Please Respond If You're Fishing AGFC Lakes

[crappie13]

Very curious from what i'm hearing, NOBODY is catching any crappie out of AGFC lakes. Please let us know if you ARE or AREN'T catching any.
THANKS!!!
Mike

[Darryl Morris]

Of course we are catching, but that doesn't mean we're having record days. Just FYI, if it is a body of water in AR the AGFC either directly manages it or has a say in it whether state owned or corps managed. That being said, they do a GREAT job managing the fish populations and habitats. The more we all get involved (politely) the more they will appreciate the help. Now, it's just my opinion but I will lay it out there anyway as to why the crappie fishing has been a bit slow. The waters I fish have remained a little higher than normal for this time of year plus we have experienced nominal low temperatures. The crappie are scattered for sure because I have heard reports of crappie being caught as deep as 15+' and as shallow as 8'. The only thing that will get all of us through this unusual period is persistence and patience. It's one for the books for sure. It's difficult to put a pattern together but that doesn't mean they're not there for the taking when you can find them.

[randybenham]

This is one that I would also have to stick up for the AGFC. At least 2 of the AGFC lakes that I know of, there are tighter restrictions on crappie than the standard state levels. Monticello & Cane Creek. Cane Creek will produce some whoppers in the fall, too. Even on lake Chicot, the AGFC has reduced the limit on crappie down to 20, & even instituted a 10" minimum. I agree with Darryl that this has been a weird year for fishing, particularly crappie. I've still managed to catch them here on my home lake, but this ol' oxbow is hard to fish in the summertime for crappie because it's shallow everywhere, & I think they scatter everywhere & maybe feed up at nite.

[Slipcork]

You know I understand that the crappie may not be biting. But my dill is that our money bought a big new boat to make brush piles in the lake but when I talked to the Game and Fish guy he DIDN'T want to load it drag it around the state to other lakes. To much troulbe.

[crappie13]

It just seems to me that there is too much emphasis put on trout, and bass. I understand that trout and bass are vital for the tourism and money part, and both are very popular. I just wish the AGFC wouldn't turn their backs on the smaller lakes and work not only to improve the bass fisheries. I have called(more than once) and talked to them about the crappie in Lake Des Arc and my impression was that I was ignored. It's not just the fishing this year, the quality has been decling for quite a while. EXCEPT for private resevoirs and Peckerwood. And I also realize that the white River hasn't flooded and stayed flooded like it used to. Just about, the only time you can catch fish in the De valls Bluff are is right after the river has fallen out of the lakes. I personally know of 2 "legends" that either have quit crappie fishing, or took up trout fishing :rolleyes: Maybe I got spoiled when you could go to just about any lake...oxbow, AGFC, private, etc., and wasn't a matter of catching some fish, but how many!!!
Ssshhhhooooooooo!!! Helps to vent a little:D :D :D :D :D :D

[Bullsprig]

yep the 2500 or so that I have caught this year have been much harder than the same number this time last year.

[KRAPPIE KG]

The agfc in my opinion does some good things overall, but having tighter restrictions is not always a good thing, some lakes are over populated with bass and crappie and need to be thinned out for better quality fish. Lake Chicot could be one of the best crappie lakes anywhere in the country, but either the agfc or corps of engineers mess with the level ever spring. Dropping the levels in early spring just before the spawn and leaving it there doesn't make any sense, I've heard it's for anticipation of spring rains. Lower levels make it muddy and shore line habitat can't be used. Also the 5 year draw down is supposed to be next year for what ever that's supposed to do.
They have town meetings on theses subjects and when I'm there other fisherman complain of the same thing, but the agfc gives some lame excuse and does what it wants to anyway.

[LazyJ]

There's our problem... Bullsprig needs to take up golf

[NIMROD]

There's our problem... Bullsprig needs to take up golf

It's always been this way like the old saying goes. That 10 % of the fishermen usually catch 90% of the fish.:D Guess your in the other 90% bracket . Seriously it's tough for the average weekenders to stay on fish. I fish several days a week and this has really been a tough year with the crazy weather. It was so bad this spring we postponed several guided trips as the Crappie got lockjaw at times.
Guys unless your dead set on Crappie, try baited Catfish holes. The Catfishing is hot right now and Crappie fishing is slow. Slabless and his son are suppose to help me catch a bunch of Catfish this weekend.:D

[Bullsprig]

Thought I had been doing good til I talked to a friend that has been fishing Kentucky Lake. Said he catches 3-4 hundred a day . I have been catching 75 to 200 a day and thought I was doing good. HOWEVER the last time i went i only got 25 total with 11 keepers.Looked good but they weren't there.