Beaver Lake: The early birds get the bass when it comes to morning fishing at Beaver Lake.
James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker said top-water lures such as buzz baits and Zara Spooks are working well from first light to sunrise. Switch to jigs or plastic worms 10 to 15 feet deep later in the day.
A plastic worm rigged Carolina style is a good way to fish, Whittle said. Try points or steep, rocky banks.
Walleye can be caught, but anglers report catching only one or two per trip. Troll over points or flats with Bandit 300 series crank baits or Flicker Shads.
Crappie fishing is fair, and best on the south half of the lake, Whittle said. Use minnows or jigs 15 to 20 feet deep.
White bass can be caught with jigging spoons 20 feet deep in the midlake area.
Average water temperature at Beaver Lake is 81-83 degrees.
Garland Villines at Hickory Creek Marina said walleye are biting nightcrawler rigs in the Horseshoe Bend area.
The best way to catch crappie is with a spider rig. Spider riggers are catching crappie 17 feet deep with minnows, Villines said.
Black bass are biting top-water lures early. At night, try dark-colored spinner baits or plastic worms to catch bass.
Beaver Tailwater: Nancy Rose at the Beaver Dam Store recommends that fly fishermen use thin tippets and small flies in the extremely clear water. Try midges or small woolly buggers. A Clouser minnow is good to use in deep water.
The top lures are gold/nickel Colorado spoons or small pink jigs. Best baits are chartreuse Power Bait, red worms or waxworms.
Lake Fayetteville: Dolly Black at Lake Fayetteville boat dock said catfish are biting nightcrawlers or liver in shallow water. Bluegill are biting crickets or worms 2 to 5 feet deep.
Lake Sequoyah: Mike McBride at Lake Sequoyah bait shop said white bass fishing is excellent in the morning with small top-water lures, white jigs or any lure that resembles a one-inch shad.
Try spinner baits for black bass. Catfish are biting liver, nightcrawlers or stink bait fished near weeds.
Lake Elmdale: Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said fishing is good for bluegill and redear. Use crickets 4 feet deep under a float or worms on the bottom.
Black bass fishing is good with plastic worms in dark colors worked 8 feet deep. Crank baits and black spinner baits are also working.
Bella Vista: Justin McClelland at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said bluegill fishing is good at all Bella Vista lakes 12 to 15 feet deep with crickets. Black bass are biting jigs or crank baits 15 to 20 feet deep at all lakes. Catfish at all lakes are biting nightcrawlers or liver.
Siloam Springs Lake: Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said top-water lures are working well at sunrise.
Illinois River: Stroud recommends using small tube baits, grubs, lizards or Rooster Tails for black bass.
Eastern Oklahoma: Stroud said black bass are biting top-water lures at sunrise.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports fair crappie fishing at Grand Lake on jigs 10 to 20 feet deep around structure. Catfishing is good with cut bait or stink bait on the main lake.
-- Compiled by Flip Putthoff
Outdoors on 06/26/2014