NWA Fishing Report

BEAVER LAKE

Record rain Dec. 27-28 has brought high, muddy water to Beaver and most area waterways. Aaron Jolliff at the Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said black bass fishing is tough, but not impossible.

“The water is still warm enough they’re going to be shallow,” he said. Working a spinner bait slowly around flooded bushes could be an effective tactic.

Before the high water, bass were hitting Alabama rigs, crank baits and jig and pigs.

Some big crappie were coming in before the high water. Anglers should try for crappie in the midlake area with minnows 5 to 15 feet deep around brush and docks. All boaters at Beaver Lake should use caution because of debris in the water.

BEAVER TAILWATER

Lisa Mullins at the Beaver Dam Store said anglers can expect high water below Beaver Dam for the next several weeks. Fishing from a boat will be most effective. There is little or no wadable water. Try Power Bait in bright colors tipped with a waxworm. Small jigs and small spoons are the top lures. Try larger flies in the high water such a Clouser minnows or woolly buggers. Current seams, where eddies and moving water meet, are good spots to fish in high water.

LAKES FAYETTEVILLE, SEQUOYAH

Both lakes are closed and will reopen Jan. 15.

SWEPCO LAKE

Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said Swepco may be the reservoir least affected by high water. Try plastic worms 2 to 20 feet deep. The area near the warm-water discharge from Flint Creek Power Plant is the best place to fish.

BELLA VISTA

Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista reports black bass are biting jerk baits or jig and pigs at all Bella Vista lakes. Bluegill are biting crickets or worms 10 feet deep or shallower. Trout at Lake Brittany are biting small spoons.

EASTERN OKLAHOMA

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports fair crappie fishing at Fort Gibson Lake on tube jigs and jigs at 15-20 feet around docks and brush structure. Blue catfish, channel catfish and Saugeye are fair on live shad on the bottom in the main lake and along the river channel. All other fishing slow.

TABLE ROCK LAKE

Pete Wenners at Pete’s Professional Guide Service said the lake level is high. Before the rise, black bass were hitting jigging spoons off and on in the Baxter and Campbell Point areas.

Try jerk baits or Alabama rigs in the James River arm, Wenners advised. Bluff ends or points are good spots to fish.

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