Bull Shoals Lake, Arkansas Fishing Report

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 660.53 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).
Ken Minsky of Ken Minksy’s Loch Leven Guide Service said Bull Shoals is fishing well with nice catches of a variety of fish. Walleye, smallmouths and white bass seem to be holding in the same type of water providing a smorgasbord of catches on a single outing. All are being caught by anglers in 24 feet of water presenting jigs toward shore on soft secondary points. Points that also offer a sharp break line from 35 to 50 feet seem to be especially good. Spotted bass fishing is in full swing as the fish are just about everywhere. Spawning fish can be found (males guarding nests) in 3 to 8 feet of water. The lake was running extremely clear last week with visibility in the 40- to 50-foot range, so plan on using a stealthy approach. Other bass which have finished spawning or did not spawn, are being found on primary and secondary points as well as bluffs down to 45 feet deep. I’ve had reports of nice catches of crappies in the shallow brush near the back of major creek arms, however they are running small. Larger females are also being caught trolling small crankbaits near secondary points. Reports of largemouths taking surface baits are coming in and that action should increase over the next couple of weeks with the water warming. A few big bull bluegills are starting to provide action in 10 to 20 feet of water along the bluffs, however the real bite is still a couple weeks off. Bow fisherman will find carp in the brush all over the lake and should continue to provide shooting for the next several weeks. Catfish are moving to shallower water and trotliners are doing well in the creek arms as well as the main lake bluffs. Two- to three-inch bluegills are the bait of choice; however, crawlers and stink bait will also do the trick.
Bull Shoals Boat Dock said fishing has continued to improve with rising water temperatures. Surface temperatures are in the mid- to upper 60s around the lake. Bass fishing is excellent, but anglers will catch many smaller fish to get to the big ones.Crappie are fair on 1/32-oz. and lighter jigs and small minnows fished in brush piles 20 to 35 feet deep. White bass are still back in the creeks, and there have been some reports of schooling white bass during the day. the walleye seem to be done spawning and are scattered in different depths. There are reports of them being caught during the day in 25 to 25 feet of water off the points on plastics on the bottom. There is also some being caught on stick baits late in the day. I would also think working a spoon on the points during the day would work. Bottom bouncing and flatline trolling should start any day.