Visibility in the lake is excellent, and is typically 20 to 40 feet minimum. interactive map I'm from Kansas/Oklahoma and fish lakes there for blue catfish. This enormous body of water that borders Missouri and Arkansas offers fantastic fishing year-round. The property DIRECTLY borders the "Take Line" at Bull Shoals Lake. It spawns in these rivers and often hybridizes with rainbow trout. Learn the patterns and techniques of clear water fishing while in a fully rigged bass boat with one of our professional guides. Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all things related to Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks. Fishing for them can be quite challenging, but they do tend to follow bait fish over a considerable distance. Read more about us here. trolling, I would have gotten to you sooner but my computer went down. Matthew Hambright. Striped bass: minimum 20" Bull Shoals Lake is known for its clear, deep waters. Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report. This unique adaptation helps it feed on other small fish, crayfish, and insects. In early spring, this fish can be found in schools close to the coast, where it seeks shelter in rock formations, fallen logs, and weeds. It's a Regular size geocache, with difficulty of 2.5, terrain of 1.5. The areas that have large schools of shad will usually be the spots that hold good numbers of bass and other fish too. Both Channel and Blue are found everywhere in the lakes. 14oz. Keeping up with the current fishing reports and being able to adapt and find new spots is key to having success here. Eliminating the "under 16-inch" size restriction for the bonus 10 catfish on the Arkansas River. There are a lot of other species of fish in this lake. Historically they reproduced in the larger rivers There are also lots of Hybrid, Smallmouth, Spotted, Striped (Striper), and White Bass. PLEASE DO NOT ABANDON TROTLINES OR This is great news for the lakes larger carnivores as they are less likely to have trouble coming across many viable food sources. These successful recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years. Bluegill, Channel cats exceeding 20 pounds and Blues exceeding 60 pounds are occasionally caught. MOYAK Mondays 7!! In the summer and fall, you can usually have some success by fishing the main lake points that jump out to deeper water fairly quickly. The lake has turned over and fish scatter throughout the system and it is possible to catch most species at this time by chasing shad schools in the creek arms. Music Creek is in Arkansas and about an 8 or 9 mile run down the main lake. The place is huge. large minnows are effective. 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. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. Anybody with any advice on bait or location to try? of catfish fishing. Bull Shoals Lake has a surface area of 183 km2 (45,150 acres). Walleye: Fair Blue catfish are a more aggressive fish This living fossil is the only extant species left in its family, Polyodontindae. He knows the tricks and patience it takes to catch big fish. As a result, this aggressive fish can eat just about anything but does prefer crayfish, smaller fish, and frogs. Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. With its deep and clear water, most anglers do better on this lake by fishing deeper and with lighter line than they would on most other lakes that they fish. Fishing reports i have seen lately say the baitfish are moving toward the river, which i think would be west. Its favorite treats include annelid worms, frogs, small fish, and insects. The trout is able to survive despite considerably sized skin wounds with the help of clotting factors in its blood. Bull Shoals has over 800 miles of beautiful, undeveloped shoreline. They 6' dropline and a 4" bluegill. ** Welcome to Bull Shoals-White River State Park, one of 52 beautiful . drift fishing, Trotlines and set poles are effective in streams. Bull Shoals Lake is a gigantic lake. The world record holder was fished in Alabama a few years ago. Bull Shoals is the closest lake on the map and was wondering if it would be possible to catch blue catfish out of there. predator that generally inhabits the open water. 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. John. In the spring, you have a variety of bass and other fish that move into the creek arms to get ready to spawn, but lake levels and water clarity can change quickly here in the spring. There are no length limits for white bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids. Trout are here in limited numbers, but nearby, there is some awesome trout fishing available. Due to its pale coloration, its other common names are silver bass or sand bass. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass & Spotted Bass. These are best fished using topwater baits and when the weather is cool and cloudy. 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. That means a good flow into the river and thus into that arm of the lake. 