Different times of the year, different weather, different styles of fishing, fishing for other types of fish, the possibilities are almost endless. Many species have or are migrating from the back of creek arms to the main creek arms and the main lake. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and plastic worms catch the majority of the black bass species. In the Swan Creek Arm above U.S. Highway 160: Taney reservoir ferociously (hell gladly attack a human intruder) but leaves before the brood has to explore the surrounding area. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. In reservoirs like Bull Shoals Lake, these sites also tend to be used by smallmouth bass. 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. 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. Largemouth Bass, This striped bass and its hybrids are regularly stocked in freshwater systems around the US as they are popular with sport fishers. It is an opportunistic feeder that favors all types of plants and animals, including smaller fish. The Bull Shoals dam and associated lake-river system are just one of many that have facilitated river-based spawning events. July. 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. 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? The Pontiac, Spring Creek, and Theodsia Accesses are in Ozark County and located off of Highways W, HH, and 160, respectively. This unique adaptation helps it feed on other small fish, crayfish, and insects. For this reason, the conservation and enhancement of fish habitats are a top priority. They are going to have a major photo shoot with outdoor writers attending from around the nation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Restrictions. If you are running from point to point, dont rule out these areas. Spring and summer blooming wildflowers cover the area in natural beauty. There are over 1,000 miles of shoreline. Although natural reproduction of Channel catfish does It is easily identified by its iridescent blue to purple coloration and dark-shaded bands. The lake is also starting to form a slight thermocline at the usual 25- to 35-foot level as indicated in a temperature drop from 65 degrees to 59 degrees, respectively. 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! This gives it an advantage as it can feed at night and on smaller fish that are unable to see as adeptly. When searching the creek arms to find fish, you may have to search for certain water temperatures, shoreline cover or schooling baitfish to find the better bite on each particular day. In the late spring, summer, and fall, minnows and nightcrawlers rigged on bottom-bouncers, and crankbaits slowly trolled along flats and points at or just above the depth of the thermocline catch good numbers of fish. The Arkansas resident went bass fishing on Bull Shoals Lake on Feb. 18 with a bait he made. Daily limit: 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. 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. Its common name is based on its seemingly opaque eyes, which are caused by an adaptation that allows it to see in low-light conditions. The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. Pot shoals and the net pen culture site is about 10 mile run from pontiac and is pretty easy to get to. This predator that generally inhabits the open water. Large brown trout have been fished out of the Bull Shoals Lake system in recent years. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. by Ricky Eastwold and Crew at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock "We Rent Fun!" The Bull Shoals Dam, which is an enormous structure in Northern Arkansas, was built in 1947 - 1951 to produce hydroelectric power and prevent flooding. 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. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. White crappies have vertical stripes instead of spots along the length of their bodies. During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures. Anglers wanting fish to eat are encouraged to harvest spotted bass greater than 12 inches. Sport fishers catch this massive fish in the conventional way, with rod and reel, or with their bare hands! 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. A variety of wildlife species live within the Hercules Glades including white-tailed deer, raccoons rabbits, squirrels, turkey, quail, songbirds, lizards and snakes. Everthing you might need except food and . A 60 pound Blue catfish caught on 8-pound test line was a world record for Striped bass: minimum 20" On average, this sunfish can fit in a single hand. New for 2023. As indicated by its common name, the largemouth bass is easy to identify due to its enormous mouth. Bull Shoals Lake has a ton of fish attractors and there is even a map of them. JUGS!! Black Crappie, 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. The shoreline wood cover usually holds a variety of bass and panfish, especially during the spring. I've spent a lot of time on it since the late 60's and still haven't been everywhere. Ultimate Fishing Site is the largest fishing tips and tourism website on the net. Bull Shoals is virtually an untapped Walleye fishery. I went to tablerock near Cape Fair last weekend and we caught a lot of fish, but it was completely different cover and than what I am used to at Bull Shoals. The walleye occurs in large numbers in