NORTHWEST ARKANSAS - Weekly Fishing Report

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Randy Zellers (501)223-6406, e-mail: rdzellers@agfc.state.ar.us

This is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's fishing report

July 21, 2010

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,121.13 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool - 1,120 MSL).

Bailey's Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said the water temperature is in the mid 80s. Stripers have moved back to the lower section of the lake and are feeding actively. They are in their big summer school and most are being caught 25 to 40 feet deep. They are holding on steeper breaks where they have quick access to deep water and can ambush shad. Live gizzard shad will always produce nice stripers. Rocky Branch, Point 5, Indian Creek and Lost Bridge are all holding stripers depending on the time of day. Night fishing is great right now around Rocky Branch and Point 5. Shad, minnows and spoons are all catching nice whites, hybrids and stripers and even some walleye, catfish and crappie. Bombers and redfins fished on down riggers are best for catching stripers at night, along with umbrellas. Troll these baits at ab out 2.5 miles per hour. The morning bite has been over by 8 a.m., and the night bite starts around 9 p.m. For daily Beaver Lake levels and flow data go to Bailey's website and click on the Daily Beaver Lake Level and Flow info link.

JT's Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass have been biting well, early and late, on top-water plugs fished along gravel banks that have cover. During the day, fish Carolina and Texas rigged soft plastics over main lake points, flats, and humps and along steep gravel banks or close to standing timber and docks. For night fishing, work dark soft plastics along gravel banks. Crappie are hitting minnows under a float at 15 to 20 feet deep. Fishing around pole timber, near bluff lines or along channel drops with brush has been the most successful for crappie. Catfishing are biting well at night on liver and worms fished from the bank. White bass are biting at night on minnows fished under lights 10 to 20 feet deep. Rocky Branch north to Point 4 have been the best areas. Bluegill are biting well on worms and c rickets fished around the shade of docks and bluffs in 5 to 15 feet of water.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is at normal level and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are being caught on minnows or by trolling crankbaits. Fishing around deep brush piles has produced crappie. Bass are biting on top-water lures early and late. During the day, deep drop shots and crankbaits have been catching fish. Spinnerbaits and plastics have produced bass at night. Catfishing is good with prepared bait and shad.

Beaver Tailwater: Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said the lake level is at 1,121.27 feet and generation is starting around 1 p.m. There is low water available until generation starts. There is a wide variety of patterns that are producing catches, such as: BH simple sows, humpback scud, BH hare's ear, BH pheasant tail, San Juan worm and Zebra midges.

Kings River: Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said the recent rain has provided great floating conditions. The water is clear to slightly stained depending on your location. Fishing early and late will be best since the bite slows down in the heat of the afternoon. Clousers, crazy dads, KC's slider and other bottom bouncing flies are working well. Large white minnow imitations, such as Murdich's minnow and Shenk's white streamer, are moving larger fishing in slow moving pools. Top-water lures are working both early and late. Sneaky Pete's, Crease Fly and other large hopper patterns have been the baits of choice. Spin fishermen have been doing excellent with soft plastics bounced along the bottom. Four inch lizards, tubes and brush hogs on a 1/8 or 1/16 ounce jig head or Texas rigged worm have been working well. The best colors are watermelon, watermelon/red, green pumpkin and junebug. Try fishing buzzbaits and top-water lures during the early and late hours of the day.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is murky and at normal level. Fishing has been fair to good on Lake Fayetteville. Bream are biting on crickets and worms. Crappie are biting on minnows and jigs. White bass are being caught on minnows, crickets and small jigs. Chicken liver and nightcrawlers have been catching catfish.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is muddy and at normal level. Catfish are biting well, but bream, crappie and bass are all slow. There have not been many reports because fishermen are staying off the water because of the heat.