December 19, 2011 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report By Scuba Steve from Blackburns Resort - Lake level is 552.3 and steady with moderate generation. Surface temperature is still in the low 50's and the water is very clear. Fishing was very good until this high pressure system moved in and slowed it considerable. Weather is to stay near 60 for the next several days with light southerly winds. The same brush pile that produced 15 bass and crappie Tuesday produced only 2- crappie last evening and I worked hard for them. The fishing usually gets better after the fish get used to the highs for a while. I am seeing very few boats out and they are from Blackburns. I am using spoons, grubs, live minnows and shiners for everything and fish mostly in the evening. Fish were in their winter pattern but the warm weather is mixing them up. The big crappie and bass are there, I see them with my camera. I fish for size, not numbers, but big numbers of smaller fish are being caught in the Red Bank area.

December 29, 2011 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 12/29/2011

During the past week, we have had a rain event, cooler temperatures and windy conditions. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell six tenths of a foot to rest at three tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell eight tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell one tenth of a foot to rest at power pool or nine and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had erratic generation with little wadable water. Norfork Lake rose one tenth of a foot to rest at three tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty seven and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had increased generation with wadable water. The heavy rain we received this week raised the lake levels a bit. However there has been substantial generation to keep the lake levels remain close to power pool.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park from the bottom of the Catch and Release section down to the wing wall will be seasonal brown trout Catch and Release for the same period

There were several days where we had generation in excess of 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on the White. The best technique for this type of water is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (orange and peach). The trick is to get the flies down. To sink these flies you must use big split shot (AAA or larger) and long leader/tippet combinations (ten to twelve feet). To help detect takes use a brightly colored strike indicator near the top of the leader. One way to increase strikes is to use a small nymph as a dropper below the worm or egg. Effective flies for droppers have been sowbugs, Y2Ks, zebra midges or copper Johns.

Another technique that has been particularly effective on the higher water has been to bang the bank with big streamers. Effective patterns have been Zoo Cougars, Sex Dungeons and Butt Monkeys. The key to success has been to use a heavy sink tip (250 grain or heavier). To deliver these heavy flies on heavy sink tip lines, you must use at least an eight weight rod. This is hard work but can produce some excellent trout.

The best place to fish was the section from Wildcat Shoals to down to Cotter. On the higher flows we have been receiving, the hot flies were hot fluorescent pink San Juan worms with copper Johns and black zebra midges in size fourteen or sixteen as droppers. Y2Ks and beadhead hare’s ears were also responsible for some nice fish.

Rim Shoals has been particularly hot. The hot flies have been San Juan worms with Y2K droppers. Remember that Rim Shoals Trout Dock runs a water taxi and will ferry you to wadable water and pick you up when the water rises or you are finished for a nominal fee. They can ferry you to wadable water as long as the flow at Rim Shoals is below 17,000 cfs.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are high and stained. Several anglers have reported success with Clouser minnows. The water temperature is near the point where the Smallmouth will become less active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

The Norfork has fished well. On lower water the hot flies have been olive scuds (size 18), Dan’s turkey tail emerger, hot fluorescent pink worms and chamois worms. Soft hackles like the partridge and orange or the green butt have accounted for a lot of fish. The new trout habitat project in the Catch and Release section has had a positive effect on the fishing there. On higher flows, the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange).

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. The browns are stacked in the creek like a cord of wood. With the cool weather, there have been few anglers on the creek. Now is the time to fish there if you want a bit of solitude.

The water level on the Spring River is high and stained. This is a great place to wade fish. Canoe season is over and we have much less traffic on stream. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot spot has been Dam Three Access. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

December 28, 2011 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry lake is at 465.18 and falling ,it is 4.15 feet above normal pool of 461.03,the water temp ranges from 46-50 degrees.

The hybrid and white bass are eating good on swim baits, hair jigs and
in-line spinners, and spoons if they are on the bottom, look for birds and
or bait on your graph, the fish will be any where from 25 feet to 70 feet
of water.

The bass fishing is still good shallow water as well as deep, with both fish
being pretty active, shqallow fish can be caught on spinner baits,jigs and
small crank baits, as well as wiggle warts the deeper fish are eatin
football heads, jerkbaits and c-rigged lizards.

