Fishing in Garland County, Arkansas
County seat: Hot Springs. Population 100,180 (2020).
- 5lake pages
- 16launches
- 2river pages
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Lake Ouachita: larrywkoester, CC BY 2.0
Ahead of a first trip around Garland County
Home to 100,180 people in 2020, Garland County keeps its offices in Hot Springs. Lake Ouachita heads the list of 5 lakes in the county with full pages.
Count 16 boat or paddle launches plus 7 pier or bank sites on the AGFC layers here. Running water with a page includes Ouachita River and Middle Fork Saline River. Kids and new anglers have 2 program ponds; Entergy Park Lake is one.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 8, 2026. AGFC access layer (ArcGIS service), read November 8, 2026.
Garland County ramps, piers and lakes pinned on one map
AGFC boat-and-kayak and fishing access layers and AGFC fishing-area lake points, checked November 8, 2026.
Lakes spread across Garland County
| Lake | Size | Ramps | Kind | AGFC target fish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Ouachita | 40,000 acres | 15 | Corps lake | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Lake Hamilton | about 6,673 acres of mapped outline | 3 | reservoir | black bass, bream, catfish |
| Lake Catherine | 1,940 acres | 2 | reservoir | black bass, bream, trout (seasonal stocking) |
| Entergy Park Lake | not stated | 0 | FCFP pond | bream, catfish, trout (seasonal stocking) |
| Family Park | not stated | 0 | FCFP pond | bream, catfish, trout (seasonal stocking) |
Acreage and depth as AGFC states them in its description of this water (AGFC page), read November 8, 2026. Sizes AGFC does not state print as mapped outline area. Target fish as AGFC lists them.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Counting AGFC target fish on lakes near Garland County
Each bar counts lake pages within 50 miles of Hot Springs where AGFC lists the fish to target; catfish comes up most.
AGFC public fishing area target species, counted per lake page within 50 miles; a listing, not a catch survey.
Named AGFC and NHD lakes of Garland County still awaiting pages
Another 11 named waters in Garland County stay on this list without a full page.
| Water | Size | Kind | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Desoto | about 207 acres of mapped outline | lake | Hot Springs Village |
| Hot Springs Reservoir | about 147 acres of mapped outline | reservoir | Mountain Pine |
| Clearfork Lake | about 3 acres of mapped outline | lake | Crystal Springs |
| Diamondhead Pond | about 2 acres of mapped outline | mapped pond | Jones Mills |
| DeSoto Park Pond | about 2 acres of mapped outline | mapped pond | Hot Springs |
| Pine Meadows Lake | about 1 acres of mapped outline | lake | Hot Springs |
| C-12 Pond | not stated | mapped pond | Pearcy |
| Jessieville Work Center Pond | not stated | mapped pond | Hot Springs Village |
| Charlton Pond | not stated | mapped pond | Crystal Springs |
| Friendship Trial Pond | not stated | mapped pond | Hot Springs Village |
| Pleasant Hills Training Center Pond | not stated | mapped pond | Rockwell |
Outline area from the USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (GIS polygon area, not an AGFC surface-acre figure), read November 8, 2026. AGFC public fishing areas map (agfc.com), read November 8, 2026.
Rivers to wade in Garland County
- Ouachita RiverAGFC trout water, 39 AGFC accesses, 4 USGS gauges
- Middle Fork Saline River2 AGFC accesses
Creeks and bayous of Garland County listed here only (1)
- North Fork Ouachita Riverstream
Flow gauges around Garland County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs Cr Ds Of Grand Ave At Hot Springs, Ar | 4 cfs, 0.09 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:50 pm |
| Whittington Cr At Tunnel Ent At Hot Springs, Ar | 1 cfs, 0.64 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:30 pm |
| Hot Sprngs Cr Us Of T.e. At Glade St At Hot Sp.,ar | 0 cfs, 0.16 ft gage height | Oct 1 1:55 am Not updated since Oct 1, 2024. |
| Gulpha Cr At Ridgeway St At Hot Springs, Ar | 2.88 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:50 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
AGFC public fishing areas map (agfc.com), read November 8, 2026. USGS Water Data for the Nation, live through the site, retrieved on page view.
Town ponds AGFC stocks in Garland County
| Pond | City | Stocked with | Last stocking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entergy Park Lake | Hot Springs | Catfish and Trout | catfish last stocked September 23, 2026; trout last stocked December 16, 2025 |
| Family Park | Hot Springs | Catfish and Trout | catfish last stocked September 22, 2026; trout last stocked December 16, 2025 |
Family and Community Fishing Program ponds
Last-stocked dates as printed on the AGFC Family and Community Fishing Program page (agfc.com; AGFC prints no numbers per pond), read November 8, 2026.
