Norfork Lake Fishing Report

The weather in the Ozarks is gorgeous, the Norfork Lake water level is stable and the water is clear. We have had some fantastic fall weather and by the forecast there is more to come. The temperature has been in the 70's during the day and mid to upper 40's at night. This is our normal fall weather. Can't ask for a better time to fish. The bass fishing has been really good. I have been fishing in the mornings and have caught bass with a top water bait along deep bluff lines as well as down deep back in creeks. The bigger fish seem to be in approximately 40 feet of water on the points of creeks, as well as, back into the creek where the water starts to get shallower. Most of my deep fish have hit on live shiners, but a jig & pig, plastic worms or a swimming minnow should work as long as you get it down to the 35 - 45 feet depth. Yesterday morning I caught 4 largemouth bass in the 3-4 pound range and 4 undersized Kentucky bass on a Zara Spook. I released all fish immediately except for the one in the photo. It was caught in deep water and could not swim back down. I haven't learned how to vent fish, but need to. This bass will make a good meal. I fished the Diamond Bay area and kept looking out to the main lake to see if the stripers are coming up. I still haven't seen any striper top water action, but feel certain it will happen soon.

The stripers can be found from the mid lake area, Panther Creek, Float Creek, Robinson flats and in the channel past Bidwell point. They are still in deep water from 60 to 170 feet suspended in 40-60 feet of water. Live bait is still working the best. Live shiners or thread fin shad are the baits of choice.

Catfish are biting well on trot lines baited with live shiners. I caught a 10 pound blue cat this morning. I have been catching channel cats and blue cats on a consistent basis. I have my line set in about 10 - 15 feet of water.

I haven't had a chance to crappie fish lately and have heard no reports. They should be over brush in 40 - 50 feet of water and more than likely are suspended over the brush. Try a grub tipped with a crappie minnow and slowly float over the brush.

No report on walleye's being caught, but with the cooling water they should be in 15-25 feet of water. Drag a crawler harness across main lake points and deep bluff lines. If you have a down rigger or can use lead core line, use a small crank bait in the same areas.

The Norfork Lake level is holding steady at 570.58. They are forecasting that the lake level should start dropping slowly. The Corps is generating 1-2 generators for the biggest part of the day. The lake surface water temperature is 62-63 degrees and has held steady. We should start seeing another drop with the cooler nights being forecast. The main lake is clear and the creeks have a brownish tint, but are starting to clear.

Happy fishing and see you on the lake.