As of Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake?s elevation at 665.98 feet msl (normal conservation pool ? 659 msl).

Ken Minsky of Ken Minksy’s Loch Leven Guide Service said Bull Shoals is fishing well. The surface water temperature near Point 24 is in the low 70s, and the lake is rising due to the recent rains. Shoreline brush is covered to the depth of about 14 feet. Surface baits fished through the brush will produce both largemouth and spotted bass. Make sure to also cast to the deeper water as bass are also holding in the middle of the fingers and will rise to surface baits.

Smallmouths seem to be holding out in the deeper water on main lake points and secondary points, with most action coming from 18 to 22 feet deep on jigs.

Walleye are biting well on trolled crankbaits that dive to the 10- to 18-foot level, fished just outside the submerged buckbrush. Soft secondary points are also producing fish on crankbaits and jigs fished over 40 feet of water and casting to the shoreline.

Crappie remain scarce with only incidental catches coming in, however bluegills are starting to show up on soft secondary points from depths of 12 to 22 feet.

Trotlines are doing well catfish on both the main lake and creek arms. Small bluegills work well but stinkbait also is producing.