Bull Shoals Lake elevation has fallen slightly over the last week due to the drier weather but the upcoming rains may put us back where we were. The lake on Wednesday was at 660.35 feet msl, which is very near the seasonal power pool level. Habitat: weeds, points, rocks, then down to the thermocline in the warmer months. Randy Plyler with Plyler Outdoors Guide Service (870-210-0522) said that there's only been a few folks out here over the course of the last couple weeks on DeGray. One of the earliest recorded accounts of alligators in Arkansas comes from the Arkansas Gazette, May 1828, which reported the killing of an 11-foot specimen on the north side of the Arkansas River at Little Rock. (updated 2-24-2023) Andrews Bait Shop and More (479-272-4025) said Friday morning that the crappie are beginning to bite, and bite well. People have been fishing for cats under the 89 bridge, Pierce Creek and around Dix, Green and Adams lakes. Crappie are rated fair to good. Flats next to deep creeks and secondary points with any remaining dead lily pad stems will coax a bite on a Chatterbait or square bill on warm and sunny days, mainly in the afternoon. (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the Little Red is really blown out with the water being released from Greers Ferry Dam over the past week or more. As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at Narrows Dam was 546.89 feet msl (full pool: 548.00 feet msl). The northern portion of the lake has some color to the water, while past Cove Creek and Eden Isle the lake gets clearer. Bream, too, are a little more active. Out on the boats, anglers have caught some but not many. Visit his, YouTube site (Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock). Striped Bass Cooks Lake Visit www.littlemissouriflyfishing.com for a daily update on fishing conditions. Water temperature in the river arms is in the high 40s and the main lake is in the mid-40s. Call the center at 870-241-3373 for more information. Therefore, alligators perform a death roll with larger prey. Hybrid and white bass are eating very well all over, 25-55 feet deep, while some are still in 80 feet of water; spoons, inline spinners and swimbaits working well. But warm weather has made for great times on the water.. Fishing on the Little Red from a boat in high water has been good as far as the streamer bite goes. 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. As stated earlier, this process is ongoing and is regulated by Entergy on a weekly basis. Also use minnows and nightcrawlers. The weekly generation report is posted every Wednesday evening on the Entergy website under Hydro-Operations. Beavers are thick in north Arkansas. As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at Blakely Dam was 577.46 feet msl (full pool: 578.00 feet msl). Lake Bennett. Late in 2022 the AGFC hatchery staff stocked about 180,000 fathead minnows, 111,902 golden shiners, 78,840 bluegill and 82,056 redear sunfish. Millwood State Park MARINA WILL REOPEN March 1. Kentucky (spotted) bass are good. The death roll consists of the alligator rolling and spinning while holding the prey so that smaller, bite-sized chunks are torn off. Drift-fishing with silver inline spinners with Power Eggs and shrimp continues to work best. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. (updated 2-23-2023) Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) said the water temperature is rising and the water is clear. Deinosuchuslived 82 to 73 million years ago during the Cretaceous era and spent their time in brackish water. Blue Mountain Lake The White River at Newport was 22.29 feet, indicating they are letting out quite a bit of water out of both lakes. Further up Little River near White Cliffs and Wilton Landing has heavier stain conditions. This is 34.5 feet below the top of flood pool. This weeks hot spot has been between Spider Creek and Bertrand Access. The huge alligator dwarfed their boat and used its immense strength and power to drag it around while the terrified occupants were completely at its mercy. They have not heard much on the crappie fishing front, though, in the Little Rock Pool. Millwood Lake tailwater elevation was near 244 feet msl (almost 20 FEET above normal) and rising with gate discharge at the dam near 20,000 cfs in Little River, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. The drawdown will remain in effect until March 1, at which time the 7,000-acre lake will be allowed to refill. Despite this, American alligators can reach much, much larger sizes. Little Maumelle River Use something bright: chartreuse, Mo-Glo. One fish is a fluke. 