Has anyone fished Bear Creek this time of year? In similar cold conditions? If so would you mind telling what did and didn't work? Best places on the lake to fish etc. Any information would be helpful and appreciated.
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Has anyone fished Bear Creek this time of year? In similar cold conditions? If so would you mind telling what did and didn't work? Best places on the lake to fish etc. Any information would be helpful and appreciated.
I have no idea, even where that is. But welcome to the forum.
Welcomes to the board, DDD, from Conway, Arkansas. Where in the heck is Bear Creek, Arkansas?
There is a Bear Creek lake in Marianna... Known for Its Shell crackers and Bass... But i know people that catch crappie as well. Has a 9.9 hp restriction...... Welcome
You talking about Bear Creek on Greeson? DP
No Bear Creek in NE AR. There are a few other posts about the lake on here but not around this time of year.
more of a bream lake than a crappie lake, east of Forrest city, ihavent dine much good the few times ive fished it, got some good bream though!!!
I've seen several crappie fishermen trolling the last week or so, but haven't talked to them nor seen them catch any. I do know that several bass fishermen caught big (12") crappie with crankbaits casting to the brush tops. They caught theirs at the upper end of the lake (Taylor's Pasture). Bet you could do well jigging around the 'tops. Bass fishing hasn't been really good for me this fall. I think most bream fishermen have quit for the year--not that you couldn't catch any if you fished deep.
Most of the crappie being caught right now are being caught trolling (spider rigging). That came from a friend that has a house on the lake. But those tops might be good to as my information came from a person that would rather troll than jig fish. I'd go prepared to do both.
I don't fish it due to the 9.9 restriction and the "disabling" of a motor bigger than 9.9 hp .
Hope you catch a cooler full!
In the St. Francis Forest. Bear Creek Lake and Storm Creek Lake are in there. Couple of those hidden lakes up on the ridge. I quit fishing it years ago when I had to argue with an enforcement person because i did not (1) take the fuel tank out of my boat and/or (2) remove the prop from my outboard. I think it is a stupid rule. I think it should be idle only on all motors. I was told that all would not abide....Quote:
Originally Posted by ski trip
It's easier to just stay out of there for me. Plenty more water to fish....
welcome DDD
Fish near the dam at Bear Creek. Used to catch se good ones in the deeper water.
That's about the deepest water on the lake (25-30 ft.). Last winter, trollers caught a bunch of 'em trolling deep around there. One good thing about the lake is that you can almost always find a place to fish out of the wind. Right about the 9.9 hp restriction though; Last summer I saw a guy get a $200 ticket for running a 25 hp. The warden was pretty lenient on him though; his 12 yr. old son wasn't wearing a life vest in the boat & the warden let that slide with only a warning--figured he was going to pay enough fine already!Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine
The reason for that rule is that the soil on Crowley's Ridge erodes really badly, and big wakes from fast boats only make the lake fill in faster. The warden's right, folks wouldn't abide by a 'no wake' rule. You didn't need to take out the fuel tank, just remove the fuel line & leave it in the truck. Some folks who fish there a lot mount a 9.9 'kicker' on the side of their bass boat.Quote:
Originally Posted by arkcrappie
Cut my teeth on trolling the Creek. I fished it hard for 10 years. I was over there hunting/scouting last month and went to look at the lake, from the ramp it has changed alot. There is muncho structure under water and can be very frustrating for a troller. The only help I can give is watch your graph. Fish the points and between the points if you are trolling, and dont be scared to ease up towards the bank , just watch your line carefully. If you are verticle jigging you will have no problem. There is water 20 foot deep 5 feet from the bank. I'd say on average the water is 17 to 20 feet deep while trolling. I wished I could help you more but that would require me to be in a boat. Gun deer season opens in Ms. this weekend and thats where my heart is. The main thing is to enjoy your day, its a beautiful lake and you can always get out of the wind to fish.
This is Good Advice. Trolling the deep water by the dam has always worked well for me in the winter. There are some nice sized crappie in there and some whopper bream for sure. Good luck and let us know how you do.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine
Had the same thing happen to me and the brother-in-law at Storm Creek outside of Helena. Although this guy was basically a deputy sheriff and just "letting me know" that I had to disable my motor, he stated that I had to either completely remove the gas tank or remove the prop. But in the same breath he said I could hook it back up to load my boat??? We complied and fished but it sure was a pain in the rear. I somewhat get the idea that not everyone will comply if they allowed idle only but guess what....not everyone complies with the limit regulations either. I would bet on the whole that a very small population of people would deliberately break the rule, but again that is used to punish everyone. Always those out there that push the limits but in my opinion you make the fines stiff enough that they think twice about doing it or if they do get caught they probably wont do it again. Just my :twocentsQuote:
Originally Posted by arkcrappie