Pictured is Steve, who caught this nice Striper with Juan Granados of Hooked on Fishing LLC
Beaver Tailwaters Trout Fishing Update – October 17, 2025
Arkansas Game & Fish approved an emergency order on October 16, 2025, temporarily reducing the daily trout possession limit on the Beaver Tailwaters. Due to reduced production at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, anglers are now limited to two trout per person, per day, and no trout over 14 inches may be kept.
This regulation applies from Houseman Access to Beaver Dam and will remain in effect for 120 days. According to Christy Graham, AG&FC Trout Management Program Coordinator, this measure is temporary and intended to help balance hatchery production and resource sustainability.
As for the fishing — it’s been steady! Anglers are catching consistent numbers using Pautzke Fire Bait on light terminal tackle. During generation, drifting Fire Minnows and Fire Worms have also been producing well.
With cooler weather moving in, be sure to bundle up for your next trip out on the water. Fall conditions are setting in, and the bite remains solid!
AUSTIN KENNEDY, BUSCH MOUNTAIN FISHING GUIDE SERVICE
Beaver Lake report:
Striper fishing hasn’t been the most consistent with the lake currently turning over. A thermocline is still present 30 fet down with most fish and bait holding in deep water up to 160 feet-of-water. Use your graph to locate these bait balls and start to work the area for the feeding stripers. Make sure your bait is close to the thermocline and get creative when the fish are not very active with all the changes in the lake.
You can slow down on them to entice a bite or look for ways to get a reaction bite. We have a front coming next week so hopefully that will speed up the turnover.
Crappie are holding in brush piles in 30 f-o-w. They are using brush close to the thermocline. Water temp still holding at 75°.
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HOOKED ON FISHING LLC