The fishing patterns on Norfork Lake in the Arkansas Ozarks has been unchanged for the last 3 - 4 weeks. The fish are deep, but once you find them you will have a great time. I have been out the last couple of evenings for about an hour around sunset and have had good success. I have been vertical jigging with a spoon in 30-40 feet of water and have caught white bass and kentucky bass. I have been fishing main lake points on bluff ends. I have mainly been working the Cranfield island area.
September through November is a popular time of year for bass fishermen on Lake Norfork. We currently have several guests fishing for bass and having a good time. They are using plastic worms and lizards. The fish are around the bluff banks and on bluff points in 25 - 35 feet of water. Yesterday one guest caught over 20 largemouth, smallmouth and kentucky bass with the largest being 4.5 pounds. Darker color baits have been working the best since it has been cloudy. Lighter colors seem to work good on clear and sunny days. Jig and pigs are also working very well.
Walleyes are being caught in the same areas and depths as the bass. You can either vertical jig with a spoon or drag a Lindy rigged crawler harness. Try to find big chunk rock on the points or bluffs.
We have another guest who is fishing for striped bass. He landed a 18, 15 and 12 pounder yesterday afternoon and this morning landed a 20 and 15 pounder. He is using live shad and catching the fish on the bottom in 60 - 80 feet of water. Vertical jigging with a spoon will also work. Watch your fish finder and when you find the school drop your spoon through the school and start jigging up and down. The Striper usually hit the spoon on the fall. If you see your line go slack set the hook quickly.
Catfish have been active on trotlines and jugs. Live bait is working the best. Use small bluegill, large shiners or crawfish. I have been catching blues, flatheads and channels.
Blue gill are still biting very well. Nightcrawlers and crickets are the best baits at this time. You can find the panfish close to shore as well as in 20 - 40 feet depths.
Crappie are holding over the deep brush piles. I have caught several while jigging with a spoon. They are in 20 - 40 feet of water over the brush piles or large trees that have been sunk. When you find the brush, use a live crappie minnow and a slip float for best results or a twister tail grub with a 1/16oz jig head. Tip the jig with a live crappie minnow, cast the jig over the brush and let it sink to the top of the brush pile then pull back and let it sink again. Watch for your line to go slack or start moving sideways, then set the hook.
The Norfork Lake level is mainly holding steady at 553.2. The lake surface temperature is in the low 80's. Main lake water is clear with a slight green tint, the creeks and channels are stained. The Corps is running one to two generators for about 5 - 6 hours per day.
Happy fishing and see you on the lake.
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