Hot Springs Village is well-known for its beautiful mountain vistas, rich community life, and first-class amenities. But among its most treasured — and sometimes underappreciated — assets are the 11 recreational lakes that make the Village a true haven for freshwater fishing.
Fishing in Hot Springs Village is a highly popular activity. The area’s nearly 2,000 acres of lakes are stocked with a variety of species, making it one of the region’s premier private fishing destinations Whether you're casting from a dock at sunrise or taking the boat out for an afternoon of bass fishing,
Hot Springs Village offers a diverse range of fishing experiences:
Lake Balboa is a favorite for serious sport anglers. Largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and bream are all plentiful here. Lake Cortez and Lake DeSoto offer a more relaxed experience, ideal for families or those looking for a peaceful day on the water. Smaller lakes like Lake Estrella, Lake Maria, and Lake Sophia are well-stocked and perfect for bank fishing, especially for kids and beginners.
The fish population is monitored by the Property Owners Association (POA) Lakes Management Department and additional stockings are scheduled as needed.
Hot Springs Village is proud of its stewardship of the natural environment. The Lakes Committee, made up of community volunteers, works closely with the POA to ensure our waters remain vibrant and fish populations stay healthy through stocking, habitat restoration, and water quality management.
An Arkansas fishing license is required for fishing all HSV lakes and in addition to the Hot Springs Village POA’s specific regulations, all U.S. and Arkansas fishing and boating regulations apply to HSV lakes. An HSV Temporary Usage Tag or an Annual Boat Decal from the POA offices, or one of the marinas, is required for all boating on the Village lakes.
The Hot Springs Village Anglers Club was established in 1973 to promote fellowship through fishing. The club provides members a means to learn more about fishing and improve their fishing skills. The club also supports the improvement of village lakes and the quality of fishing in HSV. Membership is open to any property owner, permanent members and all member dependents.
