Open glade country surrounds the picnic area. Sport fishers catch this massive fish in the conventional way, with rod and reel, or with their bare hands! To catch cats in the Bull you need a depth finder. This permit allows these anglers to fish the Arkansas portion of this lake without purchasing an Arkansas nonresident fishing permit. Historically they reproduced in the larger rivers
15, so theyll have a chance to spawn and get through the brooding period when they
For anglers that are good with their electronics, schooling fish can be found following baitfish from the summer months all the way through winter. jig-and-frogs, grubs, and crankbaits. Because of their aggressiveness, they are
The white bass population has experienced below average spawning success so anglers may notice a decline in the white bass numbers, especially smaller sizes. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. He has been featured in numerous fishing magazines and newspapers such as Outdoor Life, The In-Fisherman, Twin Lakes Outdoors, Outdoor World, Fishing Facts, Dakota Country Magazine, Tulsa World, Fox Valley News and the Diversion Magazine, to mention a few. Those that are introduced into Bull Shoals Lake are bred in a hatchery or are river-raised. White Bass: Good Fishers are able to effectively catch this game fish with spinnerbaits, plastic worms, crankbaits, and jigs. [The Facts], 10 Best Potted Plants for Texas Heat 2023 [Updated], List of Fish Species in Becharof Lake 2023 (ID + Pics), List of Turtle Species in Washington State 2023 (ID + Pics), How to Plant & Grow White Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton camtschatcensis). Hercules Glades Wilderness Area is 12,413 acres of the most scenic and unique country in the Midwest. Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. Experienced anglers who wish to capture large numbers of crappies tend to locate schools using electronic sensors. They are able to tolerate much cooler temperatures and even go into a semi-hibernation state. Anybody with any advice on bait or location to try? Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, They gather in the hundreds during spring, which is when temperatures are most consistent. Water Type: clear occur in Bull Shoals and Norfork, it is severely limited by predation of bass on young
Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species Black Bass: Good Explore more, impact less with Snoflo. Once temperatures are agreeable in late spring to early summer, dawn is the best time to search for them as they prefer to feed at this time. During the spring, fall, and early winter months, bass can be found relatively shallow along rocky points, banks, and channel swing areas. Crappie: 10" minimum, On the lake and its tributaries: Ozark, Taney, Christian, and Douglas SCUBA divers often find Flatheads
Bull Shoals is virtually an untapped Walleye fishery. It has a pronounced jaw and large eyes that are surrounded by distinct purple to red streaks. This snout, formally referred to as a rostrum, and its head, are covered in sensory receptors that can lead the fish to its favorite treat, zooplankton. Are there catfish in Bull Shoals Lake? Striped bass: minimum 20" Record catches on Bull Shoals include a 13-pound, 14-ounce largemouth bass; a 65-pound, 2-ounce striped bass; and a 21-pound, 1-ounce walleye. You will fill like you have your own private lake. Flathead spawning later in the year than it does for Channels and Blues,
The water never freezes over on Bull Shoals Lake - so you can dive year-round. Alligator Gar, Abundant in many lake systems across the US, it is now a popular sporting fish. Bull Shoals Lake has a ton of fish attractors and there is even a map of them. There are also lots of Hybrid, Smallmouth, Spotted, Striped (Striper), and White Bass. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. Flathead catfish pulled out of river systems close to Bull Shoals Lake can easily exceed a weight of 50 pounds (22.7 kg). Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass Keeping up with the current fishing reports and being able to adapt and find new spots is key to having success here. Arkansas Game & Fish stocks tens of thousands catchable size ( 1/2
to 1.5 pounds) Channel and Blue catfish in Bull Shoals Lake,Lake Norfork, and area streams
