Seeking Intel on area

[Pepe]

I bought a house on “the quiet side” of Table Rock (Shell Knob) 10 years ago.  At the time it was not overcrowded but it is now too crowded for my taste.  Selling the house now with closing in a few weeks.  Currently, my friendS tell me, The launch ramps all over the lake are full to overflowing again. 

I am seeking some serenity & solitary enjoyment on a far less crowded lake. I have been on Bull Shoals only a few times but have fallen in love with it. Now I’m seriously considering a house in Lakeview to enjoy my retirement. 
I did ask some questions many months ago and your replies were generally encouraging, but I would love some more input before I sign on the dotted line. Does the lower end get a lot of traffic due to the marinas?   How far do I need to run up lake to get away? 
 I would truly welcome your input on the area and density of boats on the lake.

thank you 

[mixermarkb]

Any weekday, you will feel like you are fishing by yourself.

There is probably more traffic on the lower end around Lakeview and Bull Shoals than anywhere, due to the proximity of Mt. Home and the White River. Weekends, you may have a boat on about a third to half your spots, but there is always water available to fish.

What kind of boat do you have? Any v6 powered bass boat will open up a lot of water to fish within say a 30 minute boat ride, and crowds won't be an issue. 

[Pepe]

That sounds great. Thanks for taking the time to respond. I have a 17 year old Triton with a 225 motor. Are there any launch ramps mid lake that are a reasonable drive from Lakeview?

[Fish24/7]

Oakland is about 20 miles approx.

Lake can be very busy during Summer , especially the holidays. The 4th, Labor Day. If you want to fish then go early before the masses wake up. Or night fish. 

Lake is really busy now because of nobody working and it's Spring!  Fish are going bananas and I'm seeing more boats than usual because like I said all the unemployed.  Like Mark said you can always find somewhere to fish without company pretty much any day.

After Labor Day things get quite calm. During floods it's pretty quiet all Summer generally because the majority of ramps are underwater.There's mkre than plenty of room by then. During Winter sometimes you'll never see another boat all day while you're out. This can be a good and bad thing ,cell phone reception isn't very good in AR based on my experience,so if you have engine trouble , you're better off staying close to the launch so you can get back by trolling motor. If you're the only boat rig on the ramp I wouldn't go too far away. 

 

[mixermarkb]

With a boat with a 225, I'd think most of the lower half, from say Music to Oakland, back to the dam, including Sister and Jimmy Creeks, would all be plenty fishable from Lakeview. I fish from Theodosia to Big Creek, occasionally as far as the Buck Creek area out of a Champion with a 225. 

I I haven't ever driven it, because I launch up in the Little North Fork arm on the Missouri side, but there are several ramps on the south side, like 125 and Lead Hill, that should be less than an hours drive from Lakeview. Maybe Mojo will see this thread and give his favorites on the Arkansas side, along with some guesstimates as to how long the drive is from Lakeview.  

[Fish24/7]

Just have to remember Bull is a flood control reservoir so you have to be ok with super high water. Which means limited launch space first come first serve. Seems like ever since the minimum flow power pool change Bull is almost always high or flooded,idk if it's because of that or what...but I never remember Bull being high for so many years in one decade prior to 659. Then they build high water ramps to compensate,they are probably flooded now I know Theodosia is, people parking along the highway,and there's about 50' approx of road to launch off of. People backing across the highway off of Cook drive to put in.Theres no way they can see a car coming across the bridge either. 

I look at the water levels every year since the pool change. 🤔Maybe I'm just looking to flip the frustrated finger at someone.  High water puts a lot of fish in the lake, but at the same time I'm getting a little sick of it😄

[Pepe]

Thank You, Gentlemen, I appreciate you sharing the negatives.  Are there opportunities to rent or buy a boat slip? Does it even make sense if it is inaccessible due to extreme water level changes?

[mixermarkb]

1 hour ago, Pepe said:

Thank You, Gentlemen, I appreciate you sharing the negatives.  Are there opportunities to rent or buy a boat slip? Does it even make sense if it is inaccessible due to extreme water level changes?

Having boat slip with a lift is the only way to fly, as far as level changes. All of the larger marinas that rent slips, keep their docks accessible no matter the water levels. I don't think I'd go for a slip in a private dock, because of the maintenance to keep it accessible. Bull Shoals is a great lake, and is wonderful for getting away from people. The double edged sword is that the things that keep the crowds away, like the 40' swings in level every couple years, limited road and launch access, and the general remoteness of the area, are also the things that make it tougher to live in the area. Mt. Home seems to be a great little town, and seems to have most everything anyone could want as far as healthcare and shopping, and Lakeview is a hop, skip, and a jump from there.   

Lakeview seems like a nice area to retire-  and Bull is the ticket if getting away from crowds is the goal.

 

[Ham]

Bull Shoals is Awesome! Lots of launches on the lower end and I would imagine boat slips can be rented easily enough. 
I don’t fish Bull much between Mid June and mid October. I would imagine recreational traffic is higher June thru September. Fall can be Amazing. I have had several trips where the only boats I saw were very far away. 

[Sprint21fter]

There isn't a problem with crowds at all comparing them to Table Rock. Our Bass Club chooses to fish there from June -September to get away from the boats over on Table Rock.  I'm 33 and if the cards fall right my plan is to retire on Bull Shoals!  Seeing what Table Rock was just 20 years ago was awesome. However, I like peace and quiet and Bull Shoals is it!