Marion County, AR · Reservoir
Bull Shoals Lake
A huge, clear White River reservoir in the Arkansas Ozarks — trophy largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, walleye, striped bass, and crappie, with a celebrated trout tailwater below the dam.
Live · updated
Top pick today
Striped Bass — Skip the Striped Bass trip today.
Best conditions of 5 species tracked at Bull Shoals Lake.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Bull Shoals Lake
5 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top pick is open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Striped Bass Skip the Striped Bass trip today. In season 27/100
What's helping
- incoming tide — striped bass prefers incoming tide
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Morone saxatilis — Maryland's state fish. Anadromous — runs into Bay tributaries to spawn each spring. Targeted by trolling, jigging, live-lining, and surf casting. Locally called "rockfish."
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · incoming tide · depth 5–35 ft.
- Min size
- 20"
- Daily creel
- 3
20" minimum, 3/day (striped & hybrid combined).
Source: Arkansas regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Largemouth Bass Skip the Largemouth Bass trip today. In season 13/100
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Micropterus salmoides — Most popular gamefish in MD non-tidal waters. Ambush predator around cover — lily pads, submerged timber, docks, grass edges. Hits plastics, spinnerbaits, jigs, and topwater across the season.
Prefers. Water 55–85°F (ideal 72°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 6
15" minimum, 6/day on the big highland reservoirs (Bull Shoals, Beaver, Norfork).
Source: Arkansas regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Smallmouth Bass Skip the Smallmouth Bass trip today. In season 13/100
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Micropterus dolomieu — Premier gamefish of the non-tidal Potomac, the Upper Susquehanna, and Deep Creek Lake. Pound-for-pound one of the hardest-fighting freshwater fish. Hits tubes, crayfish imitations, spinnerbaits, and topwater poppers.
Prefers. Water 55–78°F (ideal 68°F) · either tide · depth 3–30 ft.
- Min size
- 15"
- Daily creel
- 6
15" minimum, 6/day on Bull Shoals, Beaver, Norfork and Table Rock.
Source: Arkansas regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
#2 Walleye Skip the Walleye trip today. In season 13/100
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Sander vitreus — Maryland's premier cool-water gamefish. Deep Creek Lake is the flagship fishery; also found in the non-tidal Potomac and the Youghiogheny River. Low-light feeder — dusk, dawn, and overcast/windy days are prime. Jigs, crankbaits, and nightcrawler harnesses are standard.
Prefers. Water 50–72°F (ideal 62°F) · either tide · depth 10–40 ft.
#2 Crappie Skip the Crappie trip today. In season 13/100
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Pomoxis spp. — Covers both black crappie (P. nigromaculatus) and white crappie (P. annularis). Schooling panfish around brush, docks, and submerged timber. Spring pre-spawn is the prime season — small minnows and 1/16-oz jigs are the go-to.
Prefers. Water 50–80°F (ideal 65°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Min size
- 10"
- Daily creel
- 15
10" minimum, 15/day on the highland reservoirs.
Source: Arkansas regulations · verified 2026-05-29.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Arkansas
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Bull Shoals Lake: Arkansas Game & Fish fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisories (EPA directory) →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Bull Shoals Lake?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Bull Shoals Lake you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Bull Shoals Lake?
Bull Shoals Lake is listed on this site for 5 commonly-targeted species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Striped Bass, and 1 more. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Bull Shoals Lake?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Bull Shoals Lake against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Bull Shoals Lake have?
Bull Shoals Lake has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Bull Shoals Lake?
state agency regulations apply at Bull Shoals Lake. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Bull Shoals Lake tidal water?
No. Bull Shoals Lake is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.