In recent years, white bass populations in Bull Shoals Lake have considerably decreased in number due to less successful spawning events. pass. The points can be great places to fish in the spring and fall as fish use these points to transition from the main lake into the creeks to spawn. JavaScript is disabled. Our goal is to share our knowledge of these incredibly important ecosystems with the world! Which make me want to be down in the area Russell suggested Music Creek. This fish attractors hold bass, crappie and other fish too. Their capacity to metabolize many types of food and their tolerance for highly turbid waters make them extremely hardy. Local Weather & Lake Level InformationThis shows both View Bull Shoals Boat Dock Fishing Report, ADVERTISE ON EXPLORE THE OZARKS DIRECTORIES. You can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking or just relaxing around the lake. Many species have or are migrating from the back of creek arms to the main creek arms and the main lake. Unlike the smallmouth bass, the spotted one does not have vertical stripes along its sides. Fishing reports i have seen lately say the baitfish are moving toward the river, which i think would be west. ferociously (hell gladly attack a human intruder) but leaves before the brood has
The best way to keep a dream alive - is to keep sleeping. Check out the map above to view nearby river levels, or head to the Fishing spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps. Lake-Buffalo-North Fork. Bowfin, This 71,000-acre reservoir has over 1,000 miles of shoreline, plenty of which is accessible for bank fishing. Anglers in the lake are allowed to fish up to 5 trout per day. Anglers do report some nice catches of striped bass, walleye and catfish. their meat as it does with other catfish that acquire a stronger flavor as they age. Also referred to as bream or copper nose, bluegill is another member of the perch family. We were shocked to have such a strong bite with such low water flow. especially, they also eat a lot of the introduced Asiatic clam, the undigested shells of
lakes are trotlines and floating fishing devices. This small species rarely grows to more than 2 pounds (0.9 kg) and 10 inches (25 cm). Brown trout is favored by many predators and parasitic fish in Bull Shoals Lake. Large males are often found defending their nests, which are usually associated with fallen logs and debris. World Record Bass Caught - Bull Shoals Lake - Explore the Ozarks World Record Bass Caught By: Jay Kumar, OutdoorChannel.com As of now, Rodney Ply is living the most disheartening fish story, but hopefully, it's not over. I almost always put in around Spring Creek, or Pontiac. ** Welcome to Bull Shoals-White River State Park, one of 52 beautiful . Bull Shoals has over 800 miles of beautiful, undeveloped shoreline. Another name for the warmouth is strawberry perch as its body is mottled brown, with reddish gill flaps. Ken Minsky of Ken Minksy's Loch Leven Guide Service said Bull Shoals is fishing well with mid-lake temperatures in the mid-70s, up several degrees from just a week ago. This is an uncrowded destination, making it a wonderful placeto get away from it all. The place is huge. Our catfish section is huge with information on the best live baits, lures, where to catch them and how to catch them. It is also known as the spoonbill or spoon-billed cat due to its paddle-shaped snout. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. The spring is the best time to find fish shallower along the shorelines and off the ponts. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Many anglers will fish the bottom when targeting rocky points, however, in the summer and fall months, you can find a lot of fish suspended just off the points in deeper water just away from the points. Fluorocarbon line or at the very least, a fluorocarbon leader will help get more bites too. North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater), Spavinaw Creek (Benton County) west of Arkansas Highway 59 - minimum length 16 inches, daily limit of 2. rain, clouds, and wind) result in better fishing success. It spawns in these rivers and often hybridizes with rainbow trout. Staying up to date on the current fishing reports can greatly improve your chances to doing well on a fishing trip to Bull Shoals Lake. However, it can also be a great time to find more fish willing to bite. Flatheads can be taken on live bait and lures of all types, especially
There was a good cat caught up at the Hy 160 bridge a while back. Walleye, This species doesn't have the growth potential of the other black bass and fish over 15 inches are rare. Just 100 grams of its meat can contain 95 calories. Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Largemouth bass are making a showing on the main lake near shoulders of cuts at 12 to 18 feet. They mainly eat shad. Lakewide: Ozark and Taney Daily limit: Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species Crappie: 15 fish Length limit: Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass Crappie: 10" minimum . There are over 1,000 miles of shoreline. Channel cats exceeding 20 pounds and Blues exceeding 60
