Notably smaller than its largemouth cousin but just as aggressive, the smallmouth bass is one of the most highly sought-after species in Bull Shoals Lake. This effort was done as a means to increase trout dispersal and support fishing demands. For boat permits and information call 410-795-6150. Black Crappie, 6' dropline and a 4" bluegill. Bull Shoals Lake is also home to this prehistoric fish! They are differentiated from one another based on their pigmentation. Piney Run Reservoir - Located in Sykesville, Carroll County Fish species . Walleye and sauger: minimum 18" We are close to Theodosia and Pontiac Marinas. It was a 44-inch (110 cm) fish that weighed 70 pounds (32 kg)! Once you find a pattern though, you have a good chance to catch a lot of fish since this lake is so big and full of fish. Striped bass: minimum 20" The rest of the year, black crappies tend to school in open water and up to 40 feet (12 meters) below the surface. 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. Go fishing! Open glade country surrounds the picnic area. A variety of wildlife species live within the Hercules Glades including white-tailed deer, raccoons rabbits, squirrels, turkey, quail, songbirds, lizards and snakes. Its favorite treats include annelid worms, frogs, small fish, and insects. The calm waters of Bull Shoals Lake are ideal for boating and skiing. Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species Enjoyed reading your comments guys. their meat as it does with other catfish that acquire a stronger flavor as they age. [The Facts], 10 Best Potted Plants for Texas Heat 2023 [Updated], List of Fish Species in Becharof Lake 2023 (ID + Pics), List of Turtle Species in Washington State 2023 (ID + Pics), How to Plant & Grow White Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton camtschatcensis). Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. Be advised of hunting seasons. I would have gotten to you sooner but my computer went down. 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. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. To catch cats in the Bull you need a depth finder. Blue catfish are a more aggressive fish A voracious carnivore, it feeds on almost anything that moves, including smaller catfish. predator that generally inhabits the open water. (Facts & Advice), Why Cant Freshwater Fish Live in Saltwater? For many anglers, fishing for suspended bass and panfish 20 feet down over 50 feet of water may seem like a waste of time. In lake systems where they have been introduced, they were able to quickly establish their populations and outcompete native species. Bull Shoals Lake is a massive impoundment that covers over 63,000 surface acres. This area is renowned for its bass fishing, so much so that the B.A.S.S. Bluegill, This permit allows these anglers to fish the Arkansas portion of this lake without purchasing an Arkansas nonresident fishing permit. a mouthful until, in clear water, few survive. catfish. There are a lot of catfish in Bull Shoals Lake. Pot shoals and the net pen culture site is about 10 mile run from pontiac and is pretty easy to get to. 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. Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. 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. Information: 417-895-6880 Anglers can identify largemouth and spotted bass by using differences in the jaw bone length, cheek scale size, connectivity of the spinous and soft dorsal fin, and absence/presence of a tongue patch. black bass fair on top water baits and soft plastics. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. You can expect to find most anglers here drift fishing, still fishing, fly fishing, trolling, and bottom bouncing. Flathead catfish are native to most of the Arkansas Ozarks waters, There are no length limits for white bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids. There are over 1,000 miles of shoreline. Check out the map above to view nearby river levels, or head to the Due to their nutritious and tasty meat, channel catfish are a popular aquaculture species. Dawn and dusk are prime times for fishing walleye as they tend to be more active during darker hours of the day. White crappies are similar to black crappies in terms of morphology. Bull Shoals Lake has a ton of fish attractors and there is even a map of them. For anglers that are good with their electronics, schooling fish can be found following baitfish from the summer months all the way through winter. Moreover, the two species tend to hybridize, making species identification even more difficult. 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. Some fish over 60 pounds are possible here. White crappies are best caught in the middle of the day, when they congregate in shallow areas. Bull Shoals Dam was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1951. The main lake points and shorelines are good spots to target a variety of bass and other fish too. They mainly eat shad. The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 - 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. 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. O. clarkii is fairly easy to identify and remember due to its distinctive red markings. Spring is the best time to fish for this species because they move to the shallows to spawn. 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. Special, area-specific regulations can be found here. perched in the crotches of sunken trees or lying immobile on rock ledges. For this reason, the conservation and enhancement of fish habitats are a top priority. Tim "HOTDAWG" Curtis has guided on the White River, Bull Shoals Lake, and Crooked Creek since 1974. The place is huge. There was quite a bit of rain the last few days. Unlike the smallmouth bass, the spotted one does not have vertical stripes along its sides. The points that lead to deep water quickly are great spots to fish in the summer. This tough species favors the calm and cool conditions in deep pools around the lake. Annual Prospects Report Walleye, Elite Series tournament was held right here in 2016! 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. Eliminating the "under 16-inch" size restriction for the bonus 10 catfish on the Arkansas River. that line class for many years. Shad-patterned flies and jigs are the bait of choice. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Keeping up with the current fishing reports and being able to adapt and find new spots is key to having success here. The Pontiac, Spring Creek, and Theodsia Accesses are in Ozark County and located off of Highways W, HH, and 160, respectively. Black Crappie, We once 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. Saltwater Fishing. 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. every year and has since 1975. Chain Pickerel, Largemouth Bass, Listed below are some of the most economically important fish species in the lake system. Anglers wanting fish to eat are encouraged to harvest spotted bass greater than 12 inches. The fall colors offer a breathtaking display only nature can provide. Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. When stocked in this order and properly managed, these species provide great fishing and good eating. Located along the Glade Top Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, this day use area is situated on one of the Ozark glades. Water Surface Temp: 65 Detailed Lake Information: Type of Lake: Hilland. It is now Crankbaits, jigs, plastic worms, and spinner baits are common lures to use here for bass. Bull Shoals can be confusing. Arkansas Ozarks Fishing-Bull Shoals-White River-Norfork Music Creek is in Arkansas and about an 8 or 9 mile run down the main lake. Many different species of bass are available to go along with walleye, catfish, trout and panfish. It has also been introduced in several water systems as a means to control pest fish. 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. They appear to glow under the light, making them have ornamental appeal. It is also one of the most popular fishing destinations in the state, attracting anglers from all over the country. Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. to explore the surrounding area. 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. However, it can also be a great time to find more fish willing to bite. 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. Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. This stunning species is a frequent favorite due to its fantastic colors and nutritional composition. Scuba Shop, Boat & Motor Repairs & Sales, Lodging. The white bass population has experienced below average spawning success so anglers may notice a decline in the white bass numbers, especially smaller sizes. It is not a legal document, and the official regulations of the Commission take precedence over this summary. You will fill like you have your own private lake. 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. Rainbow trout is an anadromous species that must venture into the ocean to spawn in the final years of its life. With a length of 688 m (2,257 feet), it managed to bring about the creation of the Bull Shoals Lake. Make sure you use your electronics and look for baitfish when fishing deeper water. Bull Shoals Lake is an incredible fishing destination located in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. For this reason, it has the potential to become invasive. 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. 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. Austin Lake GPX 967.00 B This is when they are most likely to spawn. 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. Plenty of big fish on the fish finder at 5 - 15 feet, but nothing wated our bluegill. Huge walleye, catfish and many other types of fish can also be found in Bull Shoals Lake. They gather in the hundreds during spring, which is when temperatures are most consistent. Visit our catfish page to learn more. These are best fished using topwater baits and when the weather is cool and cloudy. The areas that have large schools of shad will usually be the spots that hold good numbers of bass and other fish too. This fascinating fish can live for as long as 30 years, making it one of the most long-lived freshwater species in North America. In turbid parts of the lake, walleyes may feed all day. This nutritionally rich game fish has several subspecies across the US. 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. 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. They can be deadly as well as unsightly. . Best Fishing Trips Fishing Tackle During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures. You guys have any advise? ferociously (hell gladly attack a human intruder) but leaves before the brood has They are tolerant of turbid water and are usually found in areas with a low or absent current. Channels are Fishing reports i have seen lately say the baitfish are moving toward the river, which i think would be west. 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! Transfer the GPX file inside the ZIP file to your GPS device. Many state fishing records have been set at Bull Shoals Lake, included are the Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Striped Bass, and the still standing Largemouth Bass at 13lb. Bull Shoals is a great lake and don't let 1 short trip form an opinion. Bull Shoals Lake is an awesome multi-species fishing lake. This lake has a lot of main lake points. 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. They are The trout is able to survive despite considerably sized skin wounds with the help of clotting factors in its blood. White Bass: Good It favors cool, clean lakes that are associated with well-oxygenated tributaries leading up to shallow rivers. Including the portion located in Missouri, the lake totals some 45,500 surface acres. . Water Level (Range): high 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. Lead Hill looked like the closest place to put in. 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. Walleye numbers are very good and anglers should see a high percentage of legal-size fish in the 18-20 inch range in 2023. Communicate warnings, disperse advice, and share. 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. Fishers are able to effectively catch this game fish with spinnerbaits, plastic worms, crankbaits, and jigs. Spotted Gar, In the Swan Creek Arm above U.S. Highway 160: Taney Lakewide: Ozark and Taney Daily limit: Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species Crappie: 15 fish Length limit: Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass Crappie: 10" minimum . 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. Whether you fish the main lake shorelines or the creeks, there are a lot of fish that relate to the shorelines here. Largemouth bass are making a showing on the main lake near shoulders of cuts at 12 to 18 feet. Trout are here in limited numbers, but nearby, there is some awesome trout fishing available. Daily limit: 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. Size does not make a perceptible difference in the flavor of Bull Shoals Lake. Local Weather & Lake Level InformationThis shows both View Bull Shoals Boat Dock Fishing Report, ADVERTISE ON EXPLORE THE OZARKS DIRECTORIES. Although natural reproduction of Channel catfish does With over seventy-four square miles (94,000 acres) of water and over 1,050 miles of shoreline, Bull Shoals lake is the largest lake in Arkansas.and one of the most popular lakes in Arkansas! Am Planning a trip in September. pass. Channel Catfish, These close cousins tend to hybridize into sturdy fish that are commonly known as wipers, whiterock bass, or Cherokee bass. He guards the eggs and fry 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! Brown Bullhead, Crappie: 15 fishLength limit: New for 2023. Closer to dusk and dawn, they prefer to stay in open water. Largemouth weighing up to 12-pounds have been caught here. This fishing guide can handle 1 to 40 people, which means families of any size can go on the water and catch a big one. You can also find plenty of shorelines in the creeks with shoreline wood as cover to fish as well. I have 6 or 8 days to think on it, I will sure post our results. Also known as yellow pickerel, the walleye is a popular species under the perch family (Percidae). we recommend fishing near Black Bass: Good The spring is the best time to find fish shallower along the shorelines and off the ponts. Lake: Hilland piney run Reservoir - located in Sykesville, Carroll County fish species in the final years its! 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