Some Beaver Lake Stocking News

[Quillback]

Any bass stocking report?

Nope, no bass stocking.

[marknsaw]

Nope, nothing on the wallies. Yep I could see stocking some rainbows in the PC cove as being a good thing during the winter time, as long as they hung around and didn't scatter out into the lake. I'd also be concerned that the stripers would figure it out and get in there and clean them out. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I've also thought they should stock cats in Lake Bella Vista (it's named Bella Vista, but it's owned by Bentonville, thus open to the public). Lots of bank access there and you see a lot of folks with kids fishing it, but not having much success, would sure help if they had a bunch of 12" cats in there.

I agree with a trout stocking on Beaver. If your going to do it though I recommend either Brown's or Lake's. They'll do everything a farm raised rainbow will... plus , if a few get away... they'll get really BIG. Bigger is better right?

That's cause they are perch jerkin! Lake BV doesn't need to be stocked with cats.. It has too many already. Unfortunately it is loaded with yellow mud cats ( 8-12", .75-1.25 lbs.) Head on over there and throw some liver or worm on a bottom rig in the evening and you'll see. Make sure you take your pliers.. cause every third bite will be a snappin' turtle. My daughter yanked a 27 lbs snapper out last summer 3" black grubs jigged, or 2.5" floating cranks ( in the evening ) will get a nice Bass bite if you want. Lake BV isn't a trophy lake but the fish are there if your just looking to catch.

[Feathers and Fins]

Lakers and Browns would be fun, but you need the most return for your money and Bows would fit the bill better, its about the most you can stock and have angler return on. If they stocked browns an lakers they would need to put in 5pnd fish minimum to avoid predatation from stripers and that gets costly raising a fish to that size. Those would also be a "Managed Species" for trophy potential. I would be all for that but the Bass anglers would cry to AGFC to stop it citing the same things they do about striper stocking on Bull.

People think Stripers are bad on Bass " which is not true" Think about lakers or browns both those species in lakes with them have a proven track record of eating other species, we would have a better chance of getting Musky or Pike stocked. So i say stick with something simple like rainbows that everything eats and is cost effective to raise and stock.

The stripers will figure it out if AGFC does like westerns states and stocks the same day same place each weekend, but if they switch up days and even locations within the PC area it would give anglers and the trout a good chance. Then again I would like to see ACE take over all of PC and allow for driving along the shoreline or at least make parking along Old PC Road. Its one of the few places that could have alot of shore access to anglers.

[marknsaw]

Long time lurker, new to signing up.... btw

An old boy can dream, right FnF. I understand your arguements about rainbows, lakes, and browns....I just don't want to believe it. I'm not from AR, I'm from OH originally ( and by gawd, I miss my Erie jumbo yellow perch ). I have fished waters that held Musky, Pikes, Walleye, and Bass ( not stripers though ).. Beaver Lake has an over abundence of forage. You know, as well as I do, that you can't go 150' without hitting a ball(s) of baitfish on your sonar. Predation aside, 10-13" Lakes and/or Browns could take to Beaver with plenty of room to roam. While not economically the best "fish-to hook" ratios... It can become more then just a "TROPHY STRIPER LAKE". Is that a bad thing? When has $$$ every stopped .gov I've caught 20+ # stripers.. while fun to catch, I throw them back now. There's better table fare in the lake. I can't see where a 4-5 year stocking program for Lakes or Browns would be a bad thing. If they don't take... they don't take!! The weekend Perch-Jerkers will still get their limit on gills, FLW gets their's, and the rest of us locals get a choice. Hell... It's hard enough just pulling walleye out, I wouldn't complain if I reeled a Lake or a Brown out during my trip.

With all that said FnF, Let's go Fishin sometime

[Stump bumper]

Hey until 2003 you never saw a walleye in Beaver and it is a native fish to the White River, so be grateful for what we have, and money is all the gov is about now. How would you like to have your check cut from $700-$1000 a month, that is what all the gov employees are facing today.

If you really miss yellow perch they have a good hold in Bull Shoals, as far as lakers Greers Ferry has a good population so there are lakes in Arkansas to get your fix.

I know there are a few big browns in Beaver, I have seen them jump out of the water and catch mayflies.

[marknsaw]

I am not complaining SB. Trust me! Beaver is an awesome lake ( I like just cruising down the channel ) with many challenges, and her many rewards lurking just below the surface. I've thrived on crappie and white's to this point. I just made it a mission to get some eye's this year. I bought a boat last fall, fixing her up, and decided to go for broke. The saddest part is, is that strippers ARE NOT native, yet seem to be what Beaver is noted for. You would think a native species should have that honor. I haved fished waters with multiple predominant predators..i.e. musky and N.pike and their hybrids ( tiger musky ), I can't see why another pedatorey fish like a lake trout,or a brown can't thrive in Beaver's sysytem. The forage is almost insane! If there is a chance...why not try it?

Really? Jumbo's in Bull Shoals.......may have to get over ther then. Any hot spots or recommendations? Thanks for the FYI for sure!

I've caught a couple big brown's out of Beaver... that is why I am postulating on the stocking of brown's or lake's IN Beaver, and not on the tailwaters, or semi-tributaries.

As for .gov employees..... I already know about it... I am one. Not federal mind you, but Muni, still feeling it though.

[bfishn]

I just wish they would stock trout at Prairie Creek, I see so many families out there not catching anything, winter would be a perfect time to drop trout off, people could fish for them all along the swim beach no boat zone plus the old road dirt area. Just thinking out loud

They stock Lake Atlanta (just up the road, drains into PC) with winter rainbows, 1250 went in about 3 weeks ago. Better shore access and nothing to eat them there except us hoomans (and great blue herons). Probably a much better ROI than PC would allow.