Lake · Arkansas
Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs
Current Lake Rating
Unavailable
A condition rating is not available from the current lake evidence.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Why
- Not enough current water information is available to recommend a reliable fishing window
- Live water observations could not be retrieved at this time.
Current Readings
Key lake readings are not available right now.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
79°F
Feels like
86°F
Wind
1 mph NW
Wind gust
3 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 2:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 3 AM
Clear
Temp 79°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 0 mph
Sat 7 AM
Clear
Temp 76°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 11 AM
Clear
Temp 96°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Sat 3 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 101°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 7 PM
Clear
Temp 94°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Sat 11 PM
Clear
Temp 85°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Mostly clear
High 101°F / Low 76°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Showers
High 104°F / Low 79°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.06 in
Max gust 25 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 101°F / Low 76°F
Chance 6%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 24 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Clear
High 105°F / Low 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Lake Elevation History
Elevation is reported relative to the datum used by this USGS monitoring site. Elevations from different lakes or datums should not be directly compared.
Loading historical elevation…
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Lake Hamilton.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Lake Hamilton at Carpenter Dam is the Hot Springs Ouachita River hydropower lake, not Lake Ouachita and not Lake Catherine. AGFC lists it as one of four Arkansas striped-bass lakes and documents largemouth, spotted bass, white bass, hybrids, crappie, bream, and catfish along remaining unaltered shoreline such as Electric Island.
Target species
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus nigricans
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
AGFC Electric Island / Lake Hamilton angling list includes largemouth bass.
Striped bass
Morone saxatilis
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Hamilton is one of four AGFC striped-bass stocking lakes.
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
AGFC lists crappie among Hamilton targets.
Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
AGFC lists bream among Hamilton targets.
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
AGFC recommends bottom fishing for catfish on Hamilton with worms, minnows, and stink baits.
Hybrid Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
AGFC lists hybrid striped bass among Hamilton targets.
Spotted Bass
Micropterus punctulatus
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
AGFC lists spotted bass among Hamilton shoreline targets.
White Bass
Morone chrysops
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Established
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
AGFC lists white bass among Hamilton targets.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
1931 Ouachita River impoundment at Carpenter Dam. Deeper open water supports stocked striped bass; coves and island shorelines hold black bass, white bass, crappie, and bream.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public boat access includes the Andrew H. Hulsey State Fish Hatchery ramp on Fish Hatchery Road. Electric Island trailheads are reached by boat. Weekend motor traffic and wind can roughen the main lake. Confirm current AGFC and Entergy notices.
Stocking information
AGFC stocks striped bass in Hamilton as one of four Arkansas striper lakes (with Beaver, Norfork, and Ouachita). Hybrid striped bass are also present. Confirm current official stocking.
- Stocked
Striped bass
Stocked · Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
- Stocked
Hybrid Striped Bass
Stocked · Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Official sources
AGFC general fishing regulations apply. Confirm current striped-bass, black-bass, crappie, and catfish limits. This identity is Lake Hamilton at Carpenter Dam, not neighboring Ouachita or Catherine.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Arkansas
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
Management Category
Ouachita River hydropower reservoir
Regulation Scope
Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs
Regulation Summary
AGFC general fishing regulations apply on Lake Hamilton. Confirm current striped-bass, black-bass, and catfish limits. Entergy lake-level changes can affect winter access.
Target Species
Largemouth Bass, Spotted Bass, White Bass, Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish
Public Access
Public
Boat Launch
Available
Shore Fishing
Available
Description
Lake Hamilton near Hot Springs, Arkansas, USGS 07358500 (Carpenter Dam). Coordinates are the USGS monitoring-location point. App-supported continuous parameters currently available: gage height (00065). Public Ouachita River hydropower reservoir with AGFC-documented bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, bream, and catfish fishing, including Electric Island shoreline access by boat.
