Potlatch

In 1999, a unique agreement between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, and Potlatch, Inc. created the opportunity for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to purchase 1,850 acres of Cooks Lake. In turn Potlatch donated 72 acres to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation. This included the lodge, residence, shop, and various other outbuildings. Also included in the donation was 65 acres of bottomland hardwood forest.

Through a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation, and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission the unit known as Cook’s Lake will be preserved for the benefit of fish, wildlife, and plant resources for present and future generations to learn about.

Hunts

Special deer hunts for youth and the mobility impaired are coordinated by the Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge at St. Charles, with the Cook’s Lake being the host site.

Bottomland Hardwoods

The Cook’s Lake area offers 1,850 acres of upland and bottomland hardwood habitats along with a two-mile long oxbow lake and a 40-acre green-timber reservoir. Courses offered to students and teachers cover a wide range of subjects programmed around the existing area.

Photography

With the varied of vegetation found surrounding Cook’s Lake, any season offers an array of inviting photo sites. Visit during any season to find and photograph beautiful and unique scenes. Whether you are looking for large scenes or concentrating on smaller sites of nature, you will find them at the Cook’s Lake area. Reservations are not required for day-use visits with this activity.

Birding

The area surrounding Cook’s Lake has a variety of birds, some year-round residents, some only migrating through seasonally. Over 140 species of birds have been observed and identified at different times during the year. Use this Arkansas Backyard Birds guide and Arkansas Bird Checklist to help identify and record your list of bird sightings. Reservations are not required for day-use visits with this activity.

Fishing

Cook’s Lake is a 2.5-mile-long oxbow off of the White River. This fertile oxbow receives very little fishing pressure due to being used only for education purposes and youth and mobility-impaired fishing. The scenic lake is full of slab crappie, giant bluegills, largemouth bass, and catfish of all species. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing during normal business hours Tuesday through Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., water level pending. Cook’s Lake is open to fishing for youths under 16 or mobility-impaired anglers, and up to two guests (who may also fish). Fish from the 140-foot mobility-impaired accessible dock or launch a boat. Please call ahead at least a day in advance to register to fish. Before launching, please check in at the Nature Center classroom and report back before leaving. For information or unscheduled closures, please call the center at 501-404-2321.

• Youth Deer Hunt. A special youth-only deer hunt takes place the first weekend of December each year.
• Deer Hunt for the Mobility Impaired. A deer hunt for permanent mobility impaired individuals takes place the second weekend of December each year.

Teacher Workshops

Workshops covering PCLNC curriculum or special requested subject areas are provided by the PCLNC staff. These are usually one-day workshops, but can cover two days, depending on the materials covered. Six in-service educational hours are granted for one-day workshops, with scheduling dates for workshops set for the convenience of participating schools.

Click here to find out about Professional Development classes that are currently scheduled at different locations around the state.

• Book your date-first come, first served basis.
• State your specific topics you would like covered during your visit to PCLNC. We can help you decide what activities would be appropriate to compliment your course of study.