05/12/2026
Fishing report as follows ……updated 5-7-2026) Fishing guide Del Colvin at Bull Shoals Lake (815-592-4302), delcolvinfishing.com, said Wednesday that the lake level remains a constant 655 feet msl (4 or so feet below normal pool) and water temperature is also about what it’s been lately: 66 degrees. “Most of the fish are post-spawn, which means big changes. We have the groups of fish in the creeks moving back out to points or chasing shad out from the spawning pockets. The ‘power fishermen’ are still catching on the right day (wind/clouds/rain/stain) deep-cranking in 10- to 15-foot drains. Try spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits in the stained water.
“The shad are not everywhere and moving, so you’re going to have to keep an eye out.
“Topwater has started in the early mornings, and I’m covering water with a Spook or popper-style lures. A small Tater Swimbait or Mayor 2.5 is working in natural shad-imitation colors. I’ve been using the Jewel Shad Spoon or traditional fluke if they are busting the surface, or try your favorite minnow to shake around the shad.
“If the conditions are like cold fronts, flat water, high-pressure bluebird and sunny, it will get tough. I will slow down, downsize and get way off the bank and bomb cast with lighter fluorocarbon line. Try a finesse Jewel Pee-Wee Jig in green pumpkin orange, or a Bass Whacker is working, and a green pumpkin shaky head Neko rig and a Ned rig are also working. Time to start checking post-spawn early summer areas, long points, ledges, brushpiles and bluff ends. While some bass will be moving in on the sunfish spawn, most seem to be heading out with the shad.
“The tube wobble heads are still in play but have slowed down. The post-spawn fish tend to be finicky, and some move deep to recover, especially if there is shad around. Graph time pays off as usual. The wolf-packing or grouping up has been going. Remember: ‘Fish the conditions!’”
Del regularly posts new YouTube videos. Visit his YouTube site (Bull Shoals Fishing Report) or delcolvinfishing.com for more information and tips on fishing Bull Shoals Lake.
(updated 5-7-2026) Southernwalleye Guide Service (501-365-1606) said the fishing this past week has been similar to last week: fair in the morning and a little better in the evening when the dam is moving water. Post-spawn fishing patterns are still in place as water surface temperature have not come up much this week. Fish are moving with the shad and seem only to be holding on points close to them.
Look for walleye on long points close to the channel swings. Main lake and secondary points have been producing a few fish during the day. Fish shallow in the early mornings and on cloudy days in 18-20 feet of water and deeper in 25-35 feet of water if there is little or no cloud cover. Casting jigging spoons (⅜- to ¾-ounce), or using jigs and plastic ringworms or Ned rigs will work well after the sun comes up.
If trolling, try shad-style and small banana-style baits like No. 7 Flicker Shads or No. 9 Flicker Minnow in natural colors. Trolling in 25-35 feet of water at speeds of 1.5 to 1.7 mph seems to work best.
The open-water trolling bite has been hit or miss with passing cold fronts. Deep-diving crankbaits like Bandits, Rapala Tail Dancers size 11 and Reef Runners trolled over the flooded forest along the old river channel will get some nice fish.
(updated 5-7-2026) Crappie 101 Guide Service (870-577-2045) says crappie seem to be back on brush, still mixed up with a lot of short fish mixed in. Look for brush in 15-20 feet and throw a 1/16-ounce jig and a Small Fry Bait or minnows.
Knowledgeable and skilled fishing guide for Bull Shoals Lake and White River.
