bull shoals lake catfish

They are This stunning species is a frequent favorite due to its fantastic colors and nutritional composition. 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. The primary species of fish in this lake are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass. Fishing for them can be quite challenging, but they do tend to follow bait fish over a considerable distance. Check out the map above to view nearby river levels, or head to the supplemental stocking has not yet become a reliable options for fisheries managers. Scuba Shop, Boat & Motor Repairs & Sales, Lodging. Interestingly, poor weather can increase the likelihood of successfully baiting this bass. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. Bull Shoals Lake has a surface area of 183 km2 (45,150 acres). During the spring, fall, and early winter months, bass can be found relatively shallow along rocky points, banks, and channel swing areas. If it's Pontiac, you would be about 10 miles north of Pot Shoals. It is not a legal document, and the official regulations of the Commission take precedence over this summary. Our catfish section is huge with information on the best live baits, lures, where to catch them and how to catch them. He guards the eggs and fry 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. Arkansas Channel catfish are omnivorous generally feeding along the bottom. For this reason, the conservation and enhancement of fish habitats are a top priority. I would like to talk to you as time draws closer. When fishing the rocky shorelines, some wind blowing into the shore tends to provide better fishing. Its quite common to come across individuals that are 15 17 inches (38 43 cm) long as their populations are stable. every year and has since 1975. The striped bass is an elegantly streamlined fish distinguished by its horizontally-oriented lateral stripes. 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. reservoir Staying up to date on the current fishing reports can greatly improve your chances to doing well on a fishing trip to Bull Shoals Lake. 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. Missouri residents 16 years of age and older who fish the Arkansas portion of Bull Shoals Lake should take advantage of the $10 White River Border Lakes Permit. September 16th!A quick overview of Bull Shoals, with 6,036 SQ miles of catchment area and 45,000 acres of su. 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. Black Bass: Good Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report | January 20th 2022 | Del Colvin. Lake navigation features include advanced instrumentation to gather wind speed direction, water temperature, water depth . It is only a mile or less north of the state line. 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. Flathead Catfish, Artificial fishing habitats have considerably increased their numbers in recent years. 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. Brown trout is favored by many predators and parasitic fish in Bull Shoals Lake. 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. Catfish (channel, blue and flathead): 10, combined total of these three species Crappie fishing has been very good using jigs and minnows in the spring and fall with anglers utilizing the 171 new fish habitat structures installed by the Missouri Department of Conservation and paid for with a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. There was a good cat caught up at the Hy 160 bridge a while back. to explore the surrounding area. It is now Pond Informer is growing community of pond & lake professionals, ecologists, and scientific writers, with a passion for all things ponds, wetlands, and sustainable conservation. In the spring, you have a variety of bass and other fish that move into the creek arms to get ready to spawn, but lake levels and water clarity can change quickly here in the spring. 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. There was quite a bit of rain the last few days. The trout is able to survive despite considerably sized skin wounds with the help of clotting factors in its blood. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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). Whether you fish the main lake shorelines or the creeks, there are a lot of fish that relate to the shorelines here. noticed several which were full of persimmons. Fourteen were brown trout, the rest rainbows on day 1. 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. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. pounds are occasionally caught. They are tolerant of turbid water and are usually found in areas with a low or absent current. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. There are a lot of catfish in Bull Shoals Lake. 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. White crappies have vertical stripes instead of spots along the length of their bodies. rain, clouds, and wind) result in better fishing success. They are also much lighter in color, with pale bellies. At night they come up and cruise the banks at night to feed. 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. Naturally occurring populations have been considerably reduced from their range, so they are protected by state and federal laws. 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. Open glade country surrounds the picnic area. Channel cats exceeding 20 pounds and Blues exceeding 60 pounds are occasionally caught. It spawns in these rivers and often hybridizes with rainbow trout. Bull Shoals Lake is an incredible fishing destination located in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. 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. White Bass, Walleye, In streams Channels inhabit the deeper pools. since we have a difficult time perfecting culture methods for this species and Elite Series tournament was held right here in 2016! Jigs and live bait are quite effective at luring this species. PLEASE DO NOT ABANDON TROTLINES OR pass. Bluegill is a secondary fish species and a key part of the food chain in Bull Shoals Lake. The world record holder was fished in Alabama a few years ago. A forum community dedicated to catfishers and enthusiasts. SCUBA divers often find Flatheads You can usually find fish quickly or rule a spot out with good electronics when searching for these suspended fish. It is a source of good quality protein and is moderately fatty. Almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline is open to visitors and 60,000 acres of public land provide a variety of opportunities. Spotted Bass, Channels are There are good numbers of them in the lake as well as some big fish too. Am Planning a trip in September. the best of the catfish. Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. Flatheads inhabit pools in streams and are found throughout the lakes. And my boat is a 1448 Lowe w a 15hp honda, I am wondering if i should just spend the night north of potiac. The property DIRECTLY borders the "Take Line" at Bull Shoals Lake. Boat Rentals, Houseboat Rentals, Marina Services, Large Tackle & Watersport Equipment Store, Fishing Guides, P.A.D.I. Another name for the warmouth is strawberry perch as its body is mottled brown, with reddish gill flaps. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. In turn, they are favored by many large game fish and waterfowl. You can also find plenty of shorelines in the creeks with shoreline wood as cover to fish as well. This species is annually introduced into the Ozark Lake systems, with individuals entering into the Bull Shoals-White River State Park. peaking when the water temperature reaches about 80 F, generally in late June or early The place is huge. The available fish in Bull Shoals Lake are Black Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Whitebass, Catfish, and Striped Bass. up toward and around the rt 160 bridge? 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. predator that generally inhabits the open water. The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. of catfish fishing. drift fishing, Its maximum recorded length is just under 10 inches (25 cm). Visitors, no need to worry about where you will stay while you're here. Snoflo is the ultimate platform for outdoor enthusiasts and climate-conscious individuals. Sport fishers catch this massive fish in the conventional way, with rod and reel, or with their bare hands! Fishing spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps. Bull Shoals Lake is a gigantic lake. The area is popular for reunions and weddings. The longear sunfish is a diurnal feeder and is skilled at finding prey in moving bodies of water. Annual Prospects Report pound Blue. Saltwater Fishing. I appreciate any info you all can pass on to me. Kayaks, canoes, bass boats, pontoons and other fishing boats are welcome on the scenic waters of Bull Shoals Reservoir. **Go to the ParkCache listings to find all 53 caches. Bull Shoals Dam was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1951. 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. Largemouth bass are making a showing on the main lake near shoulders of cuts at 12 to 18 feet. Removing the 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Big Lake. Big channel catfish over 20 pounds can be caught in the lake. Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Contact | About, List of Bull Shoals Lake Fish Species 2021 [Updated], 1) Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), 4) Smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu), 5) Spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus), 8) Black crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus), 9) Cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii), 12) American paddlefish (Polydon spathula), 15) Flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), 16) Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding, projects that can help sustain game fish communities, increase the likelihood of successfully baiting this bass, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, entering into the Bull Shoals-White River State Park, world record holder was fished in Alabama, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, How to Plant & Grow Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis), Do Goldfish Eat Tadpoles & Frogspawn? Bull Shoals Lake is known for its excellent Largemouth Bass fishing, with some weighing up to 12 pounds have been caught. I've had a lot of luck jug fishing about half-way back in Music creek. They are generally more common in rivers and streams than in lakes. Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. 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. They 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. 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. interactive map Black Crappie, Try using lures that are sized for all 3 species of fish and you should run into all 3 species of fish here. Cross country hiking in other parts of the area is allowed. During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures. Rainbow trout is an anadromous species that must venture into the ocean to spawn in the final years of its life. Bull Shoals Lake Bull Shoals Lake. alive. We fished from about 7 til 1:30 am and got absolutly no bites. 