ARKABUTLA LAKE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR YOUTH RACCOON HUNT
Vicksburg, Miss.--The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District is accepting applications for a youth raccoon hunt at Arkabutla Lake. The hunts will take place Feb. 17-18 and Feb. 24-25. The deadline for applications is 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 8. The hunt provides a great opportunity for youth hunters aged 10-15 to experience a guided raccoon hunt.
All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older. All participants will be responsible for meeting all age-appropriate State and Federal small game hunting regulations. Hunters and accompanying adults are encouraged to dress appropriately. The hunt will take place at night and include walking over uneven terrain. Participants are encouraged to wear waterproof boots and bring flashlights, water, etc.
Applications are available at:
Arkabutla Lake Field Office
3905 Arkabutla Dam Road
Arkabutla, MS 38618
They can also be downloaded at: https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Arkabutla-Lake/
* Selected applicants will be notified of their appropriate time and hunting date *
* Any missing or false information will result in a rejection of the application. *
* All State and Federal small game regulations will be enforced. *
*Date is subject to change if unfavorable weather conditions arise
For additional information, contact Park Rangers Hunter Saunders or Ethan Danner at the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at 662-562-6261.
USACE Vicksburg District announces youth waterfowl hunts at Arkabutla Lake
VICKSBURG, Miss. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Vicksburg District announces that Arkabutla Lake will host youth waterfowl hunts on Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, 2023.
The hunts will be held in partnership with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks in a management area near Arkabutla Lake Dam. A total of 12 hunters, six per hunt, will be randomly selected from all applications received. Applications must be submitted and received by 3 p.m. on Jan. 6, 2023.
These hunts will be open to youth 10 to 15 years of age. All youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult 21 years of age or older. All participants will be responsible for meeting age-appropriate State and Federal waterfowl hunting regulations.
The accompanying adult is encouraged to possess a general knowledge of state and federal waterfowl hunting regulations. The accompanying adult and youth are also encouraged to bring all necessary materials associated with waterfowl hunting, i.e. chest-waders, duck calls, and shotgun with ammunition.
Applications may be obtained either at the Arkabutla Lake Field Office, or printed from the Arkabutla Lake website at https://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Arkabutla-Lake/ and returned to, or mailed to the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at: 3905 Arkabutla Dam Rd. Coldwater, MS 38618. Applicants may also email their applications to Ranger Rob Hoff. Please use the contact number listed to obtain email information and address as needed.
* Selected applicants will be notified of their appropriate time and hunting date *
* Any missing or false information will result in a rejection of the application. *
* All state and federal waterfowl regulations will be enforced. *
The youth waterfowl hunt provides opportunities for experienced waterfowl hunters to teach younger generations of hunters in the proper techniques and ethics of the sport.
For questions about the hunt, application or for additional information, contact Ranger Rob Hoff at the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at 662-562-6261.
The USACE Vicksburg District is engineering solutions to the nation’s toughest challenges. The Vicksburg District encompasses a 68,000-square-mile area across portions of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana, that holds nine major river basins and incorporates approximately 460 miles of mainline Mississippi River levees. The Vicksburg District is engaged in hundreds of projects and employs approximately 1,100 personnel.
Arkabutla Lake kayak launch
If you've ever spent time in a kayak you know that they can be unsteady when you board them to launch. Also, kayakers often get their feet wet and muddy when launching and then transfer the water and mud to the inside of the kayak. Our kayak launch, located on the boat dock at Dub Patton Recreation Area provides kayakers a steadier, drier launch site. It also allows kayakers to keep their feet dry and free from mud. Because it is made from plastic, it also helps to protect the bottom of the kayak that can be damaged by launching from concrete boat ramps or rocky shorelines. Click on the link below to see a demonstration of how the kayak launch works.
