Lake Ft. Smith, Washington County, Arkansas: Outstanding lake nestled in the Boston Mountains

Lake Ft. Smith is located between Fayetteville, AR and Ft. Smith, AR.  It originally was (2) lakes...the main lake that I paddled on is actually the old Lake Shepard Springs.  The mountains surrounding this lake make it an awesome destination.  The state park that is attached rents kayaks and canoes in the summer season.  This is a spot I plan on bringing some friends to this summer for kayak fishing and BBQ.

I got a chance to paddle a couple of hours before the sun went down.  I brought my fishing rod and actually caught a couple of bass on a Zoom trick worm on the east side of the lake.  The bite was so slow (and I am rusty this time of the year LOL) so I was not able to land either.  It was great just to get the sea kayak out and put a few miles in, however.
I have done well in the summer here with bass and crappie.  My goal is to come back and kayak/fish the entire perimeter of the lake.  It is a hidden gem in the Ozarks!

Paddle ON!

Mike

November kayaking on Lake Ft. Smith, Arkansas

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Lake Ft. Smith, Arkansas, April 8th, 2011: One of the more beautiful lakes in the Ozarks

I got a chance to explore this lake for just a short time in my drive between business trainings in Little Rock, AR and Bentonville, AR.  I am really glad I took just a short couple of hours to see this incredible lake.  If you look at the GPS below, it looks as if I am kayaking on land....originally, there were (2) lakes: Lake Shepard Springs and Lake Ft. Smith.  Evidently a few years ago they went ahead and knocked out the dam and doubled the size of the lake.  This is a very clear lake- used for drinking water for the city of Ft. Smith Arkansas.

What is incredible about this lake is the non development around it, and well as several incredible coves and waterfalls in those coves.  I brought my fishing pole and got on a nice little bed of crappies before I turned back and headed to shore.

Paddle ON!

MLT

Lake Ft. Smith Arkansas....one of the most beautiful lakes in the ozarks!

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