NWA FISHING REPORT

Beaver Lake: Anglers are slowly making their way back to the lake after last week’s winter weather.

Aaron Jolliff at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said black bass can be caught on jerk baits, shallow-diving crank baits or Alabama rigs.

Crappie are biting around stumps in shallow water from Hickory Creek park up into the White and War Eagle river arms.

Average water temperature is 45 to 46 degrees.

Garland Villines at Hickory Creek Marina recommendsusing jigs for crappie around lay-down trees. Anglers are averaging 8 to 10 keepers per trip. Black bass are biting crank baits and jig and pigs.

Jason Piper at J.T. Crappie Guide Services said crappie fishing will be best on warm, sunny days. Fishing is in a winter pattern.

Look for crappie to suspend above brush piles and around timber over 20 to 40 feet of water. Bluff lines, docks and channel ledges should be good places to fish through February.

Try a Bobby Garland babyshad grub and let it flutter down beside the timber or toward a brush pile. Good areas to fish include White River arm, Point 12, Pine Creek and Monte Ne.

White River below Beaver Dam: Lisa Mullins at the Beaver Dam Store said trout are biting white or yellow Power Bait tipped with a waxworm. Worms or nightcrawlers are also good.

The best lures are Colorado spoons or micro jigs tipped with a waxworm. Top flies include gray midges orY2K bugs.

Mullins said walleye are always worth a try when winter arrives. Try fishing between U.S. 62 bridge and Houseman Access with Flicker Shads in fire-tiger or orange colors.

Lake Fayetteville: Dolly Black at Lake Fayetteville boat dock said the lake thawed in the last couple of days, so there is no fishing report.

Lake Sequoyah: Mike McBride at Lake Sequoyah bait shop said the lake has been frozen, so no report.

Lake Atalanta: JamesWhittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Roger said trout are biting Power Bait or small spoons.

Swepco Lake: Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said largemouth bass are biting a variety of soft plastics 2 to 20 feet deep. Steep, rocky banks are the best places to fish.

Bella Vista: Justin McClelland at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said trout are biting Power Bait and spoons at Lake Brittany.

Black bass are biting shallow-diving crank baits orjig and pigs at all Bella Vista lakes.

Upper Table Rock Lake: J.D. Fletcher at Eagle Rock, Mo., said there has been little fishing activity. No report this week.

Eastern Oklahoma: The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports largemouth bass fishing is fair at Lake Tenkiller with crank baits along bluffs.

Crappie are fair on jigs at Tenkiller 25 feet deep around brush or docks.

No report from lakes Grand or Eucha.

Outdoor, Pages 6 on 12/19/2013

Upcoming Events