The crappie are suspended over brush piles and in the pole timber in 25 to
30 feet of water over 60 to 80 feet eating jigs and jigs tipped with
minnows.

No out catching bream but they can be caught in 15-27 feet of water on
spoons and on sunny days use small jigs tipped with a minnow or small hair
jigs.

No-report on catfish.

walleye are biting on trolled crank baits, hair jigs as well as spoons
fished from 65 feet up in the water colom as some will be suspended and the
crank baits are working best.

No-report on

December 22, 2011 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 12/22/2011

During the past week, we have had a rain event, slightly warmer temperatures and windy conditions. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose six tenths of a foot to rest at nine tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake rose eight tenths of a foot to rest at a foot above power pool or fifteen feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest at one tenth of a foot above power pool or nine and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had erratic generation with no wadable water. Norfork Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty seven and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had little generation with substantial wadable water. The heavy rain we received this week raised the lake levels a bit. However they all remain close to power pool and should provide wadable water.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park from the bottom of the Catch and Release section down to the wing wall will be seasonal brown trout Catch and Release for the same period.

The dissolved oxygen level has risen above the state minimum standard of six parts per million on the White and Norfork Rivers.

There were several days where we had generation in excess of 20,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) on the White. The best technique for this type of water is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (orange and peach). The trick is to get the flies down. To sink these flies you must use big split shot (AAA or larger) and long leader/tippet combinations (ten to twelve feet). To help detect takes use a brightly colored strike indicator near the top of the leader. One way to increase strikes is to use a small nymph as a dropper below the worm or egg.

Another technique that has been particularly effective on the higher water has been to bang the bank with big streamers. Effective patterns have been Zoo Cougars, Sex Dungeons and Butt Monkeys. The key to success has been to use a heavy sink tip (250 grain or heavier). To deliver these heavy flies on heavy sink tip lines, you must use at least an eight weight rod. This is hard work but can produce some excellent trout.

The best place to fish was the section from White Hole down to Wildcat Shoals. On the higher flows we have been receiving, the hot flies were hot fluorescent pink San Juan worms with copper Johns and black zebra midges in size fourteen or sixteen as droppers. Y2Ks and beadhead hare’s ears were also responsible for some nice fish.

Rim Shoals has been particularly hot. The hot flies have been San Juan worms with Y2K droppers have been the key to success. Remember that Rim Shoals Trout Dock runs a water taxi and will ferry you to wadable water for a nominal fee. They can ferry you to wadable water as long as the flow is below 17,000 cfs.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are high and stained. Several anglers have reported success with Clouser minnows. The water temperature is near the point where the Smallmouth will become less active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

The Norfork has fished well. On lower water the hot flies have been olive scuds (size 18), Dan’s turkey tail emerger, hot fluorescent pink worms and chamois worms. Soft hackles like the partridge and orange or the green butt have accounted for a lot of fish. The new trout habitat project in the Catch and Release section has had a positive effect on the fishing there. On higher flows, the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange).

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. The browns are stacked in the creek like a cord of wood. Dry Run Creek has received little pressure this week. The best Christmas present that I can think of is to take your youngster fishing there.

The water level on the Spring River is high and stained. This is a great place to wade fish. Canoe season is over and we have much less traffic on stream. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot spot has been Dam Three Access. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

December 19, 2011 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service -

December 19, 2011 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report By Scuba Steve from Blackburns Resort - Norfork Lake is just under 552 with moderate generation and dropping slowly. Surface temperature is 52 and lake is clear. Overall conditions are very good. Some stripers and white bass are being caught on both spoons and live bait but crappie and bass are the best. The fish are in their winter pattern and should stay put for several weeks. You can catch fish all day when it is cloudy and it slows on sunny high pressure days but they always seem to start just before dark. Weather has been seasonable and bass fishing will continue to get better as the water cools. It is grubbing time.

December 15, 2011 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 12/15/2011

During the past week, we have had a couple of rain events, slightly warmer temperatures and windy conditions. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam rose five tenths of a foot to rest at three tenths of a foot above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty and seven tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake remained steady at two tenths of a foot above power pool or fifteen and eight tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake rose four tenths of a foot to rest at four tenths of a foot above power pool or nine feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had erratic generation with some wadable water. Norfork Lake rose two tenths of a foot to rest at power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty eight feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had little generation with substantial wadable water. The heavy rain we received in November and the past two weeks has raised the lake levels a bit. However they all remain close to power pool and should provide wadable water.

