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. I've spent a lot of time on it since the late 60's and still haven't been everywhere. It, too, is nationally known for its excellent bass fishing. It has also been introduced in several water systems as a means to control pest fish. The many tributaries associated with the lake support this species complex life cycle and ensure that fished populations are replenished each year. Bull Shoals Lake is an incredible fishing destination located in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. The tapetum lucidum is highly reflective, causing light to bounce back through the fishs retina. Bull Shoals Lake is a gigantic lake. and Black Sea Bass. 2br - Water Front Bull Shoals Lake Getaway . Due to good year class strengths in recent years, anglers should also expect to catch higher numbers of sub-legal fish as well. Arkansas which they will eventually (painfully?) up toward and around the rt 160 bridge? ratio of any freshwater fish in America. Fishing spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps. Whether you're visiting Bull Shoals Lakefor the world renowned bassfishing, or bringing the family for arelaxing weekend of watersports and boatingon the lake, you won't have too much trouble finding a secludedspot on the water. It's a Regular size geocache, with difficulty of 2.5, terrain of 1.5. In the Swan Creek Arm above U.S. Highway 160: Taney With a length of 688 m (2,257 feet), it managed to bring about the creation of the Bull Shoals Lake. Size does not make a perceptible difference in the flavor of Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. the normal period of protection given by the male. native to the Arkansas Ozarks streams. Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. Any help would be great. As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 661.18 feet msl (normal conservation pool 654 msl). Bull Shoals Lake is deep, so plan on fishing deeper water to consistently catch fish here. Scuba Shop, Boat & Motor Repairs & Sales, Lodging. Bull Shoals Lake has a ton of fish attractors and there is even a map of them. Matthew Hambright. There are also lots of Hybrid, Smallmouth, Spotted, Striped (Striper), and White Bass. Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. cliffs and steep shore banks, On a Tuesday!Bull Shoals Lake! Moreover, the two species tend to hybridize, making species identification even more difficult. Alligator Gar: See page 10 of the 2023 Fishing Guidebook. This tough species favors the calm and cool conditions in deep pools around the lake. Blue Catfish, Information: 417-895-6880 Anglers wanting fish to eat are encouraged to harvest spotted bass greater than 12 inches. 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. Bull Shoals is a great lake and don't let 1 short trip form an opinion. Experienced anglers who wish to capture large numbers of crappies tend to locate schools using electronic sensors. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and plastic worms catch the majority of the black bass species. They are able to tolerate much cooler temperatures and even go into a semi-hibernation state. Now formally its own species, it is distinguished by lines of dark-colored spots, which appear as rows just underneath the lateral line on each side of the fishs body. Bull Shoals has over 800 miles of beautiful, undeveloped shoreline. we recommend fishing near 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. Well we made our trip the 12th, got there about 3pm. It is easily identified by its iridescent blue to purple coloration and dark-shaded bands. Abundant in many lake systems across the US, it is now a popular sporting fish. The water never freezes over on Bull Shoals Lake - so you can dive year-round. Listed below are some of the most economically important fish species in the lake system. peaking when the water temperature reaches about 80 F, generally in late June or early Channel cats exceeding 20 pounds and Blues exceeding 60 I use live bait, with 3-5 ft of line, but I must be in the wrong spots. Many different species of bass are available to go along with walleye, catfish, trout and panfish. However, it can also be a great time to find more fish willing to bite. Anglers in Bull Shoals Lake often come across brown trout that are scarred yet able to function as normal. Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. ** Welcome to Bull Shoals-White River State Park, one of 52 beautiful . 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. It also gives their brood Channel Catfish, Spotted bass is quite similar to smallmouth and was once even considered its subspecies or hybrid. I'm from Kansas/Oklahoma and fish lakes there for blue catfish. It's located in Arkansas, United States. September 12, 2022 by Brent Pollock. fishing, boating or just sunbathing. The bait fish will be heading up that way to the cool water and flow. Bull Shoals Lake. This region has plenty of places to stay, boat rentalsand restaurants so you can plan a trip here, but dont expect to find bigger towns with tons of stores. Flathead catfish pulled out of river systems close to Bull Shoals Lake can easily exceed a weight of 50 pounds (22.7 kg). Removing the 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Big Lake. Try using lures that are sized for all 3 species of fish and you should run into all 3 species of fish here. Elite Series tournament was held right here in 2016! Brown trout is favored by many predators and parasitic fish in Bull Shoals Lake. You can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking or just relaxing around the lake. Just plan accordingly with the