Norfork Lake Tailwater | North Fork River
- Access
Public boat accesses are available at Quarry Park and at the confluence of the Norfork Tailwater and White River.
Public walk-in accesses are available at Quarry Park,
Dry Run Creek and Bill Ackerman/River Ridge Walk-in Access Handicap access is available at Dry Run Creek and Bill Ackerman/River Ridge Walk-in Access.
A handicapped boater transfer lift is available at the confluence of the Norfork Tailwater and White River.
- Area Specific Regulations
From 100 yards below Norfork Dam to its confluence with the White River:
- No fishing within 100 yards of Norfork Dam.
- A trout permit is required to fish in this area.
- Anglers may use no more than one fishing rod or pole at a time and must attend it at all times.
- No other devices may be used to catch fish, except bait tackle to catch baitfish.
- Multiple point hooks with barbs are allowed, unless fishing inside the Catch-and- Release Area (see below).
- Bait fishing only allowed with a single hooking point.
- Daily limit of 5 trout; only 1 trout over 14 inches long may be kept.
- Limit may include either 5 rainbow trout less than 14 inches or 4 rainbow trout less than 14 inches and one of the following:
- 1 rainbow trout (14 inches or longer),
- 1 brook trout (14 inches or longer),
- 1 cutthroat trout (24 inches or longer),
- 1 brown trout (24 inches or longer), or
- 1 tiger trout (24 inches or longer).
Norfork Catch-and-Release Area: From downstream end of Long Hole to Bill Ackerman/River Ridge Walk-in Access, as indicated by signs:
- Trout must be released immediately.
- Only artificial lures or flies may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed).
- All hooking points must be barbless.
- Chumming is not allowed.
- Catching bait with bait tackle is not allowed.
Dry Run Creek (Outflow from Norfork National Fish Hatchery) From its source to the confluence with the Norfork Tailwater, as indicated by signs:
- Only youths under 16 and mobility impaired anglers may fish Dry Run Creek.
- Trout must be released immediately.
- Only artificial lures with a single, barbless hooking point per pole may be used (natural or scented baits are not allowed).
- Chumming is not allowed.
- Anglers may use no more than 1 fishing rod or pole at a time, and must attend it at all times.
- No other devices may be used to catch fish.
- Catching bait with bait tackle is not allowed.
- Fishing is only permitted from sunrise to sunset.
- Mobility impaired anglers may fish from only the piers and boardwalk.
- Mobility impaired card required for mobility impaired adult anglers.
- Area Type
Flowing Water
- Constructed
1944
- Description
The Norfork Tailwater was created when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built Norfork Dam in 1944. The water flowing from the base of the dam was too cold to support the native smallmouth bass and sunfish population, so trout were introduced to restore the fishery. The Norfork Tailwater has since become one of the jewels of the trout fishing world, and supports a thriving tourism industry.
- District Information
Fisheries District 2
201 East 5th Street
Mountain Home, AR 72653
870-424-5924For generation conditions, contact:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - 870-431-5311
Southwestern Power Administration - 866-494-1993.
- Location
The Norfork Lake Tailwater flows from the base of Norfork Dam east of Salesville to the White River near the town of Norfork.
- Major Sportfish
rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, brook trout
- Management Plan