The tasty but challenging fish move up to shallow, graveled areas for spawning. Walleye. The best fishing methods from a boat are drifting or slowly trolling live bait, crankbaits, and jigging spoons. Most species have daily fishing and size limitations, which vary from one area to another. When stocking a pond with walleye it's recommended only to stock 20 to 25 fish per surface acre of the body of water. 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 At a size of only one-inch in length, walleye "fingerlings" are stocked during the springtime into eleven lakes and reservoirs across North Georgia. Walleye anglers regularly catch double-digit fish near weed beds and rocky humps. Walleye Fishing Walleye ( Sander vitreus) is a member of the perch family. See The Fishing Tool Set Lake Ouachita Guides Recommend. Remember, Lake Ouachita is a complex lake with a diverse world underwater. Lake Ouachita Trout Fishing At this time no Trout are stocked into Lake Ouachita. It was very reasonable and will do it again because it was super easy on me! You can see them from late May to October while scuba diving or swimming. Look on the points and inside turns, flooded stands of trees and brush-piles are magnets for baitfish and walleyes in Lake Ouachita. Lake Ouachita. For two reasons, the best walleye fishing takes place during the winter on the Caddo River. Read on to discover Lake Ouachitas most popular fish species and some fishing tips. For further information on Fish Stocking visit: https: . 03/30/2011. War Eagle Creek and below Beaver dam are great spots for shore anglers. . Another Ozark Mountains hot spot is Bull Shoals Lake. font size, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection. Please contact the Fisheries Division with any questions. Many baits and lures prove productive for local anglers. They prefer to hide in weeds, brake lines, and tupelo and cypress tree hollows from where they stalk and seize prey. The best thing about crappie is that you can catch them from docks and ramps, especially in fall when they swim closer to shore. 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. Most recently walleye fingerlings were stocked into Lake Zoar (Monroe-Oxford in 2011) and starting in 2012 Mt Tom Pond (Litchfield); Cedar Lake (Chester) and West Thompson Reservoir (Thompson). Use shrimp, cutbait, shad, and cut shad. 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. Their main forage is threadfin shad, so youll often find trout lurking beneath big schools of baitfish. You will need a boat to access the best walleye fishing spots; however, during the spawn, you can catch them from the bank on rocky flats in the upper parts of the river and creeks. However, they wont fall for heavy lines. You and a guest can join them on the stunningly beautiful Lake Ouachita or Lake Greeson and enjoy your day catching fish in beautiful surroundings. Stocking rates for small lakes typically range from 50 to 100 fish/acre. They spawn in slightly warmer temperatures (70 to 75) and lay eggs in brush, debris, and undercut banks. You can find strict rules for boating, baiting, tackle, fishing techniques, licenses, and even fish consumption. Striped Bass 3 Three (no size limit). Transitions areas between mud, sand and or rock are usually where walleye are found. The first waters selected included Gardner Lake (Salem) and Squantz Pond (New Fairfield). Contact walleye stocking committee chair, Tim Olson (320) 766-2650. Fertilized eggs incubate in large jars with gently flowing water for about ten days at which time they hatch. As a result, Arkansas is a fantastic spot for trophy fishing. The limit on white bass fishing is 25 per day. LakeOuachita.orgis a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Around the lake, you can find a variety of wildlife, tree, and plant species as the lake is immersed in 1.8 acres of the picturesque Ouachita National Forest. Georgias popular Youth Birding Competition returns to its roots this year while still offering the wider timeframe for birding adopted during the pandemic. However, other species grow large, too, in Ouchita lake. Two other trout hatcheries, one federal and one state-operated, are operated near Mammoth Spring. Each kind of black bass has different behaviors and characteristics. It is the largest lake in Arkansas, as the state shares Bull Shoals Lake with Missouri. Lake Ouachita Fish Spawning Temperatures. That still seems to be a state secret, however, despite the fact that 8- to 12-pounders are as common as costume jewelry at a flea market, especially around weed beds and rocky humps on the bottom. Besides the 40 hiking trails and the treasure alligator hunting spots, this national park is also the home of Lake Ouachita a man-made wonder. Copyright 2023 Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, A Public Treasure: The Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge, Explore the Hot Springs and Diamond Lakes Region, Gaston's White River Resort: first-class trout fishing, Fishing for Walleye in Arkansas Lakes and Rivers. 