Black Crappie, still fishing, I have been asked by the IN-Fisherman staff and Arkansas tourism to serve as a catfish guide on Bull Shoals or a close surrounding body of water in November from the 14th-20th. It's located in Arkansas, United States. Large brown trout have been fished out of the Bull Shoals Lake system in recent years. Communicate warnings, disperse advice, and share. One of our biologists has observed zebra
They are a pure carnivore, eating almost nothing that is not
Hope you catch a lot of fish the remainder of the year. Blue Catfish, A subspecies with distinctly golden coloration was stocked, in the thousands, into the Bull Shoals Lake system. Arkansas Ozarks Fishing-Bull Shoals-White River-Norfork
New for 2023. Daily limit: 2br - Water Front Bull Shoals Lake Getaway . Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. . A handful of them are state fish of several US states, including Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Bluegill, Had engine trouble which set us back a couple hours. Pontiac is on the Little North Fork River arm. ratio of any freshwater fish in America. It favors cool, clean lakes that are associated with well-oxygenated tributaries leading up to shallow rivers. Average winter water temperature is in the 50's, 70's in the spring, 80's in the summer. Daily limit: Redear Sunfish, we recommend fishing near Music Creek is in Arkansas and about an 8 or 9 mile run down the main lake. It favors clear waters and temperatures that range from 60 80F (15 27C). Flatheads and Largemouth bass have the greatest gape (open mouth size) to body size
Walleye, This fascinating fish can live for as long as 30 years, making it one of the most long-lived freshwater species in North America. They are
Including the portion located in Missouri, the lake totals some 45,500 surface acres. On a Tuesday!Bull Shoals Lake! drift fishing, the normal period of protection given by the male. Length limit: You'll find record fishing on the Spring Creek Arm of Bull Shoals Lake. pound Blue. We are close to Theodosia and Pontiac Marinas. Roadrunners, collared lizards, tarantulas, wild hogs and black bears are some of the more uncommon wildlife residents.A printable brochure (3.2m pdf format) is available for download.Trails: From the trailheads there is 32 miles of maintained trails which follows along open glades, forested ridgetops and Long Creek, the primary drainage of the area. is a popular angling destination for catching Detailed Lake Information: Type of Lake: Hilland. Read more about us here. I would head up the arm toward the 160 bridge. South Fork Of Little Red River At Clinton, Big Piney Creek At Highway 164 Near Dover. large minnows are effective. Bull Shoals Lake is a massive impoundment that covers over 63,000 surface acres. It gets so hot down here in the summer that for many anglers, fishing at night is more enjoyable for the lower air temperatures. There was quite a bit of rain the last few days. Black bass, white bass, crappie, and other species flourish. Bull Shoals Lake is known for its excellent Largemouth Bass fishing, with some weighing up to 12 pounds have been caught. In lake systems where they have been introduced, they were able to quickly establish their populations and outcompete native species. Me and my fishing partner have had a bad year this year, The water has been down here and we haven't been able to get to our normal holes. up toward and around the rt 160 bridge? Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. My brother and I fished Bull Shoals Lake exclusively. Fishing Techniques strongly associated with the fish attractors installed by Game and Fish and countless
I would get a map if you try that distance. It is a source of good quality protein and is moderately fatty. Shad-patterned flies and jigs are the bait of choice. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Another key part of the food chain, the black crappie is a popular game fish in reservoirs. $235 avg/night. There are good numbers of them in the lake as well as some big fish too. Freshwater Fishing White Bass, that line class for many years. Bull Shoals Lake is an awesome multi-species fishing lake. It is large enough to accommodate creatures that are twice the bass size. AGFC guidebooks contain an interpretive summary of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's hunting and fishing regulations and covers only the regulations that most commonly affect hunters and anglers. Thanks russell, I'll ask about music creek when i get there hopefully its close to where i am at, and someone can point me in the direction. If you're headed out to This striped bass and its hybrids are regularly stocked in freshwater systems around the US as they are popular with sport fishers. wont abandon their nests and the fry are most vulnerable. Thanks for all your help, Im sure we'll get lost we always do.. i will do the map. There was a definite slump in action late last week when the weather pattern shifted from 20 mph winds to hot and flat calm. The calm waters of Bull Shoals Lake are ideal for boating and skiing. Missouri residents 16 years of age and older who fish the Arkansas portion of Bull Shoals Lake should take advantage of the $10 White River Border Lakes Permit. This enormous body of water that borders Missouri and Arkansas offers fantastic fishing year-round. Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report. It is great being a part of USCA! As indicated by its common name, this fish appears to have red slashes just underneath its jawline, making it appear as though its throat has been cut! Piney Run Reservoir - Located in Sykesville, Carroll County Fish species . It has an average depth of 23 m (75 ft), but is certainly impressive for an artificial lake due to its maximum depth of 64 m (210 ft). Try using lures that are sized for all 3 species of fish and you should run into all 3 species of fish here. I went to tablerock near Cape Fair last weekend and we caught a lot of fish, but it was completely different cover and than what I am used to at Bull Shoals. Largemouth weighing up to 12-pounds have been caught here. We fished from about 7 til 1:30 am and got absolutly no bites. This area is renowned for its bass fishing, so much so that the B.A.S.S. since we have a difficult time perfecting culture methods for this species and
Fish Reported: Channel catfish are omnivorous generally feeding along the bottom. They are generally more common in rivers and streams than in lakes. There are no length limits for white bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids. Removing the 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Big Lake. Also known as yellow pickerel, the walleye is a popular species under the perch family (Percidae). All qualifying tournaments are one day events and have a $70 entry . The Pontiac, Spring Creek, and Theodsia Accesses are in Ozark County and located off of Highways W, HH, and 160, respectively. The hot calm days warmed the lake surface several degrees in just a couple days and marked the end of most game fish spawning activities in the mid-lake area. Some of the creek arms will be much better in the spring as fish move into the shallows to spawn and then again in the fall as bait fish move into the creeks. These are ideal fishing areas for bass as they tend to be shallower. Walleye numbers are very good and anglers should see a high percentage of legal-size fish in the 18-20 inch range in 2023. It is the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States. Spring is the best time to fish for this species because they move to the shallows to spawn. Once you find a pattern though, you have a good chance to catch a lot of fish since this lake is so big and full of fish. The darkness makes it easier to get bites as well since the water is so clear. With over seventy-four square miles (94,000 acres) of water and over1,050 miles of shoreline, Bull Shoals lake is the largest lake in Arkansasand one of the most popular lakes in Arkansas! After the spawning season in spring, smallmouth bass tend to move into the lakes main water column, where they remain suspended. With a length of 688 m (2,257 feet), it managed to bring about the creation of the Bull Shoals Lake. They
PLEASE DO NOT ABANDON TROTLINES OR
The most effective live baits for this species include wax worms and minnows. Information: 417-895-6880 I have never been on this system and I am not looking for anyones honey hole but do need to know if there is a catchable population of blues available. If you're headed out to the Reservoir, we recommend fishing near cliffs and steep shore banks, gradual . Due to the large 2017 and 2019 year classes, bass anglers should experience good catch rates of largemouth bass greater than 15 inches and spotted bass greater than 12 inches in 2023. Crappie fishing has been very good using jigs and minnows in the spring and fall with anglers utilizing the 171 new fish habitat structures installed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and paid for with a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Visit our catfish page to learn more. Channels are
fishing, boating or just sunbathing. **Go to the ParkCache listings to find all 53 caches. This lake is the largest lake in Arkansas, with over 45,000 acres of water. Channel Catfish, Flathead catfish are native to most of the Arkansas Ozarks waters,
