Norfork Lake Arkansas near Mountain Home in the Ozarks Mountains Region Fishing Report and lake Condition by Scuba Steve from Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental.

Caught fishing with Bink's Guide Service yesterday.Image title

The lake level is 553.64 and has dropped 1-inch in the last 24-hours with one generator running continuously. We are now below the top of the power pool and Southwestern Power has control of the generation. That will not last long with the upcoming rain starting later today. The White River at Newport is 16.41 feet and is also dropping. The surface water temperature was 50-degrees on the main lake and 53 back in the creeks when I came in last night. The water is still stained but is clearing a bit with the reduced generation and I could see my lure down 3-4 feet about everywhere. It is more clear near the bank. A lot of bait fish has been blown to the south facing creeks with the persistent southerly winds and bass are on them anywhere from 35-45 feet of water suspended at different depths. All of this will not matter as the heavy rain and cold front that is coming will change everything. Some walleye are finished spawning and White Bass have also started. The full moon is on Sunday and the stripers will move to the shallow flats to simulate a spawn very soon. They always go to the same places and it is very predictable. Some are there now. 5-inch suspending stickbaits are the lure of choice. Everything will change by tomorrow so this report does not mean much except for the stripers. You have to be out there everyday to know what is going on and you will be the first to know. I have been here too long to make any predictions on what will happen to the lake with the rain but it makes a big difference where and how much we get. A local rain is not bad but a big one in the Norfork River water shed will not be good. I caught a few nice crappie on jigs just before dark and spooned up some bass on shad but do not like fishing in the wind. Blackburns is still the best value in the Ozarks and will have no price increases again this year and your first boat stall is still free. Can't beat that. We are working very hard to make things better here. Come on down and check us out. You will like what you see.