Tucked at the end of the road, Homer is where Alaska’s raw coastal beauty meets world-class saltwater fishing.
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Fishing around Rogers, Arkansas revolves almost entirely around Beaver Lake—a big, clear reservoir tucked into the Ozark foothills with over 480 miles of shoreline. This is striper country, but it’s also a solid bet for largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth bass, along with crappie and catfish. Most charters here focus on freshwater tactics, with half-day and full-day trips common depending on what you’re chasing and how far you want to run.
Beaver Lake is broken up into upper and lower sections. The upper end is shallower and dirtier, feeding from the White River, while the lower basin near the dam is deep, rocky, and clear. Stripers often roam the deeper water in the southern half of the lake, especially early mornings and late evenings, pushing bait into creek arms and across long points. Spring and fall are prime times to find them pushing shallow, and most guides in Rogers run live bait setups using big threadfin or gizzard shad. You’ll also find trolling umbrella rigs and downlines in the mix.
Bass fishing is steady year-round, but really picks up in pre-spawn and early summer. Jigs, soft plastics, and deep cranks around bluffs and brush piles are staples. For crappie, guides work submerged timber and brush with jigs or minnows—especially in spring and late fall. Catfishing is usually a bonus target, but some charters run night trips for blues and flatheads using cut bait.
Launches around Prairie Creek, Hickory Creek, and the dam area offer easy access. Most charter runs are short, with fishable structure within 10–20 minutes of the dock. Rogers also sits close enough to cities like Hampton Bays that it draws anglers looking to trade saltwater for a solid freshwater bite in the Ozarks.
Spring brings big shifts to Beaver Lake. Stripers chase bait into shallower arms and long points, especially on warming days with overcast skies. Bass move into pre-spawn mode and stage on secondary points, making crankbaits and jigs productive. Crappie also get more predictable, stacking up in brush piles or roaming flats before the spawn. Spring charters in Rogers often run earlier in the day, chasing the morning bite before midday sun pushes fish deeper. Water clarity varies with rainfall, so guides adjust accordingly—shifting from finesse plastics to spinnerbaits or jerkbaits as needed.
Hot weather doesn’t stop the bite, but it does push it deeper. Stripers often suspend 30–60 feet down over deep channels, and guides rely heavily on sonar to track schools. Live bait on downlines or trolling with weighted rigs is standard practice. Bass shift to night and early morning patterns, holding on steep bluff walls and submerged structure. Crappie settle into deeper brush, and catfish become more active on night trips. Summer fishing in Rogers means earlier start times and cooler temps before the sun peaks.
As temps drop, bait starts moving shallow again and so do the predators. Stripers follow schools into creek arms, and casting swimbaits or pulling planer boards becomes more common. Largemouth and spotted bass key in on shad along chunk rock banks and points. Crappie bite picks up again, and fall is a great time to limit out before winter sets in. Fall charters around Rogers usually focus on reaction bites and mobility—moving often and reading the water to stay on fish.
Cold weather doesn’t shut things down. In fact, it can bring some of the best striper action of the year. Schools stack deep in the main lake near the dam, and guides use live bait, vertical jigs, and spoons to get down fast. Bass are more lethargic, but still hit shaky heads and small jigs around deep brush. Crappie are often suspended in 20–30 feet of water, tight to timber or deep docks. Winter trips in Rogers are quieter, with less boat traffic and a more patient, targeted approach.
Most Rogers fishing charters focus on freshwater trips on Beaver Lake, offering half-day or full-day outings targeting stripers, bass, crappie, or catfish.
Common launch points include Prairie Creek Marina, Hickory Creek, and Rocky Branch near the dam. These give access to different parts of the lake based on the bite.
Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, especially for stripers and bass. Winter brings a strong deep-water bite, and summer is best early or at night.
Yes, all anglers over 16 need an Arkansas fishing license, which can be purchased online or at local tackle shops.
Most charters provide all tackle, bait, and electronics. Live bait for striper trips is usually included or available for an extra fee.
Absolutely. Most guides welcome beginners and will walk you through gear, casting, and how to land fish safely.
Yes, many captains in the area cater to family trips and offer shorter outings that are perfect for kids.
Live bait downlining for stripers, jigging for crappie, and casting soft plastics or crankbaits for bass are the staples on Beaver Lake.
Most productive spots are within 10–20 minutes of the dock, depending on the species and time of year.