From oxbow lakes and coastal marshes to professional tournaments, fishing is by far one of the most popular outdoor activities in Mississippi. The state's mild climate promotes a year-round season for the many game fish that thrive here, including more than 175 species of freshwater fish. Light tackle
... more anglers and deep-sea enthusiasts alike can enjoy the diversity of the game fish in the rich estuaries and marshes of the back bays and barrier islands as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. Canoeing and kayaking can be enjoyed year-round in Mississippi, from the Gulf Island National Seashore Park in Ocean Springs to Horn Island, a federally-designated wilderness area. Or, take time to enjoy the Black Creek Wilderness Trail that meanders through another absolutely beautiful federally-designated wilderness area. Paddle trips offer scenic beauty with high bluffs, large cypress trees and abundant wildlife waiting around every bend. Thanks to the state's responsible wildlife management programs, more than 2 million acres of wild game habitat are teeming with healthy and productive game populations. Some of the most popular wild game species include Whitetail deer, Eastern wild turkey and migratory waterfowl, as well as small game species such as mourning dove, quail, squirrel and rabbit. There are over 145 Mississippi golf courses from which to choose, testing the skill of every level of golfer. For bird lovers, the state also takes pride in 46 National Wildlife Management areas, 14 National refuges, six National Forests, two National Parks including the Gulf Islands National Seashore and the Sandhill Crane National Refuge, the federally-designated wilderness areas of Petite Bois and Horn Islands, the Pascagoula River Basin, and the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
