be wadable water then.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are lower and clearing. The water temperature is at the level for the Smallmouth to be active. Some anglers have reported success with Clouser minnows. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

Dry Run Creek has been productive. The weather has been mild and it has drawn lots of young anglers taking advantage it. Spring break is over and it is much less crowded during the week. There is an opportunity for a bit of solitude at times. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. While you are there take a few minutes to visit the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. It has not been included in the federal budget for next year. It is crucial to our economy and fishery that it stays in operation. Contact your Senator or Congressman and let them know that you want it to be fully funded.

April 4, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters.

http://www.stroutfitters.com/

The stripers have been moving a lot, we were catching fish up the creeks until the Corps opened the gates to release the water we received from the 7 inch rain. Some great top water started last weekend and has continued near the mouth of the major creeks and main lake points. I have been fishing main lake points and cuts in the Big Creek area. The water temp has continued to rise. Some places in the creeks it's in the high 70's. Fishing should continue to get better as the weather continues to warm.

April 4, 2012 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry is at 467.50 it is 6.47 feet above pool of 461.03 and falling, the temp is mid 70’s.

The bass fishing is good if ya can find them with all species being scattered out with the high water they are in all 3 phrases of the spawn and you can catch them just about any way ya like to fish , the trick is to find them.

The catfish are showing up some now with some being caught on jugs,trot line and rod and reels, using crawdads , crawlers and bream.

Bream are biting pretty well on small crank baits and crickets.

Walleye are just about done up river , but now the lake fish are showing up and biting some on crawlers and crank baits.

Crappie are still in their spawn and are biting all over the lake , up in the flooded buck brush and some are still suspended out in front of the bushes , use jigs and minnows.

The whites bass aqnd hybrid bass some are still up the rivers and some are in the lake chasing shad , try in-line spinners , grubs and the Arkansas claw.

April 3, 2012 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service - As of Monday 02 Apr, the lake level continues falling from recently above normal conservation pool due to recent rains over the past weeks. There is a marked increased current in the river. The Largemouth Bass are in various stages of the spawn. Little River's oxbows over the past week have much improved water clarity. Warmer temperatures over the past week have again increased surface water temps.

Surface temps rose over the past week, & as of Monday 02 Apr are currently ranging 63ºF early to 77ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

Lake level as of Monday 02 Apr, is currently is 259.49 mfsl, and falling, which is now approx 4 inches above normal. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was increased with all gates open, for total discharge of 16,920 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday, rose over the past week, and is currently 241.28 mfsl and rising.

Clarity and visibility as of Monday on main lake diminished with all the thunderstorms and fresh incoming water; stained somewhat in the river and main lake structure; currently ranging approx 4-8 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, albeit, with some stain, ranging approx 15-24 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

River Run East facilities are still undergoing maintenance and upgrades, and as such, still closed until mid-July 2012. All other ramps and USACE parks are open. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements.

To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Tony Porter at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive project updates, lake level information updates, or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.

The Details:

Largemouth Bass: The best bass bite over the past week and aggressiveness of various stages of the spawn, continues improving with the increase of surface temperatures. Numerous techniques are catching bass, including buzz baits, Rat-L-Traps, Cordell Redfins, spinnerbaits, and soft plastic shad jerk baits. Lizards, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits, worked around stumps, grass, dead lily pad stems, and wood laydowns in the oxbows, away from river current are working.

For various stages of spawning bass, Strikeworks Jigs in pumpkinseed/chartreuse, or Bruised Turtle, and Lake Fork Super Tubes, or lizards in black, or black & blue colors, are working with much patience. Yum Wooly Bugs and Berkley Pit Bosses in watermelon red or California colors are working also on the pre-spawn or bedding bass. We are also catching some 15-18" Bass on stumps in 8-10 foot depths with these magnum or over-sized tubes and slow rolling large Booya or War Eagle Spinnerbaits in cole slaw, firetiger, or spot remover colors. Best colors of tubes in clearer water back in the oxbows are smoke or watermelon-red, or purple smoke.

For the oxbows, where the water is much, much clearer, pitching a brown/pumpkinseed/chartreuse, or Hot PB&J, or Diablo Craw colored StrikeWorks Jigs around stumps, laydowns, and in lily pad stems were taking 17-19" size Bass. Salty Rat Tails, Yum Dingers, and trick worms, wacky-rigged in purple smoke fleck, watermelon-red, or Houdini colors are taking some nice 14-18" Largemouth Bass and a few Kentucky Bass. Dead-sticking Bass Assassin Shads on a light wire hook were catching a few pre-spawn female bass in the 4-6 pound range, worked extremely slowly around new blooming lily pads.

Rat-L-Traps continue to get you a bite from aggressive pre-spawn males and female bass that are yet to commit to the bed and still staging. Best colors continue to be Toledo Gold, Red Chrome, Red Zombie or Sexy Zombie colors, for Largemouth Bass in the 15-18" length range. The key to the best reaction on the Rat-L-Trap bite is deflecting off stumps in flats of 5-6' water depth, close to 8-12' drop offs. Bomber Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad, Citrus Shad, or white colors are catching a few Largemouths back in the oxbows away from muddy current, where the water clarity is much better by using the same deflection retrieves on stumps, as is working for the Rat-L-Traps on flats adjacent to deeper creek channel bends and swings. Bites happen just after the moment of deflection on the stump or timber, with a purposed pause.

White Bass: Whites continue congregate and are being found up above AR Hwy 71 bridge on points and cuts, and were hitting Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crankbaits up Little River. Based on current surface water temps, these Whites are beginning to finish up their annual spawning migration runs to Patterson Shoals areas where anglers are reporting catches of 25-60 White Bass / day.

