Missouri Lakes Fishing Report

Lake - Bull Shoals 05/14/06:

BULL SHOALS LAKE REPORT,northern sector. Submitted as a community service by SPRING CREEK ENTERPRISES. Don and Judy Schnable 417 273 4859 schnabs@webound.com

SPRING CREEK ENTERPRISES http://www.maout.com/springcreek is sponsored by HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS Mountain Home Arkansas http://www.hiexpress.com , SCHOCKEYS BOAT and MOTOR http://www.bullshoals.com/schockey/

Bass are moving off the spawn beds and are scattered. When they recover from the rigors of the spawn they will feed aggressively. Until that time finding and catching them will be "hit and go".To make matters a little more difficult the lake is Off colored and rising due to the recent rains. Zara Spooks---Pop R's --- other surface bait is doing the job when you can find the fish . The early morning and ate afternoon is best for fishing surface feeding fish. During the rest of the day use plastics either fished Texas or Carolina rigs. The place to go is the main lake points and bluff ends. As the water clears in the feeder streams try the "mud" line. Use small plastics such as flukes etc.

Crappie are returning to the flooded trees and rush which they will stay on until late fall. Live minnows are best but small jigs ,tubes, and Swimming Minnows will also produce nice stringers. The depth will very and will necessitate some experimenting by the anglers. However once you find the best depth the remainder of the trip will be repetitive and rewarding. The night time fishing under lanterns will not only be the best but will be the most comfortable when the weather turns hot.

Walleye are starting to feed aggressively on shad,small minnows, and night crawlers. Try using a professional harness with beads rather than rigging it yourself( especially if you are just learning this technique). Slow trolling is most productive in the entrances to the main lake coves at the 18 to 25 ft level.

Catfish are feeding on the shad that is running up the feeder steams.Night crawlers--leeches--small sun fish--and prepared baits are all doing well. As the feeder retract and the weather warms try jug fishing at night.

Blue gill are on the beds . They can be found all most anywhere on the lake in about 10--14 ft of water on the smaller gravel surfaces . The best bait are crickets but worms and maggots will also produce good results. The fish in the photo were all caught during the afternoon by this writer using crickets. Very few small fish were caught and a couple went over a pound in weight.

Report #2

This report is compiled by Ron Schneider schneidersrods@schneidersrods.com

Hi folks! This is Ron Schneider with this week’s fishing report.

Both lakes are coming up fast and are near normal pool levels. Water temperature is in the mid to upper 60’s range.

On Bull Shoals, Wilderness reports the crappie action is fair, with fish being caught on small grubs, tube baits, or Garland Swimmin Minnows.

Largemouth Bass action is spotty, with best baits Zara Spooks, Chug Bugs, spinnerbaits, or trick worms. Smallmouth are on banks with ledges and hitting centipedes, lizards, finesse worms, or baby brush hogs.

Walleye are on flats or gradual banks in 18’ to 25’ of water. For lures, try Shad Raps, Glass Shad, or Munchie grubs.

Attention Bass Anglers and fish record buffs!!! An original copy of the article( photo included) on the catching of the Missouri State record Largemouth Bass as published by the OZARK COUNT TIMES is now in the MAOUT Magazine. Copy's are available at Big Bobs Tackle-Theodosia Marina- Pontiac Marina.

Remember to keep only what you can eat and release the rest for another day. Rick Culver of Wilderness Trail does the research for this report and the writing of this report. For more information call Rick or Sue Culver at Wilderness Trail at 870-445-2703, e-mail us at wtrail@bullshoals.net or check out our web site at www.wildernesstrail.com

For all other outdoor data ,including Tournament standings and updates log on to the finest Web magazines found anywhere. Don and Judy Schnable 417 273 4859 schnabs@webound.com

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