Lake Village lies on the western shore of Lake Chicot. The lake is a 20-mile-long former main channel of the Mississippi River and also the largest oxbow lake in North America. For planning your trip, there are two distinct areas of focus: activities on the water and the history of Lake Village’s business district. Fishing, birdwatching, and lake tours appeal to different interests; the Historic District tells the story of the town’s development.
Lake Chicot: Water and Nature
You can fish for bluegill, catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, and striped bass at Lake Chicot. If you would rather focus on nature observation, Lake Chicot State Park offers birdwatching opportunities in one of the country’s largest migratory bird corridors. The two activities offer different experiences: fishing focuses on the fish species listed above, while birdwatching focuses on the birdlife along a migratory corridor. Lake tours are also among the State Park’s programs. Before your trip, check which programs are available during your visit.
Fishing boats can be rented at the State Park, and personal watercraft can be launched free of charge. This differs from the lake tours included in the park’s program offerings: you can choose between a rental fishing boat, launching a personal watercraft, and a tour offered as part of a park program. Since program offerings and rental conditions may change, confirm the relevant details before your trip.
Local History in the Business District
The Lake Village Commercial Historic District is located in Lake Village’s business district. It includes 39 buildings and one monument and reflects the town’s development from about 1906 to 1960. This offers a different focus from activities on the lake: the Historic District centers on local history, while fishing, birdwatching, and lake tours relate to nature and recreation. If you are interested in Lake Village’s development, the business district is the specific place to explore this topic.
More Historical Topics at Lake Chicot
The Great River Road National Scenic Byway runs along part of the shore of Lake Chicot. Ditch Bayou Battlefield is part of a driving tour of several Civil War sites at Lake Chicot. The Battle of Ditch Bayou was the largest battle in Chicot County and the last major battle fought on Arkansas soil. This offers a different historical perspective from Lake Village’s development from about 1906 to 1960: here, the focus is on a battle and Civil War sites, while the business district’s history is explored there.
Getting Your Bearings
The Lake Village Welcome Center offers up-to-date information about attractions and regional events. It also has computer terminals, Wi-Fi, and fresh coffee. Since visitor services may change, check the latest information before your trip. If you want an event to shape your visit, ask there about relevant dates. This lets you plan around the topics that bring you to Lake Village—whether the lake, birdwatching, or local history.
For the broader travel overview: Chicot County.
