NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE

Fish the south end of the lake for striped bass.

Jon Conklin, fishing guide, said good catches of stripers were reported before March rain muddied the upstream portions of the lake. Striper fishing should steadily improve as the lake level settles and water clears. A good area to try is from Horseshoe Bend park upstream into the War Eagle River arm. Shad or brood minnows are the best baits.

Walleye fishing should improve as well, although the bite is a month later than in past years, Conklin said. White bass should also start their spawning run soon. Conklin recommends using jerk baits to catch black bass. Crappie are starting to move close to shallow bushes and brush.

The rain and increased flow into the lake should improve all fishing through April, he said.

BEAVER TAILWATER

Austin Kennedy, fishing guide, said trout are biting well on Pautzke Fire Worms and Pautzke Fire Bait fished on light line.

Walleye fishing has been up and down. Kennedy said the Army Corps of Engineers is not projected to generate much electricity at Beaver Dam this month. The low flow makes walleye fishing tough. Try trolling crank baits between the towns of Beaver and Holiday Island.

Power generation at Beaver Dam has been minimal, creating good conditions for wade fishing.

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE

Lake Fayetteville Marina reports good fishing for crappie, white bass and black bass. Minnows work best for crappie. Minnows or minnow-like lures should work for white bass. Try top-water lures, spinner baits, crank baits or plastic worms for largemouth bass.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Angler Mike McBride said catfish should bite well after substantial rain in March. Crappie fishing is hit and miss because of fluctuating water temperatures at the shallow lake. Water can be 60 degrees one afternoon, then 50 the next morning if the night is chilly. Once cold nights cease, crappie fishing should improve, McBride said.

BELLA VISTA

Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista reports good numbers of small bass can be caught at any Bella Vista lake with a small plastic worm on a drop-shot rig. Bluegill and redear are biting worms at lakes Ann and Loch Lomond. Fish for trout at Lake Brittany with prepared trout bait or small spoons.

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

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports good fishing at Lake Tenkiller for white bass with Alabama rigs, jigs or inline spinners in river arms. Crappie are biting well on minnows or jigs around docks or brush on the main lake. White bass are biting fair on the main lake. Use Alabama rigs, in-line spinners or any small lure. Caney Creek or Carter’s Landing are good areas for white bass.

At Grand Lake, black bass fishing is fair with jerk baits or plastic worms around cover. White bass are biting well in tributaries on jigs or spoons. Crappie are biting fair on jigs or spoons.

At Lake Eucha, largemouth bass fishing is good with crank baits or jerk baits. Catfish are biting fair on liver or worms in coves. Crappie are biting fair on jigs or minnows around brush or docks.

SWEPCO LAKE

Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs recommends fishing for black bass with soft plastic lures rigged Carolina, wacky or shakyhead style.

SILOAM SPRINGS, CRYSTAL LAKES

Stroud recommends fishing for crappie with minnows.

TABLE ROCK LAKE

Table Rock Lake Chamber of Commerce recommends fishing for black bass in shallow water with plastic worms, spinner baits or top-water lures. Fish for crappie in the Long Creek or James River arms with minnows or jigs around wood cover. Try for bluegill along any shoreline. Use worms or a piece of hot dog.