Norfork Lake Scuba Report For August 17,2016 By Scuba Steve From Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental on Norfork lake

I took off several days because the heavy rains really muddied up the lake with the runoff, even though the lake did not rise very much, and destroyed the visibility. It is now nearly 554 and has come up again this week with the steady rain for three days. We received 1.7 inches total and it all sunk in this time with the creeks not running. I went diving yesterday and it was much better. The thermocline is still at 27 feet and there are quite a few fish just at or just below that on main lake brush. The surface temperature is 84 degrees and the water is very comfortable as is the ambient temperature which is about 80 and is to be in the 70's for several days coming up. Our normal high is 90. I saw no crappies but walleye and large bluegill are with bass at that depth. I saw no catfiush but were not looking for them. It was good to see fish move onto the brush as they have not been there for several weeks since about July 1st. It will not be long before the crappie move in and hopefully I will be there. I would rate the visibility as fair but I can see as far as my speargun can shoot and that is all I need. The mudline has just about gone and I saw no algae in the water. This could be a good fall for diving. I am really only after walleye and crappie but a few big redear work too and maybe a white bass. Work the mainlake points on brush at 25-32 feet.