The lake level is 554.37 and has risen 1-1/2 inches in the last 24-hours with 1.2 inches of rain last night. It rained hard and the creeks are running and the water is brown where the creeks flow into the lake. The main lake is still clear and the surface water temperature is 54-degrees. The White River at Newport is 17.86 feet and medium high but they could have it a lot higher if they wanted to. They just will not drop the level much below the top of the power pool of 553.75 and keep us just one big rain from being flooded out. If they cannot manage it in the winter there is no chance when the spring rains come. The Corps of Engineers needs to be replaced and outsourced. I will talk to Donald about this. These cloudy afternoons are good for fishing starting about 4;PM and continuing until after dark. I am catching Crappie and stripers everyday either on a grub and minnow or on a slip float with a live minnow. It they start biting on the grub with minnow when it is cast past the brush and allowed to sink into it fishing can be fast. if not it can be slow but steady. They were about 20-feet down but came up shallow at about 6-8 feet yesterday for some reason just after sunset. From sunset until dark is definelely the best fishing. The winter big Norfork Lake crappie are back and biting but not all of the time. It can be slow during the middle of the day. Some nice Walleye and Catfish are back in the creeks in about 14-15 ft. of water around docks and biting live bait and small spoons. Go out on cloudy days just before it rains and let it rain you out and you should catch some nice fish. Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental continues to have the best place with the best price and Scuba Steve will help you catch fish. Compare prices and give Debbie a call at 870-492-5115 for a reservation. We are family owned and family operated and have many repeat customers. It is nice here and the price is right. Why pay more unless you just have too much money? If so stay at Blackburns and give the difference to disabled Veterans.
