Lake Dardanelle Primed for Fall Fishing Slugfest During AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open

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SAN ANTONIO, TX (October 5, 2022) – The Association of Collegiate Anglers is set to make its annual stop at Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, AR this upcoming weekend.  Stop two on the 2022-23 season of the Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series is the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.  Anglers will be competing for two days on this storied Arkansas River fishery, in hopes of earning their share of $20,000 in prizes and contingencies, as well as double points to count towards the Bass Pro Shops School of the Year presented by Abu Garcia.  In this article, we will provide a preview of Lake Dardanelle and the current conditions out on the official tournament waters.

Lake Dardanelle is a 34,300-acre reservoir on the Arkansas River near Russellville, AR.  Constructed under the supervision of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Little Rock District, Lake Dardanelle is one of the most accessible and attractive recreation areas in Arkansas.  Stretching close to 50 miles, boasting 315 miles of shoreline, Lake Dardanelle is a recreational lake that features fantastic fishing, and great facilities to host an event at Lake Dardanelle State Park.

Watch this YouTube video to learn more about Russellville and the surrounding community.

Lake Dardanelle is a very diverse fishery providing an array of fish catching cover that allows anglers from across the country to travel to Russellville, AR and fish their strengths.  That great fish holding habitat includes the likes of rocks, wood, and shallow vegetation.  These types of cover are littered across Lake Dardanelle from the main river channel, into creeks, and can also be found in the abundant backwaters on this Arkansas River impoundment.

With a variety of cover available to target, anglers are able to use an assortment of baits in their tackle box to target Lake Dardanelle bass.  Year in and year out, some of the most popular baits anglers are throwing include topwaters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, frogs, and soft plastics.  Crankbaits and jigs are the perfect baits to fish around the many bridges and rocky banks.  Frogs and soft plastics can target bigger bites around shallow vegetation such as lily pads and shore grass.  And lastly, topwaters and spinnerbaits can be fished down any bank on the lake and could prove to be the winning technique this upcoming weekend.

Listen to the latest episode of the Rapala #WeAreCollegiateBass Podcast as Masen Wade from the University of Arkansas previews the AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.

During the fall of the year, weather patterns can change and vary daily.  Entering this weekend, temperatures appear stable with a slight cool down forecasted for the two days of tournament competition.  Anglers can expect sunny to partly skies both days with high temperatures ranging from the low to mid 70’s.

Things are shaping up for a great weekend of fishing at Lake Dardanelle in Russellville, AR for the 2022 AFTCO Collegiate Bass Open.