The lake level is 556.53 and is the same as at this time yesterday with no discharge for over 2-days. They did open up sluice gates to an equivalent of 2/3rds of a generator at 8:Am this morning. Both generators are still inoperable. You would think the resources of the United states Government would be able to fix them after so many weeks. There is no effort to drop the lake level. It was 559.2 on this date last year. The White River at Newport is 4.51 feet and very low. They are regulating to 5-feet. The surface water tmeperature is 87-degrees and the ambient temperatures have dropped a bit to the mid 80's and it is very comfortable. The thermocline is at 25-feet with cold water at 30-feet. The visibility is good down to just over 20-feet and the mud line is not as bad as it was. Several fish are in the 25-30 ft. range including bass and walleye with many bluegill being shallower. There are huge amounts of bluegill of various sizes. Bass and Bluegill fry, creek minnnows and shad are all around the brush on main lake points. Walleye are biting better on the bottom at 30-ft. on a spoon. Some very large bass have moved into the brush at 20-25 ft. Crappie are still in open water on shad. I am seeing none on brush yet. Bink is still catching stripers, hybrids and some larger walleye deep in 60-70 ft. of water suspended at various depths on his spoon. Saltcraws are still working after dark with the black light for bass. Lake trafic is low during the week, moderate on weekends and very busy on holidays. I am ready for Labor Day to be over. Conditions look to be good for fishing and Scuba Diving this fall so far. The lake is at a good level and in excellent condition for boating, swimming, fishing and diving. The visibility coulld be better but it is improving. Blackburns has a few openings now until Labor Day with the best prices on both cabins and boat rentals in the Ozarks. A free stall for your boat comes with the cabin. Come on down and we will not charge you too much. Give Debbie a call at 870-492-5115 for a reservation. If you are not staying at Blackburns you are paying too much. We are your family headquarters and especially welcome Veterans and Police.
