Old dog learning New Tricks

[Vintage Tackle Guy]

I have, for most of my life, been a river fisherman. I have owned a number of boats and still have a little aluminum 14' with a 9.5 Evinrude but I prefer and understand rivers and streams far better than lakes. My angling has been on hiatus for some time as work, kids and other obligations took up most of my time. But now, I am semi-retired, and I am trying to get back to where I once was...literally. The problem is that the waters I once fished are now inaccessible and I just don't know, other than public access, where to go to spend some time fishing.

I would appreciate any help or advice on gaining access to a few spots near me that haven't just been fished to death. 

I live near Gentry.

Best Fishes!

[tjm]

I think that public access is all that any of us can use unless we knock on doors and seek permissions. There must still be a lot of the Illinois that is accessible by boat?  Wedington? maybe the boatable river in that area. It's been years since I fished NWA, but I used to find wading access on the Osage and on Spavinaw. I know a lot the places I went back then are developed now, so no specifics, except get a map and start driving around like I did back when. Check out the AGFC website for fishing spots https://www.agfc.com/en/fishing/where-fish/public-fishing-areas/

[Vintage Tackle Guy]

Thanks for the advice OAF! I have come across the same thing. Trouble is, I am not that outgoing so driving up to a strange house and asking them for river access is a difficult thing for me to do. May come to that though. I have a small boat, but sometimes I just want to wet a hook without all the prep. of taking a boat out.

[Quillback]

Little Sugar creek has quite a bit of access around the park at lake Bella Vista (Lake BV is drained BTW).  There is a walking tail that you can use to access quite a bit of the creek.  The bass run a little small, but still fun on light tackle.  

White river above Beaver has some bank fishing, I never have done it, but when the white bass, stripes, and walleye are running you can get into some fish, but don't expect solitude.

Beaver lake around the Indian creek and Dam Site COE parks has bank to fish, I do that every once in a while and I can usually wrangle up a smallmouth or two, last year saw a guy catch a 15 lb. striper off the bank by the dam.