| |
Bull Shoals Lake
In 2006, bass
anglers can expect increased catch rates of legal
size largemouth, >15". Even though bass numbers
are the highest they have been in the past eight
years, anglers catching smallmouth and largemouth
are encouraged to practice catch and release, in
order to help maintain the bass population.
Anglers wanting fish to eat can harvest spotted
bass, >12". This will also help reduce competition
between them and the largemouths. Anglers can
identify the largemouth and spotted bass by using
differences in the jaw bone length, cheek scale
size, and absence/presence of a tongue patch.
Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and plastic worms
catch the majority of the black bass species.
Crappie fishing will be consistent with that of
the last couple years with fish of all sizes being
present and good numbers exceeding 10". Jigs and
minnows fished around brush piles and spawning
banks will catch good numbers of fish. Walleye
numbers continue to increase throughout the lake,
due to annual stockings and the 18" minimum length
and four fish per day limits. Rogues, live bait,
and jigs catch the majority of fish during the
early spring months. In the months following,
minnows and nightcrawlers, rigged on
bottom-bouncers, and crankbaits slowly trolled
along flats and points catch good numbers of fish.
A large number of tagged walleye still exist in
the reservoir and anglers should examine each
fish, specifically between the dorsal fins, for a
small, orange, oval tag. Anglers catching tagged
walleye are to return the tag and report where the
fish was caught, date fish was caught, length of
fish, whether the fish was harvested or released,
and the lure/bait used to catch the fish. Anglers
providing this information are eligible for
$10-100 rewards.
Missouri residents,
those 16 years of age and older, who fish the
Arkansas portion of Bull Shoals Lake are no longer
required to purchase a nonresident Arkansas
fishing permit. Thanks to cooperation between the
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission and MDC, Missouri
residents possessing a valid resident fishing
permit may also purchase a $10 White River Border
Lakes Permit allowing them to fish the Arkansas
portion of this lake. |
|
Norfork Lake
From late
February through the first half of March,
walleye migrate to the lake’s upper end and
into the lake’s two main tributaries, Bryant
Creek and the North Fork of the White River
(anglers are reminded that from February 20
through April 14, walleye can be taken and
possessed only between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30
p.m. CST upstream of the confluence of these
two streams). Rogues, jigs, and live bait
catch the majority of fish during this time
of year. In the months following, minnows
and nightcrawlers, rigged on
bottom-bouncers, slowly trolled along flats
and points catch good numbers of fish.
Anglers can expect to catch good numbers of
legal-size fish, >18", and are allowed to
keep four fish/day. White, striped, and
hybrid-striped bass are the next arrivals in
the upper end of Norfork usually by
mid-April, given there is enough flow coming
from Bryant Creek and the North Fork of the
White River. Jigs, minnow/shad imitating
crankbaits, and live minnows/shad catch the
large percentage of these fish. Anglers may
keep a total of 15 fish, in any combination,
with only four fish >18". Largemouth and
spotted bass make up the majority of the
black bass population and anglers will
notice improved fishing for legal-size
largemouth, >15". Also, anglers will notice
large numbers of fish <13", due to a good
spawn in 2004. Anglers may keep up to six
largemouth and smallmouth, >15", and spotted
bass, >12". Plastic baits, such as worms,
grubs, and tube baits, are great choices to
use when pursuing black bass. The same black
bass regulations apply to the Arkansas side
of the lake as well. Crappie fishing will be
consistent with that of the last couple
years with fish of all sizes being present
and the majority exceeding 10". Jigs and
minnows fished around brush piles and
spawning banks will catch good numbers of
fish.
Missouri
residents, those 16 years of age and older,
who fish the Arkansas portion of Norfork
Lake are no longer required to purchase a
nonresident Arkansas fishing permit. Thanks
to cooperation between the Arkansas Game &
Fish Commission and MDC, Missouri residents
possessing a valid resident fishing permit
may also purchase a $10 White River Border
Lakes Permit allowing them to fish the
Arkansas portion of this lake. |
|
|
|
|
