Fishing Lake Dardanelle, AR

AKA: Dardanelle Reservoir

Boat and bank fishing

Last updated on February 5, 2026.

Popular Fish Species
Lake Dardanelle Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Lake Dardanelle, AR

Popular Fish Species

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.

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 & Fishing Video

Fishing tips for boat or bank fishing

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

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Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

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Fishing License

Click here for a Arkansas Fishing License.

Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby

Spadra Park Campground - 479 754-6438

Shoal Bay Recreation Area Campground - 479 938-7335

Lake Dardanelle State Park Campground - 479 967-5516

Russellville RV Park & Campground - 479 968-8256