Bull Shoals Lake

While an easy to reach location is great, that isn’t all that draws visitors to Branson and the surrounding area.  We’ve got three spectacular lakes, each unique from the others.  First and probably best known in the area is Table Rock Lake.  With over 700 miles of shoreline and over 43,000 surface acres, this pristine lake is a paradise for boaters, water skiers, scuba divers and swimmers.  For the fishermen in the bunch, Lake Taneycomo’s cold, clear waters offer some of the best trout fishing in the world and flows through Historic Downtown Branson. Bull Shoals Lake is renowned for its largemouth bass and offers visitors who are looking for a little less traffic an opportunity to boat, swim and ski.  

Of course, Branson is has been in the live music entertainment business for 50 years and boasts over 50 theaters and nearly 100 shows.  Don’t think that we just have country music either – there’s something for every taste, ranging from The Liverpool Legends (hand-picked by Louise Harrison, George Harrison’s sister) performing as The Beatles to The Chinese Acrobats to The Legends in Concert featuring some of the world’s greatest impersonators portraying such artists as The Blues Brothers, Neil Diamond, Buddy Holly, Elvis and many others.  For country music fans, Branson still has plenty of shows to choose from including Jim Stafford and The Oak Ridge Boys. 

In addition to all the shows and the natural Ozark beauty, there’s a host of other things to do in Branson including Silver Dollar City, an 1880’s themed amusement park, White Water, Branson’s outdoor water park, the Titanic Museum, Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum and The Butterfly Palace.  Located downtown on Lake Taneycomo, The Branson Landing, our newest $300 million addition, offers over 100 shopping choices, 10 restaurants and live entertainment.  With so much to do, it’s easy to see why over 8 million visitors flock to Branson yearly.  

All of these tourists need a place to stay and many of these visitors want more than a motel room for their vacation. They want the conveniences of home.  To achieve this comfort, an increasing number of visitors are renting vacation homes and condos.  The advantages are numerous.  They can stay under the same roof where everyone has their own room where they can hang out, read or watch TV without being on top of each other.  Fully-stocked kitchens eliminate the expense of eating every meal in a restaurant.  Leftovers can be brought back to the home further reducing food costs.  Pet friendly vacation condos and homes allow those that want to travel with their four-legged companions a place to stay.  Additionally, many properties offer great amenities for guests to use such as swimming pools, hot tubs, tennis and golf.  These are just a few reasons why many tourists coming to the Branson area opt to stay in a vacation rental home or condo over a hotel. 

Now more than ever, Branson is a great place to vacation AND invest. Sunset Realty and Sunset Nightly Rentals specialize in vacation property sales and vacation rental management around the Branson and Tri-Lakes area.  We are committed to finding the right property and achieving the best possible return for your investment. Unlike other real estate companies, Sunset has first hand knowledge and experience in the vacation rental industry.  It’s a great way to enjoy a vacation property and rent it when not in use, helping offset your mortgage.

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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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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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For those dreaming of the ideal fishing experience, look no further than the lake shores of beautiful Branson, MO. With three large fishing lakes within the Branson area, your fishing options are virtually unlimited. Enjoy a stay at a lakefront condo, and be only minutes from prime fishing spots. With a wide variety of other aquatic and land based activities available, Branson vacations are ideal for families.  Types of Fish That Can Be Caught in BransonThere are many different types of fish that can be caught within Branson lakes. These fish can be divided into two main groups, of most common and least commonly seen varieties. While one type of fish may be able to be caught in a specific location, it may not be available at the next one. Common Varieties•    Small mouth, large mouth, and spotted bass•    Bluegill•    Channel Catfish•    Long Ear Sunfish•    Flathead Catfish•    White Crappie•    Rainbow and German Brown Trout•    White Bass•    Black Crappie•    CarpLess Common Varieties•    Paddlefish•    Warmouth•    Striped Bass•    Walleye•    Cutthroat BassBest Locations for Branson FishingThere are three main bodies of water that serve as great fishing locations for those visiting or living in Branson. These three areas include Lake Taneycomo, Bull Shoals Lake, and Table Rock Lake. Each of these locations offers various different types of fish, and unique fishing experiences.•    Lake TaneycomoThis is the area’s best bet for those interested in catching trout, since the cold clear waters are a breeding ground for various species of the fish. The lake was created in 1913 when the dam near Forsyth, Missouri captured the White River. Fly, bait, and artificial fishing can all be done here, and the lake itself consists of 2,080 surface acres. •    Table Rock LakeTable Rock Lake was created by the completion of the Table Rock Dam in 1958 and has over 43,000 acres of surface area with more than 700 miles of shoreline. This is the area’s second largest lake, and helps to provide power to over 7 million people. This lake offers great fishing for bass as well as catfish, and is host to a wide variety of other recreational activities as well.•    Bull Shoal LakeAs the area’s largest lake, Bull Shoals Lake offers more than 71,000 acres of surface area and 1,000 miles of shoreline. Created as a result of the Bull Shoals Dam in 1951, this lake provides ample amounts of walleye, bass, and catfish. Since the lake has such an immense size, it is often used for many different recreational and water sport activities as well.Although fishing can be enjoyed year round in Branson, trophy trout fishing on Lake Taneycomo and bass fishing on Table Rock Lake are best in the winter and early spring months. Branson Missouri is a fishing lover’s dream with abundant lakes, over 200 species of fish available to catch, and the wide variety of other recreational activities that this bustling city offers. No matter what your fishing preference is, whether fly or bait fishing, you can find an ideal location to test your skills in Branson.

