A look at Lake Dardanelle

The sixth regular season event takes the Bassmasters to Arkansas for the GoPro Bassmaster Elite at Dardanelle presented by Econo Lodge. The event begins a day later than usual, with competition starting on Friday, and finishes on Monday.
The sixth regular season event takes the Bassmasters to Arkansas for the GoPro Bassmaster Elite at Dardanelle presented by Econo Lodge. The event begins a day later than usual, with competition starting on Friday, and finishes on Monday.
Lake Dardanelle covers 40,000 acres, stretching 50 miles. The Arkansas River reservoir has around 315 miles of shoreline. The Arkansas game and Fish Commission named Dardanelle the best bass lake in the state.
Lake Dardanelle covers 40,000 acres, stretching 50 miles. The Arkansas River reservoir has around 315 miles of shoreline. The Arkansas game and Fish Commission named Dardanelle the best bass lake in the state.
The daily takeoffs and launches will be held at Lake Dardanelle State Park, 100 State Park Dr. in Russellville, Ark, 72801. The first boat leaves the basin at 7:15 a.m. ET, just 16 minutes after sunrise. The weigh-ins will be held at 4:15 p.m. ET each day.
The daily takeoffs and launches will be held at Lake Dardanelle State Park, 100 State Park Dr. in Russellville, Ark, 72801. The first boat leaves the basin at 7:15 a.m. ET, just 16 minutes after sunrise. The weigh-ins will be held at 4:15 p.m. ET each day.
Jason Christie won the last Elite event on Dardanelle, coming from behind on the final day to top Gerald Swindle by 4 ounces. Christie had 19 pounds, 2 ounces for a total of 72-3. Greg Hackney, who led after Days 2 and 3, finished third 8 ounces behind Christie.
Jason Christie won the last Elite event on Dardanelle, coming from behind on the final day to top Gerald Swindle by 4 ounces. Christie had 19 pounds, 2 ounces for a total of 72-3. Greg Hackney, who led after Days 2 and 3, finished third 8 ounces behind Christie.
Zell Rowland shows off the big bag of the 2014 Elite on Dardanelle, a 25-5 that included the event’s big bass at 6-10.
Zell Rowland shows off the big bag of the 2014 Elite on Dardanelle, a 25-5 that included the event’s big bass at 6-10.
Mark Menendez won the 2009 Elite on Dardanelle, using an aluminum boat to get into a backwater area. That tournament was shortened to three days when winds and rain forced Day 3 to be cancelled. The field was cut to 12 on for the final day.
Mark Menendez won the 2009 Elite on Dardanelle, using an aluminum boat to get into a backwater area. That tournament was shortened to three days when winds and rain forced Day 3 to be cancelled. The field was cut to 12 on for the final day.
The Arkansas River watershed, which begins near Leadville, Colo., experienced heavy rains in Oklahoma and western Arkansas, which had tournament officials checking flows to determine if the event could be held. “Barring unforeseen changes in weather or river conditions, the tournament will be held as planned,” tournament director Trip Weldon said. “However, we will continue to track developments at Lake Dardanelle, and we will reschedule the event if conditions dictate,” he added.
The Arkansas River watershed, which begins near Leadville, Colo., experienced heavy rains in Oklahoma and western Arkansas, which had tournament officials checking flows to determine if the event could be held. “Barring unforeseen changes in weather or river conditions, the tournament will be held as planned,” tournament director Trip Weldon said. “However, we will continue to track developments at Lake Dardanelle, and we will reschedule the event if conditions dictate,” he added.
Rain is in the forecast for the Lake Dardanelle area this week, and past rains have muddied the main river into “chocolate milk.” Screenshots from cameraman Carey Barrett’s drone show areas where the mud mixes with cleaner water.
Rain is in the forecast for the Lake Dardanelle area this week, and past rains have muddied the main river into “chocolate milk.” Screenshots from cameraman Carey Barrett’s drone show areas where the mud mixes with cleaner water.
