Beaver Tailwater / Beaver Lake

July 21, 2026 Eureka Springs 3 photos

Trip Summary

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 28โ€“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.
Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service
Eureka-springs, Arkansas, United States
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Welcome to Busch Mountain Fishing Guide Service, one of Northwest Arkansasโ€™ top-rated guide services for Beaver Lake and the Beaver Tailwaters (White River). Whether youโ€™re chasing trophy trout, walleye, or action-packed multi-species fishing, our experie...

Other reports from this charter

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 ยผ-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: 79.3ยฐF โ€“ 85.8ยฐF 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 breamโ€”ranging from slow drifting to faster trolling speedsโ€”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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