Located in northern Arkansas but with world-class fishing, Bull Shoals Lake has an abundance of fish species. Many anglers fish here in order to land white bass, walleye, crappie, rainbow trout, and spotted bass, but other species available here are largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegill, catfish, and many more. You can fish all these species in the upper section of Bull Shoals Lake, from Beaver Creek to the Powersite Dam.

driving directions

Bull Shoals Lake and the surrounding area was a US Army Corps of Engineers project completed in 1951. The dam is the fifth largest in the United States and holds back 45,500 surface acres of water. One thousand miles of shoreline and 60,000 acres of public land are divided into more than 20 parks, each with fishing access and many with campsites.

Below the Powersite Dam is a section called the Pothole, where anglers gather from March to June to catch walleye, white bass, trout, and crappie. If you join them, use 1/32-ounce white jigs and nightcrawlers. Later in the year, black bass and rainbow trout swim the Pothole. Choose lines that sink to 30–50-foot depths to snag the rainbows.

Bass fishing is best at Beaver Creek, where the Missouri state record was set. Head out to the middle and look for them at 10–25-foot depths. Walleye are also prevalent here and are best caught while trolling. Scuba divers can spear scaled rough fish during daylight hours.

Whether fishing from the banks, on a boat in the center of the lake, or scuba diving underwater to spear fish, you will have a great fishing experience at Bull Shoals Lake.

Bull Shoals Lake boat ramps:

The following boat ramps provide access to Bull Shoals Lake.