Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report

As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake’s elevation at 661.08 feet msl (normal conservation pool – 654 msl).
Ken Minsky of Ken Minksy’s Loch Leven Guide Service said the lake is running crystal clear, with a mid-lake temperature in the mid- to upper 60s.

This season’s fluctuating weather patterns have prolonged the spawn, creating an anticlimactic scenario. Fish have moved in and out of shallow water a number of times and many may spawn in a bit deeper water than usual to mitigate the movements.

The larger crappie are coming off secondary points and brush piles at 20 to 30 feet deep, and about half are still with eggs. Walleyes are hitting well on jigs along the bluffs and primary and secondary points in 20 to 35 foot depths.

They are also taking deep diving crank baits trolled over 25 foot depths in the creek arms.

Some spotted bass are still guarding beds in the shallows however, many have moved to deeper water.

Smallmouth bass have moved to shallower water and are taking jigs fished under a float set 5-8 feet deep as well as crankbaits.

Catfish are biting well on trotlines and limb lines.