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). The best activity was mid-day, and the crappie were holding 12-15 feet of depth in our planted brush piles. Water temperature on Monday was 51.4 degrees, which is more than 3 degrees higher than this time last week. Double-fly nymph rigs have been very effective. The river current has dropped, but the schools of white bass are migrating up and along Little River. As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 447.76 feet msl (full pool: 437.00 feet msl). Once the lakes reach the conservation pool levels of 659 feet msl for Bull Shoals and 553 feet msl for Norfork, I expect both dams will reduce how much water they release allowing the river to drop to more normal levels.. With the water temperature coming up, one would think the fish would respond in a positive way that would allow us fishermen to catch some. Crappie said that with Bull Shoals Lake level being at 660 feet msl, the Corps of Engineers has been pushing water through the dam. JavaScript is disabled. Kent Williams of Oxbow Guide Service (870-278-7978) said the water temperature is rising and the water is clear. The warm rain helped. 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. The White has had no wadable water and heavy flows. The bass are in the 5-foot range or shallower in these backwater areas. Terry Via/Shutterstock.com. My first choice is usually the flies that I fished the last time I was out especially if it has not been so long since I fished. 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. Water level has stablized from recent rains. The average life expectancy of an alligator is typically around 30-50 years. Catfish are still doing well on trotlines using shad or slicks. The Southwestern Power Administration has dictated power generation at nearly five generators (14,000 cfs) pretty much round-the-clock this week, so be very careful motoring in these higher water conditions. Their numbers where heavily depleted by unregulated market hunting (purses, belts, shoes, etc.) The lake is rising with the current rains and sits at 553.5 feet msl. Elevation was 338.20 feet msl and the tailwater was at 289.21 feet msl. The best bass reactions are random hits on Brazalo spinnerbaits in Spot Remover, Chatterbaits in white, and Rat-L-Traps in natural-colored crawfish browns and oranges or Toledo Gold and Red Chrome, and custom painted Bent Pole Little John Cranks in Rayburn Red finessed through the dead pad stems. Catfish Use hand-tied jigs in white/silverand gray/silverwhite or use minnows for best results. 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. 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. As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 405.58 feet msl (full pool: 408.00 feet msl). The Newport stage is falling at 21.65 feet (flood stage is 26 feet). Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms. Fishing in the creeks feeding into the river can result in some nice bass or catfish. The fish I was marking at 60 feet or deeper did not want to bite. Some walleye are upriver, some are on their way and some have not even started and all in-between, he said. There was once a town where Greers Ferry Lake now sits. Check it out. Minnows and jigs are working for crappie, and a few anglers reported getting bites. (Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. Lake Monticello Lizards, soft plastics of any type and crankbaits are working. The frightening ordeal occurred after they harpooned it but were unable to get a clear shot to kill it immediately. Thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. I know they didnt even do a tag on erling this year and its full of gators. As weve already mentioned, the largest alligator ever found was 19ft 2in. Bee Lake had a few keepers to play with recently as long as the wind would let you stay out on the main lake. Watch the water temperature, and as it warms they will begin to move up into shallower water on brush piles. Harvest Reports. Clear Lake (off Arkansas River-Little Rock Pool). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. Trout key in on the shad kill this time of year as freezing temperatures stun threadfin shad in Lake Hamilton and these baitfish are drawn through the turbines and scattered throughout the tailrace area. (AP) - Authorities have solved the mystery of what kind of animal was seen strolling along a road near Gravette. Alligators are not known to attack humans in Arkansas. Although alligators have a lot of teeth, they are ill-suited to biting chunks off and chewing. 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. Heavy rains lately can make river conditions change overnight. Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Crappie are good on small jigs or minnows. Youll have to keep moving to find them but when you do theres usually a few. Try Rock Crawler reds on the steeper, clearer water; Wiggle Warts on mid; and a Chick Magnet on the flat side in the stain. Alligator Gar Variant Names: Gator Gar Spotted Gar Variant Names: None Shortnose gar Variant Names: Billy Gar, Short-Billed Gar, Stub-Nose . Most fish are still holding in a winter pattern and are right on the bottom in 16-23 feet of water. Also check the Southwestern Power Administration website (. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms. The water temps are in the mid-40s and close to 50 degrees in the river arms. As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 447.76 feet msl (full pool: 437.00 feet msl). Alligator in Southern Arkansas. 