The Fun Never Ends on Norfork Lake
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Vacation season never ends on Norfork Lake; it just changes speed.
Located in the Ozark Mountains in north-central Arkansas, the lake has more than 550 miles of undeveloped shoreline and covers some 22,000 surface acres.
Summer on the lake has that hustle and bustle of people on jet skis, wakeboards, water skis, tubes and boats of all sizes making waves. Beach-goers sun themselves, balance on stand-up paddle boards and splash in the lake to cool off.
When September arrives, the only thing that really changes is that school starts. The water and outside ambient temperatures are still great for water play. Because kids are busy with school and football season starts, weekends, especially Sunday, become the busier days for lake fun.
With less traffic on the water in general, it’s the perfect time for couples and groups of friends to find a secluded cove or beach spot to relax in. It's not only a relaxing time to be in the area, but resorts and campgrounds are also easier to book.
“You can have some one-on-one time with your significant other,” says Richard Hanson, longtime owner (now retired) of Quarry Marina (now known as Blue Diamond Marina at Quarry Park). “It’s a good time to take advantage of that. Break out that bottle of wine and enjoy the resort because you won’t have anyone playing basketball, shuffleboard, or Marco Polo in the pool.”
As the days ease into fall, the lake sees more boat riders instead of swimmers. People enjoy sightseeing as they cruise around the lake, watching the leaves and sunsets turn brilliant colors of orange, red and yellow. Campfires and s’mores become the draw.
“The quietness of the lake is another great thing. People enjoy sitting out on the dock in the morning drinking coffee. It’s just really quiet except for nature, birds and fish flopping. It’s just hypnotizing,” Hanson adds.
Spring is much the same, except instead of fiery fall colors, people enjoy the many shades of green as trees begin leafing out and dogwoods put on their floral show. Plus, it’s the start of dive season.
One of four lakes constructed by dams in the upper White River Basin, Norfork Lake is unlike the others because the land was clear-cut before it was flooded. Good recreational diving can be found at 20 feet to 40 feet on Norfork Lake, says Dan Weber of Jordan Marina. Out of 31 marked dive sites, some are as deep as 70 feet with a couple of wall dives down to 150 feet below the surface. Diving on this lake is best from April to October, with the greatest visibility between 40 feet and 60 feet in the spring. The closer you get to the dam, the clearer the water, Weber adds.
For anglers, fishing is great year-round. Almost all varieties of freshwater game fish are found in the lake, which is fed by the North Fork River and its tributaries. Bass, walleye, crappie, bream and catfish all make their home in its waters. The oldest of Arkansas’ large man-made impoundments, Norfork Lake contains one of the best striped bass fisheries in Arkansas. The lake is stocked annually, and stripers over 40 pounds are common, with many in the 30-pound class caught every year.
Black bass fishing is at its best from September through May, while crappie fishing is prime in November and December.
The North Fork River below the dam is a popular and productive trout fishing stream, and the Norfork National Fish Hatchery is available for tours. Scenic Dry Run Creek starts at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery and runs roughly 3/4 mile to its confluence with the North Fork River below Norfork Dam. This popular stream is known for big, colorful fish and easy bank access for select anglers.
Dry Run Creek is open from sunrise to sunset to anglers under the age of 16, accompanied by an adult, and to mobility-impaired anglers, who may fish from the pier or boardwalk. The area is catch-and-release and trout must be released immediately. Only artificial lures with single, barbless hooks are allowed. You cannot fish with natural or scented bait. The creek carries hatchery effluent (32 million gallons/day). In fall, significant numbers of large trout stack up in pools as they try to migrate upstream.
Outfitters, marinas, and guides cater to all of these outdoor experiences. Resorts offer a wide variety of lodging options, plus some have private docks, swimming pools and other recreational amenities. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has 19 developed parks and six USACE campgrounds with electric hookups, swim beaches, boat ramps and more.
The largest nearby city is Mountain Home. Just minutes from the shoreline, it’s an easy place to grab supplies for a camping trip or stock up with groceries for your cabin stay. You'll also find local and chain restaurants for when you don’t feel like cooking and hotels if you prefer staying in the city.
There’s truly an experience for everyone on Norfork Lake all year long.
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