Scuba Steve releasing yesterday's catch under Blackburns Dock. He releases all of his fish during spawn. 
The lake level is 663.60 and has dropped 1/2 inch in the last 24-hours with the one operating generator running about 8-hours from 9:AM to 5:PM. The surface water temperature is 64-degrees and has been stable for several days with the alternating warm and cold ambient temperature. A cold front is still coming through about once a week followed by high pressure, North winds and cool nights. We need a few warm nights with lows in the 60's for the Threadfin Shad to spawn and the top-water bite to get into full swing. It is late.They like at least 70-degrees, The Gizard Shad are already spawning but there are not nearly as many of them. Most Stripers are still in open water on shad and are best caught on the spoon. A few Bass are in 30-ft. of water on the bottom but some are coming up early and late with some White Bass with them. Some are also spawning and some on beds. When fishing deep fish it does not matter much which color the lure as they cannot tell the difference much past 40-ft. deep and a light color is better. It is the action or no action that makes the difference. Crappie are staging for spawn but not very many are on beds. I am catching some male singles in about 10-ft. of water back in the creeks casting the 1/16th ounce jig. The lake overall is in excellent condition and at a good level and fishing is getting better. The water is actually too clear making the fish boat, line and trolling motor shy. Use light clear line with no hardware and tie the lure directly on the line, use your ttolling motor sparingly, and stay as far away from the bank as you can cast for best results. Panther Creek is usually one of the best places to start for top-water bite for red-meat fish about now. Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental is still the best place with the best price and closest to Mountain Home, dining and shopping. A free stall for your boat at our dock comes with the cabin.
