Try using lures that are sized for all 3 species of fish and you should run into all 3 species of fish here. The area is characterized by shallow droughty soils and limestone rock outcroppings. However, juveniles of both species can look remarkably similar. Its quite common to come across individuals that are 15 17 inches (38 43 cm) long as their populations are stable. Anglers in Bull Shoals Lake often come across brown trout that are scarred yet able to function as normal. 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. Fishing Techniques including lakes and streams. Artificial fishing habitats have considerably increased their numbers in recent years. Nice and quiet in there. Spring is the best time to fish for this species because they move to the shallows to spawn. Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all things related to Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks. 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. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Bull Shoals Lake is also home to this prehistoric fish! Just plan accordingly with the things you will need for a week on the lake. Catfish fry swim in a tight ball, which reforms quickly after a predator takes I've spent a lot of time on it since the late 60's and still haven't been everywhere. Visit our catfish page to learn more. They gather in the hundreds during spring, which is when temperatures are most consistent. 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. When fishing the rocky shorelines, some wind blowing into the shore tends to provide better fishing. Multiple marinas and boat rental options are conveniently located around the lake. Everthing you might need except food and . 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. There are lots of good places but Pot Shoals is a good place. 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. entices a female in, spawns with her, then runs her off. Its favorite treats include annelid worms, frogs, small fish, and insects. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. White River from Bull Shoals Dam to Arkansas Highway 58 Bridge (Bull Shoals Tailwater) - minimum length 24 inches, daily limit of 1; only 1 of trout daily limit may be longer than 14 inches. is a popular angling destination for catching This area is renowned for its bass fishing, so much so that the B.A.S.S. In lake systems where they have been introduced, they were able to quickly establish their populations and outcompete native species. With a length of 688 m (2,257 feet), it managed to bring about the creation of the Bull Shoals Lake. Best Fishing Trips we recommend fishing near It is also one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, attracting anglers from all over the country. The calm waters of Bull Shoals Lake are ideal for boating and skiing. 6' dropline and a 4" bluegill. Keeping up with the current fishing reports and being able to adapt and find new spots is key to having success here. Historically they reproduced in the larger rivers 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. 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. Fishing reports i have seen lately say the baitfish are moving toward the river, which i think would be west. Due to its pale coloration, its other common names are silver bass or sand bass. Spotted Bass, This formidable fish is a primary species in Bull Shoals Lake. 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. This species is annually introduced into the Ozark Lake systems, with individuals entering into the Bull Shoals-White River State Park. Snoflo is the ultimate platform for outdoor enthusiasts and climate-conscious individuals. 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. Anybody with any advice on bait or location to try? They can be drawn in with a variety of lures, such as crankbaits, jigs, and spinners. You can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking or just relaxing around the lake. The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. 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! Moreover, the two species tend to hybridize, making species identification even more difficult. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. Transfer the GPX file inside the ZIP file to your GPS device. When stocked in this order and properly managed, these species provide great fishing and good eating. It spawns in these rivers and often hybridizes with rainbow trout. Any help would be great. pounds are occasionally caught. At night they come up and cruise the banks at night to feed. If you like to fish for bass and you understand how to fish clear water, you can do very well on this lake. Almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline is open to visitors and 60,000 acres of public land provide a variety of opportunities. White Bass, Of course, one of the most popular ones is sport fishing. At maturity, a paddlefish can reach a length of 5 feet (152 cm) and weigh up to 60 pounds (27 kg)! Black Crappie, As indicated by its common name, the largemouth bass is easy to identify due to its enormous mouth. Am Planning a trip in September. This fish is a frequent angler favorite all over the US because individuals congregate in isolated clear water areas with rock formations. The hot calm days warmed the lake surface several degrees in just a couple days and marked the end of most game fish spawning activities in the mid-lake area. These successful recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years. Populations of many subspecies have become threatened or extinct due to habitat loss. lakes are trotlines and floating fishing devices. Channel Catfish, MDC has created fish attractors in these lakes by sinking trees and other objects for fish to gather. 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). Special, area-specific regulations can be found here. These creek arms hold fish year round. Striped bass: only 3 striped bass may be included in the aggregate. Channel Catfish, 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. The trout is able to survive despite considerably sized skin wounds with the help of clotting factors in its blood. the best of the catfish. Currently, anglers may keep only one bass larger than 21 inches. and bottom bouncing. 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. Is Bull Shoals Lake good fishing? 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. The available fish in Bull Shoals Lake are Black Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Whitebass, Catfish, and Striped Bass. Channel cats exceeding 20 pounds and Blues exceeding 60 pounds are occasionally caught. I've had a lot of luck jug fishing about half-way back in Music creek. 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. gradual shores, Due to good year class strengths in recent years, anglers should also expect to catch higher numbers of sub-legal fish as well. 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. This species is one of the most abundant of all catfish in US waters. During the spring, fall, and early winter months, bass can be found relatively shallow along rocky points, banks, and channel swing areas. Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass The property DIRECTLY borders the "Take Line" at Bull Shoals Lake. . Bull Shoals is the closest lake on the map and was wondering if it would be possible to catch blue catfish out of there. 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. Bull Shoals is a great lake and don't let 1 short trip form an opinion. Eastern red cedar and oak trees are interspersed with open glades supporting native tall prairie grasses. 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. 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