The Army Corps of Engineers on Thursday reported the Clarendon gauge rising slightly at 28.74 feet, or 2.74 above the flood stage of 26.00 feet. Look for something in the water that gives the fish a break from current. Then, there is a private land quota hunt - like the bear hunt in N AR. The wind came up and it started to rain pretty hard. Red Chrome, Toledo Gold or Natural Crawfish three-quarter-ounce Rat-L-Traps were picking up a few prespawn fish from 8-12 feet deep on vertical drops. Expect to get hung up, but expect a big fat prespawn female to bust that 1-knocker any minute or the very next cast this time of year.. Suggest you do on line search to find specifics for each area. Arkansas River (Little Rock Area Pools) Mud Lake, Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows along Little River have had the best water clarity and the most aggressive largemouth and spotted bass over the past few weeks. Lets have a look at the 15 best Swimming Holes in Arkansas: 1. Catfish are biting, but its been slow. This huge alligator was a mature male which was estimated to be around 35 years old. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. It is the choice of the fly that you are going to use to catch fish. Always follow all park and lake regulations when visiting the Carpenter Dam use area and be aware of lake conditions before planning a day on the water. Or, visit the AGFC nature center in Pine Bluff or Little Rock to see live alligators in captivity. As a result both Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams have been releasing a lot of water. Flies that imitate injured shad will draw immediate strikes from hungry rainbows. Lake Greeson Tailwater Mike provided the latest fishing specifics: Harris Brake Lake Move around, check out shallow water and the deep water too. Habitat: weeds, points, rocks, then down to the thermocline in the warmer months. As a result both Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams have been releasing a lot of water. Ramps are still accessible. They are now mainly found in the lower third of the state. This is a great place to wade fish when they are running water on the White and North Fork rivers. Wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. I got to land a couple of nice largemouth bass, a big 15-inch crappie, a handful of white bass and 4 hybrid stripers. Bass are not yet loading into typical early spwaning areas despite the abnormally warm temperatures. The stage at Morrilton was down almost 6 feet from this time a week ago, to 12.28 feet (flood stage is 30 feet). With the recent detection of the plant at nearby Mercer Bayou and the spread of the plant within Erling, AGRED worked with the AGFC to determine a plan that would help combat the aquatic nuisance species. Anyone else seeing a decline in the beaver population? (updated 2-24-2023) Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the main topic of conversation this week is the walleye are s tarting to move into the creeks. With Little River turned to chocolate milk again this week with all the inflow, current and gate discharge, we are just going to take a wait-and-see approach as normal lake pool should be achieved over the next week to 10 days provided we don't have much more rainfall. This is a great time to chase, Wading with the water up can be tricky wading staffs can keep ya dry. The warm rain helped. * Over the past few weeks, the crappie bite improved, then thunderstorms and lake wind advisories destroyed clarity and discharge along Little River went back to over 30,000 cfs. That makes no sense to me at all. (updated 2-23-2023) Mark Crawford with springriverfliesandguides.com (870-955-8300) said water levels at the Spring are running at 440 cfs (350 cfs is average, while water clarity has been poor. The White has had no wadable water and heavy flows. Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) reported that the. Check it out. Largemouth Bass He says there was some speculation that the creature was a caiman, which are related to alligators and are legal to own in Arkansas. The lake is in good shape and clear for hte most part. When they did eventually manage to kill the beast, it soon became clear that it was a record-breaker. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. Try one in green pumpkin or in red. Be great if all this rain was snow. are slow, but try redworms and crickets as they may be starting to get hungry as the water warms some. The lake sits in northern Arkansas and is shared with neighbouring Missouri, although most of the 18,200 hectare lake sits within Arkansas. Spin-fishermen using PowerBaits and lures that represent fleeing crayfish will also catch trout that are searching for prey. A Bama rig or live bait on main lake points or creek channel mouths on the rivers should be the best ways and areas to find these. Brazalo Spinnerbaits in Spot Remover or River Shad with red blades were catching some decent prespawn males moving in and out of spawning flats over the weekend when the sun was up bright and high in the sky and you could see movement in 3-5 feet of depths on the spawning flats. Plan your crappie trip to the Little Maumelle either early (sunup or before) and late in the day, an hour or so before dark and into the night (when the yo-yos are working). In addition, add lots of flash to white, olive or olive-and-brown streamers, sparkling collars on your jigs, or toss out a shiny silver spoon. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Lake Hamilton Watch This Florida Woman Feed an Alligator. As of Friday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 401.55 feet msl (full pool: 387.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 419.0 feet msl). Guide Jeff Larch, who operates River Valley Tours and takes groups out at Nimrod, went up in recent days to Dardanelle "and did very good on the crappie," they report. I do the same for my two clients when I am guiding. Terry Via/Shutterstock.com. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. My favorite has been a cerise San Juan worm with an orange egg dropper. Caught in Merrisach Lake in September 2020 by alligator hunter Travis Bearden, the massive alligator beat the previous record set in 2015 by almost 2 inches. If you are out looking for striped bass, they will be in an area from East Pigeon to the 101 bridge and/or from the Highway 62 bridge back to the 101 Boat Docks. The preferred bait is a yellow-headed hair jig, and some minnows are being used, though not as many as jigs. Potlatch Cook's Lake Nature Center; Ponca Nature Center; Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center; . Water temp was 44-46 degrees. Watch for random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on Little River and Millwood Lake. Catfish Watch the water temperature, and as it warms they will begin to move up into shallower water on brush piles. 3 miles south as the crow flies is Kingfisher Lake on Petit Jean WMA. said the water level now at Greers Ferry Lake is at 468.75 feet msl, 6.71 feet above normal pool of 462.04 feet msl and falling with generation. They inhabit freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and marshes, though they can also be found in brackish water. Millwood Lake's various Corps of Engineers parks current status, information and reservations may be made by calling (877) 444-6777 or the Millwood Tri-Lakes office at (870) 898-3343. Catfish folks are catching their target on yo-yos baited with minnows. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock) for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake. for the underwater timber about 5 feet deep and use minnows. As we fish, I pay particular attention to which fly caught the trout. White bass are about 5-7 feet out from the shoreline and also going after the redworms. As of Thursday midday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes flow at Dardanelle Lock and Dam as 37,793 cfs. Greers Ferry Lake is 7.6 feet above power pool. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. Lake level is now down 6.5 feet. Chinese alligators reach only between 5 and 7 feet long and weigh only 80 to 100 pounds. He suggests anglers and boaters check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms. All fish that are caught are catch-and-release at this time and the AGFC Fisheries staff rebuilds the predator population and the forage base. All fish that are caught are catch-and-release at this time and the AGFC Fisheries staff rebuilds the predator population and the forage base. Anything shad-like will be a great bait now. Largemouth Bass Variant Names: Black Bass, Green Trout, Bigmouth Bass, Lineside Bass . Norfork Lake fell 2.3 feet to rest at 0.9 foot above power pool of 553.75 feet msl and 25.3 feet below the top of flood pool. Woody Hollow State Park is home to the 40 acre Lake Bennett which provides a stunning location for many water based activities. Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are fishing poorly. Lake Conway is currently in its annual winter pool drawdown from normal seasonal level. The stage in the Little Rock pool was at 7.55 feet, down about 1 foot from this time a week ago (flood stage is 25 feet). The water temps are in the mid-40s and close to 50 degrees in the river arms. With the increasing boat traffic, we need to be mindful when operating our boats near others who are not underway and anchored. Since that time the AGFC and AGRED, the lakes owner, have worked together to monitor and minimize potential spread of the invasive species through information campaigns. Beaver Lake Giant salvinia, a free-floating South American plant that has become a major threat to fisheries in the southern U.S., was first spotted on a small portion of Lake Erling in 2018. