Thread: Lake Maumelle

Have any of you ever fished Lake Maumelle for crappie and had much success? I've tried it several times over the years but have never been able to catch more than just a few at a time.

I've heard rumours of folks loading them up but I've never been there to see it. Always hear " Ya shoulda been here yesterday."

If you have, any advice as to good areas or techniques to try?

Thanks

Maumelle is probably one of the most frustrating lakes I have ever fished. I have said it many times before; I get a sore butt from the boat ride back to the marina when the wind picks up. Out of the dozen or so times I have tried it, I have always battled the wind. I too have heard of people catching fish from there. But, I have never seen nor talked to the person that actually did. It is a shame too. I live about 10 minuets from the marina.
DP

DRPEPPER

Thanks for your reply. You've stated my feelings exactly. Its a real shame because, like you, I don't live that far from the lake. It's nice to know someone has had the same experiences I have out there.

My boat steers from the front. When the wind comes up on that lake, and it nearly always does, the ride back is real slow or I risk losing a few fillings. :D

Maybe I should take up sailing.

Originally Posted by Stumpy04

DRPEPPER

Thanks for your reply. You've stated my feelings exactly. Its a real shame because, like you, I don't live that far from the lake. It's nice to know someone has had the same experiences I have out there.

My boat steers from the front. When the wind comes up on that lake, and it nearly always does, the ride back is real slow or I risk losing a few fillings. :D

Maybe I should take up sailing.

Hummmm, spider rig on a sail boat? That would be a neat trick.

Originally Posted by bobberwatcher

Hummmm, spider rig on a sail boat? That would be a neat trick.

Could prove to be interesting, that's for sure.

I'll let you know if I perfect it.

It's our version of the "dead sea". Never seen a crappie come out of Lake Maumelle with my own eyes, but know that they can be caught. Have gotten into the white bass and gar during nightstalks, but that's been about it. Gooch and I have found a few good lookin' spots, but just need to take the time to go fish them. Good luck with 'em.

When I was kid my father used to take us out to Lake Maumelle (early 60s) and we used to catch the hell out crappie casting Flea Fly's (a little hair jig I've not seen in years) in the cove around Snake Island, and on the south side cove where the old highway runs into the lake. I went to Lake maumelle a few times last year after a hiatius of 30 years. Caught some nice bream but no crappie...but like you guys, I hear rumors of people who haul 'em in.

CEB, LOL

Dead Sea is right. You could troll the bottom of that thing and never get hung.

Originally Posted by LRJoe

CEB, LOL

Dead Sea is right. You could troll the bottom of that thing and never get hung.

Sneak in a few brushpiles or stakebeds.

Go ask Zimmerman if Maumelle is the "Dead Sea" and I think you will find its the fisherman not the lake thats the problem. This time of year is for jigging the bottom in the channel. Both the marina and Zimmermans will tell you there catching more limits than they can count.

Now that I'm finally getting my boat rigged up right I'm looking forward to doing some long line trolling out there. Like LRJoe said you can drag the bottom and not get hung so that should make for some great water to learn the art of longlining.

I'm also looking forward to puting some effort into sinking brush out there. I know the folks that have a few piles to choose from in deep water are slaying the fish right now. I have past the point of caring if I get caught since I found out the max fine is 150.00. Not to mention they ruined the integrity of the lake allowing the new mega subdivision to be built on its shores so catch me if you can.

Finally on one of our fruitless nightstalks out there a year or so back we spoke with some AGFC guys who had been on one of the shocking boats out there. They said the findings showed a massive overpopulation of 8 to 15 pound catfish. In addition the saugeye (walleye/sauger cross) population was doing well with some of the fish getting up to 8 lbs. In fact the last 2 or 3 trips out there our boat landed at least 1 at or over 5 pounds. Recent articals in the paper have stories about guys killing the crappie out there along with the whites.

Lake Maumelle is not the Dead Sea unless you get caught out there in a 14 foot boat in 20 mph winds, then the name would apply