Arkansas - Lake Ouachita

[chuck41]

Went out Sat 8/13 from Brady Mtn Marina and had a great time. Weather was great as long as you stayed wet.

Water had improved a bit in the visibility since three weeks ago, but is still fairly dingy and won't clear significantly until next month when the temp drops a bit. Average vis was about 10 - 15' and most fish were at the 15 to 20 depth range at the outer edge of weeds. Mild thermocline in low 20's and another one about 30' with the water temp dropping strongly below that. At 40' it became quite dark and too cold for my 3 mil suit. Since I saw no fish there it wasn't worth putting on the 7 mil and the hood.

We shot a couple nice bass, 3 crappie, and a bunch of bluegills and redears. Heard a big drum, but never saw him. Saw several nice cats in about 3-5# class, but they were smarter and faster than we were this time. Had a great meal of bass and crappie last night and looking forward to going back this week. Almost always have extra space on the boat. PM me if interested.

[Reefranger]

Nice job on the fish. Glade to hear you did well. How is the hydrilla in Lake Ouachita these days?

[titaniumdiver]

Always enjoy hearing spearing stories from home....great lake to spear in.....although my old haunt was Degray lake.....keep em comming :D

[outlaw-outdoors]

Well I havent been in a while but my buddy on DeGray said it is getting alot better.

[chuck41]

Nice job on the fish. Glade to hear you did well. How is the hydrilla in Lake Ouachita these days?

In most areas I have visited the weeds are "less vigerous" than they have been in the last couple of years. Not nearly as thick as they were this time last year. They introduced some flies last year that appeared to be helping. I have not heard about that program this year, but for whatever reason the weed problem is not as severe as it was.

[rpowers]

glad to hear Degray is getting better Outlaw. i'm going to dive the 15-17 of Sept. down there. the fish are just friggin deep and spooky up on Beaver.... 'cept the 4lb bass, cause you can't shoot them. they'll just about try and steal your gun...

[chuck41]

glad to hear Degray is getting better Outlaw. i'm going to dive the 15-17 of Sept. down there. the fish are just friggin deep and spooky up on Beaver.... 'cept the 4lb bass, cause you can't shoot them. they'll just about try and steal your gun...

Sure wish they would try to steal my gun. I'd offer them a part of it. :lol:
Check my website with info on Lake Ouachita http://scuba.royalcs.com/ouachita

[rpowers]

Ouachita is closer by an hour and a half or so to me, so i may start diving there instead of degray. i've had several ppl up here who dive say i oughta just shoot the danged bass and sneak em outta beaver, but i'm not sure it's worth losing a gun over if Mr. warden happens by..... if it weren't for the tourney bass fishers we could spear 'em. the AGFC will admit to you that it's all just politics.

[rpowers]

oh, ps.

what are some better areas on the North side of the lake to dive vis/fish wise??? i've never dove ouachita so it'd be nice to have some info and not take a shot in the dark when i do go next June.
thanks, RP

[chuck41]

oh, ps.

what are some better areas on the North side of the lake to dive vis/fish wise??? i've never dove ouachita so it'd be nice to have some info and not take a shot in the dark when i do go next June.
thanks, RP

The north side has only rather primitive campsights and facilities. The main marinas and campgrounds are at the spillway (and Ouachita State Park), Brady Mtn, Crystal Springs, Mtn Harbor, Denby Point, Shangrala (Thompkins Bend) and Twin Creeks and all those are basically on the south side of the lake. Navy landing is on the north side, but it is about 4 miles from the main body of the lake.

There are a number of other launching sites on the North side of the lake, but with little or no facilities available.

Vis is usually a bit better on the Eastern half of the lake, but it varies depending on rainfall, temperature, and a lot of other things we can't always seem to figure out. Most anywhere near the main body of the lake is generally good for diving with fish generally being found mostly along the points, submerged islands, and weed beds.

Brady, Crystal, and Mtn Harbor have air available during the summer months. Brady Mtn is my personal first choice with Mtn Harbor being second. Good camp sites and hotel type accommodations are available at both.

The first Saturday following opening of spearfishing season (June 15th) there is a spearfishing tournament at Brady Mtn that is a real blast. More info about the lake is found at my website http://scuba.royalcs.com/ouachita or at the Lake Ouachita Dive Center site at http://www.saclodc.com

I do escort dive trips and spearfishing trips on the lake upon request. Cost is very reasonable. If interested, PM me or contact me at: scuba@royalcs.com

[Mako993]

Damn, that looks like a hoot! I've never been freshwater spearing before, but I do want to try it, and Lake Ouachita looks like a great place to get into it. How late into the year do you guys spear down there?