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. Water Surface Temp: 66 It is an ambush predator that prefers to hide and wait in the shade of aquatic macrophytes as it monitors its surroundings for prey. We fished from about 7 til 1:30 am and got absolutly no bites. Black Sea Bass, Smallmouth Bass, On average, this species lives for just 4 6 years in the wild. I would head up the arm toward the 160 bridge. Flathead Catfish, Catfish fishing is good year around, even in the dead of winter. It is an opportunistic feeder that favors all types of plants and animals, including smaller fish. Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. pass. It is also one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, attracting anglers from all over the country. Fish Reported: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Walleye and sauger: minimum 18" However, juveniles of both species can look remarkably similar. fly fishing, Common Carp, With over seventy-four square miles (94,000 acres) of water and over. It also gives their brood Water Surface Temp: 65 $235 avg/night. Kayaks, canoes, bass boats, pontoons and other fishing boats are welcome on the scenic waters of Bull Shoals Reservoir. Any help would be great. New for 2023. Daily limit: As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 661.18 feet msl (normal conservation pool 654 msl). 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. As indicated by its common name, the largemouth bass is easy to identify due to its enormous mouth. The chestnut lamprey attaches itself to this species skin, like a leech. Information: 417-256-7161 Had engine trouble which set us back a couple hours. Learn how your comment data is processed. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. If you want to target even bigger catfish, try fishing for blue catfish or flathead catfish. 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. They also search for shelter along the lakes edges, among the fronds of submerged plants and in the shade of lakeside trees. Information: 417-895-6880 Catfish are also biting well on trotlines along the main lake bluffs, as well as stretched across larger main lake cuts that drop to the 25 to 35 foot level. These are ideal fishing areas for bass as they tend to be shallower. 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. 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. The place is huge. Yes it is Pontiac, my old eyes and the dark don,t make typing easy.. White crappies are best caught in the middle of the day, when they congregate in shallow areas. The most effective means of fishing for Channel and Blue catfish in the Which make me want to be down in the area Russell suggested Music Creek. Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report & Lake Conditions by Ricky Eastwold and Crew at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock "We Rent Fun!" Boat Rentals, Houseboat Rentals, Marina Services, Large Tackle & Watersport Equipment Store, Fishing Guides, P.A.D.I. Special, area-specific regulations can be found here. The fish attractors located on the main lake are great spots to find fish too. There was quite a bit of rain the last few days. These creek arms hold fish year round. occur in Bull Shoals and Norfork, it is severely limited by predation of bass on young Boat Rentals, Houseboat Rentals, Marina Services, Large Tackle & Watersport Equipment Store, Fishing Guides, P.A.D.I. that line class for many years. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. Interestingly, this is the only species of sunfish with teeth on its tongue! With over seventy-four square miles (94,000 acres) of water and over 1,050 miles of shoreline, Bull Shoals lake is the largest lake in Arkansas.and one of the most popular lakes in Arkansas! This gives it an advantage as it can feed at night and on smaller fish that are unable to see as adeptly. The lake should be cooling off by then. You can expect to find most anglers here There is also hybrid bass, smallmouth bass spotted bass, stripe bass, and white bass too. July. I appreciate any info you all can pass on to me. Bull Shoals is a great lake and don't let 1 short trip form an opinion. Premier trout fishing is offered not only at the world-class trout fishery near Bull Shoals Dam, but also where the lake's headwaters cross the tailwaters of Lake Taneycomo. 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. Including the portion located in Missouri, the lake totals some 45,500 surface acres. to explore the surrounding area. Everthing you might need except food and . We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. 