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Recreation
 Deer,
wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, quail, duck, and dove are some of
the abundant game species found in Lee County. Duck and deer hunting
are perhaps the most popular game sports in the Lee County area,
but squirrel, turkey, and dove are bountiful. These game animals
can be found countywide, but public hunting is primarily limited
to the 21,200 acre St. Francis National Forest. Gun deer season
on the St.
Francis National Forest has been temporarily canceled until
the 2000 fall season or later. Archery deer hunting is permitted
in season.
 Fishing
opportunities for largemouth bass, crappie, bream, bluegill, catfish
and other game fish are available countywide. Bear Creek Lake (640
acres) and Storm Creek Lake (425 acres) on the St. Francis National
Forest are two of Arkansas' best kept secret fishing holes. Both
lakes are among the state's best fishing lakes for bream and crappie,
plus each lake has an overabundance of young bass. There is a 13-16
inch slot rule for bass in effect on both of these lakes. Fishermen
are encouraged to catch and keep bass under 13 inches in length
on these lakes. There is a 10 horsepower maximum size limit on boat
motors on Bear Creek and Storm Creek Lakes.
Public boat launch ramps
are available on both lakes, on the L'Anguille River in Marianna,
and on the St. Francis River in the St. Francis National Forest.
Each of these ramps is just a few miles boat trip downriver to the
Mississippi River. Sport and commercial fishing for catfish, gar,
buffalo, and other river fishes on these rivers is some of the best
in the country, not to mention some of the best scenery and waterfowl
watching found anywhere.
 Public
fishing is also available for a small fee at several private fishing
launches along the rivers and oxbow lakes in Lee and surrounding
counties. Other public hunting and fishing opportunities can be
found on the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's 200 acre Lee County
Wildlife Management Area near Haynes.
Hunting and fishing regulations
can be found in the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's regulation
booklets published annually. For more information on hunting and
fishing in the Lee County area call the US Forest Service at 870-295-5278,
or the Chamber of Commerce at 870-295-2469, or visit the St.
Francis National Forest, Ozark-St.
Francis National Forest, or St.
Francis National Forest Mississippi State Park Proposal websites.
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