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Name & Zone:
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Big Lake - WMA Zone 040
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PDF Map
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County:
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Mississippi
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AGFC Interactive Map
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Phone:
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1-877-972-5438
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Seasons & Regulations
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Click here to view the seasons and regulations for this WMA
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Additional Info:
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Duck Blinds and GPS Coordinates
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Description
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In 1915, the Federal Government set aside a portion of the public domain land at Big lake, near Manila in Mississippi County, as a waterfowl refuge. Big Lake, which was formed by the New Madrid Earthquake in 1811, was a major concentration area for wintering ducks and geese. The 12,320-acre Big Lake WMA is adjacent Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge. A 7,000 acre tract next to the NWR was purchased in 1950. The adjoining 5,161 acres were purchased in subsequent years through 1969.
Big Lake WMA is the only sizable public hunting area in extreme northeastern Arkansas. The area contains a mixture of typical bottomland forest, such as tupelo, willow, buttonbush and cypress. The northern third of the area supports timber types such as oak, elm and hackberry. Because it represents a sizeable portion of the remaining bottomland hardwood habitat in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley, Big Lake provides critical wintering habitat for ducks as well as a variety of other non game migratory birds. While management practices are designed to consider all wildlife species that are indigenous to the area. Emphasis is placed on waterfowl habitat management for this reason.
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Access
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Big Lake WMA can best be reached off state highways 181 and 18. The area is about 15 miles west of Blytheville in Mississippi County. The Arkansas-Missouri state line forms the northern border of the area and the western border lies along side the Federal Refuge. Manila is the closest sizable town and is located 5 miles west of the Federal Refuge headquarters.
The main access route to the waterfowl hunting area is by gravel road atop the west levee to the seven-mile lateral and from that point boats are required. Another access route is on the East Side of the area off state highway 181 at Simmons Bridge and also at Bo Doc Landing. Hunters may walk in from Simmons Bridge, while access from Bo Doc Landing is mostly by boat. Walk in hunting access is possible from Bo Doc landing. A new boat ramp was completed in 1998 at the Highway 18 entrance near the work center building. This ramp allows boat launching into the State Line Outlet Ditch on the East Boundary of the Area. The entire eastern boundary, which is about 12 miles in length, can be accessed by boat. This significantly increased walk in hunting opportunity from the east side of the area.
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Hunting
Opportunities:
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While emphasis is placed on waterfowl management, as previously noted, the area supports huntable populations of deer, squirrels, rabbits and fur bearers. Severe and sometimes prolonged periods of natural flooding have historically limited year around habitat availability for such species as deer and turkeys. Unfortunately, this situation will most likely continue to limit deer and turkey populations to relatively low numbers. Several years of closed deer seasons failed to increase the Big Lake deer population appreciably. Deer hunting is allowed. Harvest numbers have historically been relatively low for an area of this size; and over harvest due to excessive hunting pressure clearly can not be blamed for low numbers of deer. Except for the uncontrollable floods, the deer habitat is otherwise of fairly high quality and some trophy have been taken by archers and by modern gun hunters alike. Emergency closure of the area to deer hunting is necessary when the area floods. Check the current area regulations guide for updated season dates and specific area regulations. About 130 different bird species may be observed during their seasonal migration through the area. At least one bald eagle nest is located on the Big Lake Federal Refuge. Ospreys can be observed nesting on Mallard Lake.
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Sportsman
Information:
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The area will be closed to deer hunting with all weapons when water levels become critical. Check the current regulations guide for details. Gauge level information related to emergency closures is available by contacting any local Commission employee or by calling the Jonesboro Regional office at (870)972-5438.
All firearms being transported in ditch #28 must be dismantled or unloaded and cased.
Duck blinds are permitted on the area, but no new blinds may be constructed without the Commission’s written approval. All blinds are public property and are available for use on a first come-first served basis.
Topographic maps are Half Moon and Dell Quadrangles, available from the Ark. Geological Commission (501) 296-1877.
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Management
Practices:
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About 300 acres are planted to small grain crops to provide supplemental food sources for resident wildlife species and for migratory birds.
Flooding the area for waterfowl hunting is accomplished entirely by gravity flow of water from ditch #28, which separates the state area from the Federal area. This flooding is done by opening gates on four 48-inch pipes located above the north dam on the east bank of ditch #28. Major renovations to the areas water control system are underway as of 1999. The Main control structure located at Simmons Field is being replaced with a more efficient structure in the summer of 1999 and other major renovations of antiquated levees and structures are planned.
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Camping
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Historically, there has been little interest in overnight camping on Big Lake, but camping is permitted around Mallard Lake Where the is adequate space, and at access areas on the east and west sides of the area. There are no Improvements other than gravel surfaced parking at campsites and conditions are primitive. Mosquitoes and biting flies are a nuisance from early spring through fall.
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Restaurants
and Other
Facilities:
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Overnight lodging may be found in Blytheville, which also has numerous shops, and stores where about any type essentials can be found. Entertainment and dining can be found in Blytheville, Jonesboro or Paragould.
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Safety
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Boating safety is of importance due to the heavy boat traffic during waterfowl season. Crowded conditions sometimes exist at launching facilities during duck season. Observance of all boating laws and safety rules is a must. Adequate nighttime lighting on boats and legal flotation devices are especially important.
Water depth varies from a few inches to depths of over ten feet. Hunters should be cautious of deep water when wading.
A compass should be carried in the event a sportsman becomes lost. Maps of the area are available at area headquarters and from commission employees.
While snakes are plentiful on Big Lake, venomous snakes are a rarity.
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