BEAVER LAKE
Black bass are biting plastic worms, swim baits or jig and pigs in clear and muddy water.
James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said most anglers are bass fishing north of the muddy water. The south half of the lake is stained to muddy. The north half is clear. Crappie are biting where they were before the lake rose several feet, he said. Anglers are catching them 15 feet deep with minnows or jigs. No reports on other species.
Mike Whitehouse at Hickory Creek Marina said there is little fishing activity on the south end of the lake because of muddy water. Try spinner baits for black bass. Beware of timber floating in the water.
BEAVER TAILWATER
Lisa Mullins at Beaver Dam Store reports quality trout being caught in the trophy management area by fly fishermen. Try sow bugs, hare’s ears and midges in olive, blue or black and gold. The best lures are small spoons in gold-silver or gold-red. Bait fishermen should try Power Bait in bright colors.
LAKE FAYETTEVILLE
Al Perea at the lake office said bluegill are spawning and biting crickets or worms. Crappie fishing has slowed. Some are being caught with minnows or small jigs three to seven feet deep. Try spinner baits for black bass.
LAKE SEQUOYAH
Mike McBride at the lake bait shop said catfish are biting well on liver or shad. Try spinner baits for black bass.
LAKE ELMDALE
Lucky Key at Duck Camp Fishing retreat said anglers are catching some whopper bluegill on worms and crickets. Key and a friend caught a mixed catch of fish using minnows and crickets. They had eight channel catfish, six bluegill, five crappie and a largemouth bass that in total weighed 37 pounds, 10 ounces. Key said fishing is best in the hours before a storm approaches.
SWEPCO LAKE
Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass are biting a variety of soft plastic lures. Try top-water lures at dawn and dusk.
SILOAM SPRINGS LAKE
Stroud recommends using plastic worms or square billed crank baits for black bass. Go with minnows five to 10 feet deep for crappie.
BELLA VISTA
Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista reports fair black bass fishing at Lake Windsor with jig and pigs or swim baits and top-water lures. Bluegill are biting at all the Bella Vista lakes eight to 10 feet deep.
EASTERN OKLAHOMA
Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs recommends fishing for black bass at Lake Eucha with jig and pigs or plastic worms. Try trolling for crappie with medium-diving crank baits in shad colors.
TABLE ROCK LAKE
The Missouri Department of Conservation reports good crappie fishing around docks and timber with minnows or jigs. Black bass fishing is good with swim baits and spinner baits in coves. Catfish are biting well in the James River arm on nightcrawlers, liver and cut bait. Pete Wenners at Pete’s Professional Guide Service said the lake has risen several feet. Try spinner baits or flipping a jig and pig or creature bait around flooded bushes.