Opportunities for outdoor recreation on public lands in Mississippi’s Lower Delta Region. This brochure includes a map of locations, plus a description of each public land, information on the requirements and fees, and the types of allowed activities. Download the Brochure (PDF, 5.3 MB)
Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex consists of seven refuges. It is the largest refuge complex in the state of Mississippi providing over 100,000 acres of vital habitat for fish and wildlife in the Mississippi Delta. Located in the Mississippi Flyway, the complex provides overwintering habitat for thousands of migratory waterfowl each year.
NWR LICENSE REQUIREMENTS & FEES
There is no admission fee. All State Regulations apply. Annual Public Use Permit required for hunting and fishing. Commercial photography requires a Special Use Permit.
Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Bottomland hardwood forests, swamps, streams, wetlands, and reforested agricultural land make up this refuge, which is the largest in the state. The headquarters for the Refuge Complex is located here. The lobby includes exhibits of native wildlife. Visitor facilities are handicap accessible. Located 10 miles west of Yazoo City, around 40,000 acres in size. Visit the website.
Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge
This is the oldest national wildlife refuge in the state. It is home to American alligators, migratory waterfowl, wading birds, song birds, butterflies, white-tailed deer, squirrel, and rabbits. Swan Lake Indian Mound is in the refuge and the visitor center exhibits Native American artifacts. These facilities are handicap accessible. Located 10 miles southwest of Hollandale, around 13,000 acres in size. Visit the website.
Holt Collier National Wildlife Refuge
The first refuge named in honor of an African-American, it provides habitat and resources for more than 250 songbirds. Small fur bearers, such as rabbit, are plentiful. Located 5 miles east of Hollandale, around 2,033 acres in size. Visit the website.
Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge
This is the first refuge named after a President. Named in honor of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose famous 1902 black bear hunt led to the naming of stuffed toy bears as Teddy Bears, this refuge is still in the acquisition stage and is not open to the visiting public at this time.
Delta National Forest
National forests are protected and managed by the U.S. Forest Service for recreational usage.
LICENSE REQUIREMENTS & FEES
Camping is by reservation only and has a fee. There is a day or annual fee for trail use. No day fee is needed for the boat landing. Special use permits are needed for events or weddings. See Sunflower WMA for hunting and fishing requirements.
Located in Sharkey County, this is the only bottomland hardwood forest in the national forest system. It provides habitat for numerous species of wildlife and migrating waterfowl. The forest is cooperatively managed by MDWFP as Sunflower Wildlife Management Area. Located 25 miles north of Vicksburg; 60,000 acres in size. Visit the website.
State Wildlife Management Areas
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) manages all wildlife management areas (WMA) in the state.
WMA LICENSE REQUIREMENTS & FEES
A state hunting license is required for hunting. Special permits for certain activities are required in some WMA’s. Handicapped hunter access is available. An additional WMA camping permit is required. Primitive camping only.
Shipland WMA
Established in 1982 on land purchased from the Nature Conservancy, this is the only WMA in the Mississippi batture lands – the land between the Mississippi River and the main-line river levee. Located 45 miles north of Vicksburg; 3,500 acres in size. Visit website.
Howard Miller WMA
Composed of a former rice and soybean farm which is now divided into 24 eighty-acre hunt units managed for waterfowl. Waterfowl hunting is by draw only. Located 13 miles southwest of Rolling Fork; 2,400 acres in size. Visit website.
Twin Oaks WMA
Adjoining the Delta National Forest to the east, this WMA provides habitat for various species of wintering waterfowl. Located 40 miles north of Vicksburg; 5,847 acres in size. Visit the website.
Mahannah WMA
Located in Warren and Issaquena counties, it is part of one of the most ecologically intact and biologically diverse bottomland hardwood ecosystems in the Mississippi Delta. It provides habitat for a large concentration of overwintering waterfowl. Located 15 miles north of Vicksburg; 12,695 acres in size. Visit the website.
Sunflower WMA
Located in the Delta National Forest, the WMA is owned by the USFS and managed cooperatively with MDWFP. Located 3 miles south of Holly Bluff; approximately 60,000 acres. Visit the website.
Lake George WMA
Located in Yazoo County, it is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but managed by MDWFP. Located 3 miles south of Holly Bluff; 8,383 acres in size. Visit the website.
Leroy Percy State Park/WMA
The oldest state park in Mississippi, it is characterized by artesian springs, cypress trees, and ancient oaks dripping with Spanish moss. The park has various amenities for visitors including cabins, RV parking, and pavilions. Reservations and additional fees apply for some of the facilities. Leroy Percy WMA is inside the park. Located 5 miles west of Hollandale; 1,640 acres in size. Visit the website.
