BEAVER LAKE
Fishing is good for black bass, striped bass and crappie.
James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said crappie are biting well on the south end of the lake, from Hickory Creek park toward the south. Minnows or jigs are working. A good jig color is a black or red body with a chartreuse tail. Crappie are three to 12 feet deep around brush and stick-ups.
Black bass are biting spinner baits and crawdad-colored crank baits. A double-bladed spinner bait with one red or orange blade is working best, Whittle said.
Striped bass are biting on the south end of the lake near Point 12 and on the north end from Point 5 to the dam. Shad and brood minnows are the best baits.
Walleye are biting in shallow water near Beaver Dam. Try nightcrawler rigs or brood minnows.
Cool nights are keeping the water temperature down. Average water temperature is 55 to 59 degrees.
Jeff Rowden at Hickor y Creek Marina said crappie are biting five to 15 feet deep in minnows or jigs. The largest crappie are 10 to 15 feet deep.
Black bass are biting jigs or square-billed crank baits. Schools of white bass have been surfacing in Big Hickory cove near the marina. A white jig or small top-water lure should work for these.
BEAVER TAILWATER
Lisa Mullins at the Beaver Dam Store said walleye are biting between Houseman Access and the town of Beaver. Try trolling crank baits in shad or crawdad colors.
The best bait for trout is white or yellow Power Bait. Combine it with a nightcrawler or waxworm for best results. Good lures include small spoons or countdown Rapalas. Top flies are midges or green-colored hare’s ears.
LAKE FAYETTEVILLE
Employees at the lake office say crappie are biting jigs.
LAKE SEQUOYAH
Mike McBride at the lake bait shop said crappie are biting fair on jigs or minnows three feet deep. Black bass are biting all kinds of lures, including plastic worms and spinner baits.
Catfish are biting liver or shad. Redear are biting worms or crickets.
LAKE ELMDALE
Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said crappie fishing is off and on. Try minnows or a white jig tipped with a crappie nibble. Fish eight to 12 feet deep. The area of the public dock and spillway is a good place to try.
Black bass are biting squarebilled crank baits. Bluegill are biting worms or crickets three feet deep. Redear are biting worms 10 feet deep.
SWEPCO LAKE
Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass are biting plastic worms or swim baits two to 20 feet deep.
ILLINOIS RIVER
Stroud recommends using small plastic worms or plastic lizards. Grubs, tube baits and Rooster Tails should also work. Try a black or chartreuse Rooster Tail.
EASTERN OKLAHOMA
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation report excellent crappie fishing at Grand Lake with minnows or jig. Fish in coves and around docks and brush. Black bass are biting four-inch swim baits.
TABLE ROCK LAKE
Pete Wenners at Pete’s Professional Guide Service said black bass are beginning to spawn. Flat gravel pockets are good places to fish with small plastic worms or Ned rigs.