Bull Shoals Lake

Bull Shoals Lake

Size
45,286ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
Yes
Boat Dock
Yes
Species in Bull Shoals Lake
Spotted bass
Spotted bass
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Crappie
Crappie
Flathead catfish
Flathead catfish
Walleye
Walleye
Perch
Perch
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Bluegill
Bluegill
Brown trout
Brown trout
White bass
White bass

Overview

This superb fishery continues to be one of the most famous resources in the nation. Outstanding aesthetics, water clarity and outdoor recreation opportunities account for the lake's popularity. This is not a flipping lake and heavy tackle is out of place. Long pitches or short casts are more effective. 45,440 acres

Bull Shoals Lake Map

Features

This superb fishery continues to be one of the most famous resources in the nation. Outstanding aesthetics, water clarity and outdoor recreation opportunities accounts for the lake's popularity.

Forage

By abundance, gizzard shad comprise the bulk of the forage base. Threadfin shad, a smaller fish, are more important because of their size and usefulness as prey. Bluegill growth rates are slow and they remain an important component of the forage base. Other species includes bluntnose minnow, brook silversides, green sunfish, golden redhorse, various shiners and young-of-the-year of all species. Crayfish are abundant and heavily used by most game species. Aquatic insects and their larvae provide food for young-of-the-year fish.

Seasonal Movements

During February and March, walleye make spawning runs up the White River toward the Taneycomo Dam. Other runs up East and West Sugarloaf creeks and Bear Creek have been reported. In March and April, white bass move up Swan Creek, Beaver Creek, Spring Creek, Little North Fork, Bear Creek, Big Creek, Howard Creek, Jimmie Creek and both Sugarloafs.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
4-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2017
Apr
2018
Apr
Brown trout
fish
15-16 in
Length Range
16 in
Length Range
2018
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2018
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2018
May
Channel catfish
fish
25-27 in
Length Range
26 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Apr
2021
Nov
Crappie
fish
6-17 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
Oct
2024
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized crappie based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202415
202114
202015
201914
201815
Flathead catfish
fish
6-17 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2022
Oct
2024
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized flathead-catfish based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202144
202043
Largemouth bass
fish
6-17 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Apr
2024
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202420
202120
201821
201621
Perch
fish
11-12 in
Length Range
12 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2020
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2019
Oct
2020
Oct
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized perch based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201912
Smallmouth bass
fish
6-17 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Apr
2024
Apr
Spotted bass
fish
6-17 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Apr
2024
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized spotted-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
201718
Striped Bass
fish
No survey data
Abundance (CPUE)
No abundance data
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
No Survey Data
Walleye
fish
6-17 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2021
Nov
2024
Apr
White bass
fish
6-17 in
Length Range
10 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
Understanding Abundance

Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time.

Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.
Species Lengths
2016
Apr
2024
Apr