NWA Fishing Report

Beaver Lake: Striped bass are biting early on the north end of the lake.

John Newlun at Hook, Line and Sinker said the best fishing is from first light to sunrise from Rocky Branch park to Beaver Dam. Anglers report some top-water action, but brood minnows fished shallow to 20 feet deep are working. Trolling an umbrella rig is another option.

Walleye are biting nightcrawlers on bottom bouncers or crank baits. Catfish are biting liver, nightcrawlers, goldfish or sunfish. Black bass and crappie fishing is slow. Of the 50 boats in the Beaver Lake Elite Series tournament on Saturday, only two had a limit of bass.

Beaver tailwater: Carl Caso at the Beaver Dam Store said power generation has eased somewhat. Trout can be caught by fishing with Power Bait on a Carolina rig. Yellow or white are good colors.

The top lures are small olive-colored jigs, or small spoons in blue/silver or gold/silver. Fly fishing with micro jigs has been good.

Lake Fayetteville: Dolly Black at Lake Faytteville boat dock said bluegill are biting crickets or worms. Catfish are biting liver. Black bass fishing is good with plastic worms.

Lake Sequoyah: Mike McBride at Lake Sequoyah bait shop said fishing early or late is best for all species. Try top-water lures, spinner baits or plastic worms for black bass. Catfish are biting liver, shad or goldfish. Bluegill are biting worms or crickets.

Lake Elmdale: Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said bluegill are biting worms 5 feet deep. Catfish are biting cut sunfish used on trotlines. Duck Camp bait shop is closed today but should reopen Friday or Saturday, Key said.

Illinois River: Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass fishing is good with tube baits, grubs or plastic lizards.

Siloam Springs Lake: Stroud recommends top-water lures early, then plastic worms later in the day.

Bella Vista: Justin McClelland at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said black bass are biting jigs, plastic worms or spinner baits 8 to 12 feet deep at all Bella Vista lakes.

Bluegill fishing is good with worms or crickets 4 to 8 feet deep. Use nighcrawlers or liver for catfish.

Eastern Oklahoma: The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports fair crappie fishing with minnows or jigs 10 feet deep around docks and structure. Catfish are biting fair on shad or worms.

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