New on the FLW Tour’s schedule this year is Lake Ouachita near Hot Springs, Ark. According to Wal-Mart FLW Tour pro Mike Wurm, who resides in Hot Springs, Lake Ouachita is not only one of the most productive lakes on tour but also one of the most beautiful lakes.

Ouachita is a 45,000-acre lake located at the base of the Ouachita Mountain Range near Hot Springs National Park. Touting Ouachita’s crystal clear waters and an abundance of deep grass, Wurm guarantees Wal-Mart FLW Tour anglers will enjoy fishing the scenic lake.

Since old man winter might still have a grip on Ouachita’s water temperatures, Wurm believes the lake’s deep hydrilla beds will be most productive during the tournament. An unseasonable warm-up could bring bass to the shallows early, but given the kind of winter Arkansas has had, such a warm-up is unlikely.

Lake Ouachita contains both largemouth and spotted bass. Wurm believes, however, that the top 10 patterns will center on largemouth exclusively. “My favorite pattern for that time of year is slow-rolling big 3/4-ounce or 1-ounce Strike King spinner baits off the ends of the deep grass points,” he says.

Anglers traveling to Lake Ouachita can look forward to some beautiful scenery and fantastic bass-fishing action.

– Rob Newell

Links:

Tournament details and cash payouts
$5.1 million Wal-Mart FLW Tour heading to Lake Ouachita
Pro field
Co-angler field