Beaver Lake
Some good-sized flathead catfish are being caught by jug fishermen.
Mike Whitehouse at Hickory Creek Marina said small sunfish are the top bait for flatheads. Hot dog chunks are another good bait. Flatheads to 25 pounds have been caught recently.
Crappie are biting minnows better than jigs. Fish them around lay-down trees 10 to 20 feet deep. Walleye are biting nightcrawler rigs in the Rocky Branch and Clifty areas along points
James Whittle at Hook, Line and Sinker in Rogers said crappie are moving shallower as the water cools. Fish eight to 20 feet deep with minnows or jigs around brush.
For black bass, try top-water lures at first or last light. Good midday baits are jig and pigs or Ned rigs.
Catfish are biting well on all catfish baits. Walleye are biting nightcrawler rigs.
Beaver tailwater
Tom Steinke at Beaver Dam Store said trout are biting well on Power Bait. Nightcrawlers injected with air are working well.
Good lures include small nickel and gold spoons. Inline spinners may also work for trout. The top flies are midges in black, copper or red.
Lake Fayetteville
Trolling for crank baits is the best way to catch crappie, said David Powell at the lake office. Anglers report catching eight or nine crappie in four hours of fishing.
Black bass are biting jerk baits near rocks.
Lake Sequoyah
Mike Carver at the lake office said catfish are biting shad. Flathead catfish to 25 pounds have been caught. Try plastic worms for black bass. Use worms for bluegill one to four feet deep.
Bella Vista
Nick Gann at Hook, Line and Sinker in Bella Vista said black bass are biting soft plastic baits near brush and docks at all Bella Vista lakes. Try top-water lures at first and last light.
Swepco Lake
Kenny Stroud in Siloam Springs said black bass are biting plastic worms day or night. Fish five to 25 feet deep. Try top-water lures at first and last light.
Illinois River
Stroud recommends using small tube baits or grubs for black bass.
Eastern Oklahoma
Fish for black bass at Lake Eucha with plastic worms or deep-diving crank baits, Stroud recommends.
Table Rock Lake
Missouri Department of Conservation reports good fishing for black bass 30 feet deep along points with jig and pigs. Try plastic worms 20 to 30 feet deep.
Catfishing is fair with nightcrawlers, crawdads or cut bait.
Sports on 10/02/2018