Lake Dardanelle

• Lake Information
• Fishing Guide Services
• Bait, Tackle & Marine Repair
• Lodgng & Marinas
• Restaurants & Convenience

About Lake Dardanelle

Lake Dardanelle is located near the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests. With nearly 40,000 acres of boating and fishing waters rimmed by choice picnic and camping areas, it is the ideal leisure-time destination. Lake Dardanelle spreads westward behind Dardanelle Dam into Pope, Yell, Logan, Johnson, and Franklin Counties. Two miles wide in places, it reaches 50 miles upstream to the Ozark-Jeta Taylor Lock and Dam and has 315 miles of shoreline. It is an important link in the 450-mile project that extends river commerce from the Mississippi River to near Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The Dam

Constructed under the supervision of the Corps of Engineers' Little Rock District, Lake Dardanelle is one of the most accessible and attractive recreation areas in Arkansas. The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System was authorized for, "improvement of the Arkansas River and its tributaries in Arkansas and Oklahoma", by the River and Harbor Act of 1946. Construction on Dardanelle Lock, Dam, and Powerhouse began in June, 1957 and was completed in November, 1969.

The Lake

The Arkansas River has for many years been popular with fishermen for its large catfish. White bass are native to the river. Bream, crappie, and largemouth bass are stocked in the lake and provide excellent sport fishing. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission studies of bass tournaments across the state revealed that Lake Dardanelle is the most productive bass fishery in the state of Arkansas. With no closed season and mild winters, fishing is good year round.

Recreation

Parks on Lake Dardanelle offer many recreational opportunities. Each has drinking water, toilet facilities, and picnic tables. Several have boat launch ramps, trailer dump stations, electrical sites with water, and group picnic shelters. Facilities include 3 marinas, 24 boat ramps, 3 fishing docks, 174 marina slips for boaters and fishermen, 28 recreation areas, 345 camping sites, 4 swimming areas, 175 picnic sites, 10 playgrounds, and 16 miles of trails are available.

Lake Level, Moon Phase and Weather
Last updated: Unknown		Data Provided by WeatherBug.
Lake Level 2010 08	CURRENT MOON moon phase	Today High: -- Mostly cloudy through the late evening...then clearing. Lows around 30. North winds 5 mph through the late evening...becoming northwest after midnight.	Monday High: 56 Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s. West winds 5 mph.

Fishing Report

Current Lake Level

Normal Pool Elevation 408

Lake Dardanelle Fishing Report 04/21/2011

Regina Olson at Spadra Marina said white bass are biting excellently, with most of the action in Spadra Creek and Cabin Creek. White Rooster Tails seem to be the most popular choice, but worms are working as well. Largemouth bass are biting well in Spadra, and many large fish have been caught near the Marina. Sweet Beavers, Booyah jigs and spinnerbaits have all taken some good fish. Crappie are moving shallow again, and they are starting to be caught on chartreuse and silver jigs and minnows.