NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE

Anglers should have three lures handy to catch black bass — jerk baits, crawdad colored crank baits and Alabama rigs.

That’s the word from Reese Jones at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers. Those lures are catching quality bass, he said. “They aren’t catching many big fish, bass over 5 pounds, but they’re working to catch solid 3- and 4-pound fish,” he said. Points and rocky banks are good spots to try.

Fish for crappie with minnows or jigs 10 to 20 feet deep around docks in deep water with some timber. Bluff walls with timber are good spots.

Striped bass are scattered around the lake. Brood minnows or shad are the best baits. Try for walleye with swim baits or jerk baits. Black bass will bite those, too. Average water temperature is in the high 40s.

BEAVER TAILWATER

Austin Kennedy, fishing guide, recommends fishing for trout with prepared baits such as Berkley Power Bait, Power Eggs or Pautzke Fire Bait. Small spoons or small jigs may also work. Power generation at Beaver Dam may take place on cold mornings and also in the evening. This creates higher water and swifter flow.

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE

The lake is temporarily closed for its seasonal closure. It will reopen on Sunday. Trails around the lake are open.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Angler Mike McBride said a few crappie are being caught with minnows or jigs from the old White River bridge. No report on other species.

BELLA VISTA

Chip Wiseman at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said crappie are biting well on minnows or jigs 10 to 20 feet deep over the tops of brush piles. Lakes Ann, Loch Lomond and Windsor are good lakes to try. Black bass are biting Alabama rigs, or jig and pigs. Good bass lakes include Lake Norwood and Lake Ann. Trout are biting well at Lake Brittany on white or yellow Power Eggs or small gold and red spoons.

Please note that fishing in Bella Vista is open only to POA members and their guests.

SWEPCO LAKE

Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass are biting Alabama rigs or any soft plastic lures.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports fair fishing for black bass at Grand Lake. Try crank baits or plastic worms along points and in coves. Crappie are biting fair on jigs or minnows around brush and docks. Catfish are biting fair on liver, shad or cut bait.

At Lake Tenkiller, white bass are biting Alabama rigs, crank baits or jigs on the main lake. Crappie are biting well on minnows or jigs around docks or brush on the main lake. Catfish are biting fair on liver, cut bait or shad.

TABLE ROCK LAKE

Focused Fishing Guide Service said fishing where there are shad is key to catch black bass. Fish 60 to 70 feet deep with a drop-shot rig or jigging spoon. Crawdad-colored crank baits are working along banks where rock transitions to gravel.