Beaver Lake, Arkansas

[kcfisher]

Planning on fishing Beaver Lake in Arkansas in May on a 3 day trip for stripers.

Desperately need some tips on how to catch them, where to go on the lake, what tackle to use, etc.

I've heard about going at night, and using live shad about 40' deep.

Someone also mentioned going in the morning at daybreak and using some topwaters.

Where are the fish going to be? Do they hang out on flats, move up shallow as it warms up or just school around the shad?

Thanks for the help.

We were going to go with a guide but we can't do it out with our budget.

Either no guide or no go, unfortunately.

Thanks!

[BryanL]

When you get there stop in at the local B&T... The guys there should be more than willing to let you know what you will need. Spend a little money and they will share some advice, well worth the trade... Unless of course someone here is familiar with where you are going...

Bryan

[Striperjim]

Are you guys fishing off of a boat? or shore.
Do a google search on beaver lake.
Arkansas stripers has a page of info on Beaver but the info is basically identical
to ours it must be from the same source.
https://www.stripers247.com/BeaverLake.htm
I havent updated our pages yet and a lot of info needs to be updated.
Especially if the copy is being scraped.

Check the Arkansas weekly reports and the archives for tactics that produced around the same time frame.

The weekly reports are in the reference Library under weekly reports forum.
https://stripers247.com/phpBB2/forumdisplay.php?f=88
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS

Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,129.14 feet MSL.
JT’s Crappie Guide Service (479-640-3980) said bass fishing has been good in the newly flooded timber and brush on spinnerbaits. Crappie fishing has been decent, with the best action up either river arm where the water is clearest. The best bait has been minnows fished under a cork 3 to 8 feet deep around isolated stumps and trees. White bass are biting very well up either river as far as you can go. Any lure resembling a minnow will work. Stripers have been hit-and-miss with the best action up the river arms where the water clears. Live minnows and shad have produced best. Catfishing is excellent across the lake on liver and cut bait.
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clearing up, but is still high. Crappie are biting on minnows and jigs around brush. Bass are fair around brush on spinnerbaits, flukes, Rapalas, and Road Runners.

[kcfisher]

We'll be in a boat. Probably staying in Eureka Springs.

Thanks for the advice.

[JakeF]

Originally Posted by kcfisher

Probably staying in Eureka Springs.

Love that town. My wife and I spent part of our honeymoon just outside of town at Hidden Valley Guest Ranch. Very nice cabins for reasonable price,,, I definitely would recommend it.

Hmmm,,, I don't think I did any fishing on that particular trip....

[Striperjim]

The river arms would make sense now as its spring time and they will likely be heading up to try and spawn although its a false spawn. Check the water conditions also to make sure they are safe and navigateable.