Thread: Dierks Lake Information

Dierks Lake is pretty small and crappie are pretty good over the deepest water near standing timber right now. The lake is clear even in the upper reaches right now. I have found that even though I have to fish over deep water that the oxygen levels are not sufficient to support many fish below 40 feet.

I'd just fish the deepest (relative) water nearest standing timber. You will be fishing considerably deeper than you are used to at Millwood, but nevertheless it will be deep (relatively speaking) and the crappie, although I have not been there of late, should be at the thermocline or thereabouts. <><

Good luck!

aj

I live in Pearcy and mainly fish Ouachita but DO venture that way once in a while.

Hi Jim, I can't tell you the secret to dierks, or catching crappie this time of year...as I am currently striking out with great regularity on various lakes around the area. We had a good night on slate creek last year, fishing the edge of the creek channel. I'm trying to stick to deep structure, but not having much luck lately.
Good luck.

Originally Posted by sosowingshooter

Hi Jim, I can't tell you the secret to dierks, or catching crappie this time of year...as I am currently striking out with great regularity on various lakes around the area. We had a good night on slate creek last year, fishing the edge of the creek channel. I'm trying to stick to deep structure, but not having much luck lately.
Good luck.

Basically I am seeking fisherman that have fished these lakes and can say yes or no to the fishing part. I will find them if they are there. Thanks to you and Arkie for the information. I do not think anyone is having much luck these 100 degrees plus days. The surface water in Millwood is close to 90 degrees on my depth finder and I can not even touch the alumium on my boat due to the heat.
I live about 5 miles from Millwood, the main lake is muddy and water is hot. The oxbows Horseshoe and McGuire off the river channel are pretty deep 18-20 ft. The river its-self is about that deep or deeper.
The information I am getting is to fish at nights or fish in shallow water early or late.
The other evening the white bass was jumping so much, I thought some would land in the boat--they were up in the Saline River channel--I am going after them one day this week--hopefully if I can miss the stumps and it cools a bit.----Thanks Guys

I am with you on the "not catchin' much" in hot weather. Ouachita has really treated me bad--even at NIGHT! I think I will take the remainder of August to place a few structures and hoping for the best once the night time temps get to 65 degrees F.

I would hope the specks take that as a hint that they should be gathering at the mouths of the creeks gettin' ready for the fall feed.

Yup, I can FIND 'em....I just can't catch many right now. Been catchin' a few with a drop-shot rig with a jig/minnow combo suspending just above the thermocline. I am so ready for the fall feed.

If you get into them on Dierks, Gillham or DeQueen, be sure and let us know the specifics. Things should break loose here in a few more weeks.

aj

Originally Posted by Arkie John

I am with you on the "not catchin' much" in hot weather. Ouachita has really treated me bad--even at NIGHT! I think I will take the remainder of August to place a few structures and hoping for the best once the night time temps get to 65 degrees F.

I would hope the specks take that as a hint that they should be gathering at the mouths of the creeks gettin' ready for the fall feed.

Yup, I can FIND 'em....I just can't catch many right now. Been catchin' a few with a drop-shot rig with a jig/minnow combo suspending just above the thermocline. I am so ready for the fall feed.

If you get into them on Dierks, Gillham or DeQueen, be sure and let us know the specifics. Things should break loose here in a few more weeks.

aj

I drove to Dequeen and Dierks Lake the other day to check them out and talk to the park rangers. They swear by Dierks lake as a Crappie Lake, I heard from a co worker that Dierks has the biggest bream around.
Millwood is where I caught good Crappie this spring--the lake flooded and the Crappie were inside the tree line in about 12-18 inches of water. Had to have a pole to move around those trees.
Question---I know when the water gets down to about 65 degrees, than the Crappie will start feeding. Do you fish at the mouth of the creeks or up in the creek its-self. I know where there is a creek thats probably 1-2 miles long with holes 8-10 and 20 ft. deep, but mostly 5-6 ft. deep by boat .I talked to a guy from Pine Bluff that is a Bass fisherman and how he found these holes by accident. He never knew how to find the spot again, the lake was flooded but gave me a pretty good description as to the surrounding area---I found it I think.
Will the Crappie go that far up in the creeks to feed in the fall and spawn in the spring, if so I have a plan to build a condo or two.
I expect nothing will remain permanent, because it floods big time and is very swift, but the habitit is already in place with trees and downed ones along with brush in the creek at the banks.
Just have to watch for the Gators, but the creek is full of bream and bait fish---I never got a bite in there on a line.
I am trying to get a feel for the guidelines in the spring and fall seasons.---I have been exploring the back waters and creeks that many can not access or scared too.
This spring I saw 4-5 guys blocking the entrance to a couple of creeks or appeared to be blocking them, that fed into the lake with their boats, but they were not up in the creeks. Do you just start at the mouth and follow them into the creek and how far will they go, to feed or spawn.
In the hot summer heat it would appear the Crappie would be in those creeks close to the deep water holes, but many Crappie guys say to fish the shallows in the summer and stay out of the deep water--lack of oxgen in the deep water. This may work in the mornings and evenings at daylight and dark--but that shallow water gets hot also.
Trying to form a pattern in my mind so I can check out the spots I know about. These fishing reports and guides on Millwood are catch and release guys and the reports is based on their information--they do not fish for Crappie, just bass.---Any Information would be greatly appreciated from you or any other Crappie fisherman---Thanks---Jim

Nice stringers are consistently caught in the upper reaches of Little and Big Blakeley on Ouachita. One look at a lake map will tell you that crappie will trek a long way to satisfy the urges of nature.

In the fall, they will sometimes be found on their springtime pre-spawn positions, feeding like crazy. In spite of what many say, it is my opinion that crappie fishing is an inexact science when it comes to locating them. One has to be mobile and flexible until they hit the "mother lode." Savvy? These are general patterns and may vary with all kinds of variables, lake to lake, day by day. But that's what makes it FUN!

Usually I begin at the mouths of the primary and secondary creeks and work my way up the channels, paying particular attention to the inside bends of the channels. Water temp, fronts, fishing pressure, clarity of the water all tend to make things all so uncertain. All that being said, spawning action generally begins in the low 60's when the males make their entrance and build the nests...all the way to the 70's when finally the females leave the nest. Remember also that all crappie do not spawn at the same time.

In the fall, 65 degrees at night is the "go by" I use to begin the hunt for the feeders...all the way to the mid fifties or slightly below, they will gorge themselves preparing for the winter. Crappie never had an original thought in their lives, but the good Lord blessed them with uncanny instinctive abilities to survive and reproduce...much to our delight.

I am sure not an expert by any means, but I make it all fun. If I catch enough for supper then that's a good thang too. Plus, I meet a bunch of good folks along the way.

aj

Hey Arkie
Where are you located in Pearcy? I'm from that area also. I am located just off Sunshine Rd. on Songer ln.