Kids Fishing Derby

The Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery is a tax exempt 501 © 3 organization that advocates and pursues funding from the Federal Senate and House judiciary committees.

Funding for the Federal and State Hatcheries insures the current and future existence of our countries largest trout fishing hatchery, “Norfork National Fish Hatchery”.

This hatchery, with 16 exterior raceways, internal breeding raceways for trout fingerlings, a Visitor’s Center, and the world’s famous Dry Run Creek flowing along the northern side of this beautiful hatchery provide one of the highest sources for tourism dollars in the State Arkansas and the County of Baxter.

Trout from the Norfork National Fish Hatchery are introduced into the White and North Fork Rivers thus bringing in millions of people a year to our community and supporting many businesses (resorts, hotels, restaurants, sporting goods stores, gas stations, etc.) in our local our economy.
 
One of the many fund raising activities the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery presents is the Kids Fishing Derby in June of each year. This Kids Fishing Derby has been the host of more than 250 kids from the ages of 2 to 15 years old and their parents and friends.

All children have received some sort of gift for their participation in catching trout along the North Fork River just at the base of the Norfork Dam and the Quarry Park. Three age groups from 2-5, 6-10, and 11-15 have received trophies for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place positions.

During this exciting event, the Norfork National Fish Hatchery has generously stocked into the North Fork River plenty of larger size Rainbow Trout (5-11 pounds) for the kids to have a chance of “catching the big whopper” (sorry-no cheese-lol).
 
After the Kids Fishing Derby, all kids and parents enjoy a free meal (hot dogs-chips-soda-water), picture taking, awards ceremony, and a brief informational lecture to the parents of “who we are and what we do”.
 
This year's 2016 Kids Fishing Derby will be held at the same location, at the base of the Norfork Dam and Quarry Recreational Park, on June 11th, 2016, with registration time 8:00 am., trout fishing beginning at 9:00 am, and lasting until around noon.
 
So pick up your fishing rod/reel, bring your kids, and have some fun! Children will NOT need a fishing license nor a trout permit. This is a completely free event. Your voluntary donations and possible membership registration to the Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery would insure the future existence of our non-profit organization and the future of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery.

Donations and membership requests can be made to:  Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, PO Box 1525, Mountain Home, AR 72654.
 
Scott F. Sillence, Director, Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery

Program Chairman, Kids Fishing Derby