December
31,
2008
Lake Dardanelle:
Spadra Marina said crappie have been biting regularly for over a
month. Red and clear glitter jig skirts by Southern Pro and Blue/Pearl
Slab Slayers by Bobby Garland are working the best. The crappie
are plentiful, but on the small side. Catfishing is best on live
shad and bass minnows. Largemouth bass are biting fair on crankbaits
in white and white/black. The bass are chasing shad and appear
to be decent size for the most part.
Lake Ouachita:
As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s
elevation at 574.55 feet MSL.
Larry
Hurley from Poorman’s
Guide Service said fishing continues to be fair for bass
and stripers. The bass are going from fall patterns to winter
patterns, so get ready to throw the reliable jig-and-pig in green
colors and black/blue. Stripers are fair on spoons and buck tail
jigs in gray.
Lake
Catherine: Shane Goodner, owner of Catch’em
All Guide Service, reports that the Corps continues to run
heavy generation in an effort to bring Lake Ouachita down to
elevation 573. The recent rainfall has prolonged this process,
which may continue for several more weeks. Water temperature
is 48 degrees which is normal for this time of year. Clarity
is good and the area fish are feeding daily on a steady diet
of injured threadfin shad. White bass continue to be caught in
good numbers around rock structure and sandbars. Fishermen
casting Rooster Tails and 1/8-oz. gray jigs have recorded
limits of bass - most of which in the 1-pound range. Little
or no hybrid and striper activity has been seen, but
big stripers make their presence known when rainbow trout
are being stocked. Rainbow trout are king at Carpenter Dam as
the fishing season is off and running on a good note. December
has been a productive month for trout as the fish are measuring
from 11 to 15 inches and are in great condition. Guided trips
routinely catch 30 to 50 trout with much better fishing on
the horizon in the next few months. Carpenter Dam has one
of the state's best rainbow trout populations and offers fishing
second to none. Limits of trout are caught by bank anglers using
redworms and nightcrawlers under a bobber in slack water. Fly-fishermen
are hooking large trout by casting small white streamers and
egg patterns. Boaters casting and trolling small crankbaits in
the main channel have also done well as the fish are traveling
established lanes in search of food.
