Arkansas Crappie Guide Recommendations

[Devan S.]

I'm looking for a Crappie Guide in Arkansas. Beaver Lake is out so don't suggest it. 

I'm looking for big fish....like upper 2lb and 3lb fish. 

I'm not afraid to drive but want a guide at least the first time. When I search for guides for Conway, Harris Brake, Cane Creek, ect I don't get much so maybe someone knows a local guide that isn't prevalent on Facebook or another body of water that can throw out some good fish. 

[Knot Sure]

I am a little surprised there has been no response to your question, unless you've  been pm'd.  It got me thinking about destination lakes for huge crappie.  Where would you go?  I found an article on wired2fish.com titled "Top 25 Crappie Fishing Destinations in America".  2 of the top 25 are in Arkansas, Dardanelle and Millwood, according to the 9 experts surveyed.  3 or 4 are in Oklahoma.  Reelfoot in Tennessee ranks high as well as Barkley and Kentucky Lake in Kentucky.  They ranked Truman Lake 6th.  In Texas they still rank Toledo Bend high and Lake Fork as #1.  Interestingly, the lake I'm hearing about as THE lake to catch a 3 pound crappie is Lake Weiss in Alabama. A 3 pound crappie is a true trophy fish and I don't believe they are "common" anywhere.  Mississippi also has several lakes in the list with 3 pound fish mentioned a lot. The Ft Gibson/Neosho River is very interesting as they say the average size is a pound and a half.  That is a great average, if it' not just fluff.

[Devan S.]

I would no doubt head to Mississippi (Grenada, Sardis, Enid, Washington, or Arkabutla) I'd feel highly confident in finding a upper 2lb fish. 

Right now I'm thinking Millwood is my shot sticking to Arkansas. 

[bfishn]

Conway and Nimrod are both also good AR crappie lakes. That said, if there's any lake around with a majority, or even an abundance of 2+ lbers, they'll get caught as soon as word gets out. I expect you'll have to do like the rest of us, sorting thru the dinks until you get lucky. A lake that doesn't have a "crappie lake" reputation might actually offer the best chance at some biguns.

[fshndoug]

I don't think you are being very realistic on a 3lb crappie Devan . Most people fish their whole life crappie fishing and never catch a 3lb fish or even a 2lb fish. The use of live scope has helped tremendously. I once took 4 crappie to a taxidermist that weighed 12lbs and 12 oz. They were all caught on jigs on a public lake in Mo. 7 or 8 years ago. I am not saying it can't be done just don't expect it. A 3 lb. crappie will be somewhere around 17-18 1/4 inches.

[Devan S.]

Well spent Friday and Saturday fishing with X-Series out on Millwood and thumped the fish. We caught well over 100 crappie and probably 10-20 fish over 2lbs. and had a bunch of fish in the 1.8-2.0lbs range. For the day one we get hung up with multiple fish at 2.11-2.16lbs. and couldn't get over the hump. Day 2 my wife right off the bat caught 3-4 fish in the 2.2 range and in the last couple hours I finally ended up with 2.33lb big fish.

 

[Quillback]

Nice!  How did you catch them?

[Devan S.]

All single pole jigging with livescope.

[Terrierman]

Does it still smell like a paper mill down there?

[Devan S.]

In areas yes. 

Never smelled it at the lake but could see potential.