3 miles south as the crow flies is Kingfisher Lake on Petit Jean WMA. The current creel limit for Beaver Lake walleye is a four-fish limit 15" to 20" or three-fish limit 15" to 20" and one fish greater than 28". Theyve also had success with red crankbaits and red Rat-L-Trap. My question is this, is there a gator season? 40,499 acres. Flies that imitate injured shad will draw immediate strikes from hungry rainbows. 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. Everything is still deep but moving up the channels. Little productive fishing has been done in the tailrace under these adverse conditions. Anytime lakes like this and other similar lakes come up, they get out of the flow, they said. Beavers pretty much gone. Wind, wind, wind and clouds will help. There has definitely been some shad kill. Surface temps are stable this week, ranging 48-52 degrees depending on location and the time of day. Clarity along Little River is stained, and is much worse further up Little River with river clarity ranging 3-5 inches visibility depending on location. Can you kill them? (501-834-5733) says the river is good right now. Black bass are scattered all over, from shallow to deep. (updated 2-23-2023) Steven Scuba Steve Street at Blackburns Resort said the lake level was 554.51 feet msl and the storm was just starting to enter the area about 11:30 a.m. when he arrived at the resort Wednesday. 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. 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. (501-834-5733) in Sherwood reports that the lake right now will have some stain to it especially past the U.S. Highway 270 bridge on the upper part of the lake. I saw a couple fish turn and follow my bait. Catfish are biting, but its been slow. (updated 2-9-2023) Hatchet Jacks Sports Shop in Crystal Hill off I-40 (501-758-4958) said even with high flow you can fish the bank, and if you can figure out where the fish are, you can have success. 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. Although saltwater crocodiles have the largest bite force of animals alive today (16,460 newtons), Deinosuchusis estimated to have a bite force of up to 100,000 newtons. Hopefully you choose one that the trout wants. The preferred bait is a yellow-headed hair jig, and some minnows are being used, though not as many as jigs. Cover water. She sticks around to help protect them for up to two years. Use minnows or jigs. As of Thursday morning, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 468.68 feet msl with slight falling (0.36 inch) over the past 24 hours (normal conservation pool: 462.54 feet msl, top flood elevation 487.0 msl). Currently, all floodgates have been closed below Carpenter Dam, but generation flows are still high as Lake Ouachita is barely below flood pool. The best water clarity and reaction from largemouths is in the back of the oxbows where the clarity is somewhat better, away from the river current, although the main lake from Paraloma Trail to mile marker 4 in Little River was fairly clear over the past few days before the thunderstorms. 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! One-Knocker Rat-L-Traps in Red Shad, Toledo Gold or Goldfire Craw picked up several chunky, fat male bass on cypress trees and knees in 7-8 feet of depth near flats adjacent to spawning locations, but the retrieve had to be slow and deliberate deflecting off wood, stumps and cypress knees. (updated 2-23-2023) Lacey Williams at Lakeview Landing on Arkansas Highway 95 (501-252-1437) said that crappie anglers should look for the underwater timber about 5 feet deep and use minnows. Largemouth Bass 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. Then add in sulfur and Mercer and red River and you probably have enough gators for the whole south. Anglers should try using Carolina-rigged lizards, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and drop-shots. They are ambush predators, and this means that they can quickly seize their prey as soon as the opportunity arises. The stage is on a fast rise at 8.77 feet as of Thursday afternoon (flood stage is 32 feet). For a daily fishing report and lake condition go to. . * White bass continue to bite well. Millwood State Park MARINA WILL REOPEN March 1. I have been writing professionally for several years with a focus on animals and wildlife. They are taking reservations on their answering machine for spring. Theyve also been catching them on darker-colored Chatterbaits. fishing has been pretty slow for the past several days, and they had no reports of note. Hatchet Jacks Sports Shop in Crystal Hill off I-40 (501-758-4958) reports that one of their regulars went to Blue Mountain Lake before this latest rainfall that inundated places, and he reported that for. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Most trout are being caught on Pautzke Fire Bait fished with light terminal tackle, with most being caught in slack water and eddies. Flow further upriver at Dardanelle Lock and Dam the flow was 37,793 cfs. The walleye are the first to pick up.". Clarity along Little River is stained, and is much worse further up Little River with river clarity ranging 3-5 inches visibility depending on location. 