Lake Norfork Lake Fishing Resorts Report Bass Striper Crappie Bull Shoals

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Before

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What a great trip these guys had. That big cow Gary is holding turned into lunch later that day, typical of a spring day at Hand Cove Resort. Don’t forget the fish cooker, or use ours.

Our resort lake location is central to what has become some of the best fishing grounds Norfork Lake has to offer. We are located on the Big Creek arm of the lake, about 1 mile east of the Norfork Dam.

Many regular fish guys and gals have discovered that our area of the lake seems to attract a large amount of the fish population beginning in early March right through the summer and into the fall. The reason for this is the varied underwater and top water structure, the deeper water, and large amount of bait fish.

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3 generations of Hand Cove Striper guys.

The Headliners – Norfork Lake Stripers

Structure. It’s mostly about structure and there is plenty of it in the Hand Cove/Jordan Recreation areas. Fish the gravel flats and the high rock bluffs in the early spring for those big Norfork Lake Stripers and bass. Keep an eye open for the walleye on the fringe of the striper schools. Big Creek and Brushy Creek afford opportunities for white bass and crappie in the spring and summer months. The numerous Arkansas Game and Fish brush piles along with those privately placed will give you plenty of pan fish action in the late summer and into the fall months.

hand cove resort bass fishing norfork

The Hot Commodity in Summer & Fall – Large & Small Mouth Bass

The depth of water near the dam and then up into the Big Creek Arm and the Hand Cove/Jordan Recreation areas tend to run deeper in the channel middles than many other areas of the lake. During the late spring, lazy summer and early fall days these depths attract the big Norfork Lake stripers along with the other larger species such as large and small mouth bass, hybrids, and those feisty white bass. The hot ticket activity during the summer…bass fishing under the lights. That’s right, bait up, throw the lights overboard, and get ready for some reel-ripping action.

Gizzard and threadfin shad, Norfork Lake predator fish’s cuisine of choice, are plentiful in the Hand Cove/Jordan Recreation areas. Just get out there and keep an eye open. You’ll see them ball up and then boil. That’ll be the spot. Get on it!

The Zone

From early March until late May, this 3 mile length of Norfork Lake turns into The Striper Zone. (That’s Striper, as in Striped Bass). Hand Cove Resort is centrally located within the zone. From the headwaters of Big Creek and Brushy Creek to the Norfork Dam. From Jordan, Indian, & Catfish Islands, Barren Point, and Blue House Bluffs to Koso and Hudson Points, this is where the action’s at. Prime time is from just before the April full moon until just after the May full moon.

When it comes to Norfork Lake Stripers, it’s all about location, location, location and timing.

And There's More...

For your protection and your boat’s, the sidewalls of our boat dock stalls are padded with carpet.
Boat stalls of various sizes matched to your boats needs.
Electric outlets at each boat stall.
Outside electric outlets on most cabins.
Walk 100 yards to your boat from your cabin.
Unload at our dock ramps. Park in front of our dock.
See your boat from most of our cabins.
Our dock fish clean station has hot and cold running water. That’s right, hot and cold. Hot in the summer, cold in the winter.
Live bait on site.
Fish the lake, off our dock, or from our 1/2 mile of shoreline. It’s your choice.

Somewhere on the lake the fishing is great. Somewhere they’re biting, somewhere the bite is on. It’s a question of where, striking what, time of day, and, temperatures both air and water. Count on Hand Cove Resort and our professional fishing partners to give you the latest of information. If you are planning your first visit to Norfork Lake, you may want to charter a fishing guide. Our guides can give you great tips on fishing this unique body of water along with showing you a great time on the lake.

Hand Cove Resort only recommends licensed, professional guides with top quality equipment to ensure a successful fishing trip as well as your safety. Click on the guides below for more information and rates:

Once here, we guarantee a great fishing experience.

The catching is up to you.

Read the latest area fishing reports at
101 Grocery Fishing Report

By the way….

The 2008 spring rains and subsequent high water event produced a phenomenal spawn of bass, crappie and other Norfork Lake species. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission predicts that starting with the 2009 season, fishing on Norfork Lake will be incredible for years to come.