Bull Shoals Lake

Bull Shoals Lake continues to remain at dangerously hi levels. I was down at the lake over the weekend and when going over the theodosia bridge the water was still only about 10-15 ft. below the bridge. The normal level for the lake is at least 50 ft. below that bridge. The park and boat ramp area in theodosia is still very much underwater as well. The local theodosia golf course was in pretty good shape however and we were still able to get in a good round of golf on sunday.

Stockton lake info

Stockton Lake is located in southeastern Cedar County, northeastern The lake is 'V' shaped, and covers 39 square miles, with 298 miles of shoreline. It has three marinas, and 10 public-use areas. It has a "non-development policy," and is surrounded by unspoiled, tree-covered hills. Its banks are owned and operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Stockton Lake is also one of the top 10 lakes in the U.S. for sailing.

Stockton Lake is one of Missouri's seven major lakes, all man-made. It was formed by damming theSac River. The lake is crossed by three state highways over a network of six bridges.

More info at www.showmelakes.com

show me lakes

The redesigned version of Show-Me-Lakes is coming soon. According to Andy and Brian the guys working on the current redesign of the site it should be up in production in about a month in a half to two months. It is going to have loads of new features, as well as detailed descriptions of each lake resort and the option to book vacations directly threw the website itself. The website is alos going to be exspanded to incorporate a few northern lakes in Arkansas as well. This is going to be a great new tool for anyone looking to visit Missouri or to plan a family vacation in the Ozarks.

Fishing

SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881

LAKES

Bull Shoals (West): 77-80 degrees, high, clear; black bass fair on soft plastics, jigs and nightcrawlers; walleye fair on swimming minnows and jerkbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 9/3/2008)

Lake Taneycomo: 55 degrees, falling, dingy; upper lake: trout good on olive/white marabou jigs and flies imitating scuds; lower lake: trout good on chartreuse/orange and bubblegum colored Power Baits. (Report made on 9/4/2008)

Pomme de Terre: 80 degrees, normal, clear; catfish good on shad, liver and crayfish; black bass fair on plastic baits; crappie fair on minnows and jigs fished around cover in 10 to 15 foot depths; bluegill fair on crickets and worms; white bass fair trolling flats with jigs near the surface; walleye fair on crankbaits and trolling flats. (Report made on 9/3/2008)

Stockton: 85 degrees, falling, clear; bluegill good on worms and crickets; black bass fair on large plastic worms and crankbaits; crappie fair on minnows in deeper water and around structure; walleye fair on deep crankbaits and using worm harnesses with nightcrawlers; catfish fair on nightcrawlers and chicken livers. (Report made on 9/4/2008)

Table Rock (James River arm): 79 degrees, falling, dingy; catfish good on stinkbaits, blood baits, chicken liver, nightcrawlers, cut shad and small live bluegill on limb lines; flathead catfish good on trotlines baited with small bait fish; black bass good on soft plastic crawdads in watermelon colors, fish shaded areas, boat docks or shaded rocky banks. (Report made on 9/4/2008)

Table Rock (main lake): 82 degrees, high, clear; black bass fair on soft plastics and live bait; bluegill fair on live bait. (Report made on 9/3/2008)

