Norfork Lake Fishing Report by Hummingbird Hideaway Resort

Norfork Lake spring fishing is at its best. Hummingbird Hideaway Resort guests are having a blast. Stripers, hybrids, whites, largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass, catfish, as well as some walleye, crappie and bluegills. This is really a fun time to fish the lake with either artificial baits or live minnows. The fish are feeding heavily and are found on both shallow and deep water, main lake and creek points. The bite is good lake wide so make your fishing plans now.


The striped bass and hybrid bass bite is excellent at this time. You can find these fish both on main lake points and deep water bluff lines as well as back in the creeks and small coves. Our resort had 5 different boats of fishermen out this morning. We were all in different areas of the lake, but still only 5 - 15 minutes away from our resort. Everyone caught fish. Look for coves that come off of a long deep water bluff line, as well as, points back in major creeks. I was actually out on a main lake wide point with bluff lines on both sides, fish were on the shallow flat of the point as well as off each side in deep water. Most fish that I marked were 10 - 20 feet down, but were coming up for top water and shallow running swim baits. I ended up landing a 18.5 pounder, a 10 pounder and couple 6 pound hybrids. Either cast or troll swim baits with a 1/4 to 1 ounce 5 - 6 inch swim bait. I like Heddon Zara Spooks for my top water bait. I have also added a trailer to the back treble hook and it seems to help attract the fish. The best bite is from daylight to around 8AM and also in the afternoon from around 6PM to dark.

The best top water action is for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass. These fish seem to start feeding around 6:15AM.  Look for these fish in the same type of areas as the stripers.  Zara spooks, swim baits, flukes, and jerk baits are all working. During mid day time the fish will be slightly deeper so throw a lizard, jig & pig or a tube jig and work it along the bottom back to the boat in 10 - 20 feet of water. Spinner baits are working great after dark.

White bass are starting to show up in big numbers. I have found big schools on big flats in 20 - 30 feet of water. Top water early then down deep later. Blade baits, swim baits and spoons are working.

Catfishing is starting to get really good. This species has moved back into the creeks. Jugs and trot lines are working great, baited with a small bluegill or a shad if you have it. Look for them up shallow to 20 feet down.














Crappie and bluegill are finally moving onto shallow brush. Start looking for these species inside of the brush on the banks to right inside of the brush. Brush piles in 15-30 foot depths seem to be working the best. Use small jigs and minnows for crappie and crickets for bluegills.

Many walleye are being caught in similar areas as the stripers and largemouth. Small crank baits and swim baits seem to be catching fish. We're seeing a lot of short fish, but you get a keeeper on occasion.




The Norfork Lake Level is rising slowly with all the rain and currently sits at 557.3. Periodic power generation is keeping the level fairly stable. The surface water temperature is around 68 - 70 degrees. The main lake is clear and the creeks and coves are slightly stained.

Happy fishing and see you on the lake.