Water high at Big Lake

Steven Rimer has been serving as Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge Manager for three years and said the recent high water is not abnormal.

“It is a product of the location,” he said. “With all the ditches draining and the water from the Missouri Bootheel, it all comes here to Big Lake.”

The levee road on the west side of Big Lake is closed due to the high water. When the water is up the wildlife will seek dry ground and take refuge on the levee.

“It is a tough time for the wildlife when they have to search for dry areas,” Rimer said.

Among the wildlife on Big Lake are deer, squirrels, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, feral hogs and rabbits.

Rimer said Big Lake also has a lot of different songbirds. Big Lake is an international bird area. There is no waterfowl hunting allowed on the Refuge.

Big Lake Refuge is made up of 11,038 acres with 2,600 acres of open water and 3,500 total water acreage. Those figures could be even more due to the rains.

Big Lake, established in 1915, has an interesting history. The area that is now the refuge was once part of a free flowing river system but the New Madrid earthquakes changed it into the wide, shallow wetlands and bottomland hardwoods found today.

The wildlife welcome center/headquarters located off Highway 18 between Manila and Blytheville, is filled with artifacts and history information about Big Lake. It is a good place to stop and spend a little time learning about what the lake has to offer.

One of the primary objectives of the Refuge is to provide habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds.

Hunting, fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation are priority public uses of the National Wildlife Refuge system.

Hopefully, the water will be down in time for the opening date for fishing, March 1. The lake is open for fishing from March 1 through Oct. 31.

Right now with the water up, it is hard to launch a boat. Rimer said there could be a problem with really muddy water for a while.

Big Lake is a welcome area for fishermen catching bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish.

“It is well used,” Rimer said. “Education outreach programs are also provided. All of the services are free to the public.”

Big Lake has five walking trails, an observation deck at Bright’s Landing, Mud Slough boardwalk and observation blind, Timm’s Point scenic overlook and much more. Brochures are available at the headquarters with the hunting and fishing regulations and seasons listed. A general hunting permit for Big Lake NWR is available at the headquarter office.

Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge visitors may enter the Refuge no earlier than 4 a.m. and must leave by one hour after sunset, except those that may hunt or fish at night with the appropriate equipment and required license.

Rimer said they will be glad to answer any questions. For more information call (870) 564-2429.

Rimer also reminded visitors and motorists to be cautious as highway/bridge construction is underway.