I'm fairly familiar with the lake. It's fairly large. I'd stay away from the portion close to i-40 as it's kind of the low income area. My buddy's place is in longtown and I love that area. Down by porum is really pretty to. Most of the communities have small ramps and they are building like crazy out there.
Just be very very very careful for the flooded timber areas.
i go all the time. the lake is big and usually not hard to find calm water. but if a storm brews up the lake can get nasty. had a buddy just about sink his mb coming back from party cove once. but all and all its a nice lake. my wife and i have been looking into buying a house boat there.