Fresh Arkansas Fishing Reports

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Fresh Fishing Reports from Arkansas

Trout, Walleye and Stripers on Beaver
Trout, Walleye and Stripers on Beaver
September 20, 2026
Trout bite is starting to ? up for the Fall! The trout bite continues to be somewhat inconsistent, with anglers having to stay mobile and work multiple areas to find active fish. Pautzke Fire Bait has been producing, along with ¼-ounce spoons and Flicker Shads. Trout numbers remain lower than normal due to the continued decrease in stocking, so anglers should not be afraid to move if an area isn't producing. Changing colors and presentations can also make a difference once fish are located. With very little rainfall recently, the river is beginning to get quite low. Anglers operating boats should use extra caution, particularly when navigating shallow shoals, gravel bars and areas with exposed or near-surface structure. Lower water can also concentrate fish into deeper runs, holes and areas with more current, making those locations worth additional attention. Walleye continue to be caught between Beaver Town and Holiday Island. Slower presentations have been the most productive, with soft plastics continuing to account for fish. Focus on deeper holes, current seams, transitions and areas where moving water meets slower water. Working baits slowly and keeping them near the bottom has been a better approach than fishing aggressively. Overall, anglers willing to cover water, adjust presentations and pay attention to changing depth and current are still finding fish throughout the Beaver Tailwaters. Beaver Lake: 1,113.99' | Water Temp: 79.3°F – 85.8°F Stripers have been feeding heavily throughout the day, with major bite windows at sunrise and right before sunset, alongside steady minor activity in between. With water temperatures remaining warm, most fish are holding in deep water from the Hwy 12 bridge down to the Beaver Lake Dam. Key spots to scan include deep coves, main-lake and secondary points, channel swings, bluffs, humps, and island drop-offs. Trolling live shad, minnows, or bream—ranging from slow drifting to faster trolling speeds—remains highly productive. Deep-diving chrome lures have also been having their days, so keep a few handy in your tackle box. These stripers are on the move, so graphing with your sonar before setting lines will consistently produce better results. Focus your searches on depths ranging from 40 to 200+ feet of water. Because of the elevated water temps, catching your limit and calling it a day is still the best practice to keep stress off the fish and ensure survival.
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Beaver Tailwater & Beaver Lake Fishing R
Beaver Tailwater & Beaver Lake Fishing R
August 6, 2026
Beaver Tailwaters & Beaver Lake Fishing Report Fishing across the Beaver Tailwaters and Beaver Lake continues to provide opportunities for anglers targeting a variety of species. While some patterns are changing as we move through the summer, there are still plenty of fish to be caught if you're willing to adjust your approach. Beaver Tailwaters Trout fishing has improved slightly over the past week, although overall numbers remain lower than normal. Anglers are finding success drifting Pautzke Fire Bait, Fire Worms, and nightcrawlers under a float during lower water conditions. Small spoons, inline spinners, and marabou jigs are also producing fish, especially during slower generation periods. The bite has been most consistent during lower, stable flows. Walleye continue to be caught throughout the tailwaters. Jigging soft plastics along current seams and rocky structure or trolling crankbaits during periods of generation has been the most productive pattern. Focus on deeper runs and current breaks where fish are holding. The Corps of Engineers has been generating water primarily during the mid-afternoon, so anglers should monitor the generation schedule before heading out. Water levels can change quickly, affecting both fish location and wading conditions. Spotted bass and bluegill continue to provide steady action between Beaver Town and Holiday Island. Medium-diving crankbaits are producing spotted bass around rock banks and current breaks, while bluegill are being caught on Carolina rigs tipped with nightcrawlers in slower pools and deeper water. We're hopeful trout numbers continue improving as we move toward the cooler months, when fishing typically becomes more consistent. Beaver Lake Beaver Lake continues to produce a solid mixed-species bite. Walleye are still being caught consistently, but locating schools of baitfish has been the key to finding active fish. Once bait is located, walleye are usually nearby. Trolling crawler harnesses and crankbaits or vertically presenting soft plastics around structure has been producing fish. The black bass bite remains strong, with smallmouth, largemouth, and spotted bass all providing good action. Rocky points, bluff ends, brush piles, and main lake structure continue to hold fish, especially during the early morning and late evening hours. Crankbaits, soft plastics, jigs, and topwater lures are all producing depending on conditions. Crappie fishing has been good during the morning hours while trolling, but as the sun gets higher, anglers are finding the best success by moving to brush piles and fishing them thoroughly. Slow presentations with jigs or live minnows around cover continue to produce quality fish. As always, weather conditions, wind direction, water movement, and baitfish activity can change the bite from day to day. Staying mobile and adjusting your presentation to current conditions will greatly increase your success. Whether you're fishing the cool waters below Beaver Dam or exploring the open waters of Beaver Lake, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a productive day on the water.
