Fishing


Want To Catch A Wide Variety Of Trophy Fish?
If you are really looking for help in catching a trophy fish and are tired of being fooled, come to Fish & Fiddle Resort, Lake Norfork's true fishing resort. We don't just talk fishing, we catch fish! If you are looking for a fishing resort with all the extra conveniences, this is where you'll find them. Folks especially enjoy fishing for stripers, but bass, walleye, crappie, and catfish.

We offer an 8' stainless steel fish cleaning station on our dock and freezer facilities for preserving your catch. If it is a guide you want, try our recommended guides at STR Outfitters. Float trips are available for the White River, North Fork River, and Lake Norfork. Whatever your fishing desire, lake or river, we can help you catch those trophy fish.

Walleye
Lots of large walleye were caught this past year on Lake Norfork. The biggest we saw here at Fish & Fiddle weighed 8 pounds (which was released), and several were in the 5 to 7-pound category. We can help you locate and catch walleye as Lake Norfork has a good walleye population. Many are very large, as walleye are not fished for as much as bass. The size and number of these elusive walleye have surprised many divers who come here in September. Whether trolling for them in the summer or jigging for them in the cooler months, you can catch these great-tasting fish year around.

Crappie
During the months of March and April, along with late September and October the crappie fishing is at its peak. The crappie several of our guests have caught on Lake Norfork are the largest crappie they have ever seen. One guest has a wall mount of 5 crappies he caught during a trip here, all weighing over 2 pounds. The brush pile fish covers added yearly by the Arkansas Department of Game & Fish are producing a great amount of crappie. Our guests enjoy catching them year round. Many have enjoyed just sitting on our dock catching crappie any time of day.

Trout
We are only 8 miles (about 15 minutes) from the North Fork and White Rivers. Both rivers are world renowned for their trout. For a real fishing rarity, try going for a Trout Grand Slam - catch a brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brookie, on the same day, on the same body of water. The Trout Grand Slam is possible in both the White and North Fork River. This is one of the very few areas in America where you can catch four trout species in the same body of water. You can fish Lake Norfork, then go trout fishing. We can arrange for a guided float trip on the rivers where the fishing is never bad.

Dry Run Creek For Kids
For a truly special fishing experience take the young fishers in your family trout fishing at Dry Run Creek at the base of Norfork Lake Dam. Dry Run Creek is right next to the Norfork Trout Hatchery, which keeps Dry Run well stocked with large rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout. This is an artificial bait only catch and release stream, and adults must accompany their children. Tour the hatchery and see trout being raised from eggs to 12 inches long. Across the road is Quarry Park where children can enjoy a large public play station.

Bass
Everyone knows the bass fishing is great on Lake Norfork. During spring, summer, and fall you can catch these sportfish without a problem. Because it's a real concern, most of our guest release these fish and we can see the enjoyment it brings to all. We have all caught that 8-pound largemouth swimming under our dock!

Striped Bass
The Arkansas Department of Game & Fish has been stocking Lake Norfork with striped bass every year for the past 30 years. Because Lake Norfork has a very large shad population, the stripers grow very well. The average weight of a Lake Norfork Striper is about 16 pounds, the lake record was right about 50 pounds. You can fish for stripers all year, but the best time is in the cooler fall, winter, and spring months. Roger is very good at keeping track of what the stripers are hitting each month. For details see his article on striper fishing. Fish & Fiddle is located in the Premier Striper waters near the Dam where the Big Stripers can be found yearly. Especially in the Spring, this resort is centrally located for easy access to all Species of Fish.