Fishing report

Fishing reports this time of year are just about as useful as football game predictions. But we’ve had several requests for information, so here’s the latest we could gather:

D’Arbonne crappie — Fishermen are still having some success in the channel. The weather this week messed up the fishermen and the fish a bit. One of the best indicators of how the fish are biting at D’Arbonne is a quick look at the boat landings. One day this week, there were seven boats at the public ramp by Jake’s. However, I could see eight boats within sight of the bridge, so either somebody can get their boat out of their boathouse during the drawdown or I can’t count. Today the ramps were busy again and there are some fish are still being caught on jigs and shiners 10-15 feet deep in deeper water. There are a few bigger fish being caught, but mostly are running small. The most experienced fishermen are doing well, but a lot of folks weren’t catching but a handful. Remember the new limit: 25 per fisherman instead of 50.

D’Arbonne bass — The areas up the creeks where the water is down in the channels only are still offering some good bass fishing. Spinnerbaits and shad-like crank baits are working best. The best fish appear to be near the steeper banks, cuts and points. Some 4 and 5 pounders are being caught, but fishermen are having to work for them. With cooler weather, fish should start hitting jigs closer to the structure soon. After the approaching cold front hits, things will change up a bit on bass anyway.

Cormorants and Pelicans — they seem to be limiting out on a regular basis. Hordes of them are bunched up around the lake, diving into a buffet offering shiners, shad and small fish on a regular basis. In fact, I’ll be glad when the lake comes back up so the birds will leave and there will be some bait left for the gamefish to eat (We’ll have more on this topic in a later blog).

Other reports:  Bass fishing on Lake Claiborne has reportedly been pretty good. The bass here are already being caught on jigs and heavy plastics in deeper water. Water level in Claiborne is near normal – the lake is holding steady at 185.1 feet.  Crappie are fair in deep water as well. Reports are that some pretty good ones are being caught in the area out from the spillway. Reports from the Ouachita River are similar. Crappie fishing is good around the tops out in 10-12 feet of water. Bass fishing has slowed a bit, but some are still being caught. Not many fishermen reported out there this week. The River is at 21.3 feet.  Caney Lake is living up to its reputation, having given up a couple of fish over 10 pounds this week. One report of a 13-pounder being weighed in. Crappie are scattered around tops, also in deeper water.

We don’t talk about Poverty Point often, but as you know, that’s a hotspot for crappie almost all year long. Right now fishing isn’t at its best, but the fishing is pretty good. If you don’t know where to fish there, just look for boats. Poverty is the only lake in America that can get more boats in a 50-foot circle than D’Arbonne.