NWA Fishing Report

Walleye are on the march. James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said walleye are starting their spawning migration up the White and War Eagle tributaries. Anglers are catching fish in the White River arm of Beaver, but mostly small walleye are biting.

Walleye are also migrating from Table Rock Lake up the White River toward Beaver Dam. The Kings River arm of Table Rock Lake is also good for walleye. Minnows are the best bait. Jerk baits and crank baits with some chartreuse in the color scheme are the best lures.

Striped bass are biting well around the islands north of the Arkansas 12 bridge, Whittle said. Shad or brood minnows are the best bait. For black bass, try Alabama rigs, jerk baits, crank baits or jig and pigs. Use minnows or jigs for crappie around brush 20 to 25 feet deep.

BEAVER TAILWATER Lisa Mullins at Beaver Dam Store recommends fishing for trout with Power Bait in bright colors. Tip the bait with a waxworm for best results. Nightcrawlers or worms are good to use. The top lures for trout are small spoons. Good colors are gold and silver or red and gold. Size 7 countdown Rapalas are good to use. Fly fishing has been slow in the morning. Try size 16 midges in copper, black and blue dun.

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE David Powell at the lake office recommends fishing for black bass with plastic worms rigged Texas style. A jig and pig may also work. Try for crappie with jigs or minnows 12 to 14 feet deep.

LAKE SEQUOYAH Mike Carver at the lake office recommends fishing for crappie with Roadrunners or minnows. Use cut shad for catfish.

BELLA VISTA Nick Gann at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said Alabama rigs or small swim baits are the top lures for black bass at all Bella Vista lakes. Fish for trout at Lake Brittany with Power Bait or small spoons.

SWEPCO LAKE Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass fishing is good with plastic worms rigged any style. Try an Alabama rig or a big swim bait that is 6 to 8 inches long. Crystal, Siloam Springs lakes Stroud recommends fishing for crappie with minnows or small jigs 10 to 15 feet deep.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

Stroud recommends fishing at Lake Eucha for crappie with minnows or jigs 15 to 20 feet deep around brush. Black and chartreuse is a good color. Try an Alabama rig for black bass.

TABLE ROCK LAKE

Focused Fishing Guide Service reports that an Alabama rig is the top lure for black bass. Work it 10 to 12 feet deep along steep banks that have submerged timber.

Swim baits and jerk baits are other lure options. A small football jig may also work. Key is working steep banks with timber.