anybody know about lake bailey-petit jean st. park?

[randybenham]

I'm planning a trip w/ the wife & kids for petit jean state park during spring break, and have seen the info on lake bailey. looks like there is a 10 hp limit for the lake, & it is 100 acres. Anybody know what the water depth is like, clarity, structure, etc? Just curious if it would be a good lake to try to crappie fish or green carp fish. Looks promising, being close. any bailey pro's out there?

[Vince Gray]

Its been at least 18 years but, I found it to be very shallow with lots of small pesky sun fish.

[ceb]

Don't know anything about the lake, but it is supposed to be a beautiful area.

[NIMROD]

I heard it used to have some nice cats. It can't hurt to try. Then again if you can slip away for a short trip Nimrod and Dardanelle are both a short distance.:D

[ArkieFlyGuy]

I grew up in the area and I can tell you, camp and enjoy Petit Jean... it is beautiful up there... BUT... Don't waste your time fishing Bailey for anything but sunfish and an occasional catfish. You are a short drive from Lakes Nimrod, Overcup, Dardanelle, Conway, and Harris Brake... Any of these would give you a much better chance at Crappie. And if you get the right info from a local, the Arkansas River at the base of PJM has some good Crappie action... IF you know where to look...

[NIMROD]

Welcome to the site Flyguy. I fish mainly Nimrod , but have fished all over the great state of Arkansas. I checked out your homepage and the Spring River pictures brought back some cool memories. Please return here and post often.

[ArkieFlyGuy]

I started fishing the Spring a few years ago. When I met my wife 3 years ago, she lived in Mammoth just off the river. I spent a six month period "between jobs" fishing the Spring for trout. Still one of my favorite places to fish.

And Nimrod Lake holds some fond Crappie memories for sure...