Pictured is Mike Peoples from Gentry, with his 1st Beaver Tailwaters walleye, caught with Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service.
Beaver tailwaters
Fishing conditions have been challenging this month due to steadily dropping water levels. When the Corps is not releasing water, access is limited—unless you’re running a very shallow-draft boat (around a 3-in. draft), you won’t make it upstream past the Hwy. 62 bridge. Boat positioning and timing have been critical.
Our primary focus has been on walleye, with the pre-spawn period approaching. Fish are starting to stage in predictable areas, and the most consistent bite has been pulling crankbaits along channel edges, deeper seams, and transition zones. Slow, controlled passes have been key, especially during low-light periods in the morning and late afternoon. Jig bites have been spotty but should improve as water temps continue to stabilize.
The trout bite has declined over the past couple of months, largely due to reduced stocking. Monthly stockings have not been occurring at normal levels. I spoke directly with an Arkansas Game & Fish biologist, who confirmed that stocking resumed at roughly 50% capacity in January, with plans to be near full (100%) stocking by the end of March. Once flows increase and stocking improves, trout activity should rebound quickly.
Water clarity has remained fairly good, but low water has made fish more cautious. Natural and subtle presentations are producing better results than aggressive approaches. Weather changes and any increase in flow will significantly improve overall fishing conditions.
At this point, we’re really in need of some rain—or consistent generation—to bring river and lake levels back up. Increased water will open up access, spread fish out, and improve the bite across the board.
Austin Kennedy, Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service
Beaver Lake
Striper fishing has been good, and they are feeding heavy on shad balls holding near the channel on the main lake. They have been working together with the birds so if you notice a good population of birds working and diving there’s a good chance the stripers are pushing bait to the surface.
Use your graphs if the birds are not present to locate these big bait balls and start working the area with live bait. Don’t be afraid to move if these bait balls are not holding feeding fish. Pay attention to the wind direction as it can push the bait to main lake points or flats, and hopefully there’s some feeding stripers.
Crappie are holding on brush piles in 10 – 20 ft. of water and if there’s bait in these flats they will be roaming around chasing bait. This last snow and cold front might kick off a shad kill and the game fish will be close by cleaning up all the dead bait.
Juan Granados, Hooked on Fishing
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