Crappie: Jigs worked around cypress trees and knees were taking some nice slabs and pre-spawn Crappie this week in 4-8' depths in the oxbows up Little River.

Cats: remain very good this week again, on trot lines, yo-yos, tight lines, along current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River. Blues and Channel Cats were biting best on cut shad, chicken liver, & blood bait, in 15-18 feet of Little River on the outer break lines in current or on yo-yos tied along the Little River, in 14-15 feet depths.

April 1, 2012 - Norfork -

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Steve Olomon of Steve's Guide Service.

http://www.fishingwithsteve.com/

The lake level is 562.5 and the water temp is in the upper 60's. The lake is still 10 1/2 ft. above normal. The stripers and hybrids are chasing baitfish to the surface early and just before dark. It's mostly just one or two fish and they should start schooling this week. You can catch the top water fish on Spooks, Bass Assassins and Red Fins. They are hitting swim baits too. At night throw a Rogue up to the brush. Remember to reel your bait real slow. The walleye should start hitting stick baits at night too. There are a lot of fish in the brush and just outside the brush where the bank is at normal pool. We still were catching some nice largemouth and smallmouth on a swim bait out off the brush. The lake is still dirty up lake but is getting better every day. The lower end of the lake has been clearer. About two to three foot of visibility. But the water is dirty the farther you get back in the creeks.

March 31, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters.

http://www.stroutfitters.com/

The stripers are near the points in stained water, I have been fishing the Big Creek area and fished the points and sides of points about 75 yards back. Small shad has been the trick, I have been using free lines back 60 to 80' with a small split shot and two sets of planner boards with one set with a small split shot and other nothing but the bait. I caught fish both yesterday and today after 9 am, the biggest was 20 lbs on a gizzard shad.

March 29, 2012 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/29/2012

During the past week, we have had no rain, warm temperatures and windy conditions. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose three and four tenths of a foot to rest at seven and nine tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty three and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at two and nine tenths of a foot above power pool or thirteen and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose three and two tenths of a foot to rest at five feet above power pool or four and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had light generation early in the week when there was flooding downstream and much heavier generation later in the week once the flooding had cleared. There was no wadable water. Norfork Lake rose seven and five tenths of a foot to rest at eleven and two tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or sixteen and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had light generation during the week and no wadable water. The runoff from the significant rain event of the prior week continued to raise the lake levels on all lakes on the White River system. We should have high water conditions for the foreseeable future.

Early in the week, the water flows on the White River have been low and constant. While this water level has not been conducive for streamer fishing, the water levels have been near perfect for drifting small nymphs. With the lighter flows, we have been able to use less weight on the leader and we have been required to use lighter tippets (5X or even 6X). Productive patterns have been zebra midges (red and black with silver wire and silver bead), sowbugs, copper Johns and egg patterns.

The caddis hatch is getting more active. It is our most reliable and prolific hatch of the year. It starts as a solid size fourteen green caddis. Before the hatch, fish green nymph patterns like the fluttering caddis. When you begin seeing top water action but no insects, you should switch over to my green butt soft hackle. When the fish begin keying in on hatching adults, you should change over to green elk hair caddis.

The hot spot has been the section of the river from Wildcat Shoals down to Cotter. The caddis have been reliably hatching in the early afternoon. It has been more effective to fish nymphs like the fluttering caddis or emergers like the caddis pupa emerger. My green butt soft hackle has been quite effective.

On the much higher flows that we received later in the week, the key to success has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms and egg patterns below an indicator. You should use a leader/tippet combination of twelve feet or longer and heavy weight (AAA split shot or heavier). To increase the takes, suspend a dropper fly beneath the lead fly. Productive choices would be copper Johns, sowbugs and fluttering caddis nymphs.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are lower and clearing. The water temperature is at the temperature for the Smallmouth to be active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly. The White River below Crooked Creek and the Buffalo is very muddy. Move upstream to find clear water.

Dry Run Creek has been productive. The weather has been mild and it has drawn lots of young anglers taking advantage of their spring break. There is plenty of water to fish and there are trout everywhere. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. Be sure and take your camera to capture the photograph of a lifetime.

The water level on the Spring River is lower and clearing. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season is over and we have much less traffic on stream. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot spot has been the Dam Three Access. The hot flies have been brown woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

March 28, 2012 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry is at 469.65 and falling it is 8.62 feet above pool , the water temp ranges from 60-68 degrees and rising.

The bream fishing has picked up with catches coming on crickets in 5-27 feet of water

Crappie ,most are in the bushes and spawning , with some still out deeper biting in 5- 10 feet of water and some are on out suspended in 15-25 feet of water over 6- feet the Arkansas claw/slab hunter, jigs with minnows are catching them.

The whites and hybrids are up the river dumping their eggs as some do it in the lake, grubs,in-line spinners woring the best.

The walleye are almost done up the rivers , with some showing up in the lake biting and the lake walleye showing up getting ready to spawn, try jsrk baits ,in-line spinners ,jigs with minnows up the rivers, and jigs with crawlers dragged along botton in the lake .

The basss are scattered , with all species are in all 3 stages of the spawn, the bite is changing by the minute, the bait of your choice.

March 27, 2012 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service - As of Monday 26 Mar, the lake level continues falling from above normal conservation pool due to recent rains over the past week. There is a marked Increased current in the river. The Largemouth Bass have began annual spawning activities with some regularity, up river. Little River's oxbows over the past week have much improved water clarity. Warmer temperatures over the past week have again increased surface water temps.

