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Ouachita River

Boat Ramps
37
Access Points
38
Species
54

The Ouachita River is a diverse and productive fishery stretching from the Ouachita Mountains in Arkansas through Louisiana where it meets the Tensas River to form the Black River near Jonesville. This meandering waterway offers anglers exceptional fishing opportunities year-round with its numerous river lakes, bayous, backwaters, and main channel sections. The river system features a variety of habitats including cypress forests, submerged brush tops, laydowns, sandbars, and river bends that provide excellent cover for a wide range of game fish. With over 90 miles of fishable water between the Arkansas state line and Columbia Lock and Dam in Louisiana alone, the Ouachita River presents both challenges and rewards for anglers of all skill levels.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Ouachita River. 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.

Camden Riverwalk Courtesy Dock

Camden Riverwalk Courtesy Dock

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Ouachita River

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.

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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.

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Take Ouachita River 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 Ouachita River to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Ouachita River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Ouachita River and check the forecast before you go.

Ouachita River near Mount Ida, AR

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