Amon's Lake And Dry Run Creek
Plus The National Fish Hatchery At Norfork Dam
Norfork Dam And Power Plant
Summer in the Ozarks is usually hot, humid and dry. We normally slow down a bit, and our outings tend to start earlier in the day. It was June 14th and going to be sunny and hot. I had no plans when a friend called and asked if I would like to ride along over to Lake Norfolk. After taking care of some business he said we could stop by the national fish hatchery there at the dam. I had never been so I jumped at the chance.
We were east and south of Mountain Home when we spotted a sign that said Amon's Lake. Neither of us had heard of it so we pulled in to take a look. There was a large complex of soccer fields but off to the side and towards the back we saw the lake. There was a sign that said: "North Central Arkansas Soccer Foundation. A Cooperative Effort Of the City Of Mountain Home, Baxter County, Mtn. Home Sportsmen Club, Rod And Reel Fishing Club and Many Volunteers. Enjoy The Fishing. Daily Limit Of Trout - 5" It was a small but beautiful little lake with ramps that allowed you to walk completely around it. There were convenient fishing locations for wheel chair anglers. We took the short walk around the lake and visited with a lone fisherman. He said the lake is routinely stocked with trout from the Norfolk Hatchery.
We hopped back in the truck and made our way up to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service hatchery at the Norfork Dam. Norfork Dam is a large dam in northern Arkansas southeast of Mountain Home. It dams North Fork River and creates Norfork Lake. The road takes you right up to the entrance gates.
Off to the right of the hatchery sits Dry Run Creek. This is a spectacular catch and release site especially for kids under 16 and 100% disabled individuals. This creek is full of very large rainbow and brown trout. Many are escapees from the hatchery and the rich,1/2 mile creek provides a bountiful trout habitat. If you want your young person to have a terrific first time fishing experience, take him or her to this place.
Off to the right of the hatchery sits Dry Run Creek. This is a spectacular catch and release site especially for kids under 16 and 100% disabled individuals. This creek is full of very large rainbow and brown trout. Many are escapees from the hatchery and the rich,1/2 mile creek provides a bountiful trout habitat. If you want your young person to have a terrific first time fishing experience, take him or her to this place.
After walking Dry Run Creek we went up and did a brief tour of the hatchery. Arkansas’s role in the federal fish hatchery system is key. Norfolk National Fish Hatchery is the largest-producing federal hatchery and is the largest trout hatchery in the country. We stopped to talk to one of the workers who was cleaning out a raceway. He said the maximum number of fish that can be held in this location is 4 million. From start to finish it takes about 22 to 24 months to raise an eleven inch trout. They release about 1.5 million trout into the rivers plus an additional 1 million fish get distributed to other locations. It is an impressive operation to be sure.
One of the things I am very proud of is the State of Arkansas' commitment to the kids of our state. Their youth programs for fishing, hunting, boating and general outdoor activities give the young folks exposure to the great outdoors and all the activities one can enjoy in nature. In addition they begin to teach our children about the stewardship of the land, to take care of and treasure the natural resources that nature has blessed the State of Arkansas with. So grab your kids away from that virtual reality and take them for an exciting trip in the real thing, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas!
One of the things I am very proud of is the State of Arkansas' commitment to the kids of our state. Their youth programs for fishing, hunting, boating and general outdoor activities give the young folks exposure to the great outdoors and all the activities one can enjoy in nature. In addition they begin to teach our children about the stewardship of the land, to take care of and treasure the natural resources that nature has blessed the State of Arkansas with. So grab your kids away from that virtual reality and take them for an exciting trip in the real thing, the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas!