I need to know how many Crappie.comers have been told by local residents that they couldn't fish Willow Beach Lake or use the boat ramps just off of England Highway on Colonel Maynard Road.
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I need to know how many Crappie.comers have been told by local residents that they couldn't fish Willow Beach Lake or use the boat ramps just off of England Highway on Colonel Maynard Road.
Personally, I have never tried it. But, it is just across the river from me. I pass by it at least once a week going to lunch. I have never seen a boat on the lake nor a rig at the ramp in the 10 years or so I have lived here. So, I have always wondered if the stories are true.
DP
I have launched there a few times and never had anyone say a word to me. I remember when there was a store there and you could pay the man to launch. I see people there in the spring time when I drive by. I wouldn't be worried at all to go put my boat in today.
Personally I have never tried to launch there, the POSTED, PRIVATE LAKE signs at the 2 boat ramps have kept me away, I don't like the idea of getting caught trespassing. I would love to fish it, since I live about 5 minutes from the ramp.
Wait, you are talking about the ramps right off the England hwy, right? Not the Corps park that goes into the back water on the River?
I was told that ramp actullay belonged to the COE?:confused:
Somebody shoot me some lat/longs, some really good directions, or better yet a googleearth map and I'll check it out on our maps at the office in LR. If it's in the Corps area then it's open to the public.
If its accessable backwater of the river, then it's public.
If you're in the area, come to the Federal Building at 700 West Capitol (bring a picture ID to get past the guards) sign the visitor's log book and come to the 7th floor. Call me at 324-5716 after 7am and before 4pm. I'll meet you at the elevator and we'll go over the maps together.
aj aka (John Garrett)
Here's a link to a map of the area - http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sadd...2&ie=UTF8&z=16
The coordinates should be very close to the boat ramps in question. From what I've been able to ascertain up to this point the ramps are on private propertly, which belongs to Floyd Fulkerson. Floyd doesn't care who uses the ramps or fishes in the lake but some of the local residents have taken it upon themselves to try to keep out, which violates Arkansas Game and Fish Regulations. So if you use the boat ramps or fish in the lake and are questioned, threatened, told that you can't fish there or are interfered with in any way, get the name and address of the person(s) harassing you and call the AG&FC enforcment office at 501-470-1314 and report the violation. It's very likely that the offenders will be ticketed and prosecuted by the AG&FC.
Jerry, I did some investigating today and here's what I found out.
1. The Corps has no property around Willow Beach Lake. We DO have a ramp on the river to the south, but there is no Federal property on Willow Beach Lake itself.
2. The ramps in question were not built by either the Corps or the AG&F. I called the G&F and they stated they had no property on the lake. They did tell me that Ross Spurlock was the enforcement officer for that area and the even though there is no (technically) public ramp, that the waters in the lake itself are considered "Waters of the US" and therefore belong to the public.
So, if you get permission to use the ramps, you are good to go legally. Otherwise, fish at your own risk because the ramps were built by private individuals or other entities and they definitely are located on private property. Looks to me that private property encompasses the entire shoreline of the lake with maybe the exception being at the south end where the levy crosses. If I wanted to fish the lake bad, I'd find out the ownership of the south levy area.
One can find out who owns the land where the ramps are located--and the south levy-- by visiting the Pulaski County Court House. Ask to look for a Pulaski County Plat book or ask the County Clerk's office for the individual that pays the taxes on the particular property of interest.
Hope this helps. <><
aj
Who is this Floyd Fulkerson, and how can a person get a hold of him?Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry Blake
AGFC Rules state that an individual must get verbal permission from the land owner (for non-posted ground) to hunt/fish/cross sad property.
Jerry stated that Floyd is the landowner. However, to be sure, since there is contention among the lake natives, I'd check with the clerk's office, armed with my own printout of the map/aerial so they can pinpoint the exact property, to be sure.Quote:
Originally Posted by LMBarnett
If I fished that property with any regularity methinks that written permission from the ramp landowner would make things a lot better, just in case some nosey third party tried to rain on your parade.
aj
I used to catch boatloads of crappie out of this lake which was then known as Tull's back in the 80's. I work with a fella that lives on the lake now and believe me it still has some HOGS in it. Floyd Fulkerson does own the ramp, it was originally a part of the POA agreement when the Maynard road subdivision was built in the early 90's but the POA got in a legal dispute a few years ago and was dissolved. Floyd made a fortune developing most of the highway along 365 and loves to spend his wealth by filing lawsuits. It was Floyd's brother Charlie that ran the bait shop/restaurant that used to be out there. I believe it was $5 per boat would get you on the lakes on both the left and the right of the highway, Big Tull to the south and Lil Tull to the north
The property owners of the Maynard subdivision can't legally do anything to keep you from the ramps but I heard many nasty stories from their attempt to keep people off the lake. The parking lot is pretty much paved with roofing nails.
What you can do legally to get on the lake is put in the access right as you enter the Willow Beach COE park. Dirt ramp and no motors are allowed but nobody is ever in there and fish are there but nothing like at the other deeper end of the lake.
I always knew it as Tulls also. I also heard the stories, but I have never had the first incident happen to me.
I fished there one time in the past, and I put in at the ramp that Jerry has marked on his link. I did not have any problems. If someone figures out that we can launch there, please give me some information. The one time that I did fish there was really good.
I may just go and put in, and see what happens. I will look for the roofing nails before I go!
