NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE Stripers are migrating to the south half of the lake, but are biting on the north end as well.

Mike Whitehouse at Hickory Creek Marina said brood minnows are a good bait to catch stripers 10 to 12 feet deep.

Channel catfish can be caught with stink bait, nightcrawlers or stink bait soaked in strawberry Kool-Aid. Use small sunfish or goldfish to catch flathead catfish. Walleye are biting nightcrawler rigs in the Horseshoe Bend area.

James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said striped bass are biting between Point 5 and Lost Bridge park on brood minnows. Most fish are running 10 to 15 pounds.

Minnows fished 10 to 20 feet deep are working best. Trolling crank baits in creek arms remains effective.

Try top-water lures for black bass at first and last light. Go with plastic worms or jig and pigs at midday.

Nightcrawler rigs are working for walleye and catfish.

BEAVER TAILWATER Tom Steinke at Beaver Dam Store said fly fishermen report good trout fishing with zebra midges in size 16-18. Any neutral or dark-colored midge is a good choice.

Trout are biting Power Bait and small Colorado or Buoyant spoons.

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE Angela Perea at the lake office said black bass are biting well on chatter baits and crank baits. To catch crappie, use jigs or troll with crank baits.

Try worms, crickets or small jigs for bluegill.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Mike Carver at the lake bait shop said crappie are turning on. Use minnows 7 to 10 feet deep around bridge pilings. Bluegill are biting worms 1 to 5 feet deep.

Use plastic worms for black bass. Best catfish baits are liver or nightcrawlers.

BELLA VISTA

Nick Gann at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said black bass are biting soft plastic baits near brush and docks at all Bella Vista lakes. Try top-water lures at first and last light.

SWEPCO LAKE Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass are biting all types of soft-plastic lures rigged Texas or Carolina style. A drop-shot rig is also good.

ILLINOIS RIVER Stroud recommends small tube baits, grubs or Rooster Tails for black bass.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports fair fishing for black bass at Fort Gibson Lake. Try crank baits, plastic worms or Biffle Bugs.

Flathead catfish are biting live shad, minnows or sunfish.

TABLE ROCK LAKE Pete Wenners at Pete’s Professional Guide Service said black bass are biting best early on top-water lures and crank baits. A Whopper Plopper is a good top-water lure.

Small plastic worm on a dropshot rig is good to use.