Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Grab a line and pole, we'll all meet at the fishin' hole

Fishing is a favorite pastime for many people in south Arkansas, and summertime seems to draw more and more people to the water with their line and pole.

Gurdon Lake, located on U.S. 67 S. in Gurdon, is almost never without fishermen when the weather is warm. Most who frequent the 50-acre lake fish from the shoreline, but it is not uncommon to see fishermen who have taken advantage of the boat ramp to fish in the lakes deeper waters.

Residents of Gurdon are not the only people who fish at Gurdon Lake. People from Arkadelphia, Prescott and other surrounding communities make their way to the lakes shorelines on a regular basis.

"Most of the time I just come to sit out here," said Ivie Dennis of Arkadelphia who was fishing at the lake on Thursday, June 7.

Dennis said she and her husband began fishing at Gurdon after they moved to Arkadelphia from Los Angeles, Calif. Although the wind was hindering her fishing efforts, Dennis said she finds Gurdon Lake to be a nice, quiet place to relax.

White Oak Lake State Park, located near Bluff City, is another nearby attraction that offers public fishing.

According to Park Superintendent Marc Lowe, there are actually two lakes at White Oak  Upper White Oak Lake and Lower White Oak Lake. Combined, the lakes comprise about 3,000 acres of fishing waters. No recreational boating is allowed on the lake, making it more attractive to the fishermen.

The average water depth at White Oak is 10 feet, Lowe said, but some of the channels and the area near the two dams can be as deep at 35 feet.

"There are some holes out there," he said.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is currently experimenting with largemouth bass breeding at White Oak, Lowe said.

A large number of largemouth bass from Florida were recently released into the lake. By this time next year, the fish should be of good size to catch, he said.

On any given weekday, about 50 fishermen are enjoying their time on White Oaks two lakes, according to Lowe. That number can jump to 100 or more on the weekend as the parks 45 campsites are generally always filled.

Currently at White Oak, Lowe said fishermen are doing well with catfish and red-eared bream.

"Theyre like a bunch of Parana," he said of the breams active nature. "Theyre fun to catch."

As far as bait is concerned, Lowes advice is to keep it simple. Crickets, worms and minnows will work just fine for most fish. The bass, however, like to see something flashy, big and noisy, he said.

The AGFCs Web site encourages those fishing to remember that there are limits that may change from lake to lake.

At Gurdon Lake, the daily limit of catfish is five. The daily limit for crappie is 15. The lake is open to fishing with a rod or pole only.

At White Oak Lake, largemouth bass from 16-18 inches must be released immediately into the water. The daily limit for largemouth bass is eight, and no more than three can be more than 18 inches long. The AGFC also says that snagging is prohibited below the dam that separates Lower and Upper White Oak Lakes.

The use of common carp as bait is prohibited at both lakes.

No matter where one is fishing, a fishing license is needed to cast a line on public waters in Arkansas. According to the AGFC, anyone 16 years of age or older is required to have a valid Arkansas fishing license to "take or attempt to take game fish, frogs or turtles" anywhere in the state. Licenses must be in the fishermans possession at all times while fishing.

For more information on fishing regulations or to find out where fishing licenses can be obtained, contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at 1-800-364-GAME.