NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE

Water temperature and the fishing have been fluctuating just like the weather.

Jon Conklin, fishing guide, said striped bass are scattered from Rocky Branch park upstream into the White and War Eagle tributaries. Moving around a lot is necessary to locate stripers. They should make a harder push into the tributaries, but haven’t yet, Conklin said. Brood minnows or shad are the best baits to catch stripers.

Same goes for white bass. They haven’t migrated up the tributaries in big numbers yet. Conklin said he and his customers have caught some white bass, but not a lot of them.

Crappie can be caught shallow near wood cover, but most crappie are still 12 to 15 feet deep. Minnows or jigs should work to catch them. Try jerk baits, swim baits, crank baits, spinner baits or plastic worms for black bass.

Walleye never really showed up in big numbers up the tributaries. Some are there, but they are mostly small fish. Walleye must be 18 inches or longer to keep at Beaver. The daily limit is four.

Water is very clear on the north end of the lake. Average surface water temperature is in the upper 50s.

BEAVER TAILWATER

Austin Kennedy, fishing guide, said trout are biting best between Spider Creek and the U.S. 62 bridge. Prepared trout baits should work.

White bass are back and forth between shallow and deep water. Try soft plastic minnow lures or crank baits.

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

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE

Angela Perea at Lake Fayetteville Marina said all fishing is good, but occasional windy days keep anglers away. Jigs work best for crappie, but minnows are good, too. Try for black bass along the dam with plastic worms or spinner baits. Bluegill are biting worms. Catfish are taking a variety of baits including liver, stink bait and nightcrawlers.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Angler Mike McBride said crappie and black bass should bite when the water isn’t muddy. Rain turns the water muddy for two to three days. Use minnows or jigs for crappie. Go with plastic worms, spinner baits or top-water lures for black bass.

BELLA VISTA

Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista recommends fishing for redear at any Bella Vista lake with one-half of a nightcrawler. Try for black bass with plastic worms, jig and pigs or swim baits. Catfish bite best after substantial rain. Catch them with liver, nightcrawler, stink bait or any catfish bait.

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 a variety of soft plastic lures. Try for crappie with minnows or jigs around wood cover.

SILOAM SPRINGS, CRYSTAL LAKES

Stroud recommends fishing for crappie with minnows.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports good fishing at Lake Tenkiller for white bass with Alabama rigs, jigs or in-line spinners in river arms. Black bass fishing is good with crank baits, plastic worms or spinner baits. Crappie are biting fair on minnows or jigs around brush and docks on the main lake.

At Grand Lake, crappie fishing is good with jigs, minnows or spoons. Catfish are biting cut bait, stink bait or liver. Black bass fishing is fair with crank baits, jerk baits, plastic worms or spinner baits.

At Lake Eucha, black bass fishing is good with crank baits, jerk baits or plastic worms around brush and docks. Catfish are biting fair on liver, cut bait or worms.

TABLE ROCK LAKE

Pete’s Professional Guide Service said black bass fishing is best in the Kings River arm and upper end of the lake around Eagle Rock, Mo. Try swim baits, crawdad colored crank baits, Ned rigs or jig and pigs in pockets with ledge rock. Look for gulls feeding on shad in open water and bass may be hanging around those shad.