Got to love this weather. With cooler temperatures, a few things start to happen on the river and the lake. Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Robert Kennedy with a nice 22-in. fall walleye caught in the Beaver Tailwaters proves it!
On the river, we get to look forward to the trout spawn. With the lake, we start to notice the turnover process. This happens when the water temperature equalizes throughout the lake, allowing the water to circulate and replenish oxygen and distribute nutrients.
Just like last week, fishing has been pretty good. We have been getting great results using Pautzke Fire Bait, rainbow or peach garlic, fished with light terminal tackle on bottom.
A white or pink Fire Egg floating a nightcrawler has done great, as well. We are approaching the October spawn, and fish are on the bite. Casting ¼ oz. spoons, along with pulling flicker shads, are producing nice numbers.
Water temperatures have been pretty consistent, from Houseman Access to the dam, with slightly higher temperatures downstream towards Table Rock.
The walleye bite in the Tailwaters has been off and on. Guide Robert Kennedy stated, “Try deep diving crankbaits, jigs, spoons, spinners, mid-depth crankbaits, and worms. For night fishing, stickbaits with a rattle can be effective.
“Try to focus on chunk rock, bends and ledges. Further into Table Rock, trolling crankbaits and even a crawler harness should pick you up a few.”
For Beaver Lake striper, Reel Ozark Striper reports, “The bite has been consistently good for the months of August and September, with fish being found from Point 6 to the dam.” ROS also reports that trolling live bait works best for Beaver with shad, minnow and bream being the main source of food for highest rates of success.
The walleye bite on the lake has slowed a bit, but they can still be found. Troll the humps, points and gravel bars with the slope, and aim for about 20 feet of water. Crawler harness and flicker shad have been the method of choice. Also look around the islands near Prairie Creek and Rocky Branch.
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