AGFC biologists recently completed fall and winter crappie lead-net sampling on Norfork Lake, collecting 696 crappie using lead-nets from October through December. The sample was dominated by Black Crappie (89%), likely due to the clear-water conditions in Norfork Lake, which favor Black Crappie over White Crappie.
The sampling results paint an optimistic picture for anglers. Growth and survival rates were optimal for an Ozark Highland reservoir and showed improvement compared to sampling in 2022. Crappie in Norfork Lake are reaching harvestable size (10 inches) in just 2-3 years and growing to 12 inches by age 3-4. The collected fish ranged from 3.4 to 14.6 inches, with an average size of 9.7 inches.
Perhaps the most exciting finding was the large number of 1.5-year-old crappie averaging around 8 inches in length. This strong year class indicates excellent fishing opportunities on the horizon as these fish reach prime harvestable size in the coming year or two.
Winter remains one of the best times to target crappie on Norfork Lake. As temperatures drop, crappie school up around brush piles and docks in deeper water. Anglers can find success by vertically jigging these structures with minnows or small jigs. Remember to fish slowly, as cold water makes crappie less aggressive, so patience and a light touch are key to detecting subtle bites.
With abundant young crappie and good growth rates, Norfork Lake is poised to deliver outstanding crappie fishing in 2026 and beyond. We hope you have time to get out there and catch some crappie!