Hopefield Chute Fishing Guide, Crittenden County, Arkansas

• Overview

  Hopefield Chute falls in Crittenden County, part of Arkansas. It stands 197 feet above sea level. At 398 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. Some 6.6 miles of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. It lies lower than most water we list in Arkansas. Some 2.9 miles away sits Memphis, the nearest settlement. Further out sit West Memphis (5.3 miles) and New South Memphis (6 miles). A border sits close enough to be relevant to the paperwork.

• Where to Fish on Hopefield Chute

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Records held for Crittenden County cover common carp, warmouth, flathead catfish and gizzard shad. County data is a starting point rather than a guarantee. At Hopefield Chute the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 81°F; by January the average is down near 38°F. Heat sets the pattern from late spring onward. Shade and hour of day matter more than month. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. The season on Hopefield Chute rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing in our records says who may fish here. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. It is recorded as an oxbow, which means still water with a river's shape. The water borders Ducks Unlimited Park, so reserve rules are likely to apply. Ask in the nearest town if you are unsure. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Mound City Chute, 1.7 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Where Hopefield Chute is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.