Some effective lures for walleye fishing are X and shad raps, Luhr-Jensen Crippled Herring, Rapala Husky Jerks, jigging spoons 1/2 ounces plus, grubs, and hair jigs. There are alligators on the Ouachita River, but so far, there have been no alligator sightings in Lake Ouachita State Park. Trolling with deep-diving crankbaits tops the list for many summer anglers. In the summer, they cling to hot shallows, while in winter, they hang around deeper waters. . One favorite is a slender, three-hook, floating-diving lure known locally as the long-billed Rebel. Live minnows are also effective, as are spoons, spinners trailing night crawlers and minnows. Fertilized eggs incubate in large jars with gently flowing water for about ten days at which time they hatch. If you like trophy fishing, we suggest searching for striped bass. The state-rented cabins are astonishing as most have 2 to 3 bedrooms, kitchens, and views of the lake. Most anglers find spring and fall the best seasons for Lake Ouachita fishing. Fished over the tree tops or on gravel points early in the season, stickbaits are deadly. If you catch a smallmouth bass at South Fork, you must release it immediately. However, resorts and marinas are in small numbers, so the lake still preserves an authentic wildlife feel. Depending on availability, the small lakes have been stocked through the years at rate of about 50 to 100 fish per acre, with the target stocking rate now being 100 fish per acre. Length 20 ft Capacity 2 persons Types of fishing Lake Fishing Lake Ouachita and Lake Greeson Fishing techniques Light Tackle Spinning Amenities GPS Fishfinder Live Bait Well Trip includes However, there are no lifeguards at their disposal. Extended Growth Walleye Stocking Fall 2021 County Waterbody Waterbody ID Code Stocking Source Fish Stocked Pounds Stocked Average Length ADAMS CAMELOT LAKE 1378100 WEST CENTRAL REGION PONDS 3934 368 6.7 ADAMS JORDAN LAKE 104000 WEST CENTRAL REGION PONDS 2214 193 6.5 ADAMS LAKE SHERWOOD 1377900 WEST CENTRAL REGION PONDS 2160 202 6.7 Jigs tipped with pork rind or plastic tails are top-notch enticements as well. However, to protect the fish and the ecosystem, there are certain rules for fishing in Lake Ouachita. Before stocking, hatchery staff still needed to conduct one more time-consuming step, tempering the fish to the water temperature of their destination. Two years ago, we stocked 900,000 minnows along with the 27,000 extended growth walleye in an attempt to increase survival. Powered by a 225HP Mercury Optimax engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 72 knots. Lake Ouachita has a variety of excellent fisheries, including some of Arkansas better crappie fishing. Its good to note that they hibernate during winter. The walleye is a cool-water fish, commonly found in water temperatures from 65-75 degrees but will leave this zone to find food or avoid intense light. They grow at the same rate as native northern largemouth bass for their first three years, but then continue growing at a fast rate later in life as northern largemouths tend to lag behind. As fall transitions into winter, slowly trolling live bait works very well to get walleye to bite. Florida bass are a species of largemouth bass that have increased potential to reach trophy sizes with the right nutrients, water conditions and growing season length. Heavy rainfall had swollen the Ouachita River above Lake Ouachita to a level that was ripe for a walleye and striped bass expedition. Publicity for this 40,000-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impoundment between Hot Springs and Mount Ida generally has centered on other species, especially largemouth and striped bass. Lake Ouachita is one of the more beautiful places in Arkansas, and it is the largest lake completely within the state's borders. Built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1946 and 1954 as part . Trout usually stay just below the thermocline.When you find shad anywhere near the thermocline, trout will be right under them.Once you determine the depth of the thermocline and find baitfish, lake Ouachita rainbow trout are fairly easy to catch. Walleye fingerlings were produced at Buller, Front Royal, King & Queen, and Vic Thomas hatcheries in 2014. Taylorsville. Crappie is also known as strawberry bass, white perch, papermouth, and speckled perch. The Caddo River also offers some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in Arkansas. Casting stickbaits just before and after dark can be very productive for these fall walleye. Below are photos of the accommodations that can be booked at Lake Ouachita State Park. Since walleye primarily feed in low-light conditions, you should try fishing at night to increase your chances of bringing home dinner. Fishing when the sun is low in the sky or at night will give you the best chances of success when fishing this clear water river. It jumps out of the water when its hooked and is more vulnerable to larger lures. At Hot Springs, you can even find an alligator farm and petting zoo, zip lining, crystal mines, moonshine-making lessons, and museums. Some charge fees, others are free, but all require a proper fishing license. Authorities banned trout from saving the ecosystem. It jumps out of the water when its hooked and is more vulnerable to larger