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Bull Shoals Lake

Lake fishing  Arkansas · 06:17 - 20:17

Bull Shoals Lake is a lake in Arkansas. Anglers here fish mainly for Bluegill, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass.

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Good 65% The bite right now
Top bet: Bluegill Active through the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
76%
89°
Mon
74%
89°
Tue
74%
90°
Wed
74%
94°
Thu
74%
100°
Fri
77%
90°
Best day

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Overcast
Water temp (est.)
78°F
Air temp
73°F
Wind
17 mph
Pressure
29.81 inHg → stable
Clouds
95.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:32–07:32 Day 07:32–19:02 Dusk 19:02–21:02

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning gibbous 91% lit
Major period 02:25–04:25 Major period 14:25–16:25 Minor period 20:54–22:24 Minor period 08:27–09:57

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

10:00
73°
11:00
73°
12:00
74°
13:00
76°
14:00
76°
15:00
78°
16:00
77°
17:00
76°
18:00
76°
19:00
75°
20:00
74°
21:00
73°

Likely catch now (12 species)

Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
65%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees.
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Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
42%
Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
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Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
41%
Water near its preferred 26 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
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White Bass
Morone chrysops
33%
Active through the day, off season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
31%
Slow during the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees, peak season.
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Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
29%
Slow during the day, water near its preferred 26 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Flathead Catfish and Channel Catfish.

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a float bait for bluegill, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for bluegill at the day. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try red, yellow and bright tags for bluegill.
Lure Float bait for bluegill: Worm under a float.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

Bull Shoals Lake is an artificial lake or reservoir in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, United States. It has hundreds of miles of lake arms and coves, and common activities include boating, water sports, swimming, and fishing. Nineteen developed parks around the shoreline provide campgrounds, boat launches, swim areas, and marinas.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

North Fork River Arkansas · 36.7 mi away Table Rock Lake Arkansas · 38.4 mi away Beaver Lake Arkansas · 65.1 mi away Little Red River Arkansas · 66.9 mi away Brock Creek Lake Arkansas · 70.4 mi away Little Red River Arkansas · 70.9 mi away Greers Ferry Lake Arkansas · 74.7 mi away Lake Dardanelle Arkansas · 86.1 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Bull Shoals Lake?

Popular catches here include Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, White Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish, Common Carp and Blue Catfish.

Do you need a fishing license at Bull Shoals Lake?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Bull Shoals Lake?

Bluegill fishing is usually best around May-Jul. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Bull Shoals Lake right now?

Right now Bluegill is the most likely catch, at about 45%.