Greers Ferry Fishing Report 3/17/10

[Cody Smith]

Greers Ferry Lake is slightly below normal pool of 461 feet and falling do to daily releases from our dam. Surface temperatures are ranging from the upper 40's on the southern and main basin to the mid 50's throughout the northern portion and half way back. In the tributaries surface temperatures start falling back off to the 50 degree range where water from last weeks rain is entering the reservoir. Water clarity is the main issue on the north end with zero to six inches of visibility throughout most of the feeder creeks and arms, while the further you travel up stream the tributaries tend to start flushing out with up to two and a half feet of visibility at the headwaters. This flushing out is very good news for fish and fisherman.

March has many anglers, including myself, hitting the water in pursuit of our walleye population. There has been quite a bit of boat traffic most everyday throughout most of the upper ends of all three major feeder arms with limited results. However, Fishing for these fish is definitely on the rise as we were finally able to boat some "eyes" in their spawning grounds this week! Best I can tell we are about two weeks behind normal schedule for these fish inhabiting these locations. With water temperatures at the 50 degree mark we are looking at the next two weeks to be peak spawning time with some fish having gone undetected and spawning over the last week, as well as, some fish pushing in later and spawning into the first week of April. We will see a huge increase in feeding activity once the spawn has taken place. Mature females and males alike will feed aggressively once their spawn is complete making up for lost time during the actual process. Now through the first week of April look for our walleyes in shallower water of 10 feet or less relating to some form of current, be it wind or watershed inflow. Hard Plastic Jerk Baits, Crank Baits, Swim Baits, Grubs, Spoons and live bait offerings will all have there place and time to shine.

Our White Bass are staging 1/3 to 1/2 way up our main tributaries on large flats. I have had my best luck in 4 - 12 feet of water swimming a 3" Action Bait Grub on an 1/8 ounce lead head jig. Most all of the whites we have seen so far in my boat have been males in the 12 inch range. As the water temperatures rise and begin to warm at the headwaters we will see a big push up stream and there spawning process will begin to coincide with the walleyes and the shad. I look for the last week of March to really kick off a strong and dependent white bass bite.

While I have been spending most of my time chasing whites and walleyes I have contacted several nice Large mouths and Kentucky's within these river arms. Transition banks, ie. Large boulder rock to smaller chunk rock, sand to gravel and mud to rock have been where most of the large mouths have been hanging. These same locations that come together on secondary points are holding the larger fish. The Kentucky's are spread out from one end to the other, meaning I have found them in channel swing location's at 32 feet deep to the head waters in as little as 6 inches of water. The Kentucky's are feeding heavily and are susceptible to most any offering when presented in a natural manor.

Please let me know if any of you would like to set a guide trip or have any question's regarding our fine reservoir. Good Luck and I hope to see ya on the water!

[jackie]

Thanks Mr Smith we have been fishing up the Devils Fork arm and have scored on yellow roadrunners and blue and chrome rattletraps the flats just below the Prim Bridge and above. Will try to fish Saturday 3/20th/10. if weather Permits.What color Grube has been best?

[Cody Smith]

Thanks Mr Smith we have been fishing up the Devils Fork arm and have scored on yellow roadrunners and blue and chrome rattletraps the flats just below the Prim Bridge and above. Will try to fish Saturday 3/20th/10. if weather Permits.What color Grube has been best?

Electric Blue Grape (306 CG) Action Bait Grubs have been the best in the off colored water. You can purchase them through Golden Outdoors in Heber Springs or through Action Bait Company directly.