Lake Ouachita:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 576.35 MSL (Flood pool – 578 MSL).

 

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports said the water temperature is in the 40s. Moss is beginning to grow back in many areas of the lake, and the water is still in the buckbrush. Bass are fair on crankbaits and jigs fished in 15 to 20 feet of water. Rat-L-Traps are working from 5 to 10 feet deep around the grass. Crappie are fair, but are scattered in the same depths as the bass.

 

Larry Hurley from Poorman’s Guide Service said the warmer weather has all fishing picking up. Bass are biting well on shad-colored spinnerbaits, spoons and jerk baits around creek channel points.

 

Mountain Harbor Resort  said the water is 46-50 degrees and is clear. Largemouth bass are biting well on jerk baits fished over points or humps in 10-20 feet of water. Lipless crankbaits are working around drop-offs and ledges with grass. Walleye are moving upstream and are biting well on jerk baits or fluorescent jigs tipped with minnows. Bream are fair on worms or crickets in water 20-25 feet deep. Crappie are still good and being caught near brush 12-20 feet deep. Minnows or crappie grubs are still working best. Tennessee shad and white are the best colors for artificial baits. Catfish are fair and being caught on cut bait and live bait on jug lines and trotlines.

We went bass fishing last Friday and fished the Shangri La area which was moderately stained.  We fished the points and had no luck what so ever.  We fished Rat-L-Traps and Texas-rigged worms.  Water temperature was 46 degrees and in the back of the pockets a bit warmer.  The lake has been falling while they fill Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine.

Went crappie fishing Saturday afternoon in the Denby / Twin Creeks area and it was very stained.  Water was warmer at 48 degrees and 50 in the back of the pockets.  Once again falling water level and no bites.

 

 

DeGray Lake:  As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 407.85 feet MSL (Flood pool – 408 MSL).

 

Local angler George Graves said the surface water temperature is around 50 degrees. The water is muddy between Point Cedar to Point 15, slightly muddy to Point 28 and clear in the lower end of the lake. There have been many good reports of black bass catches lately. Now is the time when fish can be found both deep and shallow. Look for shallow fish in muddy water from the bank out to about 10 feet. However fish a bit deeper it the water is only discolored. The best areas are between Arlie Moore and Shouse Ford. If fishing shallow, try a firetiger-colored crankbait or spinnerbait. When fishing deeper, try a jig with a plastic trailer, Texas-rigged worm or Carolina-rig. The main lake and large creek points have been best. Also try rocky bluffs that get the late afternoon sun. The fish are scattered, so cover a lot of water and depths until you find the pattern. Crappie fishing is fair with only a few reports. The fish are still on the deep brush, (25 to 30 feet). However the fish are starting to move into the major creeks in preparation for the spawn. Fish a minnow or jig-and-minnow directly over the brush/bamboo about 20 feet down. Try to find shelters in fairly clear water. This is especially true if you are using a jig. The best lures have been 1/16-ounce chartreuse hair jigs and Kalin's 2-inch Tennessee shad grubs. Try the areas between Arlie Moore and Brushy Creek. Bream and hybrids have been slow. No reports on catfish catches.

Lake Greeson:   As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 543.68 MSL (Flood pool – 548 MSL).

 

Lakeside Grocery and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is dingy and the surface temperature is at 52 degrees. Bream fishing is slow. Crappie fishing is fair on live minnows fished in brush between 13 and 18 feet deep. Black bass are excellent on spinnerbaits, topwaters and crankbaits fished around rocky areas of the bank, especially main lake points. Catfishing is slow. Walleye are fair near the river on crankbaits and jigs. White bass are biting well in 1 to 5 feet of water all over the lake on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and topwaters. Some large white bass have been caught lately.

 

Lake Hamilton:

Trader Bill’s Outdoor Sports had no new report.

 

Daryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips had no new report.

Lake Catherine: 

Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em All Guide Service, (501-624-8757) said that water temperature below Carpenter Dam remains very cold at 44 degrees. Clear conditions from the bridge to the dam exist even though the lake is rising back to normal summertime pool. Rainbow trout fishing is very slow. Good numbers of trout are present in the tailrace, but are difficult to catch. Most of the fish caught are from 10 to 12 inches; however, rainbows over 17 inches have been caught. As water temperatures downstream rise with the warmer daytime highs, trout will migrate back toward the dam which will greatly increase the number of catchable fish. During periods of generation, fly fishermen have taken limits of trout on San Juan worms in pink or red fished under a strike indicator. Olive-colored woolly buggers are also working well using the same technique. A variety of egg patterns have taken fish and have been the mainstay for quality trout. Bank fishermen need to wait for times of no generation. Wax and meal worms floated of the bottom with marshmallows have been the most effective baits. Trout love to feed on worms and actively search for them during times of feeding. Nightcrawlers and redworms remain a proven technique to catch trout when all other methods fail. Walleye continue to spawn with many of the fish located from the bridge to the dam. Three to 5-pound fish are common with some taken over 8 pounds. Most of the good fishing has been done at night when the generators are turning. Jigs tipped with minnows or nightcrawlers have been the best bet when searching for biting walleye. Crappie are on the move toward the dam with some of the smaller males being caught this week. The main body of fish will be present in the next week or so as the water continues to warm.

