Lake Ouchita

[mattyg06]

My family reserved a houseboat from Almost Home located @ North Shores Resort Marina. We will be going the first weekend in August and will also be taking our XLV with us.

Does anyone have recommendations on where to go or is the lake large enough that you just drive till you get away from the crowds? I was reading that the lakes are rocky bottoms up there so I want to try and avoid any mishaps while up there.

Thanks in advance.

[wolfeman131]

if KG doesn't chime in here soon, send him a PM

[KG's Supra24]

The lake is def large enough that you can drive away from any crowds.

I'm not real familiar with the north side of the lake but I will help where I can. You might ask some of the peeps at North Shore about that area and things to avoid getting out towards the main lake (towards Brady). I'm sure they will recommend some places to take the houseboat and Hotel Island is likely to be at the top of the list.

The lake is a rocky bottom. Clamcakes had issues when he came up. Hopefully you can avoid that! You can probably search and find his thread.

Here is a link to a map of the lake with a few points of interest. These are just quick thoughts.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211300499321380777612.0004de568b1e3ba51b3a 2&msa=0&ll=34.603541,-93.313923&spn=0.111481,0.247192

Let me know what questions ya'll have and I will try to help out. Like I said, above were just some quick thoughts on a few locations. I don't mind giving additional detail.

[mcdye]

North Shores (aka Lena) is on the north side of the lake. You can come out from the marina and there are a lot of areas without getting in the main crowd...A lot more active below the line.... plenty of water to use above

17453

[KG's Supra24]

Because threads are always better with pictures .....

Looking at over the area between Crystal and Brady
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/kwgarner24/2012-10-16_11-25-46_525.jpg

Island camping (firepit already built)
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/kwgarner24/DSC_0239_zps30d9aef4.jpg

Irons Fork area ... blocks wind pretty easy ....
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/kwgarner24/DSC_0339.jpg

Wakeboard cove sunset
http://i1092.photobucket.com/albums/i401/kwgarner24/DSC_0104-1.jpg

[kaneboats]

WOW! When are we going?

[smorris7]

Looks Beautiful! We are coming up for a week in July staying at the state park in one of the cabins. Any place we need to stay away from. Would like to avoid any damage if possible :) Anything you can think of would be greatly appreciated and any ideas on other places around the lake to visit. Golf courses ect.


The lake is def large enough that you can drive away from any crowds.

I'm not real familiar with the north side of the lake but I will help where I can. You might ask some of the peeps at North Shore about that area and things to avoid getting out towards the main lake (towards Brady). I'm sure they will recommend some places to take the houseboat and Hotel Island is likely to be at the top of the list.

The lake is a rocky bottom. Clamcakes had issues when he came up. Hopefully you can avoid that! You can probably search and find his thread.

Here is a link to a map of the lake with a few points of interest. These are just quick thoughts.

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211300499321380777612.0004de568b1e3ba51b3a 2&msa=0&ll=34.603541,-93.313923&spn=0.111481,0.247192

Let me know what questions ya'll have and I will try to help out. Like I said, above were just some quick thoughts on a few locations. I don't mind giving additional detail.

[KG's Supra24]

Sounds like Mcdye has some north side of the lake experience. I have none. The areas he pointed out is where I was saying I don't know about depths, shorelines, etc. I'm not even sure on the time it would take to get from Lena to Brady. Brady to Shangri La is probably 15-20 mins in the wakeboat. (discloure, im kinda bad at timing on the lake, it might futher)

Shane, if you are a big golfer you might appreciate "The Village" courses. The village is one of the largest gated communities in the US (i believe) and has 8 or 9 golf courses, most of which are the best in the area. I'm not sure what the policy is on non land owners being able to play but I can check on it if you are interested.
http://www.hotspringsvillage.com/infocourses.htm#balboa

Magic Springs (waterpark and rollercoasters, maybe live music) is in Hot Springs. I personally wouldn't come off the lake for it.
http://www.magicsprings.com/

Hot Springs was a big town of organized crime. There are some things downtown that are sort of neat related to the history. There are ALOT of spa's around downtown that the women like. There is also a spa on the lake at Mt Harbor. Kids usually enjoy the "duck" rides. http://www.rideaduck.com/ducks/index.php?p=home

If you get rained out and have kids .... http://www.midamericamuseum.org/

If you are looking to get wild there is a strip club that is BYOB :o ... could be dangerous :p

[tgoody14]

If you are looking to get wild there is a strip club that is BYOB :o ... could be dangerous :p

Definitely Dangerous! I was the best man in a buddy's wedding 3 yrs ago who still to this day talks about that strip club.... That ishhh crayyyy

[smorris7]

KG,
Thanks for the info. It you have time I would be interested in the Village course and if we TX boys can get on. We are really looking forward to spending a week up there. Heard lots of good things about the lake. I will def. bring a spare prop :)

[KG's Supra24]

Seems like alot of stories come out of that place!