Surface temps rose over the past week, & as of Monday 26 Mar are currently ranging 62ºF early to 75ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

Lake level as of Monday 26 Mar, is currently is 260.80 mfsl, and falling, which is now approx 19 inches above normal. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was increased with all gates open, for total discharge of 23,674 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday, rose over the past week, and is currently 249.26 mfsl and rising. Now that the Red River crested, the lake should be back closer to normal conservation pool by week's end and upcoming weekend.

Clarity and visibility as of Monday on main lake diminished with all the thunderstorms and fresh incoming water; stained somewhat in the river and main lake structure; currently ranging approx 4-8 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, albeit, with some stain, ranging approx 15-28 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

River Run East facilities are still undergoing maintenance and upgrades, and as such, still closed until mid-July 2012. All other ramps and USACE parks are open. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements.

To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Tony Porter at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive project updates, lake level information updates, or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.

The Details:

Largemouth Bass: The best bass bite over the past week and aggressiveness of pre-spawn bass continues improving with the increase of surface temperatures. Numerous techniques are catching bass, including buzz baits, Rat-L-Traps, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Smithwick Rouges, and soft plastic Bass Assassin shad jerk baits. Lizards, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits, worked around stumps, grass, dead lily pad stems, and wood laydowns in the oxbows, away from river current are working.

We continue to see 3-5 pound sized male Largemouth Bass over the past few weeks making beds and some nice 5-8 pound females on beds, some fish spawning on top of cutover stumps, over the past week. With the warmer daytime temperatures over the past week, we have began to see the females commit to the spawn. These bedding female bass are being seen in numerous oxbows up river, as we are finding water temperatures warming faster up the Little River than on the main lake structure.

For these bedding bass, Strikeworks Jigs in Pumpkinseed/chartreuse, Diablo, or Bruised Turtle, colors and Lake Fork Super Tubes and lizards in black, plum, or black & blue colors, are working with much patience. Yum Wooly Bugs and Berkley Pit Bosses in watermelon red or California 420 colors are working also on the pre-spawn or bedding bass. We are also catching some 15-18" Bass on stumps in 8-10 foot depths with these magnum or over-sized tubes and slow rolling large Booya or War Eagle Spinnerbaits in cole slaw, firetiger, or spot remover colors. Best colors of tubes in clearer water back in the oxbows are smoke-black/red flake, watermelon-red, or purple smoke.

For the oxbows, where the water is much, much clearer, Trick worms and salty rat tails, in Houdini, watermelon-red, or smoke-purple are working around stumps, laydowns, and in lily pad stems were taking 17-19" size Bass. Dead-sticking Bass Assassin Shads on a light wire hook were catching a few pre-spawn female bass in the 4-6 pound range, worked extremely slowly.

Rat-L-Traps continue to get you a bite from aggressive pre-spawn males and female bass that are yet to commit to the bed and still staging. Best colors continue to be Toledo Gold, Red Chrome, Red Zombie or Sexy Zombie colors, for Largemouth Bass in the 15-18" length range. The key to the best reaction on the Rat-L-Trap bite is deflecting off stumps in flats of 5-6' water depth, close to 8-12' drop offs. Bomber Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad, Citrus Shad, or white colors are catching a few Largemouths back in the oxbows away from muddy current, where the water clarity is much better by using the same deflection retrieves on stumps, as is working for the Rat-L-Traps on flats adjacent to deeper creek channel bends and swings. Bites happen just after the moment of deflection on the stump or timber, with a purposed pause.

White Bass: Whites continue congregate and are being found up above AR Hwy 71 bridge on points and cuts, and were hitting Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crankbaits up Little River. Based on current surface water temps, these Whites should be finishing up their annual spawning migration runs to Patterson Shoals areas where anglers are reporting catches of 25-60 White Bass / day over the next week or two.

Crappie: Crappie continue to think about spawning as well. Jigs worked around cypress trees and knees were taking some nice slabs this week in 1-2' depths in the oxbows up Little River.

Cats: remain very good this week again, on trot lines, yo-yos, tight lines, along current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River. Blues and Channel Cats were biting best on cut shad, chicken liver, & blood bait, in 18-22 feet of Little River on the outer break lines in current or on yo-yos tied along the Little River, in 14-15 feet depths.

March 25 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort.

http://www.hummingbird-hideaway.com/

Last Sunday and Monday were very good fishing days. The crappie were up in 10 or less feet of water along with the spotted and largemouth bass. I caught several crappie on a 5 inch rogue, while I was night fishing for stripers. The bass were attacking rogues, swim baits and spinner baits. The fish were starting to break the surface and feed on shad. We had about 6 inches of rain earlier in the week which has brought the lake up about 10 feet. The quick rise in the lake level Wednesday and Thursday changed things up a little. The lake is still slowly rising, but is beginning to stabilize. The spring bite will be put on hold for a few days until the lake settles and the fish find their new feeding grounds. The fish are going to love all the new cover generated by the rise in water. Currently my suggestions are to find where the clear (or green) water meets the muddy water. Fish the clear water, the fish seem to stay in this area. During a rise in water the fish also tend to migrate back in the creeks. The muddy water should start to fall out over the next couple of days. Here is what you should expect to happen over the next few days. (1) Crappie will go back on the banks so cast grubs, road runners or small crank baits. Tip the grubs and road runners with a crappie minnow to enhance your bait. A minnow on a slip float will also work, keep trying different depths, but stay in shallow water. A few of the crappie had started to spawn, but I don't think many. They will be shallow as the lake warms again. (2) Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass will move in the brush to feed. Spinner baits seemed to be working really well today, from what I am being told by several of the bass fishermen and women staying with us. They are prefishing for a tournament being held tomorrow. Another thing to look for is flooded grass land. Over the next week or so the night crawlers will be crawling out of the ground and the bass with be in there feeding heavily. (3) White bass will move back into the creeks and top water action will start to erupt again. The water will need to warm up again (to the low 60's) for this to start up. (4)Stripers and hybrids will also start feeding in shallow water on main lake and creek points that have a lot of sunken brush. Pitching live bait works great, but casting a fluke or a rogue has worked for me in the past. Find gaps in the brush and try to cast as close to the shoreline as possible. Work the artificial baits back to the boat as a jerk bait, but be erratic with your speeds, slow and fast. The night bite should take off again so get your rogues ready. (5) Catfish will start to move into shallow water to feed. If you like to jug or trotline this should be an excellent time to get out and catch some really good fish.

