USA > Midwest > Missouri
USA > South > Arkansas
Tucked in the Ozark Mountains, Bull Shoals Lake offers year round opportunities for relaxation and recreation. With over 45,000 surface acres of water it is the larger of the Ozark Twin Lakes (Norfolk Lake being the other), extending from northern Arkansas into southern Missouri. Its rocky shoreline, ample fishing, and clear water make Bull Shoals Lake the perfect spot for a mountain getaway.
Construction on Bull Shoals Dam on the White River began in 1947 and was completed in 1951. Bull Shoals Lake was created in the Upper White River Basin for flood control and hydroelectric power. The lake also serves the Marion County Regional Water District, which draws more than a million gallons of water a day from the lake. The lake is currently operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Bull Shoals Lake is home to many varieties of fish including black and white crappie, catfish, large and small mouth bass, and trout. In fact, it is one of the few places where anglers can fish for striped bass and trout in the same water. Fishermen have pulled pan fish and walleye from the lake that hold state records in both Arkansas and Missouri. Because the lake doesn't freeze, it offers year round fishing. Spear fishing is also popular in the clear mountain water. The White River below the Bull Shoals Dam has excellent trout fishing, yielding record catches for cutthroat and rainbow trout. Bull Shoals Lake is truly an angler's paradise.
Water sports enthusiasts love Bull Shoals Lake. Its clear blue water has earned it the title "Caribbean of the Midwest." Because of the outstanding visibility, scuba diving is a popular lake pastime, and the swimming is good from mid-May through late September. There is also great waterskiing and wakeboarding, and the lake is a favorite destination for both motorboats and sailboats.
With its mountain shoreline and unusual rock formations, Bull Shoals Lake is a treat for nature lovers. Over a hundred bald eagles spend winter months in the Bull Shoals area, and the hardwood and cedar glades provide a place for bird watching and hunting. White-tailed deer, Eastern wild turkey, ducks, geese and doves are just a few of the birds and animals that call Bull Shoals Lake home.
The Bull Shoals-White River State Park features camping, picnic areas, hiking trails, a multi-use trail, swimming areas, boat ramps, and a marina with boat rentals and supplies. The park's new Visitors Center provides spectacular views of the White River, Bull Shoals Dam, and Bull Shoals Lake. Golf, tennis, restaurants and shopping are nearby. The lake has something for everyone, and with its fishing, water sports, and nature activities, Bull Shoals Lake is an Ozark Mountain gem waiting to be enjoyed.
Bull Shoals Lake: Messaging Forums
Bull Shoals Lake: Water Levels
Branson Chamber of Commerce (Posted by Jennifer Merritt [jennifer merritt])
Bull Shoals Lake: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Posted by Jennifer Merritt [jennifer merritt])
Bull Shoals Visitor Center Dedication (Posted by Jennifer Merritt [jennifer merritt])
Bull Shoals White River State Park (Posted by Jennifer Merritt [jennifer merritt])
Pictorial History of Bull Shoals Dam and Bull Shoals, AR (Posted by Jennifer Merritt [jennifer merritt])
Rainbow Trout Stocked at Bull Shoals (Posted by Jennifer Merritt [jennifer merritt])
This lake was last edited by Jennifer Merritt (jennifer merritt) on 4/5/08.
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