latest 2020 norfork fishing report
LATEST NORFORK LAKE FISHING REPORT
May 22, 2020 (by Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters)
February 22, 2020 (by Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters)
Dally's Fly Fishing Report (by Steve Dally)
01/15/20
Fishing report for the nearby rivers for our trout enthusiasts (since Mockingbird is the closest lake resort to the rivers!)
Now conditions are starting to stabilize: flows are settling into a very manageable pattern of 10,000-16,000 cfs, and tributaries are rapidly falling and clearing. Weather looks favorable for a brown trout bite heading towards the weekend, with cloudy skies Thursday and Friday, partially sunny Saturday and Sunday. Early next week it’s going to get clear and cold, so make sure you’re prepared with quality thermal gear. Wade fishermen can find solace on the North Fork in the afternoons, which are getting longer every week. Flows are down to minimum starting about 1pm, and easy access can be had at Quarry Park and Ackerman. Use an egg or worm pattern as an attractor, and add a Root Beer midge, Psycho midge, DW Whitetail midge, or Hunchback scud.
06/17/19
(by Tom Reynolds of STR Outfitters)
The stripers in Norfork Lake are now in their summer pattern. We have been catching fish from 30' to 60' in large schools in the channels near bluff walls. The best bait has been mid-size gizzard shad 4 to 7 inches on a down line set just above the fish. The lake water temperature is 80 degrees. The thermocline is around 20' and the water below is very murky it will stay that way until the lake returns to its normal pool. Fishing has been good! Limits are being caught each day.
My normal fishing pole routine is 2 float rods and 5 down rods. Currently, I'm fishing the main lake from Thumb Point to Hand Cove and the Dam Area. This pattern should hold true well into September. The walleye have moved to their summer pattern. They will be feeding in the 28' to 32' range. The best bite is usually from 8 to 11 am. Try long line trolling crankbaits and bottom bouncers set just off the bottom running spinners with night crawlers.
3/9/19
(by Tom Reynolds)
2/11/19
40 degrees and raining, wind 4 mph
Current lake water temperature = approx 46 degrees
Fishing is "pretty good." The white bass bite has been "better-than-pretty-good." Try hitting the flats in 40-50 feet of water. Striped bass and hybrids -- jig with a spoon. Stripers -- 40-50' deep flats/outside deep channels...use umbrella rig trolling or spoon jigging. Large-mouth bass has been "very good." They're 30-40' down to the bottom. In brush. Try deep diving crank baits. Crappie bite has been "alright." 30' of water, in brush piles, best result using crappie minnows.
Lake level is 556.03 and rising, with more rain in the forecast.
P.S. The combined daily limit for largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass is six. Largemouth and smallmouth bass must be at least 15 inches long to keep, and spotted bass must be at least 12 inches. There is no closed season for bass fishing on Norfork Lake, but bass caught from spawning beds in spring should be immediately released to allow them to complete their reproductive cycle.
In general:
Lake Temp of 38-42 degrees: Bass will be 20-35 feet, shallower (10-15 feet) if murky. Target points, channel drops and ledges. Bass may suspend near drop-offs in 7-10 feet of water. Best fishing approach: Fish slowly with a 3/4 oz jig & pig making repeated casts to cover, or tight line a leadhead grub or spoon.
Lake Temp of 42-44 degrees: Some bass will move up to the breakline and sit or suspend near cover. This initial movement is typically only a few feet shallower -- if bass were at 30 feet, try 25 feet. Best fishing approach: Stay with the jig & pig or grub in the same spots. If bottom bumping doesn't work, try swimming the lure just off the bottom.
Lake Temp 44-48 degrees: More bass will move to the first breakline. Around 46 degrees, a few big females may begin staying on objects along migration routes leading to shallow spawning areas. Best fishing approach: Work a jig progressively shallower on steep points until you contact fish. Try jigs and suspending jerk baits around isolated stumps and creek channels, accessing shallower bays.
Lake Temp 48-55 degrees: Many bass are staging now on drops adjacent to spawning areas and isolated cover along migration routes. A few big bass may spawn around 55 degrees. Best fishing approach: Use more active lures as water warms -- big bladed spinner baits and small crank baits in murky water, suspending jerk baits in clear water. Scan shallow bays for early spawners, and use floating worms and tube baits if you see any.
That's all folks! Good luck, and have fun! :)