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Steve Olomon of Steve's Guide Service.

http://www.fishingwithsteve.com/

The water temp dropped about 4 degrees (55-56) while the lake rose 10 1/2 ft. above normal. The lake level is 562.7. Most of the lake has dirty water which should start cleaning up in a couple days. A lot of fish will be up in the flooded brush and along the old bank. There are parts of the lake that has water that isn't as dirty or as off colored. The stripers and hybrids were starting to chase shad to the surface and will again as soon as the lake stabilizes and starts clearing up. A client caught a 10lb. hybrid on a Spook early in the week before the rain and we got a 18lb. striper on a swim bait in a main lake cove as the lake was coming up Wednesday. They also got some nice largemouth and a couple good smallies in the 4 lb range also on swim baits. We also caught them on Spooks. Look for fish moving up in the creeks. When the lake clears up throw a bass assassin. Throw a spinner bait up in the brush for some bass. At night throw a rouge close to the brush and reel it real slow.

March 24, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters.

http://www.stroutfitters.com/

We have had very heavy rains that will raise Norfork 10'. This will change the way the stripers relate to the shore. The bait will move into the buck brush and the fish will move to the old shore line. Early morning the fish will be chasing bait in the brush, during the day they will move off to the old shoreline. Windy days fish the banks making long cast that parallel the brush.

March 24, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report By Scuba Steve from Blackburns Resort - Several inches of rain deluged the whole state of Arkansas with the northwest part getting the worst. Some severe weather was reported but none at Blackburns Resort. The lake has risen about 10 feet and has cooled the surface temperature two degrees to 56. The water is settling out now with several days of sunny and warm forecast. Bink caught some nice stripers last night on the stick bait but reported the cool nights have slowed the morning bite. The bait fish have plenty of cover now with the predator fish staging at the old shoreline and going into the buck brush to feed. We need heat more than anything to get the spring bite back to where it was. The top water fish have gone down but will come back up soon and the bite will get better and better. Crappie are moving to the new shoreline in the wood to spawn. Lake level is 561.94 and rising very slowly with little generation. Should crest at 562.8 April 3rd. This level is not uncommon but happens usually in May.

March 22, 2012 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/22/2012

During the past week, we have had a significant rain event, warm temperatures and very windy conditions (to include lake wind advisories most days). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose four and five tenths of a foot to rest at four and five tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty six and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose two and six tenths feet to rest at two and seven tenths of a foot above power pool or thirteen and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose one and eight tenths of a foot to rest at one and eight tenths of a foot power pool or seven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had light generation during the week with wadable water over the weekend. Norfork Lake rose three and six tenths of a foot to rest at three and seven tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty four and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had generation during the week and some wadable water over the week end. The significant rain event of this week raised the lake level on all lakes on the White River system. We should receive some low water as the flood conditions downstream clear out.

The water flows on the White River this week have been low and constant. While this water level has not been conducive for streamer fishing, the water levels have been near perfect for drifting small nymphs. With the lighter flows, we have been able to use less weight on the leader and we have been required to use lighter tippets (5X or even 6X). Productive patterns have been zebra midges (red and black with silver wire and silver bead), sowbugs, copper Johns and egg patterns.

The hot spot has been the section of the river from Cotter down to Rim Shoals. The caddis have been reliably hatching in the early afternoon. The conditions have been so windy during the past week that it has been extremely difficult to fish dry flies. It has been more effective to fish nymphs like the fluttering caddis or emergers like the caddis pupa emerger. My green butt soft hackle has been quite effective.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are high and very off color. The water temperature is near the temperature for the Smallmouth to be active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly. The White River below Crooked Creek and the Buffalo is very muddy. Move upstream to find clear water.

There has been generation most days on the Norfork. On higher flows, the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange). When we did get a bit of wadable water, the hot flies have been small red zebra midges, olive scuds, sowbugs and Dan’s turkey tail emergers.

The water level on the Spring River is high and off color. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and Norfork Rivers. Canoe season is over and we have much less traffic on stream. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot spot has been the Dam Three Access. The hot flies have been brown woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

March 20, 2012 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service - As of Monday 19 Mar, the lake level continues rising above normal conservation pool due to recent rains over the past week. There is a marked Increased current in the river. The Largemouth Bass are beginning to congregate in creek channels and ditches and bites can be had throughout the afternoon. Little River's oxbows over the past week have much improved water clarity. Warmer temperatures over the past week have again increased surface water temps.

Surface temps rose over the past week, & as of Monday 19 Mar are currently ranging 61ºF early to 71ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

Lake level as of Monday 19 Mar, is currently is 260.00 mfsl, and rising, which is now approx 10 inches above normal. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was increased with all gates open, for total discharge of 8,235 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday, rose over the past week, and is currently 238.24 mfsl and rising. With the thunderstorms and forecast models from the NWS of 8-10" rain expected this week, the lake will continue rising throughout the week and upcoming weekend, well above 260.00 mfsl by week's end.

