Little Fir Recreation Area big on fishing
Outdoor writer and photographer Corbet Deary is featured regularly in The Sentinel-Record. Today, Deary writes about Little Fir Recreation Area.
Last week, I featured Big Fir, a quaint and primitive recreation area situated on the banks of Lake Ouachita near where the South Fork and Ouachita rivers converge.
I had never visited this particular destination prior to gathering information for my article. But that was no indication I had not kicked around in the general vicinity of the facility. In fact, this week’s article will cover yet another recreation area that is situated just a few miles down the road.
Little Fir Recreation Area is also accessible from Highway 188, and is a location that I have visited time and time again. Although the two facilities are only minutes away from each other via road, they lend to totally different settings, both on and off the water.
Little Fir is situated farther upstream from Big Fir Recreation Area. Although a few miles downstream from where the Ouachita River feeds into the lake and runs under the Highway 27 bridge, this section of the reservoir has yet to widen, and in turn produces a habitat different from what lurks nearer the main body of the lake.
Although lacking several of the amenities of the larger and more popular recreation areas nestled on the banks of Lake Ouachita, Little Fir does offer a few more comforts and perks than do the facilities that are designated solely for primitive camping.
Each campsite sports a picnic table, a lantern post, a ground grill and a pedestal grill, all of which are pretty well customary throughout all of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas situated along the banks of the lake.
Little Fir sports 28 RV/tent sites with water. There is one site on the premises, however, that also provides a 50-amp electrical hookup. I suppose there are a lot of folks out there sharing my sentiments, in the sense that they can easily get by in a somewhat primitive setup and can do without water and electrical hookups at their campsites.
But I would also suspect that very few would fail to appreciate more sophisticated restroom facilities than vaulted toilets. Well, I’m here to tell you that those staying at Little Fir will be privy to flush toilets.
Folks who are not necessarily into an overnighter might also find Little Fir of interest, as the facility is a great location where one can embark upon a picnic during the daylight hours and still enjoy sleeping in their own bed and all of the other comforts of home with the arrival of darkness.
Those who are planning an extended stay will likely be glad to know that a marina is also located practically within a stone’s throw of the campgrounds. I suppose even those just making a day of it might find the marina helpful, as well, as I suspect we’ve all been guilty of occasionally forgetting essentials at home.
The facility is located on level ground, and all of the campsites are roomy enough that one does not feel cramped by fellow outdoor enthusiasts. The level terrain and well-kept shoreline lends to great view both up and down the throat of the channel.
And although I have never actually fished from the bank while camping at Little Fir, I would suspect there are ample panfish in the area to keep one occupied during the daylight hours. And I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if those who opted to soak a night crawler or a chunk of chicken liver in the lake after the sun went down enticed a few channel cats into biting.
The Little Fir launching ramp is a pretty popular destination throughout the seasons, and for good reason. This particular section of the lake provides a good habitat for an array of fish species to thrive.
There’s plenty of standing timber in nearby bays. In turn, crappie fishing enthusiasts find plenty to keep them occupied throughout the seasons. Although lacking the skills to catch these delectable fish with consistency, even I have managed to coax a few into the boat while fishing in the vicinity.
Many have been the times when my friend, Hugh Demby, and I have backed the boat down the Little Fir launching ramp. But our minds were on a totally different fish species. That’s right, we were focused on boating a mess of black bass.
There are bass aplenty in this section of the lake. But I’ll also admit that there is a price to pay for fishing in this area. Generally speaking, spotted bass are much more prevalent in this section of water than are their larger cousins, the largemouth.
Don’t get me wrong — there are plenty of largemouths swimming within close proximity of Little Fir. In fact, we have managed to entice a couple of dandies into biting throughout the year, the largest weighing in at just under 6 pounds.
But I can say with all confidence that the bigger bass are a great deal more plentiful farther downstream, nearer to the main bay of the lake. But that’s no indication that this section of water should be ignored, as we’ve not had much of a problem catching our limits of legal spotted and largemouth bass in the vicinity.
Hugh and I have also caught our share of white and striped bass, many within sight of the recreation area. The Little Fir Area is certainly bountiful with fish. However, consistent success on any body of water is often determined by one’s willingness to spend time and get acquainted with an area.
Well, Little Fir is no different. Those who spend time on this section of the lake will soon learn of the exact spots where fish break during early morning and late evening hours. They’ll happen at specific points where the bass notoriously feed and they’ll find the treetops that cough up crappie time and time again.
And those who manage to boat a mess of keepers will likely appreciate the fish cleaning station that is located just above the launching ramp. Although the grinders have since been shut off and one must now dump their remains in the trash can that have been provided, electricity, cleaning tables and running water are certainly handy after a successful day on the water.
Hugh and I have recently put in at the Little Fir ramp, and I would suspect this is a location where we will return soon. And don’t be surprised if you see me at the camping area, as this little recreation area is a spot where I can easily remain occupied for hours on end.
To get to Little Fir, from Mount Ida turn right onto Highway 27 north. Travel 4.8 miles and take a right onto Highway 188. Follow 188 for about 8.5 miles and take a right at the Little Fir sign.