About Us
Norfork NFH, located in the mountainous terrain of north Arkansas near Mountain Home, was established in 1955 and opened in 1957. The hatchery is a result of the construction of dams on the White River, which altered the waters from a warm-water system to a cold-water system. Norfork National Fish Hatchery (NFH) is the largest-producing federal hatchery and is the largest trout hatchery in the country. Norfork NFH is a cold-water hatchery primarily for the production of trout to restock the tailwaters below Norfork, Bull Shoals and other dams.
The hatchery is responsible for raising three species of trout: rainbow, brown and cutthroat. In addition, the hatchery also provides trout to reservoirs and in cooperation with state game and fish agencies distributes fish throughout Arkansas and other nearby states. The Hatchery's geographic area covers eastern Oklahoma and the White River Basin in northern Arkansas.
The upper White River has been altered by the construction of four multi-purpose dams along its course. These dams rescinded the warm water riverine habitat and replaced it with cold tailwaters. Beaver Dam and Lake are the uppermost impoundment. From there, the river flows through Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo and finally through Bull Shoals Reservoir. Tributary impoundments are Norfork and Greers Ferry.
The purpose of Norfork NFH is to meet the fishery mitigation needs arising from these U.S. Army Corps of Engineer projects in the White River in northern Arkansas and southern Missouri.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a sustainable fishery for the White River area.
Our History
Norfork NFH, located in the mountainous terrain of north Arkansas near Mountain Home, was established in 1955 and opened in 1957. The hatchery is a result of the construction of dams on the White River, which altered the waters from a warm-water system to a cold-water system.