Norfork National Fish Hatchery

Norfork National Fish Hatchery was founded in 1955 to restock the tailwaters below Norfork with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. The Hatchery also provides trout to reservoirs in partnership with state game and fish agencies distributes through Arkansas and other states. The Hatchery covers eastern Oklahoma and the White River Basin in Northern Arkansas.

Construction of the Norfolk dam began in 1941 and was completed in 1944. The Norfork National Fish Hatchery was established in eleven years later and works to restock trout in regional waterways. As a result, there are over two million trout in the Norfork waters today. In addition to preserving the species and supporting recreation and the environment, the resulting work adds an estimated ninety million dollars in economic activity. Norfork National Fish Hatchery is the largest-producing federal hatchery and is the most abundant trout hatchery in the country. The organization receives fertilized eggs, raising the fish to nine inches before release.

The facility includes numerous indoor tanks where the trout spend a few months before their release. The hatchery's 96 raceways produce over 500,000 pounds of trout every year. Dry Run Creek is located next to the hatchery and it gets over 7,000 visitors a year. The creek is open year-round to anglers and hosts many fishing events. The Norfork National Fish Hatchery has been stocking the White River and the fabulous Norfork Rivers since 1955. The hatchery also offers educational programs for area schools.

Welcome to Norfork National Fish Hatchery, Norfork National Fish Hatchery. Accessed April 1st 2021. https://www.fws.gov/norfork.

Welcome to the Hatchery, Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery. Accessed April 3rd 2021. http://www.norforkhatcheryfriends.org.

Norfork National Fish Hatchery, Only In Arkansas. Accessed April 2nd 2021. https://onlyinark.com/places-and-travel/norfork-national-fish-hatchery.

Norfork National Fish Hatchery and Dry Run Creek, Explore the Ozarks Norfork. Accessed April 4th 2021. http://www.norfork.com/things-to-do/articles/47/norfork-national-fish-hatchery-and-dry-run-creek.