AGFC Beaver bass survey.

[Quillback]

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

May 8 at 4:58 PM ·

The outlook for Black Bass fishing on Beaver Lake looks bright. During nighttime electrofishing, Northwest Arkansas fisheries staff recorded some of the highest catch rates and overall size for Largemouth and Spotted Bass in the last 15 years, notably documenting several Largemouth Bass exceeding the 5-pound mark. A large number of individuals between 6 and 9 inches were observed, indicating a very successful spawn last year.

This ecological success is mirrored in the 2025 Arkansas Tournament Information Program (ATIP) report, >https://bit.ly/4uxfMnz< which uses tournament weigh-in data to gauge Black Bass fishing quality in Arkansas lakes; in its most recent rankings, Beaver Lake secured the #2 spot for overall fishing quality in Arkansas.

Between the thriving populations and elite tournament standings, the future of Black Bass fishing on Beaver Lake has never looked more promising.