Beaver Lake
Crappie are biting minnows 10 to 15 feet deep in the midlake area.
James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said minnows are working better than jigs. Fish either around brush piles or submerged timber.
Black bass fishing is slow. Try top-water lures early. Go with spinner baits or plastic worms at midday.
Striped bass are scattered around the lake. Fish north of the Arkansas 12 bridge, but stripers are on the move to the south half of the lake.
Mike Whitehouse at Hickory Creek Marina said the crappie are biting.
Try minnows or jigs 15 to 20 feet deep around submerged timber or manmade brush piles. Bobby Garland Baby Shads in electric chicken, monkey milk or blue ice are good colors.
No report on other species.
Beaver tailwater
Tom Steinke at Beaver Dam Store said trout are biting well for fly fishermen using size 18 midges.
Little Cleo spoons are the top lure. Trout are also biting well on Power Bait.
Lake Fayetteville
David Powell at the lake office said trolling is a good way to catch crappie and bluegill.
Troll with small jigs to catch both species. Bluegill can also be caught from the public dock with small jigs or crickets.
Lake Sequoyah
Mike McBride at the lake bait shop said catfish are on the prowl.
Flathead catfish are biting well for anglers using sunfish for bait on rod and reel. Limb lines or trotlines are not allowed at Lake Sequoyah. Flatheads from 15 to 20 pounds have been caught recently.
Crappie fishing is fair with minnows eight feet deep. Black bass are slow. Try plastic worms or spinner baits.
Swepco Lake
Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass fishing is good on all variety of soft plastic baits.
Swim baits are also working. Try top-water lures are sunrise, sunset and on cloudy days.
Illinois River
Stroud recommends casting small soft-plastic baits or buzz baits for black bass
Bella Vista
Nick Gann at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said black bass are biting top-water lures early at all Bella Vista lakes. Try plastic worms or deep-diving crank baits at midday.
Eastern Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports good fishing for catfish at Fort Gibson Lake. Fish on the main lake with shad, liver or nightcrawlers.
No report on other species.
Table Rock Lake
Peter Wenners at Pete's Professional Guide Service said black bass fishing remains tough. Try jig and pigs or plastic worms on a drop-shot rig around points and docks 15 feet deep or shallower.
Spinner baits worked shallow are a good choice for the first hour of the day.
Sports on 10/24/2017