10/07/2026
🛑 Per Arkansas Game and Fish Commission….
Low Water Advisory: Navigating Lake Ouachita Safely!
If you've been out on Lake Ouachita recently, you’ve likely noticed the water levels dropping. While lower water can push fish into tighter structure and make for great fall angling, it also changes the game when it comes to launching and navigating the lake safely.
Here is what you need to know before you back your trailer down the ramp this week:
Due to current low water levels, the Twin Creek boat ramp is temporarily down to 1 lane. To prevent trailers from sliding off concrete edges or getting hung up, all boats must launch directly in the middle of the ramp. Please use extra patience, give fellow boaters plenty of space, and double-check your staging area before backing down.
When reservoir levels drop, areas you’ve run at full throttle all summer can suddenly present hidden obstacles.
🟢Submerged Timber & High Spots: Tree stumps, shallow humps, and rock points that usually sit safely underwater are now sitting just below the surface—or are completely exposed.
🟢Narrowed Channels: Lower water compresses boat traffic into tighter lanes, especially around creek mouths and islands. Keep an eye out for oncoming traffic and watch your wake.
🟢Ramp End Drop-Offs: Take it slow when backing down any ramp on the lake. Low water can expose the steep drops at the end of concrete slabs, which can trap trailer tires if you back down too far.
Quick Angler Tips for Low Water:
🟢Trim Up: Keep your motor trimmed up when idling through coves, secondary points, or unfamiliar water.
🟢Slow Down: Give yourself extra reaction time when navigating outside the main river channel.
🟢Be Wary of Contour Maps: Rely on your sonar rather than memory—contours look very different at current pool levels!
Stay safe out there, trim up, and as always, thanks for fishing!