Pm Shane

Went down to see how much the weekend rain brought up the lake ... Quite a bit ...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/05/ubepu3es.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/05/y5utubez.jpg

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

[kregstrong]

I went last weekend and cruised the entire lake, u can find some smooth spots almost anoywhere on it. If u don't mine not as clear of water, head to around demby point and the traffic is really low, if u want really pretty water and some good spots as well, head down towards the damn. Awesome lake. Real deep just watch for the shallow buoys

[Clamcakes]

Matty gotta watch out for the rocky bottom. Hit a submerged 'rock bar' and did 7k damage to my boat. My brand new 1847 trashed, need new rudder, new prop shaft and 2 engine mounts. Plus fiber and gel repair. When you pick up the houseboat, they'll give you a map. Ask them to show you Hotel Island on the map. We camped out there the first night and it was a great spot. Best thing to do is jump in your skiboat get out there real quick and make sure no other houseboat is already there. If not, camp out there til the houseboat gets there or throw some stuff on shore.

We were looking for a new spot to put the houseboat when I hit the 'rockbar'

Check the map image I included of Hotel Island and the cove we stayed in
17518175191752017521

[zabooda]

If not, camp out there til the houseboat gets there or throw some stuff on shore


On the Corps lakes, you need to be there sometime during the day. I'm amused by the number of people who put stuff out only to be confiscated by the Corps especially before a holiday. People come back to their spot, their stuff is gone. they try to find where it is stored and then get a ticket on top of that.

http://swf67.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/somerville/Recreation/title36.pdf


(c) The unauthorized placement of camping equipment or other items on a campsite and/or personal appearance at a campsite without daily occupancy for the purpose of reserving that campsite for future occupancy is prohibited.

327.15 Abandonment and impoundment of personal property.
(a) Personal property of any kind shall not be abandoned, stored or left unattended upon project lands or waters. After a period of 24 hours, or at any time after a posted closure hour in a public use area or for the purpose of providing public safety or resource protection, unattended personal property shall be presumed to be abandoned and may be impounded and stored at a storage point designated by the District Commander, who may assess a reasonable impoundment fee. Such fee shall be paid before the impounded property is returned to its owner.
(b) Personal property placed on Federal lands or waters adjacent to a private residence, facility and/or developments of any private nature for more than 24 hours without permission of the District Commander shall be presumed to have been abandoned and, unless proven otherwise, such presumption will be sufficient to impound the property and/or issue a citation as provided for in Sec. 327.25.

[bergermaister]

Damn that underwater picture hurts to look at.... :-(

[Clamcakes]

1752317524

I meant place items for a 'short period of time'. Not all day. Best option would be to cruise over in your boat and grab the spot and then call the houseboat and let them know to head over.

Man Berger, the noise it made when we hit that rockbar!!! Man I never want to hear that sound again. It sounded like the whole bottom of the boat got ripped out. I threw on a mask and expected the worse when I went underwater to inspect it. Saw it was only the prop and some fiber repair and was somewhat relieved.

I almost passed out when the estimate came back at 7k for the repair. I thought it was the prop, shaft guide and a little bit of fiber work.

[bergermaister]

My bottom hit a few years ago was just a big THUD off a deadhead piling, then the boat wobbling severely and we were only idling at maybe 5mph. I think the sound of hitting a rockbar like that, at any speed, would be a recurring nightmare for me...

[Clamcakes]

We were going about 20

[Jughead]

I was there this past Sunday and there is a good cove off of island 3 that you can get back in on protected real well. Bear creek is what we call it. Lake was up and a lot of limbs and trees floating from the storms.

It was the first trip in my new to me 06 outback V, so I might have been extra cautious watching for stuff

[mattyg06]

Life has gotten in the way so I was just able to catch back up. I just got their large map in the mail and was able to check those spots out. Thanks for that great info, I am sure I will have some questions later after I look at thing but it looks like a really awesome lake and huge lake.

But what Clamcakes said is exactly what has me nervous. Just reading about that makes my stomach knot up. Was the rock bar in near shoreline/islands or just a hump out of the blue? The map shows a lot of 40+' depths I so want to try and be overly cautious. The group I am going with is probably past the age to do much purposeful wake-boarding so we primarily surf now but do always appreciate smooth water.

[smorris7]

Life has gotten in the way so I was just able to catch back up. I just got their large map in the mail and was able to check those spots out. Thanks for that great info, I am sure I will have some questions later after I look at thing but it looks like a really awesome lake and huge lake.

But what Clamcakes said is exactly what has me nervous. Just reading about that makes my stomach knot up. Was the rock bar in near shoreline/islands or just a hump out of the blue? The map shows a lot of 40+' depths I so want to try and be overly cautious. The group I am going with is probably past the age to do much purposeful wake-boarding so we primarily surf now but do always appreciate smooth water.

Mattyg, Where did you get the map at? There is also an app for the iphone called Lakes South by Navionics that shows Lake Ouachita and depths and underwater objects.

[rdlangston13]

We are planning to do a week long houseboat trip at ouchita next year. Can't wait!


Sent from my iPhone

[mattyg06]

Smorris, I asked the boat rental company to send one. It is the water proof kind, the lake takes up both the front and back of it. It is nice and detailed. I think we are going to take a GPS as well to be safe.

[smorris7]

18013180141801518016

Just got back from a week at Ouachita. This place is amazing! We will be going back on a regular basis. Cabins at Ouachita State Park were great.

[mattyg06]

Everyone talks about hotel island but what about those two large islands we would pass coming down from the Lena area?