After a five-year hiatus, the Norfork Nursery Pond is back in action, set to raise fish for Norfork Lake! Established in 1963, this six-acre pond supplements game fish populations in the lake. Operations paused in 2020 due to a collapsed drainage pipe, but with repairs complete, biologists are making good use of it.
In early May, 463 adult Redear Sunfish (broodstock) were introduced into the pond. These “Shellcrackers” will spawn, and their offspring will grow in this protected environment, safe from predators and anglers. Come fall, these young Redear Sunfish will be stocked into Norfork Lake, providing a boost to the fish population.
Redear Sunfish are a favorite among anglers for their delicious white meat and feisty fight – and late spring is prime time for catching these panfish! They also play a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling snail populations, which helps prevent the spread of parasites like yellow grubs.