Clean water is at a premium, Kevin VanDam told Alan McGuckin for a preview story. “I’d say 50 to 75 percent of the main river channel is blown out and fairly unfishable, so it’s squeezing everybody into the backwaters that are pretty clean and healthy looking for the most part,” VanDam said.
Clean water is at a premium, Kevin VanDam told Alan McGuckin for a preview story. “I’d say 50 to 75 percent of the main river channel is blown out and fairly unfishable, so it’s squeezing everybody into the backwaters that are pretty clean and healthy looking for the most part,” VanDam said.
VanDam also reported on annoying pests that are prevalent in early summer around Arkansas waterways -- Buffalo gnats. “Oh dude, they’re brutal,” KVD said. “They fly into your ears, your nose, and behind your sunglasses.” Fans have been commenting that a Thermacell or two will do the trick, and oddly enough, vanilla extract.
VanDam also reported on annoying pests that are prevalent in early summer around Arkansas waterways — Buffalo gnats. “Oh dude, they’re brutal,” KVD said. “They fly into your ears, your nose, and behind your sunglasses.” Fans have been commenting that a Thermacell or two will do the trick, and oddly enough, vanilla extract.
At Dardanelle in 2014, the Elites were greeted to a full moon on Day 1. This year, the full moon is still a week away.
At Dardanelle in 2014, the Elites were greeted to a full moon on Day 1. This year, the full moon is still a week away.
In 2014, fog had the anglers idle for some time, and a delay is a definite possibility this time around as well.
In 2014, fog had the anglers idle for some time, and a delay is a definite possibility this time around as well.
The last boat launches from Lake Dardanelle State Park in 2014. There will be 109 pros heading out, and will muddy conditions, talk is that the productive backwater area will be crowded.
The last boat launches from Lake Dardanelle State Park in 2014. There will be 109 pros heading out, and will muddy conditions, talk is that the productive backwater area will be crowded.
Chris Lane experiences an absolute nightmare last time at a Russellville hotel, when he was awakened at 2 a.m. and told he needed to move his rig because somebody’s boat was on fire -- it was his.
Chris Lane experiences an absolute nightmare last time at a Russellville hotel, when he was awakened at 2 a.m. and told he needed to move his rig because somebody’s boat was on fire — it was his.
It was a total loss, and Lane had to borrow a boat to compete. A great number of anglers came to his aid, giving him all kinds of tackle.
It was a total loss, and Lane had to borrow a boat to compete. A great number of anglers came to his aid, giving him all kinds of tackle.
Bridges are a big part of Lake Dardanelle lore. I-40 and U.S. Hwy. 64 go over the lake in several spots as does a rail line.
Bridges are a big part of Lake Dardanelle lore. I-40 and U.S. Hwy. 64 go over the lake in several spots as does a rail line.
Retired pro Jerry Williams, who has fished Dardanelle for 30 years, said he expects fishing to be challenging. “With the high-water conditions, the main river will be difficult to navigate, and the backwaters will be jammed with anglers,” he said. “There are still plenty of opportunities for big fish and heavy stringers.”
Retired pro Jerry Williams, who has fished Dardanelle for 30 years, said he expects fishing to be challenging. “With the high-water conditions, the main river will be difficult to navigate, and the backwaters will be jammed with anglers,” he said. “There are still plenty of opportunities for big fish and heavy stringers.”
“There are plenty of great spots to consider on the main lake,” Williams said, “but if the wind blows hard enough, the field will be forced to share the water along the shoreline.” Last time, Takahiro Omori tried the breakwater at the state park.
“There are plenty of great spots to consider on the main lake,” Williams said, “but if the wind blows hard enough, the field will be forced to share the water along the shoreline.” Last time, Takahiro Omori tried the breakwater at the state park.
Jason Christie leads the Toyota Angler of the Year standings with 463 points. He is 32 points ahead of Ott DeFoe after gaining 30 points in the last event. Christie hopes to keep his family smiling by maintaining his lead or increasing it again.
Jason Christie leads the Toyota Angler of the Year standings with 463 points. He is 32 points ahead of Ott DeFoe after gaining 30 points in the last event. Christie hopes to keep his family smiling by maintaining his lead or increasing it again.