Scuba Steve yesterday.
The lake level is 556.64 and has risen 5-inches in the last 24-hours. They just lowered sluice gates to an equivalent of 2/3rds of a generator a couple of hours ago. Both generators are still down. The White River at Newport is 5.57 feet and rising as they received very heavy rain with flooding in the Newport area last night. We had two rain events here at Blackburns on Wednesday totaling 3-inches but the creeks did not run and the lake did not rise much. The heavy rain went south of us. The weather channel had us right in the bull's eye for severe weather but we were fortunate to miss most of it again. Things look to be pretty good for the next week with some rain chances but nothing severe or no rain-outs. The thermocline was at 27-feet yesterday with clear water down to 25-feet and a small mud line down to the cold water at 30-feet. A lot of fish are in the 27-32-ft. range. The visibility has improved a lot in recent days and diving conditions are excellent. Catfishing is getting good with the moon getting small and the river rising on drop-shotted jugs and trot lines with live bait. I do not use cut or prepared bait much but it also works this time of year. Flatheads will not bite anything but live bait and that is what I like to catch the most. All kinds are good out of Norfork. Walleye and some crappie have joined the bass on main lake brush in 27-32 feet of water with the crappie on top and the walleye just around but near the brush. Bluegill and small bass are everywhere but larger bass have recently joined in. I repeat, there are a lot of fish on main lake brush in 27-32-feet suspended at various depths and all you have to do is to get down to them. Spoons, jigs and grubs will all work. Live minnows on a slip float also works. Stripers, Hybrids and White Bass are all in seep water at 60-75 feet but you kill everything you bring up with no chance to cull size. Overall the lake is in excellent condition and at a good level for boating, swimming, diving and fishing. I have seen no algae bloom or flocculant in the water so far and visibility is excellent for August. The surface water temperature is 85-degrees and has dropped a few degrees with the cooler ambient temperature. Blackburns has a couple of cabins and boats to rent open from now to Labor Day with the best prices in the Ozarks. A free boat stall comes with your cabin. Give Debbie a call at 870-492-5115 for a reservation. We especially welcome Veterans and Police and will not charge you too much. If you are not staying at Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental you are paying too much.
