Bull Shoals Lake

Missouri is a place that is like nowhere else, ordinary is no term that can be used to describe what it is like here. One vacation here for you and your family, or a romantic getaway, or even just a gathering with some friends just won’t be enough. There is so much to see and do here that you will find yourself having to return in order to get the full experience. The scenery is spectacular, the family fun is abundant, and the history riveting. The only trouble you’re going to have on your vacation in Missouri is figuring out what to do first and having enough time to do all that you’ll want to put on your agenda for your time here.
One thing many people come to Missouri for is the many festivals that go on throughout the year. Visitors who come here during the summer can enjoy such festivals as the Missouri Wine and Food Festival which takes place in the month of August, and the Trails West Festival which takes place in July and showcases and abundance of art, folk music, and other cultural arts. For visitors who come to Missouri in October can attend the Heritage Craft Festival in Arrow Rock, here visitors can get a glimpse of what it was like to go about the skills of daily life in the 19th century so the festival is great for history lovers as well as the whole family. Vacationers who come here during the holiday season have the opportunity to experience an 1855 Christmas by visiting the Missouri Town 1855 Christmas Celebration in December. The celebration features music and ethnic traditions that the whole family will enjoy. Whatever time of year you decide to visit Missouri you’re sure to find an exciting festival to attend.
The spectacular scenery is another reason that so many vacation in Missouri. Individuals who enjoy camping will be delighted by the many options that Missouri has to offer. Whether you enjoy the excitement of state park or public campground camping or you prefer the seclusion and simplicity of primitive site camping you will be sure to find the perfect campground with the perfect scenery somewhere in Missouri. For the boating and water activity lover there is plenty to do as well. The state of Missouri is home to seven individual lakes including the Bull Shoals Lake, Mark Twain Lake, Lake Girardeau, Mozingo Lake, the Shawnee Mac Lakes, Smithville Lake, and Clearwater Lake. Each one of the pristine lakes here offers the visitor a unique experience that will provide lasting memories of your vacation in Missouri. Other exciting outdoor activities include a number of caves and caverns, wildlife preserves, and horse ranches where visitors can enjoy a range of activities that everyone in the group will love. And don’t forget the many historic sites throughout the state that are well worth visiting regardless of what time of year you decide to visit. No matter where in Missouri you plan on going or when you plan on going there you will be sure to find excitement for everyone.

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In true tradition of the favored sport of the south, Arkansas bass fishing is plentiful and can be the itinerary for a fun family trip or a heated tournament. Either way, there is an abundance of great fishing locations in Arkansas where you can find plenty of bass in good sizes. Here are just a few, summarized for your reference.
Let’s start with Beaver Lake, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impoundment in Northwest Arkansas. This 28,220 acre lake is probably the number one Arkansas bass fishing lake. Fed by the White River, Beaver lake is a favorite place for white bass to spawn due to the high quantities of shad forage that lasts year round. Follow the schools of shad and work your jigging spoons well into April, while the bass are still spawning, and you’ll be golden.
Another excellent choice for Arkansas bass fishing is Table Rock Lake, another watering hole fed by the northerly flow of White River. Because they become stuck at Beaver Dam, the white bass are easy to catch in large numbers at the head of the lake. Use live minnows, and leadhead jigs for the best results, but expect these overcrowded fish battling for food to bite just about anything you can cast.
With a massive 45,440 acres, Bull Shoals Lake is another area that guarantees fantastic Arkansas bass fishing. In fact, this is the home of the two state record white bass catches, coming in at 5 lbs, 4 oz and 5 lbs, 2oz. Two-pounders here are a breeze, and you’ll take home your fill of them every day, and you shouldn’t be surprised by a 4-pounder, either. Use jigs and grubs in 10-15-foot depths during March, and you’ll find many of the fish freshly spawned and hungry for the bait. You can also work the streams branching off the lake with spoons and small crankbaits.
While Lake Norfork also contains an incredible number of white bass, Arkansas bass fishing at this 22,000 acre Corp of Engineers impoundment will yield an excellent outpouring of largemouth and striped bass. Even the white bass come in good sizes here, ranging between two and three pounds. Try using horsehead spinners where the tributaries flow in for best results, and you may find yourself with 50 to 100 fish in just half a day.
Whites and hybrid stripes are the catch found at Greers Ferry Lake, especially around the four forks of the Little Red River that feed in – the Devil’s, Archey’s Middle, and South Forks. Here, you’ll find mostly jumbo white bass, but Arkansas bass fishing here can also produce a number of striped bass. If you want a chance at these babies, trade in the ultralight tackle you use for whiteys and get something more heavy duty.