The Catch and Release section below Bull Shoals Dam will close from November 1, 2011 to January 31, 2012 to accommodate the brown trout spawn. The State Park from the bottom of the Catch and Release section down to the wing wall will be seasonal brown trout Catch and Release for the same period.

The dissolved oxygen level has risen above the state minimum standard of six parts per million on the White and Norfork Rivers.

The big event this week was the return of high water on the White. There were several days where we had generation in excess of 15,000 cubic feet per second. The best technique for this type of water is to fish brightly colored San Juan worms (cerise, hot fluorescent pink and red) and egg patterns (orange and peach). The trick is to get the flies down. To sink these flies you must use big split shot (AAA or larger) and long leader/tippet combinations (ten to twelve feet). To help detect takes use a brightly colored strike indicator near the top of the leader. One way to increase strikes is to use a small nymph as a dropper below the worm or egg.

Another technique that has been particularly effective on the higher water has been to bang the bank with big streamers. Effective patterns have been Zoo Cougars, Sex Dungeons and Butt Monkeys. The key to success has been to use a heavy sink tip (250 grain or heavier). To deliver these heavy flies on heavy sink tip lines, you must use at least an eight weight rod. This is hard work but can produce some excellent trout.

The best place to fish was the section from Wildcat Shoals down to Cotter. On the higher flows we have been receiving, the hot flies were pink San Juan worms with copper Johns and black zebra midges in size fourteen or sixteen as droppers. Y2Ks and beadhead hare’s ears were also responsible for some nice fish.

Rim Shoals has been particularly hot. The hot flies have been red zebra midges on low water. On higher water, San Juan worms with Y2K droppers have been the key to success. Remember that Rim Shoals Trout Dock runs a water taxi and will ferry you to wadable water for a nominal fee.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are high and stained. Several anglers have reported success with Clouser minnows. The water temperature is dropping and is near the point where the Smallmouth will become less active. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

The Norfork has fished well. On lower water the hot flies have been red zebra midges (size 18 and smaller), Dan’s turkey tail emerger, hot pink worms and chamois worms. Soft hackles like the partridge and orange or the green butt have accounted for a lot of fish. The new trout habitat project in the Catch and Release section has had a positive effect on the fishing there. On higher flows, the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange).

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). Small orange or peach eggs have been very effective. The browns are stacked in the creek like a cord of wood. Dry Run Creek has received little pressure this week. Now is the time to fish there, if you want to enjoy a bit of solitude on stream. Now is the perfect time to land a big one.

The water level on the Spring River is high and stained. This is a great place to wade fish. Canoe season is over and we have much less traffic on stream. Be sure to wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot spot has been Dam Three Access. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

December 14, 2011 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry is at 467.04 and falling ,it is 6.04 feet above normal pool of 461.03 and the temp ranges from 47 degrees to 53 degrees.

The white bass and hybrids are still eating well on a variety of baits if ya can find them , they are not moving much and can be caught with swim baits ,hair jigs ,in-line spinners and spoons are working good , an Alabama rig will catch them if you can keep it from breaking on ya, look for birds and use your electronics, look for fish anywhere from 25 feet deep out to 70

No-report on catfish

The crappie are biting well,they are suspended in 15-35 feet of water over 60-80 feet in the pole timber and over baited holes, try jigs and jigs tipped with minnows.

No report on bream

The walleye are showing back up with the water clearing somewhat , and can be caught with crank baits swim baits , and jigs tipped with minnows suspended in about 40 feet of water in the earily staging areas fish as slow as possible.

The bass bite is good deep and up shallow, with football heads, c-rigs with right bite cinkos and lizards, for the shallower fish try spinner baits,small cranks, and topwater baits, pitching a centipede around will catch some as well.

December 12, 2011 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service - As of Monday 12 Dec, the lake level dropped mid to late last week, and is now rising from all the recent rains in SE Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Current and muddy water have the Largemouth Bass scattered, but a few good bites can be had from mid morning through mid-afternoon. The Bass for the past week, have shifted to breaks behind points downstream of increased muddy incoming water and current. White bass, Kentucky bass, have scattered on Little River and her oxbows over the past week. Cooler night time low temperatures continue to bunch the Crappie tighter and closer in brush piles, but have moved to clearer water locations, out of current and muddy water.

