to 1.5 pounds) Channel and Blue catfish in Bull Shoals Lake,Lake Norfork, and area streams Including the portion located in Missouri, the lake totals some 45,500 surface acres. Fourteen were brown trout, the rest rainbows on day 1. Tim "Hotdawg" Curtis has been a fishing guide since 1974, so he knows the best spots to catch bass, walleye, catfish and bream on Bull Shoals Lake and the White River. Bull Shoals Lake is known for its clear, deep waters. Common Carp, To spawn in spring, the male spotted bass builds a nesting site where the female can safely deposit her eggs. Bull Shoals Lake is an awesome multi-species fishing lake. Open glade country surrounds the picnic area. Black bass, white bass, crappie, and other species flourish. Arkansas Game & Fish stocks tens of thousands catchable size ( 1/2 These are best fished using topwater baits and when the weather is cool and cloudy. 2br - Water Front Bull Shoals Lake Getaway . Channel Catfish, Matthew Hambright. If you take a look at a map of this lake, you will see how many creek arms there are off of the main lake. 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). Eastern red cedar and oak trees are interspersed with open glades supporting native tall prairie grasses. Redear Sunfish, 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). Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Contact | About, List of Bull Shoals Lake Fish Species 2021 [Updated], 1) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), 4) Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), 5) Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus), 8) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), 9) Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), 12) American paddlefish (Polydon spathula), 15) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), 16) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding, projects that can help sustain game fish communities, increase the likelihood of successfully baiting this bass, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, entering into the Bull Shoals-White River State Park, world record holder was fished in Alabama, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, How to Plant & Grow Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis), Do Goldfish Eat Tadpoles & Frogspawn? I've spent a lot of time on it since the late 60's and still haven't been everywhere. Fishing for them can be quite challenging, but they do tend to follow bait fish over a considerable distance. The areas that have large schools of shad will usually be the spots that hold good numbers of bass and other fish too. Daily limit: You just never know what the next bite will be. The calm waters of Bull Shoals Lake are ideal for boating and skiing. 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. Populations of many subspecies have become threatened or extinct due to habitat loss. Take a guided trip on Bull Shoals Lake. Well we made our trip the 12th, got there about 3pm. entices a female in, spawns with her, then runs her off. Bull Shoals Lake is an incredible fishing destination located in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. When stocked in this order and properly managed, these species provide great fishing and good eating. 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. During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures. In reservoirs like Bull Shoals Lake, these sites also tend to be used by smallmouth bass. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. From February 20 through April 14, walleye and sauger may be taken and possessed only between 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. This Arkansas fresh water reservoir is a popular angling destination for catching Black Crappie, Walleye, and Black Sea Bass. Visitors, no need to worry about where you will stay while you're here. Remember to help STOP the spread of aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels by cleaning, draining, and drying out your boat and equipment before traveling to another lake or river. Today, this lake supports a complex ecosystem surrounded by a sprawling community of water-dependent industries and diverse terrestrial wildlife. The Bull Shoals Lake Navigation App provides advanced features of a Marine Chartplotter including adjusting water level offset and custom depth shading. For many anglers, fishing for suspended bass and panfish 20 feet down over 50 feet of water may seem like a waste of time. 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. Panfish can be caught here too. New for 2023. Watch on. This gives it an advantage as it can feed at night and on smaller fish that are unable to see as adeptly. It also gives their brood The water never freezes over on Bull Shoals Lake - so you can dive year-round. 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. Fishing Techniques The world record holder was fished in Alabama a few years ago. Brown Trout, 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. Black Bass (largemouth, spotted, smallmouth combined): 10 Smallmouth Bass (including hybrids of smallmouth and other bass): 4 Length limit in Ozark Zone is 12 inches long; otherwise, length limit is 10 inches long. Warmouth. But if you get a map you can find holes that will have cats. Any help would be great. Because this lake is so deep, most anglers just choose to stay right along the shoreline and they do just fine for a variety of different fish. Channel catfish is also rich in vitamins and minerals and has a fairly low concentration of methyl-mercury compared to other predatory freshwater fish. I use live bait, with 3-5 ft of line, but I must be in the wrong spots. Abundant in many lake systems across the US, it is now a popular sporting fish. Bull Shoals Lake is known for its excellent Largemouth Bass fishing, with some weighing up to 12 pounds have been caught. 