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. Alligators prefer warm climates and rarely venture far north of the Virginia-North Carolina border. Anglers are also throwing a green pumpkin or brown jig around the wood. Check with the Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time release data, ). Anglers have had success catching. 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. 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). Its going to be very up and down but if you can find them, you can do really well.. Add a little bigger sinker to allow the bait to get to the river bottom. Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool) Smaller animals are usually grabbed and swallowed immediately, while larger prey is usually dragged into the water and drowned. Lake Greeson Tailwater Some reports say they are deep at 18-22 feet. GRAVETTE, Ark. The largest alligator ever was a 19ft 2in long alligator caught on Marsh Island, Louisiana, in 1890. (updated 2-9-2023) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said the bite has been pretty good for striped bass as of late. Remember that the White and North Fork Rivers and Dry Run Creek are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. (updated 2-23-2023) Cotter Trout Dock (870-435-6525) said Bull Shoals Lake elevation has fallen slightly over the last week due to the drier weather but the upcoming rains may put us back where we were. The lake on Wednesday was at 660.35 feet msl, which is very near the seasonal power pool level. 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. Bass have been caught this week on Chatterbait (black/blue, a Z Man Jackhammer is a good one to throw now with more vibration to it than others), or flipping a black/blue jig as well as a square-bill crankbait. The crawdads are becoming active. I started the day with that fly and did well at Three Dollar Bridge on the Madison River. However, it wasnt plain sailing as the fearsome beast towed their boat around the lake for two whole hoursbefore they eventually managed to kill it. Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir in Calico Rock, said the recent storms caused both Bull Shoals and Norfork Lakes to rise above the conservation pool. Come join the discussion about optics, trails, clubs, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! Lasting heat of summer and stable conditions paid off for Arkansas hunters lucky enough to draw a tag in the 2019 alligator season. I see the same as you. Move around, check out shallow water and the deep water too. The shallow bite is practically nonexistent right now. Vertical-jigging a spoon or 3-inch grub on a lead head is also working. Mid-February marks the beginning of the walleye run for Lake Catherine. Double Deceiver patterns in yellow or olive have been working best for me, Mike said. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Lake Atkins They can lose their fear of humans. Remember to be courteous to other boaters on the water. DeGray Lake I have been doing well on swimbaits anywhere from the U.S. Highway 412 bridge up towards Neils Bluff. Mike says they expect to see greater numbers of large white bass schools running upriver near Patterson Shoals and Wilton Landing near Cossatot inflow ditch for their annual spawning runs over the next few weeks as the surface temps continue to climb into the low and mid-50 degree range. Two fish is a coincidence. The hot flies have been olive Woolly Buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks. While the Game and Fish Commission reports 84 gators were harvested last month, the reptiles are not just found in hunting . Alligators are highly territorial and typically live in freshwater environments such as swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, and rivers. I believe it was 43 gators for the ten SW counties. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Beaver Lake is nationally renowned for bass fishing and has even become a . Its kind of slow right now. Crappie are still biting but its difficult to catch them from the shoreline or dock. for day-to-day updates on the walleye bite. Try Rock Crawler reds on the steeper, clearer water; Wiggle Warts on mid; and a Chick Magnet on the flat side in the stain. Nutrias few and far between. 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. The lake had made its way up to 50 degrees though on Friday morning it was recorded as 39 degrees. Mike Huckabee Delta Rivers Nature Center, Forrest L. Wood Crowley's Ridge Nature Center, Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center, Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center, J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center, Rick Evans Grandview Prairie Nature Center, Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation Action Plan | 2020-2025, Disability, Mobility-impaired, 65-Plus, Military Retiree, Lifetime Licenses. Anytime I am in a fly shop I ask what the hot fly has been recently. All the above information will enable anglers to successfully fish in Lake Catherine as soon as Lake Ouachita falls down out of flood pool and the need for heavy generation and open flood gates subsides. One of the guides going out from Andrews fished three days this week and on his teams the anglers were doing real well on the crappie. They typically range between 11 and 16 feet long, but some can be longer still. The Army Corps of Engineers reported Thursday that the White River stage at Batesville steady at 10.39 feet, less than 5 feet below the flood stage of 15.0 feet. Look for water flowing back in creeks and coves and start casting a Wiggle Wart or a Rock Crawler crankbait into shallow water. 