High water levels throughout 2020, 2021, and 2022 also produced substantial year classes of largemouth bass and spotted bass, but anglers will have to wait a few more years before these fish reach 15 inches and 12 inches in length, respectively. **Go to the ParkCache listings to find all 53 caches. 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. successful even in the clear, bass-heavy waters of the Arkansas Ozarks. White bass is a temperate game fish that grows to an average length of 12 15 inches (30 38 cm). The many tributaries associated with the lake support this species complex life cycle and ensure that fished populations are replenished each year. fly fishing, To spawn in spring, the male spotted bass builds a nesting site where the female can safely deposit her eggs. Naturally occurring populations have been considerably reduced from their range, so they are protected by state and federal laws. Bull Shoals Lake is an awesome multi-species fishing lake. 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. However, juveniles of both species can look remarkably similar. This effort was done as a means to increase trout dispersal and support fishing demands. Visibility in the lake is excellent, and is typically 20 to 40 feet minimum. 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. This striped bass and its hybrids are regularly stocked in freshwater systems around the US as they are popular with sport fishers. It is not a legal document, and the official regulations of the Commission take precedence over this summary. They can be deadly as well as unsightly. It, too, is nationally known for its excellent bass fishing. 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. Plenty of big fish on the fish finder at 5 - 15 feet, but nothing wated our bluegill. Alligator Gar: See page 10 of the 2023 Fishing Guidebook. The main lake points and shorelines are good spots to target a variety of bass and other fish too. 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. The areas that have large schools of shad will usually be the spots that hold good numbers of bass and other fish too. Water Surface Temp: 66 Redbud and dogwood provide beautiful spring flowers, while smoke tree and maple put on vivid fall colors. My brother and I fished Bull Shoals Lake exclusively. Fishing Tackle The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Brown trout is favored by many predators and parasitic fish in Bull Shoals Lake. Trout are here in limited numbers, but nearby, there is some awesome trout fishing available. Anglers wanting fish to eat are encouraged to harvest spotted bass greater than 12 inches. This is when they are most likely to spawn. I would get a map if you try that distance. 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. Also known as yellow pickerel, the walleye is a popular species under the perch family (Percidae). Landlocked striped bass can grow to be remarkably large. that line class for many years. Daily limit: While this lakes water can stain quite a bit during heavy rains, the lake clears up with underwater visibility 20 to 30 feet. Take a guided trip on Bull Shoals Lake. Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. If you're headed out to the Reservoir, we recommend fishing near cliffs and steep shore banks, gradual . Another key part of the food chain, the black crappie is a popular game fish in reservoirs. Bull Shoals Lake has a bedrock bottom, so plan on fishing plenty of hard bottom while fishing here. 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. Dawn and dusk are prime times for fishing walleye as they tend to be more active during darker hours of the day. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and plastic worms catch the majority of the black bass species. Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. The fall colors offer a breathtaking display only nature can provide. There are many resorts, cabins, and campgrounds to choose from on Bull Shoals Lake. Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. 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. Both Channel and Blue are found everywhere in the lakes. Crappie: 10" minimum, On the lake and its tributaries: Ozark, Taney, Christian, and Douglas It has a pronounced jaw and large eyes that are surrounded by distinct purple to red streaks. will eat crayfish, fish, amphibians, terrestrial insects, and decaying matter. This species is one of the most abundant of all catfish in US waters. Bull Shoals Lake is located on the border of Missouri and Arkansas. Bull Shoals has over 800 miles of beautiful, undeveloped shoreline. The most effective live baits for this species include wax worms and minnows. It is also one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, attracting anglers from all over the country. And my boat is a 1448 Lowe w a 15hp honda, I am wondering if i should just spend the night north of potiac. These are ideal fishing areas for bass as they tend to be shallower. Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all things related to Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks. Be advised of hunting seasons. drift fishing, Which make me want to be down in the area Russell suggested Music Creek. native to the Arkansas Ozarks streams. I've spent a lot of time on it since the late 60's and still haven't been everywhere. This permit allows these anglers to fish the Arkansas portion of this lake without purchasing an Arkansas nonresident fishing permit. These sustain their populations by spawning in bedrock rivers or spring creeks. Bull Shoals Lake Bull Shoals Lake. Almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline is open to visitors and 60,000 acres of public land provide a variety of opportunities. Helpful Links and Information for Fishermen. especially, they also eat a lot of the introduced Asiatic clam, the undigested shells of pass. A voracious carnivore, it feeds on almost anything that moves, including smaller catfish. Unlike other sunfish, this one is able to thrive in polluted, oxygen-poor waters. This species doesn't have the growth potential of the other black bass and fish over 15 inches are rare. (which are now dominated by the cold tailwaters of several large Corps dams) and the young Bull Shoals is virtually an untapped Walleye fishery. 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. Channels are In recent years, white bass populations in Bull Shoals Lake have considerably decreased in number due to less successful spawning events. Due to their nutritious and tasty meat, channel catfish are a popular aquaculture species. 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. Strictly freshwater and riverine forms now exist due to widespread introduction across the US and limited access to coastal environments. From late spring through summer, anglers report good fishing at night on Bull Shoals Lake. Like its close cousins, it prefers cool streams and rocky pools, where it can creep up on potential prey. Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass Bull Shoals Lake is an incredible fishing destination located in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. Matthew Hambright. Go fishing! 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. 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. Flathead spawning later in the year than it does for Channels and Blues, Channel catfish are here in good numbers, but you can also catch blue catfish and flathead catfish too. Artificial fishing habitats have considerably increased their numbers in recent years. Restrictions. As a result, this aggressive fish can eat just about anything but does prefer crayfish, smaller fish, and frogs. Nothing messes up a good fishing trip like engine troubles. If you are running from point to point, dont rule out these areas. Flathead Catfish, In Lake Norfork, Eastern red cedar and oak trees are interspersed with open glades supporting native tall prairie grasses. From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines. On average, this sunfish can fit in a single hand. Piney Run Reservoir - Located in Sykesville, Carroll County Fish species . I would like to talk to you as time draws closer. 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