Clarity and visibility as of Monday on main lake diminished with all the thunderstorms and fresh incoming water; stained somewhat in the river and main lake structure; currently ranging approx 4-8 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, albeit, with some stain, ranging approx 12-20 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

River Run East facilities are still undergoing maintenance and upgrades, and as such, still closed until mid-July 2012. Paraloma Park is closed for the winter. All other ramps and USACE parks are open. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements.

To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Tony Porter at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive project updates, lake level information updates, or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.

The Details:

Largemouth Bass: The best bass bite over the past week and aggressiveness of pre-spawn bass continues improving with the increase of surface temperatures. Numerous techniques are catching bass, including buzz baits, Rat-L-Traps, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Smithwick Rouges, and soft plastic shad jerk baits. Lizards, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits, worked around stumps, grass, dead lily pad stems, and wood laydowns in the oxbows, away from river current are working. The lake level continues rising over the past week from all the recent rain in western Arkansas and se Oklahoma.

We are continually seeing 3-5 pound sized male Largemouth Bass over the past few weeks making beds and some nice 5-8 pound females on beds over the past week. With the warmer daytime temperatures over the past week, we have began to see the females commit to the spawn. These bedding female bass are being seen in numerous oxbows up river, as we are finding water temperatures warming faster up the Little River than on the main lake structure.

For these bedding bass, Strikeworks Jigs in Watermelon Magic, or Bruised Turtle, and Lake Fork Super Tubes, or lizards in black, or black & blue colors, are working with much patience. Yum Wooly Bugs and Berkley Pit Bosses in watermelon red or California colors are working also on the pre-spawn or bedding bass. We are also catching some 15-18" Bass on stumps in 8-10 foot depths with these magnum or over-sized tubes and slow rolling large Booya or War Eagle Spinnerbaits in cole slaw, firetiger, or spot remover colors. Best colors of tubes in clearer water back in the oxbows are smoke or watermelon-red, or purple smoke.

For the oxbows, where the water is much, much clearer, pitching a brown/pumpkinseed/chartreuse, or Hot PB&J, or Diablo Craw colored StrikeWorks Jigs around stumps, laydowns, and in lily pad stems were taking 17-19" size Bass. Salty Rat Tails, Yum Dingers, and trick worms, wacky-rigged in purple smoke fleck, watermelon-red, or Houdini colors are taking some nice 14-18" Largemouth Bass and a few Kentucky Bass. Dead-sticking Bass Assassin Shads on a light wire hook were catching a few pre-spawn female bass in the 4-6 pound range, worked extremely slowly.

Rat-L-Traps continue to get you a bite from aggressive pre-spawn males and female bass that are yet to commit to the bed and still staging. Best colors continue to be Toledo Gold, Red Chrome, Red Zombie or Sexy Zombie colors, for Largemouth Bass in the 15-18" length range. The key to the best reaction on the Rat-L-Trap bite is deflecting off stumps in flats of 5-6' water depth, close to 8-12' drop offs. Bomber Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad, Citrus Shad, or white colors are catching a few Largemouths back in the oxbows away from muddy current, where the water clarity is much better by using the same deflection retrieves on stumps, as is working for the Rat-L-Traps on flats adjacent to deeper creek channel bends and swings. Bites happen just after the moment of deflection on the stump or timber, with a purposed pause.

White Bass: Whites continue congregate and are being found up above AR Hwy 71 bridge on points and cuts, and were hitting Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crankbaits up Little River. Based on current surface water temps, these Whites are beginning their annual spawning migration runs to Patterson Shoals areas where anglers are reporting catches of 25-60 White Bass / day. This will continue to improve over the next week.

Crappie: Crappie are beginning to think about spawning as well. Jigs worked around cypress trees and knees were taking some nice slabs this week in 4-8' depths in the oxbows up Little River.

Cats: remain very good this week again, on trot lines, yo-yos, tight lines, along current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River. Blues, Flatheads, and Channel Cats were biting best on cut shad, chicken liver, & blood bait, in 15-18 feet of Little River on the outer break lines in current or on yo-yos tied along the Little River, in 14-15 feet depths.

March 20, 2012 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry is at 462.50 and falling it is 1.47 feet above normal pool and with the expected rain we will get a big rise, the temp ranges from 56 to 68 degrees and warming

The white and hybrid bass are on again and off again with the chaaging water temps from day to day and most are on the move , try small grubs,in-line spinners ,the claw and jerk baits.

The bass fishing is in kind of a lul at present with a lot of fish on the move and a lot having just pulled up try swim baits, jerk baits , jigs , spinner baits , c-rigs and jighead worms.

The crappie are some are around the brush and others have not made it yet, try jigs and minnows with jigs and the deeper fish try the slab hunter

The bream have just moved up and eating crickets and crawlers, as well as minnows.

Walleye in the river are just about fisnished and heading back down , the lake walleye are starting to eat on wind blown areas and points , humps etc.

March 18, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort.

http://www.hummingbird-hideaway.com/

The Norfork Lake "night bite" is in full swing from what I experienced this evening. I ended up landing 2 stripers, 4 hybrids and a handful of largemouth and spotted bass. I could hear fish breaking the surface all around me. The fish started to bite around 8PM and it didn't stop until I had to quit about 10:30. I noticed it was already 10:30PM which is later than I normally fish. The surface water temperature was in the upper 50's. I was throwing a bone/orange rogue. On another note, the whites have started their run and are being found back in the creeks.

