Crappie Time in Arkansas Again

Crappie Time in Arkansas Again

Good time to wet a hook

www.agfc.com Many anglers were patiently waiting this fall for the crappie bite to kick in, as the extended summer temperatures continued into early October.

But the good news around the state from the many anglers and shops that provide fishing reports to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is that the crappie bite is on now that water has cooled a bit.

Craig D. Campbell Lake Conway Reservoir has long been regarded as one of the best crappie lakes around, and reports there continue to be very good for the past couple of weeks. From anglers working the cover in and around the Highway 89 bridge to the area around Gold Creek Landing, reports continue to be good to excellent.

Mike Siefert, a guide at Millwood Lake, tells us that crappie continue to bite well on Blakemore Road Runners and vertical jigging a jig in planted brush piles from 12-15 feet of depth.

The crappie may be biting a little slower in DeGray Lake, but patience will pay off, our regular anglers say. George Graves has heard good reports from other guides and suggests looking for brush attractors in 18-24 feet of water between midlake and Shouse Ford. Try a 2-inch curly tail grub or tube on a 1/16-ounce jig head in a natural shad pattern in the clear water.

Work the jig slowly over the thickest part of the cover. Also try a slip float with a live minnow set at about 15 feet. John Duncan at DeGray seconds the suggestion of the Shouse Ford area as being the best area to fish and suggests working brush tops from 12-20 feet deep.

Deer and other hunting seasons have directed many outdoors lovers to the woods, but there are still ample opportunities for a good fishing weekend with the cooler weather. Enjoy Arkansas's fishing holes.

From the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission