I'm the newbie here I suppose. I work shutdown construction (Spring/Fall) and we recently moved to the Hot Springs area. Just pulled the boat over yesterday and have no clue where to begin looking for crappie on the Ouachita, Degray, Hamelton lake area? Aside from Hamelton, Lake Degray seems to be the closest one since Bismark isn't but a hope skip and jump down the road. Me and a buddy took his boat out on Degray bass fishing last year but it was so hot, lake was low, and we didn't know it that we didn't do any good. He told me later that the Pro's had a big tournament over there during that period and didn't do well either, reassuring to us.
I have had success catching cold weather crappie in the past but off channels in lakes where max depth was only around 50' in the deepest places and the channel was around 25' max. These big deep clear lakes I'm sure will be much different? Any help appreciated....not looking to take anybody's fishing hole, just some tips would be nice. I can read the finder from there. OH, and some warmer afternoon help too! I've noticed if you find a bunch of crappie you'll have success any type of weather but for limited numbers those cold days can be a wash and warmer weather + active feeding fish make all the difference in the world.