Lake Columbia

Overview:

Multi-purpose reservoir with 30-acre park, swimming area, three boat ramps; campsites with water, electricity; showers available; fishing

Lake Columbia is a 3,000-acre impoundment stretching for six miles along Beech Creek about six miles northwest of Magnolia in south central Arkansas. It was constructed in 1986 by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, which provides three concrete boat ramps, two with accompanying courtesy boat docks and fishing piers accessible to persons with handicaps. A picnic area is available in a day-use area on the lake's south shore. The lake and campgrounds are owned and managed by the Columbia County Rural Development Authority.

The lake is divided into four zones, including a small area off-limits to unauthorized visitors. Fishing is allowed on the rest of the lake, and the western half is also open for pleasure- boating and water sports.

Fishing: Largemouth bass are the lake's main drawing card, but fishing is also excellent for crappie, channel catfish, bluegills and red-ear sunfish. Flooded timber covers about half the lake.

Directions from Magnolia: south on U.S. 371, 4 miles; turn right on Ark. 344, 4 miles; turn left on County Road 53, proceed 3 miles to lake.

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