Norfork Lake Fishing
An Arkansas reservoir in Baxter County.
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Norfork Lake through AGFC eyes
No AGFC acreage is printed for Norfork Lake in Baxter County; the GIS outline shows about 18,811 acres of mapped outline. AGFC dates its construction to 1945. The lake is a Corps of Engineers project. Gamaliel is the closest Census place, near 2 miles away.
The AGFC access layer maps 24 ramps and paddle accesses on it. AGFC writes 4 water-specific limits for this water. Expect camping, fishing pier, mobility-impaired, picnic tables, recreational area and restrooms, per AGFC. The White River Border Lakes License applies on its Missouri side.
Acreage and depth as AGFC states them in its description of Norfork Lake (AGFC page), read November 8, 2026.
Outline area from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (GIS polygon area, not an AGFC surface-acre figure), read November 8, 2026.
AGFC public fishing area page and map data, read November 8, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 8, 2026.
How AGFC describes Norfork Lake
AGFC introduces Norfork Lake like this:
Norfork Lake is owned and operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The 8,750.5 ha highland reservoir, located in Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri, was constructed in 1945. Ninety-five percent of the surface area of Norfork Lake is in Arkansas.
- Ways to fishfishing pier, boat ramp and paddle fishing
- Amenitiescamping, fishing pier, mobility-impaired, picnic tables, recreational area and restrooms
- PropertyU.S. Army Corps of Engineers
AGFC public fishing area page and map data, read November 8, 2026.
What AGFC says to target on Norfork Lake
The target chips for Norfork Lake come straight from the AGFC fishing-area posts.
AGFC public fishing area page and map data, read November 8, 2026.
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- Buzzard Roost Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Calamity Beach Access Dock on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Calamity Beach Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Cranfield Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface, camping, fishing pier, mobility-impaired
- Panther Bay #1 Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Panther Bay #2 Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Panther Bay Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Bidwell Point Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Boggy Creek Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Gamaliel Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- George's Cove Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Hand Cove Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Henderson Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Henderson High Water Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Howard Cove Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Jordan Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Pigeon Creek #1 Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Pigeon Creek #2 Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete plank surface
- Public boat ramp on Norfork Lake (north)boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Public boat ramp on Norfork Lake (south)boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Robinson Point Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Talbert Point Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Tracy Ferry Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
- Woods Point Boat Ramp on Norfork Lakeboat ramp, concrete surface
AGFC area pages for Norfork Lake
- Cranfield Recreation Areafishing pier; COE
- Red Bank Park Courtesy Dockboat ramp, paddle fishing; COE
- Calamity Beach Access Dockboat ramp, paddle fishing; COE
- Norfork Dam Courtesy Dockboat ramp, paddle fishing; COE
- Panther Bay Courtesy Dockboat ramp, paddle fishing; COE
- Buzzard Roost Courtesy Dockboat ramp, paddle fishing; COE
- Calamity Beach Accessboat ramp, paddle fishing; COE
Fallback ramps if Norfork Lake is crowded
- Amon's Lake Boat RampAmon’s Lake, 10 miles southwest
- Norkfork Dam Parking Area Boat Ramp on Dry Run CreekDry Run Creek, 11 miles south
- Dam Quarry Campground Boat Ramp on North Fork River (North Fork of the White River)North Fork River (North Fork of the White River), 12 miles south
- Norfork #1 Boat Ramp on White RiverWhite River, 15 miles south
- Norfork #2 Boat Ramp on White RiverWhite River, 15 miles south
Bank areas on nearby water to Norfork Lake
- Quarry Park Access on Dry Run CreekDry Run Creek, 12 miles
Launch fees and gate hours at Norfork Lake are not in the AGFC layers.
AGFC boat-and-kayak access and fishing access layers plus the AGFC public fishing areas map posts, read November 8, 2026.
The latest pool figure for Norfork Lake
USACE Little Rock District Norfork Dam reading for Norfork Lake, November 8, 2026.
USACE Little Rock District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 8, 2026. Provisional.
Every number for Norfork Lake carries its agency and time stamp.
Keeping fish legally at Norfork Lake
Where Norfork Lake departs from the statewide table
| Species group | Rule as written | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth) | Daily limit of 6, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass 13-inch minimum. | N1.01(E)(48) |
| Crappie | Daily limit of 15, 10-inch minimum. | N1.01(H)(20) |
| Striped Bass And Hybrid Striped Bass | Daily limit of 3, Striped Bass 20-inch minimum. | N1.01(N)(5) |
| Walleye | Daily limit of 4, 18-inch minimum. | N1.01(P)(4) |
AGFC Code of Regulations, N1.01(E)(48), effective July 1, 2026 (policy text), read November 8, 2026.
Where a line names Norfork Lake, it replaces the statewide figure.
Arkansas-wide limits on Norfork Lake
| Group | Statewide rule as written | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth) | daily limit of 10 black bass (all species combined) with no length restrictions. Reservoir Smallmouth Bass, daily limit of 6, 12-inch minimum; Flowing Waters Smallmouth Bass, daily limit of 2, 12-inch minimum. | N1.01(E) |
| Bream | Daily limit is 50 fish over 4 inches, no limit on bream 4 inches or shorter. | N1.01(F) |
| Crappie | daily limit of 30 crappie (all species combined) with no length restrictions. | N1.01(H) |
| Striped Bass And Hybrid Striped Bass | daily limit of 6 bass (all species combined) with no length restrictions. | N1.01(N) |
| Walleye | daily limit of 6 Walleye with no length restrictions. | N1.01(P) |
| White Bass | daily limit of 25 White Bass with no length restrictions. | N1.01(Q) |
AGFC Code of Regulations (regulation library), read November 8, 2026.