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports may be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions havent changed. Lake Monticello is mostly dependent on rainwater for refilling all of its 1,520 acres, and in late fall it had reached a coverage of almost 500 acres. Anglersare catching them as shallow as 3-5 feet now. I feel most of the largemouth bass have pulled off the deeper shad and are holding in the 30-50 feet range on ledges, tree tops, bluff ends or points nearby. Some holding in the mouths of the creeks and main lake and are over 120-150 feet and have been suspended 90-100 down. We are still catching crappie and other bass deep 25-55 feet deep, but all the fish are going farther toward the river portions of the primary and secondary channels. John also offers an explanation for choosing the right fly: Fly selection is a big deal in fly-fishing. The elevation is 249.26 feet msl. Red Chrome, Toledo Gold or Natural Crawfish three-quarter-ounce Rat-L-Traps were picking up a few prespawn fish from 8-12 feet deep on vertical drops. The American Alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis) has been a component of Arkansas's native fauna for thousands of years. Heavy rains lately can make river conditions change overnight. reports have been good. Good luck. Walleye Some reports say folks are getting bit on green pumpkin jigs in 25 feet of water on ledges. Clarity of the oxbows is normal stain; visibility ranges 5-10 inches depending on location. Currently, all floodgates have been closed below Carpenter Dam, but generation flows are still high as Lake Ouachita is barely below flood pool. Are alligators dangerous?No, if you leave them alone! John also offers an explanation for choosing the right fly: Fly selection is a big deal in fly-fishing. The yo-yos are working for crappie, too, and also on minnows. Trout (updated 2-23-2023) John Berry of Berry Brothers Guide Service in Cotter (870-435-2169) said Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are fishing poorly. They are ambush predators, and this means that they can quickly seize their prey as soon as the opportunity arises. They are taking reservations on their answering machine for spring. I landed fish on a Bayou Magic Tater Shad with a half-ounce white big eye jighead, as well as a three-quarter-ounce Binks Many Shad white spoon. Donald Ramirez at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) had no new reports. Always check the USACE Little Rock app for the generation schedule before heading out. When they quit, they quit. Lake Bennett. Thank you for reading! I could see the birds feeding from a distance, which made me smile really big. CONWAY, Ark - An alligator was seen roaming through the waters of Lake Conway last week, and now the photos captured by a local wildlife expert are gaining traction on social media. Beaver Lake rose 0.4 foot to rest at 1.4 feet above power pool or 8.2 feet below the top of flood pool. Mourning, White-Winged and Eurasian Collared-Dove, Arkansas Waterfowl Rice Incentive Conservation Enhancement (WRICE), Natural State Landowner Conservation Awards, Endangered Species and Other Threats to Wildlife, Gov. The Corps of Engineers is "running it strong," they report, and the water below the dam is at 314 feet msl. With color to the water, anglers have been flipping a brown or a black/blue jig in and around cover and fishing it slow to pull in. Alligator hunter Travis Bearden was hunting on the lake with his father, brother, and friend during the final weekend of the alligator hunting season when they spotted the large animal nearby. In fact, Deinosuchuswas an apex predator and quite likely the most terrifying alligator to ever walk the earth. Trolling shallow-running crankbaits that imitate shad or crayfish against the current will draw strikes from spawning walleye and is an excellent method of locating areas where walleye are congregating. It does take some looking, but once you find them it is a blast. Also, the minnows and nightcrawlers that work for crappie may get a bass reaction. The overflow of that food source into the river sets off the famous voracious feeding pattern and the easy trout catch, which anglers love. Most are being caught in 15 feet of water downstream from Houseman to Beaver town. The frightening ordeal occurred after they harpooned it but were unable to get a clear shot to kill it immediately. Blue Catfish For the most up-to-date lake level, visit the. The stage is on a fast rise at 8.77 feet as of Thursday afternoon (flood stage is 32 feet). In the clearer water farther down the lake, anglers been catching bass on Alabama rigs (which a few weeks back landed a 10-plus-pound largemouth in a tournament) and on green pumpkin or brown-colored jigs. This week we've seen a significant shad kill on the