mojorig

We will be helping release fish and other activities during the event. I hope everyone comes by and says hi!!

Yep, we have been telling everyone to enjoy the next few years because it might not always be as good as it is now!!

We (AGFC) and MDC have been working closely with BASS to minimize the potential of ZM being transferred from Bull to Norfork during this event. They have even changed the schedule around to minimize the potential spread.

I was told there were several of the top finishers in the Theodosia Arm and Mid-Lake Area.

Based off the meetings we had with several groups over the past couple of weeks, we (AGFC) have decided to continue to stock hybrid striped bass into Lake Norfork.

Harrison Bass Club should get the credit. They approached us about it.

Yes, we (AGFC) are going to be installing a courtesy dock at the Tucker Hollow Ramp. Once the water level gets lower, we will be installing a slide for the courtesy dock so it wont be sitting on the ramp. We had planned on already having this project done but the high water slowed it down. The dock should be installed within the next couple of months.

Depends on who you talk, lol!!

There are two courtesy docks at the Lead Hill/ Diamond City Access. There is also a courtesy dock at K-Dock and there will soon be one at Tucker Hollow.

Even though I grew up here fishing around rocks, I spent 4 years in SE Arkansas fishing vegetation. I loved every minute of it. I personally would love to see submerged vegetation in Bull Shoals Lake and Lake Norfork. It would help make recruitment of black bass and forage like sunfish and shad more consistent than the current "Boom or Bust" scenario occurring in these lakes. Unfortunately, submerged vegetation is not going to be established in these lake any time soon. Champ. it looks like Lake Ouachita is going to be give up some big sacks this spring. Hope you all have a good trip.

Here is more information about the Alabama Bass and Bullards Bar Lake http://m.appeal-democrat.com/off-the-hook-bullards-bar-the-place-to-be/article_ee6422c4-41ba-5525-81a8-6d33859ae5c3.html?mode=jqm

All of those in the picture are Alabama Bass (AKA: Alabama Spotted Bass or Coosa River Spotted Bass). The Lake was Bullards Bar.

Correct that was their prediction with no little to no rain, which we and they know we will get more rain.

When they say "Normal", they are referring to 659 MSL. We were a part of the revising the master plan and we can say that there was not talk of water levels during any of those meetings. It dealt with the land between the water level and the USCOE property line.

We were told not to expect Bull Shoals to be back to normal level by sometime in April at the earliest.

There are some good fish being caught in 30-40 feet on football jigs. I have saw several 5-fish sacks over 15 pounds posted in the last two weeks from Bull Shoals. They are relating to the old shore line.

You likely will not notice a decline in numbers for another 3 - 5 years.

Another update. The AGFC now owns some of the property at George's Creek to begin construction of an access at that site. Construction of the access will be dependent on weather.

Yep, I IM him about it when we stocked them, lol!!

All, I have attached the AGFC D-2 Fisheries 2015 fourth quarter newsletter. If you would like to be added to the newsletter email list, feel free to email me at Jeremy.Risley@agfc.ar.gov Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. Feel free to contact us with an questions. Thank you for fishing Bull Shoals Lake!!! Thanks, Jeremy D-2 - 2015 Fourth Quarter Newsletter.pdf

All, I have attached the AGFC D-2 Fisheries 2015 fourth quarter newsletter. If you would like to be added to the newsletter email list, feel free to email me at Jeremy.Risley@agfc.ar.gov Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. Feel free to contact us with an questions. Thank you for fishing Lake Norfork!!! Thanks, Jeremy D-2 - 2015 Fourth Quarter Newsletter.pdf

Actually, some recent literature suggest there can be back-crossing between white and hybrids. This has made us rethink our management efforts toward stocking hybrids in some of the reservoirs in Arkansas.

During our Mississippi River paddlefish study, it was very common to collect paddlefish with missing rostrums. We even collected some with the rostrums sticking up. Barges and dams can be hard on rostrums, lol!! They are very tough fish. Last year while sampling walleye at the Bull Shoals Lake Dam, we collected a paddlefish. That fish likely had to come through and over two dams.

I am one of those "worth-less" biologist but I don't want Florida Largemouth Bass stocked in the Ozarks. It would kill the great winter bite. Florida largemouth bass are very moody and fincky when it comes to weather.

We have stocked hybrids and striped bass in Lake Norfork since mid 90's. I was just told about striped bass stockings. I don't know about hybrid bass stockings in LOZ, sorry.