3/26/2019 Arkbutla Fishing Report

Fishing Report

Arkabutla - 3/26/2019 2:51:50 PM

Water level 236.20, falling 0.2 ft/day, 26.2 ft over rule curve Tuesday. The water level is supposed to be at winter pool (210 ft) and begin rising to summer pool May 1. Emergency spillway level is 238.3. Expect rapid water level rises and drawdowns as rain events happen and the Corps tries to achieve and maintain winter pool until May 1. For water level information, call (662)562-6261 or check at http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/docs/bullet.txt for a table or http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/plots/arkaplot.png for a graph or http://www.mvk-wc.usace.army.mil/resrep.htm for both. Be sure to check the date on the table as it is not always updated daily.

The water level is falling, which means when the crappie head to the banks, they will spawn 3 - 5 ft deep or deeper, depending on fall rate. A cold front is backing fish out early this week, but warmer weather and more rain is expected late week. Releases from the reservoir are increasing as Mississippi River flooding very slowly abates. Angler access is limited due to flooding.

Crappie start spawning when average daily water temperature is about 58 F, peak at about 65 - 68 F, and end at about 80 F. It is cooler at "fish depth" than at the surface. Timing and duration of the spawn depends on temperature and water level trends, weather, and, to a lesser extent, moon phase. Fish will spawn shallower in rising water, deeper in falling water. Bigger females usually spawn first. Males of any size can be caught throughout the spawn. Males of both Black and White Crappie get darker on their throat and sides during the spawn when in clear water; males from muddy water will be paler. Females do not change color.

Recent reports are some male crappie being caught by boat anglers jigging or trolling in the river and the edges of flooded trees and bushes; still no wading reports yet. Most anglers are fishing 6 - 12 ft of water and catching 0 - 5 keepers, with a few better catches. It is about a week before the historical start of the crappie spawn here. Some White Bass are up the river and creeks where they can be taken on jigs or small crankbaits fished over sand bars. There are no Striped or Hybrid Striped Bass in Arkabutla, just White Bass and a few Yellow Bass. Neither has a size or daily number limit. Largemouth Bass will be in the clearest available water on any cover where soft plastics or a jig-n-pig are best baits. Catfishing has been off-and-on lately fishing various natural baits on rod-and-reel, noodles (jugs), or trotlines (doing best) over flooded flats.

The spillway had one gate open at 16.0 ft (4900 cfs) Tuesday. Best luck in the spillway is when some water is being released. For crappie, fish jigs and/or minnows out of the current, like in Elbow Creek, or right along the rocks. Fish for catfish with natural bait near the bottom. For White Bass, drift a 2 jig rig just off bottom (watch the rocks!) or fish small crankbaits or tailspinner lures. For largemouths, fish any cover or right on the rocks in the spillway with crankbaits or a jig-n-pig.

All fish captured and kept with dip or landing nets, cast nets, boat mounted scoops, wire baskets, minnow seines, and minnow traps in the spillway areas bordered by rip rap must be immediately placed on ice or in a dry container. Game fish caught with these gears must be released. This regulation was enacted to reduce the potential of transferring harmful Asian carps to the reservoir or other waters.

The daily creel limit for crappie is 15 per person. Crappie must be over 12 inches long. Anglers may use no more than 4 poles per person and no more than 2 hooks or lures per pole. There is a 40 crappie per boat limit for boats with 3 or more anglers. The 12 inch length limit does not apply to the reservoir spillway, but the spillway has a 15 crappie creel limit.

Arkbutla Lake, Arkbutla Fishing Reportaaron bartonMarch 27, 2019Comment

3/26/2019 Arkbutla Fishing Report

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