Surface temps dropped again over the past week, as of Monday 12 Dec are currently ranging 50ºF early to 54ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

Lake level as of Monday 12 Dec, is currently is 259.4 mfsl, and rapidly rising, is now 2.4 inches above normal due to drawdown officially ended today and recent thunderstorms, and rain are again raising the lake level. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. The USACE total discharge hot line number is now working again and the discharge rate as of Monday was all 13 gates open at 3 feet, for a total discharge of 12,977 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday, up at 241.2 mfsl and expected to rise as soon as the recent rain early this week hits the main lake.

Use extreme caution during navigation. There is a tremendous amount of current with debris in Little River due to the incoming muddy water and increase in release rate at the dam. Clarity and visibility as of Monday on main lake is poor and muddy; visibility was reduced from increased current, incoming rain, thunderstorms and wind over the past weekend, currently ranging approx 0-2 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, with heavy stain, ranging approx 10-18 inches visibility depending on location. Water temps are dropping lake-wide, due to recent back to back cold fronts. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

Currently, as of Monday 12 Dec, the final of three, successive, four-foot drawdowns officially has ended today. The lake will be allowed to fill 2 feet above normal conservation pool and held approximately 30 days, then released to normal conservation pool of 259.2 mfsl. River Run East facilities are still undergoing maintenance and upgrades, and as such, still closed until mid-July 2012. Paraloma Park is closed for the winter. All other ramps and USACE parks are open. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements.

Use extreme caution during high water discharge rates because a tremendous amount of current, debris, limbs, logs, and floating vegetation mats are coming down river in the fast current. To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Brooke Kervin at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive updates or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.

The Details:

War Eagle Spinnerbaits are beginning to get a few good reactions in the dead / dying lily pad stems away from current. The best colors working this week are Cole Slaw, or white and chartreuse. If you are able to find clearer water in the oxbows, Rat-L-Traps in Red Shad, Toledo Gold, or Smokey Joe were taking some juvenile Largemouth Bass in the 13-15" range.

White Bass and Kentuckys: disappeared with the recent influx of muddy water and increased current. Hurricane Creek, Horseshoe oxbow lake, and White Cliffs areas, for the past several weeks have been very good locations for finding these loosely packed schools of White Bass and have produced very large numbers of schooling Whites and Kentucky Bass. These schooling fish were hitting Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crankbaits up Little River, running shad & occasionally surface breaking during the day. Snake Creek still has a few Kentucky Bass bunched up out of the muddy current and were hitting 4" mini-lizards in chartreuse pumpkin color.

Crappie: remain scattered with the increase of current and muddy water. Crappie seemed to have moved to clearer water in backs of the oxbows on deep cypress trees. Crappie were near planted brush piles along Little River between 12-14 feet deep but have moved out of the current and muddy water in search of clarity and depth. These Crappie were biting good on jigging tiny hair jigs and also hitting minnows, in the clearest water you can locate best from around 10am till early afternoon. Additionally, Southern Pro Crappie tubes, small Rocket Shads, and Blakemore Roadrunners were working over the past several weeks. Cordell smoke grubs on light lead head jigs, Blakemore Roadrunners, and Chuck'NSpins continue working, by vertical jigging in 15-16 feet depths brush piles and along old creek channels and ditches.

Cats: remain good on trot lines, yo-yos, tight lines, along current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River with the increase in current. Blues and Channel Cats were biting Catfish Charlie, cut shad, & chicken livers, in 15-20 feet of Little River on the outer break lines in current or on minnows and cut shad on the yo-yos tied along the Little River, in 10-15 feet depths.

December 5, 2011 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service - As of Monday 05 Dec, the lake level dropped mid to late last week, and is now rising from all the recent rains in SE Oklahoma and western Arkansas. Current and muddy water have the Largemouth Bass scattered, but a few good bites can be had from mid morning through mid-afternoon. The Bass for the past week, have shifted to breaks behind points downstream of increased muddy incoming water and current. White bass, Kentucky bass, have scattered on Little River and her oxbows over the past week. Cooler night time low temperatures continue to bunch the Crappie tighter and closer in brush piles, but have moved to clearer water locations, out of current and muddy water.

Surface temps dropped again over the past week, as of Monday 05 Dec are currently ranging 49ºF early to 54ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

Lake level as of Monday 05 Dec, is currently is 256.81 mfsl, and rapidly rising, is now 28" below normal due drawdown, recent thunderstorms, and rain. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. The USACE total discharge hot line number is now working again and the discharge rate as of Monday was all 13 gates open at 2.5 feet, for a total discharge of 9,530 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday, down at 233.93 mfsl and expected to rise as soon as the recent rain early this week hits the main lake.

Use extreme caution during navigation. There is a tremendous amount of current with debris in Little River due to the incoming muddy water and increase in release rate at the dam. Clarity and visibility as of Monday on main lake is poor and muddy; visibility was reduced from increased current, incoming rain, thunderstorms and wind over the past weekend, currently ranging approx 0-2 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, with heavy stain, ranging approx 10-18 inches visibility depending on location. Water temps are dropping lake-wide, due to recent back to back cold fronts. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

Currently, as of Monday 05 Dec, the final of three, successive, four-foot drawdowns are in progress, and USACE recently announced the scheduled drawdown to run through mid December 2011. These four-foot drawdowns over the past 3 years have been deemed a huge success by fishermen and residents of the lake by helping eliminating unwanted vegetation and drying lake-bed to increase storage capacity of the lake during normal pool levels. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements.

Use extreme caution during drawdown conditions, as stumps and other hazards are nearing pool surface, many cut-offs, boat lanes and trails through timbered sections of main lake are extremely shallow and unnavigable during drawdown conditions. To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Brooke Kervin at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive updates or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engrs toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.

The Details:

War Eagle Spinnerbaits are beginning to get a few good reactions in the dead / dying lily pad stems. The best colors working this week are Cole Slaw, or white and chartreuse. If you are able to find clearer water in the oxbows, Rat-L-Traps in Red Shad, Toledo Gold, or Smokey Joe were taking some juvenile Largemouth Bass in the 13-15" range.

White Bass and Kentuckys: disappeared with the recent influx of muddy water and increased current. Hurricane Creek, Horseshoe oxbow lake, and White Cliffs areas, for the past several weeks have been very good locations for finding these loosely packed schools of White Bass and have produced very large numbers of schooling Whites and Kentucky Bass. These schooling fish were hitting Rat-L-Traps and Bomber crankbaits up Little River, running shad & occasionally surface breaking during the day. Snake Creek still has a few Kentucky Bass bunched up out of the muddy current and were hitting 4" mini-lizards in chartreuse pumpkin color.

Crappie: remain scattered with the increase of current and muddy water. Crappie seemed to have moved to clearer water in backs of the oxbows on deep cypress trees. Crappie were near planted brush piles along Little River between 12-14 feet deep but have moved out of the current and muddy water in search of clarity and depth. These Crappie were biting good on jigging tiny hair jigs and also hitting minnows, in the clearest water you can locate best from around 10am till early afternoon. Additionally, Southern Pro Crappie tubes, small Rocket Shads, and Blakemore Roadrunners were working over the past several weeks. Cordell smoke grubs on light lead head jigs, Blakemore Roadrunners, and Chuck'NSpins continue working, by vertical jigging in 15-16 feet depths brush piles and along old creek channels and ditches.

Cats: remain good on trot lines, yo-yos, tight lines, along current and break lines in the outer bends of Little River with the increase in current. Blues and Channel Cats were biting Catfish Charlie, cut shad, & chicken livers, in 15-20 feet of Little River on the outer break lines in current or on minnows and cut shad on the yo-yos tied along the Little River, in 10-15 feet depths.

November 9, 2011 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Scuba Steve at Blackburns Resort - We received 2-inches of rain yesterday that stopped the lake from dropping but we were so dry that the main creeks did not run. Surface temperature is about 60 and the lake is in good condition. Some big fish have moved to the main lake points near brush and are feeding shallower in the evening. More are still back in the creeks in 30-ft. either on brush or under shad. Spoons, sonars, minnows and small grubs are all I am using for bass, crappie, white bass and hybrids. I am catching some good fish everyday near Blackburns Cove right before dark. Several good striper fishermen are checking in this week and I will report on the night bite.

