Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts located in Perry County, Arkansas.
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Summary
The area spans over 1,200 acres and is known for its diverse wildlife, including waterfowl, deer, turkey, and small game.
One of the main reasons to visit Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area is for hunting and fishing opportunities. The area is open to hunting for deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game, as well as fishing for bass, catfish, and other species in the area's lakes and ponds.
Additionally, visitors can enjoy hiking along the area's trails, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. The area is home to a variety of bird species, including woodpeckers, songbirds, and waterfowl.
Some of the specific points of interest to see at Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area include the area's lakes and ponds, which provide excellent fishing opportunities, as well as the diverse habitat areas throughout the park. Visitors may also want to check out the area's wildlife viewing blinds, located throughout the park.
Interesting facts about Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area include that the area was originally established in the 1950s as a fish hatchery. In the years since, the area has been restored as a wildlife management area and is now managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
The best time of year to visit Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area depends on the activities visitors are interested in. Hunting season typically runs from September through February, while fishing is good year-round. Spring and fall are popular times for birdwatching and wildlife viewing, while summer is a great time for hiking and enjoying the area's lakes and ponds.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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