The lake level is 553.67 and is up 1-1/2 inches in the last 24-hours. They have not generated for several days and the White River at Newport is at 7+ feet and almost dried up. They just started generating but I bet that will not last long. Why will they not drop the lakes in the winter? Nobody knows. There needs to be some accountability. The lake is at a perfect level for fishing now with brush piles at good levels and parking and launches the same. The lake surface water temperature is dropping with the weather cooling and the cold precipitation falling into it. We did not get much, about 1/4 inch total. It started as sleet, changed to big snow flakes, went to rain, and then alternated from snow to rain everytime it started to accumulate. There is just a little on the north hillsides now and should be gone by noon. It is just to get into the lower 40's today but it is sunny out and not windy. I went out for a bit yesterday and caught a few but no picture fish. It was pretty miserable but it could have been worse if the wind had been blowing. I worked on the dock and went out between rains but there were not many betweens. Bass crappie and bluegill continue to be the best bite and the lake is clearing. We are to get a little more weather later this week and then warming up again. I have my cold weather gear all out and charged up and ready to go. Some years I do not even need it but it looks like it may be necessary this year. As long as there is no ice and the wind does not blow everything will be fine. This is one fine place to live. It is time for winter bass and crappie fishing for me.