Beaver Lake Blue Cats

[bradthefisherman]

I am new to the forum and new to Beaver Lake. I am going to be vacationing near Beaver for the next 7 days.

I am an avid blue cat bank fisherman, I do not have a boat. Any good bank spots on beaver?

I heard from a guide that it's better not to fish on the bottom for the blue's in Beaver cause the lake is so deep.

Also, where can you throw for shad from the bank? Any info. you guys might have would be appreciated.

Also, I'm gonna try my luck at some trout fishing in the White a couple of days. My cabin is located on CR 235 not far from the Dam.

[bferg]

So straight away I will say that I am not much of a cat fisherman so take this with a major grain of salt....BUT if I was going to try for cats in the area you are talking about I would probably head down to the river below the dam (below the trout area where it opens up some). Try Spider Creek or Houseman (Check regs on your bait set up) Also, since you are there you might want to try for some walleye in the next few days....just sayin'

Also: go to WalMart and see if they have a Fishing Hot Spots Map of Beaver available. I love mine and use it all the time. It will have some areas marked for Cats and other fish that might be accessible for you- at the very least it has some general topography so you can find access points that are near flats or whatever you are looking for.

I would think on the lake Lost Bridge South (AKA Fishtrap) might be a decent place to start?

[Feathers and Fins]

Beaver cats are tricky without a boat as they like the rocks and flats. I would be trying areas around Prairie Creek, Montne, Horseshoe bend, Rocky branch " back ramp" and fishtrap. You will probably want to invest in a surf rod for the long cast needed from shore to get the bait to the fish on those flats. Bait wise Shad, Liver and the normal stink baits.

[Guest]

I've been told there's some culverts at Horshoe Bend that will flow with muddy runoff after a stout rain.

The old timers setup there for flatheads and blues, Im told.

Got no idea where that culverts located though.

I'd sure be interested if you have any luck.

Bank fishing for cats is a lost art

[Stump bumper]

I have set out in Prairie Creek Marina at night and caught some nice cats (channel and flat heads) right off the boat launch casting out towards the marina. But I have not caught any blues. I have seen pics of blues from the bridge on RT 12 and have heard that is a good area and easy to fish from shore.

I have also broke lines and had hooks straightened out by some big cats fishing the flat of the beach across the bridge from the RT12 launch area, if you fish right were the rocks end and the flat begins has always been a good night time spot for me.

Beaver shores launch area is a good spot for channels, not far from the bridge so should be some blues in there but I just haven't caught any but have had some good channel cat fishing in that area.

Good luck

[Guest]

There's a "river fly hatch" going down at twin bridges.

The words not out yet, but the walleyes and whites are running up there.

[wc1063]

Sounds like it's time to hit the rivers!!!

[junkman]

I agree with WC. hit the rivers. The blue's are starting their journey upstream for their annual breeding cycle. Went yesterday in Kansas and caught 5 blue's. I actually was surprised that they had made it that far so soon, for the closest impoundment of water is Truman lake which is at least 60 miles away. There were no big ones for we haven't had enough water for that yet here but I would focus on the rivers feeding into the lake and as well fish the river channels themselves.

[Bass Ivy]

I know this question was asked awhile back, but I thought I would respond just for future reference. He said he was camping by the Dam. The best place I feel like in that area is the area right North of the Dam where all that Rip Rap lines the lake shores. That day use camp ground on the right just before you go across the Dam is a known spot for Big Blues. Right off the end of the point in the campground is good too. Ive known of people catching multiple Blues in a few hours in that area over 30 pounds on Rod and Reel. Crawdads is good bait. Also if you get a few worms and go down around the rip rap before dark use a #8 cricket hook, with the long shank. Rigged up under a bobber you can catch a bunch of small perch or Bluegills. They will work great on Blues in Beaver. You can cut one in half and use the head. Or just take a pair of scissors and trim some fins on the Bluegill. It will make him swim erratically and it causes him to loose some body fluids wich will bring in the cats.

In my opinion bait that you get right out of the water you are fishing in will always outfish anything else. Especially for Bigger Blues and Channels. Fresh Bait is the best. Try to keep your bait alive until you are ready to use it. Also all the catfish I catch out of Beaver especially this time of year is in less than 10 feet of water. If you are setting on the bank try casting down the bank instead of straight out in front of your position.

One of the biggest Blues Ive ever encoutered was in that area. I caught it on a jug line, it did manage to escape right as we were trying to get it in the boat.

Here is a picture of a nice one that we caught in a different area. But the one by the dam was a tad bigger than this one I think.

[Quillback]

Nice Blue, Bass Ivy. IMO blues are the best eatin' cat but some will argue for flathead.