Lake Catherine, AR

About Lake Catherine

Lake Catherine is a roughly 2,000-acre reservoir on the Ouachita River in Garland and Hot Spring counties, just southeast of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Created by Remmel Dam, it is the lowest of the chain of Ouachita River impoundments that also includes Lake Hamilton and Lake Ouachita upstream. The lake is long and relatively narrow, with steep rocky bluffs, deep main-lake channels, brushy coves, boat docks, and a warmer tailwater section below Carpenter Dam that feeds it from Lake Hamilton. Surrounded in part by Lake Catherine State Park, it has a scenic, partly developed shoreline and stays popular with both anglers and recreational boaters.

Anglers know Lake Catherine as a versatile year-round fishery. It is best known for solid largemouth bass and a strong panfish population, but it also produces striped bass and hybrid striped bass (wipers) that follow shad through the deeper main lake, plus dependable crappie, catfish, and bream fishing. Because cool water enters from the dam, the upper end and tailwater areas can fish well in summer when much of the lake warms up, giving the reservoir a longer productive season than many shallow Arkansas lakes.

Fish Species

Lake Catherine holds a well-rounded mix of warmwater and cool-water gamefish. The standouts are its bass and panfish, with striped and hybrid bass adding a hard-pulling bonus.

• Largemouth bass — the headline species, relating to docks, brush, points, and rocky bluffs throughout the lake.
• Spotted (Kentucky) bass — present along steeper, rockier structure and often mixed in with largemouth.
• Striped bass and hybrid striped bass (wipers) — roam the open main lake and deeper channels chasing shad; among the strongest-fighting fish in the system.
• Crappie — both black and white crappie hold around brush piles, standing timber, and docks.
• Bream/sunfish — bluegill and redear (shellcracker) are abundant around shallow cover and bedding flats.
• Catfish — channel and flathead catfish along channel edges, holes, and current areas near the dams.
• Walleye — present in the Ouachita chain in smaller numbers and occasionally caught, particularly in cooler months near deeper water and current.

Best Seasons & Times

Spring is prime time. As water warms into the 55–65°F range, largemouth move shallow to stage and spawn in protected pockets and the backs of coves, while crappie and bream push toward bank cover and bedding areas. This is often the best stretch of the year for numbers and big fish, and early-morning and late-afternoon bites are strongest.

Summer sends most fish deeper or tighter to shade. Bass relate to docks, bluff edges, and main-lake points early and late, with topwater action at first light. The cooler water flowing in from the dam keeps the upper lake and tailwater lively, and striped and hybrid bass school over deep water chasing shad. Night fishing for catfish, bream, and stripers can be excellent in the heat.

Fall brings a feeding push as water cools and shad migrate into creeks. Bass and hybrids chase bait aggressively, and crappie reposition on brush. Moving baits that mimic shad shine. Winter slows things down but rewards patient anglers — bass and crappie group up on deeper brush, channel edges, and bluff ends, biting best during the warmest part of a stable, sunny day.

Across all seasons, low-light periods at dawn and dusk are the most consistent, and current generation at the dams often triggers feeding windows.

Techniques & Baits

Largemouth and spotted bass:

• Flip and pitch jigs, Texas-rigged creature baits, and soft plastics to docks, laydowns, and brush.
• Work squarebill and lipless crankbaits along rocky points and bluff transitions; slow-roll spinnerbaits in stained water.
• Throw topwater walking baits and poppers at dawn and dusk over points and flats.
• Drop shots, shaky heads, and finesse worms excel on pressured fish and deeper structure in summer and winter.

Striped and hybrid bass:

• Live shad or shiners are hard to beat; free-line or fish them under a balloon over deep water.
• Cast or troll swimbaits, bucktails, and shad-imitating crankbaits when fish are schooling.
• Watch for surface-busting activity in low light and fall, and target current breaks near the dams.

Crappie: Vertical-jig or spider-rig small jigs and minnows over brush piles, standing timber, and docks; shoot docks in summer. Bream: crickets, worms, and small jigs or popping bugs around shoreline cover, especially during spring bedding. Catfish: cut shad, nightcrawlers, or prepared baits on the bottom along channel edges and current seams, with night trips paying off in warm months.

Access & Launches

Lake Catherine is reasonably easy to access for a lake of its size. There are public boat ramps around the reservoir, including access associated with Lake Catherine State Park on the south/east side of the lake, which offers a convenient launch and shoreline amenities. Additional public and marina-based ramps are scattered along the lake, and several marinas and resorts provide launching, fuel, and supplies. Bank and dock fishing opportunities exist within the state park and at developed access points, which is handy for anglers without a boat.

Because the lake runs close to Hot Springs, it sees both anglers and recreational boaters, so weekends can be busy in warm months — launching early helps. Always confirm current ramp availability, hours, and any access or parking fees before your trip, as these can change seasonally.

Regulations & Licenses

A valid Arkansas fishing license is required for anglers of the applicable age, and trout permits or other special permits may apply in certain tailwater situations — check before you fish. Lake Catherine is managed under Arkansas Game and Fish Commission rules, and species such as black bass, crappie, striped/hybrid bass, walleye, and catfish can carry size limits, slot limits, and daily creel (bag) limits that vary and change over time.

Before keeping fish, review the current statewide and any lake-specific regulations from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for exact length and bag limits, legal methods, and any seasonal restrictions. Practicing selective harvest and releasing larger bass helps sustain the fishery for future trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

What fish is Lake Catherine, AR best known for?
Lake Catherine is best known for largemouth bass and panfish (crappie and bream), with striped bass and hybrid striped bass (wipers) providing hard-fighting open-water action and a solid catfish population rounding out the lake.

When is the best time to fish Lake Catherine?
Spring is the standout season, when bass, crappie, and bream move shallow to spawn. Summer and fall both fish well around the cooler water near the dams and on shad-chasing schools, while dawn and dusk are the most reliable windows year-round.

Can you catch striped bass on Lake Catherine?
Yes. Striped bass and hybrid striped bass roam the deeper main lake and channels following shad. Live shad or shiners, swimbaits, and shad-imitating crankbaits work well, especially during low-light periods and when current is being generated at the dams.

Do I need a license to fish Lake Catherine?
Yes, a valid Arkansas fishing license is required for anglers of the applicable age, and additional permits may apply in certain tailwater areas. Check the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for current license requirements and the latest size and bag limits.