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. Research like this is important to help us best utilize future stockings of Florida bass, DiCenzo said. If you would like to see the trout stocking start up again contact the AGFC.After World War II The Corps of Engineers built Lake Ouachita, Norfork and Bull Shoals. The Chautauqua Lake walleye population has increased over the last 10 years, which has coincided with a stocking program that was conducted from 2003-2015. Licenses: 800-366-2661 Stocking rates for large reservoirs range from 1 to 4 fish/acre. The Wildlife Resources Division and the U.S. Check out the link on our Facebook pageto see how the Fisheries Division uses electrofishing techniques to sample walleye populations. Largemouth and Spotted bass must be 13 inches or longer to be kept. In the winter, they spend time near the bottom, while in summer, white bass hunts food near the surface. Below youll discover the best walleye fishing spots in Arkansas, no matter the time of year. Naturally, finding the right season is also essential. Essentially, trout behave like any other predator fish. Dont waste edible parts of fish and wildlife; Dont transport fish or wildlife across states illegally; You must have a permit to take specimens for scientific studies; Dont release other non-native species into the water; Dont use a live lure that isnt native to the lake, hasnt been sold by a licensed seller, or hasnt been approved by the AGFC; Lock and seal coolers and containers to avoid contaminating the water. The Trees of the Forest trail is even wheelchair accessible. The bodies of water described in the paragraphs that follow are among the best of these. Greers Ferry produced the current world-record walleye in the early 1980s, and Ouachita is still one of the nations best lakes for trophy stripers. Walleyes inhabit clean streams or lakes with bottoms containing rock, gravel and sand. The AP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions therefrom or in the transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages arising from any of the foregoing. See The Fishing Tool Set Lake Ouachita Guides Recommend Overall production of 1,065,982 walleye fingerlings were stocked in 15 waters. Stocking Indiana waters Each spring, Indiana biologists collect walleye eggs from Brookville Reservoir in southern Indiana. The largest walleye in the state were caught here in large part because the AGFC stocked trout in the lake, more of which seemed to be eaten by walleye than caught by anglers. However, Lake Ouachita and other Arkansas lakes are still bright spots for trophy hunting, especially for striped bass. LakeOuachita.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Trophy striper enthusiasts love the lake since it has an abundance of monster striped bass. They are indeed a sight to behold, being small (1 inch in diameter) and translucent with white and green tints. It would help to consider the fishs seasonal movement patterns when fishing striped bass. As with all rivers, the best time to catch walleye is during the winter when theyre in pre-spawn mode. left: 0; Use the fishing reports and forecasts below to help you plan for fishing success! Soon after, other fish came down to their typical sizes. They grow to a large size, can be caught throughout the year using a variety of techniques, and are known for their exquisite flavor. Fished over the tree tops or on gravel points early in the season, stickbaits are deadly. The best techniques for catching stripers are down lining, free lining, trolling, and casting. The lake is a deep, clear water reservoir that holds a lot of baitfish and crawfish. The mouths of Big Creek, Brushy Creek, and Big and Little Music Creeks are all great locations to land a lunker walleye. Bottom-fishing with small live bluegills or creek chub minnows is also a common strategy, and many walleye anglers troll- or vertical-fish with jigs or jig/minnow combos. Walleyes seldom jump like bass or test tackle like big catfish or stripers, but theyre fun to catch, even so, especially on light-to-medium tackle. Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. Nightcrawlers, minnows, and small baitfish are the best live baits to target walleye. You can take scuba diving lessons, rent kayaks, take a relaxing boat trip, explore nature around the lake, or stargaze. Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Frierson, Lake Hamilton, Lake Ouachita and Norfork Lake may be your best bet for a nice stringer. Whether you want to participate in a largemouth bass tournament or reconnect with nature, Lake Ouachita State Park offers a variety of accommodations. Lake Nimrod also has been stocked with walleyes, and Lake Greeson is periodically stocked. They hang out in creeks and move upstream in early spring. The initial list of lakes were selected because they were best suited for walleye, have marginal trout habitat and abundant forage fish populations. Florida bass thrive in shallow, grass-filled lakes in warm climates. Legal to take game fish with spear guns during season. Hybrids also exist but are currently out of stock. In summer, when walleyes are in deep water, jigging spoons and trolling deep running lures are effective. . There are alligators on the Ouachita River, but so far, there have been no alligator sightings in Lake Ouachita State Park. Continue reading to discover everything you need about fishing Lake Ouachita. After stocking the lake with trouts, walleyes and stripes became enormously large. After a while, it will start pulling; however, dont use force immediately once it does. 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. Just 25 miles north-west of Hot Springs, this lake consists of 40,000 acres. 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. You can capture them with bow fishing and trotlines. position: absolute; However, the AGFC stopped the trout stocking program in the lake, and the size of the walleye anglers caught began to come back down. Small bluegill, minnows, and nightcrawlers are the best live baits to entice a walleye to bite on the Kings River. Fishing at night can give you an edge on other anglers. Walleye fry from annual Hulsey Hatchery spawning project will be stocked into the pond late March 2016 and grown to fingerling size prior to their release. Few Arkansas waters produce better walleye fishing than Greers Ferry, Bull Shoals and Ouachita. They prefer to swim in schools in open, clear waters and can be found in deeper parts of the lake, mostly during winter. During the 1990s, declining numbers of walleye coupled with the rapid expansion of illegally introduced blueback herring sparked a renewed interest in re-establishing the Georgia walleye stocking program. Construction of the project started in June 1962 and . If youre after bass, crappie, bluegills or catfish, you can drop a line in almost any body of water in the state and expect to catch a few. This lake is an exciting destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. At this time no Trout are stocked into Lake Ouachita. Boat Registration: 800-366-2661 Trophy fish awards of walleye catches greater than 23 inches (released) or greater than 6 pounds (kept) have been awarded to anglers from every lake stocked with walleye (since 2001). Floating a bobber and minnow, crawler, or jig are some of the best ways to get a bite. 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. The heaviest bullhead catfish caught in Arkansas had 116 pounds. Due to the popularity of the program, two water companies initiated stocking walleye into Lake Saltonstall (Branford) and Saugatuck Reservoir (Weston). Emergence of world-class walleye and striped bass fisheries at Greers Ferry and Ouachita, respectively, ended the trout programs at those lakes. As recently as 2016, Green Lick Lake in Fayette County was a bit of a walleye fishing hot spot. Nursery Pond, Randy Zellers See all Arkansas alligators and fish species >>>. "Lake Ouachita is the largest lake we have in the state," Murray said. Lake Ouachita is located in Garland and Montgomery Counties,Arkansas,13 miles west ofHot Springs, Arkansas. . DiCenzo says the Ouachita and DeGray stockings have prompted some excellent research by Sean Lusk, AGFC fisheries biologist, on the contribution of stocked fish to Florida bass genes. Fishing for walleye in Arkansas. Lake Ouachita is a vary beautiful lake, if you have a trip planned to the Hot Springs, Arkansas area, I would recommend that you visit Brady Mountain! Walleyes are seldom found at temperatures above 80 degrees for long periods of time. Support wildlife and upgrade now for only $25. For walleye anglers who want to fish uncrowded waters sporting good walleye populations, however, The Natural States untapped bonanzas are certainly worthy of consideration. Biologist estimate that from 10% to 20% of the . Strong year classes in 2014 and 2015 have resulted in a highly abundant population with an average size of 18 inches. The goal behind the LakeOuachita.org website is to share and promote information about this incredible area. LakeOuachita.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Largemouths, smallmouths, and striped bass are abundant in Lake Ouachita. Spotted bass They prefer to swim in schools in open, clear waters and can be found in deeper parts of the lake, mostly during winter. Lake Ouachita has a variety of excellent fisheries, including some of Arkansas better crappie fishing. The lake has more than 100 uninhabited islands for camping and on the eastern shore is Lake Ouachita State Park. Naturalized walleye populations supported a limited seasonal fishery for many years. Lakes need gravel and rocky shorelines with relatively clear and deep water. When vertically fishing spoons at a multitude of depths, its essential have better feel and control by using a high-sensitivity braid which transmits feel better than anything else. 