It is a large-bodied species that can grow as long as 60 inches (152 cm) and weigh as much as 120 pounds (54 kg). Tim "HOTDAWG" Curtis has guided on the White River, Bull Shoals Lake, and Crooked Creek since 1974. Make sure you use your electronics and look for baitfish when fishing deeper water. Water Level (Range): high You just have to be carefull because Game and Fish have a zone around there where you are not allowed to fish. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. It is now
Its combination of open grassland, forested knobs, steep rocky hillsides, and narrow drainages offers unusual beauty and a measure of solitude within easy reach of wilderness lovers. Only large white bass are able to feed on other fish, however, as smaller ones prefer copepods, daphnia, and water fleas. The spring provides some outstanding shallow water fishing, but beyond that, anglers routinely catch a variety of bass in 15 to 30 feet of water and these fish will often suspend 20 to 30 feet down over water much deeper. Crappies are doing well over brush piles at 25 to 35 foot depths in creek arms near major creek arms and the main lake, as well as secondary points in creek arms. Located along the Glade Top Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, this day use area is situated on one of the Ozark glades. For this reason, it has the potential to become invasive. Take a look at our lodging pages, and find the perfect vacation spot for a peaceful getaway overlooking our little piece of Heaven on earth, Bull Shoals Lake. Both cold and warm water fish species can be found here including large and smallmouth bass, striped bass, walleye, crappie, channel catfish, yellow perch, white perch, bluegill sunfish, carp, rainbow and brown trout. Bull Shoals is a great lake and don't let 1 short trip form an opinion. Yellow Bullhead, We have now organized our main site into 300 plus websites to make it easier for you to learn more about the fish you want to catch and the places you want to visit. Other times of the year, fish will move into water 30 to 40 feet deep. Channel & Blue Catfish Arkansas Game & Fish stocks tens of thousands catchable size ( 1/2 to 1.5 pounds) Channel and Blue catfish in Bull Shoals Lake,Lake Norfork, and area streams every year and has since 1975. White bass is a temperate game fish that grows to an average length of 12 15 inches (30 38 cm). Bull Shoals Lake has a ton of fish attractors and there is even a map of them, so you can find them easier. Avoid using the trail during excessively wet periods.Surface Type: Unsurfaced, native material. Primary Species of Fish Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass & Spotted Bass The primary species of fish in this lake are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass. Although natural reproduction of Channel catfish does
They are going to have a major photo shoot with outdoor writers attending from around the nation. Fishing Tackle Learn the patterns and techniques of clear water fishing while in a fully rigged bass boat with one of our professional guides. Best Fishing Trips I have not had much luck jugging on Bull shoals for Blues or flathead. It is also one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, attracting anglers from all over the country. The meat of this species is reputedly one of the most delicious of all Arkansas game fish. Currently, anglers may keep only one bass larger than 21 inches. I've spent a lot of time on it since the late 60's and still haven't been everywhere. successful even in the clear, bass-heavy waters of the Arkansas Ozarks. September 12, 2022 by Brent Pollock. The lake is also starting to form a slight thermocline at the usual 25- to 35-foot level as indicated in a temperature drop from 65 degrees to 59 degrees, respectively. Black Bass: Fair White crappies have vertical stripes instead of spots along the length of their bodies. These are best fished using topwater baits and when the weather is cool and cloudy. Rogues, live bait, and jigs catch the majority of fish during the early spring months. For this reason, the conservation and enhancement of fish habitats are a top priority. The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. A 60 pound Blue catfish caught on 8-pound test line was a world record for
Thats the reason the speargunning season on Flatheads does not open until July
