NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE

Fishing is excellent for black bass, crappie and striped bass, reports John Newlun at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers.

Black bass are biting on anything a fishermen likes to use, he said. A jig and pig is the hot lure, but a plastic worm may be a good choice. That was proven last week by Jason Piper of Gravette and David Dudley of Virginia.

The two fished in the Walmart FLW Tour charity tournament April 18 and brought in five bass that weighed 23 pounds, 7 ounces. They used plastic worms in the Rocky Branch area of Beaver Lake. Their catch included a 7-pound largemouth.

Spinner baits and crank baits are working well. Black bass are spawning at all areas of the lake, Newlun said.

Crappie fishing is good with minnows or jigs on the south half of the lake. Good areas include Monte Ne, Horseshoe Bend, Hickory Creek and Joe’s Creek. Lots of crappie are being caught, Newlun said. Crappie must be 10 inches or longer to keep at Beaver Lake. The daily limit is 15.

Striper fishing is good on the south end of the lake with shad or brood minnows.

Mike Whitehouse at Hickory Creek Marina said striped bass are biting in the area of Point 12 on shad or brood minnows. Crappie fishing is good with jigs or minnows two to 10 feet deep.

BEAVER TAILWATER

Lisa Mullins at the Beaver Dam Store said 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 FAYTTEVILLE

Angela Perea at the lake office said bluegill are biting crickets or worms. Crappie are biting minnows or small jigs. Black bass are biting plastic worms. Try nightcrawlers for catfish.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Mike McBride at the lake bait shop said crappie fishing is fair with minnows or jigs 2 to 8 feet deep. The larger crappie are away from the bank. Black bass are biting all kinds of lures, including plastic worms and spinner baits.

Bluegill are biting crickets or worms. Catfish are biting liver or shad.

LAKE ELMDALE

Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing Retreat said crappie fishing is fair with minnows or jigs. A good area to try is around the public fishing dock and spillway. Black bass are biting plastic worms.

SWEPCO LAKE

Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass fishing is good with soft plastics and crank baits. Try top-water lures on cloudy days.

ILLINOIS RIVER

Stroud recommends using tube baits, grubs, spinner baits for black bass. Try a jig and pig in the fast water.

BELLA VISTA

Justin McClelland at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said black bass are spawning at all Bella Vista lakes. Use plastic worms or jig and pigs. Bluegill fishing is fair six to 10 feet deep with worms or crickets. Catfish are biting fair on shrimp or nightcrawlers.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass at Lake Eucha are spawning. A four-inch lizard is a good lure to use. Also try jigs and pigs, square-billed crank baits or spinner baits.

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports excellent crappie fishing at Grand Lake on minnows around docks and in coves.

Catfish are biting cut bait 10 feet deep on the main lake. Paddlefish snagging is good in the Neosho River

TABLE ROCK LAKE

The Missouri Department of Conservation reports good bluegill fishing with worms and Beetle Spins. Crappie are biting minnows around brush. Black bass are spawning. Fishing is fair along gravel banks with jig and pigs or Ned rigs.

White bass fishing is good in the upper James River arm on minnows or lures that imitate them.

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