CENTRAL ARKANSAS FISHING REPORT: JAN. 14
(updated 1-14-2021) Bates Field and Stream (501-4701846) said the lake is back to its normal Lake Conway stain and is at a normal level. Bream are good on redworms and crickets. Crappie are good. Medium and pink minnows are working, along with jigs (preferably 1½ to 3 inches). Black bass are good on spinnerbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms. Catfishing is good using stink bait, chicken liver, trotline minnows, nightcrawlers, shad and dough bait.
Lake Beaverfork
(updated 1-14-2021) Angler Dennis Charles said water is clear and cold. Crappie are very slow. Catfish are deep and hiding. Black bass are roaming all over and all depths, but the bite is questionable.
Dennis added, “I’ve also been to a few smaller lakes around the area also managed by the AGFC: Lake Cargill, three small lakes in the Petit Jean Wildlife Management Area, Lake Bailey in Petit Jean State
Park, Woolly Hollow, Petit Jean River, all with the same result. The bite is off. I did not fish the following but I collected reports while visiting, and it seems the same as Beaverfork: Brewer Lake, Nimrod, Winona.
“Also, I visited and fished Lake Barnett by Floyd. The temperature was 35 and there were 10 boats out, It was VERY much fun to fish and enjoy the bluffs and lake, with lots of suspended fish, as well as trees to steal your gear.” For more information, check out www.facebook.com/ groups/arkansasfishingadventures.
Little Red River
(updated 1-14-2021) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood says the river is at a normal level and stained. Trout have been good on jerkbaits, Rapala Countdowns, Power Rigs, Rooster Tails and Shadraps.
(updated 1-14-2021) Lowell Myers of Sore Lip’em All Guide Service (501-230-0730) said always check before heading to the Little Red River by calling the Army Corps of Engineers Little Rock District water data system (501-362-5150) for Greers Ferry Dam water release information or check the Corps of Engineers website (swl-wc.usace.army.mil) for real-time water release and the Southwestern Power Administration website (swpa.gov) to see forecasted generation schedule.
(updated 1-14-2021) Greg Seaton of littleredflyfishingtrips.com (501-690-9166) had no report.
Greers Ferry Lake
As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 461.80 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 462.04 feet msl).
(updated 1-14-2021) Tommy Cauley of Fishfinder Guide Service (501-940-1318) said the water level at Greers Ferry Lake is 461.94 feet msl and falling it is 0.64 feet below normal pool 462.04 feet msl. Crappie are eating 18-40 feet of water on minnows, jigs and the sort, straight up and down or horizontal as well. Black bass are eating all over the lake from super shallow out to 60 feet fishing vertical or horizontal, its wintertime now, so bluff ends 90 or 45-degree banks, deep guts in main lake are where a lot of population is at present aside from some loners, use Alabama rigs, crankbaits, grubs, jerkbaits, spoons, C-rigs, football heads and spinnerbaits, for best catches day-to-day and of course jighead worm, or now is the time a darter head will shine with 4-inch Right Bite bait senko. Bream are eating crawlers a lot suspended over deep water, the rest or out 30 feet. No reports on catfish. Walleye are starting to eat better, showing up around their regular haunts for prespawn; crankbaits are working best unless you can really pinpoint them and use a jighead with a small worm. Hybrid and white bass are deep for the most part; some can be found in 25-foot range, the rest in 43-80 feet and for the most part will feed off and on every day. Use spoons, swimbaits, inline spinners, grubs or Alabama rigs.
(updated 1-14-2021) Fish ’N Stuff (501-834-5733) in Sherwood says the lake is normal and clear with a surface temperature in the mid- to low 40s. Bass are good on jerkbaits, crankbaits, Alabama rigs and Rat-l-traps anywhere from 1-15 feet deep.
