Start looking for walleye north to Holiday Island and south all the way to Houseman Access if you’re fishing Table Rock, for the water is clear and they’re moving up. More shorts are being caught than ones over 18 inches, but the bigger females will be following very soon.
Jigs tipped with a minnow, night crawlers on a bottom bouncer with a double hook worm harness off the bottom will catch, or just troll some crankbaits that will get down to them. Flicker Shad are my best for bright colors and different depths. Just put them out trolling between 1.5 and 2.2 mph, then put in rod holders and warm your hands with hand warmers in your jacket pockets.
There’s some good fish to be caught in the winter with fewer boats in the water, which is good and bad. Just be prepared because being alone can mean you’re alone if something goes wrong. Don’t forget the cell phone and it’s a good idea to have a partner with you. You need that also to verify the one that got away.
Look for crappie and bass to be holding close to the bluffs in the river channel and deeper creek arms. Deep treetops in the water are a benefit, as is a north shoreline that blocks the north wind and has the sun warning the rocks.
Limits of Beaver Lake stripers are still being caught from Prairie Creek to Point 12 south of Hickory Creek Park. Both have good boat launches to get your boat in. Your cleanest water will be in the Prairie Creek and 12 Bridge area. If you don’t see any surface activity watch your graph and work a spoon, 1 or 2 oz. jig with a tail, or just drop a big brood shiner down to them which should be close to 30 feet where they’re holding.
Well, that’s about it for this week. We’re offering a $40 discount + the 3rd person free on our 2020 Guided trips if in the books by February 15. Stay warm and enjoy these Ozarks. fishofexcellence.com (479) 253-2258