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. Another key part of the food chain, the black crappie is a popular game fish in reservoirs. You'll find record fishing on the Spring Creek Arm of Bull Shoals Lake. would periodically repopulate the smaller tributaries where conditions are unsuitable to gradual shores, Largemouth Bass, Communicate warnings, disperse advice, and share. fisherman. Our catfish section is huge with information on the best live baits, lures, where to catch them and how to catch them. They can be deadly as well as unsightly. There was quite a bit of rain the last few days. Because of the engine trouble we stayed close to Theodosia Park, fished the east side along a shole shelve, had 40 feet of water, we settled in 20 feet and marked plenty of bait fish. predator that generally inhabits the open water. . Water Surface Temp: 65 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. Anglers do report some nice catches of striped bass, walleye and catfish. They are It spawns in these rivers and often hybridizes with rainbow trout. Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. Learn the patterns and techniques of clear water fishing while in a fully rigged bass boat with one of our professional guides. Artificial stocking, along with the enhancement and protection of potential spawning sites, has helped restore their populations. At night they come up and cruise the banks at night to feed. Shad-patterned flies and jigs are the bait of choice. Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass As indicated by its common name, the largemouth bass is easy to identify due to its enormous mouth. During the spring, fall, and early winter months, bass can be found relatively shallow along rocky points, banks, and channel swing areas. Grass Carp, (which are now dominated by the cold tailwaters of several large Corps dams) and the young I'm from Kansas/Oklahoma and fish lakes there for blue catfish. Make sure you use your electronics and look for baitfish when fishing deeper water. However, Bull Shoals Lake is so deep that most of these creek arms will have plenty of deep water which will also hold fish in the summer and winter months too. It is only a mile or less north of the state line. Almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline is open to visitors and 60,000 acres of public land provide a variety of opportunities. Avoid using the trail during excessively wet periods.Surface Type: Unsurfaced, native material. Fishing Tackle Flathead Catfish, Pot shoals and the net pen culture site is about 10 mile run from pontiac and is pretty easy to get to. Local Weather & Lake Level InformationThis shows both View Bull Shoals Boat Dock Fishing Report, ADVERTISE ON EXPLORE THE OZARKS DIRECTORIES. 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. I focus solely on bass fishing in the Bull Shoals Lake Blue Catfish, Water Surface Temp: 66 Size does not make a perceptible difference in the flavor of They are differentiated from one another based on their pigmentation. If you like to fish for bass and you understand how to fish clear water, you can do very well on this lake. Using lighter line is key to getting more bites in clear water, especially in the middle of the day when the sun is out. 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. Go fishing! Channel cats exceeding 20 pounds and Blues exceeding 60 pounds are occasionally caught. Explore more, impact less with Snoflo. MOYAK Mondays 7!! 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. 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. Pond Informer is growing community of pond & lake professionals, ecologists, and scientific writers, with a passion for all things ponds, wetlands, and sustainable conservation. Fluorocarbon line or at the very least, a fluorocarbon leader will help get more bites too. including lakes and streams. Closer to dusk and dawn, they prefer to stay in open water. Its favorite treats include annelid worms, frogs, small fish, and insects. Bull Shoals-White River ParkCache (GC1C7BG) was created by Arkansas State Parks on 5/7/2008. 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. This species is annually introduced into the Ozark Lake systems, with individuals entering into the Bull Shoals-White River State Park. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! 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. Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, For this reason, the conservation and enhancement of fish habitats are a top priority. Because of their aggressiveness, they are Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. It is the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States. Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. They can be drawn in with a variety of lures, such as crankbaits, jigs, and spinners. The spring is the best time to find fish shallower along the shorelines and off the ponts. 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. 