Bull Shoals Lake Fishing Report – May 27, 2026

This Week on Bull Shoals Lake- May 27, 2026

Lake Conditions

• Water Temperature: ~71°F
• Lake Level: 658.27 ft
• Total Release (cfs): 789
  
• Water Clarity: stained. Visibility 8-10 at Sugarloaf Harbor Marina with minimal floating debris.

What's Biting- Fishing Report for Bull Shoals Lake- Bass, Walleye, & Crappie for AGFC Bull Shoals Lake.

• Bass: The Power fisherman are doing fine on the right day wind/clouds/rain/stain deep cranking in 2-15ft or spinnerbait and chatterbait on shallow ledges and transition banks stained water. Better get up early for topwater bite covering water with a spook or poppers. Once that bite slows try A small tater Swimbait or Mayor 2.5 is working in natural shad imitation colors. I been using the 1/2oz Jewel shad spoon if they are busting surface or your favorite minnow to shake around the shad. If the conditions are post frontal flat water high pressure blue birds and Sun it will get tough. I will drop shot and slow down downsize and get way off the bank look at deep ledges and brush piles bomb casts with lighter fluorocarbon line. try a finesse jewel pee-wee jig gp orange or bass whacker is working a GP also a Shakey head. Summer areas start looking at Long Points ledges brush piles timber on the bluffs bluff ends deeper water close by. The post spawn fish have a tendency be finicky post frontal days and no thermocline yet so some move deep 30-40ft especially if there is shad around graph time pays off as usual. Remember “Fish the Conditions!” Del Colvin Fishing. Delcolvinfishing.
• Crappie: Crappie are all mixed up; sitting in brush in creeks in that 20ft range. Use 1/8oz jig with Tater Baits Crown Royale and of course minnows available on the deck at Sugarloaf Harbor Marina. Randy Reese Crappie 101 Guide Service.
• Walleye: Fishing this past week has not changed much and has been very good. Summer Fishing patterns are in play. Some Fish are still moving with the shad in the old river channel and creek channels and more seem to be holding on flatter points with deep water on one side then last week. Look for fish on long points close to the channel swings.
  Main lake and secondary points have been producing fish during the day.
  Fish shallow early mornings and on cloudy days in 20 to 25 ft of water and deeper in 35 to 45ft of water if there is little or no cloud cover. Casting Jigging spoons in the White or Chrome color and jigging rapalas in the blue and chrome1/2oz size into 15ft of water and working it back out into 35ft has been working. Bottom Bouncing spinner rigs and crawlers around point close to channel is producing a a lot of short fish as well some good 18 to 23 inch walleyes. If trolling, try Shad style and small banana style baits like #7 flicker shads 0r #9 flicker minnow in natural colors Trolled in 25ft to 35ft of water at speeds of 1.8 to 2.2 seems to working best.
  The open water trolling bite has been hit or miss this week but some bigger fish are still being caught. If you can find the shad fish Deep diving crankbaits like Bandits , RapalaTail Dancers size 11, Reef Runners a couple feet above where you mark them on the graph. Trolling over the flooded forest along the old river channel will get some nice fish this time of year. Southernwalleye@yahoo.com

Marina Tip of the Week

Variable weather conditions, so be prepared for rain and sun. Fishing has been better than average this spring/early summer. One one-time local says "I have been fishing this lake for decades and I don't remember it ever being this good!".

Ready to Hit the Water?

Book your pontoon or tritoon rental at Sugarloaf Harbor Marina and make the most of this week's great fishing conditions on Bull Shoals Lake. Reserve your boat today →

Fishing report courtesy of Del Colvin Fishing, Randy Reese Crappie 101 Guide and Southern Walleye Guide Service. Follow them on Facebook for daily updates.