EZ Kayak Launch
Hernando Point Mountain BikeTrail 
The partnership between North Mississippi Trail Alliance and the US Army Corps of Engineers at Arkabutla Lake has proven to be mutually beneficial and a great asset to the bike enthusiast. After the completion of the Bayou Point Single Track Mountain Bike Trail, the NMTA began mapping and designing a large trail system to be located between Hernando Point Recreation Area on the west and Highway 51 on the east. The trail was designed and will be implemented in three stages; a 2.2 mile novice loop, an 8 mile intermediate loop, and a 16 mile advanced loop. The 2.2 mile novice loop, named The Backwater Loop, has been completed and is open for use. The intermediate loop, known as the Possum Kingdom trail, is currently under construction. It begins at the northeast corner of the Backwater trail and goes east towards Tulane road. Phase 3 of the project will extend the trail even further east near Highway 51 Landing Recreation Area. The terrain and elevation of this section of the trail will be suitable for advanced biking. There is a map attachment of the entire proposed trail below, as well as pictures of the trail construction. Once completed, the trail system will span approximately 26 miles in length! The Hernando Point trail system is located on USACE land bordered by private property. In certain locations the trail system is located on or in close proximity to the USACE boundary. The USACE boundary is marked by yellow paint on trees and fence posts. Please remain on the trail at all times and respect adjacent landowner’s privacy
For more information on the current bike trails, to join or volunteer with NMTA, and to get the latest updates, visit their website at nomissta.org. Also, to report misuse of trails or additional information on Arkabutla Lake and other recreational opportunities available, please call the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at (662) 562-6261
.
Hernando Point Single-Track Mountain Bike Course Map
FISH STRUCTURE PLACEMENT REGULATION
All persons placing structure(s) in Sardis, Arkabutla, Grenada, and Enid lakes must abide by the terms outlined in the following regulations according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) Title 36.
The placement of untreated, wooden structures in the lake basin for the purpose of fish habitat is authorized. Artificial wooden "grabbling structures" are also authorized. Natural structures may not be altered and used to "hand fish" from. Other structures made of plastic, PVC, metal, and other non-biodegradable materials are NOT allowed. Any person(s) installing a structure not in compliance with this regulation may be subject to a citation under Title 36.
The placement of trees are allowed along with an appropriately sized anchoring device which may be made of concrete, brick, or stone. Any anchor(s) other than these approved materials will be in violation and subject to fines and penalties.
Structures may not be placed within 300 feet of any designated swimming area or beach. These structures should not be placed in any areas where they may become boating hazards such as directly below or adjacent to any boat ramp.
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.
ATTENTION RECREATION USERS!
Day Use Fees
Beach Fees: $2/walk-in, $5/vehicle, $20/bus and no fees for children under 16 y/o
Boat Ramps: $5/vehicle
Special Use/Facility Fees
Pavilions: $75/reservation
Special Events: $75/event
Camping
Class A – Dub Patton, Hernando Pt. & South Abutment Campgrounds: $24/night/year round/not to exceed 14 days
Class C – Outlet Channel: $10/night (1 May-30 Sep) Free (1 Oct-30 Mar) 14 days only – no extensions, year round
Class D – Kelly’s Crossing & Pleasant Hill Campgrounds: Free 14 days only – no extensions, year round
*Interagency Annual/Senior/Access/Volunteer/Military Passes and Golden Age/Access Passports are valid for covering standard amenity recreation fees for all USACE areas and recreational area of other Federal agencies participating in the America the Beautiful National Parks and the Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program. Interagency Senior/Access and Golden Age/Access Passports are also valid for a 50 percent reduction in single/family unit camping fees but are not valid for Pavilion Rentals and Special Event Permits.
Passes: USACE Annual Pass: $40 yearly
Interagency Annual Pass: $80 yearly
Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass: $80 lifetime
Interagency Annual Senior Pass: $20 yearly
Interagency Access Pass: Free lifetime
Interagency Military Pass: Free yearly
Interagency Volunteer Pass: Free yearly
Interagency Every Kid in the Park Pass Free 1 Sep-31 Aug, year of issue
*Purchase of the Annual Senior Pass can be applied towards the cost of the Lifetime Senior Pass
RULES FOR SAFE OPERATION OF OFF-ROAD VEHICLES AT ARKABUTLA, SARDIS, ENID, AND GRENADA LAKES. CLICK HERE!
Life Jackets are Mandatory at MS Lake
The following life jacket rules are being enforced at all four of the Vicksburg District-North Mississippi lakes at Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid and Grenada.
All persons must wear a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times:
- while swimming outside of designated swimming areas.
- while skiing or being pulled by a vessel, regardless of vessel length.
- on powered vessels 16 to 26 feet in length whenever under power by the main propulsion unit.
- on powered vessels less than 16 feet in length or on non-powered vessels regardless of length.
For more information, contact the Arkabutla Lake Field Office at 662.562.6261 or the MS Project Management Office at 662.578.3873 or 662.712.1201.
Arkabutla Lake – Emergency Contacts After Hours
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 Dsto. 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 - Our Concern
Arkabutla Lake – Policy
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@usace.army.mil.