Arkansas Fishing Report - May

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wgbassgirl
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Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2007 3:11 am

Arkansas Fishing Report - May

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Lake Fishing Report by Ed Druml: Fishing improving on area lakes

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Over the past week it's been a real pleasure to see a lot more people enjoying our lakes. Launching boats has been possible on most roads leading to boat ramps, but parking is limited at some locations.

Marinas are working hard to accommodate people under these adverse conditions. Water is warming, there is less debris, both lakes are clearing and fish are being caught as we adjust to the high-water conditions, so get out there and enjoy.

River fishing remains very good below both dams. Species such as walleye, stripers, white bass and others are showing up due to being flushed through the spillway.

The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission has asked that we keep warm-water species we catch since most won't survive. The statewide game fish regulations still apply, so be aware of the rules.

The Rod and Reel Club Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Redeemer Lutheran Church Family Life Center. Ivan Williams from Bass Cat will be speaking on boat setup and fishing techniques. Steve Day also will present updated CPR techniques. The public is invited.

Bull Shoals: Many ramps are accessible and fishing is improving throughout the lakes. Largemouth bass fishing remains good with spinnerbaits outproducing other methods.

Some smallmouth have been landed along with walleye by fisherman long-lining shad raps or flicker shads over 25-30 feet of water. Casting stickbaits between the trees is also producing walleye in the evening and after dark.

We caught Kentuckys and some large white bass by casting swim-tail grubs and Kastmasters. We fished the back of creek arms in water less than 18 feet deep in the trees.

Norfork:We finally caught crappie this week. We're not getting large numbers yet, but at least some are being landed. Creek arms such as Pigeon Creek and Bennett's Bayou are producing. Minnows fished 12-18 feet down in the trees are working better than jigs.

Walleye continue to be landed by casting stickbaits to shore or by trolling crankbaits with lead core in the 28-32 foot range. Stripers are cooperating throughout the lake and are being caught from Bennett's Bayou down to the dam and into the Big Creek area.

Live shad are producing many limits by fishing 35-40 feet down over deeper water. Casting stickbaits between the trees in the evening or soft plastics in the early morning is also working. Trolling lead core with rogues in 30 feet or deeper has also produced some nice catches.

Tip of the week: With the extreme number of trees lining both lakes, this has become a new habitat for us to fish, requiring some adjustments on our part. We found white bass and Kentuckys in the back of creek arms, in water less than 16 feet deep amongst the trees.

To catch these fish, not trees, some lures like Kastmasters and rooster tails can be modified by changing the treble to a single hook. We were pleased to discover that the 3-inch pogy or swim-tail type lures are very effective.

See you on the water.
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