Norfork Lake Fishing Report

Yesterday morning was a perfect day for fishing on Norfork Lake, even with the light rain. Today, however, is a different story. Snow flurries, cold, and strong winds. This current weather pattern is to last a couple of days, but then get back to normal. I will get back to the business of fishing at that time.

I had a great day of fishing yesterday. I got back to Float Creek at around 7 AM. A few boats were already fishing. I spent the first half hour graphing different areas in Float, then I finally started to mark some big fish. I haven't used the large shiners since last winter so I decided to give them a try. I put out 4 down poles. Each pole had a 3/4 ounce egg sinker, a plastic bead and a number 7 barrel swivel. The bead helps protect the knot from the sinker. I then put on a 2 - 3 foot leader with a kahle hook. I was using a number 4 hook yesterday, small but effective with the size of the shiners. When using large gizzard shad as bait, tie on a much larger hook. I still use 8 pound test Ande green monofilament line. I started to drift down the deep bluff side on the edge of the channel. I tried to stay in 40 - 50 feet of water and the fish were at all depths. I had each pole at a different depths starting at 30 feet down to the bottom. I caught fish at all depths. The bite started around 8AM and lasted for about 2 hours in this location. I ended up landing 4 stripers and 1 hybrid in the 8 to 12 pound range and broke off 4 others. I don't know why I had all the break offs but they seemed to be close to my knots. I guess I retied my poles too late the night before and my eyes sight was just not good enough!!! When my boat drifted into 30 - 40 feet of water I started to get black bass. They were all the nice big ones. I landed 7 bass and the 4 in the photos would not go back down, so we had fish tacos for supper.

When the bite stopped close to the bank I headed out to the deeper water in the main channel. I ended up catching two other stripers. Both were caught when I was moving with my trolling motor. So this meant that my baits were much higher up in the water. The fish are continually moving so make sure you check out all areas. I have also received reports of stripers being caught in all the major creeks and also up in the Calamity area.

Crappie have moved over the brush in deep water. The brush in 40 feet of water is producing some nice fish. The Crappie are suspended over the brush from 15 - 40 feet down. Bass and walleye are also hanging close to the brush piles.

As you have noticed by my last couple of reports, I have been using live bait more than I usually do. I'm in a learning mode. My new boat gives me many more options. I have been testing out the shad tank and also learning how to throw a cast net and catch my own bait. I will be fishing the live bait method for a while until my comfort level is right with all aspects. Then I'll be back to artificial bait fishing, which I dearly enjoy.

The Norfork Lake water level is holding fairly steady and currently sits at 546.7. The surface water temperature was in the 54 to 55 degree range. The lake is clear and just gorgeous.

Stay warm, happy fishing and see you on the lake.

Have a great holiday season.