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

June 24, 2009

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,128.66 feet MSL.

JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing is going to be best at night for quite some time. Try dark spinnerbaits or 6-inch lizards worked close to flooded cover along gravel banks. During the day, try a Texas rigged lizard or a hula grub on a football jig head and work them under shaded docks or bluff lines. Crappie fishing has been best early and late. Try trolling the main lake channel south of Hickory creek with small deep-diving crankbaits in white or firetiger, Also try fishing minnows along bluff lines 20 to 35 feet deep next to standing timber. White bass have been schooling the main lake flats early and late and can be caught on a variety of shad-imitating baits. Night fishing remains good along bluff lines and the Highway 12 Bridge under lights using minnows or shad.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is 8 to 10 feet high and clear. Bream are biting well on crickets. Crappie are biting well on minnows and small jigs in deep water. Bass are biting well on crankbaits. Catfishing is fair on trotlines baited with live bait.

Beaver Tailwaters: Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said the tailwater has been fishing very well. Generation has been very low, so wading and bank fishing are easily accomplished. Warmer days mean trout will be active from dawn till mid-morning then again later in the afternoon to evening. Afternoon fishing can be productive, but fish will be spooky and fairly deep. Copper Johns, hares ear nymphs and scuds are very productive. Watch for morning and evening midge hatches and switch to zebra or beadhead midges. Rooster Tails and pink jigs are working well in deep pools.

Kings River: Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said the water is perfect for fishing. Sunfish and smallmouth are on beds and are very aggressive. Fly-fish or spin fish with lures that get to the bottom. Green and brown colored lures are working well.

Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is clear and at normal level. The bluegill are biting well on crickets and worms. A few crappie have been caught trolling jigs and minnows. Catfishing is excellent on chicken liver and worms. Black bass are biting well on buzzbaits and crankbaits.

Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is about 2 feet high and dingy. Bream are biting fairly well on worms and crickets. Crappie are biting well around tree tops. Bass are fair in shallow water on buzzbaits and soft-plastic worms early in the morning. Catfishing is good in 8 to 10 feet of water on chicken liver and shad.