Bull Shoals Lake
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Good
Wednesday, Apr 08 2026
Emergency Trout Regulations have been put in place! Read more: www.agfc.com/TroutRegsNewsThe proclamation calls for catch-and-release of all trout in the 45 miles of tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam to the White Rivers confluence with the North Fork River (specifically to the boat ramp at Norfork Access), as well as catch-and-release only on the entirety of the Norfork Dam tailwater. The trout waters below the White River-North Fork River confluence, from the Norfork Access boat ramp to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion, will have a two-trout-only limit with normal length and daily limits (only one trout over 14 inches). Tackle restrictions for the regular Bull Shoals and Rim Shoals catch-and-release areas on the White and the usual Norfork catch-and-release area still apply (artificial tackle only, and barbless hooks).Bull Shoals LakeFor the Army Corps of Engineers real-time outflow report from Bull Shoals Dam, visit the Corps Little Rock office website.(updated 4-2-2026) Wednesday that the lake level is 655 feet msl; water temperature is around 58 degrees. Looks like rain in the forecast; hopefully just not all at once. The lake is low. All right, April means easy bass fishing where everybody is catching on Bull Shoals. Moss is a little annoying. But the lake is fishing good.Look at early pre-spawn areas areas where power fishermen are still catching on the right day: wind/clouds/rain cranking parallel to the bank. A little color in the water helps. A Wiggle Wart and SPRO Craw green craws are working dont know for how much longer. Look at steeper, 45-degree, chunky, windblown, nasty rock and ledges and transition banks. If youre in stained water, a Chatterbait and a spinnerbait will work. The shad are now everywhere and moving again. A small Tater swimbait is working, like a Tater Shad, traditional fluke or your favorite minnow to shake around the shad. If the conditions are clear water and post-front flat and sunny, get off the bank. The clear water has visibility up to 22 feet. Try a finesse Jewel; a Pee-Wee Jig in green pumpkin orange is working, and a green pumpkin shaky head and a Ned are also working. Look at points in 5-25 feet. The tube guys wobble headers and Carolina riggers are in play. They are starting to look down. Remember: Fish the conditions! (updated 4-2-2026) Fishing this past week has been fair. Fishing patterns are still the same, as water temps have not changed much. We are still seeing a lot of male walleye swimming the spawning point shorelines at night. Look for fish on and around known spawning sites.Fish shallow in the early mornings and on cloudy days in 2-6 feet of water and deeper in 8-15 feet of water if there is little or no cloud cover.Hair jigs (1/8 to 3/8 ounce) and minnows or jigs and paddletails or ringworms work well after the sun comes up. Jerk baits like the 110 and 110+1 or +2 style in black and silver or clown colors are also good at this time.If trolling, try stick baits like Rattlin Rogues in purple chartreuse or black and gold. Troll in 8-15 feet of water at slow speeds 1.0 to 1.5 mph seems to work best. Look for an open water trolling bite to start soon as the walleye start to migrate back to the summer holding spots. Deep-diving crankbait like Bandits, Rapala Tail Dancers (size 11) and Reef Runners trolled over the flooded forest along the old river channel will get some nice fish. If youre into night fishing, now is the time to start going. Two hours before light and up to two or three hours after dark seem to be the best times. Fishing slow at night is the key.
Wednesday, Apr 08 2026
Access Info
White River State Park Boat Dock Bull Shoals Lake ParksClick here to unsubcribe from your fishing reports.
Bull Shoals Lake
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Good
Emergency Trout Regulations have been put in place! Read more: www.agfc.com/TroutRegsNewsThe proclamation calls for catch-and-release of all trout in the 45 miles of tailwater below Bull Shoals Dam to the White Rivers confluence with the North Fork River (specifically to the boat ramp at Norfork Access), as well as catch-and-release only on the entirety of the Norfork Dam tailwater. The trout waters below the White River-North Fork River confluence, from the Norfork Access boat ramp to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion, will have a two-trout-only limit with normal length and daily limits (only one trout over 14 inches). Tackle restrictions for the regular Bull Shoals and Rim Shoals catch-and-release areas on the White and the usual Norfork catch-and-release area still apply (artificial tackle only, and barbless hooks).Bull Shoals LakeFor the Army Corps of Engineers real-time outflow report from Bull Shoals Dam, visit the Corps Little Rock office website.(updated 4-2-2026) Wednesday that the lake level is 655 feet msl; water temperature is around 58 degrees. Looks like rain in the forecast; hopefully just not all at once. The lake is low. All right, April means easy bass fishing where everybody is catching on Bull Shoals. Moss is a little annoying. But the lake is fishing good.Look at early pre-spawn areas areas where power fishermen are still catching on the right day: wind/clouds/rain cranking parallel to the bank. A little color in the water helps. A Wiggle Wart and SPRO Craw green craws are working dont know for how much longer. Look at steeper, 45-degree, chunky, windblown, nasty rock and ledges and transition banks. If youre in stained water, a Chatterbait and a spinnerbait will work. The shad are now everywhere and moving again. A small Tater swimbait is working, like a Tater Shad, traditional fluke or your favorite minnow to shake around the shad. If the conditions are clear water and post-front flat and sunny, get off the bank. The clear water has visibility up to 22 feet. Try a finesse Jewel; a Pee-Wee Jig in green pumpkin orange is working, and a green pumpkin shaky head and a Ned are also working. Look at points in 5-25 feet. The tube guys wobble headers and Carolina riggers are in play. They are starting to look down. Remember: Fish the conditions! (updated 4-2-2026) Fishing this past week has been fair. Fishing patterns are still the same, as water temps have not changed much. We are still seeing a lot of male walleye swimming the spawning point shorelines at night. Look for fish on and around known spawning sites.Fish shallow in the early mornings and on cloudy days in 2-6 feet of water and deeper in 8-15 feet of water if there is little or no cloud cover.Hair jigs (1/8 to 3/8 ounce) and minnows or jigs and paddletails or ringworms work well after the sun comes up. Jerk baits like the 110 and 110+1 or +2 style in black and silver or clown colors are also good at this time.If trolling, try stick baits like Rattlin Rogues in purple chartreuse or black and gold. Troll in 8-15 feet of water at slow speeds 1.0 to 1.5 mph seems to work best. Look for an open water trolling bite to start soon as the walleye start to migrate back to the summer holding spots. Deep-diving crankbait like Bandits, Rapala Tail Dancers (size 11) and Reef Runners trolled over the flooded forest along the old river channel will get some nice fish. If youre into night fishing, now is the time to start going. Two hours before light and up to two or three hours after dark seem to be the best times. Fishing slow at night is the key.
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