NWA FISHING REPORT

Beaver Lake: Fishing remains tough at Beaver Lake, but at least anglers can get to the water. Ice has prevented fishing on frigid days at smaller lakes.

John Newlun at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said crappie at Beaver Lake can be caught in the midlake area, but the catching is slow. Aaron Jolliff and Nicky Parson caught 10 crappie last week in the Horseshoe Bend area. They used shad-colored grubs.

Black bass fishing is slow, Newlun said. Anglers are catching one or two bass per trip, or none at all. Alabama rigs or deep-diving jerk baits are the most effective lures.

Stripers are biting near Bear Island and Deer Island north of the Arkansas 12 bridge and in the Monte Ne area. Try brood minnows 20 to 30 feet deep over deeper water, Newlun advised.

Jason Piper at J.T. Crappie Guide Services said anglers should find crappie suspended 10 feet deep in water that is 20 to 50 feet deep. Herecommends using a Bobby Garland baby shad or a tube jig. Try a minnow under a bobber.

Fish near docks, bluffs and timber.

Good areas to try include Blue Springs, Hickory Creek, Eden’s Bluff and Monte Ne.

Steve McClelland at Hickory Creek Marina said crappie can be caught, but they are scattered and the catching is slow. A party of anglers caught 16 crappie on Sunday, but they had to work several areas.

Black bass fishing is slow.

The south end of the lake has been icing over on frigid mornings, he said.

White River below Beaver Dam: James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said trout fishing is excellent with Power Bait, Rooster Tails or small spoons. Anglers report catching and releasing high numbers of trout, mainly with spoons.

Lake Fayetteville: No report this week.

Lake Sequoyah: Mike McBride at Lake Sequoyah bait shop said crappie are bitingjigs or minnows 4 to 10 feet deep. Ice conditions vary from day to day, he said.

Swepco Lake: James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker said black bass are biting fair on soft plastics 8 feet deep. A few top-water bass have been caught.

Bella Vista: Nick Gann at Hook, Line and Sinker said ice on the lakes has prevented most fishing. Trout fishing has been good at Lake Brittany with Power Bait or small spoons when the lake isn’t iced over.

Upper Table Rock Lake: James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers recommends using an Alabama rig to catch black bass.

Eastern Oklahoma: The Oklahoma Department of Conservation reports fair to good crappie fishing in the heated docks at Lake Hudson with minnows or jigs 12 feet deep. Blue catfish are biting cut bait in the upper part of the lake.

No report from lakes Grand or Eucha.

Outdoor, Pages 6 on 01/30/2014

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