Norfork Hatchery hosts Sen. Boozman Wednesday for talks on trout population rebuilding efforts

Senator Boozman (center) inspects raceway at hatchery Wednesday afternoon
U.S. Senator for Arkansas John Boozman visited the Norfork Fish Hatchery Wednesday afternoon to meet with agencies involved in restoring the critical trout population that was lost in April of 2025.

Joining Senator Boozman was Deputy Commander of the Little Rock Corps of Engineers LT. Colonel Jesse Carter, an Assistant Director of the U.S. Wildlife Service, and members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. In a closed meeting on the hatchery grounds the collective discussed progress to date and what future steps can be taken to minimize events that lead the hatchery to have to begin from scratch to restore its upwards of 3 million fish.

The hatchery and surrounding industries are major economic drivers for the region and state with recreational fishing accounting for $2.6 billion annually. KTLO, Classic Hits and the Boot News spoke with Senator Boozman at the hatchery where he spoke on the importance of the site.

Listen:

click to download audio

Jon Casey, who serves as project leader at the hatchery for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shared on update on the current status of the hatchery.

Listen:

click to download audio

Casey points out diffusers to be installed

Starting next week the installation of 48 oxygen diffusers on the raceways that house the fish will begin an effort to oxygenate the water as temperatures rise in the summer. Future plans could include large oxygenation units being added on the lake side to enhance the water flowing from the dam down to the hatchery.

Col. Carter viewing fish egg tanks with Senator Boozman and Casey

Lt. Colonel Carter of the Corps says his team is working closely with the staff at the nation’s largest freshwater hatchery to ensure success going forward.

Listen:

click to download audio

The building back of the trout population has started from zero – a process that can take nearly two years from spawn to full grown fish. A stable spring and summer will help greatly in encouraging growth in the new population and fill up the many empty raceways now at the site.

Listen:

click to download audio

During the tour the Senator was shown the newest eggs and young fish that are growing as well as how the installation of oxygen infusing units will work this spring. Boozman spoke of the need to keep a close eye on the situation and encouraged a follow up meeting to evaluate progress in the future.

WebReady^TM Powered by WireReady^® NSI