The Hayleys from Wisconsin are catching some good fish of different species. 
The lake level is 553.28 and has dropped 1/2 inch in the last 24-hours with just a few hours of generation. The White River at Newport is now at 18.5 feet and dropping. The water there is certainly not coming from Norfork. We are approaching the middle of January and there are no signs of any effort to drop the lake for the winter. 560 is the level where there starts to be problems and we are not far away from that. The water temperature was 52 degrees yesterday afternoon when I went out and the lake is clearing everyday and is a good color for fishing and the fishing was good. We had fishermen out from Illinois, Missouri, Michigan and Wisconsin and they all caught fish. Striper, crappie and bass were the species most caught with walleye, bluegill and catfish slowing. The ambient temperature was in the early 60's and the sun was shining with light winds and the conditions were perfect. When the sun goes down it cools off fast. You may think you do not need a coat when you go out but you will if you fish until dark. The best bite was starting at about 4:PM until sunset and then slowed way down at dark. You can just say it quit. Most crappie were in the 11-inch range but a couple of pretty big ones were also caught along with a few throwbacks. A few bass were with the crappie and most were next to the brush on the bottom in about 25-ft. None were caught in over 30-feet. It was a good day. Bink is on the temperate bass in deep water in Big Creek using his spoon. I am not fishing for them but some are near Cranfield Island on the south side. It was a good day but changes are coming Saturday and another cold front by monday. Come on down to Blackburns. We will not charge you too much. Please get your deposits in for cabins and boats reserved for later this year to hold them. We are getting many more calls than normal and we do not want you to have to pay more somewhere else. It looks to be a good year so far and we have been getting ready all winter for spring. Give Debbie a call at 870-492-5115.