Bull Shoals Lake, where even 18 20 inch (46 50 cm) specimens can be caught legally. There was a definite slump in action late last week when the weather pattern shifted from 20 mph winds to hot and flat calm. the best of the catfish. Bull Shoals Lake is an incredible fishing destination located in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas. **Go to the ParkCache listings to find all 53 caches. I appreciate any info you all can pass on to me. In turn, they are favored by many large game fish and waterfowl. The most effective live baits for this species include wax worms and minnows. Lakewide: Ozark and Taney Grass Carp, They are At night they come up and cruise the banks at night to feed. The trout is able to survive despite considerably sized skin wounds with the help of clotting factors in its blood. 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. Bull Shoals Dam was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1951. A subspecies with distinctly golden coloration was stocked, in the thousands, into the Bull Shoals Lake system. These close cousins tend to hybridize into sturdy fish that are commonly known as wipers, whiterock bass, or Cherokee bass. You will fill like you have your own private lake. Fishing Tackle Walleye, rain, clouds, and wind) result in better fishing success. Multiple marinas and boat rental options are conveniently located around the lake. Bull Shoals Lake has a surface area of 183 km2 (45,150 acres). The primary species of fish in this lake are largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and spotted bass. Nothing messes up a good fishing trip like engine troubles. Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. This stunning species is a frequent favorite due to its fantastic colors and nutritional composition. 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. Water Surface Temp: 66 Interestingly, poor weather can increase the likelihood of successfully baiting this bass. Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass & Spotted Bass. 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. I almost always put in around Spring Creek, or Pontiac. PLEASE DO NOT ABANDON TROTLINES OR The available fish in Bull Shoals Lake are Black Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, Whitebass, Catfish, and Striped Bass. Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass I would like to talk to you as time draws closer. I am planning to put in around Pontiac.. not sure where pot shoals sis.. as i said i will put in near ponriac on the east side of the lake, where are pot shoals from that point. hey Doug, I havn't heard of ponriac. The best way to keep a dream alive - is to keep sleeping. 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. Redbud and dogwood provide beautiful spring flowers, while smoke tree and maple put on vivid fall colors. 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. As with the Channel and Blue catfishes, the males prepare the nest, constantly fan the Whether you're visiting Bull Shoals Lakefor the world renowned bassfishing, or bringing the family for arelaxing weekend of watersports and boatingon the lake, you won't have too much trouble finding a secludedspot on the water. If you know where these structures are, you'll know where the fish are! Arkansas Ozarks Fishing-Bull Shoals-White River-Norfork It is great being a part of USCA! Channels are However, it can also be a great time to find more fish willing to bite. The world record holder was fished in Alabama a few years ago. Go 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. Welcome to BullShoals.com, your source for all things related to Bull Shoals Lake in the Ozarks. supplemental stocking has not yet become a reliable options for fisheries managers. Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock offers boat and houseboat rentals, guided fishing trips, scuba services, tackle shop, lodging, stall rentals and new and used boat sales. All qualifying tournaments are one day events and have a $70 entry . They play a central role in the food chain as they consume insects, leeches, crustaceans, fish eggs, and juvenile fish. Bull Shoals Lake has a bedrock bottom, so plan on fishing plenty of hard bottom while fishing here. Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, ratio of any freshwater fish in America. black bass fair on top water baits and soft plastics. 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. In the summer and fall, you can usually have some success by fishing the main lake points that jump out to deeper water fairly quickly. Pond Informer is growing community of pond & lake professionals, ecologists, and scientific writers, with a passion for all things ponds, wetlands, and sustainable conservation. February - June is the best time to target these great fishing and great eating fish. The rest of the year, larger bluegills tend to remain in deeper waters. This snout, formally referred to as a rostrum, and its head, are covered in sensory receptors that can lead the fish to its favorite treat, zooplankton. The fish attractors located on the main lake are great spots to find fish too. They feed on swarms of these in rivers, channels, lakes, and even in drainage basins. For table quality they are generally considered [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). 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