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

The lake level is 552.66 and has dropped 1-inch in the last 24-hours with 1/3rd of a generator running continuously. Not much. The White River at Newport is 6.18 feet and very low and the surface water temperature is 76-degrees and is now dropping with the cooler daytime highs, overnight lows, sun angle and shorter days. . The water is stained green with poor visibility and Scuba Steve could not find a thermocline yesterday. The water temperature is nearly the same from the surface down to over 40-feet. The thermocline was at 32-feet but not now.  There will not be much of a lake turnover this year and the lake should start to clear as it cools. The new moon is the 21st this month and fishing should be pretty good by then and get better as we go into November. Bass are shallow off steep banks early and late and deeper during the day, Crappie are schooled and on brush from 25-30 ft. of water and roaming. Bluegill are shallower and biting well with the big moon. Catfish are on brush during the day near Bluegill and feeding shallow part way back in the creeks at night. Find Bluegill and Bass and Catfish will be near. Go against the wind when Crappie fishing and use your trolling motor sparingly and turn off spotlock. Cast past the brush with a jig or small grub and minnow and let it sink into it. Scuba Steve uses a Bobby Garland Baby Shad, blue ice in color or a 2-inch white twister tail tipped with a small minnow on a 1/16th ounce white with red eye jig head on 4 or 6 lb. clear line. You might get by with colored line now that the lake is stained but there is no reason to use it, especially when the water clears. Also get rid of the braid. There is a top-water bite some days early and late with White Bass and Bass coming up. When they go down drop a spoon. The fall foliage is starting to change again with some color this time instead of just brown. We are getting a shower some afternoons about 5-5:30 PM and they are keeping things green. Things are looking good and overall the lake is in good condition. The weather looks great again for the next week. The boat traffic is low and this is a good time to visit Norfork Lake and Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental for some nice weather, scenery, fishing, scenic drives, peace and quiet and low prices. One bedroom cabins start at $69/day and $395/week and 2-bedrooms are $89/day and $495/week and come with a free stall for your boat at our big dock on two day stays or more. 3&4 bedrooms are priced accordingly. You can launch right here with ample parking and are not huddled up on a cliff. It is perfect for a single person. We will help you if you need it. Compare prices and call Debbie at 870-492-5115 for a reservation. It is nice here and we will not charge you too much. All cabins are individual with no duplexes and all have big covered porches to get out of the weather. We especially welcome Veterans and Police. Scuba Steve will show you where his brush piles are located. He has some good ones.