Another name for the warmouth is strawberry perch as its body is mottled brown, with reddish gill flaps. I consider this the multi-species season on Bull Shoals Lake. Eliminating the "under 16-inch" size restriction for the bonus 10 catfish on the Arkansas River. There are no length limits for white bass, yellow bass, or their hybrids. Bull Shoals Dam was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1951. Because of their aggressiveness, they are Also known as yellow pickerel, the walleye is a popular species under the perch family (Percidae). The calm waters of Bull Shoals Lake are ideal for boating and skiing. Anglers do report some nice catches of striped bass, walleye and catfish. We are close to Theodosia and Pontiac Marinas. This living fossil is the only extant species left in its family, Polyodontindae. It's a Regular size geocache, with difficulty of 2.5, terrain of 1.5. Blue Catfish, 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. Black bass: minimum 15" on largemouth and smallmouth bass; minimum 12" on spotted bass Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas. 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. In recent years, white bass populations in Bull Shoals Lake have considerably decreased in number due to less successful spawning events. The many tributaries associated with the lake support this species complex life cycle and ensure that fished populations are replenished each year. Spring is the best time to fish for this species because they move to the shallows to spawn. 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. This permit allows these anglers to fish the Arkansas portion of this lake without purchasing an Arkansas nonresident fishing permit. Matthew Hambright. 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. 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. Visit our catfish page to learn more. Bull Shoals-White River ParkCache (GC1C7BG) was created by Arkansas State Parks on 5/7/2008. Many different species of bass are available to go along with walleye, catfish, trout and panfish. 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. During temperate months, be prepared for biting insects, poison ivy and high temperatures. Good Luck! to 1.5 pounds) Channel and Blue catfish in Bull Shoals Lake,Lake Norfork, and area streams Its sensitivity to vibrations makes it a skilled benthic predator. ratio of any freshwater fish in America. Anglers in Bull Shoals Lake often come across brown trout that are scarred yet able to function as normal. Tim "HOTDAWG" Curtis has guided on the White River, Bull Shoals Lake, and Crooked Creek since 1974. There are lots of good places but Pot Shoals is a good place. large minnows are effective. On day one the men caught over 100 trout including a dozen +/- 20". We facilitate and provide opportunity for all citizens to use, enjoy, and learn about these resources. Bull Shoals Lake is an awesome multi-species fishing lake. Flatheads inhabit pools in streams and are found throughout the lakes. September 16th!A quick overview of Bull Shoals, with 6,036 SQ miles of catchment area and 45,000 acres of su. Located along the Glade Top Trail National Forest Scenic Byway, this day use area is situated on one of the Ozark glades. SCUBA divers often find Flatheads This 71,000-acre reservoir has over 1,000 miles of shoreline, plenty of which is accessible for bank fishing. It is large enough to accommodate creatures that are twice the bass size. These close cousins tend to hybridize into sturdy fish that are commonly known as wipers, whiterock bass, or Cherokee bass. A variety of wildlife species live within the Hercules Glades including white-tailed deer, raccoons rabbits, squirrels, turkey, quail, songbirds, lizards and snakes. 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. Its maximum recorded length is just under 10 inches (25 cm). 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. This stunning species is a frequent favorite due to its fantastic colors and nutritional composition. 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. 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! As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lakes elevation at 661.18 feet msl (normal conservation pool 654 msl). The world record holder weighed just 5 pounds (2.3 kg) but was 21 inches (53 cm) long! Thanks in advance. These successful recruitment years will provide good fishing opportunities now and in future years. The best way to keep a dream alive - is to keep sleeping. Eastern red cedar and oak trees are interspersed with open glades supporting native tall prairie grasses. Enjoyed reading your comments guys. I just moved to Harrison, AR and was hoping you all could give some information. Fishing Rigs Bull Shoals Lake has an active fisheries sector that heavily relies on spawning success to drive fish population growth. Redbud and dogwood provide beautiful spring flowers, while smoke tree and maple put on vivid fall colors. 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. Come join the discussion about safety, gear, tackle, noodling, tips, tricks, reviews, reports, accessories, classifieds, and more! Scuba Shop, Boat & Motor Repairs & Sales, Lodging. The shoreline wood cover usually holds a variety of bass and panfish, especially during the spring. With over seventy-four square miles (94,000 acres) of water and over. Hope you catch a lot of fish the remainder of the year. There was quite a bit of rain the last few days. 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. Currently, anglers may keep only one bass larger than 21 inches. New for 2023. September 12, 2022 by Brent Pollock. For this reason, it has the potential to become invasive. fisherman. Elite Series tournament was held right here in 2016! It is the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States. Even smaller-sized white bass are not as common in the lake as they used to be. 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. I use live bait, with 3-5 ft of line, but I must be in the wrong spots. On average, this species lives for just 4 6 years in the wild. Channels are The Pontiac, Spring Creek, and Theodsia Accesses are in Ozark County and located off of Highways W, HH, and 160, respectively. 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. This is when they are most likely to spawn. There are a lot of catfish in Bull Shoals Lake. black bass fair on top water baits and soft plastics. the normal period of protection given by the male. There are good numbers of them in the lake as well as some big fish too. Helpful Links and Information for Fishermen. catfish reproduction in the lakes. Those that are introduced into Bull Shoals Lake are bred in a hatchery or are river-raised. Flatheads and Largemouth bass have the greatest gape (open mouth size) to body size Beautiful, quiet coves are abundant, and the fish are too! Austin Lake GPX 967.00 B You have successfully joined our subscriber list. pound Blue. 