More than 40 snake species, including both Eastern and Southern US species, can be found in Arkansas.
In Arkansas, the snakes are most visible during the summer months. One area in the state where you might not anticipate seeing snakes is in the water.
Nonetheless, Arkansas is home to both water and semi-aquatic snakes. These snakes are common in several lakes. The most snake-infested lakes in Arkansas and the types of water snakes found there will be discussed here.
Lake Ouachita
As the largest lake in Arkansas, Lake Ouachita spans 700 miles of shoreline and 65,000 acres of water. Garland and Montgomery are the two counties that the lake traverses.
The northern and plain belly water snakes are among the most prevalent snakes in the lake.
Ouachita National Forest, which surrounds the lake, is a well-liked location for fishing, hiking, and camping. Several venomous snakes as well as other semi-aquatic snakes can be seen here.
Sightings of rattlesnakes and cottonmouths are somewhat frequent in this region. One of the most semi-aquatic snakes in the whole United States is the cottonmouth. They are brown, gray, and black, and they typically eat fish.
Lake Fayetteville
Lake Ouachita is larger than Lake Fayetteville. The waters are still rife with snakes, though.
The lake, which spans 450 acres of land and 200 acres of water, is home to a variety of snake species, including semi-aquatic and water snakes. Bass, carp, bluegill, and catfish abound in the lake, which attracts water snakes.
Tourists come to fish in the lake because of its abundance of fish. If you are going to the lake to go fishing, be aware that you will probably run into a snake. Reports of snake encounters are common in the region.
Another species, rattlesnakes, can be found in the lovely park close to the lake. On the paths surrounding the lake, one can occasionally see species like pygmy and diamondback rattlesnakes.
Greers Ferry Lake
Greers Ferry Lake is another snake-infested lake in Arkansas. The lake was created in 1962 and consists of two sizable bodies of water joined by a slender valley.
The entire lake covers 40,000 acres, and around the lake, there are popular campsites and hikes for outdoor recreationists.
The presence of snakes in the region should be noted by visitors who are enjoying the lake. In the region, the vividly colored rough green snake is frequently sighted.
These snakes are nonvenomous and pose no hazard to people. Another non-venomous snake that is frequently seen in the area is the diamondback water snake.
Getting Around the Snake-Infested Lakes in Arkansas
Arkansas’s lakes are a favorite habitat for water and semi-aquatic snakes. Snakes are especially common in Greers Ferry Lake, Lake Ouachita, and Lake Fayetteville.
These locations in Arkansas are still worth seeing even though there are a lot of snakes there. These lakes provide a wide range of outdoor activities for those who love the great outdoors, from hiking and camping to kayaking and fishing.
Since water snakes often pose little threat to people, visiting these locations is reassuring. You can stay safe in snake country by being able to recognize semi-aquatic snakes, even if they can be poisonous.