Biggest lakes in Arkansas: the top 10 by size

The list

Sizes are the published surface area where one exists; the others are our own measure of the water's outline and read "about". Reservoirs shrink and grow with their level, so a dry year shows less water.

1. Bull Shoals Lake

At 45,200 acres of water, Bull Shoals Lake is a big lake. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and crappie. The deepest water is around 210 ft. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Bull Shoals Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Greers Ferry Lake

Greers Ferry Lake spreads over some 40,500 acres. Expect largemouth bass, walleye, striped bass and crappie. The deepest water is around 198 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Greers Ferry Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Lake Ouachita

At 40,000 acres of water, Lake Ouachita is a big lake. The fish here are striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie and walleye. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake Ouachita today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Dardanelle Lake

Dardanelle Lake is a reservoir of 40,000 acres of water. It lies within an easy drive of Conway (about 42 miles). Dardanelle Lock and Dam holds it on the Arkansas. Like most lakes its size in Arkansas, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass and catfish. Lake Dardanelle is a wide Arkansas River reservoir popular for bass fishing tournaments.

Dardanelle Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Beaver Lake

Beaver Lake covers some 31,700 acres. Expect striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie and walleye. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look.

Beaver Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Millwood Lake

Millwood Lake spreads over 29,200 acres of water. It lies near Mineral Springs. It is the Little River behind Millwood Dam. Expect largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. The lake bed gives you three steep ledges and an upper arm to work. Millwood Lake in southwest Arkansas is renowned for its largemouth bass fishery.

Millwood Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Norfork Lake

Norfork Lake is a reservoir of 22,000 acres. You will find it about 4.4 miles southwest of Mountain Home. Norfork Dam holds it on the North Fork. Largemouth bass, crappie, walleye and catfish are the draw. At about 178 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Norfork Lake straddles the Arkansas-Missouri border, and its tailwater below Norfork Dam is a renowned trout fishery.

Norfork Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Degray Lake

Degray Lake is a reservoir of 13,800 acres. You will find it about 58 miles northeast of Little Rock. DeGray Dam holds it on the Caddo. Striped bass, crappie, largemouth bass and catfish are the draw. At about 200 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. DeGray Lake is a deep Ouachita Mountains reservoir on the Caddo River known for hybrid striped bass fishing.

Degray Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Lake Maumelle

Lake Maumelle is a reservoir of 8,900 acres of water. You will find it about 4.8 miles east of Maumelle. The usual Arkansas mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake Maumelle is the primary drinking-water supply reservoir for the Little Rock, Arkansas area.

Lake Maumelle today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake Greeson

Lake Greeson spreads over some 7,260 acres. It lies about 6.1 miles south of Murfreesboro. Expect striped bass, largemouth bass, spotted bass and white bass. Lake Greeson is an Ouachita Mountains reservoir on the Little Missouri River known for striped bass fishing.

Lake Greeson today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Big water, big days

The bigger the lake, the more the wind matters. Plan the day around the forecast, start on the sheltered side and give yourself a way home if it builds.