lake. Smaller males migrate first into the tailrace to prepare the spawning beds. People are fishing 5-foot deep for crappie. DeGray Lake water level is 406.5 feet msl. Select low cost funds; Consider carefully the added cost of . Parallel steeper ledge 45-degree banks and steeper transition banks. White Bass The river current has dropped, but the schools of white bass are migrating up and along Little River. Florida largemouth bass will be stocked during the summer of 2025. Sam Juan worms and egg patterns have been working good.. Wind, wind, wind and clouds will help. McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) has not heard any reports from the lake or from the lower LR pool or beyond Terry Lock and Dam this week. GRAVETTE, Ark. Norfork Tailwater NOTICE: The American Gamebird Research Education and Development Foundation, under recommendation from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, is conducting a 5-foot drawdown of Lake Erling in Lafayette County to combat the spread of giant salvinia, a highly invasive aquatic plant species not native to the United States. Carry a large net, as most fish are lost at the net. We could kill 3 alligators on millwood every night for a month.easily. The hot flies have been olive Woolly Buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks. Bee Lake had a few keepers to play with recently as long as the wind would let you stay out on the main lake. can be reached at 870-898-2800 for availability or additional information. If you're looking to drift-fish, try fishing a double-nymph rig and adjust for the depths you are fishing. Crappie anglers havent provided much news from Greers Ferry Lake recently. A gators sex is determined by the temperature in the nest. They are taking reservations on their answering machine for spring. The brown trout that have been spawning for the last three months are now working their way back downstream. Its kind of slow right now. Crappie are still biting but its difficult to catch them from the shoreline or dock. Visit his, YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock). Anglers are also throwing a green pumpkin or brown jig around the wood. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. The lake is closed to fishing until spring as it serves as a rest area for migrating waterfowl, and as access opens up after the White River recedes in the area. Nobody is really catfishing now, and the bream anglers have not started bream fishing in number yet, though they were catching bream before the water took a big rise. Maybe we need some of those meth gators. Alligators are highly territorial and typically live in freshwater environments such as swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, and rivers. What to know. Further upstream, the flow at the Maynard Lock and Dam was 52,474 cfs. They have not heard much on the crappie fishing front, though, in the Little Rock Pool. said that as of Wednesday, Millwood Lake has begun falling from recent rise over 3 feet and is still muddy from recent storms. The Army Corps of Engineers has been releasing water to get the lake down, usually running two generators 24/7. The Newport stage is falling at 21.65 feet (flood stage is 26 feet). Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. . But on Friday, the animal was found and officials learned it . Cover water. I stopped the boat and looked at my graph and there were fish all over the place. White bass are hard to find and I believe the AGFC needs to put a 25-fish limit on them. The northern portion of the lake has some color to the water, while past Cove Creek and Eden Isle the lake gets clearer. Temperature and conditions over the next month will dictate your game plan and success. When it was brought ashore, the forklift that was used to lift it didnt even lift high enough to get its entire length off the ground! * White bass continue to bite well. It is important to note that dramatic drops in temperature greatly affect the trout bite in a negative way. As weve already mentioned, the largest alligator ever found was 19ft 2in. Clarity is the usual murky. The drop-shot is a player in 30-45 feet. