NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE

Whether to fish for black bass with fall tactics or winter methods? That is the question, said Reese Jones at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers.

Fall lures such as spinner baits, swim baits and crank baits are an option, especially on warm days. In chillier weather, winter lures such as jig and pigs, jerk baits or crawdad-colored crank baits may work.

“We really need a couple more cold fronts to kick winter fishing in gear,” he said.

For striped bass, Jones recommends fishing between Rocky Branch park and the Arkansas 12 bridge with shad or brood minnows. Have a top-water lure ready in case stripers are seen chasing shad on the surface. Reports are scarce for crappie and walleye, he said.

Average surface water temperature is in the low to mid-50s.

BEAVER TAILWATER

Austin Kennedy, fishing guide, said trout action has slowed a bit. Lots of trout caught are in the 13to 16-inch slot limit and must be released. Prepared trout baits are working. So are small Panther Martin spoons. Kennedy said the best trout fishing is from the dam to Spider Creek.

Power generation at Beaver Dam may take place on chilly mornings, creating higher water and swifter flow. Late mornings and afternoons are usually best for low-water trout fishing.

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE

Angela Perea at Lake Fayetteville Marina said crappie fishing has picked up. Anglers are catching lots of 12- to 14-inch fish. Try jigs 10 to 20 feet deep. No report on other species.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Angler Mike McBride said fishing is on the slow side. A few crappie are being caught with minnows or jigs. Try fishing for catfish from the old White River bridge with any kind of catfish bait.

BELLA VISTA

Chip Wiseman at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said trout have been stocked at Lake Brittany. Fishing is good with small spoons, worms or prepared trout bait such as Berkley Power Bait.

Try for black bass at lakes Norwood or Windsor with spinner baits, Alabama rigs or swim baits. Use minnows or jigs for crappie 10 to 20 feet deep around brush.

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

SWEPCO LAKE

Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said a variety of lures should work for black bass. Plastic worms, tube baits, spinner baits, square-billed crank baits and swim baits are all worth a cast.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports fair fishing for black bass at Grand Lake with Alabama rigs and crank baits around brush and rock. Crappie are biting fair on jigs around brush and docks. Blue catfish are biting fair on liver, cut bait and hot dog chunks.

At Lake Tenkiller, black bass fishing is fair with crank baits, jigs or plastic worms around docks and brush. Crappie are biting well on minnows or jigs around docks or brush on the main lake.

TABLE ROCK LAKE

Focused Fishing Guide Service said black bass can be caught deep or shallow. Fish 40 to 60 feet deep with a jigging spoon or drop-shot rig in creek arms where there is shad. One-third to half-way back in a creek arm has been productive.

Try a plastic worm or jig and pig 12 to 20 feet deep along points that are a mix of rock and gravel. Crank baits may work on windy days.