Going to Ft Smith

[Torrey Island Kid]

Hi all

I will be in Ft smith the last two weeks in March.This will be a working trip but I am bringing my boat in hopes og getting out to fish a bit.
Is there any one in that aeria that can give me some info on where to fish> I see the Ark, River runs throu there.Hows Crappie fishing on the river.Im open to any kind of fishing. Just would like to get an idea of whee to go. I wont have a lot of time and realy cant travel to far. Maybe an hour away ath the most.
Any help ?

[Jason Piper]

I think Lake Ft. Smith is open now, I have heard that it is a good lake. T.J. Lives just south of there he may know of where to fish and post it.

[Timmy Tom]

There is a AG&F lake just east of Greenwood (which is south of Fort Smith 15 minutes)called Jack Nolen. It has a pretty good supply of decent crappie, some catfish and if you are lucky a bass or two. I started fishing it last summer some, had decent luck on catching dozen or more crappie each visit except last time out bad weather. I would'nt run a gas motor to fast alot of trees. www.com/pdfs/agfc_lake_maps/jacknolen_lake.pdf get a look at the two main creek channels they should be easy to find tall trees bunched up and drop off of channel it is a shallow lake. Live bait can be purchased in Greenwood. The Arkansas River is a good place if you know what's happening as to fish runs and so fourth, current flows. Good fishing catfish, white bass, largemouth, crappie and other fish.

maybe this will help.

[murphy]

Theres no need to bring your boat the first week of april. You can catch plenty of fish below the dams from the bank, Kerr in Sallisaw and L&D 13 in Barling are the best and are within 30 min. If you do bring your boat and plan to put in the river, go to the corps web site and look for the maps. There are many, many jetties that are under water and very dangerous, also the flow can be bad at times. The lake in Greenwood is a great lake for crappie or bass. Its the only place live bait outfishes jigs. Lee creek is good. Paris and Charleston are decent city lakes. Vine prarie and clear creek are probrally the two best crappie backwaters off the river, lots of brush.
Hope this helps and good luck.

[Torrey Island Kid]

Thanks for the info. Currently I am in Tucson Az. and with out my boat. No water close by.So will be haveing withdrawls for the next two weeks.I did see some realy pretty country comming here. I took the north rout and then south thru the painted desert national park and down 77 thru the mountians and across White Water Canyon.A spectacular place. Didnt see any elk although Lots of signs.(warning signs) LOL
Well thanks again for the info. Anyone else? I'll be around.Maybe I can meet some of you all wile Im up there.

[TJ Adams]

I know some areas to fish...within an hour. get a hold of me when it gets closer...I dont have a boat yet or I would say not to even bring yours...Any let me know...