Lake Ouachita Fishing
A 40,000-acre Arkansas reservoir in Garland and Montgomery counties.
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First facts on Lake Ouachita for Arkansas anglers
In Garland and Montgomery counties, Lake Ouachita measures 40,000 acres on the AGFC page. The impoundment went in during 1952, AGFC notes. AGFC writes that it reaches about 200 feet at its deepest. It is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake. Expect about 6 miles of road to Mountain Pine.
Trailers go in at 15 ramps and paddle accesses in the AGFC data. Shore anglers get 1 pier or bank access site. The Code names it in 2 water-specific limits. On shore, AGFC notes camping, picnic tables, recreational area and restrooms.
Acreage and depth as AGFC states them in its description of Lake Ouachita (AGFC page), read November 8, 2026.
AGFC public fishing area page and map data, read November 8, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 8, 2026.
AGFC notes on Lake Ouachita
The AGFC page on Lake Ouachita opens:
Lake Ouachita is a 40,000-acre lake that was constructed in 1952 in the Montgomery and Garland counties. Located between Hot Springs and Mt. Ida, Arkansas, the lake reaches a maximum depth of 200 feet.
- Ways to fishboat ramp and paddle fishing
- Amenitiescamping, picnic tables, recreational area and restrooms
- PropertyAGFC and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
AGFC public fishing area page and map data, read November 8, 2026.
Species worth chasing on Lake Ouachita
AGFC suggests these species when fishing Lake Ouachita.
AGFC public fishing area page and map data, read November 8, 2026.
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- Brady Point Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Buckville Boat Launch on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
- Highway 27 Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Rabbit Tail Boat Launch on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface, recreational area
- Twin Creek Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
- Brady Mountain Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
- Crystal Springs Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
- Denby Point Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
- Irons Fork Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
- Lena Landing Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
- Little Fir Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
- Mountain Harbor Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
- Ouachita Lake Spillway Accessboat ramp, concrete surface
- State Park Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
- Thompkins Bend Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachitaboat ramp, concrete surface
AGFC bank and pier spots on Lake Ouachita
- Twin Creek Fishing Pier on Lake Ouachitafishing pier, camping, picnic tables, recreational area
AGFC fishing-area posts for Lake Ouachita
- Brady Point Accessboat ramp, paddle fishing; AGFC
- Lake Ouachita Rabbit Tail Boat Launchboat ramp, paddle fishing; AGFC
- Twin Creek Accessboat ramp, paddle fishing; COE
- Hwy 27 Accessboat ramp, paddle fishing; COE
Other AGFC ramps a short tow from Lake Ouachita
- Avery REc Area Boat Ramp on Ouachita RiverOuachita River, 6 miles southeast
Ramp fees and hours around Lake Ouachita are set by each manager; AGFC does not list them.
AGFC boat-and-kayak access and fishing access layers plus the AGFC public fishing areas map posts, read November 8, 2026.
Gauge and Corps numbers for 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.
Read the date beside each Lake Ouachita reading before you go.
Code limits in force on Lake Ouachita
Exceptions AGFC prints for Lake Ouachita
| Species group | Rule as written | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Black Bass (Largemouth, Spotted, And Smallmouth) | Daily limit of 6, including an additional 10 Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass 13-inch minimum. | N1.01(E)(36) |
| Striped Bass And Hybrid Striped Bass | Daily limit of 3. | N1.01(N)(3) |
AGFC Code of Regulations, N1.01(E)(36), effective July 1, 2026 (policy text), read November 8, 2026.
Statewide numbers apply at Lake Ouachita only where no exception speaks.
Baseline limits at Lake Ouachita
| Group | Statewide rule as written | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
| Striped Bass And Hybrid Striped Bass | daily limit of 6 bass (all species combined) with no length restrictions. | N1.01(N) |
| White Bass | daily limit of 25 White Bass with no length restrictions. | N1.01(Q) |
AGFC Code of Regulations (regulation library), read November 8, 2026.
For Lake Ouachita, the Code gives daily limits; it prints no possession figure.
Anglers 16 and older need an Arkansas fishing license; AGFC prints $10.50 for the Resident Fisheries Conservation License and $60 for the nonresident annual license.
Fishing license prices as printed on the AGFC license descriptions and fees page (agfc.com), matching Code Addendum D1.01, read November 8, 2026.
State-record catches credited to Lake Ouachita
| Species | Weight | Division | Date | Water as printed | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Bass | 2 lbs., 4 oz. | rod and reel | 2022-01-26 | Lake Ouachita | AGFC |
| Channel Catfish | 38 lbs., 0 oz. | rod and reel | 1989-06-03 | Lake Ouachita | AGFC |
| River Redhorse | 9 lbs. 0 oz. | unrestricted_tackle | 2013-03-17 | Lake Ouachita | AGFC |
Arkansas state record fish as listed by AGFC (record list), read November 8, 2026.
