Best lakes an hour (at most) from Memphis in Arkansas?

[Memphis]

I'm taking care of family right now and can't plan trips-- they're spur of the moment. Also, when I can hit the water, it needs to be a 1/2 day trip at most.

What are y'all's recommendations (private or public water).

As an added issue, I'll be stuck bank-fishing at least until the end of Summer, so I'd especially like to hear about lakes with that option, but since the getting-away issue is likely to last awhile, I'd love to hear anything about far-Eastern Arkansas water.

Thanks

[Billy E]

One lake would be Horseshoe. They have a dock to fish off of at Kamp Karefree.

[Memphis]

Thanks Billy. I was aware of Horseshoe but haven't been there in years. My family used to go to Bear Creek alot, and sometimes we stopped near enough on the way back (when we left late & were being lazy) that I could whine an evening of fishing there out of my parents.

Any other ideas-- I'd take decent private lakes or little-known horseshoes. For that matter, if you know of any rivers/ creeks that are good, I'd love to hear. One of my favorite spots for crappie right now is on the Coldwater River in MS-- the river that feeds into Arkabutla Lake. I've caught more slab crappie there this past Spring than anyplace I've ever fished, and that's despite the fact that it's all bank fishing and there are always at least 5-10 people there every day of the week fishing the same 100 yard stretch.

Regardless, thanks- may your rod always bend more than your woman,

Memphis

[Billy E]

I grew up in Millington and depending on how early your 1/2 day starts I fished Shelby Forrest. Reelfoot and Cole Creek at Fort Pillow when I was growing up.You cant beat the lakes in MS for size but without a boat it can be tough. We have luck at the spillways though

[Memphis]

Billy-

I dream of having the time to hit Reelfoot. That was the first quality lake I ever hit, and it's still my all-time favorite. But, until later in the Summer, the 100 miles each way is just too much for me to manage.

I've never heard of Cole Creek though, and just checked a map-- I've never fished it; cool! Since I've got this thing about eating anything big enough whose face I stick a hook in, do you have any idea about the quality of the water? I know it won't be pristine since it's coming through farm country, and I noticed you said "grew up in Millington", not "live in", so I understand if you don't know... still, is there any industry besides farms along it? That would also be a factor in the 'are there any particular places you recommend besides the Fort Pillow area for a bank fisherman?' question.

Finally, I've heard there's a decent sized park lake in Millington or just outside, but that was from a non-fisherman who was trying to be helpful-- do you know anything about it?

Thanks much again, especially for Cole Creek. The Coldwater just upstream from Arkabutla is the 1st Southern river I've fished since I was a teenager, and something about it kind've jazzed me; Out West, part of fishing the streams and rivers was sort've like hunting-- you had to stalk the bank looking for the places where current & cover seemed to line up just right, all while being careful of your shadow. It definitely brought out something of the little kid in a man, and the Coldwater brought some of that back. Any other rivers you've just merely heard about near Memphis in TN, AR, or MS would definitely be welcome-- I'll research any you're interested in yourself and let you know what I find if you want.

Wilson