By the way, I did a search for Floyd Fulkerson in Arkansas and only one came up. This has to be him. I don't understand how he has an address on Capitol Ave, and a location in Scott, AR. I dialed the number and it works. I will let you all know how it goes.
Floyd H Fulkersonhome
124 W Capitol Ave, Ste 1620
Little Rock, AR 72201-3744
(501) 961-1023Type: Land Line
Provider: Southwestern Bell
Location: Scott, AR
Due to number portability, some numbers have been transferred to a new service provider.Age: 65+
Household: Brenda
Also, is there any access to put a boat in from Jones Island or is that private?
yeah i live nearby and have been there a few times. all ive heard here rings true. they cant do anything bout it but believe me a few of the folks livin round it cant stand to see folks in there.i think the lakes biology is all outta whack or whatever youd call it .seems to me that theres so many crappie in it that theyve become stunted. hey i may be wrong on t he fish but heck if yall come this way just pass that thing up for plum bayou or clear lake.you will not have troubles out there.
What is the avg size that comes out of there now? I was in there about 2 years ago, and I did not pull out anything under a pound.
I quit going becasue of everything being stated on this thread.
If you use the ramps on Willow Beach and anyone other than Floyd or Brenda Fulkerson (ask for I.D.) bothers you get there names and call the AG&FC enforcement office at 501-470-1314 and they will probably get a citation. It is against the law to interfere with anyone in the legal pursuit of fish and game.
Are you talking about Willow Beach Park? Have you seen or used this dirt boat ramp recently? Does it go into Willow Beach or the backwater from the river. We were down there yesterday and the man in the registration booth said there wasn't any access into Willow Beach other than the Fulkerson's boat ramps. Where exactly is this dirt boat ramp? When you say "no motors" does that include trolling motors?Quote:
Originally Posted by LazyJ
JERRY. I THINK THAT HE IS REFERING TO THE PART OF THE LAKE THAT IS DIVIDED OFF WITH A LEVEE. Look on yahoo maps and go to hybrid map of the lake. The place the dirt launch is on the entrance road into the COE park.Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerry Blake
Things are a bit stirred up over there right now so it would pobably be best if the Fulkersons didn't get a bunch of phone calls from folks seeking permission to use their boat ramps.Quote:
Originally Posted by LRJoe1
Jerry,
How did you do down there yesterday?
I just got a call back from THE Mr. Fulkerson. He was a VERY nice man. He said that he has opened his ramp up to the public, and he gave me permission to launch.
He said that anyone that wanted to launch was welcome, because it was now open to the public.
Jerry, go do some recon on that place and let us know. I am on the west coast for the rest of the week.
Hey Kent:
That's good news! Y'all be sure and take the phone number of the AG&FC enforcement office (501-470-1314) with you when you launch there and report anyone that interferes with you.
How about a crappie.com cookout/fishing expedition some fall week-end?
Titleman
PERFECT!!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by titleman
Sounds great to me as well guys. I would only hope Mr. Fulkerson could join us.
I'm in!Quote:
Originally Posted by titleman
It's nice to read a happy ending to this story. So many times it's the other way around.
I might just get up there and fish that place one of these days.
aj
Joe,Quote:
Originally Posted by LRJoe1
One afternoon we need to meet up and give it a try. I live about 5 miles from the place, and have been wanting to give it a try since I moved out there.
Now we just gotta get someone on Bearskin to give us permission, and I'm good to go.
I will carry along a little goodie bag for Mr. Fulkerson. Maybe a pie or some BBQ from his new fishing friends when I go. That usually keeps you in pretty good standing with the land owners.
Has anyone fished Willow Beach lately? Has anyone been fishing there since permission was granted? I was thinking of trying it out Sunday, if I would be welcome. Any news/info would be most appreciated. Thanks.
I have a neat story to tell which happened over on Tull Lake back in '88. I was 28 years old and had never owned a nice new boat and motor. Well, I had ordered and waited 6 weeks for a Basstracker PF-16 with the optional larger 35 Merc with tilt and trim.
It finally got here and I was so proud of it. I decided to take my two young sons,Jonathan 7 and Jeffery 5, on the maiden voyage over to Tull Lake. I was so careful not to get sand or dirt in my carpet in my new boat.
Well Mom,thinking of her little boys, packed plenty of snacks and beverages for the trip. I turned around to see a smashed "Nutty Buddy" in the carpet and then a few minutes later a whole can of Coke got spilled on top of that!:eek:
I still use this boat today but when it gets too nasty I just take everything out and go tip it up at the carwash and wash the carpet until it runs clear.
My boys are grown and gone now and I wouldn't trade the memory of that day for anything!:)
I went there friday and caught 7 all on minnows it was a slow day but its been awhile since i have been fishing.So it beat working.
Thanks for the info crappieknot. Not sure now if I will be going or not. I will post results if I can get away.
This is a pretty old thread was wondering if anyone fished here much in the last year and how you did. I always wanted to try this spot I used to pass it all the time on my way over to the old river. I might give it a try this spring. I stopped by the ramp today, the private lake sign is still up but the posted sign is no more. I fished a bit at willow beach park but didn't get a bite, the wind was killer! Also fished at Murray behind the power plant but no luck there either. Thanks for any info on Tulls. Jon
Late 1980's I fished it, paid at the bait shop and launched off the ramp that Jerry mentioned.Quote:
Originally Posted by LazyJ
I've fished willow beach several times. Those signs would have run me off but I had a buddy that lives out there tell me that the person that owns them keeps them so that they will be free to the public. I never seem to catch anything out there though...