Garland County
Electric Island Nature Trail on Lake Hamilton
- From the intersection of Arkansas Highway 7 and County Road 290 in Garland County, travel east on 290 about 3 miles to Fish Hatchery Road.
- Follow Fish Hatchery Road beyond the AGFC office to the boat ramp.
- The hatchery’s address is 350 Fish Hatchery Road.
Quick Facts
Maps
Important Numbers
Garland County EMS
911
Garland County Sheriff’s Office
501-622-3660
AGFC Hot Springs Regional Office
833-356-0933
Stop Poaching Hotline
833-356-0824
Georeferenced Map Instructions
- Download the free Avenza Map app from the App Store on mobile device.
- Choose a trail and tap on the geo-referenced map.
- Tap on the map again and choose “Open in Avenza Maps” or choose “More” and tap on the Avenza Map icon.
- Map is saved in Avenza Map app.
- A blue dot marks your location on the map.
- The trail map uses the phone’s GPS. If cell reception is poor, put phone on airplane mode to conserve power.
- Download the free Avenza Map app from the App Store on mobile device.
- Choose a trail and tap on the geo-referenced map.
- Tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Choose “Send File” and tap the Avenza Map icon.
- Map is saved in Avenza Map app.
- A blue dot marks your location on the map.
- The trail map uses the phone’s GPS. If cell reception is poor, put phone on airplane mode to conserve power.
Distances
The western Electric Island trailhead is a 0.8-mile paddle or boat ride from the Andrew H. Hulsey State Fish Hatchery Access.
Electric Island Nature Trail: 2 miles.
Lake Conditions
Lake Hamilton is a popular destination and motorboat traffic increases on weekends and holidays. Wind and boats can create substantial waves and rough water. Paddlers should avoid congested weekends and windy conditions when visiting Electric Island.
Visit Entergy’s website for periodic lake level changes, especially in winter months.
Don’t Get a Ticket!
According to Arkansas law, children 12 and under must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and anyone on a boat must have one ready to use. Vessels 16 feet and longer must have a throwable life preserver (type IV) aboard. Glass containers are illegal in boats such as canoes and kayaks that can be easily swamped. Paddlers must securely fasten cooler lids, and use attached, closeable trash containers, and floating holders for beverages.
Electric Island is home to white-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos and gray squirrels. Various woodpeckers, wrens, nuthatches and vireos live on the island year-round. Depending on the season, watch for bald eagles, loons, osprey, warblers and waterfowl. The island is typical of the Ouachita Mountains with an oak-hickory-pine forest. The Ouachita River was impounded in 1931 to form Lake Hamilton. Electric Island has not been logged since then and periodic, prescribed fire allows for an open woodland.
No camping or campfires on Electric Island.
Electric Island offers some of the little remaining unaltered shoreline on Lake Hamilton. Anglers pursue largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, crappie, and bream. Minnows, jigs, and spinners are recommended baits. Fish for catfish on the bottom with worms, minnows and stink baits. Check AGFC fishing regulations.
The 118-acre Electric Island WMA is owned by The Nature Conservancy and is managed as a nature preserve. No hunting.