No possession limit is defined in the Code for Norfork Lake; only daily limits are shown.
Anglers 16 and older need an Arkansas fishing license; AGFC prints $10.50 for the Resident Fisheries Conservation License and $60 for the nonresident annual license.
On the Missouri water of Norfork Lake, residents use the $10 White River Border Lakes License.
Fishing license prices as printed on the AGFC license descriptions and fees page (agfc.com), matching Code Addendum D1.01, read November 8, 2026.
AGFC record-book entries from Norfork Lake
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | Water as printed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozark Bass | 1 lb., 1 oz. | rod and reel | 2014-05-12 | Norfork Lake | AGFC |
| Rock Bass | 1 lb., 8 oz. | rod and reel | 1982-08-02 | Norfork Lake (Clear Creek) | AGFC |
Arkansas state record fish as listed by AGFC (record list), read November 8, 2026.
Competition days logged for Norfork Lake
For contests on Norfork Lake, open the event page.
Nearby lake pages lined up with Norfork Lake
By AGFC figures, Bull Shoals Lake leads at 48,225 acres.
| Lake | Distance | Size | County | AGFC targets | Ramps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfork Lake | about 18,811 acres of mapped outline | Baxter County | 6 | 24 | |
| Amon’s Lake | 10 miles southwest | about 1 acres of mapped outline | Baxter County | 3 | 1 |
| McCabe Park | 11 miles southwest | about 3 acres of mapped outline | Baxter County | 3 | 0 |
| Salem City Pond | 22 miles east | Fulton County | 3 | 0 | |
| Bull Shoals Lake | 29 miles west | 48,225 acres | Baxter County | 6 | 22 |
| Crown Lake | 31 miles southeast | 640 acres | Izard County | 4 | 1 |
AGFC fishing-area posts and access layers; outline areas are GIS figures. Read November 8, 2026.
Water, towns and shops around Norfork Lake
Other AGFC lakes a short tow from Norfork Lake
- Amon’s Lake10 miles southwest
- McCabe Park11 miles southwest
- Salem City Pond22 miles east
- Bull Shoals Lake29 miles west
- Crown Lake31 miles southeast
Bait stores a short haul from Norfork Lake
- 101 Marinamarina, Gamaliel, 1 mile
- Cranfield Marinamarina, Mountain Home, 5 miles
- Buzzard Roost Harbormarina, Mountain Home, 6 miles
- Denali Fishing Tacklebait and tackle shop, Mountain Home, 7 miles
- Tracy Ferry Marinamarina, Mountain Home, 8 miles
- Wapsi Flyfly shop, Mountain Home, 9 miles
Arkansas guide services that list Norfork Lake
- Beaver Lakes River Rat Guide Servicefishing guide, 4795315535
- Mamba Fishing USAfishing guide, 386-451-9817
- The Reel Fly Guy Guide Servicefly fishing guide, 9187407850
Arkansas towns that make a base for Norfork Lake
- Mountain Home10 miles
- Gassville17 miles
- Bull Shoals20 miles
Arkansas county pages for Norfork Lake
- Baxter Countyseat: Mountain Home
Piscifun rods, reels and pliers to grab before Norfork Lake
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Telling the Norfork Lake fish apart at a glance
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Chet Burrier, CC BY 4.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Norfork Lake, answered one query at a time
Which county seat is the way in to Norfork Lake?
County lines put it in Baxter County; the closest Census town, Gamaliel, is about 2 miles off.
How large is Norfork Lake by the AGFC description?
AGFC is silent on size; the outline shows about 18,811 acres of mapped outline.
Does the AGFC access layer show a ramp at Norfork Lake?
24 ramps and paddle accesses are on file; try Buzzard Roost Boat Ramp on Norfork Lake.
Which species sit on the AGFC target list for Norfork Lake?
The AGFC target list names black bass, bream, crappie, striped and hybrid striped bass, walleye and white bass.
Does a minimum length apply to fish kept at Norfork Lake?
The Code lists 4 water-specific lines for it; the limits band quotes each line.
Which AGFC license and stamp cover Norfork Lake?
Anglers 16 and older need an Arkansas fishing license; AGFC prints $10.50 for the Resident Fisheries Conservation License and $60 for the nonresident annual license. Across the line, buy the border lakes license.
Where does a boatless angler set up on Norfork Lake?
Per AGFC: fishing pier, boat ramp and paddle fishing.
Which Arkansas bait counter is handiest for Norfork Lake?
101 Marina, about 1 mile away is the first Arkansas counter we list.
Where does Norfork Lake sit against its normal pool?
USACE Little Rock District reports it; the value is in the level band.
What record-weight fish has Norfork Lake produced?
AGFC lists a 1 lb., 1 oz. ozark bass from Norfork Lake as a rod and reel record, dated 2014-05-12.
Which organizers run events at Norfork Lake?
Club and trail events are collected on its event page.
Ice the cooler and drive to Norfork Lake
Every fee and limit table is a click away.