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Walleye has consistently become one of the most sought after fish in the world. With the natural mild taste of this fish, it is great smoked, pan fried and so much more. The walleye is definitely a treat for the palette. And one of the best places to catch these wonderful fish is the Lake of the Ozarks, down there in Missouri.
The Lake of the Ozarks has been consistently stocking the walleye for about the last ten years. This has been proven to make a terrific difference on the fish productivity in this lake. As we all know, traditionally, the walleye has naturally taken to open water ways and rivers, so placing them in the lakes has been a change of environment for them. In addition, stronger currents have always been a place to find the walleye. Not anymore, now the walleye can be located in the calm cool waters of this vast lake system.
The best time to fish for the walleye in the Lake of the Ozarks is actually January 1 through December. I know, you are probably thinking that you can’t fish for walleye in the winter, but that is simply not true. In this area, the winter is easily the best time to fish for these tasty morsels. You can additionally fish for walleye during the rest of the months as well.
Fishing for the walleye here is very similar to fishing for walleye anywhere else in the country. The walleye is a creature of habit. These wonderfully tasty fish are ready and willing to give you a run for your money in catching them. If you do not study your surroundings and know the habits of these fish, then you are unlikely to bring in the big haul. The walleye is known to be sensitive to light and you do need to understand that in wide bodies of water like this lake group, they will stay as close to the bottom of the water as possible. This will shield most of the light from them and allow the walleye to move about freely. The best time to fish for the walleye is always dawn and dusk, no matter where you are fishing for them. This goes back to the light sensitivity thing again.
This fish likes to hang out in boulders and rock formations as well as the grassy areas of the water. They hunt for their food here as well as shield from the light.You will need to use the same type of lure system for the walleye here as you would fish for them anywhere else. You will need to have bright colors, preferably fluorescent for the jigs and also metallic shimmery lures. You will also need to use live bait to catch walleye as well.
There are many terrific spots to fish for the walleye in the Lake of the Ozarks. In all actuality, there is no bad place to fish in this lake. Other places to fish in this area are Stockton lake, Thomas hill reservoir, table rock lake, bull shoals lake and mark twain lake. All of these areas offer phenomenal fishing, however, the Lake of the Ozarks is the best for walleye especially in the winter. In looking for the perfect spot to catch your walleye, you will want to look for natural formations in which this area has plenty.

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There are some great walleye fishing spots in Missouri. Lake of the Ozarks, Stockton Lake, Thomas Hill Reservoir, Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake and Mark Twain Lake are the top spots. These areas also have bass and panfish besides the walleye. The one thing that is a very well kept secret in Missouri is the ice fishing for walleye. Lake of the Ozarks is the best walleye fishing during the winter. Some anglers get out there and catch some prize trophies. The best thing to use during the winter months is heavier crankbaits while trolling. You might even try the grub on a jig, the weight should be about one eighth.
In October, Bull Shoals Lake is a great place to catch walleye. Many people do not even consider this lake for catching walleye and this is a shame because the action is hot in October. The lake has a great shad population that helps to feed the walleye and make them a good healthy weight. Here you would want to use crankbaits or some shad colored grubs. If you are fishing the rocky areas, a night crawler on a leadhead is great. In most cases, the planer boards work well with spinner rigs. During the spawning season in spring, you want to fish by the rocky areas from Barker Hole to Beaver Creek.
If you want to catch the walleye from shore during the spring spawning months, the Stockton Dam is a great area. However, the best time of day is a few hours before and after sunset. The popular area is by the Rip Rap by the dam. When you are fishing from shore near the riprap, you can use a shallow or floating running bait. Anglers recommend keeping the smaller males and leaving the larger females to spawn for future generations of walleye. On Stockton Lake, you can keep any fish that is fifteen inches or longer and they have a daily catch limit of four.
If you are using a fish locator on Stockton Lake, you will want to find the areas where the shad are in schools. Walleye will follow the shad and you can see the shad while the walleye are like black dots among the schools. The best time for walleye depends on the time of day and year, wind and water temperature. Fishing on Stockton Lake is better at dawn and dusk as well as overcast days. During the winter months, walleye hang out by the springs where the shad prefer to be. The water temperature is warmer than the forty-degree water temperatures away from the springs.
Table Rock Lake has many underwater habitats for walleye. When the lake was built, they never cleared the trees and other deadfall under the water, which has made a nice home for walleye. The shad in the lake allows the walleye to feed and grow to good-sized fish. Many anglers use the drop and sink method in this lake. They sit right above the deadfall and drop right into the middle of the school of shad coming up with a fish. This is a nice resort area and does not have a lot of boat activity, which makes it a nice fishing spot.
Mark Twain Lake is noted as a good place to fish for walleye, but keep in mind that you have to go at the right time and the right season. The best time to fish this lake is during spawning season. The shad population is what keeps the walleye in the lake, but you do need to fish for walleye during the particular time of year. The tributary streams in the spring are the best place to fish the walleye.

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