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Recreation Activities

Recreational facilities are constructed along the shorelines of Ozark and Hammerschmidt Lakes for the use and enjoyment of all visitors. Picnicking and camping areas have grills, tables, group shelters, launching ramps, drinking water and restrooms. A complete listing of parks, facilities and access points can be found in other areas of this site.

Fishing

The fertile waters of the Arkansas River, which form Ozark and Hammerschmidt Lakes, offer unlimited fishing opportunities. All game fish native to Arkansas are in abundance here. For added variety, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has stocked the lake with striped sea bass and sauger. Fishing is good year round for catfish, bream, crappie, white and largemouth bass. From late fall until early spring, anglers fishing the tailwater immediately below Ozark-Jeta Taylor Lock and Dam and James W. Trimble Lock and Dam can enjoy some of the best sauger fishing in the nation. Anglers find great success whether fishing from boats or the riverbanks.

Hiking

The River Bluff Trail, located in Reed Mountain Park and Overlook is approximately 7/8 of a mile in length. The trail begins atop the high bluffs overlooking Ozark Lake, Ozark-Jeta Taylor Lock and Dam and the scenic Ozark River Bridge. It winds its way to the base of the bluffs, then makes its way through the forest floor before traveling to the overlook shelter at the top of the bluffs again.

Hunting

The public land surrounding Ozark Lake yields deer, quail, squirrels, rabbits, dove, wild turkey, ducks and geese in abundance for open state hunting seasons. Both hunting and fishing are in accordance with state laws. These land and water areas are managed under a license agreement with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Updated/Reviewed: 1 May 2009