YOUR LAKE OUACHITA FISHING GUIDE

Known as the largest lake in Arkansas. Its 40,100 acres of water are commonly mentioned among the top 10 Largemouth Bass fishing destinations. It also has no homes on its more than 1,300 miles of shoreline, so you can enjoy a little wilderness escape. Numerous campsites are available on the shores or on one of the 100 islands throughout this beautiful lake.

Check with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission online to stay up to date with the current rules and regulations. It's every angler's responsibility to make sure our waterways are left better than we found them.

Below are some basic rules for fishing Lake Ouachita:

• If you're from out of town, a 3-day non-resident fishing license can be purchased.
• A 3-day license for residents is just $6.50
• Certain species of fish might have different bag limits than the state-wide requirements. For example, Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass have a length limit of 13 inches.

For more information about the state of Arkansas and whats expected of anglers, please visit our Arkansas Fishing page.

The best Lake Ouachita fishing spots will depend on the experience you're looking for and your fishing guides recommendation. The fishing guides on Lake Ouachita spend countless hours staying in tune with the movements of the fish and what's biting that day, so we always recommend taking their advice and going with the flow for the best fishing experience.

• Half-day full-service fishing trips are the best for a family-friendly trip. White Bass, Crappie, and even Striper fishing are great options for the kids.
• A full-day trip is excellent for a group of your best fishing buddies or avid anglers looking to get to know the lake through expert fishing tips.

If you have your own gear, boat, and put in the time, you can have a lot of success fishing Lake Ouachita, Arkansas. We will touch on our three favorite fish for this lake and what we have learned from researching the latest fishing reports.

• Black Bass on Lake Ouachita is territorial, just like any other lake. To take advantage of this, know what to use and where to cast your deep-diving or shallow water crankbait, topwater, spinnerbait, or jig. Bass are smarter than many give them credit for. Remember, you might be in the right spot, it could just take a slightly different color or a method of fishing you've never tried before to real in that trophy bass.
• Trophy Striped Bass are celebrated during the colder month of January. We suggest casting in deep water areas with structure. A deep-diving crankbait or heavy jig can have some success in those spots. If you want to catch a tan and fish, then troll for them in open water with a jig or spoon during the summertime.
• We will let comfort win out here and tell you how to catch Walleye in the summer. Cast near the Ouachita River or the creek channels of the North Fork and South Fork. Keep an eye out for the schools of fish they are chasing, and you might save some little fish by places a big fish in your boat.

The best time of year for fishing Lake Ouachita depends on the weather and, more precisely, the water temperature for the fish. For people, it's about the fishing experience you want, and, like fish, the weather can affect some more than others.

Just know that all months can provide a fishing trip of a lifetime. You just need to arrive with the right attitude, and the rest takes care of itself.