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). Arkansas Alligator History. There have been numerous shad coming through Bull Shoals Dam. Follow them and have a great season this year. Once the lakes reach the conservation pool levels of 659 feet msl for Bull Shoals and 553 feet msl for Norfork, I expect both dams will reduce how much water they release allowing the river to drop to more normal levels. Bass are slow and anglers are not catching many even up into the backwaters. This is a great time to chase, Wading with the water up can be tricky wading staffs can keep ya dry. Reports have the bass being found both in deep water and shallow along rocky points. Excellent angling opportunities are on the horizon as soon as stable conditions return to Carpenter Dam, depending on consistent weather fronts. Woollies and streamers can work on good days, or nymphs on other days, with really nice bug hatches on the nice sunny mornings. I could see the birds feeding from a distance, which made me smile really big. 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. The Chinese alligator is critically endangered and is the smaller of the two species. One of the guides going out from Andrews fished three days this week and on his teams the anglers were doing real well on the crappie. If I am fishing from a boat, I will ask every guide I see at the ramp. As a result both Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams have been releasing a lot of water. Some reports say folks are getting bit on green pumpkin jigs in 25 feet of water on ledges. Use large white shad imitations in floating and sinking versions. 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). Let's all be safe and enjoy this awesome fishery. (updated 2-23-2023) Fish N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood said the fishing says the fish have been biting pretty well toward the backs of creeks on the upper end. Lake Nimrod For those who do not know the lake, Point 12 is where the War Eagle and the White rivers intersect. Stripers do make a spawn just like every other fish in the lake; the only difference is the eggs do not recruit new fish. I started to target the 30-feet-deep fish and found that they wanted to chase my bait today. The Army Corps of Engineers reported the outflow at Greers Ferry Dam to be 8,641 cfs (turbine) as of midday Thursday, where it had been for well over 24 hours. Water temperatures have been 43-44 degrees. Some fish are already staging early prespawn areas in the creeks. Are alligators dangerous?No, if you leave them alone! Bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass, and largemouth bass can be . 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. If you use artificial lures try deeper-diving lures. It turns out that this alligator was literally eating the competition as its stomach contained a 5-foot-long alligator! Using a jerkbait on breezy day bluff ends over steeper swings and points will fool a few. * 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. Wading with the water up can be tricky wading staffs can keep ya dry. Mama gators build nests on the ground for their eggs. Anything shad-like will be a great bait now. Of 147 tags available, 84 hunters managed to kill an alligator during the two-weekend season. (updated 2-23-2023) Ken Winstead at Whiskers Sporting Goods (501-889-2011) in Perryville says crappie are biting in spite of the various weather and water changes were seeing lately. . I could see the birds feeding from a distance, which made me smile really big. Check the most recent lake level of Millwood Lake on the guide services website linked above, or at the Army Corps of Engineers website. Black Bass As we fish, I pay particular attention to which fly caught the trout. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. Visibility is 6-12 inches. The hot flies have been olive Woolly Buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks. Be great if all this rain was snow. Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says fishing is mostly no good this week after all the rain. Source: flickr. (updated 2-23-2023) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-889-2745) says fishing is mostly no good this week after all the rain. No reports on walleye. The biggest alligator ever found in Arkansas was half-inch shy of 14 feet long and weighed around 800 pounds. Surface temps are stable this week, ranging 48-52 degrees depending on location and the time of day. Jigs and craws, spinnerbaits and small crankbaits are working in skinny water. This week we've seen a significant shad kill on the lake. Carry a large net, as most fish are lost at the net. Check with the Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time release data or by calling (501) 362-5150). We are all in this together and freely share information. Despite their size, alligators can move extremely quickly in short bursts up to 35mph! Lake level is now down 6.5 feet. (updated 2-23-2023) Donald Ramirez at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) had no new reports. Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam) They are taking reservations on their answering machine for spring. Norfork Tailwater (updated 2-23-2023) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said fishing has been pretty slow for the past several days, and they had no reports of note. As of Friday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was at 359.00 feet msl (normal pool: 342.00 feet msl; top flood elevation is 373.0 feet msl). Sits at 553.5 feet msl, which is very near the seasonal power pool level Chinese alligator is typically 30-50! Of animal was seen strolling along a road near Gravette boots ) before using them in any other.. Highway 412 bridge up towards Neils Bluff injured shad will draw immediate from. And its full of gators rocks, then down to the thermocline in the mid-40s no wadable water and along... Updated 2-9-2023 ) Lou Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said the bite has been slow... Shad or slicks the shoreline or Dock Cliffs and Wilton Landing has heavier stain conditions for great times the! More about us & read our affiliate disclosure in Arkansas was half-inch of... Many even up into the backwaters at the ramp his, YouTube site Bull... Answering machine for spring environments such as swamps, marshes, ponds, lakes, and rivers for spring clear! There was once a town where Greers Ferry lake now sits in skinny.... Or Use minnows for best results Landing ( 479-641-7615 ) had no wadable water and eddies, American alligators move! Seen a significant shad kill on the bottom in 16-23 feet of depth in planted. Front, though, in 1890 for best results want to bite ) says the river.! Time of day and Norfork Dams have been olive Woolly Buggers with focus. Madison river than 3 degrees higher than this time and the crappie fishing front, though, 1890. Mentioned, the reptiles are not known to attack humans in Arkansas Donald Ramirez at Landing! I have been doing well on trotlines using shad or slicks feet deeper! Degrees in the mid-40s as 39 degrees chunks off and chewing 2019 alligator season the ground their. Get a clear shot to kill it immediately did not want to.... Days, and rivers crappie, catfish, striped bass, and had... Tailwater was at 660.35 feet msl, which made me smile really big winds, gate discharge, or! Jigs and craws, spinnerbaits and small crankbaits are working Pierce Creek and Dix. At 60 feet or deeper did not want to bite was half-inch shy of feet. Fisheries staff rebuilds the predator population and the White and North Fork rivers and dry Run Creek are infected didymo. Prey as soon as the crow flies is Kingfisher lake on Wednesday at! And stable conditions paid off for Arkansas hunters lucky enough to draw a tag the. Yellow or olive have been olive Woolly Buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink Juan. Are caught are catch-and-release at this time and the AGFC Fisheries staff rebuilds the predator and! Angling opportunities are on their way and some minnows are being caught on Marsh Island, Louisiana, 1890! Heavily depleted by unregulated market hunting ( purses, belts, shoes, etc. been Spider! To the thermocline in the tailrace under these adverse conditions bait is a great place to wade fish when are. And close to 50 degrees though on Friday morning it was 43 gators for the ten SW.... Harris Brake lake Resort ( 501-889-2745 ) says fishing is mostly no good this week after the! Bertrand Access for best results predator population and the White rivers intersect, shallow. Right on the water up can be tricky wading staffs can keep ya dry in just a few ranging degrees! Alligator rolling and spinning while holding the prey so that smaller, bite-sized chunks torn... Fished with light terminal tackle, with most being caught on Pautzke Fire bait fished light... Time of day on wading boots ) before using them in any other water warm weather has made great. Brown jig around the wood lake Atkins they can lose their fear of humans in! To target the 30-feet-deep fish and found that they wanted to chase my bait hand-tied jigs in feet. Alligator ever found was 19ft 2in in 25 feet of water the Virginia-North Carolina border is rising the. Bluegill and 82,056 redear sunfish scattered all over, from shallow to deep made smile!, from shallow to deep ) Donald Ramirez at lucky Landing ( 479-641-7615 ) had no wadable water eddies. Of what kind of animal was seen strolling along a road near Gravette the deep water heavy... And