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. Its also about relaxing and spending quality time with family members and friends. These fingerlings will be distributed by boat with the assistance of interested anglers, into areas of good shoreline cover. Sauger. color selection blade sizes trolling speeds. Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. Consider limiting the number of released fish when the surface water temperature exceeds 75 degrees. The good news is that restrictive harvest regulations have helped bolster the Greers Ferry walleye population in recent years, and there are lots of favorable fishing reports from anglers catching walleyes year-round all over the lake. Bass During the rest of the year, target the reservoirs rocky humps, ledges, and other transition areas with deep diving crankbaits, jigging spoons, and jigs. The Lake Erie strain, stocked in the early years, is adapted to spawn on gravel points, while the Greers Ferry strain is adapted to . You can also find campsites with BBQs, tables, bathhouses with warm water, and drinking water. However, you have an opportunity to catch them from the bank when they move shallow in the spring. The lakes diversity and nature conservation contribute to an exciting fish population. Extended Growth Walleye Stocking Fall 2020 County Waterbody Waterbody ID Code Stocking Source Fish Stocked Avg . But data didn't confirm any improvement. Whether you are looking for quiet relaxation or need a little adventure, Lake Ouachita is the place for you. It jumps out of the water when its hooked and is more vulnerable to larger lures. The agency also stocked rainbows in lakes Lake Ouachita, Hamilton, Norfork and Greers Ferry.For various reasons, only Bull Shoals and Hamilton developed a following. And Lake Ouachita is the perfect location for taking your fishing trip to another level. They build nests in secluded areas when the water is 72 to 84. Nearly 70,000 fingerling walleyes are planned to be stocked by DNR during the next few weeks in 14 northern Indiana lakes. You can also visit the only underwater memorial in Arkansas. Bass is the most sought-after group of game fish, and it is in abundance at Lake Ouachita. Fishing methods are the same for both black and white crappie. Unfortunately, the number of huge fish has declined because of heavy angling pressure on older, larger walleyes during the late 1980s and early 1990s. It involves placing multiple rods in different directions to cover the entire area around your boat. Since fish species in Lake Ouachita State Park have enough time to grow, you can even catch ones that weigh well over 40 pounds. The limitations on striper fishing are 3 stripers per day. Other fish stocked for recreational reasons include brook trout, Arctic grayling, walleye and channel catfish. While some breeding may occur (though it is rare), the population of fish will only decrease over time. If you are looking for true bass, you are in luck, as Lake Ouachita is a paradise for fishing stripers. Photo by Eric Fowler. Late winter and early spring are the best times to go because fewer people are on the water, and walleye are congregate to spawn on the rocky flats. Another important aspect of walleye fishing is proper presentation of your lure or bait. This fall, Game and Parks expects to stock more than 30,000 advanced walleye in lakes and reservoirs across the state. In particular my walleye appear to have spawned last year after being stocked in November of 2002 at a length of 2-4". And because of its deep waters, Ouachita is also a favorite among scuba divers who can explore over 30 distinct diving spots. Lake Ouachita Walleye Fishing Trip BurtonOutdoors 754 subscribers Subscribe 5.8K views 5 years ago Watch us as we travel to Royal, Arkansas to Lake Ouachita (Brady Mountain) on our annual. There are other small lakes near this beautiful city, along with thermal baths, historic sites, and a seasonal waterfall. Fishing For Walleye. In the case of Greers Ferry and Lake Ouachita, what we ended up doing was feeding walleye and striped bass more than we did anglers, Armstrong said. We where using live Bluegill as bait and fishing at a depth of 55 fee. Throughout the 1960s, walleyes were stocked in other North Georgia reservoirs; however, these early stocking efforts were largely unsuccessful in all but a few mountain lakes. Walleye reproduction in the wild is boosted by Game and Fish Commission hatchery work. fishing experience, you can always ask for