Bull Shoals Lake is located in north central Arkansas, very near to Missouri. Actually, some parts of the lake and shoreline are in Missouri. Bull Shoals Dam was completed in July of 1951 and is located approximately 7 miles north of Cotter, Arkansas at White River Mile 418.6.
Bull Shoals Lake is located in north central Arkansas, very near to Missouri. Actually, some parts of the lake and shoreline are in Missouri. Bull Shoals Dam was completed in July of 1951 and is located approximately 7 miles north of Cotter, Arkansas at White River Mile 418.6. It has a maximum height above the river bed of 256 feet, is 2,256 feet in length, has 17 Spillway Crest Gates, and is the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States. Bull Shoals Lake has a surface area of approximately 45,440 surface acres, 740 miles of shoreline, and a lake elevation above “mean sea level” of 654 feet at the top of the Conservation Pool and 71,240 surface acres, 1,050 miles of shoreline, and a lake elevation above “mean sea level” of 695 feet at the top of the Flood Control Pool.
Bull Shoals Lake does not freeze so it is open as a water sports paradise 365 days a year. Activities on the lake include fishing, scuba diving, water skiing, and other water sports. The lake is very clean and clear, providing an enjoyable time for everyone. Whether staying on a houseboat in one of the coves or at one of the many marinas located around the lake, people from all over the nation can find the water related enjoyment they are looking for.
Access to the lake is easiest from the north when traveling U.S. Highway 160 and to the south is U.S. Highway 62. Several state highways lead off of these two U.S. highways to the lake. The area of the lake you want to stay will guide the highway you want to take to arrive on the lake. Cities close to Bull Shoals Lake include Mountain Home, Flippin, Kirbyville, Forsyth, and Midway, Arkansas. When looking for a place to stay on Bull Shoals lake, you have your choice of resorts – http://www.bullshoals.com/lake/resorts.html, marinas – http://www.bullshoals.com/marinas.html, cottages – http://www.ozarkmtns.com/cottages/, and RV parks/campgrounds – http://www.ozarkmtns.com/rvparks/.
When traveling to Bull Shoals lake, you can take your own boat or rent one at various marinas located on the lake. Most of the marinas have boats and motors to rent, supplies, and guides. So there is no excuse for not visiting Bull Shoals Lake.
Fishing is the most popular sport enjoyed on the lake. You are not limited in the species of fish you can catch; including largemouth, smallmouth, and kentucky bass, crappie, walleye, catfish, white bass, sunfish, and trout. With the lake being as big as it is, the fish are always biting somewhere.
The water in Bull Shoals Lake is extremely clear. Bass fishermen downsize in line to reduce visibility as much as possible. Night fishing is also can also be an enjoyable time in warmer months. In springtime, bass fishermen are usually casting spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and soft plastics such as lizards and worms. For summertime fishing, night fishing becomes the most popular with dark baits such as spinnerbaits and dark colored soft plastics. For day time fishing in summer, you will need to spinnerbaits, topwater lures, crankbaits, and soft plastics. Fall fishing doesn’t change much from summertime fishing, so the same basic lures will work throughout the fall. Winter time brings deeper water fishing with spoons and jigs fished at water depths of 65 feet. No matter the time of year, bass fisherman have the chance of catching good numbers of largemouth bass.
Mike Noble
Life Member Administrator
UltimateBass.com
