Lake Atkins

[Skeeter Jay]

I am not really all that sure who all is interested in this lake but figured I would give an update for those who have/do fished it. As you know the Game and Fish drained it down a couple of years ago and did a total kill off. Well its been filled back up and stocked with Florida Strain's for just over 2 years now. When the G&F first stocked it they put a 15" length limit on it, well that got changed last week to a slot, 4 fish limit under 16" but one can be over 21". Right now there's a healthy population of 3-4lb fish, hopefully this slot will help protect them and they will get up to trophy size soon.

Now as for a fishing report on the lake. I fished it a couple of times over the holiday weekend and did so so. All the fish we caught were either on 4-6' deep running crankbaits around stumps or throwing a texas rig in the brush. With gas prices like they are, these smaller Game and Fish Lakes are nice to fish since you dont have to do much running. I figure I will be back down on Atkins again before this weekends up since my family lives down there and I know I have to head that way on Saturday anyway. If I do any good or find anything different I will post it.

[adchunts]

Jay, where exactly is Lake Atkins??? Sounds like a pretty good spot. I think the length limits and slots are a good idea. Course, I don't keep bass anyway, but some folks do. I like the smaller lakes. The biggest bass I've caught came out of a 50 acre water supply lake. I think sometimes they are overlooked in favor of the bigger lakes. Suits me just fine . Thanks for the report.

[Skeeter Jay]

Lake Atkins is about 12 miles west of Russellville and about 3 miles south of the town of Atkins. Dont quote me, but I think its a little over 600 acres.

[horseshoer]

i fished it a few times back in the spring. one day i caught 28 keepers. there is a lot of fish there in the 4 to 5 pound range. a local told me that 3 hour club tournament would take close to 30 pounds to win back in the spring. i was planning on a trip up there soon if i dont go back to millwood.

[Skeeter Jay]

I've not seen any 5lbers out of it yet, supposidly the lake record since the restock is 4lb 8oz. I saw a 4lb 5oz a couple of weeks ago in a tourny, it beat me and skeeterjim out of the money on a little Saturday morning jackpot tourny. I have caught a few in that range myself, but there are a butt load of them in the 2-4lb range. Makes for some fun fishing.

[adchunts]

Jay, some of us close guys should get together one weekend. I wouldn't mind driving out to Shoal Bay or Atkins or somewhere. Would like to meet some of you guys.

[horseshoer]

back during the spawn those fish were super fat. i believe i was up there on a thursday night for the first time when they had a 3 hour night tourney that took like 28.10 to win. those florida bass, grow quick.

[HeavyMetalBassinKing]

I've only fished it two or three times this year.....I love to go over there and fish that small little lake because it is not far and is pretty good as well....

The best fish I have ever caught out of it was about 4 pounds.....
My dad has caught some 8+ pounders out of it before the drain.....

If there is a meeting sometime I would like to go and get to meet some of you guys a little better.....if that's allright

Now I guess that that those 8 pounders were not the biggest.....
This is not a bass, but the largest fish I have ever seen pulled out of Lake Atkins was a 12 pound catfish.....my dad caught it on a deep running crankbait....

[fishter]

fished atkins a few times this year also. caught a 5.08 the end of june and a 5.04 on july 4th and several other good fish.

[HeavyMetalBassinKing]

5 pounders this year???

I didn't even know that there were fish that big in there yet.....

[Skeeter Jay]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fishter &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">fished atkins a few times this year also. caught a 5.08 the end of june and a 5.04 on july 4th and several other good fish.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wow nice fish, you should of reported them to the boat dock, biggest they have seen is the 4-8. It wont be long before there are some nice trophy's in it.

I've been out of town all this week, I did get a chance to hit it back on Saturday but I didnt catch much to talk about. There was a pretty strong east wind all day which made it tough to do any worm fishing. Was able to pick up about 4, but only one was worth catching, the others were small.


Hey ADC, I would love to get together with you guys! I think it would be fun. I'm game for anytime. Kind have ourselves a mini arkansas rally??

[HeavyMetalBassinKing]

I'm in.....if I can get out when you decide to get together....

[X19DM]

I have a meeting in Morrilton late next week and may take my boat for an afternoon on Atkins. Has anybody been out lately? The AG&FC email says crappie are biting but that was probably before it cooled down.

Thanks,

Dan

[Skeeter Jay]

The last couple of times I have been out there its been slow, in fact I fished it Monday evening and only caught one, it was a 3lber that I caught on a Bandit crankbait, couldnt find a worm bite. But who knows, this cold snap may pick them back up.

[X19DM]

Skeeter Jay,

Thanks for the update. I may wait on that trip as I have an invitation to fish a private 90 Acre lake in the Morrilton area. If those Florida's continue to grow this should be a good trophy lake in a few years.

Dan