Lake Bailey at Petite Jean State Park

Hello fellow fishermen. I am writing this from Shreveport, La. My wife and I are going to Petite Jean state park this weekend, and I was thinking about bringing my boat and try a little fishing on Lake Bailey. I really can't find any kind of fishing reports on the net, so I was trying to find out any info on this lake from the Arkansas forum. I would love to find some crappie hot spots or some bass spawning spots. Any information would be greatly appreciated. The crappie fishing has been pretty hot around here lately, so I am hoping to find the same thing up there! Hope everyone is having a great week.

Kevin
drummer11674

I hear it is a good lake but no new reports. I think it's electric motors only so I'd check first. Good luck.

There are a couple of fishing holes there but I believe Ca is correct!

According to their website, you can use an outboard, but they have a 10hp limit. I was looking up the info myself cause I was planning a trip there. I love staying there. I usually get one of the cabins. BTW, try the chicken fried steak at the restaurant there. It's the best I ever had. I've only fished from the pier there, so don't know much about the lake.

Arkansas hiking trails and Arkansas waterfalls at Petit Jean

edit - I just remembered something. The bait shop don't open until Memorial day I think. There's a little country gift shop back toward Morrilton from the park that sells red worms for bream fishing, but if you want something like minners, you'll have to plan ahead. I know there are bait shops within about 5 miles at both Lake Overcup put-ins (highway 9 and I think 89), but not sure about anything closer. But do stop at that little shop and sample some of the fudge they sell.

I looked at their website, and they said nothing bigger than a 10 hp. motor. I have a 9.9, so I am good on that, just hope I can find some good spots when I get there.

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Originally Posted by jt1970

According to their website, you can use an outboard, but they have a 10hp limit. I was looking up the info myself cause I was planning a trip there. I love staying there. I usually get one of the cabins. BTW, try the chicken fried steak at the restaurant there. It's the best I ever had. I've only fished from the pier there, so don't know much about the lake.

Arkansas hiking trails and Arkansas waterfalls at Petit Jean

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JT, this will be our second visit to the park. We went about 4 years ago and I remember how beautiful it was. The cabin was great. We didn't eat at the restaurant last time, but are planning to this time, so I might have to try the chicken fried steak. If I can't find any info on the crappie, I might stick with pockets and coves and try to get some spawning bass. I have had success with that on Toledo Bend lately.

Good deal. Let us know if you find 'em. I don't claim to be good at fishing, but I'm am most excellent at relaxin, and that's a good place to do it. I think Arkansas charges too much for their fees at state parks (I think it should be more accessible--at least for the camp spots), but honestly, the cabins are pretty reasonable.

Will do. I enjoyed the cabin we stayed in last time. We were going to bring our dogs this time, but they wanted $40 per dog for them to stay. That is a little much for me, especially since my wife's dog only weighs 3 lbs! I am excited about hiking as well, we saw some awesome scenery last time. Of course, I would be content sitting on the porch and relaxing!

We have a 4LB Yorkie and a 7LB poodle so I know what you mean about the dog issues but they are like kids to us. Me and my wife wanted to go up there for our anniversary last time but they were closed due to renovation so we hit Branson again with hopes of going once it opened back up.

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Originally Posted by constructskeeter

We have a 4LB Yorkie and a 7LB poodle so I know what you mean about the dog issues but they are like kids to us. Me and my wife wanted to go up there for our anniversary last time but they were closed due to renovation so we hit Branson again with hopes of going once it opened back up.

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Tomorrow is our anniversary, so that is why we are heading there this weekend. I was in the hospital due to an emergency appendectamy last year on our anniversary, so this one HAS to be better! haha We have a 3 lb. chorkie, and I think she would love it up there. I also have a larger pound puppy who loves to walk, so I know she would love it. Oh well, maybe next visit.

Its a fair crappie lake mostly 9-13 inch fish. Should be able to catch em on minnows or casting a jig and bobber 2-4 feet deep. It is full of Monster Bream too. Good Luck

there are a few brushpiles in the west end of the lake out from the paddleboat rental place. mostly small crappie, best bet is crickets and try to find some bream beds Crappie Pro is right about monster bream.

Bailey is full of channel catfish. It is stocked regularly with them. I've also caught some real nice bluegill there. Bass are stunted but plentiful in the 1 - 2lb. range. Most of the lake is real shallow and you can have a blast topwater fishing later in the year. Lily pads choke most of it out but I don't think they've emerged yet. If you like to catfish, try the spillway. You can catch some really nice ones there at times. It's really hangy. I had a rod and reel drug in there a few years ago. My friend was able to snag it but the fish was gone. I know it has crappie in it but I've never fished it for them. A friend of mine used to crappie fish it in the 80's and he did pretty well. Good luck!

Thanks to everyone for all the great info. We are heading up there tomorrow and I will let you know what we catch or don't catch. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

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Originally Posted by nimrod

i hear it is a good lake but no new reports. I think it's electric motors only so i'd check first. Good luck.

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