Seeking Advice From Those Who Fish Beaver Lake

[J-Doc]

I have yet to make the trip to Grand. But the tales I hear make me want to go. Big bass that are relatively easy to catch on crankbaits and such. Maybe I'll go over this spring finally.

And Table Rock is a huge lake and it feels as if you could put Beaver inside it. :-) It also has a healthy population of fat spots and some good largemouth. I myself have not caught any there in my two trips to it. But I'm not giving up. It's a hero or zero kind of lake. She can be tough too. Unless you're like Bill Babler who flies like an eagle in his Pheonix and has them jumping in the boat. :-). Yes a guide there and highly recommended if you want Simone that knows that lake. Yes also an OAF member and active on the forum. He knows his stuff!

What Champ is saying is correct. There are other lakes within a short drive to be explored. Lots of them actually.

For that matter there is Leatherwood. A forgotten little lake in the middle of the Ozarks. Beautiful scenery!! There are also lots of other smaller lakes like Leatherwood that can be played on. Worthy of investigation. Swepco has been a local winter hole due to the power plant generation of warm water and Florida strained bass. Lits of Beaver guys drive over there because fishing for bass in winter is much easier over therebthsn it is on Beaver. The Bella Vista lakes are good also. If you lived in Bella Vista. This really is a great area to live in for fishing because there are lots and lots of places to go within a reasonable drive.

I'm from south Arkansas originally. Nearest big body of water worth trailering to was about 2hrs. And down there, a Jon boat and 10-20hp motor is all one needs. So I've seen the alternative. Thus why I love it up here. :-)

Lots of options. Also lots of knowledge here and in other forums on this site. The amount of fishing knowledge here astounds me. Some of these guys are so much better than I could ever dream of being.

[kjackson]

I'll chime in to echo some of the same things you've already read. Bear with me as I'm typing with a busted wing , and my editing is going to be a bit lax,

My wife and I moved to the area a little over two years ago. I applaud your choice as this area is a great one to live in, and the folks on the forum are especially helpful. I've received no end of help here,from a tour--thanks, Jason!-- to spot-on info.

We moved to Eureka Springs because of my wife's job, and in some ways it's a bit better than the Rogers area as I can be at Beaver at the dam end in 20 minutes and the upper end of Table Rock in 15 or so.

i'm also closer to the downstream reservoirs as well, but I've not fished those yet. Having said that, if I were moving here again, I'd probably pick the Highway 12 bridge area, and I would keep my boat on the trailer even if I bought a lake house. There's just too much opportunity to fish one lake. And as a side note-- there also is some pretty good trout fishing nearby.

Beaver is a tough lake, but it also can be a very rewarding one to fish. I tend to fish the dam end as I can have my boat in the water in 20 minutes. My end of the lake is extremely clear for Arkansas-- there's usually 10 feet or more of visibility. While certain folks avoid the dam end, I've found it harbors j

legions of smallmouth. While most of what I've caught are dinks, I did catch my PB smallie on a topwater this past year. I've also had a seal-size striper blow up on bait within a short cast of my boat. The potential for the dam end is high, I think.

[J-Doc]

Seal sized striper. Lol!! Bet that got your attention. No doubt the browns live that clear water. Green pumpkin jigs crawled slowly on the bottom. Painfully slow. That's what I was told by a very knowledgeable source. Works too. Let it get up against a rock or something and just wave at the fish. They hate it.

Kjackson,

I've GOT to get you on some walleye with me. And ones that will bite!! With all the stuff you have me, you pretty much wrote your name in the back of my passenger seat. :-) You're welcome anytime. And I promise we will get you fish next trip vs being "Biced". Haha!

[kjackson]

Seal sized striper. Lol!! Bet that got your attention. No doubt the browns live that clear water. Green pumpkin jigs crawled slowly on the bottom. Painfully slow. That's what I was told by a very knowledgeable source. Works too. Let it get up against a rock or something and just wave at the fish. They hate it.

Kjackson,

I've GOT to get you on some walleye with me. And ones that will bite!! With all the stuff you have me, you pretty much wrote your name in the back of my passenger seat. :-) You're welcome anytime. And I promise we will get you fish next trip vs being "Biced". Haha!

As soon as I heal and you get over your bug, I'm ready. as for jigs, I've got a few...but I'm thinking of going back to my old roots as well. Can't wait to get back in the Man Cave, not to mention on the water...

As for the seal remark, I was fishing with Son Number Two, and I think it was our first trip on Beaver...just after we moved here from the West Coast. I saw a swirl out of the corner of my eye, and my reaction was: "Geez, that's a big seal!" It impressed the heck out of me.

[Racker]

Thanks again for all the suggestions. Tomorrow we will look at homes around the lake with a realtor. I like your idea of not limiting to Beaver Lake. My wife too requires more than Wal Mart, well so do I and that is why we are here after looking at Lake Dardanelle. So, hopefully in a couple of months I can hit the water and perhaps tie up with a couple of you to go fishing. Any more suggestions would still be appreciated. Ron

[Feathers and Fins]

Racker, There is much more to this area than Walmart. Food wise Old Town Rogers has many good places to eat, Groceries I shop at Harps and for clothing there is plenty of places. We actually seldom go to Wal-mart.

Now for food, The Rail in Old Town Rogers has awesome Pizza and their Pork shanks cannot be beat! Lucy's is an old 50's style diner and pretty good as well, JJ's in Prairie Creek is another option during season. There is many mom and pop places in the older area of town for eating.

Groceries like I said Harps is right on Locust on your way out to the lake and if you spend so much money you get a gas card for 15 gallons with right now 30cents off a gallon.

Pinnacle Hills has all your other needs as far as clothing etc.

Fishing stores, HLS in Rogers, Southtown in Springdale, and if you like fly fishing McClellans in Fayetteville will take care of you and they are all ran by people who actually fish the area not just kids hired to work a counter and stock shelves.

As to things to see outside of the Lake, Crystal Bridges Museum and the Daisey Museum plus Razorback games and our local baseball team. Friday Nights is football night and any of the high school games are fun to watch.

Two hours roughly to Tulsa, Springfield or Branson. The only way to not have something to do around here is if you choose not to travel or just don't feel like it on a given day and I haven't event touched the Float trips in summer or the elk in Ponca and lets not forget numerous civil war sites and Fort Smith area.

[Champ188]

There is also a new Cabela's in Rogers.

[Dan the fisherman]

F&F said it all. Great post.

[shark bait]

I agree with champ. By the way, are you part of the Morrow clan up in PA?