1,050 miles of shoreline, Bull Shoals lake is the largest lake in Arkansasand one of the most popular lakes in Arkansas! Experienced anglers who wish to capture large numbers of crappies tend to locate schools using electronic sensors. Unlike other sunfish, this one is able to thrive in polluted, oxygen-poor waters. In turbid parts of the lake, walleyes may feed all day. The points that lead to deep water quickly are great spots to fish in the summer. Anglers from all over the country eagerly seek out the largemouth bass in spring and fall, when communities tend to remain close to waters surface in banks, rocky points, and clear channels. Channel Catfish, These close cousins tend to hybridize into sturdy fish that are commonly known as wipers, whiterock bass, or Cherokee bass. SCUBA divers often find Flatheads During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures. Whether it is big rains or the amount of water they are running through the dam, the lake level can drastically affect where the fish are and how well they are feeding. They are able to tolerate much cooler temperatures and even go into a semi-hibernation state. I would get a map if you try that distance. It was once found in lake systems that extended into Canada, but has not been detected there for the last 90 years. As stakeholders, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), and the US Army Corps of Engineers coordinate and emphasize the need for projects that can help sustain game fish communities. . still fishing, Pot shoals and the net pen culture site is about 10 mile run from pontiac and is pretty easy to get to. Persistent winds can also increase chances of fishing success, and the rough waters associated with these are fondly referred to by anglers as walleye chop. necessary to stock Channel catfish in streams to maintain their populations. 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. fishing, boating or just sunbathing. North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater), Spavinaw Creek (Benton County) west of Arkansas Highway 59 - minimum length 16 inches, daily limit of 2. supplemental stocking has not yet become a reliable options for fisheries managers. There was a definite slump in action late last week when the weather pattern shifted from 20 mph winds to hot and flat calm. Channels are Beaver Creek, River Run, and K-Dock accesses are in Taney County and located off Highways O, 76, and K, respectively. Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report | January 20th 2022 | Del Colvin. Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. Eastern red cedar and oak trees are interspersed with open glades supporting native tall prairie grasses. To spawn in spring, the male spotted bass builds a nesting site where the female can safely deposit her eggs. Also, the spring-time white bass spawning runs can be difficult to pattern if the lake level fluctuates and river flows change frequently. perched in the crotches of sunken trees or lying immobile on rock ledges. We have only rarely seen evidence of Blue There are also lots of Hybrid, Smallmouth, Spotted, Striped (Striper), and White Bass. Try using lures that are sized for all 3 species of fish and you should run into all 3 species of fish here. Bull Shoals Lake is located on the border of Missouri and Arkansas. The meat of this species is reputedly one of the most delicious of all Arkansas game fish. Of course, one of the most popular ones is sport fishing. It favors cool, clean lakes that are associated with well-oxygenated tributaries leading up to shallow rivers. If you know where these structures are, you'll know where the fish are! 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. I focus solely on bass fishing in the Bull Shoals Lake MDC has created fish attractors in these lakes by sinking trees and other objects for fish to gather. On average, this sunfish can fit in a single hand. Spring and summer blooming wildflowers cover the area in natural beauty. Walleye, [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). At this fully furnished, fully equipped kitchen, 2-bedrooms cabin (first room queen bed),(second room queen bed and bunkbeds), sleeps-6, 1-bath cabin in Cedarcreek, MO. New for 2023. Wakeboarding, skiing, and tubing are perfect on Bull Shoals Lake, with low boating traffic and wide channels. Avoid using the trail during excessively wet periods.Surface Type: Unsurfaced, native material. ratio of any freshwater fish in America. Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. Flathead Catfish, A 60 pound Blue catfish caught on 8-pound test line was a world record for The striped bass is an elegantly streamlined fish distinguished by its horizontally-oriented lateral stripes. Artificial fishing habitats have considerably increased their numbers in recent years. Fluorocarbon line or at the very least, a fluorocarbon leader will help get more bites too. Plenty of big fish on the fish finder at 5 - 15 feet, but nothing wated our bluegill. Tim "HOTDAWG" Curtis has guided on the White River, Bull Shoals Lake, and Crooked Creek since 1974. In 2016, Debra, an Illinois native and New Orleans transplant, purchased her family home overlooking beautiful Bull Shoals Lake. alive. Its main color is silvery-white, with a darker dorsal region similar to that of white bass. It favors clear waters and temperatures that range from 60 80F (15 27C). Bull Shoals Lake has a bedrock bottom, so plan on fishing plenty of hard bottom while fishing here. In turn, they are favored by many large game fish and waterfowl. Fishing spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps. It has also been introduced in several water systems as a means to control pest fish. to 1.5 pounds) Channel and Blue catfish in Bull Shoals Lake,Lake Norfork, and area streams Huge walleye, catfish and many other types of fish can also be found in Bull Shoals Lake. 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