Fishing

Missouri Lake Reports - LAKESBinder: 82 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on stinkbaits and liver; largemouth bass fair on topwater lures and spinnerbaits; bluegill fair on crickets and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Lake of the Ozarks (Bagnell Tailwater): 82 degrees, high, dingy; crappie slow with some success on minnows and crappie jigs; catfish good on cut shad, stinkbaits and worms; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Lake of the Ozarks (Glaize): 85 degrees, high, dingy; crappie fair on minnows and crappie jigs; catfish fair on cut shad, worms and shrimp; black bass fair on dark-colored soft plastic worms and buzzbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Lake of the Ozarks (Gravois): 85 degrees, high, dingy; black bass fair; catfish fair in the evening on shad sides; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Lake of the Ozarks (Niangua): 85 degrees, high, dingy; black bass fair on jig & pig or 10 inch plastic worms fished behind docks or on secondary points; crappie fair using minnows; catfish fair on jug lines using cut shad or stinkbaits. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Lake of the Ozarks (Osage): black bass fair on jig & pig or 10 inch plastic worms fished behind docks or on secondary points; crappie fair using minnows; catfish fair on jug lines using cut shad or stinkbaits. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Little Dixie: 81 degrees, normal, dingy; largemouth bass good early monrning on topwater lures; crappie good on minnows and jigs; area is closed for all activity including fishing from 10:00pm to 4:00am. (Report made on 7/24/2008) RIVERSLamine: 78 degrees, rising, muddy; channel catfish good on cut shad; flathead catfish good on live sunfish; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Missouri (Middle): 77 degrees, rising, muddy; channel catfish good on sunfish; blue catfish good on cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Osage (lower, at Tuscumbia): 82 degrees, high, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)----------------------KANSAS CITY REGION (816) 655-6254 LAKESJames A. Reed Area: 84 degrees, clear; largemouth bass good early and late in the day; bluegill, channel catfish and redear sunfish fair; crappie fair fishing deep water brush piles. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Montrose: 86 degrees, clear; black bass fair in Deepwater Creek; all other species slow; fishing pressure light. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Schell-Osage (Atkinson Lake): 86 degrees, dingy; catfish and crappie good; all other species fair. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Schell-Osage (Schell Lake): 85 degrees, high, dingy; catfish and crappie good; all other species fair. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Smithville: 80 degrees, normal, dingy; catfish good using nightcrawlers in the shallows; largemouth bass fair using Senkos and shallow-running crankbaits in the vegetation and flipping Brush Hogs and jigs to the tree lines above the bridges; walleye fair using minnows, worms, leeches and crankbaits along the points and flats; white bass fair using topwater lures; crappie slow with some success using minnows and jigs at brush piles and bridge pillars; Smithville Lake Spillway: all species good. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Truman: 83 degrees, high, dingy; white bass and hybrid bass good on main lake points using spoons and Sassy Shads; black bass fair using plastic worms and spinnerbaits; crappie fair using minnows and jigs; catfish fair using shad. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Truman Tailwaters: 83 degrees, dingy; releasing 22,600 cfs; catfish fair using shad; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008) RIVERSMissouri River: high, muddy; catfish good using shad sides on trotlines and jug lines. (Report made on 7/24/2008)----------------------NORTHEAST REGION (660) 785-2420 LAKESHunnewell: 83 degrees, normal, clear; channel catfish good on chicken liver; largemouth bass fair on crankbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Long Branch: 79 degrees, high, dingy; channel catfish fair on trotlines; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Mark Twain: 84 degrees, normal, dingy; largemouth bass fair on topwater lures; crappie fair on jigs and minnows; channel catfish fair on goldfish; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Sever: 82 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on nightcrawlers, liver and stinkbaits; largemouth bass fair on spinnerbaits and Rogues; crappie good on minnows; bluegill and redear sunfish good on mealworms; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Thomas Hill: 84 degrees, normal, dingy; small channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers; largemouth bass fair on crankbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008) RIVERSMississippi (above St. Louis): 81 degrees, falling, muddy; all species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Salt (below Mark Twain): 81 degrees, normal, muddy; drum good on nightcrawlers; channel catfish fair on nightcrawlers and leeches; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)----------------------NORTHWEST REGION (816) 271-3111 LAKESBilby Ranch Lake: 80 degrees, normal, clear; crappie and bluegill good over deep brush; all other species fair. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Mozingo: 80 degrees, normal, clear; crappie and bluegill good over deep brush; all other species fair. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Paho: 83 degrees, falling, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Pony Express: 84 degrees, normal, clear; all catfish good on cut baits, prepared baits and worms; largemouth bass fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008) RIVERSGrand: 72 degrees, falling, muddy; channel catfish and blue catfish good; all other species fair. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Missouri (below Iowa line): 78 degrees, high, dingy; all species fair. (Report made on 7/23/2008)----------------------OZARK REGION (417) 255-9561 LAKESBull Shoals (East): 85 degrees, high, dingy; flathead catfish and channel catfish fair on live baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Norfork: 85 degrees, high, dingy; flathead catfish and channel catfish fair on live baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008) RIVERSBig Piney (lower, Pulaski Co.): 78 degrees, normal, clear; goggle-eye good on soft plastic lures; black bass fair on soft plastic lures and live baits. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Big Piney (Upper): 80 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on live baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Bryant Creek: 74 degrees, normal, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Current: 75 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass good on tube baits; suckers and sunfish good on worms. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Eleven Point: 62 degrees, normal, clear; rainbow trout good on corn and live baits; all other species fair. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Gasconade (middle, Pulaski Co.): 78 degrees, normal, dingy; black bass fair on soft plastic lures and crankbaits; goggle-eye fair on soft plastic lures and jigs; channel catfish fair on live bait and chicken liver. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Gasconade (upper): 80 degrees, low, dingy; all species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008)Jack's Fork: 78 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastic lures. (Report made on 7/23/2008)North Fork: 68 degrees, normal, dingy; smallmouth bass and goggle-eye fair on soft plastic lures; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/23/2008)----------------------SOUTHEAST REGION (573) 290-5858 LAKESClearwater Lake: 88 degrees, normal, clear; crappie fair after dark on live minnnows or jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Council Bluff: 83 degrees, normal, clear; black bass fair on topwater lures and dark colored soft plastics; channel catfish fair on liver; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Cypress Lake: 85 degrees, normal, clear; black bass fair; channel catfish good on stinkbaits and cut baits in late evening and night; bluegill fair; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Duck Creek: 87 degrees, clear; bluegill good on crickets; black bass good on worms and topwater lures. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Lake Girardeau: 83 degrees, bluegill fair on crickets in early morning and late evening; channel catfish fair at night; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Perry County Lake: 85 degrees, normal, clear; small bluegill fair on worms fished near structure; channel catfish fair on cut baits after dark; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Robert DeLaney Lake: normal, channel catfish fair on natural baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Wappapello: bluegill fair on crickets and worms; channel catfish fair on jug lines and trotlines at night using live baits and nightcrawlers; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms; crappie fair on minnows and jigs; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008) RIVERSBlack River (near Annapolis): 78 degrees, normal, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Castor River (above Zalma): low, clear; goggle-eye good on Beetle Spins and crickets; smallmouth bass good on topwater lures and buzzbaits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Mississippi (below Charleston): normal, all species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)St. Francis (above Wappapello): low, clear; all species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)St. Francis (below Wappapello): 87 degrees, normal, dingy; channel catfish good on trotlines and limb lines using stinkbaits, worms or liver; flathead catfish fair on trotlines and limb lines using small bluegill and goldfish; black bass fair on spinnerbaits and plastic worms; bluegill fair on wax worms and crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)----------------------SOUTHWEST REGION (417) 895-6881 LAKESBull Shoals (West): 75-80 degrees, high, clear; walleye fair on jerkbaits and Swimming Minnows; striped bass fair on large jerkbait; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Lake Taneycomo: 51 degrees, high, dingy; upper lake: trout fair on white/chartreuse, black/olive colored marabou jigs, orange/chartreuse glo balls, and chartreuse/silver, white/silver or orange/gold Rooster Tails and black/chrome or blue/chrome Rapalas; lower lake: trout good on chartreuse, orange, yellow and bubble gum colored Power Baits. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Pomme de Terre: 88 degrees, normal, clear; bluegill good on worms and crickets in 10 feet of water; white bass fair on Road Runners and crankbaits trolling around sandy flats in 10 to 15 feet of water; black bass slow on plastic baits in deep water around structure; crappie slow on jigs and minnows around deep structure in 15 to 20 feet of water. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Stockton: 87 degrees, high, clear; walleye good on nightcrawlers or crankbaits; bluegill good on nightcrawlers or crickets; white bass fair on spoons and small crankbaits; catfish fair on nightcrawlers and cut baits; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Table Rock (James River arm): 81 degrees, high, dingy; smallmouth bass good on soft plastic minnows, try using blue/gray with 1/8 oz jig head in heavy cover or around shaded areas; goggle-eye good on small crankbaits, soft plastic crawdads and soft plastic minnows, using 1/6 to 1/8 oz jig heads, fishing deep pockets of water or around large chunk rock or using nightcrawlers and small crayfish drifted around heavy cover early morning or late evening; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Table Rock (main lake): 85 degrees, high, clear; black bass fair on soft plastics and live baits; bluegill fair on live baits. (Report made on 7/24/2008) RIVERSBig Niangua: 80 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass, goggle-eye and trout good. (Report made on 7/24/2008)James River (lower): 80 degrees, normal, clear; smallmouth bass good on green/brown soft plastics; all other species fair. (Report made on 7/24/2008)----------------------ST. LOUIS REGION (636) 300-1953 LAKESBusch Memorial Conservation Area Lake 33: 85 degrees, falling, dingy; channel catfish slow with some success on worms and liver; black bass fair on soft plastic lures; bluegill fair on crickets; all other species slow. (Report made on 7/24/2008)Busch Memorial Conservation Area Lakes 3, 4, 5, 7, and 24: 85 degrees, normal, dingy; all species slow; catfish limit: 4; please remove litter. (Report made on 7/24/2008)