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. the best of the catfish. Channel Catfish, Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report. 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. I have not had much luck jugging on Bull shoals for Blues or flathead. Rainbow trout is an anadromous species that must venture into the ocean to spawn in the final years of its life. You just have to be carefull because Game and Fish have a zone around there where you are not allowed to fish. The darkness makes it easier to get bites as well since the water is so clear. Flatheads inhabit pools in streams and are found throughout the lakes. of catfish fishing. Which make me want to be down in the area Russell suggested Music Creek. A subspecies with distinctly golden coloration was stocked, in the thousands, into the Bull Shoals Lake system. Some of the creeks will have murkier water while others will be really clear, so there are a lot of variables that come into play on a trip here early in the year. Spring and summer blooming wildflowers cover the area in natural beauty. This sunfish species looks like a small version of its larger rock bass cousins, which is why it is also referred to as the warmouth bass. There are over 1,000 miles of shoreline. 15, so theyll have a chance to spawn and get through the brooding period when they 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. 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. Annual Prospects Report Brown trout is favored by many predators and parasitic fish in Bull Shoals Lake. Catfish fry swim in a tight ball, which reforms quickly after a predator takes Plenty of big fish on the fish finder at 5 - 15 feet, but nothing wated our bluegill. This is fortunate It is also one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, attracting anglers from all over the country. The white bass population has experienced below average spawning success so anglers may notice a decline in the white bass numbers, especially smaller sizes. Saltwater Fishing. We fished from about 7 til 1:30 am and got absolutly no bites. Austin Lake GPX 967.00 B Visibility in the lake is excellent, and is typically 20 to 40 feet minimum. On glades such as these, the notorious Bald Knobbers met and planned their raids. This striped bass and its hybrids are regularly stocked in freshwater systems around the US as they are popular with sport fishers. The most effective live baits for this species include wax worms and minnows. In recent years, white bass populations in Bull Shoals Lake have considerably decreased in number due to less successful spawning events. They Thanks so much all of you guys for your help, Its sure going to make my short trip a lot easier, and hopefully a lot more productive. They appear to glow under the light, making them have ornamental appeal. Alligator Gar: See page 10 of the 2023 Fishing Guidebook. catfish. They are generally more common in rivers and streams than in lakes. fly fishing, 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. It has a pronounced jaw and large eyes that are surrounded by distinct purple to red streaks. Spotted Bass, The main lake points and shorelines are good spots to target a variety of bass and other fish too. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. wont abandon their nests and the fry are most vulnerable. It is now an invasive species in Asia, South America, and Europe. Tim "HOTDAWG" Curtis has guided on the White River, Bull Shoals Lake, and Crooked Creek since 1974. Black Bass: Good This Bull Shoals Lake is also home to this prehistoric fish! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If they catch individuals that are above 14 inches (35 cm) in length, they are allowed to keep just one. 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. Copperheads and rattlesnakes may be encountered. The longear sunfish is a diurnal feeder and is skilled at finding prey in moving bodies of water. Water Type: clear This lake has a lot of main lake points. He guards the eggs and fry Everthing you might need except food and . Striped bass: only 3 striped bass may be included in the aggregate. This is an uncrowded destination, making it a wonderful placeto get away from it all. For this reason, it has the potential to become invasive. Cross country hiking in other parts of the area is allowed. we need a good trip. Due to good year class strengths in recent years, anglers should also expect to catch higher numbers of sub-legal fish as well. This is when they are most likely to spawn. Due to its pale coloration, its other common names are silver bass or sand bass. fresh water From late spring through summer, anglers report good fishing at night on Bull Shoals Lake. The fish attractors located on the main lake are great spots to find fish too. The world record holder weighed just 5 pounds (2.3 kg) but was 21 inches (53 cm) long! Trotlines and set poles are effective in streams. 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. perched in the crotches of sunken trees or lying immobile on rock ledges. 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. The shoreline wood cover usually holds a variety of bass and panfish, especially during the spring. 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. It was once found in lake systems that extended into Canada, but has not been detected there for the last 90 years. There are a lot of catfish in Bull Shoals Lake. The Bull Shoals dam and associated lake-river system are just one of many that have facilitated river-based spawning events. Its common name is based on its seemingly opaque eyes, which are caused by an adaptation that allows it to see in low-light conditions. 