Sardis plays host to variety of outdoor fun

Demarcus Bowser/Special to The Commercial Appeal

People fish and just enjoy the view at the spillway at Sardis Lake in Mississippi. Crappie is the sport fish of choice.

Sardis Lake, about 50 miles south of Memphis down Interstate 55, has been a popular water recreation destination for Memphians and North Mississippians for years.

But fishing, skiing and swimming are all secondary to the lake's primary purpose. The dam at Sardis, 97 feet high and about 15,000 feet long, was completed in 1940. It was the first of four built to control flooding in the Yazoo River Basin. Arkabutla, Enid and Grenada followed, in that order. Sardis Lake, formed from the Tallahatchie River, is the largest, stretching over 58,500 acres. The park spills over three counties -- Panola, Lafayette and Marshall.

How to get there

From Memphis, take I-55 south into Mississippi. Take Exit 252, turn left, and follow Miss. 315 to the park, about 8 miles.

What to do there

Camping is popular in the park, which offers more than 200 sites in addition to dormitories for group camping. Facilities vary from primitive campgrounds with just water and a public restroom and shower to those with electrical and sewer hook-ups for RVs. Pavilions for parties and family reunions are available for rent at the campgrounds. Rates range from $8 per night for the primitive campground (rented through the Corps of Engineers) to $18 and $24 per night for more equipped sites, rented through the John W. Kyle State Park.

Fishing in both the upper and lower lake is popular with residents and visitors. What everyone fishes for, a local said, is crappie, but they often catch catfish, bass and bream. Boat launches are at both lakes, and the spillway, where the water comes in the lower lake, is a popular spot to cast a line. A fishing license is required; it can be purchased at the park office. A three-day pass for an out-of-state resident is $18.29.

Water activities such as skiing, tubing, jet skiing and wind surfing are popular. The boat launch fee is $3. You can rent a pontoon boat for $175 for a half-day and $300 for a full day from the marina, but towables are prohibited; call (662) 578-7922.

There are several sand beaches on the lower lake, with areas clearly marked for swimming. At present the water is still cloudy from recent floods, but it's clearing rapidly, and people are swimming.

Hiking and bird watching are popular activities, too. Two nature trails wind through wooded areas, and there are eagles and egrets around the lake in addition to falcons and numerous smaller birds.

Mallard Point golf course is an 18-hole course tucked back among the rolling hills of the park. Lodging is available in villas on the course, and conference facilities are also available. $45 includes cart on weekends; $38 weekdays. Call (888) 833-6477.

The John W. Kyle lodge offers cabins for rent for $70 per weekday and $80 per weekend day. Call (662) 478-1345.

For more information

Call the Corps of Engineers at (662) 563-4531 or the John W. Kyle State Park office at (662) 487-1345.

-- Jennifer Biggs: 529-5223

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