Clearwater Lake

Clearwater Lake, located in the southeastern part of Missouri, is a Corps of Engineers Lake that was built in 1948 for flood control. With the terrain in the area being made up of hills and bluffs, the 1,630 acre lake is deep and clear. With its steep banks and flood control use, Clearwater can be raised almost 70 feet, and increase in surface acres by 6 times.
Because of the lakes age and changing water levels, Clearwater is void of trees at normal level. When the lake is raised though, the shoreline brush and trees become flooded, which can provide some excellent fishing spots. (Note of Caution: Because the lake can hold back a large amount of water, Clearwater Lake can raise quickly during heavy and extended periods of rain.)
Clearwater Lake has a lot to offer in the way of recreation. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing, sailing, camping, hunting, and hiking. Primitive and modern camping facilities are available along with lodging facilities, shops, and restaurants around the lake. For water sports, there are plenty of boat ramps around the lake along with three marinas, Webb Creek Boat Dock, Piedmont Park, and Bluff View Boat Dock. All three are full service marinas and provide fuel, boat rentals, tackle, and groceries.
Clearwater Lake is made up of a main lake with three main arms, Black River, Logan Creek, and Webb Creek. The lake is fed by the Black River, which enters from the north. Available fish in Clearwater Lake are Black Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Cat Fish, White Bass, and Carp. For more information about clearwater lake visit Show-Me-Lakes.com

Stockton Lake

For those of you who are looking for a great new lake to fish, with minimal boat traffic and surprising results on every cast. Then Stockton Lake Fishing In Missouri - Stockton Lake is for you. Known as a premiere Walleye lake and home to an equally fine population of Bass, Crappie, and Catfish. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Missouri Department of Parks and Historic Preservation, this 25,000+ acre lake with 300 miles of public shoreline is home to an abundance of wildlife including, bald eagles, deer, wild pigs, and turkey. There are more than a dozen campgrounds around the lake, all of which are well designed and maintained. Stockton Lake is 51 miles away from Springfield, 136 miles away from Kansas City, and 269 miles away from St. Louis.

