Bull Shoals Lake

Boat Ramps: 39
Access Points: 43
Species: 32

Bull Shoals Lake is a 71,240-acre reservoir located in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri, featuring 1,050 miles of pristine shoreline. Created in 1951 when the Bull Shoals Dam was completed on the White River, this magnificent lake has become a premier fishing destination in the Ozark Mountains. Known for its crystal-clear waters and abundant fish populations, Bull Shoals offers year-round fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. The lake's diverse underwater structure, numerous coves, creek arms, and main lake points create perfect habitats for a wide variety of fish species, making it a true angler's paradise in the heart of the Ozarks.

Missouri licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Bull Shoals Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Muskellunge

Esox masquinongy

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnei

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Highfin Carpsucker

Carpiodes velifer

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Quillback Carpsucker

Carpiodes cyprinus

Redbreast Sunfish

Lepomis auritus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

River Redhorse

Moxostoma carinatum

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

White Bass

Morone chrysops

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Yellow Bullhead

Ameiurus natalis

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Bull Shoals Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Bull Shoals Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Missouri licenses and regulations

Missouri Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Missouri Fishing License

Residents of Missouri 65 years old and older are not required to purchase a fishing license. Non -Residents 16 years old and older must purchase a non-resident license. Anglers 15 years old and younger are not required to purchase a license regardless of residency.

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Missouri Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Missouri Stream Access Laws

In Missouri, waterways navigable in fact, or with a long history of use, and the capability of commercial and recreational transport are open to the public. The state asserts a public trust doctrine, allowing recreation, streambed access, right to portage and other incidents of navigation, regardless of ownership.

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Take Bull Shoals Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Bull Shoals Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Bull Shoals Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.