Big Lake Wildlife Management Area on the Land Conservation Assistance Network

Big Lake Wildlife Management Area
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last updated: April 2023

Access

Big Lake WMA can best be reached off Arkansas 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 refuge. Manila is the closest sizable town and is 5 miles west of the refuge headquarters. The main access route to the waterfowl hunting area is by gravel road atop the west levee to the 7-mile lateral and from that point boats are required. Another access route is on the East Side of the area off Arkansas 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, can be accessed by boat.

Age

A 7,000-acre tract next to Big Lake NWR was purchased in 1950. The adjoining 5,000+ acres were purchased in subsequent years through 1969.

Area Notes

A free annual General Use Permit (WMP) is required to hunt or trap on WMAs. Permits are available online by clicking "Buy Licenses" at agfc.com or by calling (833) 345-0325 or any regional office.
Deer hunting is closed when the water level exceeds 236 msl at Seven Mile access gauge.
For hunting info on Mallard Lake, refer to https://www.agfc.com/en/zone-map/fishing-map/667/.
Any firearm being transported in Ditch 28 must be dismantled or unloaded and cased.
Only shotguns (.410 and larger) with slugs (no buckshot allowed) or muzzleloading rifles shooting a single projectile are allowed during deer modern gun and deer modern gun special youth hunt.
For access restrictions that affect all users during waterfowl season, check the waterfowl guidebook or visit www.agfc.com/wmas.

Camping

Historically, there has been little interest in overnight camping on Big Lake, but camping is permitted around Mallard Lake Where there is adequate space, and at access areas on the east and west sides of the area. There are no improvements other than gravel parking areas at campsites. Mosquitoes and biting flies are a nuisance from early spring through fall.

Description

This 12,320-acre 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.

Contact Big Lake Wildlife Management Area

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Big Lake Wildlife Management Area is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.