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Beaver Lake / Beaver Tailwaters
Beaver Lake / Beaver Tailwaters
August 1, 2026
? Beaver Tailwaters & Beaver Lake Fishing Report ? Fishing continues to be productive across Northwest Arkansas, with opportunities available on both the Beaver Tailwaters and Beaver Lake. Summer patterns are in full swing, and anglers who stay flexible and adjust throughout the day are finding success. Beaver Tailwaters: Trout fishing remains fair, with anglers catching fish on a variety of baits and techniques. While trout numbers can vary from day to day, there are still plenty of opportunities to put together a fun trip. Our multi-species trips continue to be a great option, with chances to catch walleye, white bass, spotted bass, crappie, sunfish, and perch all in the same outing. Water conditions remain favorable, and every trip offers something a little different. Beaver Lake: Beaver Lake continues to produce quality fish for anglers targeting multiple species. Walleye, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, catfish, and crappie are all being caught. Fish are following baitfish, so covering water and staying mobile has been the key to success. Early mornings and late evenings have been the most productive during the summer pattern, but fish can be caught throughout the day with the right approach. Whether you're looking to catch your first trout, chase trophy walleye, or enjoy an action-packed multi-species trip, now is a great time to get on the water. Every day is different, but we'll work hard to put you on fish and make sure you have a memorable experience. We look forward to fishing with you! Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service
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Beaver Tailwater / Beaver Lake
Beaver Tailwater / Beaver Lake
July 21, 2026
Fishing conditions across Northwest Arkansas continue to improve as we move deeper into summer. While some patterns have changed from earlier in the season, anglers willing to stay mobile are continuing to enjoy quality catches on both **Beaver Lake** and the **Beaver Tailwaters**. Beaver Tailwaters Fishing Report Rainbow trout fishing remains a little challenging compared to a normal summer. The reduced trout stocking caused by last year's hatchery losses at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery continues to impact catch rates throughout the White River system. While we're still catching trout on nearly every trip, anglers should expect quality over quantity until stocking numbers fully recover. Current regulations remain in place because of those hatchery losses. The good news is that our **Beaver Tailwaters Multi-Species Trips** have been producing excellent action. Clients are consistently catching a variety of fish, including: * Walleye * White Bass * Sunfish * Crappie * Spotted Bass The Army Corps of Engineers has also begun reducing generation compared to the heavier releases seen over the past several weeks. As flows continue to stabilize and colder water conditions become more consistent, we expect the trout bite to steadily improve heading into late summer. Beaver Tailwater Conditions * Water clarity: Good * Water temperature: Cold and suitable for trout * Generation: Releases beginning to slow * Trout bite: Fair * Multi-species bite: Good to Excellent Beaver Lake Fishing Report Beaver Lake continues to produce excellent fishing, but mobility is the key to success. Walleye are constantly changing locations as they follow baitfish and adjust to changing conditions. Once active schools are located, anglers are seeing excellent catch rates. Catfish fishing has followed a similar pattern. Fish have been grouped together, and once they're located, the action can be outstanding. Bass fishing remains strong during the early morning and late evening hours, with fish relating to baitfish, points, secondary points, and main-lake structure. Crappie continue holding around brush piles and standing timber positioned above the thermocline, providing consistent action for anglers targeting structure. Beaver Lake Conditions * Water temperature: Mid to upper 80s * Water level: Near normal summer pool with a gradual seasonal decline. * Water clarity: Clear to lightly stained depending on location * Thermocline: Approximately 28–32 feet * Walleye: Good * Catfish: Good * Bass: Good * Crappie: Good Whether you're looking to chase trophy walleye on Beaver Lake, catch a mixed bag of species in the Beaver Tailwaters, or enjoy a relaxing day targeting trout, there are still plenty of opportunities to put fish in the boat. **Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service** provides guided fishing trips on both Beaver Lake and the Beaver Tailwaters near Eureka Springs, Arkansas. If you're planning a fishing trip to Northwest Arkansas, now is an excellent time to get on the water before fall patterns begin developing.
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Arkansas Fishing Calendar

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What anglers said about fishing in Arkansas

Book with and listen to Cody! He’ll make you a fisher of the great White River!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book with and listen to Cody! He’ll make you a fisher of the great White River!
Outsiders Guide Service
Outsiders Guide Service
Book a stay at Jenkins Motel before the trip. The road to town is narrow and winding: or ”crooked and squiggly” as the road sign said. Not easy to mavigate at night. The motel is very clean and comfortable, reasonably costing neawly renovated rooms in historic motor inn, 1/2 a mile to the boat landing and best in town.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book a stay at Jenkins Motel before the trip. The road to town is narrow and winding: or ”crooked and squiggly” as the road sign said. Not easy to mavigate at night. The motel is very clean and comfortable, reasonably costing neawly renovated rooms in historic motor inn, 1/2 a mile to the boat landing and best in town.
Jenkins Fishing Service
Jenkins Fishing Service
Sky, our guide, did a great job making us comfortable and then cleaned all the fish. Just be sure to dress for the weather, bring sunscreen and water. Sky was exceptional with our daughter who had never fished before.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Sky, our guide, did a great job making us comfortable and then cleaned all the fish. Just be sure to dress for the weather, bring sunscreen and water. Sky was exceptional with our daughter who had never fished before.
Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service
Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the lake and the fish species we selected. Make sure to dress for weather. Don't forget drinks and sunglasses.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the lake and the fish species we selected. Make sure to dress for weather. Don't forget drinks and sunglasses.
Hooked On Fishing
Hooked On Fishing
Trust your guide.They are experienced on the lake and work tirelessy to ensure your trip is a success.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Trust your guide.They are experienced on the lake and work tirelessy to ensure your trip is a success.
Reel Ozark Striper
Reel Ozark Striper
Playin’ Hooke and John make this a fun experience for young and old. if you’re looking for the best, John is the one. This fishing experience is great for the whole family
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Playin’ Hooke and John make this a fun experience for young and old. if you’re looking for the best, John is the one. This fishing experience is great for the whole family
Playin Hooke Striper Services
Playin Hooke Striper Services
Caught fish all day. Jeff knows trout. It was beautiful. Fish were a good size too.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Caught fish all day. Jeff knows trout. It was beautiful. Fish were a good size too.
J & J Guide Service
J & J Guide Service
Don't book a full day. start really early; the fish are most active before and during sunrise. Book with Cpt. John.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Don't book a full day. start really early; the fish are most active before and during sunrise. Book with Cpt. John.
Playin Hooke Striper Services
Playin Hooke Striper Services
You really need a guide like Jed Harper who knows where to fish on this massive lake! It’s the difference between fishing and catching.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
You really need a guide like Jed Harper who knows where to fish on this massive lake! It’s the difference between fishing and catching.
Jed Harper Guide Service
Jed Harper Guide Service
Book with Reel Ozark striper. you will not regret it. super friendly super fun. They will get you on the fish. The end smiles for days.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book with Reel Ozark striper. you will not regret it. super friendly super fun. They will get you on the fish. The end smiles for days.
Reel Ozark Striper
Reel Ozark Striper
Spend more time fishing than you think you need, bring swimwear the lake is beautiful, bring binoculars for the awesome bank wildlife.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Spend more time fishing than you think you need, bring swimwear the lake is beautiful, bring binoculars for the awesome bank wildlife.
Elite Guide Service – Bull Shoals
Elite Guide Service – Bull Shoals
YES. safety first, technique second. felt absolutely safe to have my 12 year old in the water
Excellent
5.0 / 5
YES. safety first, technique second. felt absolutely safe to have my 12 year old in the water
Cat Snatchers Noodling
Cat Snatchers Noodling
Go with Captain Don for awesome day he will teach you as you go along with the day
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Go with Captain Don for awesome day he will teach you as you go along with the day
Reel Ozark Striper
Reel Ozark Striper
Be a little early, communicate with your guide what your experience and expectations are, get ready to have fun.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be a little early, communicate with your guide what your experience and expectations are, get ready to have fun.
J & J Guide Service
J & J Guide Service
the weather changes…. we dressed for a cold brisk morning and finished in T-shirt’s!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
the weather changes…. we dressed for a cold brisk morning and finished in T-shirt’s!
Clearwater Outfitters
Clearwater Outfitters
I was hoping for more bass or Striper but I am just learning local fishing patterns. Capt Fisher was very knowledgeable and provided guidance for the best times of year for specific species.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I was hoping for more bass or Striper but I am just learning local fishing patterns. Capt Fisher was very knowledgeable and provided guidance for the best times of year for specific species.
Fisher Davis’ Guide Service
Fisher Davis’ Guide Service
A guide from Jenkins grew up fishing on the White River…. experience matters!! Very friendly, we laughed and learned a lot…. very helpful tips to catching your fish!! It was cold but it didn’t matter… the goal of catching fish with a great experience came through. ?
Excellent
5.0 / 5
A guide from Jenkins grew up fishing on the White River…. experience matters!! Very friendly, we laughed and learned a lot…. very helpful tips to catching your fish!! It was cold but it didn’t matter… the goal of catching fish with a great experience came through. ?
Jenkins Fishing Service
Jenkins Fishing Service
Be sure to check with your captain regarding current water depth and clarity, it can have a big impact on the quantity/quality of fish you can catch.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be sure to check with your captain regarding current water depth and clarity, it can have a big impact on the quantity/quality of fish you can catch.
J & J Guide Service
J & J Guide Service
You can't second guess the weather and water conditions when scheduling a fishing trip months in advance. You just have to deal with what you have. The guide did an excellent job of adjusting to the conditions and finding fish. I would not hesitate to fish with hinm again and recommend him to other novice trout fisherpeople.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
You can't second guess the weather and water conditions when scheduling a fishing trip months in advance. You just have to deal with what you have. The guide did an excellent job of adjusting to the conditions and finding fish. I would not hesitate to fish with hinm again and recommend him to other novice trout fisherpeople.
J & J Guide Service
J & J Guide Service
Awesome spoon fishing with spincast reels. Be ready to wear your arms out ?
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Awesome spoon fishing with spincast reels. Be ready to wear your arms out ?
Jenkins Fishing Service
Jenkins Fishing Service