July 30.2023 Scuba Diving and Spearfishing Report for Norfork Lake Arkansas near Mountain Home in the Ozarks Mountains Region by Scuba Steve from Blackburns Resort and Boat Rental.

The norfork Lake level is 556.86 and is now dropping slowly with both generators still being inoperable but they are using sluice gates ot regulate the level. The surface water temperature is 88-degrees and the ambient temperature has been very hot with highs in the mid to upper 90's but that is typical for northen Arkansas at the end of July and early August. The thermocline starts at 23-feet and the water is very cold at 30. The visibility is good down to about 20-feet and then there is a mud line from there to about 27-feet with very little visibility. Most of the walleye are in this area and are hard to see. Catfish are on logs or near the bottom shallower and are easier to see. White Bass are roaming and can show up about anywhere. Crappie have not moved in from open water yet to the brush but usually do this at the end of August. Scuba Steve is getting some nice walleye by getting down into the cold water and looking up while going very slowly and letting the fish come to him. You will not get many fish trying to cover a lot of ground. The lake is at a good level and I anticipate spearfishing conditions to be excellent in late August and continuing into the fall. I dove until the first week in November last year. Blackburns has cabins at the best prices in the Ozarks and has a dive boat ready for you to rent. Compare prices and give Debbie a call at 870-492-5115 for a reservation.