Norfork Lake Fishing Report

Several of our fishing guests have had good luck with early morning and late afternoon fishing trips. They were fishing with a live bait fishing guide, Tom Reynolds, of STR Outfitters. The largest Striped bass was 16 pounds, but all fish gave a great fight on Tom's 10ft long poles with light line and tackle. They were using live shad and fishing in 35 - 55 feet of water. The stripers were on the bottom, as well as suspended in 20 - 30feet of water. The Striper bite is going strong and improving each day. The afternoon bite started last week and seems to be holding. The fish are being caught in the mid lake area not far from the bridges. Stripers are also being caught on spoons by either vertical jigging or casting the spoon and letting it fall to the bottom, then giving a few quick cranks and letting it fall to the bottom again. The fish will typically hit the spoon on the fall so watch your line carefully.

Spotted bass, large mouth and white bass are being caught close to the surface early morning and at sunset on main lake points. Keep a top water bait handy for these times. As the sun rises the fish including small mouth bass are going deeper to 20 - 40 feet of water. Throw a grub or your favorite plastic bait up to the shore and then let it drop to the bottom and retrieve slowly.

Crappie and walleye are being caught around brush piles in 30 - 40 feet of water. Live crappie minnows are working well for crappie. Night crawlers and shiners, Carolina rigged are working for the walleye. Vertical jigging or casting a spoon and letting it fall to the bottom is also working for walleye.

Since my boat is rented this week I haven't been out pole fishing, but I have been setting my trotline. I have been catching some nice flatheads, channels and blues. Jugging is also working well with live bait. I have been using shiners, goldfish and crawdad for my baits.

Start thinking about your fall fishing trip. The stripers and hybrids usually start surfacing once the water temperature gets back in the 60's and 70's. The crappie will stay over the brush, but will become more active in the cooler water. We will also start having our late night bite for striped bass and walleye. This is one of my favorite fishing times.

The Norfork Lake water level is falling and is at 556.36. Both generators are being run 12-18 hours per day. The main lake is clear with the creeks and coves somewhat stained due to the receding water level washing mud into the water. This will clear once the water level stabilizes. The lake surface temperature52. is in the mid 80's and holding.

As for the vacationing non-fishing boaters. The water has been calm with little or no wind early and a slight chop in the afternoon. I find the water best for skiing, tubing and wakeboarding early in the morning. Not many boats are on the water and you can travel for miles and be in complete solitude except for the occasional eagle fishing or deer coming down to the waters edge for a drink. The air temperature has been in the 70's early and 80's in the afternoon. Overall a great week to play on Norfork Lake.

Until my next report happy fishing & skiing. See you on the lake.