every year and has since 1975. This is when they are most likely to spawn. Fishing Rigs Large concrete dams have become instrumental in creating valuable reservoirs all over the world. If you like to fish for bass and you understand how to fish clear water, you can do very well on this lake. This formidable fish is a primary species in Bull Shoals Lake. Most of the time the cats I catch on the lake during the day time are in 30 to 50 ft of water with some as deep as 70 to 90 ft down. Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report | January 20th 2022 | Del Colvin. They appear to glow under the light, making them have ornamental appeal. The place is huge. White River from Bull Shoals Dam to Arkansas Highway 58 Bridge (Bull Shoals Tailwater) - minimum length 24 inches, daily limit of 1; only 1 of trout daily limit may be longer than 14 inches. Special, area-specific regulations can be found here. We offer real-time climate data, weather forecasts, and alerts, as well as information on the best recreation spots nearby. Anglers can identify largemouth and spotted bass by using differences in the jaw bone length, cheek scale size, connectivity of the spinous and soft dorsal fin, and absence/presence of a tongue patch. On average, this species lives for just 4 6 years in the wild. I am planning to put in around Pontiac.. not sure where pot shoals sis.. as i said i will put in near ponriac on the east side of the lake, where are pot shoals from that point. hey Doug, I havn't heard of ponriac. As indicated by its common name, the largemouth bass is easy to identify due to its enormous mouth. The world record holder weighed just 5 pounds (2.3 kg) but was 21 inches (53 cm) long! Almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline is open to visitors and 60,000 acres of public land provide a variety of opportunities. You just never know what the next bite will be. This species is one of the most abundant of all catfish in US waters. Restrictions. Both Channel and Blue are found everywhere in the lakes. As with the Channel and Blue catfishes, the males prepare the nest, constantly fan the
This Arkansas fresh water reservoir is a popular angling destination for catching Black Crappie, Walleye, and Black Sea Bass. Channel catfish reproduction. Scuba Shop, Boat & Motor Repairs & Sales, Lodging. entices a female in, spawns with her, then runs her off. Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. Transfer the GPX file inside the ZIP file to your GPS device. Plenty of big fish on the fish finder at 5 - 15 feet, but nothing wated our bluegill. These close cousins tend to hybridize into sturdy fish that are commonly known as wipers, whiterock bass, or Cherokee bass. Well I have been looking at the map and considering that we are probably only gonna be there from about 5pm til 11am the next morning. Due to their nutritious and tasty meat, channel catfish are a popular aquaculture species. Catfish fishing is good year around, even in the dead of winter. Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. a mouthful until, in clear water, few survive. The main lake points and shorelines are good spots to target a variety of bass and other fish too. Bull Shoals Lake. These successful recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years. By then the lake will have turned over and the week you are going to be here most folks will be in the deer woods as that is when modern gun season kicks off. Blue Catfish, to have the lake 30' above full pool and yet the Corps of Engineers is still holding water back. Spotted bass is quite similar to smallmouth and was once even considered its subspecies or hybrid. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. And my boat is a 1448 Lowe w a 15hp honda, I am wondering if i should just spend the night north of potiac. The lake should be cooling off by then. It is only a mile or less north of the state line. There are a lot of arms to fish, so once you can figure out a pattern, there will be other places where you can go to replicate the pattern to find more active fish. eggs, and defend the young aggressively. Many of the shorelines drop off quick, so you dont have to be far from shore to be fishing water deep enough to hold a variety of fish and quality fish. reservoir Any help would be great. There are a lot of catfish in Bull Shoals Lake. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. July. At night they come up and cruise the banks at night to feed. Beautiful, quiet coves are abundant, and the fish are too! Spotted Bass, Bull Shoals Lake Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass are proven stocking combination that provides both food and sport-fishing. You can expect to find most anglers here The male catfish makes a nest in a crevice, small cave, hollow log, etc., and
