Dierks Lake Named Arkansas’ Top Tournament Fishing Destination for 2025

Dierks Lake has been named the top tournament fishing destination in the state for 2025 by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, according to the agency’s 2025 Arkansas Tournament Information Program Report.

The annual report compiles hundreds of tournament records submitted through the commission’s Arkansas Black Bass Program. Biologists analyze data such as the number of anglers, fish caught, total weights and the number of bass weighing five pounds or more to rank fishing quality across Arkansas lakes.

Although only five tournaments were held at Dierks Lake during 2025, the lake produced impressive results. The average winning weight in those events was 20.77 pounds, and anglers brought 22 bass weighing more than five pounds to the scales.

AGFC Black Bass Biologist Eric Naas said the 1,360-acre lake is one of the smaller reservoirs in the state but has long been popular with local anglers.

Other lakes ranked in the report included Beaver Lake in second place, Lake Ouachita in third and Lake Dardanelle tied for fourth.

The report also noted a rise in trophy-size bass caught during tournaments statewide, including a 14.2-pound fish landed at DeGray Lake in December. Officials say the strong results highlight the quality of bass fishing across Arkansas waters.