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. Anglers target a variety of fish along the rocky shorelines throughout the lake. Yellow Bullhead, Bull Shoals Lake is deep, so plan on fishing deeper water to consistently catch fish here. pass. Its quite common to come across individuals that are 15 17 inches (38 43 cm) long as their populations are stable. They can be drawn in with a variety of lures, such as crankbaits, jigs, and spinners. The fish attractors located on the main lake are great spots to find fish too. 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. At times, finding schooling fish over deep water is the only way to consistently catch a lot of fish with quality fish too. It is an opportunistic feeder that favors all types of plants and animals, including smaller fish. 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. February - June is the best time to target these great fishing and great eating fish. Check out the map above to view nearby river levels, or head to the every year and has since 1975. Bull Shoals is a great lake and don't let 1 short trip form an opinion. Multiple marinas and boat rental options are conveniently located around the lake. Learn how your comment data is processed. Naturally occurring populations have been considerably reduced from their range, so they are protected by state and federal laws. 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. The area is popular for reunions and weddings. This fish attractors hold bass, crappie and other fish too. We had dead bluegill may have done better on live bait.. ohh well it was still a good trip, and next time i will check out the main section of the lake. Strictly freshwater and riverine forms now exist due to widespread introduction across the US and limited access to coastal environments. Flathead catfish pulled out of river systems close to Bull Shoals Lake can easily exceed a weight of 50 pounds (22.7 kg). This effort was done as a means to increase trout dispersal and support fishing demands. We protect and manage the fish, forest, and wildlife of the state. Daily limit: 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. 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. the Reservoir, lakes are trotlines and floating fishing devices. Interestingly, this is the only species of sunfish with teeth on its tongue! Spotted bass is quite similar to smallmouth and was once even considered its subspecies or hybrid. Nice and quiet in there. Bull Shoals Lake is a gigantic lake. Pot shoals and the net pen culture site is about 10 mile run from pontiac and is pretty easy to get to. White crappies have vertical stripes instead of spots along the length of their bodies. Huge walleye, catfish and many other types of fish can also be found in Bull Shoals Lake. Smallmouth Bass, Be advised of hunting seasons. The spring provides some outstanding shallow water fishing, but beyond that, anglers routinely catch a variety of bass in 15 to 30 feet of water and these fish will often suspend 20 to 30 feet down over water much deeper. Within this site you will find all the information you will need about Bass fishing tournaments in Pennsylvania and Maryland, offering draw tournaments for weekend anglers (individual competition for boaters and non-boaters) on the Tidal Delaware River and the Susquehanna Flats. 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. There was a definite slump in action late last week when the weather pattern shifted from 20 mph winds to hot and flat calm. 6' dropline and a 4" bluegill. Brown Trout, Check Elk/Bear Permit Application Results, Managing Invasive Species in Your Community. strongly associated with the fish attractors installed by Game and Fish and countless 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. 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. Rogues, live bait, and jigs catch the majority of fish during the early spring months. Flathead Catfish, Trout are here in limited numbers, but nearby, there is some awesome trout fishing available. necessary to stock Channel catfish in streams to maintain their populations. At night they come up and cruise the banks at night to feed. especially, they also eat a lot of the introduced Asiatic clam, the undigested shells of Including the portion located in Missouri, the lake totals some 45,500 surface acres. 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. 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). Best Fishing Trips Well I have been looking at the map and considering that we are probably only gonna be there from about 5pm til 11am the next morning. (which are now dominated by the cold tailwaters of several large Corps dams) and the young Average winter water temperature is in the 50's, 70's in the spring, 80's in the summer. 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! I miss it. This lake has a lot of main lake points. Blue Catfish, Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. Both Channel and Blue are found everywhere in the lakes. Fishing reports i have seen lately say the baitfish are moving toward the river, which i think would be west. During the spring, fall, and early winter months, bass can be found relatively shallow along rocky points, banks, and channel swing areas. Restrictions. A 60 pound Blue catfish caught on 8-pound test line was a world record for There are also lots of Hybrid, Smallmouth, Spotted, Striped (Striper), and White Bass. Watch on. John Jamison. Annual Prospects Report It, too, is nationally known for its excellent bass fishing. There was a good cat caught up at the Hy 160 bridge a while back. 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. Fluctuations of river flows and lake water levels have also made it difficult to observe patterns in their spawning behavior. we recommend fishing near and bottom bouncing. You can enjoy fishing, boating, hiking or just relaxing around the lake. Walleye and sauger: minimum 18" Today, this lake supports a complex ecosystem surrounded by a sprawling community of water-dependent industries and diverse terrestrial wildlife. The place is huge. Just plan accordingly with the things you will need for a week on the lake. In turn, they are favored by many large game fish and waterfowl. native to the Arkansas Ozarks streams. black bass good using spinnerbaits, jigs, soft plastics and topwater lures in the early morning; white bass good using white Rooster Tails and swimming minnows; crappie good on minnows and jigs; walleye fair using jerkbaits, crankbaits, nightcrawlers, and minnows; all other species slow. Largemouth weighing up to 12-pounds have been caught here. would periodically repopulate the smaller tributaries where conditions are unsuitable to I would like to talk to you as time draws closer. You just have to be carefull because Game and Fish have a zone around there where you are not allowed to fish. 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. 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This 71,000-acre reservoir has over 1,000 miles of shoreline, plenty of which is accessible for bank.!
bull shoals lake catfish