This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s fishing report for Feb. 13, 2019. If there is a body of water you would like included in this report, please email [email protected] with information on possible sources for reports about that lake or river. Reports are updated weekly, although some reports might be published for two weeks if updates are not received promptly or if reporters say conditions haven’t changed. Contact the reporter for the lake or stream you plan to fish for current news.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
(updated 2-13-2019) Sharon at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) says clarity is very muddy and the lake is back to a high level, up 4.5 feet over las week. No surface temperature was recorded. No fishing reports came in over the past week.
Lake Catherine
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
No report.
Lake Catherine (Below Carpenter Dam)
For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit www.entergy.com/hydro.
(updated 2-13-2019) Shane Goodner, owner of Catcher All Guide Service, reports that recent area flooding has caused Lake Ouachita to rise up into the flood pool. Open flood gates and very heavy generation have been the norm this week in an effort to rid area lakes of excess water. No quality fishing has taken place below Carpenter Dam as dangerous conditions exist in the tailrace. Fast flows and high water have forced boaters and bank fishermen to forgo any effort to fish this week. These conditions will persist until Lake Ouachita falls out of flood pool. This process will most likely last all of this week and possibly longer. Until stable conditions return to Lake Catherine, all boating and wade fishing should be curtailed for safety reasons.
(updated 1-30-2019) Charles Morrison at Classic Catch Guide Service (479-647-9945) said water temperature is 46 degrees. The river is muddy. Creeks are starting to clear. All species have been slow due to the high and dirty water conditions. But as the creeks start to clear there will be opportunity. Jerkbaits, and Alabama rigs will play a role in catching you some largemouth bass. A jig and Bamboozie will also play a role; make sure the jig is small, and shorten up the Bamboozie and dragged it very slow on bottom without picking it up. The bite is really light and you should be ready for it. The striped bass have also been good on jerkbaits and Alabama rigs. The best bite has been early. A single swimbait will work, also. White bass have been with the stripers. Jerkbaits and spoons will catch you some good white bass. Crappie have been hit-and-miss due to the current in the creeks. The clarity is getting good with the current, it’s been just a tad bit swift to keep the jig where the crappie are. Chartreuse, black/chartreuse, Bobby Garland Monkey Milk and Cajun Cricket have been working well if you can keep the jig in front of the fish.
Lake Hamilton
(updated 2-13-2019) Greeson Marine, hometown dealer of the Arkansas born-and-bred Xpress all-welded aluminum fishing boats in Hot Springs, reports Lake levels up dramatically over the last 48 hours. With almost 5 inches of rain over the last few days, the lake is the color of chocolate milk throughout. Lake temps should still be around 50 degrees even with the cold rains. The best bets for these conditions while bass fishing are going to be brightly colored spinnerbaits, chatterbaits and crankbaits in chartreuse or orange. With the sun reappearing, the dirty water up in feeder creeks will heat up a little quicker and fish should be semi-aggressive now that they aren’t hunkered down dodging the big currents. No crappie report. “Please use extreme caution out there, folks! Lake Hamilton is notorious for large pieces of debris after rains and when the lake is on the rise, so slow down and trim up. Good luck (you’ll need it for a few days) and Go Greeson!”
(updated 1-30-2019) Capt. Darryl Morris at Family Fishing Trips said the pattern has been the same for several weeks here. Vertical-jigging spoons at a range of 35-55 feet depth will produce plenty of catches. Work deeper channels and the deep end of points.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 355.33 feet msl (full pool: 342.00 feet msl).
(updated 2-13-2019) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said the amount of rainfall that fell on Lake Nimrod last weekend means anglers may need to wait about two weeks for any decent fishing at Nimrod. The clarity is muddy and the level is high and on the rise, they say. Called on Monday, they said there was a period when the lake rose 5 inches in an hour. Crappie are biting well, though. Most of the crappie are being found in Porter Creek, but the bridge is already underwater. Crappie will bite minnows as well as black/chartreuse jigs. They are in about 3 feet depth. Black bass are fair on spinnnerbaits. Catfishing is fair. Bream are poor.
(updated 2-13-2019) Good Ole Boys Trading Post (479-272-4710) said the lake is muddy and high, and they heard no fishing reports.
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 578.44 feet msl (full pool: 578.00 feet msl).
(updated 2-6-2019) Todd Gadberry at Mountain Harbor Resort and Spa (870-867-2191/800-832-2276 out of state) said black bass are fair. Alabama rigs, jigs or spoons fished on main lake points or in creek channels are working OK at this time. No report on walleye. Stripers are still fair on live bait and Bama rigs. Major creek mouths and main lake points on the western and central parts of the lake are the best for these fish. No report on bream. Crappie are slow and being caught with jigs or minnows in 20-30 feet of water near brush. Catfish produced no reports. Water temperature is ranging 46-50 degrees. The clarity is clear. Lake level is at 576.08 feet msl. Contact the Mountain Harbor guides – Mike Wurm, 501-622-7717; Chris Darby, 870-867-7822; and Jerry Bean, 501-282-6104 – for more information.
Blue Mountain Lake
As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation was 400.24 feet msl (full pool: 384.00 feet msl).
No reports.