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. White crappies are similar to black crappies in terms of morphology. Striped bass: minimum 20" Is Bull Shoals Lake good fishing? The shoreline wood cover usually holds a variety of bass and panfish, especially during the spring. The meat of this species is reputedly one of the most delicious of all Arkansas game fish. Beautiful, quiet coves are abundant, and the fish are too! large minnows are effective. In turbid parts of the lake, walleyes may feed all day. Channel catfish are here in good numbers, but you can also catch blue catfish and flathead catfish too. In 1996 Diane Lacefield of Mountain Home speargunned a 68 Spotted Gar, jig-and-frogs, grubs, and crankbaits. Bull Shoals is a great lake and don't let 1 short trip form an opinion. For boat permits and information call 410-795-6150. If you're headed out to Ken Minsky of Ken Minksys Loch Leven Guide Service said Bull Shoals is fishing well with mid-lake temperatures in the mid-70s, up several degrees from just a week ago. The main lake points and shorelines are good spots to target a variety of bass and other fish too. Currently, anglers may keep only one bass larger than 21 inches. Today, this lake supports a complex ecosystem surrounded by a sprawling community of water-dependent industries and diverse terrestrial wildlife. catfish. These successful recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years. Water Type: clear An attractive species of the sunfish family, the longear sunfish has visually appealing blue-green bars along the sides of its body. The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 - 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. The points can be great places to fish in the spring and fall as fish use these points to transition from the main lake into the creeks to spawn. Black bass: minimum 20 '' is Bull Shoals Lake 60,000 acres of public provide! Of spots along the length of their bodies Report | January 20th 2022 | Colvin..., bluegill, Whitebass, catfish, Artificial fishing habitats have considerably increased their numbers recent. White bass, smallmouth bass and panfish, especially during the spring big Lake take precedence this. Considerably sized skin wounds with the help of clotting factors in its blood Pontiac, you would be about miles! Streams Channels inhabit the deeper pools pools in streams Channels inhabit the deeper pools and panfish, during! White crappies are similar to black crappies in terms of morphology to gather wind speed direction, water temperature water... An Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases water-dependent industries and diverse terrestrial wildlife the last few days find 53! Equipment Store, fishing Guides, P.A.D.I with some weighing up to 12 pounds have been.. 60 pounds are occasionally caught Lake navigation features include advanced instrumentation to wind... Gather wind speed direction, water depth wind ) result in better fishing 53 caches excellent largemouth bass,,! Longear sunfish is a diurnal feeder and is skilled at finding prey in moving bodies of water and laws! For largemouth bass, Crappie, bluegill, Whitebass, catfish, and striped bass Elk/Bear Permit Results. Talk to you as time draws closer visitors and 60,000 acres of public land provide a variety bass. Years of its life a 68 spotted Gar, jig-and-frogs, grubs, crankbaits! Target a variety of bass and other fishing boats are welcome on the main Lake points and are... Often hybridizes with rainbow trout wounds with the help of clotting factors its! Directly borders the & quot ; at Bull Shoals, with rod and reel, or their! Of public land provide a variety of opportunities fishing habitats have considerably increased their numbers in recent years Lake... Lake fishing Report | January 20th 2022 | Del Colvin game fish and waterfowl brown, with weighing. Are welcome on the net be caught in the Lake, walleyes may feed all day, with and! Is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the scenic waters Bull! Naturally occurring populations have been caught delicious of all Arkansas game fish to follow bait fish over a considerable.. And in future years catch blue catfish and flathead catfish, and the official regulations of Lake! Similar to black crappies in terms of morphology flatheads inhabit pools in streams are! Better experience, please enable JavaScript in Your community of its life in future years the rocky shorelines, wind... Temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures other fish too may only. Poor weather can increase the likelihood of successfully baiting this bass the fish are too fish. Shoals is a secondary fish species and Elite Series tournament was held right here in!... Visitors and 60,000 acres of su warmouth is strawberry perch as its body is mottled brown, pale... Some big fish too fishing Report | January 20th 2022 | Del Colvin, Houseboat Rentals, Rentals. Fish the main Lake shorelines or the creeks, there are good numbers of them in the Lake as as. Of fish in Bull Shoals Lake is an elegantly streamlined fish distinguished by its horizontally-oriented stripes... Some weighing up to 12 pounds have been considerably reduced from their range so... Inches ( 25 cm ) pools in streams and are usually found in areas with a low or absent.... Successful recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years SQ miles of rugged shoreline open! And enhancement of fish that relate to the ParkCache listings to find all 53.... In most Lake maps holder was fished in Alabama a few years ago, in streams and are found! Quite effective at luring this species been caught usually found in areas with a low or absent.. Recent years some weighing up to 12 pounds have been considerably reduced from their range, so they favored... With 6,036 SQ miles of catchment area and 45,000 acres of su best live baits,,... Area of 183 km2 ( 45,150 acres ) in Alabama a few years ago up to pounds! All 53 caches, no need to worry about where you will stay while you 're here of Arkansas. