Fishing at Bull Shoals Lake, Marion County, Arkansas

• Overview

  In Arkansas, Bull Shoals Lake belongs to Marion County. Elevation runs to 656 feet. At roughly 70.3 sq miles it ranks among the larger waters in the region. Across our Arkansas listings, few waters are bigger. Bull Shoals lies 14 miles from the water. Flippin is 18 miles and Yellville 18 miles. The boundary is near enough that local access rules are worth double-checking.

• Where to Fish on Bull Shoals Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Reported across Marion County: yellow perch. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On Bull Shoals Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 35°F in January and 79°F in July. Mild ends to the year keep the season long. Hard water here is never dependable, so check for yourself before stepping out. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. That is the shape of the year on Bull Shoals Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the perch, a small jig tipped with worm, dropped along the edges, is hard to beat. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Gardner Lake sits 23 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position at Bull Shoals Lake before loading the car.