November 9, 2011 - Millwood Lake - Submitted by Millwood Lake Guide Service - As of Monday, 07 November, the Millwood Lake USACE project office recently announced the 4 foot drawdown on Millwood currently in progress will be ended in mid-December 2011, rather than running through February, 2012. This is in part due to allowing sufficient time to elapse to capture enough rainfall to raise the lake 2 feet above normal pool (261.9 vs normal elevation of 259.2) and flush out the floating grass mats and excess vegetation killed during the drawdown, prior to the annual fish spawning cycles which normally begin in late February to Mid-March. This is anticipated to allow enough time to flush out the decaying vegetation and return the lake to normal elevation of 259.2 prior to the spawn.

As of Monday 07 Nov, the best bite of the day remains early through mid-day. The bite over the past week, continues improving for Bass with the cooler night time lows and lower daytime high temperatures. White bass, Kentucky bass, and Largemouth Bass, remain loosely schooling in various locations on Little River, and her oxbows over the past week at various times throughout the day, focusing on and chasing large schools of shad. Cooler night time low temperatures should bunch these fish tighter and closer in larger schools over the next few weeks.

Surface temps dropped again over the past week's lower daytime highs, and are currently ranging 59ºF early to 65ºF later in the afternoon hours, depending on rain, wind, incoming fresh water, location and time of day. Call the USACE for lake level daily updates, Little River current, discharge release, and tail water levels.

November 7, 2011 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry is at 455.97 and falling it is 5.06 feet below pool at 461.03, the temp ranges from 61.3-65 surface and subsurface its 63.4.

The hybrids are eating pretty well during certain times of the day, they will eat top water baits,grubs,in-line spinners, hair jigs, and spoons, from 25-60 feet of water find the shad anywhere on the lake and the fish will be close and have some patience and you can catch quite a few.

Crappie are still eating at certain places around the lake, suspended from 15-25 feet deep on jigs and minnows, fished over 60-80 feet of water.

Walleye have slowed some, not like them to not bite with all the cloud cover, probably in a transition, and will be back set up soon.

No-report on catfish.

Bream are eating well all over the lake on small grubs, crank baits, crawlers and crickets.

The bass bite is going kind of slow, try top water baits any and every where, the Alabama rig is catching a few suspended fish, crank baits, spinner baits, jigs and c-rigs are all catcfhing fish from 6 inches out to 60 feet, all 3 species should get better after this front. any piece of wood ya find up shallow throw multiple time to it, their will a fish around it.

November 7, 2011 - Norfork -

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters. - http://www.stroutfitters.com/

The stripers are beginning their winter pattern, I found fish in 100' of water around shad that were staging in 60' feet, the fish were in the mid lake area. There are fish near or above the MO. state line. This is where I'm catching most of my fish, they are in 20 to 30' of water following the bait. Stripers will bite good one day and then the next day, nothing. It's been very difficult getting a consistent bite, but as the weather and water cool the bite will get better.

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Lou Gabric of Hummingbird Hideaway Resort. - http://www.hummingbird-hideaway.com/

The current best bite on the lake is for crappie, largemouth and smallmouth bass and bluegill. I have not been catfishing lately so I really can't speak about catfish, but looking back at last year, November should be a great time to catch catfish. We're catching fish on brush piles close to our resort. The brush should be in 25 - 35 feet of water with the tops around 15 - 20 feet. The fish are suspended on the top of the brush as well as on the bottom. Big thumper bluegill are in the same brush piles and also on the inside of the piles closer to shore. I also fished this morning and caught two nice 15 inch crappies and several smallmouth bass. I was using a Berkley's 2 1/2 inch T-tail minnow (or grub) with a 1/4 oz jig head. The bass were hitting the jig in 10 - 20 feet of water and the crappie attacked the grub when I started to bring the bait straight up to the boat.

Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Steve Olomon of Steve's Guide Service. - http://www.fishingwithsteve.com/

The lake level is 549.2 and the water temp is in the mid 60's. There are still a fish coming up on points early and just before dark. Throw a Zara spook or a pop-r. There are some fish suspended 30-40ft. deep. Bass are hitting jigs from10-25ft. deep. If the wind is blowing fish the windy banks with a crank bait or a spinner bait. The night bite is starting to get better throwing stick baits. If you have some moonlight throw a light color and if there is no moon and it's dark throw a dark color.

