Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Hunting and fishing are permitted in the Ouachita National Forest except in areas closed by the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, or otherwise posted areas. All state hunting and fishing regulations, fees, and seasons apply on national forest land. The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission encourages your outdoor recreational pursuits, but they should be done in a manner consistent with social distancing guidelines and in compliance with any orders from federal, state, and local government.
Lake and Pond Fishing
Fishing opportunities abound within the Forest and on adjacent Corps of Engineer's reservoirs. While we can't guarantee you'll catch fish, we can tell you they are out there. Good Luck!
River and Stream Fishing
The Ouachita National Forest is the oldest and largest National Forest (NF) in the South. It comprises 1.76 million acres in Western Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. The Forest contains 4,000 miles of streams and 1,600 acres of lakes and ponds (not counting the adjacent Lake Ouachita and Broken Bow Reservoir, both Army Corps of Engineer facilities and only includes National Forest portions of lakes in multiple ownerships). The Forest's fisheries program is one of State and Federal coordination, fisheries protection and fish habitat improvement. The Forest has been co-sponsoring Kid's Fishing Derbies for many years.
The lake acreages include: 400 acres of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's Lake Hinkle, Watershed District flood control lakes on the Forest (approximately 11) and FS recreation/fishing lakes and ponds totaling approximately 700 acres. The remaining acreage is in one acre or smaller wildlife ponds and the ponds and reservoirs on the Red Slough waterfowl area in southwestern Oklahoma.
Hunting
Hunting is permitted anywhere on the Ouachita National Forest except within developed recreation sites or otherwise posted areas. All state hunting and fishing regulations, fees, and seasons apply on national forest land. For more information, contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, No. 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205, 1-800-364-4263 or at www.agfc.com. Or in Oklahoma, contact the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation at 1801 N. Lincoln, Oklahoma City, OK 73105, call (405) 521-3851 or online at www.wildlifedepartment.com
Recreational and Target Shooting
Know before you go - Shooting on National Forest lands
Rules and regulations are posted at each shooting range.
Search for Hunting, Fishing and Shooting Opportunities
Sharptop Mountain Walk-In Turkey Hunting Area
Shirley Creek Day Use
Shut-In Mountain Walk-In Turkey Hunting Area
Well Hollow Walk-In Turkey Hunting Area
Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area