Trailer ramps around Garland County
- Avery REc Area Boat Ramp on Ouachita RiverOuachita River, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Brady Point Boat Ramp on Lake OuachitaLake Ouachita, boat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Buckville Boat Launch on Lake OuachitaLake Ouachita, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Carpenter Dam Boat Rampwater not named, boat ramp, concrete surface, picnic tables, recreational area, restrooms
- Carpenter Dam East Boat Ramp on Ouachita RiverOuachita River, boat ramp, concrete plank surface, restrooms
- Carpenter Dam West Boat Ramp on Ouachita RiverOuachita River, boat ramp, concrete surface, restrooms
- Hulsey Hatchery Access on Lake HamiltonLake Hamilton, boat ramp, concrete surface, fishing pier, mobility-impaired, picnic tables
- Rabbit Tail Boat Launch on Lake OuachitaLake Ouachita, boat ramp, concrete surface, recreational area
- Sunnybrook Boat Ramp on Lake HamiltonLake Hamilton, boat ramp, concrete surface, fishing pier, mobility-impaired, picnic tables
- Brady Mountain Boat Ramp on Lake OuachitaLake Ouachita, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Crystal Springs Boat Ramp on Lake OuachitaLake Ouachita, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Hill Wheatley Boat Ramp on Lake HamiltonLake Hamilton, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Irons Fork Boat Ramp on Lake OuachitaLake Ouachita, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Lena Landing Boat Ramp on Lake OuachitaLake Ouachita, boat ramp, concrete surface
- Ouachita Lake Spillway AccessLake Ouachita, boat ramp, concrete surface
- State Park Boat Ramp on Lake OuachitaLake Ouachita, boat ramp, concrete surface
Fishing piers AGFC maps in Garland County
- Carpenter Dam Access Pier on Ouachita RiverOuachita River, fishing pier, restrooms
- Entergy Park PondEntergy Park Lake, bank fishing
- Family Park PondFamily Park, bank fishing
- Stephens Recreation Area Fishing Access on Ouachita RiverOuachita River, fishing area, restrooms
- Iron Springs Recreation Area Parking Area Fishing Access on Middle Fork Saline RiverMiddle Fork Saline River, fishing area, restrooms
- Public fishing access on Lake Hamilton (north)Lake Hamilton, fishing pier, mobility-impaired, picnic tables
- Public fishing access on Lake Hamilton (south)Lake Hamilton, fishing pier, mobility-impaired, picnic tables
AGFC access layer (ArcGIS service), read November 8, 2026. Lanes, fees and hours are not fields in the AGFC layers.
USACE numbers for Garland County lakes
Lake Ouachita
USACE Vicksburg District Blakely Mountain Dam reading for Lake Ouachita, November 8, 2026.
USACE Vicksburg District via USACE Access to Water (location page), latest values at retrieval November 8, 2026. Provisional.
Statewide daily limits for Garland County water
Start from these statewide limits in Garland County; a water-specific exception replaces them where one is written. Expect to pay $10.50 (Arkansas resident) or $60 (out of state) for a year of fishing.
| Species | Statewide rule as printed | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Alligator Gar | daily limit of 1 with 36-inch maximum length. | N1.01(C) |
| American Eel | daily limit of 2 fish with no length restrictions. | N1.01(D) |
| Black Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth) | daily limit of 10 black bass (all species combined) with no length restrictions. Reservoir Smallmouth Bass, daily limit of 6, 12-inch minimum; Flowing Waters Smallmouth Bass, daily limit of 2, 12-inch minimum. | N1.01(E) |
| Bream | Daily limit is 50 fish over 4 inches, no limit on bream 4 inches or shorter. | N1.01(F) |
| Catfish (Except Bullhead) | daily limit of 10 catfish (all species combined) with no length restrictions. | N1.01(G) |
| Crappie | daily limit of 30 crappie (all species combined) with no length restrictions. | N1.01(H) |
| Paddlefish | daily limit of 2 Paddlefish with no length restrictions. | N1.01(I) |
| Rock Bass | daily limit of 10 Rock Bass with no length restrictions. | N1.01(J) |
| Sauger | daily limit of 6 Sauger with no length restrictions. | N1.01(K) |
| Saugeye | daily limit of 6 Saugeye with no length restrictions. | N1.01(L) |
Exceptions AGFC lists in Garland County
- Lake CatherineBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Smallmouth Bass must be immediately returned to the water.
- Lake OuachitaBlack Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth): Daily limit of 6, including an additional 10 Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass 13-inch minimum.
- Ouachita RiverCatfish (Except Bullhead): Flathead Catfish 20-inch minimum.
Every Arkansas water-specific limit
AGFC Code of Regulations (regulation library), read November 8, 2026. Fishing license prices as printed on the AGFC license descriptions and fees page (agfc.com), matching Code Addendum D1.01, read November 8, 2026.
Record catches pulled from water near Garland County
| Species | Weight | Division | Water | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Bass | 2 lbs., 4 oz. | rod and reel | Lake Ouachita | Jan. 26, 2022 |
| Smallmouth Buffalo | 68 lbs., 8 oz. | rod and reel | Lake Hamilton | May 15, 1984 |
| Channel Catfish | 38 lbs., 0 oz. | rod and reel | Lake Ouachita | June 3, 1989 |
| Alabama Shad | 2 lbs., 13 oz. | rod and reel | Ouachita River | April 4, 1997 |
| River Redhorse | 9 lbs. 0 oz. | unrestricted tackle | Lake Ouachita | March 17, 2013 |
Arkansas state record fish as listed by AGFC (record list), read November 8, 2026.