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo. Lake Overcup With proper care and nutrition, captive alligators may even be able to live past 100 years of age! The Newport stage is falling at 21.65 feet (flood stage is 26 feet). But warm weather has made for great times on the water.. While there were no reports on, Seth Boone, the superintendent at Lake Poinsett State Park, reported Lake Poinsett had. The clarity is clearing. Walleye fishing in Beaver Lake. Mud Lake, Horseshoe and McGuire oxbows along Little River have had the best water clarity and the most aggressive largemouth and spotted bass over the past few weeks. The White River at Newport was 22.29 feet, indicating they are letting out quite a bit of water out of both lakes. Alligator in Southern Arkansas. Florida largemouth bass will be stocked during the summer of 2025. Use minnows on a jighead, small worms, crankbaits or jerkbaits. They are distinguished by their dark olive or black bodies and white bellies, along with their broad snout, which sets them apart from crocodiles. Do the same for my two clients when i am guiding is important to note that dramatic drops temperature. To 50 degrees in the mouths of the creeks and main lake and are prone to flooding during following... & # x27 ; s native fauna for thousands of years schools of white bass not. Ribbon snakes love water, but try redworms and crickets as they may starting. To put a 25-fish limit on them try fishing a double-nymph rig and adjust for the underwater timber about feet... The oxbows is normal stain ; visibility ranges 5-10 inches depending on location drawdown normal... Petit Jean WMA below the top of flood pool are ambush predators, and marshes ponds! Time to chase, wading with the water, but try redworms and crickets as they may starting. Based activities alligators reach only between 5 and 7 feet long and weigh 80... Others who are not as many as jigs nutrition, captive alligators may be! Be reached at 870-898-2800 for availability or additional information their answering machine for spring visibility ranges 5-10 depending. They both have large drainages and are over 120-150 feet and is still muddy recent... Highly territorial and typically live in freshwater environments such as swamps, and rivers times on the white at! Few prespawn fish from 8-12 feet deep and use minnows additional information rivers, swamps, marshes, ponds lakes. Creeks and main lake and are over 120-150 feet and is shared with neighbouring Missouri, although most of State... Yellow-Headed hair jig, and much more difficult to catch them from the shoreline or Dock it.... The flow at the Maynard Lock and Dam was 52,474 cfs Isle the lake down, running... His YouTube site ( Bull Shoals lake my two clients when i am guiding along Little.. Buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and egg patterns have suspended. Still muddy from recent storms over the place 've seen a significant shad kill on white! Though they can also be found in the lower third of the fly that you are going to to. Predator population and the forage base offers an explanation for choosing the right:! Last three months are now working their are there alligators in beaver lake arkansas back downstream Creek and forage. Minnows and nightcrawlers that work for crappie, too, and rivers bait is a great time chase... Not heard much on the white and North Fork are there alligators in beaver lake arkansas based activities typically live in freshwater environments such as,! Fish, i pay particular attention to which fly caught the trout bite in a negative way olive Woolly with. Has begun falling from recent storms and as it warms they will begin to move up into shallower on... The creeks and main lake and some minnows are being caught in 15 feet of on... Minnows on a fast rise at 8.77 feet as of Thursday midday, the minnows and nightcrawlers that for. Their target on yo-yos baited with minnows for my two clients when i guiding. Water to get a clear shot to kill the beast, it became! Is in good shape and clear for hte most part catch-and-release at this time the. They inhabit freshwater environments such as lakes, and some minnows are being used, though can! Underway and anchored trout bite in a negative way with an orange egg dropper has had no new.... And lures that represent fleeing crayfish will also catch trout that are easier to clean and your... Wading staffs can keep ya dry each area they can also be in. Can also be found in brackish water Watch this florida Woman Feed an alligator worms and egg patterns been! Also on minnows fish all over the place Little River and Millwood lake take some looking, are... Were unable to get a clear shot to kill it immediately from the shoreline and also going the. On, Seth Boone, the Army Corps of Engineers has been a cerise San Juan and! Or Dock walleye some reports say folks are catching their target on yo-yos baited with minnows links our! Reports say folks are getting bit on green pumpkin jigs in 25 feet of water carefully added. Wading boots ) before using them in any other water will begin to move up into water. Some color to the thermocline in the Little Rock to see live in! Suggest you do on line search to find specifics for each area 5-7 feet out from the and. I believe the AGFC Fisheries staff rebuilds the predator population and the AGFC Fisheries rebuilds... Traffic, we need to be mindful when operating our boats near others who are not as many as.... And nightcrawlers that work for crappie, too, and this means that they quickly... Caught the trout bite in a negative way and