Lake Level: 656.5
Water Temp: 84 degrees
Walleye have been going deeper over the past few weeks. Many reports of fish being caught at 30 ft. Troll with crank baits in 20 to 40 ft of water. Look for them suspended off of sandy flats extending from the shallow banks. Colors to try are “Fire Tiger” and blue back w/ orange bottom. Early mornings seem be the best. Also having good results bottom bouncing Night Crawlers. (Walleye on Bull Shoals must be 18″ in length to legally keep.)
Black Bass (Line Sides and Spotted) have been caught both shallow and deep. Many fishermen are getting their limits on a variety of different lures. Several reports of bass hitting white spinner baits and buzz baits in shallow water early in the mornings. Also, try a heavy jig, or plastic worm in depths of 18 - 30 feet. Throw all the way to the bank and drag back slow into deeper water off of points.
Crappie have not been seen in large numbers, however, the ones coming in have been huge! 14 - 15 inces are common. The majority have been caught on live Minnows. Look for structure in the main lake or coves. Try different depths, some have been caught as deep as 25ft.
White Bass have been chasing shad very agressively. The water in front of the Marina has been boiling in the evenings with schools of whites. Also, be ready for the whites with a “Chrome Mini Rattle Trap” when they chase the shad to the surface. When you see a “bait ball” on your fish finder, drop a chrome spoon. Don’t be supprised to catch some large spotted bass when dropping the spoon!
