BAILEY'S BEAVER LAKE GUIDE SERVICE(479)366-8664 Striper fishing has been picking up!
Water temps are slowly on the climb, walleye spawning will start soon then followed by the white bass run up the creek arms. By mid march the spawning runs should be gaining momentum.
The approach will be free lines or balloons this week with 4-6 inch baits.
Bait can still be found in the backs of coves looking for warm water springs flowing in.
Stripers can also be taken with #9 rapala original's or Husky jerks and/or rogues 3-5inches long flat line trolled, use planer boards in order to spread your lines giving you the ability to fish more rods but also allowing you to cover shallow water near the bank as you troll. Move rapalas at a speed of about 1.5-2 mph.
You can not mix different baits such as live and rapala in your trolling spread due to the different actions required for the proper presentation of each.
During the spawn run a lot of striper and hybrids are mistaken for white bass so....
Know your species and make sure you identify any fish you keep. There is no limit on white bass, there is a 3 fish limit on striper/hybrid and a 20 inch minimum length on striper. You may not keep more than 3 striper and hybrid in combination.
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Fish location is greatly influenced by lake level and current flow, current in the lake from generation will generally position fish on upstream or down stream edges of structure.....check the daily lake level and flow data link on my web site.
Live shad as always on Beaver Lake when fishing for Trophy Stripers is the go to approach. Stripers are hitting bigger shad in the 4-6 inch range.
The following area's will be holding striper at different times during the day.
On the mid and lower sections check out these area's. Water surface temps are in the mid 40s.
Indian creek- Look for fish to gather near the mouth in prep for a spawn run.
Big Clifty arm- Striper moving up river
Rocky Branch-fish moving up river
Copper mine-
Upper section-
Prairie creek- Look in the back of prairie creek and run free lines. Also check the flats off the islands, pay close attention to the flats located adjacent to the main river channel.
Coose Hollow-Watch for fish activity.
Blackburn creek-Look in the back of Blackburn for large schools of shad and free line the cove for striper.
Beaver shores-
Horseshoe bend-
Montne- Look in the back of Montne for large schools of shad and free line the cove for striper.
Hickory creek-Some striper taken in the area. Check the cove and the flat across from the marina.
War Eagle- Walleye spawn is beginning to peak and white bass are beginning to show up.
War eagle/White river junction- fish being caught from the mouth and up river as far as you can get your boat. The last deep holes are holding scores of striper and White bass, the walleye run is peaking.
Blue springs area-
WALLEYE
Walleye run is about to peak.
Most walleye will be about 5-10ft deep, fish are being taken off the points and on mid stream humps. Check upstream and down stream edges of humps and points.
A casting approach using spoons, rooster tails, and jigs is productive. Try white, chartrues, orang, silver.
Flat line troll over shallow bars with rapalas in natural blue or black back combos are also producing.
Try rogues in clown flash also.
Also fish shad raps in fire tiger or clown colors.
TIGHT LINES!

