The 12 Best Fishing Lakes in Arkansas

Lakes in Arkansas are a must for anybody who loves fishing. Fishing enthusiasts will want to know which lakes are the best. Below are the best fishing lakes in Arkansas, along with which favorite species reside there, as different lakes have unique residents.

1. Lake Hamilton

This lake is located in southwest Little Rock, next to the Ouachita River. It is one of the most beautiful medium-sized lakes, covering about 7,500 acres.

Hamilton is one of the few lakes that is a habitat for various fishes. There is a lot to explore, which makes each fishing trip fun.

In addition to casting a line, visitors can engage in other recreational activities, like sightseeing. Hamilton Lake is situated close to Hot Springs, making it an excellent attraction.

Types of Fish Available

Some fish varieties you can expect to find in this lake include smallmouth and largemouth bass. Their abundance depends on the water’s condition and the time of the year. The lake also has crappie, walleye, and catfish. These are more readily available in the warm season.

Lake Hamilton also attracts fishermen looking to find white, spotted, and tripped bass fish species. It is also possible to fish some trout on the upper side of the lake.

Hamilton Lake has the most fish per acre in Arkansas. This is due to the nearby Andrew Hulsey Fish Hatchery, which ensures the lake is adequately stocked all year.

If you’re interested in bass, it would help to have a boat. Some of the best bass fishing areas on the lake are the creeks of Little Mazam, Big Mazam, and Hot Springs. The creeks have excellent transition areas, as well as brush piles.

Note that the summer months are the busiest on Lake Hamilton. Take advantage of early mornings in summer if you want to enjoy the lake by yourself. Alternatively, visit the lake for fishing activities in Spring.

Besides getting the timing right, you need to invest in the right lures. Basic bass lures include soft-plastic worms or a jig. Consider using natural colors since the lake has clear waters.

2. Lake Ouachita

Lake Ouachita is one of the largest fishing lakes in Arkansas. It is located on the southwest side of Lake Hamilton in Ouachita National Forest and the Ouachita Mountains. This lake is the largest reservoir in Arkansas, measuring 40,000 acres.

It is a clear-water lake that is one of the busiest in the state and quite popular for bass fishermen.

Types of Fish Available

The lake is known for walleye, spotted bass, stripers, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass. You can fish from shore or from the lake’s shallow areas.

If you aim to catch plenty of largemouth bass, concentrate on the eastern side of the lake and target transition areas. You also want to pay attention to the time of the year, as it determines fish availability.

Note that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains this lake; hence there is a lot of public fishing access, including boat ramps and shore fishing. However, fishing is not permitted in the Jim Collins net pen area.

Considering the lake’s size, anglers are encouraged to stick to one region or creek arm until they get a bite.

3. Bull Shoals Lake

Bull Shoals Lake offers lots of fishing diversity and exciting fishing opportunities. The lake is on the Northern Arkansas border but extends into Missouri, near Branson.

Types of Fish Available

Trout

This region is known for excellent trout fishing. The lake has some of the best brown and rainbow trout. It is also known to be home to walleye, largemouth bass, and strippers, among other fish species.

If you want to catch everything the lake offers, consider fishing in the upper section. It runs from the power site dam to Beaver Creek. Here, you can spot white bass, walleye, crappie, rainbow trout, and spot bass.

You can also fish around the pothole, the area below the power site dam accessible by boat or on foot. The best time to fish here is from March to June when you can get lots of trout, walleye, crappies, and white bass. On the other hand, rainbow trout is available from late June to mid-October. Try using white jigs as bait.

Nightcrawlers

Nightcrawlers are also readily available in the area. Late June drives most white bass and walleye into deeper waters. However, the rainbow and black bass are still available if you fish early in the morning or late in the evening.

Bass

Beaver Creek is perfect for clear bass fishing. You can also find some largemouth bass in the middle and lower sides of the lake. Bass tends to be the largest in summer. They grow to between 10-25 feet large.

Walleye

If you are interested in walleye fishing, concentrate on the upper side of the lake. It would be best to have a boat to fish in during the day, although night fishing is the perfect way to enjoy fishing in summer.

The best fishing technique is to focus on areas of the lake where the light shines. Fish are always attracted to such areas. You can also enjoy trout fishing by boat on the lower end of the lake.

Concentrate on fishing late at night since it is the most productive time.

Catfish

You will also find plenty of catfish, including blue and cattle catfish. Other fish varieties include crappie, white bass, and blue gill fish.

4. Norfolk Lake

This lake is mostly in Arkansas but also stretches into Southern Missouri’s Ozarks. It ranks as one of the most diverse fishing lakes in the south, containing several types of fish.

Types of Fish Available

There is plenty of walleye in Norfolk Lake. These are mostly available in spring and winter. Their largest population is often found from February to March.

However, these fish species are available throughout the lake yearly. To catch them, use the trolling with a jig method. Alternatively, try the walleye worm harness.

You can also enjoy fishing for crappie during the year’s colder months. The fish species maintains a normal size range of 12 to 15 inches. The best way to fish them is to use colored crappie jigs.

Strippers are the other fish you can find in Norfolk Lake. However, they are scarce in the clear water during cold winter months. You can successfully fish them in calm shallow waters.

