Catfish Chinese alligators reach only between 5 and 7 feet long and weigh only 80 to 100 pounds. Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. The lake is slightly stained in most areas, but will become more stained in the next day or so. The 5-foot drawdown creates a dangerous environment when attempting to navigate the tailrace in current or zero flow. However, alligators today are much, much smaller than their prehistoric counterparts. Surface Area. for day-to-day updates on the walleye bite. Bream are still trying to hide from the big fish. picking up topwater lures, Chatterbaits, buzzbaits, worms, shad-type flukes, creature baits and swimbaits. Try using a Texas rig on the brush, or fish with jigs. Donald Ramirez at Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) had no new reports. When they did eventually manage to kill the beast, it soon became clear that it was a record-breaker. 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. Ray suggests shad-colored jigs or jigs favoring white, silver/white and pink colors. Arkansas River and White River levels are available at: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=lzk. He says there was some speculation that the creature was a caiman, which are related to alligators and are legal to own in Arkansas. Gators in Arkansas do not eat during the winter months-theyll bask in the sun but they are not warm enough to digest food. Bream Shelly has already started looking ahead to the good moon times for next month. 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). Select low cost funds; Consider carefully the added cost of . Greers Ferry Lake is 6.6 feet above normal conservation pool. Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-233-3474) said, Beaver Lake is sitting close to 1,122 feet msl as of Wednesday. Drift-fishing with silver inline spinners with Power Eggs and shrimp continues to work best. Though they may travel some distance over land in search of food or mates, alligators typically remain within a few miles of their home territory throughout their lives. This includes all alligators, true crocodiles, caimans, gharials, and false gharials, along with many extinct members. Look for something in the water that gives the fish a break from current. Black bass are scattered all over, from shallow to deep. 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. With the rising water level, the largemouth bass bite will become really good. This artificial lake was created when the Bull Shoals Dam was built, which is one of the country's largest dams. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. and draining of wetlands from 1860 to 1960. The stage at Pine Bluff is at 31.63 and slightly on the rise (flood stage is 42 feet). Unfortunately, we lost a large part of the alligator population due to unregulated market hunting and their wetlands being drained. Arkansas River (Pine Bluff Pool) Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo. They suggest fishing more in the backwaters where the water will be a little warmer. The White River at Newport was 22.29 feet, indicating they are letting out quite a bit of water out of both lakes. Some fish will move shallower under the right conditions and hold on swings, points and ledges. 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. I see the same as you. On Thursday, the Corps of Engineers said water flow at the Emmett Sanders Lock and Dam at Pine Bluff was 40,646 cfs, about half the flow of this time last week. Ray Hudson at River Valley Marina (501-517-1250) said the fishing has been really good. 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. When my wife, Lori, and I go out, I rig our rods differently. I believe it was 43 gators for the ten SW counties. Featuring 28,000 acres of clear water that attracts thousands of water sports lovers, fishermen, hikers, and birdwatchers, Beaver Lake is located in the Ozark Highlands near Rogers and features forests, tall bluffs, and meadows crisscrossed by hiking trails. 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 (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. Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said fishing continues to pick up at Lake Charles. Harris Brake Lake Surface temps are stable this week, ranging 48-52 degrees depending on location and the time of day. 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. 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. The run has just started, they note. Most of the bass are only 25-55 feet over the shad. Watch for random floaters and broken timber during any navigation on Little River and Millwood Lake. Lake Hamilton Crappie are really starting to move up shallow. Though they're quick, they don't like . 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. 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. Thanks to a long summer, alligators have stuck around here in Arkansas. In spite of the higher level these days, anglers are able to launch boats. The fish I was marking at 60 feet or deeper did not want to bite. Woody Hollow State Park is home to the 40 acre Lake Bennett which provides a stunning location for many water based activities. Alligators have between 74 and 80 teeth which change as they get older. Largemouth bass reports have been good. Terry Via/Shutterstock.com. 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. (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. Cooks Lake The bass are in the 5-foot range or shallower in these backwater areas. No baits were mentioned for black bass or catfish, either, but they were caught in fair numbers as well. Mama gators build nests on the ground for their eggs. The lake level Thursday was 577.50 feet msl. Lake Catherine Tailwater (Below Carpenter Dam), For weekly flow releases from Carpenter Dam, visit. Hopefully you choose one that the trout wants. If they tied the fly and you do not have one, they will often give you one and wish you luck. Anglers are also throwing a crankbait either in a red or something with some chartreuse in it. As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation was 405.58 feet msl (full pool: 408.00 feet msl). As stated earlier, this process is ongoing and is regulated by Entergy on a weekly basis. Deinosuchuslived 82 to 73 million years ago during the Cretaceous era and spent their time in brackish water. Anytime lakes like this and other similar lakes come up, they get out of the flow, they said. This is a great time to chase walleye with big stickbaits. 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. 