Norfork Lake Details

Rising bluffs and forested hills surround the secluded beauty and crystal clear waters of this Ozark Mountain jewel. Norfork Lake, Arkansas’ hidden treasure, is a short 10 minute drive from Mountain Home in north central Arkansas and extends just over the border into Southern Missouri. With a 42 mile length of crystal blue water and up to 550 miles of un-commercialized shoreline, Norfork Lake is more than just a fantastic recreation area. Pristine water awaits you for boating, fishing, sightseeing or just enjoying a great sunrise or sunset. Experience the quiet nature, relaxation, and peace of Norfork Lake. Awesome in its dimensions and complexity, the beauty of the Norfork Lake in the heart of the Ozark Mountains will make your visit an experience you’ll never forget. Nature abounds in the surrounding mountains, valleys, woodlands, and shoreline of Norfork Lake. Hiking, biking, camping, bird watching, and hunting are just some of the many activities available to the seasonal visitors of Norfork Lake’s expansive recreation and wildlife management areas. Bald eagles, deer, beaver, otter, fox, and turkey are just a few of the many creatures making Norfork Lake their home.

Norfork Lake is an outstanding fishery, drawing enthusiasts from all over the country. Nationally famous for the striped and hybrid bass it yields, fishing lake shad Norfork Lake also offers great fishing for both large and small mouth bass. Don’t overlook the walleye population. This much sought after table fish has really come into its own. White bass, monster crappie, bluegill, and catfish are also plentiful.

Mild winters, water that never freezes, and a 365 day open season, enable anglers to enjoy fishing throughout the year. Spring typically comes early to Norfork Lake as does the traditional spring bite. Our warm lazy summer days offer great bass and crappie fishing early in the mornings and late in the evenings leaving your afternoons for other lake adventures. The mosquitoes won’t bother you. There are none.

Traditional fishing on Norfork Lake is something that visitors not familiar with the lake might find a bit challenging. The clear lake may be appealing to swimmers and water sport enthusiasts, but when you can see thirty feet into the water, the fish can see you too! That’s the fishing lake norfork lake arkansas ar ozark ozarks mountains stripers shad real estate catch and release catch & releasechallenge that Norfork Lake offers. Because the lake isn’t murky, lower test line is commonly used so that the fish can’t see it. Spoons and other more natural-looking lures are encouraged along with various live baits.

Current Fishing Report

March 19, 2024

Crappie slow in the shallows; white bass fair in the early mornings and late evenings on crankbaits, spinners, meps, Rattle Traps and Rooster Tails; black bass slow around logs, stumps and wooded vegetation; channel catfish good in the coves and flats; walleye fair on crankbaits and plastics.

Striped Bass

ProspectFair

Crappie Illustration
Crappie

ProspectSlow

Walleye Illustration
Walleye

ProspectFair