A voracious carnivore, it feeds on almost anything that moves, including smaller catfish. View Bull Shoals Boat Dock Fishing Report Rogues, live bait, and jigs catch the majority of fish during the early spring months. 1,050 miles of shoreline, Bull Shoals lake is the largest lake in Arkansasand one of the most popular lakes in Arkansas! Catfish fry swim in a tight ball, which reforms quickly after a predator takes wont abandon their nests and the fry are most vulnerable. After the spawning season in spring, smallmouth bass tend to move into the lakes main water column, where they remain suspended. The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. This tough species favors the calm and cool conditions in deep pools around the lake. If you are running from point to point, dont rule out these areas. The longear sunfish is a diurnal feeder and is skilled at finding prey in moving bodies of water. The bait fish will be heading up that way to the cool water and flow. There are also lots of Hybrid, Smallmouth, Spotted, Striped (Striper), and White Bass. Arkansas Our catfish section is huge with information on the best live baits, lures, where to catch them and how to catch them. up toward and around the rt 160 bridge? The fall colors offer a breathtaking display only nature can provide. Everthing you might need except food and . Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and plastic worms catch the majority of the black bass species. Striped Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout & Brown Trout. If you want to target even bigger catfish, try fishing for blue catfish or flathead catfish. This species is one of the most abundant of all catfish in US waters. When fishing the rocky shorelines, some wind blowing into the shore tends to provide better fishing. This lake has a lot of main lake points. Brown trout is favored by many predators and parasitic fish in Bull Shoals Lake. 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. Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. This effort was done as a means to increase trout dispersal and support fishing demands. Largemouth bass are making a showing on the main lake near shoulders of cuts at 12 to 18 feet. Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, ** Welcome to Bull Shoals-White River State Park, one of 52 beautiful . Currently, anglers may keep only one bass larger than 21 inches. The Arkansas resident went bass fishing on Bull Shoals Lake on Feb. 18 with a bait he made. 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. Matthew Hambright. This species is annually introduced into the Ozark Lake systems, with individuals entering into the Bull Shoals-White River State Park. The chestnut lamprey attaches itself to this species skin, like a leech. It spawns in these rivers and often hybridizes with rainbow trout. 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. The walleye occurs in large numbers in Bull Shoals Lake, where even 18 20 inch (46 50 cm) specimens can be caught legally. Information: 417-256-7161 For table quality they are generally considered Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. 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. Bull Shoals Lake is an incredible fishing destination located in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. 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. The best time to search for them is when water temperatures reach an average of 56F (13C) in spring. 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. 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. The Pontiac, Spring Creek, and Theodsia Accesses are in Ozark County and located off of Highways W, HH, and 160, respectively. It is now an invasive species in Asia, South America, and Europe. is a popular angling destination for catching You just have to be carefull because Game and Fish have a zone around there where you are not allowed to fish. Crappie: 10" minimum, On the lake and its tributaries: Ozark, Taney, Christian, and Douglas While this lakes water can stain quite a bit during heavy rains, the lake clears up with underwater visibility 20 to 30 feet. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. fly fishing, There was a good cat caught up at the Hy 160 bridge a while back. In turn, they are favored by many large game fish and waterfowl. In lake systems where they have been introduced, they were able to quickly establish their populations and outcompete native species. Fishing Tackle Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, If you know where these structures are, you'll know where the fish are! Pontiac is on the Little North Fork River arm. Spring is the best time to fish for this species because they move to the shallows to spawn. Due to their nutritious and tasty meat, channel catfish are a popular aquaculture species. I consider this the multi-species season on Bull Shoals Lake. This enormous body of water that borders Missouri and Arkansas offers fantastic fishing year-round. Walleye, Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. interactive map Warmouth. Some fish over 60 pounds are possible here. Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all things related to Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks. Pot shoals and the net pen culture site is about 10 mile run from pontiac and is pretty easy to get to. and Black Sea Bass. 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. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. This is great news for the lakes larger carnivores as they are less likely to have trouble coming across many viable food sources. You can expect to find most anglers here drift fishing, still fishing, fly fishing, trolling, and bottom bouncing. It is the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States. Beaver Creek, River Run, and K-Dock accesses are in Taney County and located off Highways O, 76, and K, respectively. On average, this species lives for just 4 6 years in the wild. pound Blue. September 16th!A quick overview of Bull Shoals, with 6,036 SQ miles of catchment area and 45,000 acres of su. Panfish can be caught here too. Black Crappie, The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 - 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass The meat of this species is reputedly one of the most delicious of all Arkansas game fish. Also, the spring-time white bass spawning runs can be difficult to pattern if the lake level fluctuates and river flows change frequently. Thats the reason the speargunning season on Flatheads does not open until July Another name for the warmouth is strawberry perch as its body is mottled brown, with reddish gill flaps. including lakes and streams. Be advised of hunting seasons. 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. to have the lake 30' above full pool and yet the Corps of Engineers is still holding water back. Blue Catfish, pass. Trout are here in limited numbers, but nearby, there is some awesome trout fishing available. Record catches on Bull Shoals include a 13-pound, 14-ounce largemouth bass; a 65-pound, 2-ounce striped bass; and a 21-pound, 1-ounce walleye. Helpful Links and Information for Fishermen. Walleye and sauger: minimum 18" Smallmouth Bass, Average winter water temperature is in the 50's, 70's in the spring, 80's in the summer. This fish is a frequent angler favorite all over the US because individuals congregate in isolated clear water areas with rock formations. (Facts & Advice), Why Cant Freshwater Fish Live in Saltwater? Visit our catfish page to learn more. Saltwater Fishing. Yellow Bullhead, It was once found in lake systems that extended into Canada, but has not been detected there for the last 90 years. It also gives their brood Huge walleye, catfish and many other types of fish can also be found in Bull Shoals Lake. Flatheads inhabit pools in streams and are found throughout the lakes. Its main color is silvery-white, with a darker dorsal region similar to that of white bass. Water Level (Range): normal Copperheads and rattlesnakes may be encountered. Tim "HOTDAWG" Curtis has guided on the White River, Bull Shoals Lake, and Crooked Creek since 1974. The main lake points and shorelines are good spots to target a variety of bass and other fish too. Landlocked striped bass can grow to be remarkably large. Fishing Techniques Daily limit: Bull Shoals Lake has a ton of fish attractors and there is even a map of them. It is also one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, attracting anglers from all over the country. still fishing, Enjoyed reading your comments guys. Although natural reproduction of Channel catfish does White crappies are best caught in the middle of the day, when they congregate in shallow areas. Bull Shoals Lake is known for its excellent Largemouth Bass fishing, with some weighing up to 12 pounds have been caught. Just plan accordingly with the things you will need for a week on the lake. Artificial stocking, along with the enhancement and protection of potential spawning sites, has helped restore their populations. He has been featured in numerous fishing magazines and newspapers such as Outdoor Life, The In-Fisherman, Twin Lakes Outdoors, Outdoor World, Fishing Facts, Dakota Country Magazine, Tulsa World, Fox Valley News and the Diversion Magazine, to mention a few. But if you get a map you can find holes that will have cats. Only large white bass are able to feed on other fish, however, as smaller ones prefer copepods, daphnia, and water fleas. Its maximum recorded length is just under 10 inches (25 cm). Fishing for them can be quite challenging, but they do tend to follow bait fish over a considerable distance. Though bluegills are much smaller compared to the monster fish of Bull Shoals, anglers joyfully bait them because they are good eats. Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass are proven stocking combination that provides both food and sport-fishing. Good Luck! Crankbaits, jigs, plastic worms, and spinner baits are common lures to use here for bass. Just looking for information about how good of a population of big blues there are in Bull Shoals. Watch on. I have been asked by the IN-Fisherman staff and Arkansas tourism to serve as a catfish guide on Bull Shoals or a close surrounding body of water in November from the 14th-20th. occur in Bull Shoals and Norfork, it is severely limited by predation of bass on young and inlets and outlets. Water Surface Temp: 65 Channels are Anglers target a variety of fish along the rocky shorelines throughout the lake. In 2016, Debra, an Illinois native and New Orleans transplant, purchased her family home overlooking beautiful Bull Shoals Lake. White Bass, They feed on swarms of these in rivers, channels, lakes, and even in drainage basins. Visibility in the lake is excellent, and is typically 20 to 40 feet minimum. Walleyes are hitting exceptionally well on overcast days and dusk on offerings presented in the 12- to 35-foot level on the main lake bluffs and points. They are generally more common in rivers and streams than in lakes. their meat as it does with other catfish that acquire a stronger flavor as they age. 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. native to the Arkansas Ozarks streams. The place is huge. There was a definite slump in action late last week when the weather pattern shifted from 20 mph winds to hot and flat calm. Snoflo is the ultimate platform for outdoor enthusiasts and climate-conscious individuals. 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. Fourteen were brown trout, the rest rainbows on day 1. Water Type: clear 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. Unlike other sunfish, this one is able to thrive in polluted, oxygen-poor waters. Black Sea Bass, Smallmouth Bass, This species doesn't have the growth potential of the other black bass and fish over 15 inches are rare. Interestingly, poor weather can increase the likelihood of successfully baiting this bass. A 60 pound Blue catfish caught on 8-pound test line was a world record for 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. 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. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Warm summer weather can present more challenges to anglers as this tough species will venture into deeper, cooler pools that can reach depths of 50 feet (15 m) or more. 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. Water Type: clear Shad-patterned flies and jigs are the bait of choice. If they catch individuals that are above 14 inches (35 cm) in length, they are allowed to keep just one. 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. ADVERTISE ON EXPLORE THE OZARKS DIRECTORIES. There is also hybrid bass, smallmouth bass spotted bass, stripe bass, and white bass too. Anglers in Bull Shoals Lake often come across brown trout that are scarred yet able to function as normal. It is now It is easily identified by its iridescent blue to purple coloration and dark-shaded bands. Learn the patterns and techniques of clear water fishing while in a fully rigged bass boat with one of our professional guides. 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. Both Channel and Blue are found everywhere in the lakes. 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). The white bass population has experienced below average spawning success so anglers may notice a decline in the white bass numbers, especially smaller sizes. Water Level (Range): high Around the corner from Lake Norfork Dam and the White River, in the Arkansas Ozarks, Quarry Marina offers the finest in boat rentals : bass and fishing boats , Aloha pontoon boats , ski boats , and other watersports equipment. These are best fished using topwater baits and when the weather is cool and cloudy. PLEASE DO NOT ABANDON TROTLINES OR The striped bass is an elegantly streamlined fish distinguished by its horizontally-oriented lateral stripes. On day one the men caught over 100 trout including a dozen +/- 20". Fluctuations of river flows and lake water levels have also made it difficult to observe patterns in their spawning behavior. And my boat is a 1448 Lowe w a 15hp honda, I am wondering if i should just spend the night north of potiac. Well we made our trip the 12th, got there about 3pm. $235 avg/night. The area is popular for reunions and weddings. 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. Including the portion located in Missouri, the lake totals some 45,500 surface acres. A variety of wildlife species live within the Hercules Glades including white-tailed deer, raccoons rabbits, squirrels, turkey, quail, songbirds, lizards and snakes. At night they come up and cruise the banks at night to feed. Instructions Download the ZIP files on this page and open/unzip them. . Because of the lake's history of inconsistent spawning success, anglers catching smallmouth and largemouth bass are encouraged to practice catch-and-release in order to help maintain the bass population. The area is characterized by shallow droughty soils and limestone rock outcroppings. This fish attractors hold bass, crappie and other fish too. 