Lake Ouachita - Largest Lake in Arkansas.

Lake Ouachita, located in the Ouachita National Forrest of more than 1.6 million acres near the resort city of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Lake Ouachita is surrounded by the Ouachita National Forest and is one of the cleanest lakes in the country. Arkansas's largest lake, it has 66,324 total acres of land and water. 20,000 forested acres around the lake are open for hunting. No homes are allowed on the tree covered rustic shore line of over 900 miles. With Over 200 islands you can find your own private camping space with beach.

● Boating ● Camping ● Day Use ● Fishing ● Hunting ● Resorts

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Lake Ouachita Features:

Lake Ouachita State Park
20 Core Of Engineers Recreation areas
Houseboat Rentals
10 Marinas
150 Picnic sites
801 Camping sites
5 Playgrounds
10 Swimming areas
32 Hiking Trail miles
Lake Ouachita Vista Trail System
3 Fishing docks
29 Boat ramps
Over 3000 Boat slips
Fish stocked by the AGFC into Lake Ouachita 2010
Campground Schedule Lake Ouachita

Lake Ouachita Real Estate Information.
Volunteer your skills, experience, or education to help out Lake Ouachita.
Lake Ouachita Fishing Guides.
Lake Ouachita Fishing Reports.

Pronounced "Wash-ah-taw"; officially ( WAH-shi-tah ) but that comes out as "Wah-sheet-tah", the lake was created by building the Blakely Mountain Dam on the Ouachita River. “Ouachita” is the French spelling of the Indian word Washita which means "good hunting grounds". Since the formation of Lake Ouachita we have to add Good Fishing Waters. With over 40,000 acres of water, Lake Ouachita averages 50 feet deep. The deepest area touching 200 feet.

The lake was not clear cut before it was filled, so a forest is still standing beneath the surface. Many trees left standing were over 60 feet tall. Always be on the lookout for shallow water markers and tree tops.

With over 200 islands showing, there are many just under the waters surface. Even in seemingly open water you can go from 150 feet to 2 feet in a short distance.

!!! Be Careful Wear you life jackets. !!!

Always check the weather, Storms on Lake Ouachita can spin up fast.

Lake Ouachita is the first of 3 lakes on the Ouachita River. Below Ouachita, is Lake Hamilton formed by Carpenter Dam, below Hamilton, formed by Remmel Dam is Lake Catherine. These 3 lakes, and the bath houses of Hot Springs National Park make Hot Springs, Arkansas a popular tourist and vacation attraction.

Lake Ouachita Fisheries Management Plan

Largemouth Bass, Small Mouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Bream, Crappie, Catfish, Walleye and world class Trophy Striped Bass await the angler. Lake Ouachita is known as the Striped Bass Capital of the World.

Lake Ouachita has many unusual features, one feature by the Corps of Engineers is the Geo-Float Trail, a marked trail which can be followed with a brochure which details prominent geologic features along the route.

Lake Ouachita also features one of the largest crystal veins in the world. Lake Ouachita has rare jellyfish (non-stinging) and sponges found in only very few of the cleanest freshwater lakes.

Scuba Divers from all over the world enjoy the underwater experience as well as the special spear fishing season.