Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters Management Plan
This plan is being developed to establish clear management goals for the trout fisheries in these tailwaters. An intensive public involvement process is being followed to help insure that the desires and expectations of the angling public are embodied in these goals.
Beginning in Spring 2007, AGFC sought public input to aid in the development of management plans for the trout fisheries on Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters. Through a series of public meetings, facilitated by Spencer Amend of Dynamic Solutions Group, anglers and other stakeholders had the opportunity to help establish management goals for these fisheries. This is part of a new process that the AGFC Trout Management Program is using in which the public plays an integral role in determining the future of trout fishing in Arkansas.
In February, five focus group meetings were conducted to help identify major issues that would likely be brought up later in the public involvement process. The focus groups were asked a series of questions related to their personal experiences on the Norfork and Bull Shoals Tailwaters. This report summarizes the results of the focus groups.
View the Focus Group Report
On April 17, 2007, a citizen’s advisory committee was formed in Mountain Home to assist AGFC in drafting management options for the Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters. Members of the advisory committee were asked “What do we want to be celebrating in 5 years or so regarding potential changes to the trout fishery on the Bull Shoals and Norfork tailwaters?” This report summarizes the results of the advisory group meeting.
View the Advisory Group Organizational Meeting Report
The Mountain Home Trout Summit was held on the evenings of May 14 and 15 in Mountain Home. During the summit, participants were asked what issues they want AGFC to focus on in regards to Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters and what advice they had for fisheries managers in addressing those issues. Two days later on May 17, there was another public meeting, this time in Mountain View. This meeting provided individuals from that area with the same opportunity to provide comments and suggestions as those that attended the Mountain Home meeting without having to travel so far. Three questions were posed to the groups: 1) What should be the goals of the Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters Trout Management Plan? 2) What are your issues or concerns or problems about trout management on these two tailwaters? 3) What are your recommendations, suggestions, or advice concerning actions that should be taken to address these issues? This report summarizes the results of the public workshops.
View the Public Workshop Summary Report
Based on input from the public wokshops, non-resident angler survey, and the agency website, AGFC personnel have drafted a set of management options that could be followed for Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters. The purpose of this document is to illustrate possible management strategies that could be implemented to achieve the goal of improving quality and trophy trout fishing opportunities in these waters.
View the Management Options Document
A public review workshop was held the evening of November 6th at the Ramada Inn in Mountain Home. This workshop allowed the public to comment on the management options document developed for Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters. Participants were asked which management option they preferred along with their reasoning for choosing that option. Participants were also given the opportunity to introduce new option ideas for consideration. Attendance at the workshop was very good with approximately 100 people attending. The report of that workshop can be viewed at the link below.
View the Management Options Workshop Summary Report
Using public input from workshops held in May and November, the AGFC Fisheries Division completed a draft management plan for Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters. This draft plan addresses many aspects of the trout fisheries in these waters to include water quality, regulation enforcement, and fishing quality. The draft management plan may be viewed at the link below.
View the Draft Management Plan
On January 7th, 2008 the public was given the opportunity to comment on the draft management plan during a second public review workshop held in Mountain Home. The 75 participants at the workshop were asked to provide the following information: (1) what they felt were the most important items in each of the six Goal/Objective/Strategy clusters and (2) what changes or additions still need to be made to the draft management plan, along with the reasons for their suggestions. A summary report from the workshop may be viewed at the link below.
View the Draft Management Plan Workshop Summary Report
The next step in the process will be for AGFC to use the comments heard during the January 7th meeting to a write a second draft of the Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters Management Plan. This second draft will be distributed to the Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters Citizens Advisory Committee by mid-February 2008 for their final comments. A final draft of the management plan is anticipated by the middle of March 2008.
Throughout this process, you will be able to track progress and find information on this page. If you enjoy or are concerned about the Bull Shoals and Norfork trout fisheries, AGFC trout managers invite you to participate and help build comprehensive plans that will make these fisheries the best they can be.
Status Presentation from Public Meetings
The following PowerPoint presentation was given at the public meetings and provides an overview of some of the data the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has regarding the Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters. This document has been digitized and is in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format.
View the PowerPoint Presentation
For more information or to submit your comments regarding the management plan process, contact:
Jeff Williams
Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
201 East 5th Street
Mountain Home, AR 72653
(870) 424-5924
E:mail : j_williams@agfc.state.ar.us