Lake Dardanelle is a prominent fishing area in Arkansas that offers a range of fish species, including largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bream. Fishing enthusiasts can enjoy some of the best fishing spots in the lake, including the Illinois Bayou, Spadra Creek, and Piney Creek. Besides fishing, visitors can indulge in activities such as hiking, camping, and birdwatching. The best time to visit the lake is during spring and fall when the weather is mild, and the fish are more active. The average temperature during spring (March to May) is around 70°F, while in fall (September to November), it's around 60°F. Fishing tips include using jigs, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits, and fishing around shallow water and cover.

Featured Fish - Black Crappie

It is an abundant species and is important both commercially and as a sport fish. Black crappies are easily caught, often as fast as the hook can be rebaited. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: Though they show a definite family resemblance, they are distinctive enough that they shouldn’t be confused with any other species. The black crappie and the white crappie are most often confused with each other. Despite their common names, both species are the same color (dark olive or black dorsally with silvery sides) and both have spots on the sides. However, the pattern of the spotting is distinctly different. In the black crappie the spots are more or less irregular and scattered while in the white crappie the spots may be more vague and are clearly arranged into 7-9 vertical bars on the sides. Another distinction; the black crappie has 7-8 dorsal spines while the white crappie has only 6, the same number as in its anal fin. In body shape the black crappie’s is somewhat deeper than the white crappie.