Copperheads and rattlesnakes may be encountered. As indicated by its common name, the largemouth bass is easy to identify due to its enormous mouth. Most of the time the cats I catch on the lake during the day time are in 30 to 50 ft of water with some as deep as 70 to 90 ft down. 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. 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. Catfish fishing is good year around, even in the dead of winter. It has also been introduced in several water systems as a means to control pest fish. Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. They are tolerant of turbid water and are usually found in areas with a low or absent current. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, John. 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 Lake has a ton of fish attractors and there is even a map of them. 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. White Bass, This lake is the largest lake in Arkansas, with over 45,000 acres of water. Striped Bass, Walleye, Catfish, Crappie, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout & Brown Trout. Scuba Shop, Boat & Motor Repairs & Sales, Lodging. Bull Shoals Lake is an awesome multi-species fishing lake. Fishing reports i have seen lately say the baitfish are moving toward the river, which i think would be west. Fourteen were brown trout, the rest rainbows on day 1. . 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. Crankbaits, jigs, plastic worms, and spinner baits are common lures to use here for bass. If you know where these structures are, you'll know where the fish are! to 1.5 pounds) Channel and Blue catfish in Bull Shoals Lake,Lake Norfork, and area streams 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. Grass Carp, There are also lots of Hybrid, Smallmouth, Spotted, Striped (Striper), and White Bass. Music Creek is in Arkansas and about an 8 or 9 mile run down the main lake. When stocked in this order and properly managed, these species provide great fishing and good eating. In recent years, white bass populations in Bull Shoals Lake have considerably decreased in number due to less successful spawning events. Annual Prospects Report their meat as it does with other catfish that acquire a stronger flavor as they age. These creek arms hold fish year round. Blue catfish are a more aggressive fish the Reservoir, If you want to target even bigger catfish, try fishing for blue catfish or flathead catfish. especially, they also eat a lot of the introduced Asiatic clam, the undigested shells of to explore the surrounding area. Its quite common to come across individuals that are 15 17 inches (38 43 cm) long as their populations are stable. There was a definite slump in action late last week when the weather pattern shifted from 20 mph winds to hot and flat calm. (Facts & Advice), Why Cant Freshwater Fish Live in Saltwater? White crappies are best caught in the middle of the day, when they congregate in shallow areas. Everthing you might need except food and . This The world record holder was fished in Alabama a few years ago. Flatheads inhabit pools in streams and are found throughout the lakes. Water Surface Temp: 65 If you're headed out to the Reservoir, we recommend fishing near cliffs and steep shore banks, gradual . Lake-Buffalo-North Fork. Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report | January 20th 2022 | Del Colvin. However, it can also be a great time to find more fish willing to bite. This is an uncrowded destination, making it a wonderful placeto get away from it all. Be advised of hunting seasons. 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. From Powersite Dam to Highway 76: Taney Prohibited Methods: Trotlines, throwlines and limb lines. The male catfish makes a nest in a crevice, small cave, hollow log, etc., and Interestingly, this is the only species of sunfish with teeth on its tongue! Fish Reported: and inlets and outlets. Flathead Catfish, Austin Lake GPX 967.00 B we need a good trip. Detailed Lake Information: Type of Lake: Hilland. I consider this the multi-species season on Bull Shoals 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. Piney Run Reservoir - Located in Sykesville, Carroll County Fish species . 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. pounds are occasionally caught. rain, clouds, and wind) result in better fishing success. All qualifying tournaments are one day events and have a $70 entry . trolling, July. Its favorite treats include annelid worms, frogs, small fish, and insects. Flathead spawning later in the year than it does for Channels and Blues, There are a lot of arms to fish, so once you can figure out a pattern, there will be other places where you can go to replicate the pattern to find more active fish. The longear sunfish is a diurnal feeder and is skilled at finding prey in moving bodies of water. a mouthful until, in clear water, few survive. Water Level (Range): normal Eliminating the "under 16-inch" size restriction for the bonus 10 catfish on the Arkansas River. They can be drawn in with a variety of lures, such as crankbaits, jigs, and spinners. 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. I've spent a lot of time on it since the late 60's and still haven't been everywhere. $235 avg/night. Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Anglers wanting fish to eat are encouraged to harvest spotted bass greater than 12 inches. 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. 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. 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). While this lakes water can stain quite a bit during heavy rains, the lake clears up with underwater visibility 20 to 30 feet. Largemouth weighing up to 12-pounds have been caught here. Some of the creeks will have murkier water while others will be really clear, so there are a lot of variables that come into play on a trip here early in the year. From February 20 through April 14, walleye and sauger may be taken and possessed only between 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. In 2016, Debra, an Illinois native and New Orleans transplant, purchased her family home overlooking beautiful Bull Shoals Lake. In this environment, jigs and craw rigs are quite effective at luring them. Anglers in the lake are allowed to fish up to 5 trout per day. This species doesn't have the growth potential of the other black bass and fish over 15 inches are rare. 15, so theyll have a chance to spawn and get through the brooding period when they Instructions Download the ZIP files on this page and open/unzip them. 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. These close cousins tend to hybridize into sturdy fish that are commonly known as wipers, whiterock bass, or Cherokee bass. Blue Catfish, Bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass are proven stocking combination that provides both food and sport-fishing. Fluctuations of river flows and lake water levels have also made it difficult to observe patterns in their spawning behavior. Spotted Bass, 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. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. Moreover, the two species tend to hybridize, making species identification even more difficult. Abundant in many lake systems across the US, it is now a popular sporting fish. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Both Channel and Blue are found everywhere in the lakes. As stakeholders, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC), Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), and the US Army Corps of Engineers coordinate and emphasize the need for projects that can help sustain game fish communities. You just never know what the next bite will be. Lakewide: Ozark and Taney View Bull Shoals Boat Dock Fishing Report He guards the eggs and fry I almost always put in around Spring Creek, or Pontiac. Of course, one of the most popular ones is sport fishing. mussels in the stomachs of Blue catfish on the Arkansas River. There are no length limits for white bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids. Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. Alligator Gar, We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. You guys have any advise? 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. There was a definite slump in action late last week when the weather pattern shifted from 20 mph winds to hot and flat calm. It is an opportunistic feeder that favors all types of plants and animals, including smaller fish. September 12, 2022 by Brent Pollock. Fish Reported: Visit our catfish page to learn more. It is now an invasive species in Asia, South America, and Europe. Because of their aggressiveness, they are Bull Shoals Lake. ferociously (hell gladly attack a human intruder) but leaves before the brood has Spearfishing is also a very popular method Matthew Hambright. Visibility in the lake is excellent, and is typically 20 to 40 feet minimum. Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all things related to Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks. Like its close cousins, it prefers cool streams and rocky pools, where it can creep up on potential prey. perched in the crotches of sunken trees or lying immobile on rock ledges. Bull Shoals Lake Bull Shoals Lake. 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