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.

The lake level is 568.93 and has risen 4.2 inches in the last 24-hours with one generator running continuously and spillway gates open to an equivalent of another 2-1/4 generators for a total of 3-1/4. That is quite a bit and it is a good thing. We have only received 1-inch of rain here at Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental but they got more in the Norfork River watershed in Missouri. Bryant creek at Tecumseh was 9.8 feet but is now 7.09 feet and dropping. A lot of water is heading this way but there has been much more in the past. The flood stage there is 16-feet. If it gets close to that we had better watch out. The White River at Newport is 24.20 where the minor flood stage is 26-feet and has been fairly stable for several days. The surface water temperature was 64-degrees last evening when Scuba Steve came it at dark. Fishing was not very good and he had to work for just a few bass and released them under the dock. Fish are spawning everywhere. The water was brown everywhere he went and was the same color in the creeks as on the main lake. There was some debris but if you took it easy there was no problem. After dark not so smart to be out there. The strong storms have went North so far in the Lake of the Ozarks area but our bad weather is yet to come. If we get through from 4PM-6:PM today we should be ok but that has not happened yet. The lake will continue to rise despite the heavy discharge. They started it too late but better late than never. A couple of years ago it would have been never. They have been doing a better job of getting the lake down to the top of the power pool more quickly but not so good at allowing it to get above it. When it gets below 553.75 and turn the dam management over to Southwest Power thay just quit and refuse to drop the lake. Scuba Steve is going down to the dock to triple tie all of the boats and tighten up dock cables now. The next three hours are critical and I will be as prepared as possible and will keep you informed on what is happening on Norfork lake. The conditions are concerning. Scuba Steve back in at 6:30 PM. Bad stuff gone and mostly went North. Got some heavy rain for about 1/2 hour with 0.7 inches total.  Creeks running brown. What we need right now is for the government to keep letting out water and we will be fine.  Everything looks good here at Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental. The inflow from the creeks is warm water and is 55-56 degrees. We here would like the lake level to drop but there is no catastrophe here. Top-water bite is immient and it looks to be good. Scuba Steve is ready to catch some top-water bass and some Catfish.