Arkabutla Lake, Mississippi, USA

Arkabutla Lake, a popular vacation destination located on the Scenic Loop 304 in Mississippi, is less than a half hour drive from Memphis. Over 2 million visitors each year enjoy the lake’s recreational activities and beauty. Recreational activities include fishing, hunting, swimming, sailing, boating, camping, picnicking and wild life viewing. Arkabutla Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project and was created by impounding the Coldwater…
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    • All About Arkabutla Lake, MS

    Lake Locations: USA - US South Region - Mississippi - Hills Region, MS -

    Arkabutla Lake, a popular vacation destination located on the Scenic Loop 304 in Mississippi, is less than a half hour drive from Memphis. Over 2 million visitors each year enjoy the lake’s recreational activities and beauty. Recreational activities include fishing, hunting, swimming, sailing, boating, camping, picnicking and wild life viewing.

    Arkabutla Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project and was created by impounding the Coldwater River. The project includes 57,250 acres of land and water. Arkabutla Lake was designed as a flood control reservoir and has a normal summer pool of 11,240 acres, while in the fall and winter the lake is gradually drawn down to a conservation pool of 5,100 acres. This is done to help prevent flooding caused by the spring rains. Arkabutla Dam became operational in 1943 and stretches 11,500 feet long and has an average height of 67 feet.

    Nestled in the beautiful countryside of DeSoto County, Mississippi’s Hill Region, Arkabutla Lake is best known for its crappie fishing. In 2007 Bass Pro Shops sponsored a Crappie Maters Tournament at the lake. Currently, there is a bag limit of 20 per person on crappies, and they must be over 12 inches long. Other fish of interest for anglers are largemouth bass and catfish. Wildlife is abundant at Arkabutla Lake which makes hunting another popular pastime. Game animals include white tailed deer, turkey, quail, rabbit and squirrel. Anglers and hunters may check with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks for more information on licenses needed for fishing and hunting on the lake’s property.

    Visitors who enjoy wildlife will have ample opportunity to view a variety of birds and animals, including bluebirds and wood ducks. Wildlife viewers can take advantage of Arkabutla Lake’s five miles of nature trails as well as a horse trail for horse riders. The staff at Arkabutla Lake has developed a number of ways to protect the natural resources and environment that is important to the lake which includes the planting of trees, revitalizing the wetland area, as well as planting of food plots.

    Water sports are also enjoyed on Arkabutla Lake, and it is considered to be one of the best sailing lakes in the nation due to its prevailing westerly winds. Camping is another activity enjoyed by many. The Corps of Engineers provide many campsites that include primitive as well as electrical hook-ups. Swimming beaches and day use areas are also available. Visitors should check the Corps website before going out to swim at Arkabutla Lake or visiting day use areas. In times of high water the swimming beaches and some day use areas will be closed.

    For those who would like to do a little sightseeing, they can check out the DeSoto County Museum. The Museum features the history of DeSoto County, artifacts from the great explorer Hernando DeSoto, the parlor of an antebellum mansion, artifacts from the Civil War as well as other exhibits.

    Visitors of Arkabutla Lake may enjoy the beautiful setting so much that they make the lake a repeat vacation destination. Family friendly and great for serious fishing and hunting, Arkabutla Lake has a lot to offer.

    Things to Do at Arkabutla Lake

    These are some activities in the Arkabutla Lake, MS area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Horseback Riding
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • Museum

    What Kind of Fish Are in Arkabutla Lake?

    Arkabutla Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
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    Find Places to Stay at Arkabutla Lake

    If you’re considering a Arkabutla Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Arkabutla Lake Vacation

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    Arkabutla Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 11,240 acres

    Shoreline Length: 134 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 220 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 209 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 244 feet

    Maximum Depth: 60 feet

    Completion Year: 1943

    Drainage Area: 1,000 sq. miles

    Arkabutla Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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