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 552.59 and has dropped just a bit in the last 24-hours with three hours of running one generator. The lake is at a normal level for this time of year. The surface water temperature is 81-degrees and the summer thermocline is gone and the lake is homogenous down past 40-feet with no change in clarity or water temperature. The turnover had very little effect on lake conditions or fishing. Some fish are in open water on shad and some have moved to brush piles on other baitfish. Several baitfish have moved in shallow on cover. There is lot of food out there and the fish are fat. Bass, Crappie and a few Walleye are on main lake brush in 30-35 feet of water. The Bass were mostly Kentuckies but more Largemouth are moving in off shad. The White River at Newport is 2.69 feet and very low with not much lake water discharge to the river. It is very dry here but the 2.2 inches of badly needed rain a week and 1/2 ago really greened things up and helped the fall foliage. Everything is starting to change now with a little color. We need rain bad. Your best bet to catch fish is to drop a 1/4 ounce spoon in and around main lake point brush or use a slip float with a minnow set you bait about 3-4 feet further down than you can see it.  Points are holding more fish than the steep banks. More Walleye are also moving back to brush. Fishing is not great now but getting better with some nice ones being caught every day. Cooler weather is on the way after Wednesday. Fishing will get better and better as the water cools. The water clarity is just right. Big schools of crappie have not moved to brush yet but are still in places where they stay all year. Once you carch them off of there they are gone. The big ones have not moved in off the open water yet but will soon. They are later than last year. The lake overall is in excellent condition and at a good level. The outlook for fall fishing is good. You can still get a 1-bedroom cabin here at Blackburns for $69/day with a free stall for your boat at our big dock. 2,3,4 bedrooms are priced accordingly. You can launch right here and park and step right on the dock. No need to climb a cliff. or take a long walk. Compare prices and come on down. It is nice here and the price is right. Scuba Steve will show you where his brush piles are located. Call Debbie at 870-492-5115 for a reservation. Fishing is good close to the dock with no need to burn up a bunch of gass. We are also closest to Mountain Home, dining and shopping. Blackburns low prices will help cover the high gas prices.