New Eureka Springs resident Rusty Ames decided he wanted to take his father out on Beaver to see what all the fuss was about on these stripers last Wednesday. We fished the dam area starting with the sunrise until about 11 a.m. Had some big fish hit that didn’t make it to the boat. Out of the three that did get netted, two were caught on gizzard shad and one on a green perch with lines down 30 – 40 ft. in water from 50 – 170 ft. deep, close to the river channel.
With the surface temperature running about 84° and the thermocline running about 28 ft. deep most all the bait and fish we marked were just running below the thermocline. The best striper fishing now is from the dam to Point 5 area. Follow the river channel close to the edge of flats, points and bluffs.
Here at Holiday Island our deepest water is about 40 ft. deep, and with the cooler water coming from the dam it seems the thermocline us closer to 12 ft. with most fish being caught just below it.
Look for walleye off the edge of the flats and the back of the creeks. Crappie and bass and a few walleye are being caught 10 – 15 ft. deep throwing and trolling crank baits that run from 12 – 15 ft. deep. Also look for bass and crappie in the deeper brush in the creeks and main river channel.
Well, I better go get some bait. Stay cool and fish close to sunrise and sunset and you should have a enjoyable day, along with fish for dinner.
Johnson Guide Service (479) 253-2258