Fishing Lake Dardanelle

AKA: Dardanelle Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Lake Dardanelle Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Boat Launch Ramps
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Lake Dardanelle, AR

Popular Fish Species Lake Dardanelle, AR

Lake Dardanelle Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Lake Dardanelle is considered one of the top bass fishing lakes in the region, and is home to numerous bass tournaments annually by local and national bass fishing organizations. Anglers are catching bass in good numbers with largemouth bass in the 4-pound range showing up with some regularity. A history of careful fisheries management by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has helped to maintain a thriving bass fishery. Recent results by bass fishing tournament participants, attest to the fact that fishing for largemouth bass has been quite rewarding, with an occasional bass over 6 pounds being weighed in. In Lake Dardanelle, bass often move shallow and become fairly aggressive when they are in a feeding mood. If they seem disinterested in your presentations, try slowing down and use smaller, lighter baits. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass, use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, drop shot rigs, big worms, jigs and spoons are good options. In winter, spend your time fishing deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Crappie Fishing

With a history of good crappie fishing, Lake Dardanelle continues to impress crappie enthusiasts this year. Light line and small hooks are key when fishing live bait. Crappie jigs are also productive her in a wide variety of colors. The lake has healthy populations of both white crappie and black crappie. These two species typically tend to school separately. However, once located around cover, you may find that you catch both species, due to the fact they often share the same cover. Crappie fishing can be found in varying size schools, hanging around brush, vegetation, wood or other cover. Using a fish finder any time of year can help locate these crappie schools, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels, especially areas with brush or timber in deeper water. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk.

Lake Dardanelle Popular Fish - Blue Catfish

Blue Catfish Fishing

This year blue catfish are running in the big to monster size in Lake Dardanelle. Most of the local guides offer catfish trips, and big blues are the favorite target. The state record is over 115 pounds. Fishing for blue catfish is most often productive during spring through summer around any kind of structure. Blue catfish are primarily found in large rivers, along the main channels, in and around tributaries flowing into impoundments of major river systems. They tend to move upstream in the summer in search of cooler temperatures, and downstream in the winter in order to find warmer water.The river end of the lake is often the area where the bigger catfish are caught. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig with cut bait or other popular catfish baits. Channel and flathead catfish are also available here for anglers to pursue.

Lake Dardanelle Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish, spotted sunfish, striped sunfish, warmouth, white bass, hybrid striped bass and sauger at Lake Dardanelle in Arkansas.

Nestled in the Arkansas River Valley, Lake Dardanelle can at times be an anglers paradise. The lake is loaded with numerous fish species and attracts fishing enthusiasts in search of bass, hybrid stripers, sauger, crappie, catfish, sunfish and white bass.

At times it can be a bit of a challenge to locate the fish in this 34,300-acre reservoir. Visitors can explore over 315 miles of shoreline for boating, fishing and sightseeing. Launch your boat at one of the public boat launch ramps or rent a boat from various boat rental agencies at the lake. It is situated in the north, north-central part of the state, immediately west of Russelville.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Dardanelle

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Dardanelle Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Russellville Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, canoes and pontoon boats
479 967-1543

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

ANO Effluent Bay Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off May Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Cabin Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, north side, off Cabin Creek Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with limited, paved parking.

Cane Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Cane Creek Recreation Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Delaware Park Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Delaware Park Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Dublin Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the southwest side of the lake, off State Route 197, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Illinois Bayou Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, in Illinois Bayou, north side, off Illinois Bayou Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Illinois Bayou Park, Lake Dardanelle Public Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, in Illinois Bayou, north side, off US Highway 64, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Lake Dardanelle State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast corner of the lake, west side, off Lake Dardanelle State Park Service Road, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Lake Dardanelle State Park East Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, east side, off Breakwater Road, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Piney Bay Campground Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Piney Bay Campground Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Shoal Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Shoal Bay Road, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.