By Enid Lake Park Rangers

Hunting and Fishing Day Fishing Rodeo

The annual Hunting and Fishing Day Fishing Rodeo was hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake Saturday, September 22.  The Fishing Rodeo was held at the Riverview Recreation Area. The morning was filled with musical entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, and prize give-a-ways.

Approximately 300 young anglers (ages 3-15) enjoyed a beautiful morning of fishing in hopes of catching a stringer full of catfish.

A sense of thrill and excitement could be felt by parents, visitors and event staff as the young anglers laughed and screamed with excitement as they caught the hard fighting “Catfish.”

Enid Lake Park Rangers, volunteers and Officers of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks were on hand to assist all participants with baiting, fishing techniques, and keeping all participants free from injury. A drawing for door prizes followed the youth fishing rodeo, and over 15 lucky young anglers walked away with fishing poles, tackle boxes and other outdoor related prizes.

This event is held annually in conjunction with National Hunting and Fishing Day to encourage everyone to get outside and experience the great outdoors, to recognize the important role everyone has in preserving and improving our natural resources, and to introduce younger generations to one of America’s favorite past times “fishing”.

Fall Recreation

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Enid Lake would like to remind visitors that plenty of outdoor recreational opportunities are offered throughout the fall and winter seasons at Enid Lake. A few of these activities include: camping, hunting, boating, fishing, hiking, picnicking and more.

On October 1 Enid Lake Staff will close the following Recreation Areas: Water Valley Landing Campground, and Hickory Ridge and Persimmon Hill Day Use Areas.

Class A camping will be available at Wallace Creek, Persimmon Hill, Chickasaw Hill, and Ford’s Well Campgrounds.

Class C camping will be available at Long Branch, and Plum Point Campgrounds.

Beginning November 1 the off season rates will go into effect for camping. Rates will be $10 and $12 at Wallace Creek and Persimmon Hill Campgrounds depending on site location, $10 at Chickasaw Hill and Ford’s Well, and no cost at Plum Point and Long Branch Campgrounds.

The staff at Enid Lake would like to remind campers that on December 1 Lipes Bluff Loop in Wallace Creek will also close.

Enid Lake Personnel urges all fall visitors to keep safety in mind while participating in fall activities. Those enjoying fall fishing or those just enjoying a pleasant day on the lake, we would like to remind you of potential hazards that may become present during the lower lake levels, which do not normally exist during the higher recreation pool levels.

These hazards can be stumps, mud flats, and shallow water. Use extreme caution when navigating, and always wear your personal floatation device. Enid Lake is presently at lake level 241.94 with the gates opened a total of .25 feet.

For those who enjoy hiking or those preparing for the upcoming hunting season, pay close attention where you step while traveling through the dense thickets or along the edge of the trails over the next couple of weeks. Snake bites and yellow jacket stings always end a perfect day in the woods.

The Enid Lake Staff would also like to remind hunters, who are preparing for the upcoming hunting season, to be sure and take extreme caution when planting wildlife food plots, checking tree stands, and sighting in rifles.

Always practice the buddy system and let someone know where you are going, and what time you will be returning.

For those who enjoy the wildlife viewing platform at Springdale Wildlife Management Area, be aware that the Springdale Wildlife Management Area at Enid Lake will be open to the general public for DEER HUNTING ONLY during all Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) Zone deer seasons (October 1 through January 31).

When venturing into the outdoors during hunting season be sure and wear hunters orange at all times.
For more information on recreational opportunities at Enid Lake please contact the Enid Lake Field Office at 662-563-4571 or visit the following website at http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/Lakes/ms/enid/.