Current Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report

[Mike Worley]

The lake level is at 696.4' with over 56,000 CFS being released into the White river. The fishing on Bull Shoals lake is still good if you are able to adjust to the changes. The smallmouth bass are very active as are the walleyes and white bass. These fish are reacting to the rising water levels and shad movement. The shad are moving into the creek coves and channels during the day and the fish are moving with them. We have been catching fish on a shallow / deep program by casting 3"-4" swim baits around the flooded brush and anywhere you see surfacing activity the smallmouth, white bass & walleyes are really hammering anything that looks like a shad. The deep bite is near the old shore line about 38'-42' deep on 1 OZ jigging spoons and when you find these fish feeding it's pretty much a fish every time you drop the spoon down with a mixed bag of all species. Trolling B/B crawler rigs over the old shorline is producing some real good sized walleyes right now. Trolling 30'-45' deep with either deep diving lures or leadcore working the current in 100'+ water is also producing some very impressive sized walleyes.

[rangerman]

Hey Mike,

Do you have any idea where I could put at? Somewhere on the upper end. Great report pard, sounds like you have been doing well.

[cabinman]

Does anyone know if you can put in at Diamond City?

[Hotdawg Guide Service]

The lake level is at 696.4' with over 56,000 CFS being released into the White river. The fishing on Bull Shoals lake is still good if you are able to adjust to the changes. The smallmouth bass are very active as are the walleyes and white bass. These fish are reacting to the rising water levels and shad movement. The shad are moving into the creek coves and channels during the day and the fish are moving with them. We have been catching fish on a shallow / deep program by casting 3"-4" swim baits around the flooded brush and anywhere you see surfacing activity the smallmouth, white bass & walleyes are really hammering anything that looks like a shad. The deep bite is near the old shore line about 38'-42' deep on 1 OZ jigging spoons and when you find these fish feeding it's pretty much a fish every time you drop the spoon down with a mixed bag of all species. Trolling B/B crawler rigs over the old shorline is producing some real good sized walleyes right now. Trolling 30'-45' deep with either deep diving lures or leadcore working the current in 100'+ water is also producing some very impressive sized walleyes.

As with you Mike I am having good success in the high water at the 18-24 foot range with nightcrawlers with up to seven species in one day Great report Hotdawg!

[Mike Worley]

The water level on BSL has dropped about 3' in the past few days. This along with some other changes have moved the fish again. Water temps have increased with the warmer air temps into the 80 degree range in many parts of the lake this is starting to set up a thermocline at about 15'-20' in many of the creek arms. I'm finding walleyes suspended at the 15'-20' level out over the old shoreline around points and coves with most being just outside the standing trees. Trolling a crawler rig in this zone has produced some nice size walleyes. This same zone has produced some good size SMB & white bass also. Dragging a jig along the old shoreline has also caught some nice LMB. Another pattern thats catching walleyes this week is trolling out over deep water in the 30'-40' range where the lake current is present with deep diving lures or lesdcore line. Jigging spoons are still catching fish when you can locate schools of shad so keep one rigged and ready as the shad schools are moving in & out pretty quickly with the falling water, keep your eyes on the depth finder and look for the schools near the old shoreline on points and in the coves.

[jak1717]

The water level on BSL has dropped about 3' in the past few days. This along with some other changes have moved the fish again. Water temps have increased with the warmer air temps into the 80 degree range in many parts of the lake this is starting to set up a thermocline at about 15'-20' in many of the creek arms. I'm finding walleyes suspended at the 15'-20' level out over the old shoreline around points and coves with most being just outside the standing trees. Trolling a crawler rig in this zone has produced some nice size walleyes. This same zone has produced some good size SMB & white bass also. Dragging a jig along the old shoreline has also caught some nice LMB. Another pattern thats catching walleyes this week is trolling out over deep water in the 30'-40' range where the lake current is present with deep diving lures or lesdcore line. Jigging spoons are still catching fish when you can locate schools of shad so keep one rigged and ready as the shad schools are moving in & out pretty quickly with the falling water, keep your eyes on the depth finder and look for the schools near the old shoreline on points and in the coves.

Mike,

I am comming down sunday and will be fishing out of Oakland, I plan on crawler fishing what dept should I keep the boat in if I will be using bottom bouncers w/ crawler rigs?

Thanks Scott