The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 3 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Dardanelle Lake
Johnson County, Arkansas · 40,000 acres (62.5 sq mi)
64°F water, calm this morning.
About Dardanelle Lake
Dardanelle Lake spreads over 40,000 acres in Johnson County, Arkansas. Dardanelle Lock and Dam holds it back on the Arkansas. Lake Dardanelle is a wide Arkansas River reservoir popular for bass fishing tournaments.
It stretches about 21.1 miles end to end with roughly 112 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 340 ft above sea level. London is right by the lake. Conway, the nearest city, is about 42 miles east.
- Size
- 40,000 acres (62.5 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 112 miles
- End to end
- About 21.1 miles
- Elevation
- About 340 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Dardanelle Lock and Dam, Arkansas
- County
- Johnson County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 5 mph
- 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Sunday Good
- 4:15 pm – 5:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Lakes like Dardanelle Lake in Arkansas usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, catfish and bluegill and sunfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. At 64°F on the surface right now, here is how each one should behave.
- GoodLargemouth bass
Fall feed. They chase baitfish into creeks and coves.
- GoodCrappie
Active. Brush piles and docks in 8 to 15 ft.
- GoodStriped bass
Comfortable range. Watch for birds and surface feeding.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
- FairBluegill and sunfish
Warming. Shallow, sunny pockets in the afternoon.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
3 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:46 am · sunset 5:08 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Dardanelle Lake
- Londonon the shore
- Lamarabout 1.7 mi north
- Dardanelleabout 1.9 mi southeast
- Russellvilleabout 2 mi east
- Conwaynearest city, about 42 mi east
Prices and availability come from booking partners; we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Questions about Dardanelle Lake
What fish are in Dardanelle Lake?
Lakes like Dardanelle Lake usually hold largemouth bass, crappie, striped bass, catfish and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Dardanelle Lake?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Dardanelle Lake?
40,000 acres, with about 112 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Dardanelle Lake?
London is on the shore; Lamar is about 1.7 miles north.
What is the water temperature at Dardanelle Lake today?
The surface was about 64°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Dardanelle Lake on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