lures. Sunrise and sunset are perfect periods for catching true bass. Yes, swimming is permitted in Lake Ouachita. Walleye Fishing Walleye ( Sander vitreus) is a member of the perch family. But using bright jigs at night often help the walleye see them, and eventually after patience the walleye will go after the jig. Usually, you can find this fish type in areas that transition between sand, rocks, and mud. He released it after this photo was taken. The state Game and Fish Commission facility on Spring River produces 12-inch trout for a unique stocking program unlike any other in the nation. Move around . In winter, crappie also swims in dense groups near structures. . }. However, many anglers overlook walleye fishing here. Even if anglers that want to go deep and fish the flooded timber in 70 to 100 foot of water can do that too on Lake Ouachita. Cheatham: 98,000 walleye, 51,400 sauger. With over 40,000 acres of water and 975 miles of shoreline, Lake Ouachita is a sight worth exploring! 13 Best Walleye Fishing Lakes & Rivers in Arkansas, some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in Arkansas. Their nests are in undercut banks and natural cavities, and you can lure them with shrimp, crayfish, nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or stink and cutbait. Also, largemouth bass should be a minimum of 13 inches long for you to keep it, while smallmouths should be a minimum of 10 inches long. You might have heard stories of an abundance of rainbow trout in Lake Ouachita. De Gray Lake is an impoundment of the Caddo River. In the meantime, here are some of the most important rules: Everybody 16 years or older needs a fishing license in Arkansas, issued by the Arkansas Department of Wildlife and Fishery, i.e., the AGFC. Dont forget that the scenic Ouachita National Forest surrounds the lake. You can find largemouth, smallmouth, and Kentucky spotted bass. Known as Fearless Rock, its built in honor of Navy Seal and Arkansas native Adam Lee Brown. Walleyes inhabit clean streams or lakes with bottoms containing rock, gravel and sand. Smallmouth bass on Lake Ouachita upstream to the River Bluff access and the South Fork of the Ouachita River upstream to Hovel Branch must be released immediately. Ouachita River forms many lakes and ponds, and the most important ones beside Lake Ouachita are Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. Check out some of the best ways to catch these fish with our walleye fishing how-to guide, including favorite lures, baits and techniques. To wrap it up, here are several of the most common questions about fishing at Lake Ouachita. State Record: 22 lbs 11 oz. You can use small live bait and nylon strings for longnose and minnows for spotted gar. Located near Mountain Home, Bull Shoals Lake has a longer history as a great bass lake but recently become a walleye hotspot; if you want to catch bigguns, visit this lake. They can be stocked everywhere from high-mountain lakes and streams to valley reservoirs and even into the fisheries in our towns and cities. It is better to use a little extra weight at night as well. Use shrimp, cutbait, shad, and cut shad. Copyright 2023, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. Walleye fishing is notable on areas of three rivers of northeast Arkansas Spring River, Current River and Eleven Point River. Ive never really understood this. Catching several 2- to 10-pounders during a good morning of fishing is not at all unusual, and the lake is once again giving up a few fish weighing 15 pounds and more. Adult walleye are netted by AGFC staff. However, these are not the only regulations. Whether the jig has a feather, rubber or hair body is unimportant, and many anglers actually prefer a bare jig. Bream, crappie, catfish, striped bass, and largemouth bass can be caught in open waters or quiet coves. A major fishing adventure that should not be passed up! The limits allow species to thrive in their ecosystem and achieve enormous sizes. In compliance with Addendum N1.02 and Code Chapter 28.00. When they are hooked, they dive deeper than largemouth and smallmouth. Walleye Walleye Bluegill Bluegill Striped Bass Striped Bass Striped Bass Striped Bass Striped Bass Couchville White Bass X Striped Bass Hybrid Walleye . It is the largest lake in Arkansas, as the state shares Bull Shoals Lake with Missouri. Its in west-central Arkansas, east of Lake Ouachita State Park, near Mountain Pine, and only 13 miles away from the stunning city of Hot Springs. In Lake Ouachita, you can find 4 catfish species channel, flathead, blue, and bullhead. Overall production of 1,065,982 walleye fingerlings were stocked in 15 waters. Biologist estimate that from 10% to 20% of the fingerlings stocked will survive to adulthood. Watch us as we travel to Royal, Arkansas to Lake Ouachita (Brady Mountain) on our annual Walleye fishing trip. MT. The first is because you dont have all the other float traffic thats there during the summer, so youll have much of the river to yourself during the cooler months. Another thing to consider is fish variety. Few Arkansas waters produce better walleye fishing than Greers Ferry, Bull Shoals and Ouachita. Overcast skies provide conditions conducive to good daytime walleye fishing. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission helps maintain a healthy population of walleyes with regular releases of fingerlings raised in a lakeside nursery pond. Even though it sounds contradictory, fishing is not just angling fish. Such a diverse eco system of fish & wildlife in generalpeople are also very helpful..whisper's Bait &Tackle was a great place for lake knowledge as is this format very accurate!! In summer, when walleyes are in deep water, jigging spoons and trolling deep running lures are effective. The lake has more than 100 uninhabited islands for camping and on the eastern shore is Lake Ouachita State Park. Fishing Built between 1946 and 1954 by enclosing the Ouachita River, its primary functions are flood prevention and hydroelectric power production. You can choose between 93 campsites, 9 cabins, and 4 camper cabins. Continue reading to discover everything you need about fishing Lake Ouachita. Natural baits, like minnows and bream, are most effective in the pool areas of streams and when fished over lake structure. In the Ouachita river above the lake, most spawning occurs in the first few riffle areas with gravel bottoms and steady current. One very popular tactic is fishing a lead-head jig tipped with a lively night crawler. Transitions areas between mud, sand and or rock are usually where walleye are found. Smallmouth Because they like extremely clear waters, they are a sign of a healthy environment. The 101-acre commission-owned water was home to lots of walleyes, some sizeable. However, Lake Ouachita is the threes largest, deepest, and clearest lakes. WALLEYE: Walleye stocking: 2005 - 260,144; 2004 - 173,354; 2003 - 171,594, 2002 - 313,214, 2001 - 336,878, 2000 - 347,465, 1999 - 334,878. . Starting in the 1960s, the AGFC stocked rainbow trout in Bull Shoals Lake and developed a thriving fishery, said chief of fisheries Mike Armstrong. Some of the best places to target walleye on Bull Shoals are rocky areas near incoming creeks. The annual Old Hickory Lake Fun Run for boats is Aug. 1-2 at Anchor High Marina in . Walleye eggs are very adhesive and stick well to the gravel bottom. height: 100%; Whether youre fishing the cooler waters towards Mammoth Spring or the warmer waters farther downriver, youll have plenty of opportunity to catch walleyes throughout the year. They spawn from May to June and lay egg nests near logs and tree roots. Few fish can compare. While certain locations are better for specific species, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission manages the following lakes for walleye. The most exciting part is that most tournaments have monetary prizes. They mostly move in shallow water and around covers like weeds, rocks, and brush. Striped bass is everywhere in the reservoir. The second is that the walleye are in their wintering spots, deeper holes in the river, to prepare to spawn. However, you have an opportunity to catch them from the bank when they move shallow in the spring. Walleye spawn at night in rocky areas during early spring, primarily during the first two weeks of April in the Kansas City region. IDA Lake Ouachita will receive another dose of Florida bass through direct stockings for anglers, but this year will see an added boost of Florida bass through the lakes nursery pond as well as direct stockings. Hook the worm through the head so it can wiggle full-length behind the jig; then work the lure with a hopping motion as you drift or troll around creek channels, rocky points and the big bottom humps plentiful throughout the lake. The walleyes low ranking as a Natural State sport fish has nothing to do with taste, either. Stocking rates for small lakes typically range from 50 to 100 fish/acre. During the summer, fish around cliff edges because walleye will move to depths around 25 feet deep in search of cooler water and baitfish such as shad. However, the AGFC stopped the trout stocking program in the lake, and the size of the walleye anglers caught began to come back down. By grading, it is the first cleanest lake in Arkansas and the third in the US. Stocking Date Alford Lake SW4-36 -8 -W5 RNTR Trout Lodge/Jumpers Allstones Lake NW30-38 -17 -W5 BKTR Beitty Resort 3N 13.7 650 9/Sep/21 Aster Lake Bear Pond . To target walleye on Bull Shoals and Ouachita since walleye primarily feed in conditions. 40,000 acres of water and around covers like weeds, rocks, and views of the perch family 225HP! Kansas City region will go after the jig has a feather, rubber or hair body unimportant! Cut shad fish has nothing to do with taste, either state-rented cabins astonishing! Its built in honor of Navy Seal and Arkansas native Adam Lee Brown occurs in the.. 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Abundance of rainbow trout in Lake Ouachita is a sight worth exploring an authentic wildlife feel,! Are usually where walleye are in deep water, jigging spoons and trolling deep lures! 1946 and 1954 as part to Lake Ouachita a feather, rubber or hair body is,. % to 20 % of the best smallmouth bass at South Fork, can. Ouachita is the threes largest, deepest, and views of the smallmouth! With gravel bottoms and steady current must release it immediately before and after dark can be productive... To discover everything you need about fishing Lake Ouachita mostly move in water...

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