Talimena Area Lakes

Lake Ouachita - Hot Springs Lakes

Lake Ouachita is one of three lakes surrounding Hot Springs Arkansas. When Lake Ouachita filled in the early 1950s, it added to the mountainous scenery expanses of water on a scale never before seen in Montgomery County. The lake, particularly stunning when ringed by flaming fall foliage, made available new recreational activities, such as power boating, houseboating, sailing, water skiing, scuba diving and viewing of wintering bald eagles. In addition, new venues were created for fishing, camping and swimming.

The lake has become home to private resorts and marinas, where visitors can find a variety of accommodations, meeting facilities, restaurants, fishing and nautical supplies, and watercraft rentals such as houseboats, party barges, ski and fishing boats, and jet skis. In addition, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas provide campgrounds, swimming beaches, and boat launch ramps.

Striped bass topping 50 pounds, largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and bream are among the game anglers haul from the lake. Fishing guides are available.

Other Hot Springs area lakes include Lake Catherine and Lake Hamilton, both smaller and older than most Arkansas lakes, yet they provide good fishing and great resort accommodations at the Spa City's doorstep. Lake Catherine State Park is one of a handful of historic CCC facilities that started the state parks system during the 1930s.

Other Oklahoma and Arkansas Lakes

DeGray Lake, near Arkadelphia, is one of the state's newest and most popular lakes. The 13,400-acre impoundment offers almost 600 campsites in more than a dozen public use parks, plus the luxury of DeGray Lake Resort State Park Lodge. The 96-room facility overlooks the lake from a wooded peninsula, part of a state park complex that includes a modern conference center, 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, campgrounds and marina.

Anglers revel at the variety of sports fishing on DeGray, which includes hybrid bass, northern pike, several bass species and all native panfish. Commercial marinas and rentals are available.

The tri-lakes region in southwest Arkansas showcases Gillham, Dierks, and DeQueen as smaller, but bountiful, recreational reservoirs. Lake Greeson, north of Murfreesboro, is known for its scenic wonders and boasts Daisy State Park along its northern shore. Millwood Lake, north of Texarkana, covers 29,000 acres and has long been a bass angler's haven because much of the lake is old timber stands. There are 230 Corps campsites and Millwood State Park adds more campgrounds and a marina.

Nimrod, mentioned earlier, and Blue Mountain lakes are hidden deep in the west-central Ouachita Mountains. Both provide great retreat areas for campers and fishermen.

Broken Bow Lake
Oklahoma also has several large lakes including Broken Bow Lake in Southeast Oklahoma. Broken Bow Lake stretches 22 miles back into the Ouachita mountain country where its unusual beauty and scenic appeal beckons all nature enthusiasts. The mountain terrain is densely forested and there are many species of birds native to the area for birdwatchers to enjoy.

Numerous park areas located around the lake give the visitor an unmatched opportunity for outdoor family fun and relaxation. Recreational facilities include boat launching ramps, camping, picnic sites, beaches, water and sanitary facilities.

The climate at Broken Bow Lake offers outdoor sportsmen excellent opportunities for year-round angling.

Lake Wister
Lake Wister is located in the San Bois Mountains on the Poteau River -- the only river that flows north in Oklahoma.

One of the most significant things about Wister Lake is that the Wister Project is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The area around Wister Lake has been inhabited for thousands of years. Numerous mounds created by the prehistoric Native Americans still exist in the area.

Visitors to Wister Lake will find a variety of sightseeing opportunities to enjoy. Organized groups from distant points come to this area annually to see the magnificent fall foliage which consists of beautiful trees, native grasses, and wild flowers.

Sardis Lake
Sardis Lake is located five miles north of Clayton, Oklahoma, along Oklahoma Highway 2 in beautiful southeastern Oklahoma. The lake covers 14,360 acres, with 117 miles of shoreline, and offers many opportunities for every diversification of outdoor recreation. There are three campgrounds located around the lake offering various facilities including general hookups, restrooms, showering facilities, swim beach and fishing docks. The lake also has facilities for group camping and picnic shelters equipped with tables, electricity and large outdoor cooking grills.

Although Sardis Lake is known for producing several of Oklahoma's largest bass, the lake also provides fishermen excellent opportunities to catch crappie, catfish, and walleye.

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