Norfork Lake fishing really has not changed a lot since my
last report two weeks ago. The lake temperature has dropped a little and the
thermocline has dropped to basically the edges of the old river channel. The
deep water will eventually become totally oxygenated and the water temp will be
consistent from surface to the bottom. I have mainly been fishing on the
various flats in the mid to northern parts of the lake. Heading west of my
resort, Hummingbird Hideaway Resort, the flats are near Mallard Point,
Cranfield Island, Cranfield Campground, Seward Point, Briar Creek and then up
around the Red Bank area. Heading east of our resort are the 101 Bridge Flat,
Big Sandy which is a little past 101 Boat
Dock and the Cow Pasture, which is
the area right before the 6B marker. (A few of the names have been given by
local fishermen.) Striped and hybrid bass, white bass, largemouth and spotted
bass, catfish and walleye can all be found on these flats at some point during
the day and sometimes multiple times during the day. The bait moves onto the
flat and the predators move in to feed. The best fishing depth seems to vary
based on the time of day. But it seems that 30 – 40 feet of water has been the
most productive depths during daylight hours. As the lake water cools the bait
and fish will continue to move a little deeper. In the dark, the fish seem to
move up shallower following the bait. My bait of choice for flat fishing has
been to vertical jig a ½ to a 1-ounce spoon. The fish are currently feeding on
1 ½ inch to 2-inch thread fin shad. This does not mean they won’t attack a
bigger bait and at times they may prefer a little heartier meal. I have also
been casting out a 5-inch swimbait, as well as, my ½ ounce Kastmaster. Other
styles of blade baits, such as a cicada, are working very well. Trollers are
also picking up some nice striped bass by trolling umbrella
or Alabama rigs. Other
areas where these species are showing up or will very soon, are back in the
major creeks, such as; Big, Brushy, Float, Panther and Fall Creeks, as well as
Bennett’s Bayou and up river around the state line.
I can not personally talk about crappie fishing as I have
been spending the majority of my time locating and catching the species talked
about above. From what I have been told by the crappie guides is that the bite
has been good. The bigger slabs are starting to move into the brush and small
jigs and minnows are working very well. I will take some time off from my
striped bass fishing and check out the crappie bite myself before long.
Norfork Lake surface water temperature this morning was in
the mid 60-degree range. The lake has become fairly stable with just slight variations
either up or down and currently sits at 553.62 feet MSL. The lake is slightly
stained from the mid-lake area and heading north, but there has been a slight
clearing starting to
happen. The lake continues its slow progression to a total
lake turnover. I am starting to mark bait and a few fish 75 – 80 feet deep
which tells me the good cool oxygenated water is continuing to fall lower and
lower until eventually it will reach all depths and the lake will be totally
turned over. This year the turnover process has been virtually unnoticeable.
Happy Fishing and enjoy Norfork Lake.
