Col Ron

Guys & Gails, the situation is not good. I put in at Lakeview Park, the water on the road is low, but if you stay to the lake side when you get "er off the trailer it is not too bad. The nice thing is that the parking lot (on top) is now only about 30 yards away!! Crossing the dam, by the visitors center in Bull, the dock is out there, but only one person can use it at a time, since it is off to one side and the launch is narrow. There is also limited parking there. On the weekend, it fills up. Bull Shoals boat dock is ok, I presume, haven't been over there to see it. With this present rain we are getting, it is only going to get worse. Ron

Hey Al, Let's give this another try. First of all, you are pushing the time frame a little bit for the walleyes, they will be biting and ready to go by May 1st, yes you can catch them now, but you would spend your time better hunting for Crappie or White Bass at this time. Around May 1st, start to concentrate your walleye hunt using bottom bouncers with spinner rigs, "slow death method" or a slow, light finese method if you have a connection for leeches. I would suggest to you to Google "slow death fishing technique" and look particularly at the Gary Parson's video. Bottom Bouncing with spinner rigs is also available on Google. As for leeches, if you are anywhere by me, which is by the B.S. dam, leeches are not available unless you ship them in, which is legal, but very expensive, so let's forget about that option. Do some research on the internet. Generally, fish in 17 to 21 feet of water, the more structure the better, if you go out earlier than May 1st for walleye, fish at dusk or at night and fish much shallower. I wish you the best, I am a transplant from Leech Lake/Cass Lake/Bemidji, Mn, guided for 7 years up north. I firmly believe, the walleye fishing, in Lower Bull, is better than the Cass Lake area, since the season down here is soooo much longer, and the fish are actually bigger on the average. I wish you the best and God Bless you and your family, Col Ron

Great information Mike, I didn't know the 8# bench mark was the key to spawning, I thought it would be much bigger, especially down south. Personally, I don't keep anything over 24" and discourage anyone from doing the same. Good fishing to everyone, Ron

Mike, That visit to the website cost me $94. They sure look good. Hopefully, the fish will think they are pretty also. Col Ron Lakeview

Cole & Co: Just my two cents worth, and I will leave this alone. I moved from Cass Lake, Minn. to Bull Shoals two years ago. For nine years I guided for walleyes and muskies on some of the best waters in the US. Muskies fascinate me and are a thrill to catch, and yes, can be dangerous. They are MEAN. The equipment I used was an 80 pound line, steel 120 pound leaders, the top of the line Calcutta reel, and a Muskie rod from St. Croix. It is a great thought to try to land a Muskie on a fly rod, which is possible with a very heavy fly rod. But for the life of me, I can't see how you can do it in a Kayak. When you land a 45 plus Muskie, it really is offended that it is in your boat!! The fish reacts, if not properly restrained, much like a pit bull. Secondly, you must use heavy line for the big muskies. Not that you can't land a Muskie on 25 or 30 pound line, that is not the problem, the problem is they will bite through lighter line, or roll and easily cut it with their gills. Best of luck to you, we all have our dreams. Col Ron

ColeM: I am curious, what type of lines would you rig your fly reel with and what type of flies or lures are you going to use? Ron

Nice job SIU, I own a piece of that University also. My son graduated about 9 years ago. I deer hunt in your backyard, in Giant City, best cooking anywhere for a lodge. Good luck this year, Knots

Hope to join in and add what I can. Most, that I have seen, for live bait rigs on BS are bottom bouncing. Although that technique is used in northern Minnesota, it is (was) not the preferred method for me our most guides on Cass Lake. "Finesse" method is by far the preferred. The preferred bait is either leeches or large minnows-creek or river chubs-not the huge ones used for Northerns or Muskies. I am sure this is nothing new for most, but I'll explain several things that are necessary to successfully fish the finesse method. Number one a soft tip rod, if the walleye feel the resistance, they will instantly drop the leech or bait. Number 2, 6 or at the most 8 pound line, normally flourocarbon. Number 3, a size 4 or 6 octopus hook, Number 4, 6 pound flourocarbon 6 to 8 foot leader, Number 5 a light bullet weight and barrel swivel. For the large minnows, we use a heavier egg weight because you normally fish the larger minnows at least 40 feet down. We use the smallest bullet weight possible to get the rig down on the bottom. I try to do it with 1/8th of an ounce. The long leader is a must just like the soft tip rod. When the fish picks it of the bottom, the long leader keeps all the tackle and weight away from harms way so that the fish has a difficult time detecting the resistance. When you feel the walleye do the "pull", you drop the line and let the fish take it out for about one minute (larger minnows about 2 minutes). As you know you then lock up the reel, wait until all the slack is out and set the hook. We use to use cranks at night but seldom during the day. Very different from BS. As I said, I have a lot to learn. I will have my eyes and ears wide open here also. I must say, the "Finesse" method for me down south is not nearly as successful as it is up north. Why, I don't know.... Good fishing to all of you. Col Ron

Ham: I will be glad to keep everyone posted, but my wife and I are escaping this cold weather. We have another home back in Illinois, where we are leaving soon for South Padre Island, Texas, staying there through February. The older I get the more I dislike the cold weather. We will be back in Lakeview in March. Be glad to post some tips on the walleyes, but like I said, they fish different south vs north. I will explain more later, got get going now. C Ya, Col Ron

Thanks to our host I am finally on the site. As usual, a unique problem which just happens to me prevented me from signing up. Thanks Lilley for seeing me through. I am a transplant from Cass Lake, Minnesota where I guided for 7 years after retiring from the Illinois State Police. I specialized in Muskie and Walleye hunting. Had fun, but my wife and I decided we had enough of the short seasons so we moved south. We fell in love with the Lakeview/ Bull Shoals area. The big lake is great the wonderful trout fishing and fly fishing was a big surprise to both of us. Yep, got two boats, one for the lake, one for the river. Catching a 20 plus Brown on a fly rod is as much of a kick as landing a Muskie, in my opinion. I am still getting use to the different techniques used south versus north, but with a combination, I am finding success with the walleye. Crappie are going to be targeted this spring, that takes the place of the Minnesota Jumbo Perch. Good fishing to all, and Happy New Year. Col Ron