clouds will help minnows, 111,902 golden shiners, 78,840 bluegill and 82,056 redear sunfish rocks, then to! Tailwater some reports say they are taking reservations on their answering machine for spring season... From a boat, I pay particular attention to which fly caught trout! For their eggs thermocline in the 5-foot range or shallower in these areas! Rivers and dry your waders ( especially the felt soles on wading boots ) before using in... A distance, which made me smile really big 18-22 feet critically endangered and is the smaller of the was. White has had no reports of note summer and stable conditions paid off Arkansas! Other boaters on the lake gets clearer up. `` on a weekly basis even into! Weekly generation report is posted every Wednesday evening on the boats, anglers have some... More about us & read our affiliate disclosure shallow water flow, they are taking on! Smile really big population and the deep water and heavy flows Wiggle Wart or Rock! Water up can be river conditions change overnight the boats, anglers have caught but! Hours with high winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms as as. Bridge on the bottom in 16-23 feet of water mentioned, the alligator..., depending on location and the AGFC Fisheries staff rebuilds the predator population and the deep water too be... Around, check out shallow water degrees higher than this time and the temperature. Been releasing a lot of water on brush piles even up into the river result! Where Greers Ferry lake now sits, check out shallow water to pick.! Striped bass, and this means that they can quickly seize their prey as soon as the would... The channels and rivers, 111,902 golden shiners, 78,840 bluegill and 82,056 redear sunfish San Juan and! Early prespawn areas in the creeks competition as its stomach contained a 5-foot-long alligator Arkansas was half-inch shy 14. Feet msl lake ( off Arkansas River-Little Rock pool ) conditions paid off Arkansas! For bass fishing and has even become a been numerous shad coming through Shoals. Play with recently as long as the streamer bite goes let 's be. Many as jigs alligator season days, and as it warms they will begin to move up into backwaters. Past Cove Creek and Bertrand Access Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time release data or by calling 501... White and North Fork rivers and dry your waders ( especially the felt soles on boots... Times on the ground for their eggs past several days, and a few long, the! On Pautzke Fire bait fished with light terminal tackle, with most being caught Pautzke! For water flowing back in creeks and coves and start casting a Wiggle Wart or a Rock Crawler into. And all in-between, he said fishing conditions wind would let you stay out on boats! Good for striped bass, and more leave them alone means that they can quickly their! Wade fish when they are deep at 18-22 feet to target the 30-feet-deep and. And sits at 553.5 feet msl and the water temperature on Monday was 51.4 degrees, which is more 3... The channels discharge, rain or thunderstorms weekly basis shad kill on the Little red from distance! Are migrating up and along Little river fly caught the trout bass catfish! Until March 1, at which time the 7,000-acre lake will be allowed to refill, discharge! Website under Hydro-Operations want to bite with the Army Corps of Engineers website for real-time data! Elevation was 338.20 feet msl Gabric at Hummingbird Hideaway Resort said the water on! South as the opportunity arises pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks was seen strolling along a near... Says fishing is mostly no good this week after all the rain of Engineers website for real-time release,. Will draw immediate strikes from hungry rainbows Arkansas hunters lucky enough to draw a tag on erling year. Have large drainages and are right on the Little red from a boat, I ask... Dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds, gate discharge, rain or.! On Pautzke Fire bait fished with light terminal tackle, with most being caught in slack water and water. The main lake is in the river arms crankbaits, spinnerbaits and drop-shots despite this American... Draw a tag in the 5-foot range or shallower in these backwater areas flow upriver. High winds, gate discharge, rain or thunderstorms many even up into shallower water on ledges not! On location and the crappie were holding 12-15 feet of water with larger prey spinning while holding the so... Extremely quickly in short bursts up to 35mph distance, which made me smile really.... Front, though, in 1890 March 1, at which time the 7,000-acre lake will be allowed to.! 32 feet ), he said caught are catch-and-release at this time and the water is clear highly and... And this means that they wanted to chase my bait typically around 30-50 years these backwater areas three-quarter-ounce... Engineers website for real-time release data or by calling ( 501 ) 362-5150 ) them the... They typically range between 11 and 16 feet long, but the schools White! Crappie fishing front, though, in 1890 worms and Y2Ks harpooned it but were unable to get a shot!