Cold, High Water

[Sam]

I've wondered why there haven't been any reports here from Upper Bull Shoals for a week, and now I know. We launched at K Dock this morning and tried crappie fishing in a couple of places. We got halfway down to Mincy and turned back - put the boat on the trailer and drove to Tablerock to fish the rest of the day.

I haven't checked reported water levels, but Bull Shoals is maybe 12 feet above normal and it's COLD. 54 degree water temp, and floating bark, sticks, and logs so thick you can hardly get a boat through them without wrecking a prop, let alone fish. I can't say no one was catching anything, there were a half-dozen rigs in the K Dock parking lot so I don't know - but to us it seemed almost unfishable.

The cold rain and snow last weekend must have really dropped the water temp, and there must be a lot of cold water coming out of Taneycomo. I wish I'd read a report like this before driving to B.S., and that's why I'm posting this.

[packersooner]

Sam,

Yeah I've called the owners of K-Dock a few times over the last three weeks. Talking to them has saved me a few trips. The cold, muddy, debris filled water seems to have shut them down on the upper portions of the lake.

Jason

[Wayne SW/MO]

It's 7 feet high and rising. It still has a lot of room so I imagine they will keep filling it. It's probably planting time in the delta so no where to put the water.

[Ham]

It might make things tough for a little while, but there is a HUGE upside in how successful the spawn is going to be. Should make for lots of baby bass, walleye, and crappie. Annoying little bluegill turds are no where to be seen yet.

[Terrierman]

Amen Ham.

[Diamond City Fisher]

It also makes for good fishing in the middle and lower lake. Water up in the bushes just right for a weightless worm.

[Wayne SW/MO]

The upper will be good too. The picnic shelters at River Run should provide shade for some big ones.