Rivers, Lakes & Recreation
Norfork Lake
Norfork Lake has more than 550 miles of shoreline and covers some 22,000 acres. There are 19 developed U.S. Army Corps of Engineers parks that provide plenty of opportunities for camping and for water sports. Boating, water skiing, ping and swimming are all extremely popular on the lake. Commercial docks on the lake have boats, motors, guides and equipment for ping. In addition to parks for camping, there are many resorts offering accommodations, some with private docks, swimming pools and other recreational amenities.
Bull Shoals Lake
Bull Shoals Lake and the White River below its dam, are synonymous with fishing in Arkansas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project, located in north central Arkansas on the Missouri-Arkansas state line, enjoys a wide reputation for lunker bass fishing along with its twin, Lake Norfork, just to the east. Bull Shoals Dam was completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1951. It is the fifth largest concrete dam in the United States. Including the portion located in Missouri, the lake totals some 45,500 surface acres. Almost 1,000 miles of rugged shoreline is open to visitors and 60,000 acres of public land provide a variety of opportunities. Over 20 parks developed through the cooperative efforts of local, state and federal agencies are located on the lakeshore. These have both camping and picnicking facilities. There are grills, firewood, tables and drinking water at the picnic sites. Commercial docks on the lake have boats, motors and guides for hire. Water skiing and swimming are popular at Bull Shoals, as is cruising the hundreds of miles of lake arms and coves by motor or sailboat. Scuba divers come to Bull Shoals from many states to enjoy their sport in the blue water. They are permitted to spear scaled rough fish during daylight hours. Fishing: Bassmaster Magazine selected the impoundment as one of the country's Top 100 Bass Lakes (May 2012). Scrappy largemouth bass, spotted bass and white bass abound in the lake, along with crappie, channel cat, bream and walleye.
Marinas
The Twin Lakes area, home to Bull Shoals Lake and Norfork Lake, offers a variety of full-service marinas and boat docks perfect for recreation and fishing. Popular spots include Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock, known for its rentals, fishing guides, and scuba services, and 101 Boat Dock at Howard Cove, which provides rentals, stall space, and a ship's store. On Norfork Lake, Lake Norfork Marina near the Twin Bridges features fuel, food, rentals, and a well-stocked store, while Tracy Ferry Marina at Point 3 offers covered stalls up to 120 feet, pontoon and ski boat rentals, and a marina shop. Additional options like Fout Boat Dock and Buzzard Roost Harbor provide even more access points, making the Twin Lakes a hub for boating, fishing, and family fun on the water.
Fishing
Norfork Lake, Arkansas's oldest large man-made reservoir, offers some of the state's most diverse freshwater fishing. Anglers can find bass, walleye, crappie, bream, catfish, and one of Arkansas's best striped bass fisheries, where 30-40 pound stripers are regularly caught thanks to abundant shad. Black bass fishing is strongest from September through May, while crappie and white bass are often targeted at night using lights. November and winter months are prime for catching crappie around man-made "Christmas tree" fish attractors, which are marked along the shoreline. Below the dam, the North Fork River provides world-class trout fishing, supported by the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, with rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and even record-setting brook trout. Nearby Bull Shoals Lake is equally renowned, producing largemouth bass up to 12 pounds, excellent spring walleye and white bass runs, and popular night fishing for trout, bass, and crappie. Below Bull Shoals Dam, the White River is famous nationwide for its trout fishing, bolstered by hatchery stocking and lined with resorts and trout docks offering guided trips. Together, Norfork and Bull Shoals form the heart of the Twin Lakes area's reputation as a premier destination for year-round fishing.
White River
The White River runs approximately 720-miles throughout its journey through the great Ozark Mountains downward into the state of Arkansas' lower delta region. However, there is one part of the White River which is known internationally as it harbors some of the best trout fishing in the world. This famous section of the White River is located right here in the Ozarks near the Bull Shoals Dam.
In addition to trout, the White River is home to many varieties of catfish, bass, walleye, and sunfish. With the abundance and variety of fish, angler's come from all over to try out their hand at fly-fishing, spear fishing, or simply fishing from a johnboat.
North Fork River
The five-mile stretch from Norfork Dam to the White River is famous for producing big trout, including the second largest trout ever recorded in the world. Rainbow and cutthroat are also popular targets for anglers in the region. There are several quality public entry points into the North Fork, and campgrounds, picnic areas, and boat launching ramps are accessible and feature a variety of amenities.
Dry Run Creek - Dry Run Creek is a beautiful creek with runoff from the fish hatchery that offers year-round fishing for children and those with special needs. Over 7,000 annual visitors fish Dry Run Creek each year. This unique stream is filled with trout, and fishing is available for kids under the age of 16 and mobility impaired individuals. It's a wonderful opportunity for parents and adults to teach and allow young ones to develop a love of fishing. The area has handicap accessible platforms built to fish specific holes or kids can wade into the water for a different fishing experience.
Buffalo River
Vacationers and residents love the excitement of rafting on this river as much as a lazy float. Fly fishers enjoy fishing on the only National River that runs 150 miles through protected public land that spreads out over 95,000 acres. Because the river resides in this protected environment, it is crystal clear. There are over 50 species of fish to catch, including the much-desired trophy fish, the small mouth bass. The rushing river creates an oxygen rich environment perfect for supporting fish.
There are many local outfitters that will supply fishers with the perfect equipment to make the trip a roaring success, as well as river guides to help fishers find the perfect spot for a great day on the river. Fishers can also land perch and catfish along the BNR.
