Beaver Lake Tailwater To Holiday Island Striper

[vuekid]

where on this section of water will you find the best chance of stripers? Don't want to fish near the regulation area, bit any suggestions ?

[JohnF52]

They will likely be in the areas where there are the most trout, above Houseman access. If stripers become established in sufficient numbers in TR, the trout fishery in the Beaver tailwaters will be decimated.

[Feathers and Fins]

Anyplace from Beaver town to Parker bend you have a chance at them. It is no guarantee and takes a lot of cast and days on the water to get them. John I don't see them getting established without a LOT of help. Its nice having them in the area in small numbers as a challenge fish but I would be against any stocking efforts above say 200 every other year or a replenishment number per year and at that they would need to be trophy size 20lb fish and would want to see a "striper tag" to keep them in the WR from Holiday Island to the dam of around $20.00 tag and all stripers caught in the area must be reported and that money be set in a special fund to maintain and enhance the area for trout and striper.

Once X amount of stripers are caught then AGFC could replenish those numbers. But in NO way would I want to see a consorted effort to stock stripers in large numbers. Beaver and Bull already have them, this would just be a neat addition to the upper white river. It is not a popular fishery right now because it is just not widely known and even with those who do know about most would rather go to Beaver where the odds are much more in your favor of catching one as the Upper Whites Stripers are at best Difficult to catch trust me I have grey hairs from them. Seeing 20lb stripers cruising in crystal clear water and refusing everything will give them to you lol.

If I had to be concerned about anything effecting the trout it would be if AGFC and MO made a trophy walleye area from say Big M to Beaver Dam to 28'' to keep those things would become trout destroying machines, though I must admit the thought of catching 7lb walleye and bigger makes me smile just a little lol. Awe dreams of a true trophy zone with snicker bars swimming around happily just waiting to be ate.

[JohnF52]

Is it not possible that natural striper reproduction is occurring in Beaver and in the tailwater? AGFC does not want them in there and has made some effort in past to remove them. If they really want to remove them, then no release and no limit. Treat them like invasive snakeheads.

[rps]

Scott:

You may think those sort of things , but never write them! The entire contingent of TU will descend on your head for trying to destroy the natural balance of the tail waters. XD

On the other hand, a trophy walleye zone from cow patty flats upstream would be a killer idea. If you start it at Beaver bridge you will take too many of the meat-eaters spots away, so cow patty flats would be a great compromise.

[vuekid]

feathers, that's in the special regulation area, only fly fishing is allowed. I want to try and catch them with bait or lures lol

[Feathers and Fins]

feathers, that's in the special regulation area, only fly fishing is allowed. I want to try and catch them with bait or lures lol

Only from Houseman to Parker is special zone, below Houseman is not.

[Bird Watcher]

Is it not possible that natural striper reproduction is occurring in Beaver and in the tailwater? AGFC does not want them in there and has made some effort in past to remove them. If they really want to remove them, then no release and no limit. Treat them like invasive snakeheads.

No, it's not possible. there are only 5? I believe naturally reproducing populations of landlocked stripers in the United States. They need a very long, 30-40 mile plus length of free flowing river with a high salinity content to reproduce naturally. Beaver tailrace meets none of the criteria.

[Feathers and Fins]

John everything I have read says they are NOT reproducing. I currently tend to lean this direction as well as I have not seen some things that would make me believe otherwise ( no striper under 4'' and not seeing the surface attacks that would come from it ).

That said I wouldn't put it in the realm of impossible but no signs of it yet. I have heard rumors since I moved up here on 03 about AGFC removals but haven't been able to find anything hard proof wise about it just fishermen saying it. NWA Biologist is on this board and perhaps he has proof AGFC removals and potential breeding data I haven't seen if any he would be the best source for the latest info.

If they (agfc) are not making attempts to remove them then it would be a potential good source of revenue to help enhance that section of river and at the same time giving anglers a trophy chance. Lets face it many novice anglers would probably love to pursue the chance at that fish of a lifetime and a 20 to 50lb striper is certainly that. They can also augment the stripers when they do shocking and netting on Beaver by simply transporting the needed number to the tailwaters. Again though I wouldn't want it in LARGE numbers but in numbers that would get people to buy the tag and give them a chance at the dream fish.

Randy and now who is talking about lol... I really would like to see them managed for trophy size I really see the potential as not just possible but viable and doable with little effort. Why not give the Ozarks back the chance for World Records and monster Marble Eye. then again I would not be opposed to a 20'' length limit on the WRC. I have really come to love these fish for the fight and the challenge in finding them oh ya and doesn't hurt they look so good on a plate

[Feathers and Fins]

Confirmed Freshwater breeding is,

Coosa River

Lake Mead

Arkansas River

Lake Powell

Lake Texoma

Lake Marion

Colorado River

Lake Perris *

Diamond Valley Reservoir *

California Aqueduct

San Luis Reservoir *

Lake Silverwood *

Kerr River

Santee Cooper

Lake Weiss

Lake Skinner

Star denotes confirmed fry but possible source may be via the aqueduct from the San Francisco bay area population. I haven't checked in a while the list might have grown.