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Steve Olomon of Steve's Guide Service.

http://www.fishingwithsteve.com/

The lake level is 552ft. which is normal pool and the water temp is in the upper 50's to the low 60's back in the creeks. The striper bite has been hit and miss but the bite should get good any day and the night bite will only get better in the weeks ahead. There are a few stripers and hybrids chasing baitfish to the surface in the morning. I had my wife out yesterday and she caught 4 bass that weighed a little over 16lb. They were caught on a SINGLE swim bait. She also lost a good striper on a swim bait. We also caught a few smallies ( 1 was 4 1/2lbs) on the swim bait and Bass Assassins. We found a pocket that had hybrids in it and they were caught on the same baits. Earlier in the week a client caught a 5-1/2 lb. largemouth and a 4 lb. smallie on a Bass Assassin. Remember that when you fish at night for stripers if you use a stick bait to reel it SLOW. Look in the back of the creeks for some activity.

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Tim Partin 101 Grocery and Bait.

http://www.101groceryandbait.com

Fishing Norfork Lake has been great this March. The bass, crappie, walleye, stripers, monster blue gills and white bass are all doing great what else can you say.

March 15, 2012 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/15/2012

During the past week, we have had another rain event, unseasonably warm temperatures and very windy conditions (to include lake wind advisories most days). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose seven tenths of a foot to rest at power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty one feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool or fifteen and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at power pool or nine and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had light generation during the week with wadable water over the weekend. Norfork Lake rose three tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty seven and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had generation during the week and some wadable water over the week end. All of the lakes in the White River System are at or below power pool and we should see wadable water on both rivers in the coming week.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are a bit high and off color. The water temperature is near the temperature for the Smallmouth to be active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

Dry Run Creek has been productive. The weather has been mild and it has drawn lots of young anglers. There is plenty of water to fish and there are trout everywhere. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective.

While you are there visit the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is important to note that the Hatchery has been removed from the Federal budget. This hatchery is very important for the sustainability of our fisheries. Contact your senator or congressman and let them know how you feel.

March 12, 2012 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service - As of Monday 12 Mar, the lake level continues rising above normal conservation pool due to recent rains over the past week. There is a marked Increased current in the river, but the oxbows and main lake continue a slow clearing trend. The Largemouth Bass are beginning to congregate in creek channels and ditches and bites can be had throughout the afternoon. Little River's oxbows over the past week have much improved water clarity. Warmer temperatures over the past week have again increased surface water temps.

Surface temps rose over the past week, & as of Monday 12 Mar are currently ranging 59ºF early to 68ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

Lake level as of Monday 12 Mar, is currently is 260.68 mfsl, and rising, which is now approx 18 inches above normal. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was increased with all gates open, for total discharge of 6,235 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday, rose over the past week, and is currently 234.24 mfsl and steady.

Clarity and visibility as of Monday on main lake diminished with all the thunderstorms and fresh incoming water; stained somewhat in the river and main lake structure; currently ranging approx 4-8 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, albeit, with some stain, ranging approx 12-20 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

River Run East facilities are still undergoing maintenance and upgrades, and as such, still closed until mid-July 2012. Paraloma Park is closed for the winter. All other ramps and USACE parks are open. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements.

To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Tony Porter at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive project updates, lake level information updates, or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.

The Details:

Largemouth Bass: The best bass bite over the past week and aggressiveness of pre-spawn bass continues improving with the increase of surface temperatures. Numerous techniques are catching bass, including buzz baits, Rat-L-Traps, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Smithwick Rouges, and soft plastic shad jerk baits. Lizards, spinnerbaits, and buzzbaits, worked around stumps, grass, dead lily pad stems, and wood laydowns in the oxbows, away from river current are working. The lake level continues rising over the past week from all the recent rain in western Arkansas and se Oklahoma.

We are continually seeing 3-5 pound sized male Largemouth Bass over the past few weeks making beds and some nice 5-8 pound females on beds over the past week. With the warmer daytime temperatures over the past week, we have began to see the females commit to the spawn. These bedding female bass are being seen in numerous oxbows up river, as we are finding water temperatures warming faster up the Little River than on the main lake structure.

For these bedding bass, Strikeworks Jigs in Watermelon Magic, or Bruised Turtle, and Lake Fork Super Tubes, or lizards in black, or black & blue colors, are working with much patience. Yum Wooly Bugs in watermelon red are working also on the bedding bass. We are also catching some 15-18" Bass on stumps in 8-10 foot depths with these magnum or over-sized tubes and slow rolling large Booya or War Eagle Spinnerbaits in cole slaw, firetiger, or spot remover colors. Best colors of tubes in clearer water back in the oxbows are smoke/black/red flake, black/blue tail, or purple smoke.

For the oxbows, where the water is much, much clearer, pitching a brown/pumpkinseed/chartreuse, or Hot PB&J, or Diablo Craw colored StrikeWorks Jigs around stumps, laydowns, and in lily pad stems were taking 17-19" size Bass. Salty Rat Tails, Yum Dingers, and trick worms, wacky-rigged in purple smoke fleck, watermelon-red, or Houdini colors are taking some nice 14-18" Largemouth Bass and a few Kentucky Bass. Dead-sticking Bass Assassin Shads on a light wire hook were catching a few pre-spawn female bass in the 4-6 pound range, worked extremely slowly.

Rat-L-Traps continue to get you a bite from aggressive pre-spawn males and female bass that are yet to commit to the bed and still staging. Best colors continue to be Toledo Gold, Red Chrome, Red Zombie or Sexy Zombie colors, for Largemouth Bass in the 15-18" length range. The key to the best reaction on the Rat-L-Trap bite is deflecting off stumps in flats of 5-6' water depth, close to 8-12' drop offs. Bomber Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad, Citrus Shad, or white colors are catching a few Largemouths back in the oxbows away from muddy current, where the water clarity is much better by using the same deflection retrieves on stumps, as is working for the Rat-L-Traps on flats adjacent to deeper creek channel bends and swings. Bites happen just after the moment of deflection on the stump or timber, with a purposed pause.