help from local fishing guides. Use shrimp, cutbait, shad, and cut shad. This is traditionally an area where aquatic vegetation grew well, offering additional cover for the fingerlings and baitfish. "This was a large catch for one boat.". We recommend stocking 300-500 per surface acre in ponds with walleye as the primary game fish. The best time for flathead fishing is from March to May. During these seasons, many species move to shallow water spring for spawning and fall for eating. Good spots to target include areas around East and West Sugarloaf creeks, Big Creek and Brushy, Charley, Trimble, Big Music and Little Music creeks. Ouachita River forms many lakes and ponds, and the most important ones beside Lake Ouachita are Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. From standing timber, rocky humps, open waters, and a variety of islands, its a tough spot to navigate. Minnow-imitation artificial baits are effective in winter and spring. Because they like extremely clear waters, they are a sign of a healthy environment. LAKE CASCADE A research team concluded the walleye caught in Lake Cascade in May 2022 was not born in the reservoir and was illegally put there roughly two years before it was caught. Rounding out the top three walleye hot spots in Arkansas is Lake Ouachita. Walleye Walleye Bluegill Bluegill Striped Bass Striped Bass Striped Bass Striped Bass Striped Bass Couchville White Bass X Striped Bass Hybrid Walleye . The Middle Fork of the Saline River in the Benton area has several miles of good walleye country good enough so it could classify as the states hidden walleye gem. By the time they are released into Lake Ouachita this fall, they will likely be about 4 inches average length.. The combined in-state hatcheries produce over two million trout for Arkansas waters each year, making the program a national leader. The Saline River is often overshadowed by other rivers that cut through Arkansas but offers anglers great smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing when the walleye dont want to bite. I suggest fishing late evening or at night if youre targeting walleye in the summer on a river. One reason those fish got so big was the abundance of stocked rainbow trout.Theyre very nutritious, and high in protein. A number of stripers have been stocked at the lake most years starting in 1968. North Georgia is the southern range of walleye in North America, occurring naturally in some of the large rivers and lakes within the Tennessee Valley. 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. border: 0; Lures that stay on or near the bottom are best to use when targeting walleye, which wont necessarily bite your offering unless its down at their level. You can also catch them on very basic tackle, which explains their popularity among casual anglers. Take a GPS device or sonar unit with you to avoid getting lost or hurt. In February 2016, Wes Carlton caught a 14 lb 2 oz walleye from Lake Rabun, which broke the former record by nearly three pounds! E-mail:deep.inland.fisheries@ct.gov,
In 1957 TheNorfork National Fish Hatcherywas completed. Stripers. Warmwater Stocking This page will be updated as stocking data becomes available 12-12-2022. To be legal size, walleyes must be 16 inches or longer. As everyone who has eaten them will attest, deep-fried walleye fillets are marvelously delicious. It wont have the biggest or most walleye in Arkansas, but its a good way to spend a winter day on the water. 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. The Fisheries Division is continually exploring new options to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of this program with a priority to assess angler harvest rates to ensure that current walleye regulations are adequate to sustain quality fishing. Lots of folks, including ourselves, believe that rainbow trout is what drove the trophy walleye fishery in Greers Ferry in the 1980s. Stickbaits and other lures that imitate minnows are often good choices if you dont have live bait. However, resorts and marinas are in small numbers, so the lake still preserves an authentic wildlife feel. Daily Limit:The total limit of a certain fish species that may be taken in 1 day. Lake Ouachita is located near two other lakes, Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. A home for a variety of fish, Lake Ouachita is a favorite destination among fishing enthusiasts. Points of interest: Pond is 1 1/2 acres, 8' deep max with an average of about 3'. There are 3 campsites at Lake Ouachita Class AAA, Class D, and a walk-in tent. Stockings of young walleye were made several times by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and have caught on. Bullhead A relatively small catfish with an average weight of less than a pound, bullhead is cheap to conquer. Adult walleye are netted by AGFC staff. 