Beaver
Lake: As
of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s
elevation at 1,120.25 feet MSL (Normal conservation pool – 1,120
MSL).
Bailey’s
Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said fishing has
been slow, but the action is picking up. Stripers are feeding as daily
temperatures continue to rise near the 60-degree mark. The bait is
staying near the surface, looking for the warmest water. The white
bass run should be in full swing by April 1. Look for birds feeding
on the surface of the water and fish just upstream of them for schools
of stripers and whites. Most fish are 8-20 feet deep. Free-lining and
flat-lining live shad are the best techniques to use. Trolled crankbaits
and umbrella rigs also will produce. Try trolling Redfins, Rapalas
and other shallow plugs about 150 feet behind the boat. Use planer
boards to spread out your efforts and locate active fish. For daily
Beaver Lake levels and flow data go Bailey’s Web
site and click on the Daily Beaver Lake Level and Flow info link.
On the White River, from the Highway 12 bridge to the mouth of War
Eagle up to the boat ramp at Natural Walk, fish are biting well. Fish
activity is also picking up in Hickory Creek and Horseshoe Bend. Birds
are feeding consistently in Prairie Creek, and this should be a good
area to fish. Look for fish from the islands to the bridge. Around
Copper Mine, points 8, 9 and 10 are holding some fish. There is a lot
of birds and bait around Rocky Branch. Look near the bluffs by the
marina, in front of the marina along the gravel bank across the bay
to the "big rock." The shad are about 5-20 feet deep and the stripers
are scattered from 8-35 feet deep. Several trophy fish have been taken
here. On the main lake, try fishing jigging spoons 20-60 feet deep
in around points 5, 6, 8, 9 and 10.
JT’s
Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has
been spotty. Try working slow-rolled 3/8-oz. white/chartreuse spinnerbaits
over main lake points and humps with timber. A crawdad-colored Wiggle
Wart also has been productive along chunk rock banks. Crappie fishing
has been good. They have been most active on sunny afternoons and can
be found suspended around pole timber and above brush piles in 12 to
25 feet of water near feeder creeks and main lake channels. A small
tube jig tipped with a minnow and minnows under a slip-cork have been
productive. The best areas have been near War Eagle Marina, Blue Springs
and Niel's Bluff. White bass have been gathering on points in coves
and up the creek arms. Look for baitfish and use ¼-oz. jigging
spoons.
Southtown Sporting
Goods (479-443-7148) said
the water is still very cold. Crappie are fair on minnows in the creek
arms of the lake. Bass are fair on jerk baits. Walleye are biting well
on minnows and jigs.
Beaver
Tailwaters: Zachary Hoyt at Just
Fishing Guides said
periods of low water are becoming more prevalent. There have been
many afternoon midge hatches on sunny days. Tiny gray/silver zebra
midges have been picking up a lot of trout when the water is down.
There are some walleye that have moved up into the tailwater. Just
make sure you are not using bait when you fish for them in the
special regulations area.
Kings River: Just
Fishing Guides said
the water levels are very good for floating and fishing. Water
temps are in the low 40s, so remember to fish slow and on the bottom.
Lake
Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is still too
cold for much productive fishing. Bass are fair. All other species are
slow.
Lake
Sequoyah: Lake
Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said
the water is high and clear. Crappie are biting well on minnows and
jigs fished around trees and brush in 1-6 feet of water. Catfishing
is slow on chicken liver and shad in 10-12 feet of water.
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