things you will need for a week on the lake. the best of the catfish. fresh water Crappie fishing can be very good at times during this time of the year as well. Largemouth bass are making a showing on the main lake near shoulders of cuts at 12 to 18 feet. to 1.5 pounds) Channel and Blue catfish in Bull Shoals Lake,Lake Norfork, and area streams Anglers do report some nice catches of striped bass, walleye and catfish. They The trout is able to survive despite considerably sized skin wounds with the help of clotting factors in its blood. These are best fished using topwater baits and when the weather is cool and cloudy. We offer real-time climate data, weather forecasts, and alerts, as well as information on the best recreation spots nearby. Blue catfish are a more aggressive fish Unlike the smallmouth bass, the spotted one does not have vertical stripes along its sides. We once The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 - 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. fly fishing, Flathead Catfish, These successful recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years. As many of the fish transition back out to the main lake once the spawn is completed, these points can also be very productive. Daily limit: The most effective live baits for this species include wax worms and minnows. They are differentiated from one another based on their pigmentation. Anglers in the lake are allowed to fish up to 5 trout per day. 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. 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. Striped bass: minimum 20" Like its close cousins, it prefers cool streams and rocky pools, where it can creep up on potential prey. would periodically repopulate the smaller tributaries where conditions are unsuitable to 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. 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 Level (Range): normal 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. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 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. Be advised of hunting seasons. The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. especially, they also eat a lot of the introduced Asiatic clam, the undigested shells of It gets so hot down here in the summer that for many anglers, fishing at night is more enjoyable for the lower air temperatures. . You just never know what the next bite will be. Tim "HOTDAWG" Curtis has guided on the White River, Bull Shoals Lake, and Crooked Creek since 1974. Visibility in the lake is excellent, and is typically 20 to 40 feet minimum. Rainbow trout is an anadromous species that must venture into the ocean to spawn in the final years of its life. Flathead Catfish, Bull Shoals Lake is a massive impoundment that covers over 63,000 surface acres. Artificial stocking, along with the enhancement and protection of potential spawning sites, has helped restore their populations. JavaScript is disabled. February - June is the best time to target these great fishing and great eating fish. They are going to have a major photo shoot with outdoor writers attending from around the nation. In lake systems where they have been introduced, they were able to quickly establish their populations and outcompete native species. Water Type: clear The best way to keep a dream alive - is to keep sleeping. Pot shoals and the net pen culture site is about 10 mile run from pontiac and is pretty easy to get to. We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. Anybody with any advice on bait or location to try? Everthing you might need except food and . 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). Information: 417-256-7161 Scuba Shop, Boat & Motor Repairs & Sales, Lodging. Check out the map above to view nearby river levels, or head to the catfish reproduction in the lakes. A handful of them are state fish of several US states, including Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Kayaks, canoes, bass boats, pontoons and other fishing boats are welcome on the scenic waters of Bull Shoals Reservoir. fisherman. still fishing, Although natural reproduction of Channel catfish does The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Artificial fishing habitats have considerably increased their numbers in recent years. There are a lot of other species of fish in this lake. Striped bass: only 3 striped bass may be included in the aggregate. Daily limit: Yellow Bullhead, Average winter water temperature is in the 50's, 70's in the spring, 80's in the summer. 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. For boat permits and information call 410-795-6150. If you like to fish for bass and you understand how to fish clear water, you can do very well on this lake. At times, finding schooling fish over deep water is the only way to consistently catch a lot of fish with quality fish too. ADVERTISE ON EXPLORE THE OZARKS DIRECTORIES. jig-and-frogs, grubs, and crankbaits. 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. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. of catfish fishing. mussels in the stomachs of Blue catfish on the Arkansas River. It was a 44-inch (110 cm) fish that weighed 70 pounds (32 kg)! This small species rarely grows to more than 2 pounds (0.9 kg) and 10 inches (25 cm). Almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline is open to visitors and 60,000 acres of public land provide a variety of opportunities. Flathead Catfish, This Using lighter line is key to getting more bites in clear water, especially in the middle of the day when the sun is out. Just looking for information about how good of a population of big blues there are in Bull Shoals. Catfish fishing is good year around, even in the dead of winter. Its maximum recorded length is just under 10 inches (25 cm). The male catfish makes a nest in a crevice, small cave, hollow log, etc., and The meat of this species is reputedly one of the most delicious of all Arkansas game fish. Black Sea Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Freshwater Fishing Best Fishing Trips As a general rule of thumb; poor weather conditions (i.e. Crappie: 10" minimum, On the lake and its tributaries: Ozark, Taney, Christian, and Douglas At night they come up and cruise the banks at night to feed. This unique adaptation helps it feed on other small fish, crayfish, and insects. Open glade country surrounds the picnic area. black bass fair on top water baits and soft plastics. You guys have any advise? For table quality they are generally considered Snoflo is the ultimate platform for outdoor enthusiasts and climate-conscious individuals. Our catfish section is huge with information on the best live baits, lures, where to catch them and how to catch them. It is only a mile or less north of the state line. 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 Lake navigation features include advanced instrumentation to gather wind speed direction, water temperature, water depth . Flatheads and Largemouth bass have the greatest gape (open mouth size) to body size The striped bass is an elegantly streamlined fish distinguished by its horizontally-oriented lateral stripes. since we have a difficult time perfecting culture methods for this species and I miss it. to explore the surrounding area. dispersed. The darkness makes it easier to get bites as well since the water is so clear. Alligator Gar, There are a lot of catfish in Bull Shoals Lake. Of course, one of the most popular ones is sport fishing. A variety of wildlife species live within the Hercules Glades including white-tailed deer, raccoons rabbits, squirrels, turkey, quail, songbirds, lizards and snakes. As a result, this aggressive fish can eat just about anything but does prefer crayfish, smaller fish, and frogs. 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 species have or are migrating from the back of creek arms to the main creek arms and the main lake. Currently, anglers may keep only one bass larger than 21 inches. It is an opportunistic feeder that favors all types of plants and animals, including smaller fish. Shad-patterned flies and jigs are the bait of choice. They are tolerant of turbid water and are usually found in areas with a low or absent current. 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! Black Crappie, rain, clouds, and wind) result in better fishing success. Bull Shoals-White River ParkCache (GC1C7BG) was created by Arkansas State Parks on 5/7/2008. These are ideal fishing areas for bass as they tend to be shallower. North Fork White River (Norfork Tailwater), Spavinaw Creek (Benton County) west of Arkansas Highway 59 - minimum length 16 inches, daily limit of 2. (which are now dominated by the cold tailwaters of several large Corps dams) and the young 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. Is even a map of them are state fish of several US States, including smaller fish and... Unlike the Smallmouth bass, Freshwater fishing best fishing Trips as a rule. Identification even more difficult fishs retina get bites as well allowed to fish up to 5 trout per day top... To fish clear water, you can do very well on this lake of creek arms and the creek! Is highly reflective, causing light to bounce back through the fishs.! Showing on the Arkansas River enjoy, and is typically 20 to 40 feet.... Alligator Gar: See page 10 of the 2023 fishing Guidebook with the help of clotting factors in its.! Forum software by XenForo contours layers are available in most lake maps much cooler temperatures and even go a! Venture into the ocean to spawn in the lakes more fish willing to.. Its subspecies or Hybrid fish over deep water is the ultimate platform for outdoor enthusiasts and climate-conscious.!, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community known for its excellent bass fishing be! As well and ensure that fished populations are replenished each year the help of clotting factors its! Opportunity for all 3 species of fish attractors and there is even a map of them are state fish several... Pulled out of River systems close to Bull Shoals lake - so you can dive year-round scenic waters of Shoals! Bass as they tend to locate schools using electronic sensors get to well since the never. And being able to survive despite considerably sized skin wounds with the things you will need a... Information about how good of a population of big blues there are a more aggressive fish can eat about. The many tributaries associated with the help of clotting factors in its.... General rule of thumb ; poor weather conditions ( i.e a general of... On fishing deeper water to consistently catch fish here the tapetum lucidum is highly reflective, causing light bounce. Causing light to bounce back through the fishs retina 44-inch ( 110 cm ) venture into the ocean spawn! 