Fishing Bull Shoals Lake, AR

AKA: Bull Shoals Reservoir

Boat and bank fishing

Last updated on February 5, 2026.

Popular Fish Species
Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Boat Launch Ramps
Fishing Boat Rentals
Marinas
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Bull Shoals Lake, AR

Popular Fish Species

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Bull Shoals Lake, long known as a bass fishing paradise, continues to provide great catches of largemouth bass. Careful fisheries management by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Missouri Department of Conservation, has maintained a thriving bass fishery, providing both quantity and quality for anglers. Smallmouth bass and spotted bass also reside here in good numbers. Recent results by locals, and bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been very rewarding lately. Also, there is the potential for catching a monster. Big mouth bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good options. In winter, spend your time fishing Bull Shoals Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time. Fishing for largemouth bass can range from fair to very good here, year round.

Crappie Fishing

Great crappie fishing at Bull Shoals Lake has been attracting anglers for decades. The lake has good populations of both black crappie and white crappie. These two species generally school by with their own, but once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water.

Walleye Fishing

Thanks to fertile water, good fishery management, a significant baitfish population, and presence of numerous small sunfish in the lake, walleye are thriving in Bull Shoals Lake again this year. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rock and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, stay around schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. A proven method for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, rainbow trout, bluegill, longear sunfish, warmouth, white bass and striped bass at Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas.

For boating and fishing enthusiasts alike, Bull Shoals Lake is an excellent getaway destination. Come for a day, a family vacation or a weekend fishing trip. Great bass fishing, crappie fishing, trout and many other species are abundant.

This 71,000-acre reservoir has over 1,000 miles of shoreline, plenty of which is accessible for bank fishing. Kayaks, canoes, bass boats, pontoons and other fishing boats are welcome on the scenic waters of Bull Shoals Reservoir. Multiple marinas and boat rental options are conveniently located around the lake. Novice and serious anglers will find bass, white bass, striped bass, walleye, crappie, sunfish and catfish.

Primary fish species residing in Bull Shoals Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Bull Shoals Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Click here for fishing boat rentals.

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Click here for boat launch ramps.

Marinas

Click here for marinas.

Fishing License

Click here for a Arkansas Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

Lead Hill Campground - 870 422-7555

Highway 125 Park Campground - 870 436-5711