Practicing safety earns awards at Enid Lake; special event days on the horizon

By Vance Austin

Enid Lake Park Ranger

How about you?

What would you do to keep the ones that you care about safe? Would you give them a citation?

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake would! Enid Lake has been awarding safe boaters and swimmers with “Flotation Citations.”

The citation is a food coupon with free or reduced priced menu items from local businesses. The coupon or citation is a reward for exhibiting safe behavior while visiting Enid Lake.

A citation can be given for wearing your PFD (Personal Flotation Device), having a swim buddy, swimming at designated beaches and much more.

Your safety is our concern at Enid Lake. We think you should be rewarded for being safe. So next time you are at Enid Lake don’t be surprised to see Park Rangers awarding  Floatation Citations to our visitors.

We would like to thank our Flotation Citation Sponsors from Batesville: Subway, Hardee’s, KFC and Burger King.

Enid Lake Catfishing

 Even though Enid Lake is home to the World Record White Crappie it is also home to a very abundant catfish population. Many anglers began fishing for “Mr. Whiskers” himself every spring along the rip rap rock on the face of Enid Dam.

During the spring anglers have great success catching catfish on the face of the dam anywhere from one to six foot deep using worms and minnows. As the temperature and heat index begins to climb into the upper 90s and the fish return to the deep water, most anglers turn to fishing early morning and late afternoon using  fishing techniques called “drifting” and “tight lining.”

These techniques give the anglers a more relaxing fishing trip without having to cast and retrieve numerous times. Anglers can just sit back, relax, and watch their lines.

Drift fishing also lets the angler cover a lot of water. Anglers rig their line with a weight and hooks baited with worms, minnows, shrimp, and chicken livers, and bounce the bait off the bottom of the lake while letting the wind or current push their boat.

Another good fishing technique for this time of year is tight lining. With this style anglers rig their poles just about the same as drift fishing, but instead of drifting they are keeping their line tight in a stationary position. This style fishing is usually seen in the outlet works, and is a great technique for fishing at night.

New Fishing Regulations

Crappie anglers should be aware of the new crappie limits and regulations set by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks for areas lakes.

New limits and regulations will go into effect August 6. Anglers with questions concerning the new limits and regulations should contact the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

Special Events

Hunting and Fishing enthusiasts need to mark their calendars for two special events that will be held at Enid Lake during September. These events are Physically Challenged Fishing Day, and National Hunting and Fishing Day.

The 16th Annual Physically Challenged Fishing Day will be held at Enid Lake Saturday, September 8 beginning at 8 a.m.

Participants will meet at the Chickasaw Hill Boat Ramp for a day filled with fishing, fun, and fellowship.

Enid Lake will also host its annual National Hunting and Fishing Day Activities on September 22, in the Riverview Recreation Area, located below the dam. Activities will began at 8 a.m. and will conclude at 1:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to attend the family oriented event, and celebrate America’s great traditions of Hunting and Fishing.

For More information on the Water Safety, Catfishing, Physically Challenged Fishing Day, or Hunting and Fishing Day please contact the Enid Lake Field Office at 662-563-4571.