Missouri & Arkansas Park Lands and Lakes! Wake Up To TABLE ROCK LAKE: The blue waters of Table Rock Lake have become a playground for visitors from all over the nation. And Table Rock's water activities are as varied as the beautiful Ozark Mountain terrain that embraces the lake. With nearly 800 miles of shoreline, Table Rock's many coves and lake arms make boating comfortable and especially enjoyable. Commercial docks on the lake offer boats, motors, supplies and guides for hire, the Corps of Engineers has provided many public launching areas for private watercraft. Nationally-known as a largemouth bass haven, Table Rock Lake features varied water depths, rock bluffs and undeveloped wooded shoreline. Springtime brings anglers in pursuit of running white bass, while summer days and nights prove productive for largemouth and crappie. The fight of a channel cat can also be found. Water sports such as skiing and swimming are very popular, as well as cruising the naturally beautiful shoreline. Water as smooth as glass best describes the ideal conditions found in the many sheltered coves. The Corps of Engineers has also developed many public swimming areas complete with the amenities of a safe and relaxing visit to the lakefront. The main arms of Table Rock Lake provide excellent sailing. Skin divers will find a crystal clear world of wonder, especially around the many rock bluffs. Nearby towns offer a variety if attractions and other entertainment, sure to round out a memorable visit to the beautiful Table Rock Lake region. Specific information can be obtained by writing Chambers of Commerce. Also be sure and check for other articles in the Missouri & Arkansas section of the Family Travel Guide - especially relating to Branson. Looking down through the valleys and hollows of the Ozark Mountains, Table Rock Lake reaches out for your attention with sparkling water as blue as the sky. A drive along the many roads and highways surroundings the lake will produce pictures and memories of unforgettably beautiful vistas. Springtime features blossoming dogwoods laced with brilliant redbud trees. Summer follows with a lush covering of greenery over the mountainsides, autumn then brings foliage aflame with spectacular colors even the best artist can't match. CAMP RESERVATIONS NOW AVAILABLE Over 1,200 campsites in 15 beautiful Corps of Engineers recreation areas can be reserved in advance for your convenience. Electricity, restrooms, showers, dump stations, boat launches, swimming areas and more are available to campers with tents, trailers and RVs.

Lake Wappapello

So fishermen may stretch the truth, but fisheries researchers never do. Fish biologists count and measure fish and tally and survey anglers. They then release their findings without the least bit of exaggeration, or even a wink...Their conclusion? Wappapello is a great fishing lake that’s getting better. The crappie have a predictable baby boom every year, and largemouth bass are growing bigger and bigger. About 75 percent of anglers who fish Wappapello target those abundant crappie. A nice day in the fall and winter, and almost any kind of day in the spring, will bring a flock of southeast Missouri and St. Louis anglers to the lake. In lake Wappapello, 10 to 12 feet on the edge of the channel is kind of the magic depth, As one local put it, “I’m usually easing along with my trolling motor trying to find some structure on the bottom that shows some fish around it that I assume and hope to prove are crappie.” He said using only one pole lets him work quietly and efficiently, and the 20-pound test line on his reel lets him straighten jig hooks that get hung up in stumps. When water begins warming up in the spring, starting about late February or early March, he follows the crappie up into the backs of coves and bays.
“Then, I fish with a floater and a jig,” he said. “It’s amazing that you can tie a jig under that floater no more than a foot deep and catch nice, big crappie.” He said that during the years he’s fished Lake Wappapello, about half of the lake’s original stumps have disappeared as water washed sand and dirt away from their roots. He and others are working hard to replace this valuable cover. “For the fish, a lack of cover is like living in a room with not enough furniture,” said Mark Boone, the Conservation Department biologist who manages the fishery at Lake Wappapello. “Stumps, brush piles and that sort of thing are like furniture for fish.”
He described how little fish hide in the furniture to avoid predators, and big fish surge from behind the furniture to surprise and capture passing prey. New Wood to create more fish furniture, the Conservation Department and the Corps of Engineers, along with members of local fishing clubs, began putting brush in the lake about five years ago.
“The first few years, we put in large, hardwood brush piles all around the lake,” Boone said. “We didn’t mark any of them, but then, in 2004, we started creating larger brush piles that consisted, on the average, of three loads of large hardwood trees. They’re all marked with yellow signs that say ‘Fish Attractor.’” “Anglers can fish up and down until they find fish,” Boone said. “They don’t need fancy boats with all kinds of electronics. All they have to do is find a sign, and they’ll find the brush.” Anglers are also creating fish habitat on their own. McKuin said the Lake Wappapello Corps of Engineers supports angler efforts to create more fish habitat. Their only requirement is that anglers place the structure where recreational boaters won’t be affected. *some content provided by missouri conservation dept.

