Norfork Lake Arkansas near Mountain Home in the Ozarks Mountains Region Fishing Report and Lake Condition by Scuba Steve from Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental.

Darrel From Bink's Guide service with a nice one. The lake level is 570.31 and is the same as it was at this time yesterday with one generator running continuously. They opened up spillway gates equivalent to 1-3/4 more generators for a total of 2-3/4 generators at 8:AM this morning. It is starting to drop now. I do not know why they are bypassing the other generator which was down for 2-years for maintenance. It seems like a waste of money to me. I will ask Elon about this.  The White River at Newport is 27.08 feet and trying to get back in its banks. The surface water temperature is about 62-degrees. The larger creeks are still brown but the debris should stick to the banks if they continue to drop the lake and some of the mud should go over the spillway clearing the lake with the fresh spring water coming in. More rain is expected Saturday and Sunday but things are drying out nicely now. Go south of Robinson Island and find some clear water part way back in a creek and the larger Smallmouth Bass are pre-spawn feeding and the Females are in the buckbrush on the old shore line and the Males are on nests. Toss a creature bait on a jig head or gitzit as far to the bank as possible beating the bank slowly casting to every opening in the brush. Be prepared to lose several baits. This is the only time Scuba Steve tries to go weedless. Release the fish immediately. A few White Bass are in the same area. The top-water bite usually starts on April 15th but there is not much so far but they will start soon so be ready with a Zara Spook or Spitin Image. Crappie are in the creeks in brown water and spawning near the shore behind the buckbrush and hard to get to. They will not like it when the water starts to drop quickly if it does. Everything now depends on how fast the lake level drops except for the top-water bite which will start no matter what and will really pick up when the threadfin shad spawn at a water temperature approaching 70-degrees and the walleye bite will get good when the thermocline forms. Scuba Steve will let you know. Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental continues to have the best place with the best price on both cabins and boat rentals in the Ozarks. You can get a 1-bedroom cabin for $69/day and a free stall for your boat comes with a cabin rental of two days or more. Compare prices and give Debbie a call at 870-492-5115 for a reservation. It is nice here and the price is right. We especially welcome Veterans and Police. Scuba Steve is a Veteran but does not need nearly as much policing as he used to for some reason. Come on down. We will not charge you too much and you can launch your boat right here.