NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE Crappie are biting well on the south end of the lake.

Mike Whitehouse at Hickory Creek Marina said crappie are biting minnows 15 to 20 feet deep worked around brush. Jigs will work, but minnows produce best.

Trolling for crappie is good with crank baits. Bandit 300 Series crank baits are popular with anglers. Baits with pink, orange or chartreuse in the color pattern are good, he said.

Walleye are biting nightcrawler rigs in the Horseshoe Bend area.

James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said stripers are biting well from Point 5 to the dam on shad or brood minnows. Black bass are biting top-water lures early then plastic worms or deep diving crank baits later in the day. Best bass fishing is on the south end of the lake.

Catfish are biting fair on all catfish baits.

BEAVER TAILWATER Tom Steinke at Beaver Dam Store said more anglers are fly fishing now that the water level is dropping.

The top flies are midges and hare’s ears. The best bait is Power Bait and nightcrawlers.

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE

Al Perea at the lake office said all fishing is slow. A few black bass have been caught with plastic worms. Try crickets or worms for bluegill.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Mike McBride at the lake bait shop reports slow fishing for all species.

Try top-water lures or plastic worms for black bass at first light. A few flathead catfish, including a 38-pounder, have been caught with goldfish or sunfish for bait. Try crickets or worms for bluegill.

SWEPCO LAKE Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said night fishing is best for black bass. Use 10-inch plastic worms in dark colors.

ILLINOIS RIVER Stroud suggests using tube baits or grubs for black bass. Try top-water lures early.

BELLA VISTA

Nick Gann said night fishing is best for black bass on all Bella Vista Lakes. Use deep-diving crank baits such as a Bill Norman DD-22 or 10-inch plastic worms. Locate brush piles for the best fishing.

Swim baits are working for black bass early. Try crickets or worms for bluegill 15 feet deep.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass are biting at night at Lake Eucha on deep diving crank baits and 10-inch plastic worms.

TABLE ROCK LAKE

The Missouri Department of Conservation reports good bluegill fishing with worms or crickets. Black bass are biting fair early on plastic worms fished along gravel points.

Catfish are biting well on all catfish baits.