First Time To Beaver

[Mikey]

Next weekend my family is going on our first camping trip up to Beaver Dam. We are staying @ the "dam site river" campground. I have fished te white before at bullshoals so I imagine it fishes like most other tailwaters. I wondered though, in layman speak what are the slot limits around the park? If I get my kids down there I don't want to keep a campfire bound rainbow that I shouldn't. Also where would the better spots be for the little ones to fish? No fly rods for them (3, 5, and 9) so would tackle be the old stand by of power bait or nightcrawlers? I appreciate your time and feedback.

Mikey

[Zack Hoyt]

This is straight from the AGFC website:

Beaver Lake Tailwater

A fishing license and a trout permit are required to retain trout from any state waters or to fish in Beaver Lake Tailwater from Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access. Licenses or permits are not required for children under 16.

2010 Regulations

White River

Beaver Tailwater: White River from 100 yards below Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access. A trout permit is required. Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole and must attend it at all times. No other devices may be used to catch fish other than as specified for the paddlefish-snagging season.

Beaver Tailwater Slot Limit: From Beaver Dam to boundary signs at Houseman Access. Trout from 13 to 16 inches in length must be released immediately and may not be in possession in this area. Only one fish exceeding 16 inches long may be kept. Bait fishing allowed only with a single, barbless hooking point (barbed-shaft baitholder hooks allowed).

Beaver Tailwater Special Regulation Area: Artificial lures only area/no bait zone. Approximately 0.5 miles below Beaver Dam to approximately 100 yards upstream of Parker Bend Access as indicated by signs. Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point shall be used. Natural or scented baits are not allowed. Chumming is not allowed.

Paddlefish Snagging Season: From Beaver Lake Dam, (from the Corps of Engineers “No Fishing Beyond This Point” sign downstream) to the first Corps boat ramp on the left descending bank: From April 15 to June 15, snagging game fish is legal. Snagging must be discontinued once two trout have been taken. Snagged fish may not be released.

http://www.agfc.com/fishing/fish-management/trout_plans/places_trout/beaver-tail/beaver-tail-regs.aspx

Powerbait, worms, marshmellows, corn, etc will all work. Articulated crank baits and spoons also do well. Check with Bryce there at the Dam store. He is a wealth of information.

[Mikey]

Another question, when looking for wadeable water...what should I look for on the generation chart?

[Zack Hoyt]

For the most part you can get a decent idea when generation will be by checking this site:

http://www.swpa.gov/generationschedules.aspx

With water backed up from Table Rock like it is, there is very little wadable water to speak of when they are not genning. It gets tougher when they gen. That being said, you can still fish from the banks at the Dam Ramp, Bathouse access, and Parker Bottoms. Gen scedule has been low water most of the day then generation in the evening. As long as we dont get hammered with rain, it should stay that way. Not to mention it being fre fishing eekend, they try to keep generation low.

We are having a fundraiser at the parking lot below the dam next weekend. Swing by and see us. We are doing silent and live auctions, etc. Ask for Zack or look for the guy who looks like an overgrown leprechaun.

[Mikey]

A coworker of mine was up there on Saturday and his report was "a lot of water". I took it to mean swift moving water from generation. He said no, it was more like fishing a lake. Wide and still. When te river is that way is it possible to paddle about in a canoe or kayak? I have one if those and if it helps me catch fish so be it!

[Zack Hoyt]

Fishing from a boat is one of the better options when water is high. They still put canoes in when they are generating as well. I went out Friday evening for a while and tore them up. With little to no flow, streamers are a good option. If you are spin fishing, I have done very well on a small tube jig. Swing by the event and I will have a few plastics for you to try. Just reemmber the special reg area is from the Bathouse to Parker(no live, scneted, soft plastics).

[fishofexcellence]

A coworker of mine was up there on Saturday and his report was "a lot of water". I took it to mean swift moving water from generation. He said no, it was more like fishing a lake. Wide and still. When te river is that way is it possible to paddle about in a canoe or kayak? I have one if those and if it helps me catch fish so be it!

Can still have fun with the kids if your camped below dam. try to get close to showers. Can fish from shore here by walking down, Also just a little walk to fish waters below dam & first launch & a little pond that should have some perch in it. For bank fishing the trout, rig the kids with a small worm weight, above swivel with about 18 inches above hook, so he dosnt feel weight when picks up,Just cast out & fish like cats.Worms tiped with a half miny marshmellow worked good for me last week. Grean & orange power bait also good.If their running water best place to bottom fish out of current is to the left of big rocks by dam. Good luck & have fun with the family.

[Mikey]

Zack, I hope to see you Saturday if you are around. That should be my first morning of fishing and I would love to get my kids on a trout or two. maybe you can enlighten me on all the diff areas and the regs of those areas. These kids are notorious worm users and really want to catch a sculpin. Ugly buggers. Anyway, time for bed before loadin up the camper and heading out tomorrow. Good luck with your fundraiser.

[daryl]

Looking for a little help, going to Eureka Springs 2nd week in July, never been to Beaver Dam, looking forward to trying out the fishing there, I am a novice flyfisher, real passion is hybrid fishing, can you catch hybrids there or should I try flyfishing, what would you use in either case, or should I just try both types of fishing, thanks, Daryl.

[Zack Hoyt]

Hey Daryl. You can catch some hybrids, but the summer is not the time when they are up near the dam. Early Spring or late Fall is a better time. You can get into some white bass and striper up above the dam pretty easily if you have a boat. Walleye can be found in the Tailwaters, but getting them to bite is a bit of a chore.

Trout are going to be your best bet down there. Sz 18-22 zebra midges, smaller wolley buggers, hopper patterns along the forrested banks, etc. For Spin fishing I like a smaller Rebel Craw or 1/8oz spoon. Alot of guys use micro jigs under a casting bubble as well. Hope this helps a little and good luck.