November 4, 2011 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Scuba Steve at Blackburns Resort - Very windy yesterday and it blew bait fish into north facing creeks. Surface temperature dropped to 62 with the cold temperatures and the level has also dropped to 549. Creeks are still stained and the main lake is fairly clear with visibility down to about 7-ft. I caught some very large bass on brush in 30-ft. of water back in the creeks. Crappie and walleye are also on the same spots. Spooning is by far the best bumping the bottom. Sonars are also working over shad for stripers and hybrids. Several smaller fish are on bluff banks shallow on hula grubs and shakey heads early.

October 31, 2011 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Steve Olomon of Steve's Guide Service.

http://www.fishingwithsteve.com/

The lake level is 550.2 and the water temp is in the mid 60's. Some bass are still chasing baitfish to the surface hitting top water baits early and just before dark. Watch for the surface activity on points and in the back of bays. Throw a Zara spook, pop-r, prop bait or a jerk bait. If the wind is blowing throw a spinner bait or a crank bait along the bank. Try a swim bait and reel it reel slow. Look for fish suspended and get your bait down to them. The night bite should get going anytime.

October 28, 2011 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 10/28/2011

During the past week, we have a rain event, much cooler temperatures, mostly sunny skies and very windy conditions (to include lake wind advisories). The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell six tenths of a foot to rest at two and three tenths feet below power pool of 654.00 feet. This is forty three and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Upstream, Table Rock Lake fell two tenths of a foot to rest at two tenths of a foot below power pool or sixteen and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at two and eight tenths feet below power pool or twelve and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the White, we have had low levels of generation around the clock. There has been some wadable water. Norfork Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest at one and five tenths of a foot below power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty nine and five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. On the Norfork, we have had light generation and reliable periods of wadable water every day. All of the lakes on the White River system are at or below power pool. We can expect more wadable water.

The dissolved oxygen level has dropped below the state minimum standard of six parts per million on the White and Norfork Rivers. At Bull Shoals and Norfork Dams, the vacuum breakers have been blocked open to allow more oxygen to mix with the water. Trout stocking has been eliminated on the upper Norfork River (above the Ackerman Access). Those fish have been diverted to the lower river. Stocking has also been eliminated on the upper White River (above White Hole) with those fish diverted to the lower White River. If you are fishing on the upper river of either the White or Norfork River, be very careful when handling trout. Land them quickly and revive them fully before releasing them.

The big story has been some wadable water on the White River. The best place to fish was Rim Shoals. The hot flies were pink San Juan worms with copper Johns and red zebra midges in size fourteen or sixteen as droppers. Y2Ks and beadhead hare’s ears were also responsible for some nice fish. The Narrows is also hot. Here again the hot flies have been pink worms and green or red copper Johns.

A technique that has been effective has been to bang the bank with large articulated streamers. The hot flies have been Zoo Cougars, Sex Dungeons and Butt Monkeys. The trick to presenting these flies is to use a long fast sinking sink tip (250 grain or heavier). Don’t use a leader. Attach the fly to the line with a three foot 2X fluorocarbon tippet to prevent the fly from riding up. You will need a stiff eight rod to cast this rig. This is hard work but can be very rewarding.

Grasshopper season is still with us. They provide us with some of the best and most reliable dry fly fishing of the year. These are large tempting morsels that can tempt big fish. You need a nine foot 2X leader and a stiff rod (a six weight would be perfect). The trick is to bang the bank and imitate the action of a grasshopper that has fallen into the water and is struggling. Many takes occur as soon as the fly hits the water. The most effective patterns are Dave’s hoppers or big western foam hoppers (both in tan). To increase your catch, use a small nymph as a dropper. Effective nymphs would be pheasant tails or copper Johns. The most effective section of the river for this technique has been the section from Rim Shoals to Buffalo Shoals.

Crooked Creek and the Buffalo River are very low and gin clear. Navigation on Crooked Creek is difficult with the low water. Several anglers have reported success with Clouser minnows and grass hoppers. Carefully check the water level before entering Crooked Creek or the Buffalo River. There are no dams on these streams. They both have large drainages and are prone to flooding during and following any rain event. The water can rise very quickly.

On the Norfork River, we have had some significant periods of wadable water and the fishing has been spectacular. On lower water the hot flies have been red copper Johns, scuds, red zebra midges (size 20 and smaller), and Dan’s turkey tail emerger. Soft hackles like the partridge and orange or the green butt have accounted for a lot of fish. On higher flows the best technique has been to drift brightly colored San Juan worms (red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise) and egg patterns (pink and orange).