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. Detailed Lake Information: Type of Lake: Hilland. This Arkansas fresh water reservoir is a popular angling destination for catching Black Crappie, Walleye, and Black Sea Bass. Channel catfish reproduction. Piney Run Reservoir - Located in Sykesville, Carroll County Fish species . especially, they also eat a lot of the introduced Asiatic clam, the undigested shells of Moreover, the two species tend to hybridize, making species identification even more difficult. 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. Bull Shoals Lake. However, juveniles of both species can look remarkably similar. Saltwater Fishing. He guards the eggs and fry Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, 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. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass & Spotted Bass. Bull Shoals Lake is known for its clear, deep waters. Rainbow trout is an anadromous species that must venture into the ocean to spawn in the final years of its life. It was a 44-inch (110 cm) fish that weighed 70 pounds (32 kg)! The world record holder was fished in Alabama a few years ago. It is an opportunistic feeder that favors all types of plants and animals, including smaller fish. Length limit: Trotlines and set poles are effective in streams. 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. Make sure you use your electronics and look for baitfish when fishing deeper water. Alligator Gar, Its sensitivity to vibrations makes it a skilled benthic predator. As with the Channel and Blue catfishes, the males prepare the nest, constantly fan the . large minnows are effective. Arkansas Ozarks Fishing-Bull Shoals-White River-Norfork I would like to talk to you as time draws closer. For anglers that are good with their electronics, schooling fish can be found following baitfish from the summer months all the way through winter. supplemental stocking has not yet become a reliable options for fisheries managers. There was quite a bit of rain the last few days. dispersed. It has also been introduced in several water systems as a means to control pest fish. Striped bass: only 3 striped bass may be included in the aggregate. Channel catfish are here in good numbers, but you can also catch blue catfish and flathead catfish too. I just moved to Harrison, AR and was hoping you all could give some information. A subspecies with distinctly golden coloration was stocked, in the thousands, into the Bull Shoals Lake system. Blue Catfish, These creek arms hold fish year round. Anglers in the lake are allowed to fish up to 5 trout per day. 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. Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. These points can always hold some fish, but spring and fall tend to be the best times to target bass and other fish off the points. The rest of the year, larger bluegills tend to remain in deeper waters. Thanks for the information Arky. Walleye: Fair Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report. An attractive species of the sunfish family, the longear sunfish has visually appealing blue-green bars along the sides of its body. Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all things related to Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks. The areas that have large schools of shad will usually be the spots that hold good numbers of bass and other fish too. On a Tuesday!Bull Shoals Lake! On glades such as these, the notorious Bald Knobbers met and planned their raids. 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. Artificial fishing habitats have considerably increased their numbers in recent years. It's a Regular size geocache, with difficulty of 2.5, terrain of 1.5. Bull Shoals Lake Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass are proven stocking combination that provides both food and sport-fishing. Multiple marinas and boat rental options are conveniently located around the lake. Crappie: 15 fishLength limit: For this reason, the conservation and enhancement of fish habitats are a top priority. 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). Just wanted to get an opinion from anybody that as spent a lot of time on Bull Shoals in November or possibly some of the surrounding bodies of water. 6' dropline and a 4" bluegill. JUGS!! There are good numbers of them in the lake as well as some big fish too. Boat Rentals, Houseboat Rentals, Marina Services, Large Tackle & Watersport Equipment Store, Fishing Guides, P.A.D.I. Lead Hill looked like the closest place to put in. Local Weather & Lake Level InformationThis shows both View Bull Shoals Boat Dock Fishing Report, ADVERTISE ON EXPLORE THE OZARKS DIRECTORIES. Redear Sunfish, Bull Shoals Lake has a surface area of 183 km2 (45,150 acres). 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. 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