With over 40,000 acres of land and water to manage at Arkabutla Lake and a limited number of Ranger personnel available to offer visitor assistance, sometimes it may be difficult to locate a Ranger, especially after our regular office hours (Mon-Fri, 7:00am-3:30pm) when our telephones are unmanned.

If you are having an emergency after office hours or on the weekend and you need assistance, sometimes the best approach is to contact the local Sheriff’s Department. Arkabutla Lake occupies two Mississippi counties in northwest corner of the state, Tate and DeSoto. These local law enforcement agencies have a 24-hour dispatcher that can communicate with field personnel at Arkabutla Lake as well as Search and Rescue Units, Aviation Units, Emergency Medical Response and much more. Their contact numbers are:

DeSoto County – 662-429-1470
Tate County – 662-562-4434

Your safety is our concern

Duck Blind Policy – Effective since March 2009, duck blind permits are no longer being issued. Only temporary/portable blinds for waterfowl hunting are permitted. All blinds and associated applications (decoys, camouflage, etc.) must be removed from project lands on a daily basis and may not remain on the project overnight. Blinds that use nails, screws, or spikes to attach to trees are strictly prohibited. Placement of duck blinds shall not be used as a means of reserving a favorite hunting location. This policy has been instituted to provide an equal opportunity to all project users and to also provide a safer environment for the visiting public.

Deer Stand Policy – Effective since March 2009, Arkabutla Lake no longer allows deer stands to be left overnight on Government Property. Past practices associated with the Deer Stand Policy led many users to the mistaken conclusion that a given area of public property was reserved by the deer stand owners. This was never the intent of the deer stand policy. This updated policy was instituted to provide an equal opportunity to all project users and to also provide a safer environment for the visiting public. Portable hunting stands, climbing devices, steps, or blinds that are not nailed or screwed into trees may be used. These portable hunting stands, climbing devices, steps, or blinds must be occupied at all times. Fixed tower stands and shooting houses are prohibited. Stands or structures that are found violation of this policy shall be considered an unauthorized structure and will be subject to summary removal or impoundment by project personnel. Questions and Comments may be directed to Arkabutla Lake Field Office at the following email address: arkabutla.lake@mvk02.usace.army.mil.

Mandatory Life Jacket Wear – Mandatory wear life jacket rules will be enforced on the Vicksburg District’s four north Mississippi lakes – Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid, ad Grenada. For more information, contact the MS Project Management Office at 662.578.3873 or any of the lake field offices – Arkabutla Lake 662.562.6261, Sardis Lake 662.563.4531, Enid Lake 662.563.4571, and Grenada Lake 662.226.5911.

All Terrain Cycles (ATC) – Many areas prohibit ATC use, so be careful to observe all signs and bulletin boards. Unless otherwise posted, ATCs may be used at Arkabutla Lake only to enter or leave a specific site for hunting and/or fishing purposes. The wear of a DOT-approved helmet is also required. Recreational riding and mud riding are not permitted at Arkabutla Lake. Off-road use by all other vehicles is strictly prohibited. For more information contact: arkabutla.lake@mvk02.usace.army.mil.

Cultural Resource Protection – Visitors are reminded that the removal of historical and archaeological features (material from old house sites, arrowheads, human remains, etc.) is prohibited. If caught, looters face arrest, fines of up to $20,000 and imprisonment for disturbing these safeguarded areas.