Norfork Lake Fishing Report

LINDA AND I WISH ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The weather warmed and the fishing heated up over the last several days on Norfork Lake. Striped bass fishing has been good, but the fish are moving. It appears that they are shallow (30 - 40 feet deep on the bottom)early in the morning, then they go deeper as the sun comes up. When they go deep you can find them on the bottom or suspended at 50 to 60 foot depths. You need to use your electronics to find the fish and the word is that they are hanging close to deep bluff lines. Fish are scattered and can be caught all over the lake. My guests have caught fish over the last several days in Float Creek, in the 101 and Bennetts area, the Henderson area and also in the Cranfield area. I caught and released fish in Panther Creek as well as Fall Creek on Monday. Live large shiners are working well fished straight down next to the boat.

Crappie are over the brush piles from 15 to 40 feet down. I fished for Crappie on Sunday afternoon and caught several in our cove and also over brush in the Cranfield area. I was using a small white grub tipped with a Crappie minnow. This method also caught 5 black bass. Bass are being caught in all depths of water, but I have been having the best luck in 30 - 35 feet of water. I have been releasing the bass and crappie under my dock. I hope they stick around.

The Norfork Lake level is falling slowing and currently sits at 545.65. The Corps is running a couple of generators sporadically during the day. The surface water temperature is close to 50 degrees or just a little lower. The lake is clear.

It appears Basscat Boats has elected to stay at Norfork Lake for their 2011 Owners Invitational. It will be held on May 20th and 21st. Plans for a week long list of events and activities are being put together to make the 25th anniversary OI a great success. They are gearing towards making the event even more family friendly. If you need a place to stay give us a call for reservations.

Have a safe and Merry Christmas and see you on the water.