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Fishing is the hook at Lake Dardanelle park

At Lake Dardanelle State Park’s visitor center, aquariums showcase a variety of the area’s underwater species.
At Lake Dardanelle State Park’s visitor center, aquariums showcase a variety of the area’s underwater species.

RUSSELLVILLE -- Fishing, especially for trophy bass, is the headline act at Lake Dardanelle State Park.

So it's no surprise that the centerpiece of the park's information-rich and fun-filled visitor center, off Arkansas 326 on the western fringe of Russellville, is a complex of four aquariums.

The 8,000 gallons of water are home to a mix of the species found in Lake Dardanelle, the Arkansas River, and its Piney Creek and Illinois Bayou tributaries.

The chance to go eyeball to eyeball with bass, catfish, gar and other denizens of these Arkansas waters is only one of the up-close-and-personal diversions inside the 10,527-square-foot center.

Another display showcases a half-dozen small turtles in shallow water. A sign aimed at youngsters reads "please touch." A photo illustrating the proper way to pick up turtles comes with written instructions: "Hold them like a hamburger over the water." Parents get a backup message: "Please supervise your children to prevent turtle injury."

Arrayed on a nearby table are bones, antlers, teeth and feathers of assorted fauna. Again, the posted message is inviting: "Grab it, explore it, discover it."

Touch-screen panels let visitors tune into such topics as what it's like to be a fish and the area's past dating back to the American Indian presence before the coming of Europeans.

It's well worth watching the center's 16-minute video titled Lake Dardanelle: Heart of the River. Sparing the hyperbole that mars some such park movies, it reports one fact that may surprise a good many Natural State residents: The Arkansas River, which flows through Lake Dardanelle, is the fourth longest in the United States (1,459 miles).

There are two sections of Lake Dardanelle State Park, which was established in 1966. The smaller one lies on the lake's south side in Yell County. The larger part, site of the visitor center, is in Pope County.

Near the visitor center stands the park's pride and joy, an 1,861-square-foot fishing tournament weigh-in station billed as the first of its kind in the nation. It's a busy spot during the various bass competitions held here during the year.

The boat dock near the weigh-in station is the boarding point for free one-hour Eagle Cruises this month through February. Forthcoming departures are at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, 2 p.m. Nov. 14, 10 a.m. Nov. 19, 9 a.m. Nov. 22, 2 p.m. Nov. 26 and 9 a.m. Nov. 29.

Along with the American bald eagle, birds that may be spotted include snow geese, ducks and American white pelicans. Warm clothing is advised, because temperatures tend to be lower and winds stronger on the lake. Advance reservations are required.

Lake Dardanelle State Park's visitor center is open daily from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. To reach the center from I-40, take Exit 81 at Russellville. Go south on Arkansas 7, turn right on Arkansas 326 and proceed 4 miles. Admission is free. Call (479) 967-5516 or visit arkansas.com.

Weekend on 11/06/2014

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