Ashbaugh
- Access
Ashbaugh can be reached by two routes. Follow Arkansas Highway 304 west out of Delaplaine for 3 miles, then turn north on the gravel county road and go 1.5 miles to the lake. Or, follow Arkansas Highway 280 north 2 miles out of Delaplaine, then turn west on the gravel county road and go 3 miles to the lake. Signs mark the turnoffs on major highways.
- Area Specific Regulations
- Black bass daily limit is 6.
- Wildlife management area regulations.
- No limit on white bass.
- Area Type
Lake
- Bottom Features
Bottom features: borrow ditches just inside the levees, mud bottom
- Constructed
1981
- County
Greene
- Depth
Average depth 3-8 feet, depending on season; maximum depth 12 feet. (The lake is subject to severe water level reduction during summer due to evaporation and seepage.)
- Description
The lake was named to honor the late Judge Ed Ashbaugh who served as the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's general legal counsel for many years. Lake Ashbaugh is adjacent to Dave Donaldson Black River Wildlife Management Area, a 22,798-acre hunting and fishing complex in the northeast Arkansas Delta. The lake is managed primarily for largemouth bass and bluegills, and visiting anglers find first-rate fishing for both. Redear sunfish, crappies and channel catfish are also favorites with Ashbaugh anglers. Lake Ashbaugh hit the limelight in 1984 and 1985 when a string of state-record tiger muskies were caught there. This is the only Arkansas lake where this cross between the northern pike and muskellunge was stocked. Boat lanes crisscross the timbered lake bed to provide on-the-water access, and the clean shoreline allows unobstructed access for bank anglers as well.
- District Information
Fisheries District 3
600-B East Lawson Road
Jonesboro, AR 72404
877-972-5438
- Facilities
There are concrete boat ramps on the lake's northeast and southwest corners.
- Fish Forage
Shad, small sunfish
- Location
Greene County 10 miles east of Pocahontas adjacent to Dave Donaldson/Black River Wildlife Management Area
- Major Sportfish
Bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, redear sunfish
- Other Fish
Grass carp, green sunfish, longear sunfish, warmouth
- Other Points of Interest
Visitors will find additional fishing opportunities just a short drive away on the Black and Current rivers. Both streams offer excellent fishing for catfish, black bass, bream, crappies and walleyes. The WMA has excellent hunting for ducks, rabbits and squirrels, and birders will find superb opportunities for viewing wintering waterfowl and bald eagles.
- Ownership
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
- Restaurants, Camping and other Facilities
Restaurants are located in Peach Orchard, Delaplaine and Pocahontas. Motels can be found in Pocahontas, Corning, Walnut Ridge and Paragould.
- Size
500 acres
- Visible Cover
Riprap on levees, brush, standing timber, willows on shallow-water islands