John Bornhop from St. Charles, Missouri with some of yesterday's catch. He is one good fisherman. 
The lake level is 556.73 and has risen 3-1/2 inches in the last 24-hours with no generation since yesterday afternoon. The White River at Newport is 12.79 and dropping quickly to 12-feet. The surface water temperature is 74-degrees on the main lake and warmer in the shallower creeks. The water is still stained in the creeks but much more clear on the main lake and you can see your lure down about 7-feet. We are now back to the top of the p[ower pool and they may let out a bit more water when needed. We do not need the lake to rise anymore. This is their best chance to keep it normal for the summer and we will see if there is any desire to do so. Maybe they will need some electricity somewhere in the Southwestern Power distribution area and be forced to let some out. They sure do not want to. It is hard to believe we are past the middle of May already. I cleaned a few crappie yesterday for a friend and a few of them were males but most were spawned out females. Just because they have a few eggs in them does not mean they have not spawned. They do not always spawn all of them. All three kinds are being caught now, white, black and black-nosed. Some larger Bluegill are on beds. There was a good top-water bite this morning for stripers and bass. It is very busy here at Blackburns with people taking advantage of the best prices of both cabins and boat rentals in the Ozarks. I do not have as much time to fish as I wish but that is to be expected this time of year. Resort business comes first. If I had more time I would not have very many customers. The lake is in excellent condition for both fishing and boating and barring a big rain in the Norfork River watershed it looks to be a good holiday. Come on down to Blackburns and we will not charge you too much.
