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Lake Dardanelle, Arkansas, USA

Also known as:  Dardanelle Lake

Lake Dardanelle stretches out over more than 34,000 acres in the River Valley region of northwest Arkansas, sandwiched between the Ozark Mountains to the north and the Ouachita Mountains to the south. Lake Dardanelle provides many excellent recreational opportunities, including parks and recreation areas with boat ramps, fishing docks, hiking trails, marinas with boat slips, camping sites, swimming areas, picnic sites, and playgrounds. Lake Dardanelle was created…
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Welcome to the ultimate guide to Lake Dardanelle! Article topics include:

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    • All About Lake Dardanelle, AR

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Arkansas - River Valley Region, AR -

    Lake Dardanelle stretches out over more than 34,000 acres in the River Valley region of northwest Arkansas, sandwiched between the Ozark Mountains to the north and the Ouachita Mountains to the south. Lake Dardanelle provides many excellent recreational opportunities, including parks and recreation areas with boat ramps, fishing docks, hiking trails, marinas with boat slips, camping sites, swimming areas, picnic sites, and playgrounds.

    Lake Dardanelle was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by building a dam to impound the Arkansas River. Because the Arkansas River was difficult to navigate, the River and Harbor Act of 1946 authorized the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Construction of Dardanelle Lake, Dam, Lock, and Powerhouse began in 1957 and was completed in 1969 for the purposes of improved river navigation, hydroelectric power generation, recreation, and fish and wildlife enhancement. 85 percent of Lake Dardanelle’s 315 shoreline miles are dedicated to protected areas, 9 percent to public recreation areas, and 6 percent to limited development.

    Lake Dardanelle is very popular with anglers for its large catfish and white bass. Bream, crappie, and largemouth bass are stocked in the lake, providing excellent sport fishing. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission studies of bass tournaments across the state reveal that Lake Dardanelle is the most productive bass fishery in the State of Arkansas. With no closed season and mild winters, fishing is good year round.

    The area has an abundance of wildlife with in-season hunting for deer, turkey, water fowl and other small game. The success rate of the growing Canada Goose Season is proof of the productive breeding ground provided by Lake Dardanelle. It is a favorite wintering area for the Bald Eagle often seen perched on snags and large trees. These animals and picturesque lake environs make for ideal conditions for nature enthusiasts and camera bugs.

    Cabin and home vacation rentals are available in the Lake Dardanelle area. Four communities are located in the immediate vicinity of the lake: Russellville, Dardanelle, Clarksville, and Paris. Russellville is the largest with a population of over 23,000 and affords many shopping and restaurant locations. With easy access to Lake Dardanelle, the Ozark and Ouachita National Forests, and numerous canoeing and fishing streams, Russellville is an outdoor lover’s natural paradise.

    Things to Do at Lake Dardanelle

    These are some activities in the Lake Dardanelle, AR area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Fishing Tournaments
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Canoeing
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • National Forest
    • Playground
    • Shopping

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake Dardanelle?

    Lake Dardanelle has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • White Bass
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake Dardanelle

    If you’re considering a Lake Dardanelle lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Lake Dardanelle Vacation

    Our interactive Lake Dardanelle lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake Dardanelle Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Not Known

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 34,300 acres

    Shoreline Length: 315 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 338 feet

    Average Depth: 14 feet

    Maximum Depth: 60 feet

    Water Volume: 486,200 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1969

    Lake Dardanelle Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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