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 550.64 and has dropped 1-1/2 inches in the last 24-hours with 1-1/2 generators running for about 8-hours in that period. The water is clearing and Scuba Steve could see his lure down about 6-feet. It is very clear near the shore and that is where the coldest water is located. Try to stay in the warmest water this time of year. The surface water temperature is 63-degrees and should stabilize for a while with the upcoming warm weather. It has been cold for two days. The weather looks great for the next week. The White River at Newport is 3.77 feet and very low and hard to navigate with a boat. They do not want to let out any water and if they do not let out some the river will dry up. Scuba Steve would like to see the water drop about another 2-1/2 feet going into the rainy season in May to make room.  We would not be where we are now except for how dry it is. We need some rain badly going into the winter.  Fishing is picking up as the water clears and the surface water temperature drops. Red meat fish are schooled and are on shad in Blackburns Creek area at the mouth and around Mallard Point in front of the houses. Check the windblown sides first and the channel swings. The term flats is overused as there are always flats on the opposite side of the river from the steep deep banks. Look out in front of the places where the channel changes directions and heads to the other bank and the wind has been predominately blowing into. I have not seen any Gulls in this area yet but when they show up the Stripers will be in the above described areas near the surface on shad. There are two things happening here. Sometimes the feeding Stripers are pushing the shad to the top and come up with them. More times the shad are wounded or stunned by the feeding stripers below and float up to the top where the bass and birds are after them. This is a good time to drop a spoon below the places where you see any action on the surface to catch the larger fish several feet down. Birds are a good sign Stripers are around but do not rely on them. They migrate for 7-months and then you will not know what to do when they are gone.  Just running around chasing birds will not make you a better fishermen but it has it's days. They will be here soon though. They started stocking Stripers in the Cranfield area several year ago and that is the best place for them most of the time except for the hot time of summer when they go south. They also stock them in Bennet's Bayou.  Several of the larger ones died late this summer again but there is a good population of 5-8 pounders. The days of routinely catching Stripers in the 30-40 pound range like in the 90's and earlier in the 2000's are over but they stock a lot of them just like they stock put and take rainbows in the rivers and they are fun to catch. Scuba Steve has caught his share in the past and now fishes for species where you do not have to cut 1/2 the meat off and throw it away to eat it or drag live bait around all over the lake with a half of dozen poles in a rod holder until they catch themselves. Also trolling umbrellas is not for me but to each their own. I like feeling the thump and setting the hook. If you are coming to the Mountain Home area for the holidays and  need a place to stay Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental is the place. We have the best place with the best price and location in the Ozarks. We are closest to Mountain Home, dining and shopping and also offet peace and quiet. We especially welcome Veterans and Police. Come on down and we will not charge you too much. It is nice here.