A giant smallmouth caught fishing with Bink's Guide Service yesterday on top water. 
The lake level is 571.24 and has risen 8-inches in the last 24-hours with no generation. Yes, they have shut everything off in their quest to Keep the White River at Newport at 18-feet at all costs. The minor flood stage there is 26 feet. Beaver lake is about ready to go over the spillway and they are in a panic there with several spillway gates open. It is not where we are but how we got there. Mismanagement. The warm weather is now here and the lake surface temperature is rising and is now in the high 60's. The water is still clear and the bass are on the beds. The best bite now is early morning top water with some in the evening. Hybrids and bass are mostly what is coming up. If people keep killing those red meat fish (temperate bass) there will be none left. There were none stocked this year. The white bass are making a come back but are not near the same as before the fish kill last year. There are plenty of shad in the lake though. The flathead and smallmouth bite is winding up but some nice ones are still being caught but not nearly as many. Channel catfishing is picking up. I am still catching some good crappie on brush in 20-feet of water near the old shoreline. People sight fishing for bass on beds are doing well. It looks like summer is here and there is to be several days of sunshine early next week and we can finish painting the pool. It will be open before Memorial Day. The lake in general is in good condition.