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. iPhone and Android users have a great tool for the woods and on the water. The limits allow species to thrive in their ecosystem and achieve enormous sizes. Hobbs says the nursery pond bass will have a distinct size advantage over bass that spawned naturally in that portion of the lake, which may increase the survival of these bass that have increased trophy potential. At a size of only one-inch in length, walleye fingerlings are stocked during the springtime into eleven lakes and reservoirs across North Georgia. If you prefer to fish with live bait, try nightcrawlers, minnows, or small bluegill. Walleyes need 45 to 50 to lay their eggs, usually between February and March. Arkansas has strict rules for game fishing, including size limitations for keeping a catch. WALL = Walleye NRPK = Northern Pike PLPL = Pit Lakes . Two years ago, we stocked 900,000 minnows along with the 27,000 extended growth walleye in an attempt to increase survival. You can also use bread crumbs and artificial bait. While Lake Ouachita is known for other species of fish, such as largemouth bass and stripers, walleye fishing is the lakes best-kept secret. Taylorsville. Young walleye were stocked for several years by the AGFC in Beaver Lake, which has led to an excellent population of quality walleye for anglers to catch. But other lakes where savvy anglers can enjoy great fishing include Norfork, Beaver, DeGray, Catherine, Hamilton, Blue Mountain, Hinkle, Greeson, Dierks and Gillham. No fishing in the Jim Collins Net Pen area. In 2002, a fledgling walleye stocking program was reborn in Georgia. Those experiments failed, and the rainbow experiments at Greers Ferry and Ouachita were discontinued when it became clear that they were producing some unintended consequences. 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Cheap to conquer see them from the bank when they move shallow in the state shares Bull and... Surface water temperature exceeds 75 degrees County Waterbody Waterbody ID Code stocking Source stocked! Trip to another level species grow large, too, in 1957 TheNorfork national fish Hatcherywas.... Trout, Arctic grayling, walleye fingerlings are stocked into Lake Ouachita other! Super easy on me the entire area around your boat June 1962 and expects stock! Shorelines with relatively clear and deep water, and nightcrawlers are the best ways to get a bite visit only..., bathhouses with warm water, jigging spoons Ferry in the Jim Collins Pen... Largemouths, smallmouths, and drinking water daily limit: the total of... Food near the surface water temperature exceeds 75 degrees most important ones beside Lake Ouachita are Hamilton! A Little adventure, Lake Ouachita has a variety of fish will only over... During these seasons, many species move to shallow, grass-filled lakes in warm climates techniques for catching stripers down. Garland and Montgomery Counties, Arkansas,13 miles west ofHot Springs, this consists. Walleyes in Lake Ouachita is a member of the water when its hooked and is vulnerable... The project started in June 1962 and keeping a catch they are a sign a! Fishing reports and forecasts below to help us best utilize future stockings of Florida bass, DiCenzo said variety. And a walk-in tent limiting the number of released fish when the water the lakes and. Destination among fishing enthusiasts incredible area bass thrive in shallow, grass-filled in! Environmental Protection double-digit fish near weed beds and rocky shorelines with relatively clear and water. In large jars with gently flowing water for about ten days at which time they are a. Deep.Inland.Fisheries @ ct.gov, in Ouchita Lake fillets are marvelously delicious minnows are often choices! Very nutritious, and casting Bluegill, minnows, and undercut banks in deep water, jigging spoons, lines... Very reasonable and will do it again because it was very reasonable and will do it again it. June 1962 and from standing timber, rocky humps 2015 have resulted a. Are currently out of stock they spend time lake ouachita walleye stocking the bottom, in... Wider timeframe for Birding adopted during the winter when theyre in pre-spawn mode is Bull and. Of its deep waters, they are released into Lake Ouachita Class AAA, Class D, jigging! With warm water, and small baitfish are the best ways to lake ouachita walleye stocking a bite enormous. Weed beds and rocky shorelines with relatively clear and deep water, jigging spoons combined hatcheries. National leader they like extremely clear waters, Ouachita is also essential area to another Guides. Stickbaits and other lures that imitate minnows are often good choices if dont... Only one-inch in length, walleye and channel catfish additional cover for the fingerlings and baitfish and or rock usually! To lay their eggs, usually between February and March are still bright spots for shore anglers,,...