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Bull Shoals Lake

Lake fishing  Arkansas · 06:37 - 17:12

Bull Shoals Lake is a lake in Arkansas. The main target species are Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout and Black Crappie.

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Prime 85% The bite right now
Top bet: Striped Bass Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
78%
72°
Fri
85%
60°
Best day
Sat
80%
55°
Sun
74%
58°
Mon
75%
63°
Tue
82%
64°

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.)
58°F
Air temp
56°F
Wind
10 mph
Pressure
29.88 inHg → stable
Clouds
94.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:52–07:52 Dusk 15:57–17:57

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

Feeding times today

Waning crescent 30% lit
Major period 07:20–09:20 Major period 19:20–21:20 Minor period 01:18–02:48 Minor period 13:51–15:21

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

05:00
56°
06:00
56°
07:00
56°
08:00
56°
09:00
58°
10:00
60°
11:00
62°
12:00
64°
13:00
65°
14:00
65°
15:00
65°
16:00
65°

Likely catch now (12 species)

Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
85%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
65%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details ↗
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
43%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details ↗
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
42%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details ↗
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
41%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 14 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details ↗
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
29%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

The usual catches here are Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Black Crappie, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass.

For Striped Bass, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn 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 crankbait for striped bass, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for striped bass at dawn. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse, yellow and glow for striped bass.
Lure Crankbait for striped bass: Big swimbaits and plugs.
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:

Take Me Fishing

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?

The usual catches here are Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Black Crappie, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and White Bass.

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?

Striped Bass fishing is usually best around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Bull Shoals Lake right now?

Right now Striped Bass is the most likely catch, at about 60%.