You know what? I went to Lake Loch Lomond —here’s the full trip diary— to “just relax.” I ended up catching bass at sunrise, eating dinner with a pink sky, and getting lake hair twice a day. I’ll take that trade.
I stayed in Bella Vista for a week. I’ve been back since, because it’s that kind of place—quiet, but not boring.
Getting There, First Glance
Day one, I pulled up near the marina right after sunrise. Fog hugged the water. A blue heron stood like a statue. I could smell cedar and wet rock. The lake isn’t huge, but it spreads out in neat fingers. Coves fold around you. It feels private, even when boats go by.
I launched my kayak from the main ramp. The concrete was clean. No slick spots. A staff member waved and said, “Morning!” It set the tone.
A Quick Word on Access (Don’t Skip This)
Bella Vista lakes are run by the POA (learn more about the system here). You need a POA card or to be with a member or in a rental that gives you a guest pass. Boats need a sticker. Fishing needs an Arkansas license plus a lake permit (you can secure the required state license online via the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission). Sounds like a lot, right? Honestly, the marina folks walked me through it in five minutes. After that, it was smooth.
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Mornings in the Kayak: Calm Water, Hungry Bass
I like to start simple. One morning, I paddled into a shady cove with laydowns along the bank. I tied on a small white spinnerbait. First cast, a 2-pound largemouth hammered it by a fallen tree. I laughed out loud, alone like a goof. Two more bass came within twenty minutes. Then it got quiet, so I swapped to a green pumpkin worm and picked off one more near some docks.
Water was clear enough to see a couple feet. Turtles lined up on logs like they were waiting for a bus. A kingfisher scolded me from a branch. You can’t make that up.
Tip I learned: go early. By 10 a.m., ski boats show up and the wind can ride the main channel like a tunnel. Hit the coves. They’re gold.
If you’re curious how this Arkansas action stacks up against its namesake in Scotland, check out this honest first-person review of fishing Loch Lomond for a fun compare-and-contrast.
Family Afternoon: Pontoon + No-Wake Coves
On Tuesday, we rented a pontoon. We stuck to a no-wake cove for swimming. The kids used the ladder, then leapt off the bow when they got brave. We floated and watched a couple learn to wakeboard out on the open water. It’s nice—you get action in the big stretch, and peace in the fingers.
We kept snacks cold in a soft cooler, tied a throw rope to a noodle (just in case), and played the same three songs way too many times. If you’ve ever been a boat DJ, you know the pain.
Evening Bite: Crappie and a Surprise Cat
I fished from a friend’s dock one evening. Slip bobber. Tiny jig. Crappie started tapping at dusk. Most were hand-sized, but I landed one at about 12 inches—thick and clean. I also set out a rod with stink bait on the bottom. Boom—drag peeled. A channel cat rolled in the light and gave me a muddy splash. We measured, snapped a quick pic, and let it go. My hands smelled… like victory? Sort of.
Shore Stuff: Food, Trails, Little Moments
- We grabbed dinner by the water one night and watched the sun melt behind the hills. The sky went sherbet orange. Folks at the next table clapped when a bald eagle skimmed the surface. I’ve never seen strangers clap for a bird. It felt right.
- I took a short morning walk on a nearby trail and ended up sitting on warm rock, feet in the lake, coffee in hand. A small thing. But it stuck.
- If you like bikes, the local trail systems are close. I rode an easy loop, got my legs wobbly, and cooled off in the lake after. Not fancy. Just good.
- To toast a stellar day, I poured a small dram of Loch Lomond Scotch whisky; the smoky notes somehow matched the campfire haze.
Seasonal Feel (What Changed, What Didn’t)
- Spring: Dogwoods pop. Bass move shallow. I had luck with small swimbaits near flats.
- Summer: Busy mid-day. Go early or late. Bring a hat and a big water bottle. I learned that the hard way.
- Fall: Quiet. Leaves catch fire in the hills. Cool mornings, glassy water. Topwater time.
- Winter: I’ve only done one winter morning. Cold but crystal clear. I saw a pair of geese slide in like planes.
What I Loved
- Clean water and quiet coves for paddling
- A friendly marina crew who actually remembers faces
- A mix of ski zones and no-wake areas, so everyone finds a lane
- Solid fishing—bass, crappie, and the odd cat that keeps you honest
What Bugged Me (A Little)
- Access rules can feel confusing on the first day, but once you get the pass and sticker, it’s easy
- Not many sandy “beach” spots; it’s more rock and dock
- Weekends get busy around noon
- Cell service drops in a couple coves; I lost bars and had to wave my phone around like a weirdo
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Real Tips That Helped Me
- Polarized sunglasses let you see brush and beds. Total game changer.
- Spinnerbait at dawn, worm by mid-morning, topwater on calm evenings. Simple rhythm.
- Watch the wind. It lines up down the main arm and makes whitecaps faster than you think.
- Keep a small first-aid kit and a spare towel. Splinters and wet seats happen.
- Parking near ramps fills by late morning on Saturdays. Early bird gets the spot.
One Small Story to End
On my last day, I sat on the dock with feet in the water. A bass chased shad into the shallows. The ripples ticked the boards. Somewhere a grill hissed, and someone laughed across the cove. I thought, this feels like summer from when I was a kid. Not perfect. Just real.
Would I go back to Lake Loch Lomond in Bella Vista? Oh yeah. I already did. And I’ll go again.