Beaver Lake
Black bass fishing is tough, reports Aaron Jolliff at Hook Line and Sinker in Rogers.
Cold water and a shad kill have created difficult fishing conditions. Bass are gorging on dying shad and don't eat much. Fish are naturally sluggish in the cold water, which is around 40 degrees.
Jolliff recommends using Alabama rigs or jerk baits for black bass. He said striped bass fishing is "decent." Look for gulls feeding on shad and work those areas with brood minnows or crank baits. The midlake area is worth a try for stripers.
Fish in the White or War Eagle river arms for crappie. Try jigs, minnows or a spider rig.
Beaver tailwater
Beaver Dam Store said power generation takes place on cold mornings creating high water conditions. Drift fishing for trout in a boat may be best during high flows.
In low water, try fly fishing with woolly buggers or midges. Good midge colors are copper and black, red and silver or root beer.
For bait fishing, go with Power Bait in bright colors combined with a waxworm or nightcrawler. Good lures to try are small olive-colored jigs. Small crank baits such as Flicker Shads or countdown Rapalas are good choices.
Lake Fayetteville
David Powell at the lake office recommends fishing for crappie with hair jigs. Let the jig drop to the bottom and work it slowly toward the surface. If crappie bite, concentrate on that depth. Black bass are also biting crappie jigs.
Lake Sequoyah
Mike Carver at the lake office said black bass are biting a variety of lures, including spinner baits. Try trolling crank baits for crappie 8 to 12 feet deep.
Bella Vista
Chip Wiseman at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista recommends using Alabama rigs or jerk baits for black bass on all Bella Vista lakes.
Try for trout at Lake Brittany on Power Bait or Gulp bait. Red and gold spoons may work.
Swepco Lake
Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs recommends fishing for black bass at Swepco Lake with soft plastic lures or swim baits.
Illinois River
Stroud recommends fishing for black bass with hair jigs in dark colors. Small jerk baits may also work. Work lures slowly.
Eastern Oklahoma
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation reports black bass fishing is good at Grand Lake with Alabama rigs, crank baits or spinner baits. Fish around points, docks and rocky areas.
Crappie fishing is good with jigs, minnows or small spoons.
Try fishing for black bass at Grand Lake and Lake Eucha with Alabama rigs, crank baits or spinner baits around docks, in coves and along points. Go for catfish with stink bait, liver or cut bait.
At Lake Tenkiller, black bass fishing is fair with jig and pigs, small crank baits or soft plastic lures. Crappie are biting well on jigs or minnows.
Table Rock Lake
Focused Fishing Guide Service said the February freeze caused a shad kill that has made black bass fishing tough.
Once the shad kill is over, when the water warms somewhat, use Alabama rigs, jerk baits, swim baits or jig and pigs. Good spots to fish will be where spring-fed creeks bring warmer water into the lake.
-- Compiled by Flip Putthoff