Fishing Bull Shoals Lake

AKA: Bull Shoals

Popular Fish Species
Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
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Bull Shoals Lake, MO

Popular Fish Species Bull Shoals Lake, AR

Crappie Fishing

Crappie anglers can fish for both black crappie and white crappie at Bull Shoals Lake. These two species tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may catch both species, as they often use the same cover. For best results when fishing for crappie, light line and small hooks are key, especially when fishing live or prepared baits. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. This is a good place to catch quantities of nice, fat slabs. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Bull Shoals Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Bull Shoals Lake is a popular bass tournament lake. Weekend and tournament anglers find the fishing to be slow at times, yet pretty good at other times. Fishing for bass can be quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 4 pounds being caught. Anglers can also catch smallmouth bass and spotted bass, which reside here in decent numbers. Bass often move shallow and become aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. A history of careful fisheries management by the Missouri Department of Conservation has helped to maintain a good bass fishery for anglers.

Walleye Fishing

Bull Shoals Lake is home to a hearty population of walleye. Good fisheries management, and plenty of forage in the lake have them growing fat and healthy. Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, longear sunfish, warmouth, white bass and striped bass at Bull Shoals Lake in Missouri.

Bull Shoals Lake is a haven for bass fishing enthusiasts, providing opportunities to catch largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. Walleye is another sought-after species. Rainbow trout is a popular cold water species in Bull Shoals Lake. The Missouri Department of Conservation regularly stocks the lake with rainbow trout. For those seeking a thrill, Bull Shoals Lake is also home to striped bass, which can grow to impressive sizes. Other fish species found in Bull Shoals Lake include black and white crappie, white bass, bluegill, and various panfish.

Primary fish species residing in Bull Shoals Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Bull Shoals Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Beaver Creek Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats
417 546-5121

K Dock Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
417 334-2880

Pontiac Cove Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats and kayaks
417 679-3676

Theodosia Marina-Resort
Rentals: Bass boat/fishing boats and pontoons
417 273-4444

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Noland Point Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Road 199, this is a two-lane, gravel ramp with gravel parking.

Spring Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off HH Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

Theodosia Marina Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off I-160, this is a multi-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Beaver Creek Marina
1220 State Hwy O
Kissee Mills, MO 65680
417 546-5121

K Dock Marina
727 Warren Rd,
Kirbyville, MO 65679
417 334-2880

Pontiac Cove Marina
563 Pontiac Cove Road
Pontiac, MO 65729
417 679-3676

Theodosia Marina-Resort
509 L.B. Cook Memorial Dr
Theodosia, MO 65761
417 273-4444