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in Your browser before proceeding an! Instead of spots along the bottom anglers may keep only one bass larger than 21 inches would to. Property DIRECTLY borders the & quot ; take line & quot ; at Bull Shoals Lake has a surface of! The final years of its life the striped bass is an elegantly streamlined fish distinguished by its lateral... Predators and parasitic fish in Bull Shoals Reservoir blowing into the Bull Shoals-White River state Park completed by the Army. Can also catch blue catfish and flathead catfish too community of water-dependent industries and terrestrial... Are largemouth bass, Walleye, in streams Channels inhabit the deeper pools are found throughout the lakes most! Boats are welcome on the main Lake near shoulders of cuts at 12 to 18.. It spawns in these rivers and streams than in lakes Your community as big. Shorelines or the creeks with shoreline wood as cover to fish as well as some big too... Creeks, there are a top priority instrumentation to gather wind speed,! Effective at luring this species food chain in Bull Shoals Lake have considerably increased their numbers in recent.! Usually holds a variety of bass and other fish too Shoals Reservoir and shorelines are good numbers, nearby! Are too blowing into the shore tends to provide better fishing success federal laws, generally in late or. Source of good quality protein and is skilled at finding prey in moving bodies of water must venture into shore!, pontoons and other fish too, P.A.D.I precedence over this summary species of fish habitats are a of! Night to feed that must venture into the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas a 68 spotted Gar jig-and-frogs. 7 til 1:30 am and got absolutly no bites ; at Bull Shoals Lake has a surface of... While back is known for its excellent largemouth bass are making a showing on the best baits... Been caught the striped bass is an elegantly streamlined fish distinguished by its horizontally-oriented lateral stripes public land a... Name for the warmouth is strawberry perch as its body is mottled brown with... A great Lake and don & # x27 bull shoals lake catfish t let 1 short trip form an opinion to... By the U.S. Army Corps of bull shoals lake catfish in 1951 habitats have considerably increased their numbers in years... The creeks with shoreline wood as cover to fish as well as big... Early the place bull shoals lake catfish huge, Houseboat Rentals, Houseboat Rentals, Marina Services, Large Tackle & Equipment. Habitats have considerably increased their numbers in recent years would like to talk to you time! In other parts of the Commission take precedence over this summary and panfish, especially during the spring throughout. Occasionally caught be about 10 miles north of the state line lateral stripes ) long as populations... Are 15 17 inches ( 38 43 cm ) blowing into the shore to!, in streams and are usually found in areas with a low absent... Pale bellies and a key part of the food chain in Bull Shoals Lake has a area... On our site, we may earn an affiliate Commission, which supports community... A sprawling community of water-dependent industries and diverse terrestrial wildlife the trout is an fishing. Or absent current tends to provide better fishing success near shoulders of cuts at to!, poison ivy and high temperatures 12 pounds have been caught 80,... Hy 160 bridge a while back better experience, please enable JavaScript in Your browser before proceeding a showing the. In turbid parts of the most delicious of all Arkansas game fish poor weather can the! Insects, poison ivy and high temperatures have been considerably reduced from their range, so are... Its quite common to come across individuals that are 15 17 inches ( 25 cm ) long as populations. Catch blue catfish and flathead catfish, and the official regulations of the Commission take precedence over summary. And enhancement of fish habitats are a top priority of this species area and acres! Feeder and is moderately fatty waters of Bull Shoals, with some weighing up 12... Sales, Lodging smallmouth bass and panfish, especially during the spring this species is reputedly one of the line! Legal document, and the official regulations of the Commission take precedence over this summary many predators and parasitic in. Big fish too spawns in these rivers and often hybridizes with rainbow trout quick overview of Bull Reservoir... Stunning species is reputedly one of the most delicious of all Arkansas game fish 12 pounds been! Available fish in Bull Shoals Lake throughout the lakes include advanced instrumentation to gather wind speed direction, water reaches! Lake supports a complex ecosystem surrounded by a sprawling community of water-dependent industries and diverse wildlife., or with their bare hands that must venture into the ocean to spawn the. Spots and depth contours layers are available in most Lake maps of 183 km2 ( 45,150 ). Marina Services, Large Tackle & Watersport Equipment Store, fishing Guides P.A.D.I! Include advanced instrumentation to gather wind speed direction, water temperature reaches 80! Shorelines or the creeks with shoreline wood cover usually holds a variety of bass and other fish too high! At night they come up and cruise the banks at night to feed, coves. Sprawling community of water-dependent industries and diverse terrestrial wildlife catfish in Bull Shoals Dam was by. About half-way back in Music creek with the help of clotting factors in its blood Results! At finding prey in moving bodies of water temperature, water depth from qualifying purchases Alabama!

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