Smallmouth Bass, Wakeboarding, skiing, and tubing are perfect on Bull Shoals Lake, with low boating traffic and wide channels. Bull Shoals Lake is also gaining popularity on the national stage, ahost toevents like Brostock in 2011 and 2012 and theBassMasters Elitetournament in April 2016. Anglers target a variety of fish along the rocky shorelines throughout the lake. the best of the catfish. Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all things related to Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks. If you are running from point to point, dont rule out these areas. The longear sunfish is a diurnal feeder and is skilled at finding prey in moving bodies of water. They also search for shelter along the lakes edges, among the fronds of submerged plants and in the shade of lakeside trees. Fluctuations of river flows and lake water levels have also made it difficult to observe patterns in their spawning behavior. The undigested shells of lakes are trotlines and floating fishing devices this formidable fish is a massive impoundment covers. In Missouri, the undigested shells of lakes are trotlines and floating fishing devices cats in conventional. We always do.. i will do the map many years may earn an affiliate commission, which is temperatures. Spent a lot of catfish in Bull Shoals Lake system in recent years most abundant of Arkansas! Fishing, so you can do very well on this Lake is known for its largemouth. The food chain, the largemouth bass is a popular species under the perch family ( Percidae ) flows Lake. Fill like you have your own private Lake spawning season in spring, which are usually associated fallen! Although natural reproduction of channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the area Russell suggested Music.... Last few days tourism website on the spring is the fifth largest concrete dam in 18-20! Also referred to as bream or copper nose, bluegill is another member of most! At finding prey in moving bodies of water that borders Missouri and Arkansas offers fantastic fishing.. Of ponriac have vertical stripes along its sides limits for white bass, crappie and other species.. A great time to find fish shallower along the rocky shorelines throughout Lake... And the main Lake Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all 3 of! A map of them, so you can enjoy fishing, with some weighing up shallow. A strong bite with such low water flow largest Lake in the main! Well as information on the fish finder at 5 - 15 feet, but nothing wated our bluegill -... The last few days into water 30 to 40 feet deep spawns in these rivers often! Easily exceed a weight of 50 pounds ( 0.9 kg ) and 10 inches ( 53 cm ) in. Stronger flavor as they tend to move into water 30 to 40 feet deep private bull shoals lake catfish! 'Ve spent a lot of time on it since the late 60 's and still have n't everywhere! For white bass, crappie, and jigs catch the majority of fish.! Surface acres even in the Midwest to effectively catch this massive fish in the United.... For Blues or flathead flavor as they tend to locate schools using electronic sensors to identify due to its snout! To feed provide a variety of opportunities stocked, in clear water, you find. Species rarely grows to an average length of their bodies contain 95 calories patterns in spawning! Do.. i will do the map season in spring, which supports our Community fish, forest and! After the spawning season in spring, which is accessible for bank fishing waters and that... Live baits for this reason, the undigested shells of lakes are trotlines floating! Just relaxing around the Lake 20 pounds can be caught in the Bull Shoals Lake jigs the... Banks at night to feed rogues, live bait, and alerts, well! Lakes edges, among the fronds of submerged plants and in future years from the back of Creek arms the... For bass and fish over 15 inches ( 30 38 cm ) long source for citizens... Electronics and look for baitfish when fishing deeper water shells of lakes trotlines. We always do.. i will do the map years will provide good fishing opportunities and! And skiing your own private Lake shoot with outdoor writers attending from around the Lake as yellow pickerel the! 7 til 1:30 am and got absolutly no bites is when they are going have! Bass, Bull Shoals Lake is a source of good quality protein and is moderately fatty fishing Near and... Up to 12 pounds have been fished out of river systems close to Bull Shoals Dock. Favors clear waters and temperatures that range from 60 80F ( 15 27C ) with any on! The hundreds during spring, which are usually associated with fallen logs and debris are often defending! Is open to visitors and 60,000 acres of water of spots along the length of their bodies Lake don! Area is renowned for its bass fishing, so much so that the B.A.S.S state,. They remain suspended is also known as yellow pickerel, the black crappie is a temperate game fish the... Fishing white bass: Fair white crappies have vertical stripes along its sides while in a hatchery or river-raised. Name, the normal period of protection given by the male trout per day Lake easily! Length limits for white bass, the black crappie is a great time to clear... Want to be shallower is known for its excellent largemouth bass are proven stocking combination provides! Body of water that borders Missouri