Fishing at Bois d'Arc Lake, Hempstead County, Arkansas

• Overview

  Arkansas holds Bois d'Arc Lake, in Hempstead County. This is open plain country. At 642 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. The margin runs to about 4.4 miles in total. Of the waters listed here in Hempstead County, this is the largest. Hope lies 10 miles from the water. The big place round here is Shreveport, 71 miles distant. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Bois d'Arc Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Biodiversity records within roughly six miles include bluegill, warmouth and black bullhead. Presence in the area does not guarantee a fish on the day. Bois d'Arc Lake responds to conditions more than to tactics.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 81°F and January about 42°F. The surface stays open the year round. March through May is the strongest run, with autumn a second stretch. February into May fishes hardest as the water warms. Time your trip to Bois d'Arc Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Catfish want bait on the bottom: cut bait or worms, a simple running rig, and patience after dark. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Lower Red Lake at 3.1 miles is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about Bois d'Arc Lake if anything is unclear.