Today, this lake supports a complex ecosystem surrounded by a sprawling community of water-dependent industries and diverse terrestrial wildlife. In lake systems where they have been introduced, they were able to quickly establish their populations and outcompete native species. including lakes and streams. since we have a difficult time perfecting culture methods for this species and White crappies are similar to black crappies in terms of morphology. The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. **Go to the ParkCache listings to find all 53 caches. They can be deadly as well as unsightly. cliffs and steep shore banks, An attractive species of the sunfish family, the longear sunfish has visually appealing blue-green bars along the sides of its body. Spearfishing is also a very popular method Elite Series tournament was held right here in 2016! Be advised of hunting seasons. Bull Shoals is a great lake and don't let 1 short trip form an opinion. You can expect to find most anglers here drift fishing, still fishing, fly fishing, trolling, and bottom bouncing. Flathead Catfish, At times, finding schooling fish over deep water is the only way to consistently catch a lot of fish with quality fish too. Bull Shoals is the closest lake on the map and was wondering if it would be possible to catch blue catfish out of there. The shoreline wood cover usually holds a variety of bass and panfish, especially during the spring. There are good numbers of them in the lake as well as some big fish too. In the summer and fall, it is a little more predictable as the better bite will usually be in deeper water out on the main lake as well in some of the creek arms too. Unlike other sunfish, this one is able to thrive in polluted, oxygen-poor waters. The rest of the year, black crappies tend to school in open water and up to 40 feet (12 meters) below the surface. This 71,000-acre reservoir has over 1,000 miles of shoreline, plenty of which is accessible for bank fishing. John. Huge walleye, catfish and many other types of fish can also be found in Bull Shoals Lake. Water Level (Range): high Common Carp, The primary species of fish in this lake are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass. Visit our catfish page to learn more. These are best fished using topwater baits and when the weather is cool and cloudy. 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. reservoir On a Tuesday!Bull Shoals Lake! 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. Large males are often found defending their nests, which are usually associated with fallen logs and debris. eggs, and defend the young aggressively. They are also much lighter in color, with pale bellies. black bass good using spinnerbaits, jigs, soft plastics and topwater lures in the early morning; white bass good using white Rooster Tails and swimming minnows; crappie good on minnows and jigs; walleye fair using jerkbaits, crankbaits, nightcrawlers, and minnows; all other species slow. Eastern red cedar and oak trees are interspersed with open glades supporting native tall prairie grasses. Am Planning a trip in September. Transfer the GPX file inside the ZIP file to your GPS device. A handful of them are state fish of several US states, including Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. of catfish fishing. Trout are here in limited numbers, but nearby, there is some awesome trout fishing available. Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. 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). My brother and I fished Bull Shoals Lake exclusively. Within this site you will find all the information you will need about Bass fishing tournaments in Pennsylvania and Maryland, offering draw tournaments for weekend anglers (individual competition for boaters and non-boaters) on the Tidal Delaware River and the Susquehanna Flats. Scuba Shop, Boat & Motor Repairs & Sales, Lodging. Also known as the mudcat or shovelhead cat, the flathead catfish is a widely introduced and often invasive species throughout the US and northern Mexico. Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Fluctuations of river flows and lake water levels have also made it difficult to observe patterns in their spawning behavior. In streams, trotlines baited with small sunfish or This living fossil is the only extant species left in its family, Polyodontindae. On average, this species lives for just 4 6 years in the wild. Notably smaller than its largemouth cousin but just as aggressive, the smallmouth bass is one of the most highly sought-after species in Bull Shoals Lake. Bull Shoals Lake is known for its clear, deep waters. With over seventy-four square miles (94,000 acres) of water and over. Also, the spring-time white bass spawning runs can be difficult to pattern if the lake level fluctuates and river flows change frequently. Moreover, the two species tend to hybridize, making species identification even more difficult. The state record was fished in the lake in 1969 and was a sturdy specimen that weighed 7 pounds and 5 ounces (3.3 kg). After the spawning season in spring, smallmouth bass tend to move into the lakes main water column, where they remain suspended. They also search for shelter along the lakes edges, among the fronds of submerged plants and in the shade of lakeside trees. Alligator Gar, Just plan accordingly with the things you will need for a week on the lake. Black Crappie, Interestingly, this is the only species of sunfish with teeth on its tongue! We recommend a guided trip because the fishing techniques used in the clear Ozark mountain waters are far different from those used in other parts of America. It is an ambush predator that prefers to hide and wait in the shade of aquatic macrophytes as it monitors its surroundings for prey. Crankbaits, jigs, plastic worms, and spinner baits are common lures to use here for bass. a mouthful until, in clear water, few survive. which they will eventually (painfully?) Bull Shoals Lake is a gigantic lake. There are many resorts, cabins, and campgrounds to choose from on Bull Shoals Lake. This lake is the largest lake in Arkansas, with over 45,000 acres of water. The main lake points and shorelines are good spots to target a variety of bass and other fish too. Many different species of bass are available to go along with walleye, catfish, trout and panfish. Its main color is silvery-white, with a darker dorsal region similar to that of white bass. Redear Sunfish, Matthew Hambright. 