Arkansas River - Pool 4 lies close to Pine Bluff Regional Park and acts as a boundary dividing the east and west regions of Arkansas. To the west lie the rolling hills and woodlands of the West Gulf Coastal Plain, while to the east lies the vast flat plains of the Mississippi delta that offer rich agricultural land.
The area around Arkansas River - Pool 4 is rich in history as these lands were among the first colonized by pioneers. Once these river waters were wild and unpredictable and came barreling down the Rocky Mountains and traveled 1,460 miles across four states to finally empty out into the Mississippi.
Today, this river is more a series of lakes thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who tamed this river through the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation Project that led to the development of twelve dams in Arkansas which transformed the river completely.
The Arkansas river waters were always teeming with a variety of fish species, the most popular of which are large-sized bass. With the Arkansas river being a series of tranquil reservoirs today, it is little wonder that these waters are sought after destinations for anglers around the world.
Apart from the rich fishing grounds the Arkansas River - Pool 4 area offers modern conveniences to its visitors including facilities and amenities such as a boat launch ramp, drinking water, picnic sites, campsites, modern washrooms and more in nearby parks such as Ste Marie Park, Sheppard Island, and Cane Creek State Park.
Arkansas River - Pool 4 begins just below Pine Bluff and stretches for about twenty miles in length. This vast reservoir is located at Emmitt Sander Lock and Dam, just six miles east of Pine Bluff, Arkansas.
The roads are wide and well-maintained with plenty of signs directing you to the dam and the start of your next outdoor RV adventure.
If you looking for an RV campsite close to Arkansas River - Pool 4, Cane Creek State Park offers excellent camping facilities with 30 electric and water hookup RV campsites. The campground is equipped with washrooms, picnic tables, showers and even a playground where your pets and kids can have some fun. Plenty of recreational activities are also available for outdoor enthusiasts which make Cane Street campground an ideal base camp for exploring the many wonders of Arkansas River.
Not bringing your camera to this picturesque location would just be a sin as some of the sights here are truly spectacular. The rich wildlife, the vast shoreline, and lake waters, as well as the dense surrounding woodlands, make for some truly epic adventures and the chance to capture some amazing pictures of nature at its finest.
The Arkansas River system and its surrounding areas offer diverse habitats and ecosystems that are home to plenty of wildlife. Red fox, deer, armadillos, long-tailed scissortail flycatchers, groundhogs, raccoons, quail, skunks, turtles, egrets, mallard ducks, blue herons, possums, and egrets all call this region their home. Migrating waterfowl can also be spotted in vast quantities during certain times of the year making for a truly fascinating wildlife experience.
Picnic shelters and group shelters can be found in the nearby Ste Marie Park or Sheppard Island. These scenic picnic areas allow visitors to bask in the sun and take in the wondrous beauty around them. Ste Marie also has a playground for children that exits to the lake as well as a swimming pool. Picnic tables and grills are made available for those who want to spend the day enjoying this beautiful river-side location. Ste Marie Park also has a reservable group shelter for special occasions and family gatherings.
The Arkansas River is home to abundant wildlife from large mammals to many species of rare and exotic birds. The lands surrounding the river are especially renowned for having the best duck hunting anywhere in the world. The surrounding forests also allow hunters to track down deer and wild turkey that are fairly abundant in the region. Make sure to adhere to all hunting regulations and make sure you have your hunting license on you at all times.
Public boat launch areas are located at both Ste Marie Park and Sheppard Island that are Corps Managed Recreational Areas located on the shoreline of Arkansas River Pool 3 and 4. Whether you fancy fishing off a boat or simply want to take to lake waters to feel the rush of the wind and the calmness around you. Kayak, paddleboard, canoe and even motorboat to your heart's content in this vast stretch of water.
The Arkansas River has always been famed for its rich waters teeming with a variety of fish species including heavyweight largemouth and spotted bass, crappie, catfish and beam. Rick Clunn made Arkansas River - Pool 4 famous during the 1984 BASS Master Classic where he amassed a record catch totaling 75 pounds, 9 ounces in just a three-day fishing marathon. Plenty of backwaters, shallow ledges, flooded timber, vegetation, riprap, and deep holes offer cover and structure for fish to thrive in these waters. Anglers can fish by the riverbanks or take to the water via boats.
