first you have to decide if you want to fish the upper refuge, or the lower. there is no entity reporting the water levels in any of the lakes on the refuge. however, you can find mississippi and white river levels on several web site, noaa being one.

you can do one of two things regarding deciding when to try the lakes. one is to call the refuge office and listen to their recording as to water levels and what is open.

the other, and best way, is to go to the lake (s) you prefer on the first day the gates are opened (you can find this out by calling the refuge) and note on the computer when you get home what the river water level is on that day. remember that number in the future and you'll only have to check your computer to see if the lakes are open and fishable.