Norfork Lake fishing Report

If you are wanting to catch largemouth, smallmouth, hybrid and striper bass as well as catfish now is time to come and fish Norfork Lake in the Arkansas Ozarks. The sun is shining and the air temperature will be in the 70's today.

I must apologize for the lateness of my report, but I have had no time to get out on the lake myself. With the cancellation of the Basscat Owners Invitational Tournament on May 6th, a group of us got together and started to form our own fishing Derby. My time has been consumed in the venture. Our fishing Derby will be held on May 20th and 21st for any Basscat boat owner that would like to participate. Registration is this Thursday, May 19th at the Lake Norfork Inn from 4 - 7PM. Take-off will be at Panther Bay Marina and Weigh-in will be at Cranfield Corps of Engineers pavilion by the launch area. Registration Fee is $100.00 and several other option side pots are available. Should be a great time. Call me for more details 870-492-5113.

All my current reports are coming from my guests and guide friends, good credible information. Largemouth and smallmouth fishing has been really good. You will find the fish on sunken roadways and parking lots as well as in the brush. Spinner baits, floating worms and grubs with a 1/8 ounce jig head are working well. You may want to go to a weedless hook set. Most of the black bass have spawned out so they are starting to feed heavily. Top water activity is still going on so be ready.

Stripers and hybrids are feeding along the brush line early in the morning. I have had reports of good fish being caught in the Cranfield, Bennett's, midlake creeks and in the dam area. Top water baits are working early and late in the day. Flukes with a weighted hook and grubs are producing some nice fish. If you are a live bait fishermen then pitch your bait as close to the brush line as possible with no weight then just wait, they will come out after it. If no hits in 15 minutes or so go to the next point until you find them.

Catfish are hitting jugs and trotlines really well. Live shiners are a good bait at this time. I usually set my line late in the day and check them at first light. If your pole fishing find some flooded grassy areas and cast out a night crawler with a weight on it. The cats, hybrids, walleye and black bass are feeding in these areas, you will have fun.

Walleye are starting to hit all the above baits. Use whatever method of fishing you prefer. Walleye are being caught in the brush on spinner baits or live minnows, and along the grassy banks with nightcrawlers and floating worms.

The Norfork Lake level is still falling slowly and currently sits at 577.9. The surface water temperature has dropped to the low to mid 60's, but should start rising again with the upcoming warmer temperatures. Most of the lake is stained (great fishing color). The mud has settled out and clearing is happening daily.

Happy fishing and hopefully see you on the lake very soon.