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On the whole, Arkansas does not appear to have much to offer in the way of walleye fishing. This is not all together discouraging. The state record walleye came out of Greers Ferry Lake weighing in at a whopping 22 pounds, 11 ounces. This is just 2 pounds shy of the world record walleye.
Where to Find Arkansas Walleye
Out of the initial limitations come great bodies of water for producing Arkansas walleye. Starting with where the state record walleye was found, Greer Ferry Lake. This 32,000 acre lake is situated in north-central Arkansas approximately 80 miles north of the popular hot spot of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Another walleye hot spot is Bulls Shoals Lake located in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Standing at a massive 45,000 acres, the lake sits in the northern center portion of the state. Rounding out the top three walleye hot spots in Arkansas is Lake Ouachita. Just 25 miles north-west of Hot Springs, this lake consists of 40,000 acres.
Outside of lake structures, there is one key river that offers prime walleye pickings for Arkansas. This is the Saline River tucked away among highway crossing, county roads and various ferry boat sites. All work together to provide unlimited access to this river. Adding to its accessibility, the state game and fish commission created several access points around the river. These access points are on land and water.
The Saline River is by far is Arkansas’ tucked away little walleye fishing secret. In addition to a healthy walleye stock, there are channel catfish swimming the waters as well. Many fishers who are aware of all that the river has to offer practice a technique of wade a little, fish a little.
This calls for unconventional fishing methods. For starters, canoes take the place of standard fishing boats on open waters. Standard boat motors will not do much good either. Small trolling motors can provide useful in trolling situations.
Northern Arkansas is home to several viable walleye locations. Among these are the Eleven Point, Upper White Beaver Dam, Middle White River and Black River. Other portions of the state are just as popular with walleye. Lake Hamilton, Lake Catherine and Lake Greeson all boast healthy walleye populations. Off the wall drainage systems have provided unique opportunities to come across separated walleye who may have taken awrong turn somewhere along the way.
Arkansas Walleye History
The attribution of walleye population emerged onto the Arkansas radar is linked to the White River drainage system. Larger populations resided in rivers, streams and lakes with warmer temperatures. It is believed that the walleye did not migrate to downstream locations because of the cooler water temperatures.
Walleye Preferences
Walleye do not require fancy dishes on their culinary menu. For the most part, this toothy fish will each virtually anything dangled in front of them. Ideal meal choices are small in nature. This includes small crawfish, worms and insects. Minnows are their absolute favorite.
In terms of location, walleye prefer the safety afforded by deep waters. The best times to fish for walleye are typically from sundown to midnight. This is when they feel safe moving about under the cover of darkness.

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Crappie fishing is just as popular in Missouri as it is in many of the other states. In fact, Missouri crappie fishing can be so exciting and fun that anglers from all over the nation are making the time to get in on some of the action.
Sitting on a bank or in a boat out in the middle of a beautiful lake reeling in the crappie is an excellent way to spend your free time. Anyone that loves fishing will enjoy going crappie fishing in the waters of Missouri.
Crappies are a member of the sunfish family and they are known by other names such as speckled perch, goggleye and paper mouth depending on where they are located.
Even though crappie can be caught during the daytime, you will find that the best time to go crappie fishing will be during the night time hours. This is because most all species of fish feed mostly at night so this is the time when they are the most aggressive.
There are two types of crappie which are called the black and the white crappie. Both of these can be caught in the waters of Missouri depending on where you decide to go fishing. Some areas will even have both types of crappie swimming around. Below you will find a list of Missouri crappie fishing lakes where you can enjoy many long hours of great crappie fishing.
Crappie Fishing Lakes in Missouri
One of the first things that you need to know before you go crappie fishing is where they are located. If you are not familiar with the area, then you may not know where to begin. With so many lakes, rivers and reservoirs in Missouri it can be difficult deciding where to get started.
Actually, there are many different crappie fishing lakes in Missouri that provides excellent fishing conditions where you can go out and enjoy a wonderful day on the water.
Some of the best crappie fishing lakes and reservoir found in Missouri can be found listed below:
Lake of the Ozarks
Harry S. Truman Reservoir
Bull Shoals Lake
Mark Twain Lake
Smithville Reservoir
Thomas Hill Reservoir
Wappapello Lake
Pomme de Terre Lake
Table Rock Lake
Stockton Lake
These are some of the major areas where you can go crappie fishing and enjoy a lot of fun and excitement. You can find out about other fishing locations by talking to friends and family members that know the area better than you do.
You will also find that local bait shops can provide you with a lot of useful information such as maps of the area and old fashion experience. Nothing can beat the information that one angler can provide to another by sharing their experiences.
Methods Used to Catch Missouri Crappie
There are several different methods used to catch Missouri crappie that work very well. The four main methods used are casting, still-fishing, drifting and jigging.
Each method has its own unique qualities that suit the different style of each angle and the amount of experience they have. Therefore, the one that you use will mainly depend on what works best for you and the area where you are fishing. For example, casting and jigging will let you get the bait exactly where you want it without disturbing the fish.

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