Located in the White River Valley, right in the heart of the Ozarks, sits a lake which has been given the nickname "Caribbean of the Midwest." Easy to access from Arkansas and Missouri both, this beautiful lake is popular for training, plus it boasts more than a dozen mapped dive sites and unlimited opportunities for exploration all along its 1,050 miles of shoreline. With sheer rocky walls and submerged hardwood forests, Bull Shoals Lake is an outstanding place to dive once or a thousand times.
Features and Highlights
Humans first settled the area between 20,000 and 9,000 BCE; the early Paleo period settlers were followed by cliff dwelling Native Americans, then by as many as fourteen tribes who followed. The Kickapoo, Fox, Sack, and Choctaw lived here, and in 1838, members of the Cherokee Nation followed as they migrated along the Trail of Tears. European settlers followed, then, in 1915 and 1927, massive flooding caused instability, leading to the ultimate building of a series of dams. As the farms and towns flooded once the dams were completed, they left behind some of the very dive sites technical divers can see along the riverbed. Recreational divers can see old homes too - but in the form of shallow bluffs and overhangs where early Native Americans once lived.
There are over a dozen dive sites around the lake that include the wreckage of boats or farm equipment, and more that take advantage of the lake's geology, which is magnificent, with fossileferous and marine sedimentary limestone, chert, sandstone, and shale in evidence.
Abundant aquatic life makes its home at Bull Shoals; as you explore, you'll find lots of different bass varieties, plus sunfish, trout, catfish, and more. There's a nine month season for catfish, crappie, and walleye for spearfishermen, and all year, you can take gar, carp, and drum.
Maximum depth in the lake is over 200 feet, and as the entire lake is open to diving, there is plenty to see and discover. Flags or SMB's are required, as the lake is equally shared with boaters of all types. Be cautious in areas where fish are abundant as fishing is, understandably, a favorite pastime here - there are bits of tangled line that can entangle you, and lost fishing tackle presents a hazard too. Bring a sharp knife and feel free to pick up any lures you find.
Visibility is best in the spring, before the algae blooms. Temperature varies seasonally, with highs in the summer reaching the 80s, and lows in winter hitting the 50's to 60's. There are thermoclines starting at 30 feet; at each 30 foot interval, you'll find yet another drop in temperature.
Whether you rent a houseboat or bring your own, or if you take advantage of the services of one of the many dive operators that frequent the lake, you're sure to enjoy an unforgettable experience. Air fills are available at Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock, Pontiac Cove Marina, and Wagon Wheel Resort, and dive centers from both Arkansas and Missouri frequent the lake. Amenities ranging from the rustic to the luxurious can be had nearby, and camp sites are plentiful. Bring your best dive buddy, and get ready to explore the hidden treasures of Bull Shoals Lake.