Dry Run Creek has fished well. The hot flies have been sowbugs and various colored San Juan worms (worm brown, red, hot fluorescent pink and cerise). The brown trout have moved into the creek and in some spots are stacked like a cord of wood. Take special care when releasing fish here. Wet your hands before handling them and take plenty of time to revive them before release.

The water level on the Spring River is low and lightly stained. This is a great place to wade fish. Canoe season is finally over and we should have much less traffic on stream. Be sure and wear cleated boots and carry a wading staff. There is a lot of bedrock that can get very slick. The hot spot has been Dam Three Access. The hot flies have been olive woolly buggers with a bit of flash, cerise and hot pink San Juan worms and Y2Ks.

Remember that the White and Norfork Rivers are infected with didymo, an invasive alga. Be sure and thoroughly clean and dry your waders (especially the felt soles on wading boots) before using them in any other water. Many manufacturers are now making rubber soled wading boots that are easier to clean and are not as likely to harbor didymo.

Practice water safety and always check conditions before you leave home.

October 26, 2011 - Greers Ferry Lake - Submitted by Fish Finders Fish Service - The water level at greers ferry is at 457.00 and falling it is 4.03 feet below normal pool of 461.03, the temp ranges from 65-70 degrees.

The hybrid and white bass fishing is good if you can find the bait fish as they are moving around pretty fast, and the fall turn over, try top water baits , spoons in-line spinners, grubs and hair jigs.

The bass fishing is fair on top water baits , jigs and soft plastic baits fished from 6 inches to 50 feet of water.

The crappie have slowed, they are suspended in 15-25 feet of water in the pole timber and eating jigs with minnows.

The bream fishing is still going strong from 6 inches out to 27 feet of water.

No report on catfish

The walleye have just disappeared at present.

October 26, 2011 - Norfork - Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Steve Olomon of Steve's Guide Service.

http://www.fishingwithsteve.com/

The water temp is in the mid to upper 60's and the lake level is 550.7. Throw a Zara spook jr. (clear or white) on points. Bass are coming up in the back of some creeks. If you have some wind throw a spinner bait or a crank bait along the bank. Throw a jig up to the bank and drag it slow. Look for fish at 30-40ft. and drop a jigging spoon or if you use live bait get your bait down to them. The night bite should start to get going soon.

Lake level as of Monday 24 Oct, rose a few inches due to recent rain and thunderstorms, and currently is 255.9 mfsl, and steady, which is 40" below normal due to four foot drawdown conditions. Normal consv. pool is 259.20 feet. The USACE total discharge hot line number is now working again and the discharge rate as of Monday was 1 sluice gate open at 0.5' for a total discharge of 173 CFS. The tailwater level as of Monday was unchanged at 223.97. Clarity on main lake is fair, but not as good as last week due to high wind and thunderstorms. Visibility is currently ranging approx 5-10 inches in the River depending on location. The oxbow's clarity are better, with slight stain, ranging approx 1-3 feet visibility depending on location. Water temps are improving lake-wide, due to recent more normal weather patterns. Clarity and visibility can change dramatically on Millwood in just a few hours with high winds or thunderstorms.

Currently, as of Monday 24 Oct, the final of three, successive, four-foot drawdowns are in progress, and USACE recently announced the scheduled drawdown to run through mid December 2011. These four foot drawdowns over the past 3 years have been deemed a huge success by fishermen and residents of the lake by helping eliminating unwanted vegetation and drying lake bed to increase storage capacity of the lake during normal pool levels. USACE recently completed updates at White Cliffs Camp ground with addition of 6-8 more campsites, and other facility improvements. River Run East is still temporarily closed for maintenance and construction by the USACE until further notice. River Run West and Beards Lake are still open for recreation.

Use extreme caution during drawdown conditions, as stumps and other hazards are nearing pool surface, many cut-offs, boat lanes and trails through timbered sections of main lake are extremely shallow and unnavigable during drawdown conditions. To volunteer for one of the cleanup dates or ramp and USACE park information, contact Brooke Kervin at the Millwood Tri-Lakes Project Office. To receive updates or volunteer, call the US Army Corps of Engr's toll-free information line at 888-697-9830.