Sean L. Conway from New Orleans got a couple 30-in. stripers last Friday in the Prairie Creek area of Beaver Lake. There’s a lot of bait and fish moving back and forth from Hickory Creek to the Prairie Creek area.
As the river cools they move north, then a good warm front like we have had this past week they move back up the river.
Getting good reports on stripers from up near the dam, but we’re going south in search of that big one that takes some muscle to get in the boat. There’s a lot more bait up that way and that’s what they want. Smaller bait will work now because that’s what they’re feeding on. We got our fish on 4 – 5 in. creek chips, about the same size as the brood shiners, you can buy from a bait store.
Water temp is staying in the low 50s which means we’re still catching with no weights, and top water baits are the thing to throw now.
Here at the Island, walleye, crappie, bass and trout are being caught off the river bends and flats, and from here to Houseman on jig and minnows and trolling crank baits that get down about 12 feet. Good places for trying off the shoreline are easy to find now with the lake down. Just drive down by both sides of Leatherwood Creek, which is the bridge by the marina that crosses on to the island.
Trout are abundant upriver with plenty if shoreline access from the dam to Houseman. Best baits are worms, marshmallows and power bait off the bottom with a sliding sinker. Small Rapala countdowns, roostertails, spoons and flicker shad are also good baits to throw.
If you keep any trout this side of Houseman make sure you have s trout stamp along with your licenses. If you’re fishing from Houseman to the dam you will need a trout stamp in your possession. All can be obtained at Wal Mart, one of our local tackle stores, or calling AG&F at 1-800-364-4263 with a card.
Want to wish all a Merry Christmas and if you can’t think of that perfect gift for the one you love we have gift certificates at a discount that are good for the whole year of 2018. Enjoy the Holidays and stay warm.