There is no shortage of bodies of water in the Southwest Missouri area. There is Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo, Bull Creek, Roark Creek, the Little Sac River, the James River and the Pomme de Terre River. And these are just a few! But one of the lesser known water body in the area is Bull Shoals Lake. Bull Shoals has a multitude of great lake activities – so dive right in and see what it has to offer!

Bull Shoals is a man-made lake located in southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas. The dam for this lake is controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers. There are multiple areas along the lake’s edge for fishing, swimming, camping and other waterside recreation. The main one is the Bull Shoals/White River State Park located in Arkansas in Baxter County and Marion County.

Boating is a popular pastime on Bull Shoals. There are multiple boat docks where avid boaters can weigh anchor and set sail – just be sure to comply with boating safety rules! At Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock, sailors can rent WaveRunners and boats, take a guided lake fishing trip, and rent a houseboat or even scuba gear! Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock also offers a full floating marina store, where visitors can purchase rods and reels, marine hardware, clothing, sunglasses, snacks and more. Skis, wave boards and knee boards are also for sale or rent at the Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock store.

Bass fishing is another favorite activity on Bull Shoals Lake. Largemouth bass, White bass, Striped bass and Black bass can all be reeled in from these waters! Record sized fish are pulled out of Bull Shoals Lake every year. Walleye, Crappie and Catfish are also good fish to throw a hook in for. There are some trout hatcheries below the Bull Shoals Dam that are famous for their trout – so the –variety of fish is as endless as the places to cast a line!

If you are after a lake activity that is a little more unique than most, try scuba diving in Bull Shoals Lake! For beginners or for advanced divers, there is a whole new world under the waves! Many divers call Bull Shoals ‘The Caribbean of the Midwest.’ There are over a dozen mapped dive sites for you to explore, and diving instructors offer beginner and advanced level classes in the lake’s waters. Sunken boats, old farm implements, rock formations and hundreds of different types of fish will keep divers entertained for hours on the lake floor. There are three air fill stations located at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock, Wagon Wheel Resort and Pontiac Cove Marina. Divers can explore here all year round.

So for a fun boat trip, a fishing trip or a diving trip, come visit Bull Shoals Lake, where activities abound! Be sure to pack some sunscreen and to follow proper water safety protocol so that your time at Bull Shoals Lake is as safe as it is enjoyable.