NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE

Anglers are starting to trickle back to the lake after the cold weather in January. Reese Jones at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said he’s heard few reports.

He recommends casting jerk baits, crank baits, jig and pigs or Alabama rigs for black bass. Points with timber or shorelines with large rock are always good targets.

Try for crappie 10 to 20 feet deep around timber, brush piles or along flats on the south half of the lake. A good crappie jig color is a black or red body with a chartreuse tail. Try for striped bass on the south half of the lake with brood minnows or shad.

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.

Boating is difficult between Beaver Dam and Spider Creek because of low water. Power generation at Beaver Dam may take place on chilly mornings and also in the evening. This creates higher water and swifter flow.

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE

Angela Perea at Lake Fayetteville Marina recommends fishing for crappie with minnows or jigs. Try different depths. Plastic worms may work to catch black bass.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Angler Mike McBride said the lake is at a normal level, but all fishing is slow and the water is muddy. Catfish may bite liver on any catfish bait in the muddy water.

BELLA VISTA

Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista recommends fishing for trout at Lake Brittany with white or yellow Power Eggs. Try for black bass with jig and pigs or jerk baits.

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 fishing is slow. Big swim baits are good to use in February, he said. Large or small plastic worms are usually productive.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

Stroud recommends fishing for black bass at Lake Eucha with Alabama rigs, jerk baits or jig and pigs.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports fair fishing at Lake Tenkiller for black bass with crank baits, jig and pigs or plastic worms along points or rock. Crappie are biting fair on minnows or jigs around docks or brush on the main lake. Catfish are biting fair on liver, cut bait.

TABLE ROCK LAKE

Focused Fishing Guide Service said black bass can be caught 30 to 70 feet deep with a drop-shot rig or jigging spoon. Shallower fish can be caught with crawdad-colored crank baits. Fish where rock transitions to gravel. Jerk baits or jig and pigs may also work.