Lakeview

Sandwiched between the White River and Bull Shoals Lake, Lakeview offers one of the nation’s finest fishing and boating combinations in the Ozark Mountains. Defining the northern edge of Lakeview is Bull Shoals Lake, formed by Bull Shoals Dam. Below the dam, the White River snakes southeastward along the border of this small Ozark town.

Fishing Bull Shoals Lake and the White River

Lakeview is a year-round fishing hub for both warmwater species in the lake and coldwater trout in the river below the dam. 

Anglers on the lake target scrappy largemouth bass, spotted bass and white bass, along with crappie, channel catfish, bream and walleye. Near the Missouri-Arkansas state line, Bull Shoals Lake has a reputation for lunker bass fishing along with its twin, Lake Norfork, just to the east. Crank bluff walls and transitions for bass on the lake or hit the spring walleye spawning runs, when they move from the lake into tributaries. 

The White River, one of mid-America's premier trout streams, is famous for record rainbow and brown trout. Anglers come from across the country to fish the cold, clear water. Below Bull Shoals Dam, the tailwaters are known to produce browns that break the 30-pound mark and rainbows nearing 20. For a shot at huge browns, fish the White in the winter during spawning season, but avoid stepping on spawning beds. The nearby North Fork River below Norfork Dam is a great trout fishery as well. 

Anglers find success casting from boats or the bank on all waterways. Marinas, resorts, outfitters and guides service both the lake and river. You can purchase a fishing license and trout permit on the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission's website.

You don't need a fishing license to fall for Lakeview. Miles of lake arms and coves are a playground for tubing, wakeboarding, jet-skiing, swimming, and scuba diving. Or, just enjoy cruising on this big, relatively uncrowded lake.

Including the portion in Missouri, Bull Shoals Lake totals 45,440 surface acres, with nearly 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline and 60,000 acres of public land. Numerous parks offer recreational activities and amenities, including 18 boat ramps, 11 campgrounds, 13 picnic shelters, 11 marinas, 7 designated swim areas, and hundreds of miles of undeveloped shoreline.

Lakeview Cove Marina is a one-stop shop for boat rentals, fishing and swimming supplies, snacks, drinks, t-shirts, hats and hoodies.

Things to Do in the White River Region

Lakeview makes an ideal base camp for exploring the White River region. 

Bull Shoals-White River State Park is located on both the lake and the river. Overlooking the dam, the park’s visitor center highlights the area’s history and the construction of Bull Shoals Dam, the fifth-largest concrete dam in the United States. Year-round camping opportunities range from tent sites to Rent-an-RV units. The Trout Dock and Store sells bait and tackle and general merchandise and rents canoes, kayaks and boats and motors. The park also has two picnic areas and hiking and mountain biking trails.

Just down the road, Gaston’s White River Resort has three nature trails with prime birdwatching open to the public.

Explore nearby Mountain Home for shopping and more dining. 

In addition to the RV and tent camping at Bull Shoals-White River State Park, Lakeview has tons of lodging options, ranging from lakeside and riverside cabin rentals to family resorts and fishing lodges.

Whether your trip planning revolves around trophy trout, a family lake vacation, or a quiet retreat in the Ozarks, Lakeview has a water-loving lifestyle to match.