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. Beaver Creek, River Run, and K-Dock accesses are in Taney County and located off Highways O, 76, and K, respectively. Local Weather & Lake Level InformationThis shows both View Bull Shoals Boat Dock Fishing Report, ADVERTISE ON EXPLORE THE OZARKS DIRECTORIES. Their capacity to metabolize many types of food and their tolerance for highly turbid waters make them extremely hardy. Shad-patterned flies and jigs are the bait of choice. Bull Shoals Dam was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1951. Striped Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout & Brown Trout. Anglers wanting fish to eat are encouraged to harvest spotted bass greater than 12 inches. Spring is the best time to fish for this species because they move to the shallows to spawn. Thats the reason the speargunning season on Flatheads does not open until July You can usually find fish quickly or rule a spot out with good electronics when searching for these suspended fish. When searching the creek arms to find fish, you may have to search for certain water temperatures, shoreline cover or schooling baitfish to find the better bite on each particular day. 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. Copperheads and rattlesnakes may be encountered. MOYAK Mondays 7!! Well we made our trip the 12th, got there about 3pm. In reservoirs like Bull Shoals Lake, these sites also tend to be used by smallmouth bass. Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. For boat permits and information call 410-795-6150. Boat Rentals, Houseboat Rentals, Marina Services, Large Tackle & Watersport Equipment Store, Fishing Guides, P.A.D.I. Bluegill, 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. This species doesn't have the growth potential of the other black bass and fish over 15 inches are rare. It, too, is nationally known for its excellent bass fishing. Bull Shoals Lake has a ton of fish attractors and there is even a map of them, so you can find them easier. The best way to keep a dream alive - is to keep sleeping. John Jamison. They are able to tolerate much cooler temperatures and even go into a semi-hibernation state. Panfish can be caught here too. O. clarkii is fairly easy to identify and remember due to its distinctive red markings. Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species strongly associated with the fish attractors installed by Game and Fish and countless Walleye, Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all things related to Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Largemouth bass are making a showing on the main lake near shoulders of cuts at 12 to 18 feet. Many state fishing records have been set at Bull Shoals Lake, included are the Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Striped Bass, and the still standing Largemouth Bass at 13lb. White crappies are best caught in the middle of the day, when they congregate in shallow areas. Many species have or are migrating from the back of creek arms to the main creek arms and the main lake. He knows the tricks and patience it takes to catch big fish. Alligator Gar: See page 10 of the 2023 Fishing Guidebook. This species is annually introduced into the Ozark Lake systems, with individuals entering into the Bull Shoals-White River State Park. Spotted Gar, A subspecies with distinctly golden coloration was stocked, in the thousands, into the Bull Shoals Lake system. Annual Prospects Report Removing the 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Big Lake. There are over 1,000 miles of shoreline. Many different species of bass are available to go along with walleye, catfish, trout and panfish. These creek arms hold fish year round. Flathead spawning later in the year than it does for Channels and Blues, As a result, this aggressive fish can eat just about anything but does prefer crayfish, smaller fish, and frogs. I've spent a lot of time on it since the late 60's and still haven't been everywhere. Learn the patterns and techniques of clear water fishing while in a fully rigged bass boat with one of our professional guides. 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. View Bull Shoals Boat Dock Fishing Report their meat as it does with other catfish that acquire a stronger flavor as they age. Blue catfish are a more aggressive fish Spotted bass is quite similar to smallmouth and was once even considered its subspecies or hybrid. Crappie fishing can be very good at times during this time of the year as well. There are lots of good places but Pot Shoals is a good place. Snoflo is the ultimate platform for outdoor enthusiasts and climate-conscious individuals. 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. Listed below are some of the most economically important fish species in the lake system. would periodically repopulate the smaller tributaries where conditions are unsuitable to In turbid parts of the lake, walleyes may feed all day. We were shocked to have such a strong bite with such low water flow. large minnows are effective. gradual shores, Grass Carp, Flathead catfish are native to most of the Arkansas Ozarks waters, Key attractions along the trail include Long Creek Falls, panoramic views of the Ozarks countryside, and a variety of native communities including open limestone glades and mixed forests.Rating: More Difficult to Most Difficult with steep terrain, stream crossings, sparsely marked trail, and elevations from 600 to 1200 feet.Length: 32 milesBest Seasons: Fall, winter, and spring.Leave No Trace: Pack out what you pack in.Restrictions: Foot and Horse only.Safety: No drinking water is available at parking areas or along the trail; bring what you will need, or be prepared to sterilize water you find. It is the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States. Best Fishing Trips Thanks for the information Arky. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. We are close to Theodosia and Pontiac Marinas. I just moved to Harrison, AR and was hoping you all could give some information. Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report. pound Blue. Black bass, white bass, crappie, and other species flourish. Spotted Bass, especially, they also eat a lot of the introduced Asiatic clam, the undigested shells of Also known as yellow pickerel, the walleye is a popular species under the perch family (Percidae). When fishing the rocky shorelines, some wind blowing into the shore tends to provide better fishing. The darkness makes it easier to get bites as well since the water is so clear. Other times of the year, fish will move into water 30 to 40 feet deep. Channel catfish are omnivorous generally feeding along the bottom. 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