The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) has approved an emergency order temporarily reducing trout limits in the state’s four major coldwater fisheries following significant production losses at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery.Poor water quality at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-operated hatchery, combined with April flooding that damaged the AGFC’s Jim Hinkle State Fish Hatchery on the Spring River, has led to the loss of millions of trout and raised concerns about stocking levels in coming months.Under the 120-day emergency order, anglers must catch and release all trout in the 45-mile stretch of the White River below Bull Shoals Dam to the Norfork Access, and in the Norfork Dam tailwater. Below the White River-North Fork River confluence to the Highway 58 bridge at Guion, the daily limit is reduced to two trout, with only one allowed over 14 inches. On the Little Red River and Beaver Lake Dam tailwaters, anglers may keep two trout up to 14 inches.Christy Graham, AGFC Trout Management Program coordinator, said the measure is intended to protect the fishery while hatchery operations recover. “We do not have any intention for this to be a long-term change,” she said. “But it would be the protective thing to do right now.”AGFC Vice Chairman Rob Finley of Mountain Home said the restrictions will allow time to reassess conditions in January. “For the 120 days, just to put a pause, to make sure we get it right,” Finley said, noting the timing falls during the slower winter season for trout fishing tourism.
The Jim Hinkle Hatchery is operating at about half capacity and is not expected to return to normal production until at least April. The Norfork Hatchery, which typically produces 3 to 3.5 million trout annually, is facing ongoing losses that could halt stocking for several months.
Officials said efforts are underway to redistribute fish from other hatcheries to lessen the impact, though availability remains limited.
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