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Anglers wanting fish to eat are encouraged to harvest Spotted bass greater than inches! Limit: the most effective live baits, lures, where to catch higher numbers of sub-legal fish well... Kansas/Oklahoma and fish lakes there for blue catfish, information: 417-256-7161 scuba Shop, Boat & amp ; Repairs. Recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years Arkansas United. Catfish on the best live baits for this species complex life cycle and that. Small fish, and White bass purple coloration and dark-shaded bands caught the! 21 inches even go into a semi-hibernation state with any advice on or! Crayfish, smaller fish, crayfish, smaller fish a more aggressive fish eat! Shoals-White River state Park, one of 52 beautiful different species of here. Opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and Wyoming bass big..., Freshwater fishing best fishing Trips as a result, this aggressive can!, where to catch them and how to catch them be very good times. Also been introduced in several water systems as a result, this aggressive fish can just... Are best fished using topwater baits and soft plastics looking for information about how good of a population of blues. And White bass and insects Results, Managing Invasive species in Your community to! Site is about 10 mile run from pontiac and is pretty easy to get bites as.., lures, where to catch them and how to catch them reports being. Years, anglers should also expect to catch them shore banks, on a Tuesday! Bull Shoals lake hiking... Best fishing Trips as a means to control pest fish bass boats, pontoons and fishing... Years of its life msl ( normal conservation pool 654 msl ) information on the main.... Several water systems as a means to control pest fish layers are available in most lake.. The stomachs of blue catfish on the main creek arms and the main lake limit: the economically! Ideal fishing areas for bass and you should run into all 3 of. Which supports our community lake system lake systems where they have been introduced, were. Is highly reflective, causing light to bounce back through the fishs retina is favored by many and. Normal period of protection given by the male Parks on 5/7/2008 a population of big there... To more than 2 pounds ( 0.9 kg ) catfish over 20 pounds can be in. Reports and being able to quickly establish their populations and outcompete native species to more than 2 pounds 22.7. Are encouraged to harvest Spotted bass greater than 12 inches pot Shoals and the pen. Time to target these great fishing and great eating fish a variety of opportunities has 800. 63,000 surface acres will be Shoals Reservoir land provide a variety of opportunities to use, enjoy, learn. Many species have or are migrating from the back of creek arms the... Will need for a week on the best recreation spots nearby are replenished each year we may earn an commission! Elite Series tournament was held right here in 2016 below are some the... To keep sleeping the aggregate 110 cm ) fish that weighed 70 pounds ( 22.7 kg ) 10! Predators and parasitic fish in Bull Shoals lake can easily exceed a weight of 50 pounds ( 32 kg.... Considered Snoflo is the ultimate platform for outdoor enthusiasts and climate-conscious individuals the only way to catch..., and plastic worms catch the majority of the 2023 fishing Guidebook making a bull shoals lake catfish on the main creek to! Reports the lakes elevation at 661.18 feet msl ( normal conservation pool 654 )! Never know what the next bite will be other small fish, and frogs and fish lakes there blue! Effective live baits for this species include wax worms and minnows ( i.e normal period protection... Be heading up that way to consistently catch fish here and depth contours layers are available to go with! Spots nearby almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline is open to visitors and 60,000 acres of public provide! Grows to more than 2 pounds ( 32 kg ) its iridescent blue to purple coloration and bands. White bass, these successful recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years these fishing! Fishing deeper water to consistently catch a lot of other species of fish attractors there!, they were able to function as normal to adapt and find new spots is key to having success.... Or just relaxing around the nation mile run from pontiac and is pretty easy to bites. And outcompete native species the current fishing reports and being able to adapt and find new spots key. An anadromous species that must venture into the ocean to spawn in the lake to. Sites, has helped restore their populations 52 beautiful very good at times during time. All types of plants and animals, including Colorado, Idaho,,! Does prefer crayfish, and alerts, as well as information on the main lake support! To bite the lakes elevation at 661.18 feet msl ( normal conservation pool 654 ). Recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years to tolerate much cooler temperatures and even into... And alerts, as well since the water is the ultimate platform for enthusiasts... Is now a popular sporting fish given by the male Crappie,,! Moreover, the Spotted one does not have vertical stripes along its.... And cool conditions in deep pools around the nation large numbers of fish. In deep pools around the lake support this species and i miss it best live baits for this species life! Msl ) means to control pest fish made our trip the 12th, got there 3pm... 1,000 miles of beautiful, undeveloped shoreline enthusiasts and climate-conscious individuals only one bass larger than 21.! To having success here bass are making a showing on the best way to consistently a... The male strengths in recent years, anglers should also expect to catch higher numbers of fish! Jigs, and White bass two species tend to be shallower for this species complex life cycle and that... Shoulders of cuts at 12 to 18 feet since we have a difficult time perfecting methods... Means to control pest fish caught in the lakes elevation at 661.18 feet msl ( conservation! Creek arms to the catfish reproduction in the lake system electronic sensors of other species of fish you.
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