Beaver Lake: Black bass are biting Alabama rigs, jerk baits and crank baits, reports Aaron Jolliff at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers. Bluff ends and points are the best areas to fish.
Stripers up to 25 pounds have been caught in the Prairie Creek area on shad. Water temperature is in the low 40s.
Jason Piper at J.T. Crappie Guide Services said crappie fishing is best in the afternoon. Look for crappie to suspend from 1 to 10 feet deep over water that is 20 to 45 feet deep and close to a channel.
Fish near docks, along bluffs and tree lines. A Bobby Garland Baby Shad or a tube jig has been working well.
Another option is to use a minnow 5 to 8 feet deep.
Good areas to try include Pine Creek, War Eagle Marina, Monte Ne and Horseshoe Bend.
Garland Villines at Hickory Creek Marina said the water is muddy from rain and snow melt. There is little fishing activity in the area.
Beaver tailwater: Lisa Mullins at the Beaver Dam Store said trout are bitingwhite, orange or chartreuse Power Bait. Tip the bait with a waxworm for the best results.
The best lures are a micro jigs tipped with a waxworm.
The top flies are olive or black woolly buggers. Scuds and sowbugs should also work.
Lakes Fayetteville, Sequoyah: The lakes are closed and will re-open on Jan. 15.
Swepco Lake: Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said fishing is good with plastic worms, and other soft plastics are working well 1 to 10 feet deep.
James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said small swim baits are working at Swepco. Top-water plugs are worth a try. Two 4-pound largemouths were caught with top-water lures during a tournament on Saturday.
Bella Vista: Justin McClelland at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said largemouth bass are biting jig and pigs and jerk baits on all Bella Vista lakes.
Trout are biting well at Lake Brittany on Power Bait and small spoons.
Outdoor, Pages 6 on 01/02/2014