Anglers can catch unlimited numbers of Big Lake fish starting July 1
June 29, 2022
MANILA – Licensed anglers have the opportunity to fish without catch limits on Big Lake, situated within the Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, beginning Friday, July 1, as federal plans to renovate the refuge begin in earnest this week. This emergency action by Big Lake NWR and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, which manages the lake’s fish for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is effective through Sept. 30.
Northeast Arkansas squirrel revival
Sept. 1, 2021
JONESBORO — Small game hunting interest may have dwindled as Arkansas’s deer herd has climbed, but many basic hunting lessons can be gained from a day in the squirrel woods. Squirrel hunting opportunities abound across the state, with public hunting within reach of most hunters.
Big Lake areas closed Feb. 8-12
Feb. 4, 2021
MANILLA – Big Lake Wildlife Management Area and Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be closed to daytime public access Feb. 8-12. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, in cooperation with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will be conducting aerial operations aimed at reducing feral hog populations on the areas. The flights will be dependent on the weather.
Big Lake WMA, St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA and Big Lake NWR closed Feb. 10-14
Feb. 6, 2020
JONESBORO – Big Lake Wildlife Management Area, St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area and Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge will be closed to daytime public access Feb. 10-14. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services, in cooperation with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Missouri Department of Conservation, will be conducting aerial operations aimed at reducing feral hog populations on the areas. The flights will be dependent on the weather.
Big Lake NWR infrastructure working; WMA flooding underway
Nov. 21, 2019
Big Lake WMA should have plentiful water for the opening of waterfowl season of that the nearby National Wildlife Refuge's water control structure is working again.
Malfunctioning water-control structure may delay flooding at Big Lake Wildlife Management Area
Nov. 13, 2019
MANILA — An electrical problem at a water-control structure at Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge has reduced the efficiency of infrastructure designed to flood portions of Big Lake Wildlife Management Area for waterfowl season.