Beaver Lake Striper Report

Bailey's Beaver Lake Guide Service (479-366-8664) said stripers are scattered and are hitting shad all over the lake. The hottest action is on shad and brood minnows fished under balloons 10-20 feet deep 50-100 feet behind the boat. (Stagger your balloons so you don't tangle.) On windy days, fish the coves that the wind is blowing into, on still days, fish deeper near the main channel. The Corps of Engineers has postponed dropping Beaver Lake until Jan. 19. The following areas will hold fish, but you must find the clearest water possible because of runoff from melting ice and snow. This will most likely be in the Copper Mine Area. More information on Beaver Lake’s level and flow is available at www.beaversafari.com. With the warming trend predicted, shad and stripers will be found near the surface. Free lining a large shad or minnow may be a good option once the stripers have eaten all the dead shad on the bottom from the last cold spell. On the White River from the Highway 12 Bridge to the Highway 412 Bridge, concentrate efforts in backs of coves and shallow flats near the river/creek channel. In Hickory Creek, try the main river channel and the Hickory Creek arm. Around Horseshoe Bend, the Striper Alley Area is producing fish on the flats near the main river channel. Joe Creek also is producing. The Monte Ne Area has been producing fish. Look near the mouth and on the flats near the main river channel. Some fish have been caught as far back as the boat ramp. In War Eagle, concentrate efforts from the War Eagle/White River junction up War Eagle to the Sidewalk Hole. Some fish are being taken near the power lines at the lower end near the white river. White bass and hybrids can also be taken in the area all the way up to the mill. Try fishing Rooster Tails or jigging spoons in silver or gold/chartreuse. Around Lost Bridge, most fish are being caught on the bottom near Fish Trap Hollow and Pine Log. Prairie Creek is producing fish from the islands to Beaver Shores. Pay special attention to the gravel bar south of Highway 12 Bridge. Look near the steepest drop on the north end of this gravel bar. On the main lake try fishing jigging spoons and live bait on the bottom, around 20-30 feet deep on rocky points 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12.