White Bass: Whites continue congregate and are being found up above AR Hwy 71 bridge on points and cuts, and were hitting Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crankbaits up Little River. Based on current surface water temps, these Whites are beginning their annual spawning migration runs to Patterson Shoals areas where anglers are reporting catches of 25-60 White Bass / day. This will continue to improve over the next week.

Crappie: Crappie are beginning to think about spawning as well. Jigs worked around cypress trees and knees were taking some nice slabs this week in 4-8' depths in the oxbows up Little River.

March 10, 2012 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort.

http://www.hummingbird-hideaway.com/

Walleye fishing has also been really good up river. A couple of friends had a great fishing trip yesterday using with live chubs. Shiners and night crawlers should work as well. The walleye are in the middle of their spawn and should start moving down river very soon. The after dark rogue bite is starting to happen. Crappie are over brush in shallow water. You will find them 5 - 20 feet down so try different depths until you locate them. Live bait has been working the best from reports that I have been getting. I was netting many nice size crappie back in the bayou in 10 feet of water. Start looking for several upcoming fishing events that will happen over the next couple of weeks. The white bass run and spawn should start to happen any time if not already. You will be able to find these fish on very shallow flats and in the backs of creeks, the smaller hybrids will also be hanging with them. The after dark bite for stripers and walleye with a slow rolling a jerk bait has already started, but will get much better once the water temperature gets closer to the mid 50's. Crappie will start to stage for their spawn. You will start to find the crappie in very shallow water along banks in coves and creeks. Look for fallen timber that is lying in the water.

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Tim Partin 101 Grocery and Bait.

http://www.101groceryandbait.com

Norfork Lake fishing has been good for walleye and crappie. Sunfish are hitting worms fished around the brush in the back of most coves. Bass are hitting swim baits fished 15-25' deep. White bass are starting to show up in the shallow water up stream as are some stripers.

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters.

http://www.stroutfitters.com/

The recent rain has trigger the stripers to begin biting. The stripers are in deep water 50 to 80' but are in the 30' range, so stay in deep water but fish shallow during the day. Early daylight and evenings the stripers are moving to the shore feeding on crawdads. The past two days a 25, 18, 16 & two 12's were caught on shiners and shad.

March 8, 2012 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 3/08/2012

During the past week, we have had a major rain event, unseasonably warm temperatures and very windy conditions (to include lake wind advisories every day). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell one tenth of a foot to rest at seven tenths of a foot below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty one and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at power pool or sixteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot below power pool or nine and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had lighter generation with wadable water over the weekend. Norfork Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty eight and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had less generation and more wadable water. All of the lakes in the White River System are at or below power pool and we should see wadable water on both rivers in the coming week.

The big story for the past week has been the arrival of our big spring caddis hatch. It is our most reliable and prolific hatch of the year. It starts as a solid size fourteen green caddis. Before the hatch, fish green nymph patterns like the fluttering caddis. When you begin seeing top water action but no insects, you should switch over to my green butt soft hackle. When the fish begin keying in on hatching adults, you should change over to green elk hair caddis.

The hot spot has been the section of the river from White Hole down to Cotter. The caddis have been reliably hatching in the early afternoon. The conditions have been so windy during the past week that it has been extremely difficult to fish dry flies. It has been more effective to fish nymphs like the fluttering caddis or emergers like the caddis pupa emerger. My green butt soft hackle has also been quite effective.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are lower and clearer. The water temperature is near the temperature for the Smallmouth to be active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

There has been wadable water on the Norfork every day and it has been a bit crowded. You should fish during the week, if possible, to avoid the crowds. The hot flies have been small red zebra midges, olive scuds, sowbugs and Dan’s turkey tail emergers. On higher flows, the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange).

Dry Run Creek has been productive. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. While you are there visit the adjacent Norfork National Fish Hatchery. It is fascinating. Be sure and remove your waders before entering to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

There is still time to send in your entry to the Baxter Bulletin Fly Tying Contest. All entries must be sent to me, John Berry at 408 Combs Ave. Cotter, Arkansas 72626. They must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2012.

Practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.

March 6, 2012 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry lake is at 461.12 and rising , it is 0.09 feet above normal pool, the temp ranges from 47 degrees to 53 degrees, And warming.

The walleye bite has fell off somewhat with the weather and moon and some other factors, this rain should really have them doing a lot better as the days move forward, try minnows ,walley divers and rogues for the best bite.

The bass fishing is good on the Arkansas claw, wiggle warts ,jerk baits, and c-rigs, some spinner bait and small crank bait fish coming in as well.

No –report on catfish

Bream are being more active in about 27 feet to 35 feet of water on crawlers and minnows.

The crappie fishing is off and on , with these fronts, and water clarity, try jigs with minnows, and the slab hunter with small baits on it around 6 feet up the rivers on flats and the other fish suspended over brush piles and in the pole timber, in 15-25 feet of water.

The hybrids are off and on as well they are moving a lot with the weather and temp up and down, try spoons in line spinners , swim baits on the Arkansas claw for the best bite in 25-47 feet of water.

March 5, 2012 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service - As of Monday 05 Mar, the lake level remains only slightly above normal conservation pool and is continuing to slowly recede through the week and majority of fast moving water has subsided. Reduced current remains in the river, but the oxbows and main lake continue a slow clearing trend. The Largemouth Bass are beginning to congregate in creek channels and ditches and bites can be had throughout the afternoon. Little River's oxbows over the past week have much improved water clarity. Warmer temperatures over the past week have again increased surface water temps.

