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Thank you for your inquiry about striper fishing and Norfork Lake. I hope the following information will be beneficial to you.
Our season runs from mid-March through late December.
April and May are strong months, the Stripers are aggressive and chase shad to the surface. This is top-water time, we use live shad without weights and cast artificial lures to the surfacing fish. Stripers have been clocked in excess of 45 miles per hour, so when a fish strikes on the surface you had better hold on. These are the strikes that are unforgettable.
June is a transition period, the Stripers in Norfork Lake begin to use certain routes down the lake towards their summer spots. This is when we begin to add weight to our baits, normally live shad, to bring them to the perfect depth for you to catch the fish of a lifetime.
By mid-July we begin to fish live bait straight down. The depths we fish will vary on where the stripers are laying and where the bait fish are. At different times of the year the Stripers will feed on different sized shad. During the mid-July months w
e normally use extremely large shad, some going as much as 12 to 18 inches long!
Mid-August through mid-September is also excellent fishing. Large schools of Stripers have gathered in certain areas of the lake and are on feeding frenzies. For an individual fishing with us, catching the limit is likely. The average size fish you catch during this time period is approximately 14 pounds.
By late September the Stripers have moved again. During this time fishing is fair, with some off days occurring.
November and December are good months as the Stripers begin to feed for the winter. Top-water fishing is likely from mid-November through mid-December. Stripers tend to begin putting on weight by December and some real trophies are possible.
Best Regard, Good Fishing,
and Thank You
James Nichols
Professional Striper Guide
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