 

Upcoming Boat and Tackle Shows

 

Upcoming Tournaments

American Bass Anglers Couples District 16
March 20th - DeGray Lake -Dam Access
April 17th - Arkansas River (Dumas) Pendelton Access
May 8th - Lake Dardanelle-Russellville State Park
June 5th - Greers Ferry Lake -Dam Access
July 10th - Lake Dardanelle-Russellville State Park
Championship-TBA
Fred & Faye Edwards /Directors
870-530-2307

 

ABA District 47 2009 - 2010 Schedule
03/13/10  - LAKE HAMILTON - FISH HATCHERY
              2-DAY DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
04/10-11/10   LAKE HAMILTON  - FISH HATCHERY
****MUST FISH A MINIMUM OF FOUR 1-DAY TOURNAMENTS****
CONTACT TOMMY HIBDON FOR INFORMATION AT 501-831-3566 OR GO TO
AMERICAN BASS ANGLERS WEBSITE-  www.americanbassangler.com

Futrell Marine Team Trail
March 20th - Lake DeGray - Spillway Ramp - 6:00 a.m. -  2:00 p.m.     
April 17th - Broken Bow Lake - Carson Creek - 6:30a.m -  2:30p.m.         
May 22nd - Millwood Lake - Yarborough Landing - 6:30am - 2:30pm           
June 12th - Lake Greeson (Classic) - Swaha - 6:30am til 2:30 pm
For More Info Contact:
Tony Hodge
Futrell Marine
870-845-3122 -  Nashville
501-520-0300 -  Hot Springs
870-845-8717 -  Mobile
    

 

Wal-Mart BFL (Arkie Division)
March 27th - DeGray Lake - Iron Mountain
May 15th - Greers Ferry Lake - Dam Site
June 19th - Lake Dardanelle - Lake Dardanelle State Park
October 2nd and 3rd - Lake Hamilton - AGFC Fish Hatchery
For More Info Visit: flwoutdoors.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trader Bill's Team Trail
March 21st – Lake Degray
April 25th – Lake Ouachita
May 16th   –  Greers Ferry
June 13th  –   Lake Greeson
July 25th  –  Lake Dardenelle
September 18th and 19th- Championship
For More Info visit: traderbills.com

 

Bassmaster Weekend Series
May 1st - Greers Ferry Lake - Devils Fork
June 26th - Millwood Lake - Yarborough Landing
August 28th & 29th - DeGray Lake - Spillway Ramp
For more info visit: bassmaster.com

 

Mr. Bass of Arkansas
March 14th – DeGray Lake
April 18th – Millwood Lake
May 23rd – Lake Dardanelle
June 20th – Arkansas River (Little Rock)
Classic - TBA
For More Info Visit: www.mrbassofarkansas.com

 

Sherwood Bass Club
March 20th - DeGray Lake - Spillway Ramp - (6:45 AM - 3:00 PM)
April 17th - Greers Ferry Lake - Hill Creek Ramp - (6:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
May 15th - Lake Chicot - Connelly Bayou (5:30 AM - 3:00 PM)
June 19th - Arkansas River (Dumas) - Pendleton Ramp (5:30 AM - 3:00 PM)
July 17th - Arkansas River (Pine Bluff) - Pine Bluff Harbor (5:45 AM - 3:00 PM)
*** Lake Dardanelle if Harbor Ramp is under water
August 21st - Lake Dardanelle - State Park in Russellville (6:00 AM - 3:00 PM)
September 18th - Lake Ouachita - Crystal Springs (6:30 AM - 3:00 PM)
October 9th - Club Classic - TBA
For More Info Contact:
Ron Plate (501) 753-7824
Gary Hubble (501) 835-2929
or visit: www.sherwoodbassclub.com

Vince Miller's Super Team
April 11th - Lake Dardanelle
May 2nd - Greers Ferry Lake
July 11th - Arkansas River (Pine Bluff)
August 22nd - Arkansas River (Dumas)
September 26th - Arkansas River (Little Rock)

Championship: October 23rd and 24th - TBA

For More Information Contact:
Vince Miller (501) 834-5733, (501) 758-1940, (501) 607-3475
vmxxxl@aol.com

Vince Miller's Arkansas Couples
March 14th - Lake Hamilton
April 18th - Lake Ouachita
May 9th - Greers Ferry Lake
June 6th - Lake Dardanelle
August 15th - Lake Chicot
September 12th - Arkansas River (Little Rock)

Championship: October 9th and 11th

Vince Miller (501) 834-5733, (501) 758-1940, (501) 607-3475
vmxxxl@aol.com

Fishers of Men  - Central Arkansas Division
March 13th - Degray Lake
April 17th - Greers Ferry Lake
May 8th - Degray Lake

Rule Change for 2010: THERE IS NO OFF LIMITS FOR THE FOM
TOURNAMENTS THIS YEAR.  ENTRY FEE - $160/TEAM.
For more info go to fomntt.com

Monster Bass

Big Bass Tournaments

Lake Ouachita – Spring 2010

                      &

Lake Dardanelle – Fall 2010

For More Info Call:

Vince Miller – (501) 834-5733

Tommy Beshears – (479) 216-3539

Hal Murray – (501) 767-5120