Harris Brake Lake
(updated 1-14-2021) Harris Brake Lake Resort (501-8892745) says the lake clarity is fairly clear and the water level is low. Crappie are still good and in the same pattern: Smaller crappie are being caught around the shoreline, while larger crappie are being brought in on boats over the deeper areas. Use minnows, jigs or shad. There were no other reports of catches.
Lake Overcup
(updated 1-14-2021) Randy Dehart at Lakeview Landing (501-354-5309) said bream are biting a little but have slowed down in the past couple of days. Crappie have moved to deeper water; some anglers have been able to find them, but it’s hard. The lake is starting to clear up. Lake level is high by 1-1½ feet.
(updated 1-14-2021)
Johnny “Catfish” Banks at Overcup Bait Shop and R.V. Park (501-354-9007) had no report.
Brewer Lake
No report.
Lake Maumelle
(updated 1-14-2021) The Dirty Worm (501-317-5046) on Highway 5 at Crows Station in Saline County reports that crappie fishing is excellent in 35-feet or more depth of water. Crappie are being caught around structure on No. 6 crappie minnows with -ounce jighead. Crappie are also being caught on Kalin’s Triple Threat Grubs in assorted darker colors. The Dirty Worm opened late in 2020 near the intersection of Arkansas highways 5 and 9; the store’s address is 17572 Arkansas Highway 5, Lonsdale, AR 72087.
(updated 1-14-2021) Westrock Landing (501-6585598) on Highway 10 near Roland had no report.
Arkansas River at Morrilton
(updated 1-14-2021) Charlie Hoke at Charlie’s Hidden Harbor at Oppelo (501-354-8080) had no report.
Little Maumelle River
(updated 1-14-2021) Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) says the water has cleared, and the level has dropped to low. Crappie continue to bite well. They’re being found in 7-10 feet depth of water. Use minnows and jigs. Black bass are good using crankbaits. They’re also running at a 7-to10-foot depth area. No reports on bream or catfish.
Arkansas River (Maumelle Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Toad Suck Lock and Dam was 31,922 cfs.
No report.
Arkansas River (Little Rock Pool)
On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Murray Lock and Dam was 45,787 cfs. Flow at the Terry Lock and Dam was 51,761 cfs.
(updated 1-14-2021) Fish ‘N’ Stuff (501-834-5733) said the river is a little high and muddy. Crappie fishing is good on orange/chartreuse, pink/chartreuse, blue/ chartreuse and black/chartreuse crappie jigs. Bass are hit or miss, but anglers note they are catching fish on entrances of backwaters using Chatterbait, Rat-l-traps and jigs.
(updated 1-14-2021) Zimmerman’s Exxon (501944-2527) reported that crappie fishing is good in 6-8 feet depth around the Willow Beach area using Slab Slayer Jigs in power blue and pearl white colors. Also, Bobby Garland Baby Shad in pearl/ chartreuse color is working). Crappie are good below the
Terry Lock and Dam as well in 8-10 feet depth fishing off the rocks and using regular crappie minnows. White bass are being caught below both dams using 3-inch chartreuse grubs. Catfishing is fair below the hydroelectric plant at Murray Lock and Dam. Use cut shad.
(updated 1-14-2021) The Dirty Worm (501-317-5046) on Highway 5 at Crows Station in Saline County fishing in the Arkansas River is fair with largemouth bass being caught in 2-to-3-foot deep stumpy water on white Indiana Blade Spinnerbaits. The Dirty Worm opened late in 2020 near the intersection of Arkansas highways 5 and 9; the store’s address is 17572 Arkansas Highway 5, Lonsdale, AR 72087.
Clear Lake (off Arkansas River-little Rock Pool)
(updated 1-14-2021) Mcswain Sports Center (501945-2471) said Clear Lake is clearing up, with water level now normal. Crappie reports are fair; use minnows or jigs. No other catches were reported.
Peckerwood Lake
(update 1-14-2021) Herman’s Landing (870-2413731) is closed for the season and will reopen in February after duck season closes.