Big Dam Bridge (LR/NLR)

[Predator]

I visited the Big Dam Bridge (recently constructed over the Arkansas River at LR/NLR). I note it is a bridge designed for bicyclists and pedestrians according to the literature but what about fishing? Can you legally fish from it? In most places it is quite a bit above the Arkansas River but I couldn't find any rules or regulations or signs about it and didn't see any on the Big Dam Bridge website or on or around the bridge itself. It 's got a good rail around it--guess you could put an outrigger on it if you wanted to. I know it may not be practical to fish from it--would certainly need a heavy rope and gaff if you had to pull up a good-sized cat but hey if you can't make it to the Gulf and fish from a pier or bridge there it might be fun and you wouldn't have to drive 10 or 11 hours. And it's a way to get out from the bank without having to use a boat--you actually can't use a boat in the area close to the bridge anyway. Just wondering if anyone had heard anything about it.

[Predator]

I said outrigger--I mean downrigger.:smack: Evidently the G & F regs indicate you could only fish with a handheld rod and pole if fishing is permitted on the bridge anyway.

[fish]

If it is legal , it won't be if people try it. Bet it would'nt be easy landing one from up there anyway.:razz:

[John Stiles]

Big Dam Bridge....sheeeeeeesh...who named that?? Big Dam Bridge....that's just great ain't it....."where ya goin daddy?"......."I'm goin down to the Big Dam Bridge"....."Daddy!...that's not nice!" "Mooooooom...Daddy's cussin....!"~john:smack:

[Predator]

If it is legal , it won't be if people try it. Bet it would'nt be easy landing one from up there anyway.:razz:
That is my impression. First time someone starts fishing from there somebody's going to complain and before you know it there's an ordinance or two gets passed prohibiting fishing from the bridge. I would like to give it a try though and see if I could hoist one up with the big treble gaff I have--it's hard enough doing that from a pier, much less a bridge that high.

[John Stiles]

So they make it illegal?? Big Dam Deal!~john

[Predator]

So they make it illegal?? Big Dam Deal!~john
Good point:biggrin: I know folks may throw rocks at me but I personally think the Bridge is pretty cool and is a welcome addition to the cities.JMHO

[fairweatherhunter]

As soon as it ain't too dam cold, I'm gonna visit the Big Dam Bridge!:biggrin:

[Predator]

As soon as it ain't too dam cold, I'm gonna visit the Big Dam Bridge!:biggrin:
Good deal! The LR mayor-elect told me they were putting up some lights on the bridge so I wonder how that will look. There's also disposable dog-poop mitt dispensers at each entrance to the bridge--thought that was interesting. But no rod holders, though.:frown:

www.bigdambridge.com

[Predator]

I noticed they are doing some different things on the Bridge regarding lighting. I found a link with a photo of the Bridge and its colorful lights at night.http://www.argentagallery.com

[Predator]

They've updated the website and I see where they have some events scheduled for July 2007. Haven't made it down there to actually fish since it has been built and I was wondering how the fishing was below the dam--used to be real good during springtime prior to the bridge being built. Evidently you can't access the middle sliver of land to fish from like you could in the past.

[damlockman]

Fishing from a Lock and Dam structure is ILLEGAL. And since the BDB is attached to the Dam I will venture to say that it is illegal to fish from the BDB as well.

[Predator]

I guess to be safe you'd want to fish from the shore with now half the space that used to be available--the bridge is so high above the water it wouldn't make much sense to fish from it anyway legal or not.

It was crowded before the bridge was built and I'll bet it is really crowded now if the bridge didn't ruin the fishing--snagging would probably be a nightmare too.

[Predator]

Lots of fishing activity down at the Bridge. It is opened up again where you can cross by the hydroelectric plant out onto the penisula where you can park and fish on both sides again--I did not know after they built the bridge whether you would be able to access the penisula but it appears its getting back to normal. There were quite a few people fishing there Sunday and I did see some folks doing some snagging.

