NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE Catfish and black bass are biting as the surface water temperature climbs into the high 80s.

James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers recommends using top-water lures early for black bass. Try deep-diving crank baits or plastic worms on a drop-shot rig later in the day.

To target smallmouth bass, fish a Biffle Bug on a wobble-head jig between Rocky Branch park and the dam.

For catfish, use a rod and reel, jug lines, limb lines or trotlines. Bait up with liver or stink bait for channel catfish. Use live sunfish to catch flathead catfish.

Mike Whitehouse at Hickory Creek Marina said catfish are biting well on trotlines or jug lines baited with sunfish or hot dogs. No report on other species.

BEAVER TAILWATER Lisa Mullins at Beaver Dam Store said bait fishermen are catching good numbers of trout on Power Bait nightcrawlers and waxworms.

Try fishing for brown trout at sunset with jerk baits.

The top lures are small spoons or size 4 Flicker Shad crank baits.

Mullins recommends fly fishing with pheasant tails, midges, Copper Johns or San Juan Worms.

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE David Powell at the lake office said black bass are biting crank baits and spinner baits. Crappie fishing has improved. Troll slowly with jigs 12 feet deep.

Catfishing is slow. Try liver or glow worms.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Mike McBride at the lake bait shop said black bass are biting top-water lures early. Catfish are biting liver or shad. Fishing for all species is best between 6 and 9 a.m.

BELLA VISTA

Taylor Surly at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said black bass are biting at night on all Bella Vista Lakes. Use dark-colored spinner baits in shallow water. Jig and pigs may work during the day.

Bluegill are biting crickets or worms 10 to 20 feet deep at all Bella Vista lakes.

SWEPCO LAKE Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs recommends fishing at night with big plastic worms or big spinner baits. Dark colors are the best choice.

ILLINOIS RIVER Stroud said black bass fishing is good with grubs or tube baits. Zoom Baby Brush Hogs or Zoom Tiny Brush Hogs are good to use. Wade fishermen report catching good numbers of fish.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA Stroud recommends fishing Lake Eucha at night or black bass with dark-colored spinner baits or plastic worms.

TABLE ROCK LAKE Missouri Department of Conservation reports good fishing for black bass in the James River arm with tube baits and deep-diving crank baits. Try top-water lures early.

Bluegill are biting well on worms along gravel banks. Try for walleye with crank baits or spoons around deep cover.