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Got stationed here in Jacksonville not too long ago, and Ive been doing pretty good on crappie on conway, mostly from info on here, and also just by spending time on the water. I know this is a crappie forum, but Im getting curious about catching small mouth and walleye around here, and when and where to do it. You guys are pretty knowledgeable so I figured this is the place to ask. Been off the water for like 3 weeks now and its getting to me, lol anybody care to offer some info? thanks.
I'm a crappie purest, I don't fish for anything else. But welcome to the site. I did, last summer, watch guys catch walleye trolling bandit 300 's about 3 mph at frontier canyon on Greers Ferry.
You will want to get acquainted with Greers Ferry Lake. It is a great smallie lake along with crappie and walleye. About 30-40 minutes from Jax.
Quachita and all the lakes around the Hot Springs area are full of Eyes and bass, and not many walleye fishermen there. Also Bull Shoals, Greers Ferry, and Norfork are loaded with them, but get more pressure. I know the northern clear lakes have some nice smallies as well. Check each lakes walleye size and creel limit. They do vary. Greers anything in the 20"-28" are not legal, and you can keep 6 per day. On Bull Shoals, the eyes have to be 18" and over to keep, and the limit is 4 per day.
BTW, welcome to the board, and Thank You for your service to our Great country.
I don't know a single thing about walleye or smallmouth but welcome aboard from Eastern Arkansas.
Good point BRM slot size and Creel limits definitely can be different on some of those lakes. That includes crappie too, and unless it's changed recently, the crappie limit on Norfork is 15 and a 10" length limit.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine
Josh,Quote:
Originally Posted by JoshuaH
Greers Ferry Lake is not far from you. Head toward Clinton, AR. There is a boat launch at the Choctaw Recreation Area. It provides easy access to the South Fork of the lake.
In the spring, South Fork provides some good walleye fishing. I've had success bouncing minnows across the bottom and using three-way swivel rigs with a worm harness or floating jig head. Non-sinking crankbaits like the floating Rapala work well on a three-way too. Bright, gaudy colors on the lightest line possible are productive. There is a large cove to your right as you enter South Fork. It's a good place start, but explore South Fork. Be careful--the water gets shallow in places very quickly.
Can't help much with smallmouth. I've picked up a few on crankbaits, but haven't gone looking for them. Let me know if I can help.
Hi josh welcome!
Greers Ferry on Lower end ( Tumbling Shoals and Damsite areas) are good for smallmouth. Try anything green pumpkin (tubes, jigs ect..). I prefer light flouro line as well 8lbs and below. Also White River form Oil Trough up can be good walleye fishing at times in the spring.
Good luck
Don't know if it still produces quality smallies but I Floated from the Caddo river from Amity down to the lake and caught lots of nice brownies up to about 3.5 pounds.
For smallies and eyes I would head to Greers. If you troll for eyes you will catch more smallies than you would ever want to deal with. It seemed last year that if I trolled over a hump I would catch at least 1 smallie if not 3. Any of the forks on the upper lake would be a good starting place for either one. I spoke with some guy a couple of weeks back that live up there and they said Febuary is their most productive time of year for big eyes.
OOOPS!! I didn't know that. Walleyes have always been a welcome bonus since I target crappie when trolling. Guess I need to read the book. Thanks DPQuote:
Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine
Welcome to Arkansas. My son went thru the C-130 schoolhouse there at LRAFB a few years back.
Cant really help out in that area, but I have an open seat for you if you decide to come try the lakes in Hot Springs Village, or Ouachita.