Beaver Lake Fishing Report

From Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,120.78 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 schools 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 about 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, 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 have been the most successful for crappie. Catfish 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 has been the best area. Bluegill are biting well on worms and crickets 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 clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets and redworms. Crappie are slow, but a few can be caught by trolling Hot and Tots, Bandits and fishing minnows. Crappie and white bass are also biting at night under lights on minnows and live shad. Bass are fair to good. At night, they are biting best on large plastic worms and black, single-bladed spinnerbaits. In the morning, top-water lures are still producing. During the day bass are a little harder to catch but shakey head and Carolina-rigged worms are working along with DD 22 and DD 16 crankbaits. Catfishing is good with chicken liver and prepared bait. The best way to catch cats is baiting trotlines, jugs and limb lines with live bait. Walleye are biting on deep-running crankbaits. Trolling live shad is catching a few stripers.

Beaver Tailwater

Ken Richards at Just Fishing Guides said water releases have been in the afternoon, and the lake level is steady around the conservation pool level. Table Rock Lake is a little over flood pool causing the tailwater to be a bit high. This can make wading difficult. Zebra midges, small woolly buggers and scud/sowbug patterns are all working well. Black, olive and gray are the best colors. Spin fishermen are doing well with Rebel brown trout patterns and Rebel Teeny Wee Craw crankbaits.