Pictured is BMFG Robert Kennedy who caught this nice rainbow just before the cold front arrived.
Beaver tailwaters:
Winter is starting to push fall aside, and the Ozarks are beginning to settle into that early-season chill. This is officially the time of year when the early bird doesn’t get the worm — it gets frostbite.
With the temperatures we saw from Sunday through Monday, fishing trips are best planned a little later in the day. The Corps of Engineers has been running hydrogeneration in the early mornings, helping move leftover fall debris downstream and improving water clarity.
Weather outlook for Nov. 30 – Dec. 6
Cooler air continues to move into the Ozarks, and this week will have a true early-winter feel. Today brings sunshine with highs in the mid-30s, followed by flurries and freezing temperatures on Monday. Tuesday offers a noticeable warm-up into the low 40s, and Wednesday brings partial sunshine with highs climbing into the upper 40s — likely the most comfortable day of the week.
Another cold push slides in on Thursday with clouds and the chance of a light afternoon shower, dropping highs back into the upper 30s. Friday stays chilly and overcast in the low 40s before we rebound slightly into Saturday, when mostly sunny skies lift temperatures to around 50°.
Fishing Conditions
Mornings on the Beaver tailwaters are beginning to show improvement as sunlight warms the surface layer. As always this time of year, midday through late afternoon remains the most productive window, especially during warmer midweek periods.
Light tackle continues to dominate. Pautzke Fire Bait, PowerBait, and small spoons are all producing steady catches. For anglers working artificials, downsizing remains key. Small jerkbaits and Rooster Tails, fished slow with deliberate pauses, are drawing the most consistent attention. With colder water, those pauses are even more critical — trout won’t chase far.
Weekly Game Plan
- Begin deep and slow on cold mornings and overcast days.
- Move slightly shallower and increase your retrieve just a touch during warmer midweek windows.
- Use natural colors in low light or cloud cover, and add a bit of flash during sunny, warmer afternoons.
Walleye Note
A handful of walleye are showing up in the deeper bends. They’re responding well to small crankbaits and soft plastics worked close to the bottom. As water temperatures continue dropping, expect the late-afternoon warm-up to become the best window for connecting with them.
Final Thoughts
Despite the winter chill settling in, the Beaver tailwaters should fish well this week for anglers willing to adjust with the temperature swings. Slow and patient is the name of the game on cold days — and a little brightness and life in your presentation will pay off when the afternoons warm.
Austin Kennedy, Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service
Beaver Lake:
Striper fishing has been good, water temps are cooling down and top water is starting to show up. As the water starts to cool down pay attention to the bait and where they are holding, find the bait and you’ll have some success.
Use your graph to locate good concentration of bait and work the areas. Live bait will get you the bites with big gizzards being the key to the big bites. Look around channel swings with a shallow flat close by and the stripers will be in the area. Crappie are starting to chase bait on shallow flats, and you can find them suspended over brush piles in 15 – 20 feet of water.
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