Head north by northwest for late summer fishing success

Regional fishing reports show where they’re still biting late in the season

Arkansas Wildlife Editor It’s getting late in the summer, and that means it’s project time along Arkansas waterways.

In northwest Arkansas, AGFC Fisheries staff are improving bank fishing opportunities around that area by clearing lanes of vegetation to allow better fishing. They have opened up at least 5 areas at Crystal Lake by the boat ramp access.

Staff have also removed some water willow in lanes at Bob Kidd Lake near the boat ramp access and dam.

Staff in that region will be periodically maintaining these areas to improve bank fishing at both lakes.

The goal, according to the Fisheries Division, is to have several areas around northwest Arkansas that can be more easily accessed by bank anglers during the summer when vegetation can inhibit fishing.

Only a small amount of vegetation is being removed and there is plenty of water willow on the shoreline for fish habitat.

Northwest Arkansas Fishing Reports

• Beaver Lake — As of Saturday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 1,121.28 feet msl (normal conservation pool: 1,121.43 feet msl; top flood elevation is 1,130.0 feet msl).

Jon Conklin with FishOn Guide Service (479-2333474) said Beaver Lake is holding near normal levels and water temps have climbed this last week to mid-80s. The fish have slowed a bit with the exception of walleye, which are on the uptick as of late. That being said, look for walleye off main and secondary points. You can troll crawler harnesses or deeper-diving crank baits. Lot of short walleye and some nice keepers showing up.

Stripers are still roaming from Point 6 down to the dam area. Trolling live bait at 1 mph or less is producing a few every day for anglers targeting stripers.

Crappie are mixed in the thermocline suspended and are also in deeper brush in the 20 feet range. Jigs and trolling cranks are the most productive methods.

Catfish are good up the War Eagle arm on live shad. Bream, as usual for this time of the year, are there for the taking. “Fall is coming up with some usually excellent fishing on the way,” he said.

Visit Jon’s Facebook page for latest updates, FishOn Guide Service Goshen AR.

Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) reports that walleye reports continue to be fair, with the best fishing in 25-33 feet on spoons. Bream fell off a little with fair results this week. Use redworms or crickets. Crappie also weren’t as responsive, and

Continued on Page 9 FISHING REPORTS(cont.)

the results were just hit and miss. Anglers are pulling crankbaits or throwing them minnows. Black bass are fair both early in the day and then late in the evening. Topwater baits are working, but the bass get deeper through the day and begin to work best on jigs, drop-shots and spoons.

There were no reports on catfish this week. The lake is clear and the surface temperature is ranging 8687 degrees. Water level is normal.

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— Guide Austin Kennedy (479-244-0039) said fishing the tailwater has been good this week. The trout bite is good in some places and better in others. Most have been caught on light terminal tackle using Pautzke Fire baits.

“Another method that has been doing good is drifting Fire eggs, during generation, under a float,” he says. “Adjust your float to the preferred strike zone.

This application works great in slackwater areas.

“If you have not seen it already, on my fishing Facebook (Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service) page there is a new video out on how to jig for trout.

I highly recommend it; it can be a game changer for sure.

“There are still some walleye being caught further toward Beaver town. Even though the majority of the walleye retreat back to the main lake, there are some nice schools that hang year-round in the river.

Crawler rigs and jigging live minnows have been the ticket for these guys.

“This week’s hot spot has been between Parker Bottoms and the dam. I hope you’re able to get out and catch some fish!”

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— (updated 9-2-2021) Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) reported that the lake remains murky and is at a normal level. Bream are good on redworms and crickets.

Crappie have been fair for the most part with most anglers, but a crappie specialist came by Tuesday of this week and did “really well,” they say. Use minnows or jigs. Catfishing is good on live bait. AGFC has stocked the lake with catfish recently. Black bass reports this week fell off with poor results.

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444-3475) said fishing this week has been extremely slow. The lake clarity is fairly clear, but the level has fallen about 8-10 inches below normal. The only significant reports they heard concerned catfish.

Anglers said they had fair catches, with nightcrawlers working.