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). can be reached at 870-898-2800 for availability or additional information. If it has been over a week or two you need to put some more thought into it. (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. Water temperature was ranging 51-54 degrees as of Tuesday. Out on the boats, anglers have caught some but not many. This is a great time to chase, Wading with the water up can be tricky wading staffs can keep ya dry. Mike said, We talked to some friends up Little River in the oxbows over the past few days and they told us they were catching some decent largemouths on a floating Trick Worm like the Senko or Zoom Trick Worm and the Yum Dingers. Lake Erling Guide Service (870-904-8546) reported that the. 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. Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips (501-844-5418) said, I know its still cold but the crappie and bass spawn is just around the corner. Water temperature in the river arms is in the high 40s and the main lake is in the mid-40s. The hatchery has been stocking some really nice chunky fish. For bass, what I gathered from the bass fishermen I spoke with, they are struggling as well with fish not responding to the warmer water. Check our blog (linked above) to make sure it's not up and muddy. Its kind of slow right now. Crappie are still biting but its difficult to catch them from the shoreline or dock. Also check the Southwestern Power Administration website (. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Larger females soon follow and all will remain in the area for weeks until the spawn is complete. (updated 2-23-2023) Shelly Jeffrey at Lake Charles State Park (870-878-6595) said fishing continues to pick up at Lake Charles. John also offers an explanation for choosing the right fly: Fly selection is a big deal in fly-fishing. One of the biggest alligators found in the swamps of Arkansas is over 14 feet long and 800 pounds in weight. The massive influx of healthy rainbow trout to the lake rejuvenates the tailrace to an earlier scenario of quality fishing. Winter drawdown is scheduled to end next week (March 1-8) Flood gates remained open to aid in lowering Lake Ouachita out of flood pool. Alligator holes are new small ponds that the alligators make by excavating vegetation using their feet and snouts. Bait presentation should be very slow. (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. Watch the water temperature, and as it warms they will begin to move up into shallower water on brush piles. Ag&f seem to be ass backwards on everything. The answer is: yes. Fishing in the creeks feeding into the river can result in some nice bass or catfish. Lake Greeson The warden in La when I checked in my gator told me they are going to up the tags more and open the red River and a few other places up next year. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. With proper care and nutrition, captive alligators may even be able to live past 100 years of age! The crappie are in a prespawn bite and found around brush and other cover. Largemouth Bass Variant Names: Black Bass, Green Trout, Bigmouth Bass, Lineside Bass . The lake itself was created by Dr. Hugh H. Bennet to study water run-off, silt . Kentucky (spotted) bass are good. With colder temperatures, the, As of Thursday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 1,121.60 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.43 feet msl; top flood elevation is 1,130.0 feet msl). (updated 2-23-2023) Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said crappie have been biting in the usual hot spots like Gold Creek. The most effective fly has been a tan and brown Clouser minnow. Theyve also had success with red crankbaits and red Rat-L-Trap. Lots of jigging soft plastics and lead spoons. The water temperature is ranging about 46-49 degrees. Little productive fishing has been done in the tailrace under these adverse conditions. Crystal Bridges is a must see museum. Anytime I am in a fly shop I ask what the hot fly has been recently. Alligators in Arkansas (Little Rock, Hot Springs, Mena: house, living in, pine) User Name: Remember Me: Password . 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). Kirsten Bartlow with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission shares some information on alligators in Arkansas. (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. Vertical-jigging a spoon or 3-inch grub on a lead head is also working. The fish are about 8-12 feet deep. Alligators have been hunted seasonally in Arkansas since 2008 as a measure to . Lizards, soft plastics of any type and crankbaits are working. Everything is happening as it should. White bass are about 5-7 feet out from the shoreline and also going after the redworms. This is because they make alligator holes, which create new habitats. McKinzie says a resident told officials he was licensed to own an alligator. Look for balls of shad and try throwing an Alabama rig. Walleye stocking photos: Beaver Lake Walleye: back to top. Copyright 2023 Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, A Public Treasure: The Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge, Ways to Entertain Your Family During the Holidays. Excellent angling opportunities are on the horizon as soon as stable conditions return to Carpenter Dam, depending on consistent weather fronts. Anglers have also been doing really well on the black bass, which are also coming up shallow in 3-4 feet of water. Double Deceiver patterns in yellow or olive have been working best for me, Mike said. Are alligators dangerous?No, if you leave them alone! Kent has heard no reports on catfish or bream. I was in roughly 80 feet of water just outside of a channel swing with fish suspended 20-70 feet down. Sam Juan worms and egg patterns have been working good.. As members of Alligatoroidae, alligators are also members of the order Crocodilia. There has been nothing to report this week. I have a duck hole that depends on a beaver dam to retain the water. We have been doing well catching spotted bass and largemouths throwing these baits for walleye, so that shows me bass are on the feed. Many crappie anglers are using the LiveScope and searching them out and using a variety of baits, mostly jigs, artificials and minnows. So reckon it works. (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. Use jigs in Monkey Milk, black/chartreuse, Cajun Cricket, Kiwi, Mo-Glo, silver and Blue Ice, or throw a Crappie Magnet that is orange, white or Diamond Mist. Conditions are constantly changing. 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