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. Its maximum recorded length is just under 10 inches (25 cm). Bull Shoals Lake is known for its excellent Largemouth Bass fishing, with some weighing up to 12 pounds have been caught. There are also lots of Hybrid, Smallmouth, Spotted, Striped (Striper), and White Bass. There are a lot of catfish in Bull Shoals Lake. Bull Shoals Lake is deep, so plan on fishing deeper water to consistently catch fish here. Their capacity to metabolize many types of food and their tolerance for highly turbid waters make them extremely hardy. Channel cats exceeding 20 pounds and Blues exceeding 60 Flatheads and Largemouth bass have the greatest gape (open mouth size) to body size Wakeboarding, skiing, and tubing are perfect on Bull Shoals Lake, with low boating traffic and wide channels. interactive map However, it can also be a great time to find more fish willing to bite. It is not a legal document, and the official regulations of the Commission take precedence over this summary. Hercules Glades Wilderness Area is 12,413 acres of the most scenic and unique country in the Midwest. ratio of any freshwater fish in America. up toward and around the rt 160 bridge? This small species rarely grows to more than 2 pounds (0.9 kg) and 10 inches (25 cm). That means a good flow into the river and thus into that arm of the lake. We were shocked to have such a strong bite with such low water flow. Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report | January 20th 2022 | Del Colvin Watch on BULL SHOALS LAKE FISHING REPORT Del Colvin I'm passionate about bass fishing and passing the skills and knowledge needed to keep catching those fish. Though bluegills are much smaller compared to the monster fish of Bull Shoals, anglers joyfully bait them because they are good eats. Spotted bass is quite similar to smallmouth and was once even considered its subspecies or hybrid. Try using lures that are sized for all 3 species of fish and you should run into all 3 species of fish here. Unlike other sunfish, this one is able to thrive in polluted, oxygen-poor waters. Anglers in Bull Shoals Lake often come across brown trout that are scarred yet able to function as normal. The lake should be cooling off by then. They are a pure carnivore, eating almost nothing that is not Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. However, juveniles of both species can look remarkably similar. They feed on swarms of these in rivers, channels, lakes, and even in drainage basins. Along with inflows from and outflows into the White River, this freshwater system has been designated as a state park that offers a wealth of activities all year round. rain, clouds, and wind) result in better fishing success. The chestnut lamprey attaches itself to this species skin, like a leech. pounds are occasionally caught. They mainly eat shad. Interestingly, this is the only species of sunfish with teeth on its tongue! 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. It's a Regular size geocache, with difficulty of 2.5, terrain of 1.5. Freshwater Fishing Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. The tapetum lucidum is highly reflective, causing light to bounce back through the fishs retina. I almost always put in around Spring Creek, or Pontiac. This species is one of the most abundant of all catfish in US waters. Crappie: 10" minimum, On the lake and its tributaries: Ozark, Taney, Christian, and Douglas Although natural reproduction of Channel catfish does Trout are here in limited numbers, but nearby, there is some awesome trout fishing available. Anglers wanting locations of the lake's brush structures can visit the MO Fishing App for smartphones or download coordinates to your sonar unit from MDC's MO Fishing Interactive Map on the website. 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. Listed below are some of the most economically important fish species in the lake system. This species doesn't have the growth potential of the other black bass and fish over 15 inches are rare. Check out the map above to view nearby river levels, or head to the Brown Bullhead, This unique adaptation helps it feed on other small fish, crayfish, and insects. 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! This permit allows these anglers to fish the Arkansas portion of this lake without purchasing an Arkansas nonresident fishing permit. is a popular angling destination for catching They are able to tolerate much cooler temperatures and even go into a semi-hibernation state. Information: 417-895-6880 Thanks in advance. Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. Inches are rare live bait, with difficulty of 2.5, terrain of 1.5 and how to the! In other parts of the food chain, the main Lake are ideal boating... 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I 've spent a lot of catfish in Bull Shoals boat Dock fishing report, ADVERTISE on EXPLORE the DIRECTORIES... Bass is quite similar to smallmouth and was once even considered its subspecies or Hybrid its recorded... And wind ) result in better fishing success inches ( 53 cm ) long our trip the 12th got. Fish as well a sprawling community of water-dependent industries and diverse terrestrial wildlife you might except.