Bull Shoals water levels

Hey just wanted to update everyone on the lake levels. The level of the lake continues to drop very slowly. It has only dropped a foot from last week. We have been getting a lot of rain in the water shed area, not necessarily here but between here and Joplin Missouri. So the Corp projections have changed. Looks like it will be the end of September before the water is back to normal provided there is average rainfall. The lake is down to the 691 level. It is projected to drop an inch or two a day. Projected drop level are posted above in the link. The water temperature continues to rise and is up in the middle 70's on the surface. There is a thermocline forming around the 20 to 25 foot level. It is a 10- 15 degree difference and becoming very prominent. I have personally been scuba diving and gone through the thermol cline and it was quite cold... burrrr. Visibility continues to be poor from the surface to 25 feet due to all the brush in the water, then it clears up to the average visibility at 15 to 20 feet depending on where you are in the lake. The bluffs should be the best. Have some new fish pictures. Bull Shoals Lake

Well with the Mississippi is overflowing its banks again and there are some very hard hit areas in Missouri once again. It is never good to hear about these heartbreaking situations with local farmers and families loosing their property. For news and updates about the flood try visiting this website. Our prayers are with all of you who have been adversely effected by the flooding.

Random Life post

So I have been in chicago for about 2 weeks now, I am getting used to the city and things are finally starting to slow down for me. I have a little feel for how to use the CTA (public transit) but still find myself struggling at times... never lived in a city half the size of this and it is quite a change comming from Columbia Missouri haha. Anyway moved in with 3 random roomates I had not meet previously and they are all great so far. I can already feel myself getting that lonely feeling that creeps in when I am around so many people that I dont know and dont talk to however. It is hard for me to explain but it seems like the more poeple that are around me who I dont know and hense dont talk to, the more lonely I feel. Not sure if anyone can relate to that but I got a little of that going on right now, but other than that everything is going great. I especially like taking bike rides on Lake shore drive with the bike I found, and plan on taking a solid 20-30 mile ride every weekend.

Missouri Lake Resorts

When it comes to lakes, Missouri has some of the most pristine lakes in the whole country. Of the man made Missouri lakes Bull Shoals Lake happens to be my favorite. Growing up my family made the trip down to Bull Shoals Lake every year, along with many other family friends. The lake is perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing, and boating in general. With a very minimal amount of boat traffic skiing and tubing are always great fun. If you are looking for nice places to stay there is a Missouri travel website that has a list of nice places on Bull Shoals. Personally my family always stayed at Spring Creek Resort which was very enjoyable but there are lots of nice places to stay in the area. With the gas prices high, and the economy on a down swing taking the family to a much more local and wallet friendly place such as bull shoals is a very good way to get more out of that vacation budget. And while Bull Shoals isn’t Walt Disney world, or the Bahamas, it gets my vote as the next best, and affordable, thing.

Lake levels

Bull Shoals lake as well as Table Rock lake have seen the water levels skyrocket in recent weeks due to the large amount of rain the Missouri Ozark region has seen lately. Bull Shoals lake is at record levels and Table Rock is nearing the top of the dam as well. This means that the water is going to be full with debris as well as many docks and roads are going to be underwater. If you are planning a trip to the area you may want to call ahead and check to make sure the resort you are staying at still has access to their docks, as well as if the resort is even open for business and not Flooded! This is the case with several resorts on Table Rock Lake. Fishing on both of the lakes is also going to be more difficult, with the various debris brought by the high water you should use caution while driving your boat to your favorite fishing hole as there may be logs and other materials floating in the water that may damage your boat. For Complete Missouri fishing reports check out the Show Me Lakes website.