I am trying to decide on a lake to go visit in Arkansas. I am not going to be able to go all the way up to Bull shoals but am looking at Oachita, Beaver, and/or Dardanelle.

I am looking for a good lake to have a quiet family vacation and good fishing.

I would appreciate any information on the lakes listed above and or other suggestions for good bass fishing for a guy used to Texas lakes.....

Greers Ferry

Gin clear water, great small and lmb, walleye, crappie,etc.

Has good lake lodging and boat rental if you need a barge.

45 N. of Conway Arkansas. The lake is beautiful.

I live here in Arkansas on Lkae Dardanelle. I haven't got to go lately but I know some people are catching 20+ pounds on A-rigs, jigs and jerkbaits.These fish will be on drops, humps, creek channels, etc in and around bays.The water temp is about 42 to 46 degrees depending on where you aare.
Family vacation will be better at Oauchita. There is more to do with your family in Hot Springs.A-rigs and jigs on Ouachita also.
Beaver has always been very tough for me. If its Dardanelle, I suggest going by Bass Mafia tackle in Russellville and inquiring on the latest bite. Get5bass.com posts tournament results and sometimes give an idea about whata to throw.
I know that's general info but if you use your graph you'll catch some fish. Maybe that helps a little.

For vacation you can't beat Hot Springs, AR. You are within 20 minutes of Ouachita, Hamilton is right there and 20 minutes from Degray and you are only an hour from Dardanelle. Little Rock is 45 minutes away and you can fish the Arkansas River. Lots of options if you vacation in Hot Springs.

Iron Mountain Marina on Lake Degray is a good place to vacation .

Awesome trout fishing on the little red

It helps a bunch. Thanks for the info.

How is the boat traffic on Oachita and Dardanelle?

Any recommendations on places to stay that have a slow family pace with water front nice old cabins?

Looking for something that seems like it is a step back into the
70's.

Family time I'd suggest quachita. Best part about it is the fishing of course but if you want to camp out, go find an island & make it your own personal getaway.

I fish for the University of Arkansas and fish all 3 on the regular. Ouachita is the cleanest lake in the state, gin clear, pretty good fishing if you hit it at the right time. Beaver is a clear white river impoundment, fishing is typically pretty tough unless you are a regular on the lake, really don't recommend it. Pretty lake though. Lake Dardanelle is my favorite lake in the state, springtime is a lot of fun. Dirtier water being apart of the arkansas river, but tons of water willow, hydrilla, milfoil, cat tails, and lily pads depending on what time of year you go. Good frog bite a lot of times, swim jig. Very similar to Texas shallow water fishing. For good fun shallow fishing, Lake Dardanelle in the spring is hard to beat in my mind.

Beaver is horrible, if you'll watch even when it's spawning time the FLW guy can catch 10 lbs a day and make the top 10. I live in Arkansas and I would suggest fishing Grand in Oklahoma, though at the right time of year Bull Shoals is crazy good too.

+1

Dardanelle has a power plant on it but idk if its running

For family time,Lake Ouachita is the better choice. There is lodging at several locations on the lake, Mountain Harbor, Shangri La, Brady Mountain, etc. Located in the Ouachita Mountains in west central AR., there is beautiful scenery around every bend. Fishing for Bass, Crappie, Striper, Catfish, Bream can be good to excellent at times.

I have to second Lake Dardanelle it is a great lake to fish, that will take several days to fish all of it. The state park has a great campground if you are looking to camp, as well as a few small cabins. Of course there are several hotels within 5 minutes drive from the lake.
If you choose to visit Dardanelle, there is a great tackle shop called Bass Mafia Tackle about a mile from two of the main boat ramps, the guys there are very familiar with the lake and have always been very helpful.

For my money and it has been many times, since Bull Shoals and the White River are not in the mix, I would pick in this order: Ouachita, Dardanelle and then DeGray. I have a wife and two girls that loved Hot Springs, Ouachita and Mountain Harbor Resort. Get a good Striper guide and go to town with your family. If you need a great guide PM me. At Dardanelle you have a great fishery and then Russelville is close by for the family and some really good sights to see. Degray has Iron Mountain Resort, a good golf course on site and some decent fishing. I am orginally from Ft Smith and still have family there an attended the U of A-GO HOGS
but moved to the Dallas area a long time ago. Still go to Ouachita at least once a year.