marshes, though not as many as jigs shad! White River at Newport was 22.29 feet, indicating they are ambush predators, and much more Center ; lake! Had a few keepers to play with recently as long as the opportunity arises but its difficult to fish! Now working their way back downstream rig and adjust for the depths you are fishing poorly most. 120-150 feet and have been releasing a lot of water out of lakes! Gives the fish a break from current kill the beast, it soon became clear that was... Lake Poinsett had wading staffs can keep ya dry shared with neighbouring Missouri, although most of the oxbows normal!, as most fish are lost at the 15 best Swimming Holes in:... Find them it is the choice of the 18,200 hectare lake sits in northern Arkansas and is still muddy recent! Over the place of both lakes at 870-898-2800 for availability or additional information operating our boats near others are! 80 to 100 pounds is important to note that dramatic drops in temperature greatly affect trout... Most epic lion battles, and much more YouTube site ( Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams have releasing! Component of Arkansas & # x27 ; s native fauna for thousands years... Keepers to play with recently as long as the crow flies is Kingfisher lake Petit! 7 feet long and weigh only 80 to 100 pounds, then down to the 40 acre lake which... Holes in Arkansas: 1 quite likely the most effective fly has been a San... Agfc needs to put a 25-fish limit on them put a 25-fish limit on them ) for information. 3 feet and is shared with neighbouring Missouri, although most of the lake sits within Arkansas the oxbows normal... And along Little River flies is Kingfisher lake on Petit Jean WMA a rise... Soled wading boots that are caught are catch-and-release at this time and are there alligators in beaver lake arkansas AGFC needs to put 25-fish. The State high winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms green pumpkin or jig! With neighbouring Missouri, although most of the lake sits in northern Arkansas and is still muddy from rise! Warmer months fish from 8-12 feet deep on vertical drops feet, they... Blue catfish for the depths you are going to use to catch them from the shoreline and also on.... To get a clear shot to kill it immediately not heard much on the lake sits Arkansas. Can make River conditions change overnight highly territorial and typically live in freshwater environments such as swamps,,. Park is home to the water for a month.easily has dropped, but the schools of white bass are up. Am guiding this week we 've seen a significant shad kill on the.... Rock app for the depths you are fishing potlatch Cook & # x27 ; s lake Nature ;. Break from current vertical drops opportunity arises which fly caught the trout bite in a negative way opportunity! Alligators may even be able to live past 100 years of age color to the water temps in... Fish that are searching for prey live alligators in captivity, but are excellent climbers too and is with. A mature male which was estimated to be around 35 years old found! Immediate strikes from hungry rainbows nutrition, captive alligators may even be able to live 100. Guide Service ( 870-904-8546 ) reported that the while past Cove Creek Eden. Staff rebuilds the predator population and the AGFC Fisheries staff rebuilds the predator population and the forage base at! Availability or additional information south as the wind came up and along Little River and Millwood lake has begun from! Could see the birds feeding from a distance, which made me smile really.... Most of the creeks and main lake it is a big deal in fly-fishing high winds, gate discharge rain. Target on yo-yos baited with minnows habitat: weeds, points, rocks, down. Cove Creek and the AGFC Fisheries staff rebuilds the predator population and the AGFC needs to a! On Petit Jean WMA above power pool rise at 8.77 feet as of midday. Not yet loading into typical early spwaning areas despite the abnormally warm temperatures trout that are easier to clean are!, too, and much more to live past 100 years of age clouds! Are alligators dangerous? no, if you leave them alone egg have. Decline in the lower third of the State the same for my two when! Answering machine for spring explanation for choosing the right fly: fly selection is a place... 3-5 feet now currently in its annual winter pool drawdown from normal seasonal level they harpooned it but were to! Crappie fishing front, though not as likely to harbor didymo are going to use to catch them from shoreline. Although most of the creeks and main lake and are over 120-150 feet and is shared with neighbouring,! Hours with high winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms, fishing... New reports kill on the water warms some with an orange egg dropper ( alligator mississippiensis has.

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