To fish in this lake, consider deep-diving crankbaits. You can also use jigs, sniper baits, spoons, and drop-shotting.

5. Lake Monticello

This lake is 1,400 acres and has grown into a trophy-worthy fishing lake. It is located in Northwestern Fluvanna County.

Types of Fish Available

If you are into largemouth bass, you’ll want to check out this top-notch lake. This is one of the lakes known in the south to produce fish weighing 10 pounds or more.

It has been stocked consistently with largemouth bass fish. This lake is owned and managed by the city, which places brush piles and replenishes stocks consistently. They also removed all invasive fish species.

To maximize your fishing escapades, focus on the shallow areas covered mainly by lily pads and coontail. Jigs are the perfect bait.

6. Lake Maumelle

This lake is close to Little Rock. It may not be the lake you go to for large fish, but you can be assured of getting two to three-pounders.

Types of Fish Available

You’ll easily catch bass and crappie at Maumelle Lake. The north shore is especially great. It has abundant aquatic vegetation that attracts a lot of bass. To lure the fish, use jigs, chatter baits, snipper baits, and hollow-bodied frogs. Boaters can choose from two access areas.

Because unique regulations govern fishing on the lake, fishing enthusiasts should read and understand these regulations before venturing out.

7. Millwood Lake

Millwood Lake is located in Southwest Arkansas. It is popular for being a shallow lake with many stumps, gators, and cypress trees.

Types of Fish Available

You will be rewarded with decent largemouth bass if you are daring enough. You can also catch some crappie as well.

Fortunately, there are lots of lures that can be used as bait when fishing on Milwood. Common lures include buzz baits, jigs, crankbaits, and snapper baits. Use bright colors like white, blue, and red. You can also use orange, chartreuse, or black since the waters aren’t always clear.

Those intending to fish here need a good boat and great navigation skills.

8. Lake Dardanelle

Dardanelle is located on the western side of Arkansas.

Types of Fish Available

This is another leading bass fishing ground. It is even a popular tournament spot for bass fishing. The best spots to catch largemouth bass are along the lily pads, around the bridges, and the riprap.

You can use different types of lures, though crankbaits work best for catching fish around the bridges and riprap areas. Use soft plastic frogs and jigs for areas with a lot of grass. On the other hand, chatter baits tend to work best for all types of environments.

Spring and fall are the perfect times to fish the lake’s shallow flats close to transition areas. However, consider going for deeper holes in the lake as summer approaches.

The lake also has some catfish and crappie.

9. Degray Lake

Degray Lake is another perfect fishing lake in Arkansas. The lake is located about an hour southwest of Little Rock.

Types of Fish Available

It offers fishing enthusiasts a chance to fish for various bass species. However, the largemouth and spotted bass fish are the major species you are likely to find on this lake.

The lake has a mix of great shoreline cover. These are excellent for fishing in early summer and springtime. You also get a few drop-offs where one can fish in winter and late summer.

Note that this lake has fairly clear waters. This means that you’ll ideally want to combine different baits. These include jigs, crankbaits, soft plastics, and spinnerbaits.

You’ll catch catfish, striped bass, and wipers.

10. Lake Conway

Conway Lake is closer to Little Rock. It is one of the most handicap-friendly lakes out here, with ramp provisions.

However, the lake is known to be very shallow. Fishing enthusiasts should be conscientious when taking out boats. Moreover, the lake is filled with stumps and lots of murky waters.

Types of Fish Available

This shallow water body is known for stocking some of the best Florida strain largemouth bass.

The lake’s popularity has also increased in recent years. This is attributed to its small size and proximity to Little Rock. Popular baits for fishing in this lake include the white snipper bait and blue and black Texas rigged worm. Also practical are black buzz bait, white-bladed jig, and the hollow-body frog.

Anglers should note that the Florida-strain largemouth bass love docks, stumps, and aquatic vegetation. For other options, look for catfish and crappie in the lake as well.

11. Lake Chicot

This is a 20-mile-long oxbow lake located on the Mississippi River, southeast of Arkansas. The lake is also a state park with a boat ramp and a public dock.

Types of Fish Available

Largemouth bass is the most accessible strain of fish you can find in this lake. Catfish and crappie are also available for those who want variety.

You can use multiple baits to lure the fish. Popular choices include soft plastic, jigs, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. These baits work perfectly along the edges and around stumps.

If you no longer want to concentrate on the largemouth bass, you can try catching crappies, white bass, and catfish.

12. Lake Dunn

The last spot on our list is Lake Dunn, which is inside Village Creek State Park.

Types of Fish Available

It is best known for the Florida-strain largemouth fish. It may be your best bet at catching a trophy-worthy largemouth bass in Arkansas.

This lake has different ecosystems, including a mud bottom, steep sides, brush piles, ripraps, and some standing timber. This means that anglers can use a variety of lures. However, the jig works best in all areas. Note that only trolling motors are allowed on the lake due to its small size.

Summary of the 12 Best Fishing Lakes in Arkansas

Anyone trying to fish in Arkansas has a lot of options. Different fishing lakes in Arkansas offer several fish varieties.

Check out what each lake offers and its proximity to you. Get the right lures and fishing accessories, and you will enjoy fishing in any of the 12 lakes mentioned above.