The Underrated Arkansas Lake That's Perfect For A Summer Day
By J.B. VanDyke|Published June 29, 2017
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J.B. VanDyke
Author
J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread.
You’re familiar with Arkansas’s diamond lakes, I’m sure. You’ve probably also heard some talk about Beaver Lake, even if you haven’t been there yourself. There are a few lakes in Arkansas, however, that just don’t get the attention they deserve. One of those incredible lakes is hiding in the upper Delta. That gorgeous lake is called Lake Charles, and it makes for a perfect summer day trip.
For comparison, Lake Ouachita has more than 40,000 acres.
Lake Charles is so lovely, in fact, that they built a state park around it. That state park has wonderful hiking trails, playgrounds, and picnic sites where you can eat your lunch.
On top of its lovely sandy beach and plentiful campsites, you can also find awesome interpretive programs. They have guided kayak tours and party barge lake tours.
The fishing there is pretty great. The lake is home to bluegill, crappie, bass, and catfish. You won’t find a more scenic lake to fish, either. They’ve got piers that make give you a chance to cast a little further without bringing a boat.
Lake Charles might not be the biggest lake in the Natural State, and it might not be the most popular either, but it’s definitely a lake you want to stop overlooking right away.