How deep is Lake Ouachita?

Lake Ouachita ranges from 3 to 18.3 metres deep (10–60 feet). It is a freshwater site. Depths vary across the site, so plan your profile to your training and verify conditions locally.

Is Lake Ouachita a shore dive or a boat dive?

Lake Ouachita can be dived from shore or by boat. The entry is recorded as an easy walk-in. The entry area is recorded as sheltered from surge. Basic facilities are recorded at or near the site, and cell service is recorded as good. Entry details and parking notes, where known, are listed in the access section of this page.

What will I see at Lake Ouachita?

Divers at Lake Ouachita in United States commonly report sightings of Striped bass, Channel catfish, Bluegill, Crappie, and Largemouth bass. Bluegill, Crappie, and Largemouth bass are recorded as common sightings, while Striped bass and Channel catfish are reported only occasionally. Marine life varies by season and conditions—check the site page for recent diver observations and photos.

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Both

Lake Ouachita

Arkansas, United StatesDirections

Open Water suggested3–18 m (10–60 ft) depthBoth entry

Lake Ouachita at a glance

Lake Ouachita is a both dive site in Arkansas, United States with depths of 3–18.3 m (10–60 ft). Typically most favorable Sep · from 3 years of archive data. Divers commonly see Striped bass, Channel catfish, and Bluegill. Check the latest conditions and entry details before you go.

Next window today· 8:00–19:00 · favorable · sunset 18:25

Wind forecast for this hour · 0:00 · run 12 h ago

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Tap a factor for its source and model point

Site hazards: Heavy boat traffic in season, wind chop in open basins, fishing line on structure, thermoclines

Read the full hazards ↓

Dive windows this week

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4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Tue

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Wed

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

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3 kn wind (3 kn wind)

Fri

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Sat

4 kn wind (4 kn wind)

Sun

Favorable windowModerate window— no window

Every forecast dive window each day, site-local time, from wind forecasts. Numbers under each bar are daylight averages.

First light 7:02 · Sunrise 7:27 · Sunset 18:25 · some windows run past sunset

Source: Open-Meteo wind · updated 25 Oct, 12:23 GMT-5

Forecast only — always assess conditions on site.

Compare this weekend’s windows near Lake Ouachita

Recent diver reports

Dated firsthand observations from divers — not current conditions.

No diver reports for this site yet. — one dated observation helps every diver after you.

Dived here today — did the forecast match?

What Divers Say

Known for: Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth bass

Best time: Fall through spring for best visibility; summer visibility drops

Based on community reviews and site data. Conditions vary — always verify before diving.

Best months, historically

What conditions have historically been typical at this site, month by month — not a forecast.

January, 83% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
February, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots
March, 83% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
April, 78% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 10 knots
May, 89% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
June, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
July, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
August, 98% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots
September, 100% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 7 knots, historically most favorable
October, 96% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
November, 91% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 8 knots
December, 90% of days have historically been favorable, wind has typically been 9 knots

September has typically had the largest share of favorable days here. Conditions vary year to year — this is historical context, not a forecast.

Based on 3 years of archive data. Bar height shows the share of days each month whose conditions have historically scored favorably.

Marine life seen at this site

Species noted at this site — not a promise of what you’ll encounter.

Species seen here

Rough labels: “Commonly seen” usually means two or more recorded sightings near this site in public dive logs (GBIF), “Occasionally seen” one; “Seasonal” and “Rarely seen” come from dive-guide research. Not a measured rate.

Fills & rentals nearby

No dive shops mapped within 25 km (16 mi). Know one? Add it to the map.

Data updated July 2026

Site details

Arkansas's largest lake and one of its cleanest, set in the Ouachita Mountains near Hot Springs, with roughly 30 charted dive spots around its uninhabited islands. Named sites include Crawdad Island, Zebra Rock, 'Tip of Snoopy's Ear' and Disappearing Island, plus submerged rock formations and remnants of pre-impoundment structures. Visibility runs 15-20 ft on the west end and up to 40 ft near Blakely Mountain Dam, which is also the most practical shore-diving area; most other sites are boat dives.

boatshore

Heavy boat traffic in season, wind chop in open basins, fishing line on structure, thermoclines

Reviews

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