Lake Ouachita

Also known as: Blakely Mountain Dam Reservoir

Locations

USA > South > Arkansas

Lake Ouachita Water Levels

Be the first to add a photo to this lake!

Be the first to post a photo to the Lake Ouachita Photo Gallery

Lake Ouachita: Description

Lake Ouachita is completely surrounded by Ouachita National Forest, allows no building on the shores, and is one of the cleanest lakes in the United States. Ouachita National Forest has over 700 miles of trails and facilities for hiking, mountain biking and ATVs. Lake Ouachita is Arkansas's largest lake with over 200 islands (think of your own private camping spot!), over 40,000 acres of boating and water recreation with over 900 miles of shoreline. It is extremely well suited for recreational use with:

*23 recreation areas (A number with marinas)
*1376 camping sites
*835 houseboats for rent
*15 swimming areas
*3250 boat slips
*3 fishing docks (there's always the shore, too)
*8 resorts on the Lake (many with marinas)
* Many hiking and mountain biking trails in Ouachita National Forest

Lake Ouachita was authorized by the Flood Control Act of December 22, 1944 primarily for flood control and power generation. The gates on the dam were first closed in 1953 and a wonderful recreation lake was created. Ouachita is the French spelling of an Indian word WASHITA which means 'good hunting grounds...' and we have to add 'Good Fishing Waters'.

Lake Ouachita is an angler's paradise with largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, bream, crappie, catfish and walleye as fishing attractions. However, the trophy striped bass are the biggest draw for most anglers and have given Lake Ouachita the title of the 'Striped Bass Capital of the World'.

Unusual features on and around Lake Ouachita include one of the largest crystal veins in the world, rare jellyfish (non-stinging variety) and sponges. The latter two are found only in the very few cleanest freshwater lakes.

The Geo Float Trail, the first water-based interpretive trail included in the National Trails System, is a project of the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Arkansas Geological Commission, and the US Geological Survey. The 16-mile trail guides boaters around Lake Ouachita showing the many unique geological formations. Boaters should try this one!

For the geocaching aficionado, there are over 50 caches in a ten mile area (many more outside this) to find and log. At least one of these is on an island for boaters. Get your GPS unit out and find a few.

The mountain biker will also have challenges on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, the Womble Trail and the Little Blakely Trail. The Vista Trail is planned to extend 35-40 miles along the Lake Ouachita's shore.

Scuba divers from around the world revel in the underwater experiences and the special spear fishing season in Lake Ouachita. The location is known as a scuba training area, attracting instructors and students from neighboring states to learn to dive in its clear waters. A popular sport is spearfishing, allowed by Arkansas (one of the few states doing so) for fresh water fish. Underwater visibility in Lake Ouachita can range from 6 to 30 feet, depending on weather.

Lake Ouachita has something for everyone - boating, fishing, hiking, biking, diving, in-season hunting and just the pure outdoor enjoyment of nature make this a 'must do' in Arkansas.