The lake level is 557.16 and has dropped 3+ inches in the last 24-hours with 1-1/2 generators running most of the time. The power pool level is 555.75. The surface water temperature is 87-degrees and the lake is clear from the surface but cloudy down to the 30+ foot thermocline. The creeks are stained a bit but a good color for fishing. The lake in general is in good condition but will be better after the boat traffic from the holiday goes away and the lake clears up again. It has been a very busy holiday and I am glad it is over. Let the fall fishing begin. September continues to be a busy month here at Blackburns with the price dropping as of today to $59/day for a one bedroom cabin and a free stall for your fishing boat. I will miss the jet skis and Queen Mary boats and the big wakes. Lake of the Ozarks is a very good place for them. They like them there. I tried to take my bass boat up there once but it would not go. Spooning continues to be the best technique but the brush is getting shallower and the fish are moving a little deeper. Find brush in 32-35 feet of water on the main lake. Blackburns has several of them at that depth. Trollers are catching a few stripers but they are small and getting smaller and smaller but they keep killing them. I expect to see fewer striper guides on the lake next year. Walleye are replacing stripers as the go to fish on Norfork but bass, crappie and catfishing is still very popular. There are a lot of big bluegill out there and they may be the best eating. White bass fishing is coming back a bit but is still not near what is was a few years ago when you could almost catch them at will. There is a lot of bait fish especially near the bank near cover. Some fish are coming up back in the creeks in the evening, mostly bass and mostly small. Try a creature bait or worm in the buckbrush in the evening at sunset. I see some bass fishermen using buzz baits back in the creeks but I do not use them so I cannot report on their success. I am a grub, spoon, jig, spitin image and jerk bait fisherman with a spook now and again. Call Debbie at 870-492-5115 for a reservation. We have the best prices on the lake. The weather looks to be great for at least the next week.