Club trails and opens that weigh in on Lake Ouachita
Each Lake Ouachita event we found comes with its organizer source.
Lake Ouachita set against five nearby lakes
| Lake | Distance | Size | County | AGFC targets | Ramps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Ouachita | 40,000 acres | Garland County | 6 | 15 | |
| Lake Hamilton | 12 miles southeast | about 6,673 acres of mapped outline | Garland County | 5 | 3 |
| Family Park | 13 miles southeast | Garland County | 3 | 0 | |
| Entergy Park Lake | 18 miles southeast | Garland County | 3 | 0 | |
| Caddo Pond | 21 miles southwest | about 2 acres of mapped outline | Montgomery County | 3 | 0 |
| Cedar Creek Lake | 23 miles northeast | about 60 acres of mapped outline | Perry County | 3 | 1 |
AGFC fishing-area posts and access layers; outline areas are GIS figures. Read November 8, 2026.
Side trips from Lake Ouachita
Second-choice lakes near Lake Ouachita
- Lake Hamilton12 miles southeast
- Family Park13 miles southeast
- Entergy Park Lake18 miles southeast
- Caddo Pond21 miles southwest
- Cedar Creek Lake23 miles northeast
Bait and tackle counters handy to Lake Ouachita
- Safe Harbor Brady Mountainmarina, Royal, 2 miles
- North Shores Resort & Marinamarina, Jessieville, 4 miles
- Echo Canyon Resort & Marinamarina, Royal, 4 miles
- The Sand Barbait and tackle shop, Hot Springs National Park, 10 miles
- Jason Bassbait and tackle shop, Bonnerdale, 11 miles
- Paradise Cove Marinamarina, Hot Springs National Park, 13 miles
Paid guides for a day on Lake Ouachita
- John T Hall Striper Fishing Guidefishing guide, 501-622-9972
- Mamba Fishing USAfishing guide, 386-451-9817
- Natural State Fishing Guide, LLCfishing guide, North Little Rock, (501) 548-8990
Census towns near Lake Ouachita
- Piney10 miles
- Rockwell13 miles
- Hot Springs15 miles
Which county pages carry Lake Ouachita
- Garland Countyseat: Hot Springs
- Montgomery Countyseat: Mount Ida
Piscifun tackle staged for a morning at Lake Ouachita
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Banks and coves around Lake Ouachita, through a lens
Photo: Robert Nunnally, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Nicolas Henderson, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Kfasimpaur, Public domain
Photo: ksblack99, Public domain
Odds and ends anglers ask about Lake Ouachita
What corner of the Natural State holds Lake Ouachita?
Its AGFC post places it in Garland and Montgomery counties; the closest Census town, Mountain Pine, is about 6 miles off.
What size does AGFC give Lake Ouachita?
Roughly 40,000 acres, with the deepest water near 200 feet.
Where does AGFC show a trailered boat going in at Lake Ouachita?
15 ramps and paddle accesses, with Brady Point Boat Ramp on Lake Ouachita among them.
Which fish does AGFC tell anglers to chase at Lake Ouachita?
AGFC points anglers to black bass, bream, catfish, crappie, striped and hybrid striped bass and white bass.
Does Lake Ouachita simply follow the statewide Arkansas creel table?
It has 2 water-specific lines, shown in full above.
Where is an AGFC license sold before a trip to Lake Ouachita?
Anglers 16 and older need an Arkansas fishing license; AGFC prints $10.50 for the Resident Fisheries Conservation License and $60 for the nonresident annual license.
Does AGFC map any shoreline access at Lake Ouachita?
1 pier or bank site show on the AGFC map, with Twin Creek Fishing Pier on Lake Ouachita first.
Which Arkansas tackle store serves Lake Ouachita?
Pull in at Safe Harbor Brady Mountain, about 2 miles away for bait.
Is Lake Ouachita above or below its normal pool this week?
Our level band quotes USACE Vicksburg District for this water.
Does the AGFC record table credit Lake Ouachita with a fish?
AGFC credits Lake Ouachita with the yellow bass record, 2 lbs., 4 oz. in the rod and reel division, dated 2022-01-26; the angler is not named here.
Where are the printed results for Lake Ouachita events?
The tournament page carries the schedule and results we found.
Circle an AGFC free weekend for Lake Ouachita
Check the creel numbers before a fish goes on ice.