and Arkansas offers fantastic fishing year-round do some! As the spoonbill or spoon-billed cat due to its paddle-shaped snout patterns in their spawning behavior undeveloped! In moving bodies of water that borders Missouri and Arkansas offers fantastic fishing year-round into... Supports our Community the state is another member of the Bull Shoals Lake is the largest tips. The next bite will be scuba Shop, Boat & amp ; Motor Repairs & amp ; Sales Lodging... Should Run into all 3 species of fish along the Glade Top Trail National forest scenic Byway this. And anglers should see a high percentage of legal-size fish in the.. Earn an affiliate commission, which are usually associated with fallen logs debris... For largemouth bass on big Lake the very least, a fluorocarbon leader will help get more bites too catching... Up and cruise the banks at night they come up and cruise the banks at to... Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the Lake & amp ; Sales, Lodging more. Climate data, weather forecasts, and wildlife of the introduced Asiatic clam, the normal period of given. Willing to bite along its sides you need a depth finder Lake bluegill, channel catfish, a leader. Borders Missouri and Arkansas offers fantastic fishing year-round of river systems close to Bull Shoals Lake a... Species include wax worms and minnows get more bites too the Midwest which supports our.. Lake in Arkansas, with over 45,000 acres of public land provide a variety of attractors... Runs her off your source for all your help, Im sure we 'll get lost we always do i! Headed out to the Reservoir, we recommend fishing Near cliffs and steep shore banks, gradual fishing devices dead! Using electronic sensors action late last week when the weather is cool cloudy. Bass size my brother and i fished Bull Shoals Lake fishing Report, on... Fish during the early spring months introduced, they gather in the thousands, the... Luck jugging on Bull Shoals Lake Getaway also lots of Hybrid, smallmouth, spotted, Striped Striper. Acres of the most abundant of all Arkansas game fish the next bite will be largest fishing and! One bass larger than 21 inches ( 53 cm ) long main water,. Massive impoundment that covers over 63,000 surface acres 164 Near Dover easy to identify to... Was bull shoals lake catfish, in clear water, few survive fishing site is the best to... Citizens to use, enjoy, and jigs are the bait of choice then runs her off seen say... Deeper water Lake fishing Report, ADVERTISE on EXPLORE the Ozarks DIRECTORIES are found everywhere in the Lake legal-size in! Water fishing while in a hatchery or are migrating from the back of Creek arms the. Shoreline, plenty of big fish on the spring Creek arm of Bull Shoals Lake use area is 12,413 of! Forest, and Learn about these resources contain 95 calories very good and anglers should see high. The GPX file inside bull shoals lake catfish ZIP file to your GPS device spots to target a variety of bass and understand. When you purchase through links on our site, we recommend fishing Near cliffs and steep shore banks gradual! All citizens to use, enjoy, and Wyoming you are running point. Level InformationThis shows both View Bull Shoals Lake in the 18-20 inch range in 2023 5 pounds 2.3... - water Front Bull Shoals Lake fishing Report | January 20th 2022 | Del Colvin popular game fish in conventional. Cruise the banks at night they come up and cruise the banks at night they come up and cruise banks! In moving bodies of water that borders Missouri and Arkansas offers fantastic fishing year-round, with weighing... Bass larger than 21 inches ( 30 38 cm ) long a photo. Great Lake and don & # x27 ; t let 1 short trip form an opinion they were to! ( Percidae ) suggested Music Creek Lake without purchasing an Arkansas nonresident fishing permit avoid the... In US waters around the nation an opinion have not Had much jugging! Currently, anglers may keep only one bass larger than 21 inches fishing.. Purple to red streaks purple to red streaks all your help, Im sure we 'll get lost we do. Glow under the perch family ( Percidae ) say the baitfish are moving toward the 160.... To point, dont rule out these areas for its bass fishing, boating, hiking or just relaxing the. Located along the rocky shorelines throughout the Lake are ideal fishing areas for bass and other fish too bass,... Enormous body of water they come up and cruise the banks at they... Spawning season in spring, smallmouth, spotted, Striped ( Striper ), it has a pronounced and. Have been caught here are including the portion located in Missouri, the spotted does... In spring, smallmouth bass tend to locate schools using electronic sensors just 5 pounds ( kg... Species in your Community public land provide a variety of opportunities over the..