Beaver Lake (Beaver Dam) Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Tailwater
Species
Rainbow Trout (Stocked)
Brown Trout
Size
Medium
Location
Northern New Mexico
Nearest Towns
Taos
Season
Year-round
Access:
Good
Non-Resident License
State of New Mexico
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Flow below Dam:
Real time data
Seasons:
The season is open year-round on the Beaver Dam tailwater and you can catch trout just about every day of the year.
Winter:
Winter is one of the best times to fish the Beaver Dam tailwater. Midge fishing is very popular.
Spring:
Spring time can be great provided the water releases are supportive.
Summer:
The summer is the most popular time for fly fishing the White River below Beaver Dam. The water stays cool but it is often high due to heavy discharges.
Fall:
Autumn provides the best opportunity for fly fishing Beaver Dam tailwater if you want to catch a trophy size brown trout.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 & 12 ft., 5 or 6X, Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Superb Five or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Beaver Lake (Beaver Dam) Tailwater Arkansas
The White River is well known for its Bull Shoals Lake tailwater but not so much for its tailwater below Beaver Lake Dam. The state stocks the river regularly but it also has a very good population of holdover trout and although it is mostly a rainbow trout stream, it’s becoming well known for its brown trout fishing. There have been habitat improvements made to the stream that are mostly responsible for this. Part of this involved installing what is called “lunker bunkers” or structures that provide habitat for the fish.
Dam Site Park on the Beaver Lake tailwater lies nine miles west of Eureka Springs. The park is just below Beaver Dam. This park offers several trails that access the river. It has an access road that runs parallel with the river and leads to a boat launch.
Downstream in the park you will find the Riverview Campground, a small campground of the Corps of Engineers. There’s a trophy section of the river that can be accessed from the campground. The regulations are strictly “catch and release” in this section of the river. Farther downstream in Dam Site Park is the Parker Bottoms Campground.
As with most any tailwater fishery, it is very important to know the water levels and if possible, the dam discharge schedule. The water can be easily waded in many places with the water low but not when it’s running high. It’s also important to keep a close eye on the levels when you are wading.
The Beaver Dam tailwater has plenty of scuds and sowbugs which represent a large part of the trout’s diet. There are few mayflies and caddisflies but tons of midges. Fly fishing the Beaver Dam tailwater successfully requires mastering catching trout on tiny
imitations of midge larvae, pupae and sometimes, adults.