NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE

Black bass are biting Alabama rigs, jig and pigs and crank baits, but James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said fishing is slow.

Most anglers are fishing between Rocky Branch park and the dam to avoid muddy water. Chunk-rock banks and points are good places to try.

Crappie fishermen are heading to the upstream end of the War Eagle arm where the water is clearing. Try jigs 15 to 20 feet deep. Average water temperature is 43 to 49 degrees.

A party of anglers reported catching walleye with nightcrawlers rigged on bottom bouncers, Whittle said.

Steve McClelland at Hickory Creek Marina said the south end of the lake is muddy. A few crappie have been caught in the upstream area of the War Eagle arm, but fishing is slow, McClelland said. Try minnows or jigs for crappie. There is still a lot of debris in the water, he added.

BEAVER TAILWATER

Lisa Mullins said some areas are now suitable for wade-fishing. Try fly fishing with egg patterns and large-sized nymphs.

Top bait is Power Bait in bright colors. Tip the bait with a waxworm for best results. Good lures to use include countdown Rapalas, small jigs and small spoons.

Boats can be launched at the boat ramp near the dam and at Bertrand access. The ramp at Houseman Access is covered with sand, Mullins said. Use of the Houseman ramp requires fourwheel drive.

LAKE FAYETTEVILLE

Angela Perea at the lake office said crappie are biting small jigs 10 to 20 feet deep. Try soft-plastic crawdads for black bass.

LAKE SEQUOYAH

Mike McBride at the lake bait shop said crappie are biting minnows and jigs. Fish six feet deep over eight to 10 feet of water along flats. Black bass are biting jig and pigs. Catfish are biting liver.

SWEPCO LAKE

Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said fishing for black bass is good one day, poor the next. Try plastic worms two to 20 feet deep. Swim baits and square-bill crank baits are worth a try.

SILOAM SPRINGS LAKE

Stroud said crappie are biting minnows or jigs, but the crappie are small. Good colors are blue/ white or chartreuse/white.

ILLINOIS RIVER

Stroud suggests fishing for black bass with small tube baits or small plastic worms. Work them slowly.

BELLA VISTA

Nick Gann at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said black bass fishing is slow at all Bella Vista lakes. A few are being caught with minnows. Average water temperature is in the upper 30s.

Trout are biting at Lake Brittany on small spoons.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports fair crappie fishing at Fort Gibson Lake on minnows and jigs 15 feet deep around docks and brush. Blue catfish are fair on live shad and cut bait on bottom in the main lake.

TABLE ROCK LAKE

Pete Wenners at Pete’s Professional Guide Service recommends fishing for black bass on the eastern half of the lake. Jerk baits are working best. Crank baits and Alabama rigs may also work. Fish in shallow pockets and around docks.

One recent trip, Wenners caught five bass the entire day, but all were big. His smallest bass was 4 pounds.

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