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Okatibbee Lake

Okatibbee Lake is a reservoir located along Okatibbee Creek near Meridian, Mississippi. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created this reservoir in 1968 when they built the earthen gravity Okatibbee Dam. Although this lake was created initially for flood control and drinking water, visitors use the lake and its surrounding lands for hunting, boating, fishing, and other water sports.

Visitors can enjoy plenty of camping in the area as well as the sights and sounds offered by the country music town of Meridian. Okatibbee State Wildlife Area, located on the lake's north shores, is considered prime hunting grounds for squirrel and deer. The WMA also is used to re-introduce endangered and threatened wildlife such as bald eagles and American alligators.

Fishing

Okatibbee Lake offers a rich habitat for largemouth and striped bass, with extensive beaver flowages, stumps, and old creek channels. Fishing along the shore from boat or bank might yield a good number of crappie, bass, and bream. Taylor Odom worked this lake in 2012 and ended up with a 10.64-pound bass that broke lake records. This lake hosts several bass tournaments yearly.

       

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    Okatibbee Lake Mississippi Coordinates:
32.4751N -88.7967W
Map It:
Lake Type:
Reservoir
Surface Area:
3,800 acres
Maximum Depth:
30 ft
Elevation:
351 ft
Normal Water Clarity:
3 ft
Major City:
Merdian
Airport:
Merdian
Boating

East Bank is the only recreation area out of eight that does not offer a boat ramp launch. The two most popular ramps are located at the Okatibbee Water Park and at Twiltley Branch Recreation Area. Bass fishing is year 'round, but anglers often share the lake with water skiers during summer months.

       
Lodging

Although campers won't find a state park near Okatibbee Lake, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers provide one full-service campground at Twiltley Branch. Another non-electric campground is located at Gin Creek. The state's Pat Harrison Waterway District sponsors a water park at the lake, offering 105 camp sites with water and electricity, but no cable. Okatibbee Water Park also features cabins and a 25-room motel, and visitors must make reservations.

Meridian, Mississippi, located south of the lake along I-20, is a tourist town that features hotels, bed and breakfast retreats, and even more camping possibilities for tents and for RVs.

Review the Lake Resource Guide for additional lodging.



Communities

Okatibbee Lake extends across Lauderdale and Kemper Counties just four miles from Collinsville, Mississippi. Meridian, on I-20, is located 13 miles south of Collinsville. Meridian provides daily flights to and from Atlanta at its airport.

Fun times at Okatibbee Lake  Okatibbee Lake

Okatibbee Lake  Okatibbee Lake



 
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