ARKANSAS — On the seventh day of Christmas … Oops, we’re done with that holiday for another year. Oh well. Hmm, 12 days of Christmas, 12 months in a year. I think there’s something here with which we can work. How about this … Here’s a dozen Arkansas hunting and fishing places you might consider visiting in the year 2011, one for each month.
I’ve been to several of these spots and recommend the locations and the outfitters connected with them. While I can’t guarantee the fish or deer of a lifetime, I can guarantee that each destination will provide its visitors with some wonderful memories.
January: Head south to Hole in the Wall in the Cleveland County community of Rowell. Here, you’ll find lifetime outdoorsman Jerry Spakes, the head honcho for Hole in the Wall. Mr. Spakes can set you up with an archery deer hunt or a hog hunt with the weapon of your choice. Plus, the hunting camp has wonderful facilities, including satellite TV, a pool table, a game-cleaning area, a bunkhouse and tons of camaraderie. For more information on this spot, visit www.holeinthewallhunting.com.
February: In east-central Arkansas’ Prairie County, the farmlands give way to a giant watery impoundment by the name of Peckerwood Lake. The fertile soils of this area lend to the fertile fishing found here. Before the weather warms for spring, you can catch limits of crappie and catfish, and an occasional bass, by baiting yo-yos with minnows. Move from the sticks and stobs along the inundated Bayou LaGrue channels up into shallower water around the buckbrush as the water warms. Here, you can choose to go with Red Barn Landing, (870) 255-4215, on the north shore of the lake or Herman’s Landing, (870) 241-3731, on the south side.
March: It’s time to think big, as in big bass. In Arkansas, there is no destination currently better known than Lake Monticello for the lunker largemouths that swim there. These Florida-strain fish are going to move toward the shallows this time of year, preparing for the spawn. You can use soft plastics, crankbaits or live bait (like shade or the Black Salties available from Anderson Minnow Farm) while following the annual spring migration up the various creek arms from the main body of the 1,000-plus-acre lake. If you need more information or a helping hand, consider contacting local guide Greg Gulledge by visiting www.monticellobigbass.com.
April: While Monticello means big bass, the Arkansas River in April can be a numbers game. If the flow is still swelled from late-winter and early-spring precipitation upriver in states like Oklahoma, head to the backwater areas like Coal Pile, Lake Merrisach and others for bass action. There, bass will be catchable on topwater baits, crankbaits and soft plastics. In smaller feeder creeks, particularly in the Arkansas River Valley, you’ll find white bass on the move. They’ll either be working upstream or down, depending on the warmth of the water and the stage of their spawn. These fighters will hit just about anything that flashes or wobbles. Otherwise, consider using something smelly and anchoring below one of the many locks and dams to try for the abundant channel and blue catfish.
May: While the crappie spawn may be over in many parts of Arkansas, the chilled waters flowing from the northern reaches of the Mississippi River often push this activity back a bit in Tunica Lake. The lake is unique because you can fish it with an Arkansas license, but you’ll have to drive into Mississippi to launch a boat. Just as unique is the fellow who can guide you to the crappie and some giant pre-spawn bluegill and redear. I’m talking about Dawg Weldon, a lifelong friend of noted angler Bill Dance and a fishing guide on Tunica Lake for decades. Check out Weldon’s Web site at www.tunicalake.com.
June: After the seasonal floodwaters have receded along the lower White River, consider heading to the White River National Wildlife Refuge. The area, governed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and headquartered in St. Charles, offers more than 300 lakes, bayous and chutes for fishing. Anglers can expect to catch anything from largemouth and spotted bass to crappie, a variety of sunfish and catfish. Visit the refuge’s Web site at www.fws.gov/whiteriver/ to find out more about this historically significant federal wildlife area.
July: There are few Natural State locations that say summer like the Buffalo River in north-central Arkansas. A float trip here means beautiful scenery punctuated by catches of feisty smallmouth bass, chunky rock bass and a variety of other sunfish. While the flow varies from year to year based on precipitation, some parts of the river will generally provide good floating and fishing during July. Consider getting in touch with Cotter Trout Dock (www.cottertroutdock.com), which has a camping area at Buffalo City near where the Buffalo flows into the White River.
August: Keeping cool this time of year is almost impossible with the oppressive heat and humidity we Arkansans face, but a trip to one of our north-central Arkansas trout streams is the perfect remedy. Cruising through the early-morning fog that hugs the chilled trout waters of the Little Red, North Fork or White rivers will revive the soul of any outdoorsman. Any of these rivers can give up rainbow, brown, cutthroat and brook trout. In fact, these waters boast not only hefty state records, but also a world record. Three outfitters who can help you out include Gaston’s Resort (northern stretches of the White River), Norfork Trout Dock (both the White and North Fork) and Lindsey’s Rainbow Resort (Little Red).
September: If you like the feel of a Mack truck pulling back on the opposite end of your fishing pole, then some of Arkansas’ larger game fish can keep you busy in the fall. On Greers Ferry Lake, the targeted fish is the hybrid striped bass. Meanwhile, Hot Springs’ Lake Ouachita offers the even larger striped bass. These fish can be boated using artificial lures like giant topwater plugs, heavy spoons and bucktail jigs, or live bait like shad. Two fellows I know who always have a handle on what these big fish are doing at their respective locations are Tommy Cauley (www.arfishfinder.net) at Greers Ferry and Ben Sanders (www.arkansasstripers.com) at Ouachita.
October: Most of our area outdoorsmen are thinking about pursuing white-tailed deer with bows and muzzleloaders when this month arrives, but they are missing the boat by not heading to the Mississippi River along our eastern border. October can bring some giant blue and flathead cats out of the waters of the Mississippi, and there is no one who knows more about how to find these behemoths, or great numbers of smaller blues and channel cats, than James “Big Cat” Patterson. Check out Patterson’s Web site (www.bigcatfishing.com) for more on this potential trip.
November: There’s no other place in the state quite like the Grand Prairie, and there’s no other annual pilgrimage quite like heading to Stuttgart for duck and goose hunting in the flooded fields, sloughs and timbered areas of the prairie. Oh, there’s also this little shindig held there called the Wings Over the Prairie Festival. It’s fairly popular with the wader-wearing crowd. If you want someone who knows about waterfowl hunting, the history of the prairie and area attractions, give Todd and Gwen Brittain a call at Black Dog Hunting Club (www.blackdoghuntingclub.com). They’ve been catering to visiting hunters for years.
December: Yes, we’re back to the month of Christmas again, but there’s no better time than now to begin planning a wonderful present for the outdoorsman in your home — especially if that outdoorsman is you. At eastern Arkansas’ Wildlife Farms, you’ll find a lodge that offers amenities not exceeded in our state. Plus, there’s wonderful duck, goose, deer and upland bird hunting here where the White River bottoms rise up to the meet the farmlands. Check out Wildlife Farms by visiting www.wildlifefarms.com.
Well, that about sums it up. Of course, there are tons of other hunting and fishing holes I would recommend that you try. However, I am also fully aware that some folks like heading to the big outdoors for activities like hiking, photography, birdwatching, etc. So, for activities like those, consider a trip to one of the following:
Toltec Mounds Archeological State Park, Wapanocca National Wildlife Refuge, Mount Nebo State Park, Dorey Fish Farm, the Arkansas Big Buck Classic, the Ozarks, the elk areas around Ponca, Crater of Diamonds State Park, Hemmed-in Hollow, north Arkansas’ caverns or any of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s nature centers.
Have a wonderful year!