Lake Ouachita

Boat Ramps: 21
Access Points: 24
Species: 26

Lake Ouachita, nestled in the breathtaking Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas, is the state's largest lake with over 40,000 acres of crystal-clear water and 975 miles of shoreline. Known as one of America's top 10 spots for largemouth bass fishing, this pristine reservoir boasts incredible fishing opportunities for a variety of species. With no residential development along its shores, Lake Ouachita offers a truly natural fishing experience surrounded by undeveloped forest. The lake features diverse habitats including open deep waters, standing timber, underwater humps, grass beds, and numerous tributaries that branch off for miles, creating unique fishing opportunities year-round.

Arkansas licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lake Ouachita and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Redhorse

Moxostoma duquesnei

Blue Catfish

Ictalurus furcatus

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Chain Pickerel

Esox niger

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Flathead Catfish

Pylodictis olivaris

Freshwater Drum

Aplodinotus grunniens

Golden Redhorse

Moxostoma erythrurum

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Longear Sunfish

Lepomis megalotis

Longnose Gar

Lepisosteus osseus

Northern Hogsucker

Hypentelium nigricans

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

River Redhorse

Moxostoma carinatum

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Spotted Bass

Micropterus punctulatus

Spotted Gar

Lepisosteus oculatus

Striped Bass

Morone saxatilis

White Bass

Morone chrysops

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Yellow Bass

Morone mississippiensis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake Ouachita. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Lake Ouachita

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Arkansas licenses and regulations

Arkansas Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

Learn more

Arkansas Fishing License

If you are 16 or older, you must carry a valid fishing license to take or attempt to take aquatic wildlife in Arkansas, unless you are fishing in a licensed “put-and-take” pay lake. A trout permit is required to fish for trout in certain waters (tailwaters below Beaver Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake, Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Greeson or east of Highway 59 on Spavinaw Creek) or to keep trout from any Arkansas waters.

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Arkansas Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Arkansas Stream Access Laws

If a waterway can carry a small boat for six months out of the year, it is considered navigable and available for public use. This includes streambed access up to the high water mark. However, access to the waterway through private land is not guaranteed.

Learn more

Take Lake Ouachita with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lake Ouachita to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Ouachita to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.