Club trails fishing Garland County lakes
Garland County lakes appear in 10 organizer listings, 0 not yet held.
| Date | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 9, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Lake Ouachita 2026-05 | Lake Ouachita | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| March 14, 2026 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Lake Hamilton 2026-03 | Lake Hamilton | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| May 3, 2025 | Fishers of Men Arkansas Central Classic, Lake Ouachita 2025-05 | Lake Ouachita | Fishers of Men National Team Trail |
| not printed | Phoenix BFL Arkie Division, Lake Ouachita 2026 | Lake Ouachita | Major League Fishing |
| not printed | Phoenix BFL Arkie Division, Lake Hamilton 2026 | Lake Hamilton | Major League Fishing |
| not printed | Phoenix BFL Arkie Division, Lake Hamilton (fall) 2025 | Lake Hamilton | Major League Fishing |
| not printed | 42nd Phoenix BFL All-American, Lake Hamilton 2025 | Lake Hamilton | Major League Fishing |
| not printed | Phoenix BFL Arkie Division, Lake Ouachita 2025 | Lake Ouachita | Major League Fishing |
| not printed | Phoenix BFL Arkie Division, Lake Hamilton 2025 | Lake Hamilton | Major League Fishing |
| not printed | Phoenix BFL Arkie Division, Lake Ouachita 2024 | Lake Ouachita | Major League Fishing |
Organizer schedule and results pages, checked November 2026.
Gear stores in Garland County
Garland County bait counters
- Dick's Sporting Goods, 1420 Higdon Ferry Rdbait and tackle shop, Hot Springs
- Jason Bassbait and tackle shop, Bonnerdale
- Sportsman's Warehousebait and tackle shop, Hot Springs
- The Outpostbait and tackle shop, Hot Springs National Park
- The Sand Barbait and tackle shop, Hot Springs National Park
- Trader Bill's Outdoor Sportsbait and tackle shop, Hot Springs National Park
- Balboa Marinamarina, Hot Springs Village
- Echo Canyon Resort & Marinamarina, Royal
- North Shores Resort & Marinamarina, Jessieville
- Orr Marina Incmarina, Hot Springs National Park
- Paradise Cove Marinamarina, Hot Springs National Park
- Safe Harbor Brady Mountainmarina, Royal
- Waypoint at Desoto Marinamarina, Hot Springs Village
Booked trips from Garland County
- Cookie's Fishing Guide Servicefishing guide, Hot Springs, (501) 617-3982
- Hot Springs, Arkansas Fishing Guidefishing guide, Hot Springs, (501) 318-3092
Yellow Pages and tourism guide listings (city of business), read November 8, 2026.
Not far from Garland County
Town pages inside Garland County
- Hot Springspop. 37,930
- Pineypop. 5,238
- Rockwellpop. 4,548
Adjacent to Garland County
- Hot Spring County22 miles southeast
- Saline County27 miles east
- Perry County28 miles northeast
- Montgomery County30 miles west
Piscifun tackle staged for a morning at Garland County
.jpg){kind=link}
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Visual guide to fish swimming at Garland County
Photo: Deskana, CC BY-SA 3.0
_2013-09-13_11-40.jpg){kind=link}
Photo: USFWS Fish and Aquatic Conservation, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
Photo: Nick Tobler (Cowturtle), CC BY 4.0
Fishing across Garland County: the common questions
How many ramps serve Garland County anglers?
There are 16 launches in the AGFC layers.
Which lake covers the most water in Garland County?
Lake Ouachita (40,000 acres).
What do anglers target around Garland County?
AGFC lists catfish on the most lake pages within 50 miles, then bream, black bass and crappie.
Where can I pick up crickets and minnows in Garland County?
Try Dick's Sporting Goods, 1420 Higdon Ferry Rd; there are 13 in all.
Which Arkansas town hosts the Garland County courthouse?
Hot Springs.
What AGFC license do Garland County anglers carry?
The AGFC fee table lists $10.50 for the resident license and $60 for the nonresident annual.
Which counties neighbour Garland County?
Start with Hot Spring County, Saline County and Perry County.
What is the crappie limit across Garland County?
Statewide: daily limit of 30 crappie (all species combined) with no length restrictions. Waters with their own Code line differ.
Which Garland County lakes have their own rules?
3 waters with a page here carry their own Code line, starting with Lake Catherine.
Which Garland County ponds get catfish or trout?
Entergy Park Lake and Family Park: Catfish and Trout, catfish last stocked September 23, 2026; trout last stocked December 16, 2025.
Which tournaments fish Garland County lakes?
10 organizer entries on file, none with a date still ahead.
What record fish trace to Garland County?
Yellow Bass, 2 lbs., 4 oz. (rod and reel), from Lake Ouachita.
Plan a fishing weekend in Garland County
River pages list AGFC accesses and USGS flow.