Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Natural wildlife refuge in Mississippi County, Arkansas.
Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a nature preserve in northeastern Arkansas covering roughly 11,000 acres of shallow water, swamp, and hardwood forest. The area lies near Blytheville and Jonesboro and forms one continuous wetland ecosystem.
The New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812 transformed the free-flowing Little River into a lake. This geological shift created the wetland ecosystem visible there now.
The name reflects past tensions between subsistence hunters and sportsmen that played out here from the 1870s until the refuge was established. This legacy shapes how visitors understand the area today.
The refuge stays open year-round, but flooding can close parts of it without warning. Fishing is allowed in certain zones and makes for good planning before your visit.
Wood ducks raise about 2,500 young each year using natural tree cavities and nest boxes scattered across the reserve. This steady breeding population makes the place a key refuge for the species.
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