Surface temps rose over the past week, & as of Monday 05 Mar are currently ranging 57ºF early to 64ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

Lake level as of Monday 05 Mar, is currently is 259.28 mfsl, and falling, which is now approx 1 inch above normal. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. Discharge rate as of Monday was decreased with 4 gates open at 1 foot, for total discharge of 1,548 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday, dropped only slightly over the past week, and is currently 227.37 mfsl and steady. Navigation is much improved this week.

Clarity and visibility as of Monday on main lake is slowly improving; stained somewhat in the river and main lake structure; currently ranging approx 8-12 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, albeit, with some stain, ranging approx 12-20 inches visibility depending on location. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

River Run East facilities are still undergoing maintenance and upgrades, and as such, still closed until mid-July 2012. Paraloma Park is closed for the winter. All other ramps and USACE parks are open. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements.

To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Tony Porter at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive project updates, lake level information updates, or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.

The Details:

Largemouth Bass: The best bass bite over the past week getting the best response is pitching jigs, super tubes, spinnerbaits, Smithwick Rouges, and soft plastic shad jerk baits and lizards to stumps, grass, dead lily pad stems, and wood laydowns in the oxbows, away from river current. The lake level continues slowly receding over the past week from all the recent rain in western Arkansas and se Oklahoma and navigation is tremendously improved.

We are seeing 3-5 pound sized male Largemouth Bass over the past few weeks beginning bed making activities in anticipation of one of the first Bass spawns this year. Females are staging in deeper creek channel swings, in close proximity to spawning flats. With the warmer daytime temperatures over the past week, we again continue seeing male bass visiting bedding areas on those warmer days, over the past week, and with the warming trend this week, we expect the females are close behind them, waiting on warmer night time water temps to fully commit to the spawn. Most have pulled back out to the drops and deeper sections of the creeks and ditches.

The best bet over the past week is using Strikeworks Jigs in Watermelon Magic, or Bruised Turtle, Lake Fork Super Tubes, in black, or black & blue colors, Yum Wooly Bugs, or lizards Texas rigged, in Black-Blue, chartreuse pumpkin, and Blackberry. We are also catching some 15-18" Bass on stumps in 8-10 foot depths with these magnum or over-sized tubes and slow rolling large Booya or War Eagle Spinnerbaits in cole slaw, firetiger, or spot remover colors. Best colors of tubes in clearer water back in the oxbows are smoke/black/red flake, black/blue tail, or purple smoke.

For the oxbows, where the water is much, much clearer, pitching a brown/pumpkinseed/chartreuse, or Hot PB&J, or Diablo Craw colored StrikeWorks Jigs around stumps, laydowns, and in lily pad stems were taking 17-19" size Bass. Salty Rat Tails, Yum Dingers, and trick worms, wacky-rigged in purple smoke fleck, watermelon-red, or Houdini colors are taking some nice 14-18" Largemouth Bass and a few Kentucky Bass. Dead-sticking Bass Assassin Shads on a light wire hook were catching a few pre-spawn female bass in the 4-6 pound range, worked extremely slowly.

Rat-L-Traps continue to get you a bite from aggressive pre-spawn males and female bass. Best colors are Toledo Gold, Red Chrome, Red Zombie or Sexy Zombie colors, all continue catching some Largemouth Bass in the 15-18" length range. The key to the best reaction on the Rat-L-Trap bite is slowing down the retrieve to a crawl and deflecting off stumps in flats of 5-6' water depth, close to 8-12' drop offs. Bomber Crankbaits in Tennessee Shad, Citrus Shad, or white colors are catching a few Largemouths back in the oxbows away from muddy current, where the water clarity is much better by using the same deflection retrieves on stumps, as is working for the Rat-L-Traps on flats adjacent to deeper creek channel bends and swings. Once you have slowed down considerably, slow down again and work the Trap or crankbait like a worm. Bites happen just after the moment of deflection on the stump or timber, with a purposed pause.

White Bass: Whites continue congregate and are being found up above AR Hwy 71 bridge on points and cuts, and were hitting Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crankbaits up Little River. Based on current surface water temps, these Whites are beginning their annual spawning migration runs to Patterson Shoals areas where anglers are reporting catches of 20-50 White Bass / day already. This will continue to improve over the next week.

Crappie: Crappie are beginning to think about spawning as well. Jigs worked around cypress trees and knees were taking some nice slabs this week in 4-8' depths in the oxbows up Little River.

Cats: remain very good this week again, on trot lines, yo-yos, tight lines, along current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River, even with the decrease in current. Blues, Flatheads, and Channel Cats were biting best on cut shad, chicken liver, & blood bait, in 15-18 feet of Little River on the outer break lines in current or on yo-yos tied along the Little River, in 14-15 feet depths.

February 29, 2012 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry is at 461.42 ,it is 0.39 feet above pool and holding , from a normal pool of 461.03, the temp ranges from 49-56 degrees.

Some walleye are being caught in the rivers on jigs,crank baits , jerk baits, try cloudy days or at night for the best results, the better bite will be after they spawn.

No- report on catfish

The bass are eating well on wiggle warts, jerk baits, and the Arkansas claw, all over the lake from 1 foot of water out to 70 feet.

No-report on bream.

The crappie are roaming around headed for the banks in the rivers and in the main lake they are eating well in the pole timber and over brush piles, try jigs and jigs with minnows.

The white and hybrid bass are eating all over the lake before they spawn, and can be caught on the claw,spoons,hair jigs,swim baits and in-line spinners, find the bait and the fish will be close by.

tth