Arkabutla Lake
Arkabutla Lake
- Boat Ramps
- 6
- Access Points
- 6
- Species
- 25
Arkabutla Lake is a 33,000-acre flood control reservoir located in the northwest corner of Mississippi in Tate and DeSoto counties. Built by the US Army Corps of Engineers in 1943 on the Coldwater River, it's the smallest of four flood control reservoirs in north Mississippi with a summer pool of 11,870 acres and winter pool of 4,640 acres. Known locally as a crappie fishing paradise, the lake offers 130 miles of shoreline for anglers to explore. Arkabutla is currently being maintained at a low level for dam assessment and repair, with water level rises followed by fast drawdowns, so checking current conditions before visiting is essential.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Arkabutla Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Find which waters have the species you want to catch
Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
Black Crappie
Pomoxis nigromaculatus
Bigmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus cyprinellus
Black Buffalo
Ictiobus niger
Black Bullhead
Ameiurus melas
Blue Catfish
Ictalurus furcatus
Bluegill Sunfish
Lepomis macrochirus
Channel Catfish
Ictalurus punctatus
Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
Flathead Catfish
Pylodictis olivaris
Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens
Grass Pickerel
Esox americanus
Green Sunfish
Lepomis cyanellus
Longear Sunfish
Lepomis megalotis
Orangespotted Sunfish
Lepomis humilis
Quillback Carpsucker
Carpiodes cyprinus
Redear Sunfish
Lepomis microlophus
Silver Carp
Hypophthalmichthys molitrix
Smallmouth Buffalo
Ictiobus bubalus
Spotted Gar
Lepisosteus oculatus
Warmouth Sunfish
Lepomis gulosus
White Bass
Morone chrysops
White Crappie
Pomoxis annularis
Yellow Bullhead
Ameiurus natalis
Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Arkabutla Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
Know where you can legally fish on Arkabutla Lake
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
Mississippi licenses and regulations
Mississippi Boating Regulations
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Mississippi Fishing License
Resident - Each resident of the State of Mississippi ages sixteen (16) through sixty-four (64), fishing in the fresh or marine waters of Mississippi, including lakes and reservoirs but NOT to include privately owned ponds and streams, shall be required to buy a fishing license. A saltwater license is required south of U. S. Highway 90 and a freshwater or saltwater license is valid between I-10 and U. S. Highway 90. Saltwater license is not valid north of I-10. Any person sixty-five (65) or older, or any person otherwise exempted from obtaining a freshwater fishing license, must have documentation with him/her at all times while fishing as described in Exemptions. All non-resident anglers, except minors under the age of sixteen (16), are required to obtain a fishing license while fishing in the fresh or marine waters of the State of Mississippi.
Mississippi Fishing Regulations
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Mississippi Stream Access Laws
Mississippi waterways with a long history of public use or a mean annual flow of at least 100 cfs are considered navigable and open to public recreation. The public may use surfaces and streambeds, regardless of ownership, up to the high watermark.
Take Arkabutla Lake with you
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Use the map without signal
Download the map around Arkabutla Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Arkabutla Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Arkabutla Lake and check the forecast before you go.
No forecast data available.
Arkabutla Lake fishing guides
Book a trip with a local fishing guide through Guidesly.
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