Bull Shoals Lake Levels

[Phil Lilley]

This is the start of a thread that will be helpful to anglers in the future. Everyone can help.

Bull Shoals lake level varies by over 50 feet. From 10 feet low to 40 feet high... but how does it affect our fishing spots, boat ramps, access to the lake, docks? This ongoing thread should help.

Yesterday while fishing, I noted where the lake level were at 660 feet-

River Run Ramp is fine.

Beaver Ramp is fine.

Don't know about K Dock but at 556 I think the road around was almost underwater. Someone can correct me.

Note: at what level is K Dock Ramp non-useable?

Swan Creek- the water is starting to flood the field to the west of the park pretty good. Not sure how far the lake runs up in the creek- someone can help me on that.

Note: The level the lake is in a creek should be dictated by moving water... where does the creek end and the lake start.

Beaver Creek- moving water at the Rock Hole. The bridge at 160 is not affected.

BS is rising about 4 inches a day right now and this is not expected to change unless we get another rain.

[rangerman]

Phil,

Is the CORP saying how high they are going to let the lake get? Hopefully not to high.....

Jason

[Phil Lilley]

Rainfall dictates that, I would think, not the Corp. They are going to hold BS because of the Miss. flooding which they do every year.

[Phil Lilley]

We can entertain questions and comments on this thread but eventuall what I want to see is posts commenting on how lake levels are affecting us fishermen.

Right now- I'd like to know what 660 does to the K Dock ramp- any one?

How about lower in the lake? All ramps useable?

[Dutch]

Phil let's add Beaver ramp is fine if there are two of you. It is a bit dicey for one person who isn't wearing rubber boots. BTW: I took my rubber boots today and kept dry feet.

[Phil Lilley]

Dutch- how was fishing? I'm going this evening and in the am I think and Beaver is my first choice.

More boats?

[Dutch]

It was only half as good as yesterday and I spent all my time in the creek today. The fish seem to be on the upstream move. I caught some at the rock hole but didn't try to go above it as there were flyroders up there and I didn't want to bother them. My sonar had the temp at 53-54° today; that's spawning temp.

[rangerman]

Don't know for sure about K Dock, but I know one thing, high water plays hell with guys trolling cranks for walleye. With the end of the walleye spawn almost here and them transitioning back into the lake, those fish will likely be in the brush. Hard fishing and lots of lost cranks.

[naru70]

Phil I was at kdock yesterday, the ramp and lot are still way out of the water. The lower road is covered. Doesnt seem to be anyone moving the dock. Beaver dock is the same, Its probably a foot and a half under water. Lots of boats at Beaver parking lot but not many up the creek. Didnt see many whites caught. I could only muster up 3 small blacks. Water temp in Beaver was 53. Not a bite in cedar. No one was in cedar either, or at the mouth. Cant find any sign of beds in BS. Has anyone see anything? Full moon and nothing.

[Phil Lilley]

Went to Beaver last night. Just like you said, not as many boats and not as many whites. Lots of people on the bank. Saw a few whites caught. We had 8. Heard daytime fishing was very slow. Fly roders caught lots of whites up in the moving water early in the day. I'd say the whites have moved up in the creek to spawn but not all of them, most.