High water, the positive side

**Darryl Morris** · 05-22-2009, 08:59 AM

Flooding lakes and rivers, fast rise followed by a fast fall all make for very tough fishing conditions. However, looking on the bright side, it's good for the fish. Tons of nutrients are added to the water and ample amounts of cover for the newly hatched fry to hide in. Though it might be tough on us now we'll reap the benefits a few years down the road. Plus, we have to consider that the primary purpose of all these lakes in Arkansas is FLOOD CONTROL. The lakes have saved countless families in the river valleys from being flooded out of their homes. Just thought I'd try to lay out some positive words and pray nobody gets hurt on the waters this holiday weekend. Watch out for floating logs.

**dafshklr** · 05-22-2009, 09:33 AM

Well said!

**ceb** · 05-22-2009, 12:26 PM

very, very true. It's a great time to be a spawnin' crappie. That being said, I do believe that flood control actually hurts the fish populations in some instances. If we hadn't gotten much rain, or any other year, the lakes would still be at winter pools...and that taint good for gettin' in the sack and makin' babies.

You know all the old-timers talk about how good the fishing was everywhere "back in the day". I'm sure that rising numbers of fishermen have made some difference, but I think that controlling every drop of water that heads south is a big factor. Nature usually has a way to taking care of itself...much more so than we can do! Oh well, just my thoughts...

**Turtlebait** · 05-22-2009, 10:05 PM

I don't mine them leveling the ground,drying up mud holes and building Dams but blocking you from fishing some of the flood control lakes is bull SH*t.anyway

Last year we had flood waters when the Bass,crappie and bream were spawning,should have been a good spawn.Not only that but a lot of fish didn't get caught by the fisherman b/c of high water.After the flood waters went back down to normal pool my fishing partner and I couldn't have ask for a better year for catching alot of fish.Alot of good size crappie and several several 6 to 9 lb. bass.My partner and I are hoping for even a better year this year b/c of the flood waters.

If the lower white river ever goes down to normal pool the oxbows should be hot,most have had high water for two years.

**Arkie John** · 05-23-2009, 01:38 AM

Darryl

Of course you are so very right! We need to accentuate the postive. One day, we'll see the positive results. I have to remind myself every once in a while.

Thanks for the reminder.

C'mon normal water.

aj

**NIMROD** · 05-23-2009, 08:46 AM

[QUOTE=Turtlebait;804944]I don't mine them leveling the ground,drying up mud holes and building Dams but blocking you from fishing some of the flood control lakes is bull SH* anywayQUOTE]

???????????????????????? Never saw them block you from fishing. The high water makes it tough. We should have great fishing later. With spring floods years back to back the slab size should be good.:D

**Turtlebait** · 05-23-2009, 11:27 AM

In my local area I know of several flood control lakes buildit that you can not fish,cann't see why they cann't use some of our tax dallors to buy right of ways to all flood control lakes.If I owned land where a flood control lake is to be buildit I can block you from acrossing said land to fish it even tho your tax dallors was used to build it.I Don't want to even get started on this subject,thats a sore spot in my fishing world.

**Arkie John** · 05-23-2009, 08:44 PM

Originally Posted by Turtlebait

In my local area I know of several flood control lakes buildit that you can not fish,cann't see why they cann't use some of our tax dallors to buy right of ways to all flood control lakes.If I owned land where a flood control lake is to be buildit I can block you from acrossing said land to fish it even tho your tax dallors was used to build it.I Don't want to even get started on this subject,thats a sore spot in my fishing world.

I worked for the Corps for a long, long time and have never seen a Corps lake that banned the public from fishing. The only exception is around water intakes and (specifically in the Little Rock District) in the marina areas. I doubt if LR District gets away with that for very long.

If you're talkin' about Corps lakes, I'd like to know which ones.

Thanks,

aj
COE (retired :D)

**gasper_goul** · 05-24-2009, 06:58 AM

good point...growing up on river systems like the lower oauchita and saline rivers, the high spring time water is a norm for us but i will say it is a little extreme this year...like you said...it will pay off later

**Backwater Man** · 05-24-2009, 08:36 AM

Lake Millwood area during the flood is very very dangerous. Little River / Saline River goes wild and the logs and stuff floating is terrible. Out in the middle of the lake where the rivers dumps in to it-- is nothing short of a garbage dump out there. The guys at Lake Millwood place road blocks across the roads to the boat ramps preventing you from getting in and I do not drive around them. I can wait awhile and stay home to catch up on the honey do list.

Usually in the summer I go to catfishing anyway and this year I intend to do a lot more bream fishing that I love, but have neglected to do.

I am going to try the night fishing on for size and see how it works out, going after the crappie. My dad believed in crappie fishing at night using coleman lanterns hanging from limbs in the timber areas.

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High water, the positive side

That would be something besides a Corps lake I bet.

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