Page 9 - Crappie NOW | June 2015

By Keith Sutton

O n its 2,555-mile

journey from California to North
Carolina, Interstate 40 spans the
breadth of Arkansas. Some have
described this transcontinental
superhighway as “the most
boring roadway in America,”
and anyone who’s ever driven
from Ft. Smith to West Memphis
would find it difficult to dispute
that contention.
Fortunately, the I-40
traveler need not venture far
from the interstate to enjoy some
of Arkansas’ most beautiful
scenery and finest outdoor
recreation areas. For example,
in its 300-mile journey across the
Natural State’s midsection, I-40
passes some of Arkansas’ finest
crappie lakes. Five of these—
lakes Dardanelle, Overcup,
Conway, Dunn and Austell—
are 15 minutes or less off the
interstate. All offer fishing piers
and bank-fishing areas where
the road-weary traveler can stop
and enjoy some fishing, no boat
required.

Lake Dardanelle
This 50-mile-long
honeyhole on the Arkansas
River spreads westward from
Dardanelle Lock and Dam at
Russellville to cover 35,000
acres. Numerous access points
with boat docks, campgrounds
and parks are on the north side
just a short drive off I-40.
Lake Dardanelle State
Park near Russellville is one
great place to visit. Near the