Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita Wildlife Management Area road public information meeting set for Monday

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will hold a public information meeting about the future management of Clear Lake Road, leading into Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita Wildlife Management Area, at 5 -6 p.m. Monday at the Strong High School Library.

Clear Lake Road has been the subject of many discussions since it was closed due to dangerous driving conditions early this year. According to a release from the commission, extremely wet weather, combined with traffic caused the road to deteriorate in places. The road was recently opened to ATV traffic, but remained closed to larger vehicles. Rain from Hurricane Harvey prompted another temporary closure, but the commission has since been able to reopen the road to ATV traffic.

“We’ve been able to repair the road by filling in some of the holes in it with larger rock to make it passable for ATVs,” said Susan Nimmo, the commission’s regional biologist in the Camden office. “Caution should be taken by anyone using the road because construction is not complete.”

Many local anglers have voiced concerns about not being able to access the section of the Ouachita River on the WMA or the lakes found along Clear Lake Road. By opening the road to ATVs, the commission said it hopes to let more anglers enjoy the fishing the WMA has to offer without compromising the road’s integrity. For more information about the road closure or public information meeting, call the Camden Regional Office at 877836-4612.