Pictured is Rod from Nebraska, who caught this very nice smallmouth with Austin Kennedy of Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service.
Fishing on the Beaver Tailwaters continues to be a mixed bag as we move through August. Trout numbers are still below what we would normally expect for this time of year, but fishing has improved some, and there are definitely fish to be caught if you’re willing to adjust throughout the day.
Rainbow & Brown Trout
Rainbow trout are making up the majority of the trout we’re catching right now. We’ve been finding fish by drifting Pautzke Fire Bait, Fire Worms, and other small natural presentations. When the water is moving, pay close attention to your weight. You want enough to get the bait into the strike zone without having it dragging unnaturally along the bottom.
There are still some nice brown trout in the system as well. Numbers aren’t high, but we’ve had encounters with some quality browns lately. Larger artificial presentations can be worth throwing when conditions are right, especially when generation gets some water moving.
Guide Tip: Don’t get married to one spot. With the lower trout numbers we’re seeing, covering water can make a huge difference. If you’ve made several good passes without getting bit, go hunting.
Walleye: Don’t forget about the walleye! We’re continuing to see walleye throughout the tailwaters. Jigging soft plastics, trolling crankbaits, and working presentations close to the bottom can all produce fish. Pay particular attention to changes in depth, current and bottom structure. Walleye don’t always announce themselves on your electronics with a giant school. Sometimes a handful of marks close to the bottom is all the clue you’re going to get.
Bass & Bluegill: From Beaver town downstream toward Holiday Island, spotted bass and bluegill continue to provide another option when the trout aren’t cooperating. Crankbaits are producing bass, while a Carolina rig with a nightcrawler remains a simple and effective way to target bluegill and other panfish.
This stretch can make for a fun multi-species day. Some days the trout decide they’re going to make you work for every bite, so there’s nothing wrong with changing the game and going after something else.
Generation & Conditions: Generation continues to play a major role in how we approach the river. The Corps has generally been running water during the afternoon, but generation schedules can change, so always check the latest schedule before heading out.
When that water starts moving, don’t keep fishing exactly the way you were during low water. Fish reposition, current seams change, and your presentation may need more weight or a completely different approach.
Guide Tip: Fish the water you have, not the water you had two hours ago. The fish didn’t suddenly earn a PhD when the generators came on. Their living room just got rearranged.
Overall Outlook: The Beaver Tailwaters are still going through an unusual year. Trout numbers remain lower than we’d like due to the hatchery issues we’ve discussed throughout the season, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t good fishing opportunities.
We’re still catching trout, finding walleye, and taking advantage of the bass and panfish farther downstream. The biggest key right now is being willing to adapt.
Don’t head to the river determined to make one technique work all day. Watch the water, pay attention to what the fish are telling you, and adjust.
That’s fishing, and the Beaver Tailwaters have a way of reminding you of that pretty regularly!
Austin Kennedy, Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service
Beaver Lake water level: 1119.97 ft. Water temperature: 83.1°F – 86.4°F
Striped bass are currently roaming Beaver Lake and feeding heavily on threadfin shad. Trolling live shad, minnows, or bream—as well as artificial shad-imitating lures—is producing great results.
Target areas with water depths ranging from 50 to more than 200 feet, focusing primarily on the stretch from Prairie Creek to Beaver Dam. Drop your baits into the 25- to 60-ft. range and work the entire water column until you locate the bite, then adjust your depth accordingly.
Keep in mind that the mid-morning to late-afternoon bite can be tough, though certainly not impossible. Get out there and wet a line before temperatures drop and the lake turns over. Tight lines!
Xieng Chanthavong, Hooked on Fishing
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