East Arkansas Fishing Report
From the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
www.agfc.com
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— (updated 10-2-2019) Professional fishing guide Ronnie Tice (901-687-6800) said the clarity continues to be clear and the level is normal. The surface temperature has been 79 degrees in the morning and 83 degrees in the afternoon under full sun. Bream improved a little over the past week, with fair catches on redworms and crickets. Crappie were good over the past week.
Ronnie suggests vertical fishing on the outside of the pilings, as well as fishing on the bottom under the piers. The crappie can be found in 8-10 depth of water. Use minnows or jigs. Make sure to fish around the lily pads and brushpiles. Black bass were poor this week. Catfishing is good on worms or chicken liver.
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• Bear Creek Lake/Storm Creek Lake — (updated 10-2-2019) Natalie Faughn, assistant superintendent at Mississippi River State Park (870-295-4040), had no reports. Few fishermen on the lakes. ***
• Cook’s Lake — (updated 10-2-2019) The AGFC’s Wil Hafner at Cook’s Lake Conservation Education Center (870-241-3373) said this is the time to be fishing Cook’s Lake. He also reminds that fishing at the lake will close on Oct. 31.
Cook’s Lake is a 2.5-milelong oxbow off of the White River, nestled in the heart of the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge near Casscoe in Arkansas County. This fertile oxbow receives very little fishing pressure due to being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing.
The scenic lake is full of slab crappie, giant bluegills, largemouth bass and catfish of all species. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing during normal business hours, Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., through October, water level pending. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youth under 16 or mobility-impaired, and up to two helpers (who may also fish). Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat, but use only trolling motors. Before launching, please check in at the Conservation Education Center, and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, please contact the center at 870-241-3373.
