Greers Ferry April Forecast

[Cody Smith]

Hello All! It's April and fishing here on the reservoir is simply going to sky rocket this month. By far one of the very best month's to hit the water pursuing any or all of the fish we have to offer here on Greers Ferry. March of 2010 started like a lamb and has ended like a lion when pertaining to the overall bite among all species. During the first couple weeks of March a consistent bite was very difficult to come by, however, by the final two and a half weeks of the month we got too see the bite really improve on Large mouths, Kentucky's and our beloved Walleyes. Crawlers by far out produced walleyes in my boat this past month, which was a very strange occurrence. Normally shiners will out produce crawlers time and time again until we see water temperatures in the middle 50's, not the case this year. During April we will see a constant climb in overall water temperatures from the 50's to the lower and middle 60's by the end of this month. As these water temperatures rise so will our game fish's metabolism, this will spur a huge feeding period as the fish that have migrated up the river arms will make their way back out to the main lake following their forage and feeding heavily.

April will provide a good overall bite when looking into our walleye population. These fish will be completing their spawn and becoming more aggressive as the days get longer and water temperatures warm to their ideal foraging range. During this month look into the very backs of creeks as well as main and minor feeder arms that are harboring shad forage to hold the best numbers of these toothy fish. As the month rolls on our walleyes will be making their way back to our main lake locations. As these fish make their way back down stream from the spawning grounds look for the best bite to come early and late in the day with clear water conditions. If the stained or murky water holds on throughout the rainy season, these fish are apt to feed throughout the day instead of their traditional early, late and nightly feeding times. Stick baits, Grubs, In-line Spinners and spoons should be utilized in catching these fish along with live bait methods utilizing light jig heads tipped with crawlers or minnows. Drasco Country Store at the intersection of Hwy 92 and 25 has got some of the best minnows in all sizes, be sure to stop by when your on your way to the lake.

Our Whites and Hybrids are going to be spawning this month and providing boat loads of action for the folks who pursue them. Days of 30 - 100 fish will not be uncommon. If you want plain old action and lot's of it, give these fish a try. The white bass will move into the spawning areas just after the thread fin shad. Typically we will see this happen in mid to late March when water temperatures up the creeks and tributaries reach the 55 degree range. This year, being cooler than others on record, it's going to put them in their spawning locations a little later than in years past. Hopefully by the first week of April we should have large concentrations pushed up. Look for a huge surge in the bite after these fish get settled for three or four days. Once the fish have gotten established in their spawning location's and the females start dropping their eggs we will then see a pre and post spawn bite take place within the same locations. You will know spawning is taking place by the large disturbance made when a school of 6 - 15 males are literally pushing the females out of the water. It sounds as if there is a school of piranha on the feed, quite a sight to say the least. Cindy K Spinners ( www.fishdinnerlures.com ), 3" Action Bait Grubs and small crank baits will flat out put the fish in the boat, all of these lures can be found at Golden Outdoors in Heber Springs. When pursuing these fish, artificial lures and flies will out produce Live Bait no doubt about it.

Our Bronze Backs are another fish who got pushed back because of the very cool temperatures we have seen this year. The big-pre spawn feeding surge out on the main lake just did not happen. We did however see a really good bite start to pick up in some of the creeks and main feeder arms as our crawfish population started appearing in larger numbers. Keep our crawfish in mind when your out looking for a true trophy of a small mouth. Transition banks on forty five degree slopes, bluff banks with nice ledges in the 8 - 14 feet range and boulder rock mixed with gravel in the creeks and feeder arms are all very likely location's to find these fish this month. Carolina Rigged Brush Hogs and lizards, medium running crank baits and tubes will all provide you some action this month. Our Smallies will be spawning over the coming weeks, Please be mindful of this while your out on the water. I really can't emphasize enough how important catch and release is within this species, please take some pictures and throw them back to be caught another day!

Our Kentucky's are all full of eggs and fed really good throughout March and the shallow bite should continue with this species through April. Basically if you find the shad you will find these fish and they will bite. They provide really good action and can be caught with a variety of methods, Small Jigs, Live Crawlers or Minnows, Spoons, Shakey heads and Drop Shotted Worms as well as 3 " Grubs will all provide really good action this month within this species. Look for the majority of the Kentucky's to be mixed in with the whites as they will stay up stream in the feeder arms in really heavy current taking advantage of all the forage. Towards the end of the month you will see them starting to school back up on main lake points and deeper ledges as the bait fish return to these locations. Something else to consider is Crayfish will be another staple in their diet this month as well, keep this in mind as your pursuing these fish.

Our Largemouth Population will be found in there pre-spawn stage and depths will range from 4 - 12 feet depending on time of day and amount of light penetration. As the month rolls on and the days get longer look for a big push in the females from the little ditches and depressions that Leeds into main lake pockets and flats off of feeder arms that are exposed to full sun for an extended amount of time.

Finally our Crappie's will really turn on this month. Look at 15 - 22 feet of water on channel swings that come into pockets and flats for the first week or so. Later in the month they should be pushing up on the flats to start spawning as we get later on in the month. Small jigs, live minnows and smaller spinner baits will all work when presented in the right locations.

The very best part about April is the opportunity you have to catch all different types of species within the same area. April is definitely one of the best month's here on Greers Ferry and I hope to have a chance to fish with each and every one of you this spring. If you have any question's or would like to set a date on the water please give me a ring or drop me a line! Good Fishin