Best South lakes to fish this weekend: Beaver Lake leads

For the weekend of November 14, Beaver Lake has the best outlook in the South. Each lake earns points for good bite ratings on Saturday and Sunday and for light wind, and loses them for strong gusts or a high chance of rain.

The list is ranked; each lake links to its page with the live numbers.

1. 1
   

   Beaver Lake, AR

   Striped bass in 61°F water 61°F water

   The water is 61°F and striped bass are feeding. Watch for birds and surface feeding. Start at a wind-blown bank in 4 to 16 ft; try swimbait or live shad where bait is. The lake sits 7.3 ft below its usual level, so fish crowd onto fewer points and short ramps may not reach the water. Saturday rates good for the bite.

   Photo: Brandonrush (CC0)

2. 2
   

   Bull Shoals Lake, AR

   2.2 ft low, fish stacked 60°F water

   The water is 60°F and largemouth bass are in range. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves. A wind-blown bank in 4 to 16 ft is the place to begin; try spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge. The lake sits 2.2 ft below its usual level, so fish crowd onto fewer points and short ramps may not reach the water. Saturday rates good for the bite.

   Photo: Semipaw, CC BY 3.0

3. 3
   

   Caddo Lake, TX

   Work the upper arm 61°F water

   61°F at the surface puts largemouth bass first in line. Start at a upper arm; try small jig or minnow under a float. It is a big piece of water: about 25,400 acres at full pool. Go Saturday (good bite).

   Photo: Luka Maglc (CC0)

4. 4

   Chickamauga Lake, TN

   70 ft of water to work with 62°F water

   The water is 62°F and largemouth bass are active. A wind-blown bank in 4 to 16 ft is the place to begin; try small swimbait or spinner, follow the birds. It is a big piece of water: about 36,200 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite.

5. 5
   

   Dale Hollow Lake, TN

   130 ft of water to work with 61°F water

   The water is 61°F and smallmouth bass are active. Rocky points, humps and drop-offs. Start at a wind-blown bank; try tube or ned rig on rock. Plan to cover water: the lake spreads over about 27,700 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite.

   Photo: Dalehollow, CC BY-SA 3.0

6. 6

   Falcon Lake, TX

   Work the point drop-off 73°F water

   73°F at the surface puts largemouth bass first in line. Head to shade, docks and grass in midday. Start at a point drop-off; try spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge. It is a big piece of water: about 83,700 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite.

7. 7

   Grand Lake, OK

   Crappie in 57°F water 57°F water

   57°F at the surface puts crappie first in line. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft. A wind-blown bank in 4 to 16 ft is the place to begin; try small swimbait or spinner, follow the birds. Plan to cover water: the lake spreads over about 46,500 acres at full pool. Saturday rates good for the bite.

8. 8
   

   Greers Ferry Lake, AR

   Largemouth bass in 64°F water 64°F water

   The water is 64°F and largemouth bass are in range. Start at a wind-blown bank; try spinnerbait or crankbait along the edge. Plan to cover water: the lake spreads over about 40,500 acres at full pool. Go Saturday (good bite).

   Photo: Brandonrush (CC0)