Help Asked For Ouachita Region Information

[rps]

The wife teaches Advanced Placement high school classes. This means every five years she must earn recertification in her specialty areas. That means this summer she must go to AP Statistics camp. The best fit for us is early July in Hot Springs.

We are thinking of going together with the dogs ans staying at the state park on Lake Catherine.

Does anyone have any information about that park or about fishing that lake?

Thanks in advance.

rps

[J-Doc]

I don't. But I know a guy. And a Lady that used to build houses in Tue area and lived on the lake. I hear it's gorgeous. I've seenn it once. Looked pretty cool to me almost 13yrs ago.

[bfishn]

I've caught walleye in July below both Carpenter (lake Hamilton) and Remmel (Lake Catherine) dams. It all depends on stable generation. Otherwise, the lake's a good all around multi species destination. I think you'll enjoy it.

[hoglaw]

You can skip Hamilton in July. Not good for much that time of year except night fishing, and that's challenging if you don't know the lake. Tremendous amount of traffic in a small area. Lots of retaining and wier walls, houses everywhere. Water quality isn't very good. I've caught some good bass out there at night, but that was with my ex-father in law who lived on the lake and fished it all the time. He'd just run from spot to spot.

Ouachita will have crowds on it, but it's enormous. Absolutely beautiful lake. Pretty water, lots of islands, acres and acres of grass beds. Very cool place.

Cathrine I know a lot less about, I just remember it as being smaller and very pretty. It has a dam at either end I think, and as small as it is whether they're raising it, flowing through both ends, dropping it, or holding still on both ends makes a really big difference.

All of them should be fishable during the week days without too much in the way of crowds.

[Plastic_worm]

If you have a kayak/canoe you can float the Ouachita river near Malvern and there's the Saline River....but in July may not have any water.

Like Hoglaw mentioned stay away from Hamilton...very busy and dangerous!!

IMO, fishing is better on Lake Ouachita (Buckville area on north side of lake is great for kayaking)...plus its a beautiful lake. Just avg fishing on Catherine but you'll catch fish.

[rps]

I have fished Ouchita - albeit many years ago. Great lake and worth a life time of study. I have seen Hamilton - chock full o nuts. Maybe good at night, but n0 thank you. Catherine is small but basically empty. That is why I asked about it.