Page 4 - TR Life on Greers Ferry Lake June 2017

4 • Sunday, June 11, 2017 • Life on Greers Ferry Lake River Valley & Ozark and Three Rivers Editions of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Advertising Supplement GREERS FERRY LAKE / CAST A LINE
Anglers ahoy LAKE PROVIDES EXCELLENT AND
EVER-IMPROVING FISHING SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
The pristine waters of the 40,000-acre Greers Ferry Lake bring anglers from across the state and the country to explore the lake, shoreline to shoreline, in search of their catch of the day. Known for its clear, clean, deep waters and immaculate shoreline, Greers Ferry Lake makes for
By Spencer Griffin
prime fishing of various species.
Arkansas Game and Fish Commissioner Andrew Parker said the location and beauty of the lake allow for an incredible experience for visitors.
“The Greers Ferry Tailwaters is a world- class trout fishery located an hour or less from nearly every part of central and north-central Arkansas,” he said. “It is a unique resource that warrants the care and protection of the com- mission for the benefit of Arkansans and visitors of all ages.”
One of the great things about Greers Ferry Lake and its tributaries is the wide range of species for which one can fish. Not only does the lake offer a range of possibilities for anglers, but it has also been known to provide some sizable fish. For example, the lake is home to the state-record hybrid striped bass at 27 pounds, 5 ounces and the state record for walleye at 22 pounds, 11 ounces. Both also happen to be world records, with the walleye being a 12-pound-line-class world record.
In 1988, a 15-pound, 15-ounce largemouth bass was caught on the lake. Along with these fish, anglers also come to the lake in hopes of catching channel catfish, white bass, crappie and lake trout. In the summer, some fishermen choose to load up their rods and reels with 8- to 10-inch live gizzard shad in hopes of reel- ing in a big hybrid striped bass.According to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the typ- ical tackle is a 6 1/2- to 7-foot medium-action rod paired with a baitcasting reel spooled with 20- to 30-pound-test monofilament.
Spencer Griffith, marketing coordinator for the
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, gave some advice for going out on the lake this time of year. “We are moving into late crappie season. They can be found in deep brush piles.Typically, anglers will use slip bobbers with minnows or jigs when fishing in these depths this time of year,” he said. “Those fishing for the three species of black bass on Greers Ferry Lake — smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass — are moving into Carolina rig season. Anglers are typically using lizards, brush hogs (which mimic crawfish) and worms on their Carolina
rigs during this black-bass season.”
Those looking to get a leg up on their fishing
competition this season at Greers Ferry Lake, along with any lake in the state, can get help from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
“New fish structures marked on our map- ping software are a great source of fish habitat. You can even download the maps to many fish finders,” Griffith said.“The AGFC fishing report is updated weekly and provides ongoing tips for fishing at Greers Ferry Lake and in the Greers Ferry Lake Tailwaters.”
The mapping software can be found at gis.agfc.com.
While the lake has typically been good for prime fishing, some improvements were made to the lake to further improve fishing conditions.
In early 2015, the lake saw poor conditions among predator fish species as a result of the lack of forage to support the population, prompting biologists and the commission to stock approximately 37,000 threadfin shad from American Sport Fish of Montgomery,Alabama, in
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Trout fishing is a popular activity on Greers Ferry Lake and its tributaries.
Placing piles of brush at various spots in Greers Ferry Lake attracts fish for a variety of reasons, making for happy anglers.
Greers Ferry Lake.After adding more threadfin shad over time — approximately 200,000 in the lake while raising another 400,000 in the lake’s nursery pond — more than a year later, the commission noted a probable increase in bass because of their electrofishing sampling. This increase can also be attributed to the increase in rainfall on the lake.
The AGFC plans to continue its five-year plan to stock threadfin shad in the lake.
In 2016, Greers Ferry Lake’s fishing was aided again, but this time as a result of the
addition of large brush piles on the shoreline of various parts of the lake.The commission was able to enhance 18 sites on the lake, with six being existing fish attractors, while 12 are entirely new.These piles of brush were placed in 20 to 25 feet of water, getting coated in algae and attracting small insects and minnows on which the larger fish feed.
Anglers looking to travel to Greers Ferry Lake to enjoy serene days of fishing can buy a fishing license and trout stamp at www. agfc.com.