Local Lakes? (Ft. Smith, Weddington, Elmdale, Tj House, Crystal Lake)

[J-Doc]

Anyone know anything about these lakes? If these are hidden secrets, my apologies. Send me a PM and tell me to HUSH! :-)

Also, what are the rules on these lake as far as boating? No wake, no motor, limited horsepower, etc?

Lake Weddington?

I know a new bike trail system was just recently built around Weddington and from Google Earth, it appears fishing with a boat is allowed. I heard it was closed down years ago after a child was killed after a moccassin attack or something like that.

Lake Ft. Smith? Anyone fish that?

Lake Elmdale? (off Elm Springs exit on 540)

Crystal Lake? I read it was a "NO MOTOR" lake so you have to have a jon boat, kayak or canoe only?

TJ House Reservoir near Ozark? That looks like an interesting little lake worth driving to check out.

I'm going to be looking for some panfish waters this summer to take the family out for family outings since the "ski-boats" will obviously rip up Beaver Lake like they are the soul owner and have no care for other boaters. (gggrrrrrrrr!!!) I'm thinking these smaller lakes will be great for panfish and possibly a few bass or catfish.

[Guest]

Lake Ft Smith was my favorite lake in college.

Its now 2 lakes combined into 1.

So theres standing timber in the process of dying and falling in, plus flooded bushes.

Crappie, bass, K's, and catfish are all plentiful.

Its worth checking out.

Wedington- if you want trophy carp or timmy size bass

Elmdale- has fish but is pressured.

Sequoyah and Lake Fayetteville- can both be really productive for bass/crappie/cats if you catch it right. but they close gates at dusk

In fact, Sequoyah produces trophy class flatheads every year during rifle deer season.

Carolina rigging goldfish is the name of the game.

[bfishn]

For panfish, Elmdale, Bob Kidd, and Crystal are top rate, and comparable to any, especially for big redear. Get a cage of bugs (crickets) and have a blast.

[Stump bumper]

Putting in at Hoseman's and fishing the tail waters is also a great way to beat the summer heat and avoid the water skiers, they tend to stay North of Holiday Island for the most part.

[Feathers and Fins]

Water Body Crystal Lake Location Western Benton County, northeast of Decatur. District Information

Click here for information about land-use policies on AGFC-owned lakes

Size 59 acres Ownership Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Area Specific Regulations Use of common carp as bait is prohibited. Major Sportfish Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie Fish Forage minnows and small bluegill Visible Cover blown down trees and logs Depth average depth of 10 feet, maximum depth of 35 feet Bottom Features bedrock with some sandy timber flats Aquatic Vegetation coontail Facilities The lake has a boat ramp and floating fishing dock for public use. Access Crystal Lake is accessible from Arkansas Highway 102, east of Decatur. The AGFC access is off Arkansas Highway 59, northeast of Decatur. Description Decatur is named after the war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr. He was an American naval officer noted for his heroism in actions at Tripoli, Libya and in the War of 1812. Other Points of Interest While in Decatur, make plans to visit the Rogers Historical Museum in Rogers. The Annual Decatur Barbecue has activities for all the family.

Water Body Elmdale District Information

Click here for information about land-use policies on AGFC-owned lakes

Ownership Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Area Specific Regulations Use of common carp as bait is prohibited.

Water Body Bob Kidd Location

West-central Washington County, 2 miles west of Prairie Grove

District Information

Click here for information about land-use policies on AGFC-owned lakes

District 1

2805 West Oak

Rogers, AR 72756

Ron Moore, Biologist

rmoore@agfc.state.ar.us

1-877-631-6005

Size 200 acres Constructed 1975 Ownership Lake Bob Kidd is owned by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Area Specific Regulations

• Largemouth bass from 13 inches to 16 inches long must be released immediately to the water.
• Use of common carp as bait is prohibited.

Major Sportfish Bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, redear sunfish Other Fish Blue catfish, grass carp, green sunfish, warmouth Fish Forage Small sunfish, crayfish, golden shiners, insect larvae Visible Cover Abundant standing dead timber and stumps, buckbrush, riprap along dam Depth Average depth 13 feet; maximum 30 feet Bottom Features An old fencerow marked by a row of dead trees separates the shallow upper third of the lake from the deeper lower section. Fish-attracting structure includes a flat level berm area just casting distance away from the riprapped dam and a creek channel fair Aquatic Vegetation Water lilies in the shallow upper end. Facilities A double-wide concrete ramp and a wooden courtesy dock and fishing pier are at the main access area at the dam's north end. Access The lake's main entrance is clearly marked by signs on U.S. Highway 62 just west of Prairie Grove. The signs direct traffic north to a paved road leading to the main access area. There is also a north entrance via a paved county road turning west off Arkansas Highway 156 in Prairie Grove. This is marked with signs as well. Description

At various times, you'll hear this small west Arkansas lake called Bobb Kidd, Budd Kidd and Bad Kidd. Local historians have settled the dispute once and for all. Robert "Bob" Kidd once had a home here, and the lake and the creek it was built on are named for him. The impoundment's proper name is "Lake Bob Kidd".

Lake Bob Kidd's claim to fame is bluegill, crappie, redear, largemouth bass and channel catfish. These popular sportfish are found in good numbers and whopping sizes. Fish are found throughout this small lake, but some places seem to produce more consistently than others. Jumbo bream, bass and catfish are often caught on the flat berm out from the dam, and the timber along the creek channel paralleling the south shore is a good spot to catch all these species and crappie, too. Bank anglers frequent the north shore timber stands and the riprap along the dam.

Other Points of Interest While in the area, you may want to visit Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park on U.S. 62 at the east edge of Prairie Grove. Interpretive programs and exhibits let visitors relive the historical Civil War battle fought here in 1862. The park also offersa playground, restrooms and a picnic area with tables, grills and barbecue pits.

[J-Doc]

All good I formation. What about boating regulations? No wake? No motor? Limited outboard? Anything like that? I'd hate to drive to Crystal or others and find out I can't launch my boat. I've fished Bob Kidd so I know what to expect there (bent prop) :-). Its a stumpy little lake. Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[Stump bumper]

Another good panfish lake is sweepco, everyone likes the big bass there but there is also giant bluegill and crappie and channel cats stocked there. I have seen bass boats launching on the back side of crystal lake but it isn't long enough to get on plain and the side by hwy 59, getting around by trolling motor is all you need except on and off the trailer. Good channel cats in that lake.

[J-Doc]

I thought I had read somewhere along the way that it was a no outboard lake. Must have been another lake. I don't recall the airport near the lake I'm thinking of either. I bet it will be later in the spring before any bluegill start showing up on SWEPCO.

[J-Doc]

Yep.....it was Lake Lincoln that I was thinking about that doesn't allow gas motors. Sorry. Great looking little lake for the kayak that I want to get one day.

[Quillback]

You can also fish Beaver, and if you want to get away from the skiers, the coves off the Indian creek arm have a lot of timber in them so the skiers for the most part, don't go back into them. Lots of bluegills in those coves that nobody fishes for. What's worked well for me is get some of those Eagle Claw long shanked panfish hooks (HLS carries them) and some redworms. Hook the redworm just one time through the collar (don't wad them up on the hook), fish them beneath a cork, great stuff for kids. Those long shank hooks, you can just pull them out of the fish with pliers, the hook will straighten sometimes, but just bend it back. It's a lot easier than dealing with short shank hooks when panfishing.