[John Stiles]

Fishing from a Lock and Dam structure is ILLEGAL. And since the BDB is attached to the Dam I will venture to say that it is illegal to fish from the BDB as well.

:fit: :fit: :fit: You shore cain't do that.....fish from the BDB especially in your BVDs!!~john>>>>I couldn't give a tinker's Big Dam[bridge]one way or t'other!

[Predator]

:fit: :fit: :fit: You shore cain't do that.....fish from the BDB especially in your BVDs!!~john>>>>I couldn't give a tinker's Big Dam[bridge]one way or t'other!

John, you may be on to something here. Maybe we could have a poll as to what type of underwear one wears when hunting and fishing--BVDs, Calvin Klein, Undergear, Fruit of the Loom or A La Naturale.:biggrin: And then maybe we could get into types--boxers, bikinis, thongs, longhandles, etc.:razz:

[John Stiles]

John, you may be on to something here. Maybe we could have a poll as to what type of underwear one wears when hunting and fishing--BVDs, Calvin Klein, Undergear, Fruit of the Loom or A La Naturale.:biggrin: And then maybe we could get into types--boxers, bikinis, thongs, longhandles, etc.:razz:

Personally, I'm right the opposite of reflex....I wear longhandles[hide my jaybird legs].....not Mr. Reflex....he's proud of them [hairless]whiteys:razz: :thumb: ~j

[Predator]

Link to the photo gallery of the Bridge--they've added pictures to the site.
http://www.bigdambridge.com/gallery/

[Predator]

Well I took my 4 year old son to the Bridge today and we walked across it--I had to let him ride on my shoulders on the way back. There was some fishing going on including some snagging but it didn't look like there was too much action. There was a lot of water going through the dam and I heard that because of all the rain they got out further west it really raised the level on the Arkansas River--it really showed and was more muddy than usual.

[three rivers]

If this bridge is the one and the same at murray lock and dam then we've fished it earlier in the year. We ended up filling a cooler full of skipjack and probably caught 10 or so white bass and crappie..... It was a good day for a couple hrs of fishing........

[Predator]

If this bridge is the one and the same at murray lock and dam then we've fished it earlier in the year. We ended up filling a cooler full of skipjack and probably caught 10 or so white bass and crappie..... It was a good day for a couple hrs of fishing........
Yes, that is the Bridge. Glad to hear the fishing is still good--I haven't made it down there to fish since the construction occurred but it has always been a good place to catch skipjack--I've seen a lot of people catch them and cut them up for catfish bait. Years ago during the Spring there used to be so many people line up along the bank fishing that you were basically elbow-to-elbow--with the current and all in that close proximity there were plenty of fouled lines.

[Predator]

All you hotshot bike riders (the engineless kind) need to get ready for the BDB 100 which kicks off at the end of September. http://bigdambridge.org/BDB100?index.html

[hookinhorns]

whats the big dam deal ,seems like a big dam waste of our money for this project, i would like to have seen the money used for public parks or fixing secondary roads in ar.

[Predator]

whats the big dam deal ,seems like a big dam waste of our money for this project, i would like to have seen the money used for public parks or fixing secondary roads in ar.

Yeah that's been brought up several times and has made a lot of folks angry--a detention facility in Pulaski County seems to top the needs list.

[Predator]

Remember, the BDB 100 is coming up Sept. 29 so get your bike ready to roll!

http://www.bigdambridge.org/BDB100/index.htm

[fairweatherhunter]

Remember, the BDB 100 is coming up Sept. 29 so get your bike ready to roll!

http://www.bigdambridge.org/BDB100/index.htm
Can I ride my Polaris?:biggrin:

[Predator]

Can I ride my Polaris?:biggrin:

I don't know but I was hoping someone could pull me along on one of those rickshaw things myself. :thumb:

[Bruin]

The Big Dam Bridge is a Big Dam Waste of tax money! :smack: