Ross Barnett Reservoir
Spillway - Last Updated: 6/26/2008
A lot of people have been fishing, but not very many have had decent catches ... at least not the ones we spoke to. Take Larry Jones of Ridgeland. "I've been out here all day and haven't caught a keeper catfish yet," Jones said Wednesday just before storms forced him to leave. "I've caught two dozen and if you put them together, you couldn't get a solid keeper."
Main Lake - Last Updated: 6/26/2008
UPPER MAIN LAKE:
Crappie have finally turned on big time to the summer pattern, which is what 90-degree water will lead to. Rabbit Rogers reported finding plenty of willing biters, and big ones too, suspended 10-12 ft. under horizontal structure on the edges of old lakes like Long Lake and Round Lake. He used jigs and said the bite was very "polite" and not hand-rattling. Bass fishermen are starting to pick up more quality fish on the deep ledges, but small fish still dominate in schools. Catfish action is excellent shallow.
LOWER MAIN LAKE:
Rogers did just as good on the lower end, with an excellent catch on the same 10-12 ft. pattern in 18-20 ft. of water at McMillen and other old lakes. The key is finding the trees with enough horizontal limbs to over fish shade. Crappie are stacked on those limbs. Second-best action is for catfish on shallow flats around stumps as most species are in spawning. Bass activity is good early and late around piers, docks and riprap, and then on ledges. Hybrids up very early.
Upper Lake and River - Last Updated: 6/26/2008
ABOVE HIGHWAY 43:
Tried to find enough positive reports to improve this rating, but it's just an average week. Nothing great, but nothing awful either. Bass are available in numbers when a school can be located on a point or a cut, but finding a keeper in a surfacing bunch is tough. The quality bites are coming early by flipping around edges of matted grasses or pads, and those areas are limited near deep water, which is a key factor in holding fish. Crappie fishermen are struggling to find numbers of big fish, too, but deep structure is holding fish. Catfish are plentiful in cuts and shallow shelves.
Pelahatchie Bay - Last Updated: 6/26/2008
Catfish are the hottest action in the Bay, with plenty of fish up in the shallows to spawn. They are being caught in the subdivision coves, stump flats and shallow bars around spoil islands. Cut shad works good, and nightcrawlers are the next best bet. Bass reports are not that good, but crappie are biting in the creek channel around deep cover or natural structure like creek bends. Minnows are outfishing jigs and be ready to troll. Bass fishermen are struggling to find a consistent pattern. Bream have slowed.
District 1
Aberdeen Lake - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
ABERDEEN LAKE (TENN-TOM): Not much change to report from last week; summer patterns are definitely here. Most reports this past week were from the catfish and bass anglers. The bass anglers are reporting an early topwater bite in the sloughs; after that, most action is coming in the deeper backwater areas and also along structure on the navigation channel. Buzzbaits and t-rigged plastics are best baits. The catfish anglers are reporting success with rod-n-reels and also jugs. Cuts and creeks off the channel are best areas for rod-n-reel action; the upper end of the channel near the old river has been popular with the jug fishermen. No crappie reports this week.
Columbus Lake - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
COLUMBUS LAKE (TENN-TOM): Bass reports this week are from the gravel pits and the deeper grass beds near the boat ramp and the marina. T-rigged plastics are best baits, with spinnerbaits and Ribbits catching some early and late bites. Other fair bass reports are coming along the navigation channel; target any wood with t-rigged plastics and shallow running crankbaits. The catfish reports are good; catfish are biting along the channel and also below the dam. Both jugs and rod-n-reels are catching some nice catfish.
Bay Springs - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
BAY SPRINGS: Water temps are in the mid 80’s. The bass bite is good. Winning weights for night tournaments have increased to the mid to high teens, with one taking around 20 lbs to win this weekend. Deep points, humps, and drop-offs are still holding the most bass. Most fish are coming on Carolina-rigged plastics, shaky head worms, and heavy jigs. The crappie bite is slow; we haven’t seen that many crappie anglers on the lake in the last week or so. The catfish reports are slowly coming in; most anglers are fishing near the cut at Crow’s Neck and in the canal above Crow’s Neck.
Lake Lamar Bruce - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
LAKE LAMAR BRUCE: Water temps are in the mid 80’s. The bream reports have picked up in the past week, with some nice ones being caught in deeper water tightlining crickets. The bass reports are fair, with some topwater action being reported early and late. Some decent stringers have been caught during the day fishing deep points in 16-20 ft of water using big worms. The crappie reports have picked up as well. The crappie anglers are fishing in 10-12 ft of water off main lake points and near the creek channels. Both crappie jigs and minnows are catching some nice fish. Few catfish reports have come in over the last week.
Lake Monroe - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
LAKE MONROE: Surface temps are in the mid 80s. The bass anglers are catching good numbers of fish on 10” worms in 10-14 ft of water. The bream anglers are having some success tight-lining red wigglers off the points in 6 to 12 ft of water; a few nice redear are still showing up. Crappie anglers have been picking up a few fish trolling on the south end of the lake. Very few catfish reports have come in lately.
Oktibbeha County Lake - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
OKTIBBEHA COUNTY LAKE: Water temps are in the low 90’s. The bass reports have been fair, with some nice fish up to 6 lbs still being caught. Most anglers are targeting the creek channel or ledges; best baits are crankbaits and t-rigged plastics. Don’t overlook the early morning topwater bite. There hasn’t been a lot of bream or crappie fishing over the last week, so reports are sparse. The catfish reports have been excellent. Several fish up to 25 lbs have been caught recently. Minnows, shad, and crawfish are all working. Bank anglers are doing well fishing from the piers and off the levee. Anglers in boats are doing well around the old creek channel.
Alicevile Lake - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
ALICEVILLE LAKE (TENN-TOM): Not much change to report. The bass reports have been fair; a few bass are being reported in the Pratt’s Camp area and Big Coalfire. Target deeper banks with wood or grass in Pratt’s; best baits are t-rigged plastics. Carolina-rigged plastics are best in Big Coalfire; target the creek channel ledge for best results. Don’t overlook some early and late topwater action this time year. The catfish bite is fair to good along the navigation channel and the mouths of the old river runs; cutbait and liver have been best baits.
Lake Lowndes - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
LAKE LOWNDES STATE PARK: Water temps are running in the high 70s. Not much change from last week. Best reports are coming from bream anglers; good numbers of bream up to 1 lb are still showing up. Most have been caught in shallow water near structure; best baits have been redworms and crickets. The bass are still being caught on the shallow flats, but some are now being caught off the deeper drop-offs. T-rigged plastic worms and topwater baits have been the best producers. The catfish are fair in or around deep drop-offs, with quite a few in the 3 lb range being caught. Best baits have been nightcrawlers and livers. The crappie bite is still fair, with most anglers fishing brush tops in 6-14 ft of water; crappie jigs have been the best baits.
JP Coleman/Pickwick Lake - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
PICKWICK LAKE/J. P. COLEMAN: Pickwick Lake elevation: 414 ft. Water temps are in the low to mid 80’s. Not much has changed from last week. The bass reports continue to be excellent. Most people are catching good numbers of fish, but the average size has gone down. Some people are finding some better fish on the humps and ledges, as it took 23 lbs to win the Mt. Dew tournament last Saturday, and there were a number of 17 lb+ sacks weighed in. Carolina-rigged plastics, deep diving cranks, and heavy jigs are still the best bets out on the humps and ledges. Current is absolutely critical to catching fish right now. The catfish reports continue to be fair to good. Most catfish anglers are now hitting the ends of the gravel bars and the river ledges. Best depths will be 15 to 25 feet deep, with deeper water in the channel nearby. Several good stripe (white bass and striped bass) reports continue to come in; a good topwater bite has been reported off the gravel bars above Bear Creek.
For current lake levels and current generation schedules, go to
http://www.lakeinfo.tva.gov/htbin/lakeinfo?site=PKH&DataType=All&SUBMIT=View+data
Trace State Park - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
TRACE STATE PARK: Water temp is 83 degrees. Bass fishing is good; with most of the action coming on topwater, lizards, and large worms in 2 to 25 ft of water around points, coves, and creek channel areas containing structure. Bream fishing is good, with most being caught near or around bedding areas in 5-20 feet of water cork fishing, dragging the bottom, and tightlining using crickets, meal worms, and red wigglers. Crappie fishing is fair; few are caught around the concrete spillway in 15-25 ft of water, as well as on or around points, coves, and structure in 1-10 ft of water using minnows and jigs. Catfish fishing is fair, with most bites coming in the day use area tight lining and a few are being caught around or near bedding bream.
Tippah County Lake - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
TIPPAH COUNTY LAKE: Water temps are now in the mid 80s. Not much changed to report from last week. Numbers of bass are being caught; the quality bite is tough to come by. Most anglers are reporting success around shoreline vegetation with a few folks catching fish off points. Best baits have been topwater baits, Ribbits, and t-rigged plastics (black or blue). The bream bite is fair to good; several groups are still reporting some nice bream beds. The shallow bite should continue the rest of this week. Both crickets and wigglers have been best baits, but tight-lining wigglers seems to be catching bigger fish. The catfish bite is fair to slow. Very few cats are being caught, but some nice ones are showing up. Best areas are near the campground and the boat ramp. Nightcrawlers are best baits. The crappie reports have slowed; very few reports coming in.
Tombigbee State Park - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
TOMBIGBEE STATE PARK: Water temps are in the low 80s. The bream reports continue to be few, but pretty good. The bream are not bedding, but are being caught in 4 to 8 ft of water near bedding areas. Best baits have been jigs, crickets and small spinners. The bass reports are fair; a good buzzbait bite is being reported early and late. Other anglers have reported catching some nice bass on texas-rigged plastics and crankbaits. The crappie reports have dropped off as the crappie have moved to their summer patterns. The few being caught have been found suspended off the points in 9 to 12 feet of water; both jigs and minnows are working. Very few catfish reports this past week.
Elvis Presley Lake - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
ELVIS PRESLEY LAKE: Water temps are in the mid 80s. The bream are not bedding, but are being caught in deeper water near bedding areas. For best results, tight-line crickets or nightcrawlers in 8 to 10 ft of water. The bass anglers are targeting points that have deeper water nearby. Best baits have been t-rigged plastics and crankbaits. The crappie catches are coming from tree tops and brushpiles; crappie are being caught using both jigs and minnows; best depths have been 12 to 14 ft deep. Catfish anglers have been having some success in areas with sandy bottoms using chicken livers, both from the bank and in boats.
District 2
Arkabutla - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
SUMMER SEASON
Water level 232.12, falling 0.2 ft/day, murky to clear. For water level information, call (662)562-6261 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt. Folks have finally started to pick up some crappie here, but results have been spotty; some folks have 2, some 20. Best luck has been drifting minnows 12 - 15 ft deep in the mouths of creeks with keepers averaging about 1.5 lb. Fishing has been good for blue (white river or white humpback) and channel catfish with worms or cut bait on trotlines. For flatheads, live bait is better. Smaller channel cats can also be taken with worms or liver fished under a bobber over rip-rap on the dam and ramp areas. Some good white bass catches can be made off main lake points in the evenings; fish 2 white/blue jigs 5 ft deep under a cork. Some good reports on largemouths have come from folks fishing soft plastics and crankbaits on main lake points. Expect a lot of recreational boaters on the holiday weekend. The lake is 12.1 ft above rule curve.* Expect the lake to be drawn down as fast as the weather and river levels in the Delta permit.The spillway had 1 gate open 7.5 ft July 2. Best fishing here has been for catfish on the wingwalls. A few crappie have been taken in quieter water. For spillway fishing regulations, check http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35598
Effective August 6, 2007: On Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake, Grenada Lake and Sardis Lake the daily creel limit for crappie will be 20 per person. The minimum length limit for crappie at these lakes will be 12 inches. Anglers fishing Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake and Sardis Lake may use no more than 5 poles per person. Grenada Lake anglers may use no more than 3 poles per person. The 12 inch length limits do not apply to these reservoir spillways. However, these spillways, including Sardis Lower Lake, will have a 20 fish creel limit.
*The low water last year allowed colonization of vegetation on mudflats to be flooded this year. This vegetation will provide cover for small fishes and pump nutrients into the water as it decays. Woody vegetation provides long term fish habitat. Much of the original cover on the flood control reservoirs drowned from prolonged flooding in 1973. Cypresses, buttonbush, and other "buckbrush" recolonized in the mid-to late 1980's, but drowned from flooding in 1989 and 1991. High water provides a short term boost to fisheries, but does more long term damage to fish than low water by destroying habitat.
Sardis Lake - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
SUMMER SEASON
Water level 262.85, falling 0.15 ft/day, clear. For water level information, call (662)563-4531 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt. Wyatt’s Crossing Outdoors (662)551-2399 reports nearly all folks fishing the upper end of the lake are after catfish. Rod and reel or trotline with various baits have been working. Long’s Sporting Goods and Quick Stop (662)487-2187 reports best luck for crappie has been trolling crankbaits 18 - 20 ft deep in 25 - 30 ft of water. Clear Creek to Toby Tubby has been good. For bass, fish crankbaits or soft plastics in cover on main lake points 12 - 18 ft deep. There have been good reports recently of good sized bream bedding from Piney Point to Whiskey Hill over a sand bottom; fish crickets. Despite the recent white bass kill, there have been reports of fish to over 2 pounds caught off main lake points on small crankbaits or jigs. Catfish can be taken on the dam and boat ramps fishing worms under a bobber over rip-rap rocks. Expect a lot of recreational boaters on the holiday weekend. The lake is 2.9 ft over summer pool (260 ft by May 1).*MDWFP biologists investigated a kill of an estimated 31,000 white bass on Sardis a month ago. White bass were in very poor shape during last fall’s sampling from the drought and were susceptible to disease. Only adult white bass were affected; preliminary findings suggest the kill was due to bacteria normally found in the water that infect fish when stressed. White bass are not hardy fish and are naturally short-lived.
The spillway had one gate open 6.0 ft, one open 7.0 ft July 2. Channel catfish on nightcrawlers, chicken liver, or minnows have been the best bet. For flatheads, use live bait. White bass can be taken in the faster water. Few reports on bass or crappie. For spillway fishing regulations, check http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35598
Effective August 6, 2007: On Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake, Grenada Lake and Sardis Lake the daily creel limit for crappie will be 20 per person. The minimum length limit for crappie at these lakes will be 12 inches. Anglers fishing Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake and Sardis Lake may use no more than 5 poles per person. Grenada Lake anglers may use no more than 3 poles per person. The 12 inch length limits do not apply to these reservoir spillways. However, these spillways, including Sardis Lower Lake, will have a 20 fish creel limit.
*The low water last year allowed colonization of vegetation on mudflats to be flooded this year. This vegetation will provide cover for small fishes and pump nutrients into the water as it decays. Woody vegetation provides long term fish habitat. Much of the original cover on the flood control reservoirs drowned from prolonged flooding in 1973. Cypresses, buttonbush, and other "buckbrush" recolonized in the mid-to late 1980's, but drowned from flooding in 1989 and 1991. High water provides a short term boost to fisheries, but does more long term damage to fish than low water by destroying habitat.
Enid Lake - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
SUMMER SEASON
Water level 252.67, falling 0.05 ft/day, clear. For water level information, call (662)563-4571 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt. Best luck for crappie is trolling 15 - 20 ft deep in the mouth of Longbranch and other creeks and along the dam; for keepers, fish larger crankbaits or 4 inch minnow-imitating soft plastics with the paddle- type tails. Fishing jigs and/or minnows results in a lot of short fish. Best luck for largemouth bass has been from main lake points; fish crankbaits and soft plastics. Channel catfish have been biting worms, liver, or cut shad on the rip-rap rocks on the dam or boat ramps and in Otoucalofa Creek. For bream, fish crickets in the Wallace and Hubbard Creek cove and on the dam near the spillway tower. White bass have been schooling off main lake points; use jigs or small crankbaits. Expect a lot of recreational boaters on the holiday weekend. The lake is 3.1 ft above summer pool (250 ft)*.The spillway had one gate open 1.0 ft (400 cfs) Tuesday. Best luck here has been for channel catfish on standard baits. A few flatheads are showing up on live bait. For spillway fishing regulations, check http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35598
Effective August 6, 2007: On Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake, Grenada Lake and Sardis Lake the daily creel limit for crappie will be 20 per person. The minimum length limit for crappie at these lakes will be 12 inches. Anglers fishing Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake and Sardis Lake may use no more than 5 poles per person. Grenada Lake anglers may use no more than 3 poles per person. The 12 inch length limits do not apply to these reservoir spillways. However, these spillways, including Sardis Lower Lake, will have a 20 fish creel limit.
*The low water last year allowed colonization of vegetation on mudflats to be flooded this year. This vegetation will provide cover for small fishes and pump nutrients into the water as it decays. Woody vegetation provides long term fish habitat. Much of the original cover on the flood control reservoirs drowned from prolonged flooding in 1973. Cypresses, buttonbush, and other "buckbrush" recolonized in the mid-to late 1980's, but drowned from flooding in 1989 and 1991. High water provides a short term boost to fisheries, but does more long term damage to fish than low water by destroying habitat.
Grenada Lake - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
SUMMER SEASON
Water level 213.89, stable, murky to clear. For water level information, call (662)226-5911 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt. Collins Bait Shop (662)226-3581 reports best luck for crappie has been trolling the main lake 9 - 14 ft deep in 12 to 20 ft of water. Fish have come anywhere from Graysport to Bryant Landings. Deeper water and bigger baits have been keys to landing larger crappies. There’s been some good catfish landed grabbling. Channel catfish have been biting worms or crickets on the rip-rap rocks on the dam or boat ramps. Blues have been more likely caught on trotlines. Few reports on largemouths; try crankbaits or soft plastics on main lake points. White bass should be schooling on the main lake any day; fish small crankbaits on dropoffs on the main lake point where the two rivers come together. Expect a lot of recreational boaters on the holiday weekend. The lake is 1.1 ft below summer pool (215 ft)*.The spillway had one gate open 0.5 ft (100 cfs) July 2. A few crappie, catfish, and white bass have been landed recently; crappie mostly in the old river run, catfish and white bass in the faster water. Channel catfish have been hitting nightcrawlers, but fish live bait for flatheads. For spillway fishing regulations, check http://www.mdwfp.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=35598
Effective August 6, 2007: On Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake, Grenada Lake and Sardis Lake the daily creel limit for crappie will be 20 per person. The minimum length limit for crappie at these lakes will be 12 inches. Anglers fishing Arkabutla Lake, Enid Lake and Sardis Lake may use no more than 5 poles per person. Grenada Lake anglers may use no more than 3 poles per person. The 12 inch length limits do not apply to these reservoir spillways. However, these spillways, including Sardis Lower Lake, will have a 20 fish creel limit.
*The low water last year allowed colonization of vegetation on mudflats to be flooded this year. This vegetation will provide cover for small fishes and pump nutrients into the water as it decays. Woody vegetation provides long term fish habitat. Much of the original cover on the flood control reservoirs drowned from prolonged flooding in 1973. Cypresses, buttonbush, and other "buckbrush" recolonized in the mid-to late 1980's, but drowned from flooding in 1989 and 1991. High water provides a short term boost to fisheries, but does more long term damage to fish than low water by destroying habitat.
Tunica Cutoff - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
SUMMER SEASON
The Mississippi River was at 23.1 ft Wednesday; it should crest at 24.4 ft Sunday, then start dropping slowly. For the river level and 5 day forecast, call (901)544-0399 ext. 401 or check http://www.mvk.usace.army.mil/riverstage/bullet.txt. The river is going back up a little from record flooding in the Midwest, but it’s not going to be near flood stage. Charlie’s Camp (662)363-1353 reports crappie and bream fishing is off from the high water levels; it needs to fall to 17 or 16 ft to start doing good, and that may be awhile. The Fisher’s of Men bass tournament this weekend was won with a 5 bass limit of 12.94 pounds; big fish was 3.40 lb. The winners ran above Memphis for their limit, but others caught fish in the lake; bass were scattered in high water. Soft plastics in various green shades or combinations have been producing. Catfishing has been excellent on nightcrawlers or cut shad fished on trotlines or noodles (jugs). Charlie reports the extended high water this year has millions of crappie and other fish fry swarming in the lake, which bodes well for fishing the next few years. Flooding made fishing tough this spring but definitely had its benefits.Studies in Mississippi and elsewhere have shown little movement of bream and crappie between rivers and oxbows even at high water. If the fishery depended on the river restocking the lake, fishing in the Cutoff would not have declined with low water before the weir or improved with higher levels after the weir was built. However, high water increases the worms, insects, and other forage for fish, allowing them to fatten up rapidly. Expect good fishing for very large bream after water levels fall back to normal.
Memphis District Corps officials allow anglers to set out brush/tree fish habitat on Tunica. The lake desperately needs cover at lower water levels. Set them 5 to 15 ft deep at minimum pool (about 5 ft on the gauge at Charlie's Camp). Set them at different depths since fish may hold shallower or deeper depending on light, temperature, and oxygen. If you mark them by triangulation or GPS, you should have your own fishing hot spots. Although cedar is usually considered best, some crappie experts report sycamore and hackberry (both plentiful in the Delta) are excellent at drawing fish. Thanks for your help in improving fish habitat.
Horn Lake - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
FISHING MISSISSIPPI
SUMMER SEASON
The Lakeview Boat Dock (662)781-1550 reports bream fishing has been best fishing 4 - 6 ft deep in the trees with crickets. Some fish are still bedding in Mud Lake and the runout. Bream are big from higher water levels. Crappie are being caught 10 - 15 ft deep on jigs and/or minnows drifting or trolling in the main lake; some can also be caught fishing the deep edge of the trees. Few reports on largemouth bass; topwaters early and late and soft plastics fished midday in the trees have been productive this time of year. Catfishing has been good on liver or shad. Bream, crappie, and a few catfish have been taken off the pier.
Lake Charlie Capps - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
LAKE CHARLIE CAPPS - (formerly Bolivar County Lake)
LAKE IS CLOSED TO FISHING Lake Capps was drained to aid in renovation.
Bee Lake - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
BEE LAKE
According to Mrs. Bell at Bell's Store on Bee Lake(662-235-5930). Catfish catches have been great with many large fish harvested from this lake. Bream are also biting well with many nice catches reported.
Best catches have been on minnow & jig combination. Best jigs have been rubber blue body / white tail. Also fishermen are catching a few (1-2) catfish with the crappie set up.
Water level at Bee Lake is 6.28 feet. Water temperature is 81.86 degrees Farenheit, and water clarity is turbid. Go to the USGS website http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ms/nwis/uv/?site_no=330359090194135 to get information on water level, water temperature and visibility from the USGS gauge on the bridge at Bee Lake.)
The top and sides of the ramp at bell's Store have been repaired, but work on the lower end is waiting for contractor.
Delta Wildlife Foundation has worked with local landowners to install 37 sediment retention structures to reduce erosion. That will reduce the occurance and intensity of muddy water and as such lake productivity and fish stock should increase.
Bee lake is located about 20 miles north of Yazoo City on US Route 49E. A fee ramp is available for use at Bells Store.
Lake Washington - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
LAKE WASHINGTON
For up-to-date fishing information, contact Ms. Pam Hammond at Roy’s Store on Lake Washington (662-827-2588) For information about Roy's Store and the cabins there, go to (www.royscabins.net).
Catfish catches have been great for fisherman using large worms around the cyprus knees in about three feet of water. Catches over 50 fish are not uncommon. Bream catches are increasing as well, with larger fish and numbers being caught. Crappie are still in the deeper waters.
Keep your eyes open for the tagged cats. "Catch a Tagged Catfish for Bucks" is a promotion offered by Roy's Store with sponsorship by Budweiser, Lowes, Farm Bureau, Bostick Brothers, Pepsi, Guaranty bank, Allstar Motors, Ceranti-Oakes Toyota, Washington County Farm Bureau, Longwood Flying Service, Delta Democrat Times and Lake Washington Landowners Foundation. MDWFP tagged and released catfish in 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 to promote catfish harvest on Lake Washington. Those that catch a tagged catfish should take the entire fish with tag to Roy's to see if they have won either a T-shirt, vendor product, or cash prises up to $500.
Tagged Catfish caught in 2007: "Huey Cat" the catfish sponsored by Guaranty Bank, with a $250 reward;$495 for catching a tagged catfish sponsored by Budweiser, $100 from a tagged catfish sponsored by Seranti-Oaks toyota, and several other catfish each with $10 rewards have also been caught.
Anglers please note that on Lake Washington the limit on crappie is 30 but only 5 crappie can be kept that are under 10 inches in length, the limit on bream is 100, and the limit on bass is 5, but only 2 bass can be less than 15 inches in length. Last fall the size of many of the crappie were slightly under 10 inches.
- Regulations concerning fishing of YO-YO'S - Over the last several years the MDWFP received many letters from residents and nonresidents about yo-yo's and limb lines at Lake Washington. Most of the people complained that too much gear was being left in the water tied to trees, hindering access to their fishing spots. Other letters listed complaints that people were fishing more than the legal limit of yo-yo's; that some people were exceeding the legal daily and possession creel limits; that people were seeing many dead fish out of the water captured by yo-yo's; that some anglers were running other people lines and that some anglers were discourteous. To enhance enforcement efforts fishing regulations (Public Notice 3428) were changed to require yo-yo's on Lake Washington to be tagged and attended during daylight hours.
Yo-Yo Tagging Requirements - Yo-Yo's must have a waterproof or metal tag attached to the line above the water surface. The tags shall be furnished by the angler and must contain all of the following information: the angler's full name, full residence address including zip code of the angler. This information must be legibly written with waterproof ink, legibly inscribed or legibly stamped on the tag. Yo-Yo Attendance Requirements: Yo-yo's must be attended on Lake Washington. Attended means devices must remain within sight of the angler during daylight hours.
Online Map
A description and a map of this lake can be seen at the internet address - Http://www.outfitters.org Click on public waters and then click on Lake Washington under "more area lake maps".
Lake Ferguson - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
LAKE FERGUSON
According to Terry Bates at Big River Guide Service (662-390-3886)the fish are being caught. As the water levels fall the fish are becoming more active, so be ready when the river goes down. Bass are being caught in the mornings using topwater lures such as jerkbaits and buzzbaits. Anglers then shift to spinnerbaits or other flipping gear to fish in the cover. Bream are being caught in the shallows, about 3 ft., with good numbers being caught.
For the weekend of July 7th the River level near Lake Ferguson is predicted to be 43.6 feet (Greenville gage)on a slow fall. Go to rivergages.com for a web site with current water level predictions.
BREAM - For Bream try fishing around rocky banks, boats ramps, rock piles, medal barge piling, and alongside permanent work barges. Fish with crickets and worms. BASS - In deeper water, 8 to 12 feet,try using a Berkley 10" power worm or 10" Gulp turtle back worm, a Carolina Rig with 5"-6" lizard's, shaky head worm in watermelon candy, or green pumpkin candy. This little worm is a lot of fun to fish, it usually will catch a lot of fish, and if it’s a tuff day, it’ll catch fish when nothing else will. CATFISH - Catfish will continue to hang around the grain elevators. If anyone would like to go fishing in the Greenville area or need more information, call Terry Bates at Big River Guide Service at 662/390/3886. Good Fishing"
Largemouth bass Virus has been identified from bass collected in Lake Ferguson. Please do not transfer fish from this lake to another body of water and see the link below for methods to disinfect your live well with bleach. For more information, please go to www.mdwfp.com/LMBV.asp
Online Map
For a general map of the lake go to Http://www.outfitters.org Click on public waters and then click on Lake Ferguson under "more area lake maps".
For a description of boat ramps see "Mississippi River" report
Moon Lake - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
MOON LAKE
The water level at Moon Lake is higher than normal. The best catches are reported to be in the flooded backwaters of the lake. Stripers are biting jigs and small spinners. Other catches will improve as the water recedes.
HARVEST RESTRICTION
Bass - creel limit of 2
Crappie - Creel limit of 30, but only 5 crappie can be possessed that are less than 10 inches in length. It has been reported that the lenghts of a fair number of the crappie are slightly less than 10 inches.Online Map
A description and a map of this lake can be seen at the internet address Http://www.outfitters.org Click on public waters and then click on Moon Lake under "more area lake maps". A depth profile map is available from Dept. Wildlife Fisheries & Parks: go to Fisheries at http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
Desoto - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
DESOTO LAKE
According to Warren Rico at Rico's in Rena Lara (662-624-4980) bream are being caught if you can find the holes. Crappie are slow but should pick up as water levels fall. Bass fishermen have had some luck on this lake according to tournament results.
For the weekend of July 7th the River level near DeSoto Lake is predicted to be 32.5 feet (Helena gage)holding steady. Go to rivergages.com for a web site with current water level predictions.
NOTE, Boaters need to be VERY cautious in the chute at levels below 10 feet at Helena as ROCK HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE OUTLET to prevent head-cutting in the chute from work done to reinforce the eroding banks along the river. THE ROCK WAS LEVELED IN EARLY OCTOBER 2007 TO A ELEVATION EQUIVALENT TO ABOUT 6 FEET ON THE HELENA GAGE . This work also increased low water level on DeSoto Lake by about 2 feet.
For river lakes, the fluctuations of the Mississippi River is an important factor for determining how the fishing is going to be. Slow rises and slow falls produce the best fishing. The best crappie fishing on DeSoto Lake is at water levels between 16-18 feet (Helena Gauge).
Online Map
For a general map go to Http://www.outfitters.org Click on public waters and then click on Desoto Lake under "more area lake maps".
For a description of boat ramps see "Mississippi River" report
Lake Whittington - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
LAKE WHITTINGTON
The river is still up too high for good fishing contact Mr. Yung at Beulah Store (662-759-6691)for current conditions. Fishing should improve as waters levels go down. Bass anglers should try their luck on the open flats on the Ark. side.
For the weekend of July 7th the River level near Lake Whittington is predicted to be 31.6 feet (Ark. City gage)on a slow fall. Go to rivergages.com for a web site with current water level predictions.
try trolling for crappie with minnows or jigs in deep water around pilings off Goat Island, or pilings along Little Man Boat ramp. Fish the big bass bite with vertical jigging techniques around deep water structure adjacent to bluffs of Goat Island or rip-rap banks.
Largemouth bass Virus has been identified from bass collected in Lake Whittington. Please do not transfer fish from this lake to another body of water and see the link below for methods to disinfect your live well with bleach. For more information go to www.mdwfp.com/LMBV.asp
Anglers can navigate the chute to/from the river when the river is at, or above, 6 feet on the Arkansas City Gauge, but they should be careful of snags when doing so. As the river drops below 6 feet access through the chute gets extremely difficult and treacherous, and Boaters are advised not to try to navigate the chute when the river is below 6 feet ( Arkansas City Gauge). When the lake is at a level equivalent to 6 feet (Ark. City Gauge) one can get from one end of the lake to the other, but anglers need to be aware that at this water level very shallow water is present at the flats at Burnt Island (up lake from Benoit Outing Club & Goat Island). At a lake level equivalent to 3 feet (Ark. City Gauge) a narrow channel runs through the flats at Burnt Island; and very shallow water is present above the ironwood forest (begins where the barge is at below the Outing Club), and further down the lake in the flat below the old pump pier (where the poles are). Although reference is made to lake level from RIVER level on the Arkansas City Gauge the two may not be the same at stages below 16 feet as the constriction at the chute causes a delay in the falling, or rising, of the lake. Anglers should also take note that when the river is on a fast fall (or rise) a large difference in elevation may be present between the lake and the river. This can create such a high water velocity in the narrow chute that boats with large outboards will find it difficult to navigate and impossible for small outboards to negotiate.
Lake has two fee ramps open to the public: Nebletts Landing (dificult to launch when water level is below 11 feet equivalent to Ark. City Gauge) and Little Man's (closed at high water).
Online Map
Fish attractors for low water fishing were placed in this lake many years ago. For a map of the lake and location of the fish attractors go to Http://www.outfitters.org Click on public waters and then click on Lake Whittington under "more area lake maps".
Beulah Lake - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
LAKE BEULAH
Lake Beulah is at a relatively high elevation compared to other Mississippi River oxbow lakes. As such this lake may not be flooded, or have good fishing, when other oxbow lakes are too high for good fishing, or Beulah may be stable when other lakes are falling. The controlling elevation is 18-19 feet on the Arkansas City Gauge. When the river is below 18 feet the water level of the lake is stable. Between 18-20 feet lake level is controlled by drainage through culvert in dam. Above 24 feet lake rises/falls close to same rate as changes in river. Go to rivergages.com for a web site with current water level predictions.The river is very high. Fishing in the lake is slow due to the high water levels. Fishing should improve drastically as the water levels fall. The predicted level for weekend of July 7th is 31.6 feet on a slow fall (Arkansas City). Contact Mr. Yung at Beulah Store (662-759-6691) for current conditions.
Go to rivergages.com for a web site with current water level predictions.
A description and a general map of this lake can be seen at the internet address - Http://www.outfitters.org Click on public waters and then click on Lake Beulah under "more area lake maps".
District 3
Chotard and Albermarle - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
CHOTARD
.Good bream catches are being made, but due to the high water levels not many fisherman have tried for other fishes.
Contact Mickey Laney at Laney's Fishing Camp (601-279-4291) for current conditions.
For the weekend of July 7th the River level near Chotard Lake is predicted to be 39.4 feet (Vicksburg gage) on a slow fall. Go to rivergages.com for a web site with current water level predictions.
For most boats access to the river is near impossible when the River is below 13 feet (Vicksburg Gauge).
Online Map
A description and a map of this lake can be seen at the internet address - Http://www.outfitters.org Click on public waters and then click on Lake Albermarle or Chotard under "more area lake maps".
Yazoo River - Yazoo City - Last Updated: 2/19/2008
YAZOO RIVER -
The top of the last slab of the boat ramp at Yazoo City is near 8 feet on the Yazoo City Gauge and that slab is 21 feet long; with a 12% slope the end of the ramp should be near a level equivalent to 5.5 feet on the Yazoo City gauge. Go to rivergages.com or www.srh.noaa.gov/lmrfc/forecast/tributaries for a web site with current water level predictions.
Greenwood - A new two lane boat ramp with an asphalt parking lot has been built in Greenwood. This ramp gives boaters access to the Yazoo River, and heading upstream, the Tallahatchie, and Yalobusha Rivers. The ramp is located in downtown Greenwood, on the west bank of the Yazoo River between the bridges by the courthouse.
Wolf Lake - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
The water level is still high but falling slowly. A depth countour map of this lake are available at MDWFP.COM Crappie are hot right now with anglers reporting high numbers of 1/2-2 lb. fish. Fish along the outer edge of the cypress trees.
Mississippi River Gauges - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
CAUTION: THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER IS A BIG RIVER WITH VERY FAST AND STRONG CURRENTS. TAKE CARE WHEN FISHING OR BOATING. (See more below) But the river can offer opportunities for good fishing in an exciting environment
Predicted River levels for weekend of 6/22/08 are:
GAUGE - LEVEL - RATE OF CHANGE
Memphis- 24.3' steady
Helena 32.5' steady
Arkansas City- 31.6' slow fall
Greenville- 43.6' slow fall
Vicksburg- 39.4' slow fall
Natchez- 45.8' steady
Key to rate of change: Fast rise/fall - river levels change more than 1 ft. per day. Moderate rise/fall - levels change between .5 and 1 ft. per day. Slow rise/fall - levels change less than .5 ft. per day. Steady - levels remain within +/- 0.1 feet between adjacent days
for an update on current river levels see rivergages.com
BOATING SUGGESTIONS - When fishing in the river use a boat with the size and horsepower appropriate for the current. (Remember the river as it passes Mississippi drains almost 1/2 of the continental U.S. That is a lot of water that can be moving extremely fast.) Try to go up-stream from the boat ramp and try not to cross the river if you don't have too. Give barges a wide bearth, they are too big to be able to stop and in constricted waters they have the right of way . The wake behind a barge can be very dangerous, and at certain river conditions barges create dangerous turbulance for quite a large distance behind them. WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET AT ALL TIMES WHEN BOATING OR FISHING IN FAST CURRENT.
BOAT RAMP INFORMATION:
Helena - End of boat ramp - N34.52179 – W090.58259 (north side of low water ramp) – the end of the ramp on the north side is at a level equivalent to approximately -4.5 feet on the Helena gauge. The end of the slab is 110 feet from the end of the parking area located on the slope of the ramp. The north side of the ramp extends farther and deeper than the south side. The ramp has an 8.5/1 slope.This ramp is in the river park. Take US 49 Business to second traffic light and turn right. You will pass the court house and the WWI memorial. Top of ramp - N33.52163 – W090.581582
Quapaw Landing - End of boat ramp - N34.26344 – W090.74493, a level equivalent to approximately 0 feet on the Helena gauge. The ramp has an 7.1feet / 1feet slope. This ramp is 9-10 miles west of Rt 1 at Farrell; turnoff to ramp is 1-1 ½ miles past crossing of main line levee. Look for crossing over spur levee. The ramp is on the chute to Island 63. Access to the river is open to about -2 feet on the Helena Gauge (with 3' depth over shoal)
DeSoto Lake, Hill House Ramp - End of boat ramp - N34.13525 – W090.84303 (east side of low water ramp) – the end of the ramp on the east side is at a level equivalent to approximately 1 feet on the Helena gauge. The end of the slab is 61 feet from the top of the eastern slab that is below the line of mature willow trees, or 31 ½ feet below end of that slab, or 18 feet from top of last slab on west side. The east side of the ramp has a 1.2 foot drop-off. The west side of the ramp is covered in semi-firm sand that drops off at the following rate – 3’ deep at 9’ out; 4’ at 13’; and 4.7’ at 17’. (P.S. This sand was not there in 2004, so it may not be there in the future.) The middle section of the ramp has an 7.55’/1’ slope, the last slab on the west has a 4.25’/1’ slope, while the upper section, that portion to the willow trees, has a 15.6’/1 slope. NOTE: Boaters need to be VERY cautious of rock wall in the chute at levels 8- 10 feet (Helena gauge).
DeSoto Lake, DeSoto Landing Park Ramp - End of boat ramp - N34.16040 – W090.80569 - the end of the ramp is at a level equivalent to approximately 1.5 feet on the Helena gauge. The end of the slab is 65 feet from the top of the slab that is nearest to the line of mature willow trees. The ramp ends in firm sand that drops off at the following rate – 3’ deep at 9’; 4’ at 12’; The ramp has a 7.35’/1’ slope, with the last 9 feet of the ramp having a 4.5’/1’. Top of ramp - N33.15988 – W090.80501
Dennis Landing - Directions turn west on paved road 1.7 mile north of jct Hwy 32 and 1. It is 3.5 miles to ramp- bear to the right where pavement ends, ramp is 1 mile, bear left on levee, then run down spur levee. The end of the ramp is near 1 foot on the Arkansas City gauge, but the end of the ramp sits on a maticulated concrete mattress. Dennis landing near River Mile 610, 10 ½ miles upstream of the “new” mouth of the White River; and 15 miles downstream from chute to DeSoto Lake.
Log-Loader Lake (Port of Rosedale) - End of boat ramp – N33.81910 - W091.02115 - the end of the ramp is at a level equivalent to approximately -1 on the Arkansas City Gauge. The end of the slab is 81 ½ feet from the broken off end of the curve that is on the north side of the ramp. There is a ½ foot drop off from the slab onto a firm bottom that slopes off at .2 feet per foot. Slope of the ramp drops 0.15 foot per foot. The wide part of the ramp ends at N33.81926 – W091.02097 – the ramp continues on the north side - this spot is 30 feet from first break in curve on north side of ramp. Top of ramp – N 33.81987 – W091.02041 – equivalent to 50 feet on the Ark. City Gauge. Log Loader Lake is located at the Port of Rosedale. The port is located on the south side of town, off route 1.
Lake Ferguson (Main St.)- End of boat ramp - ??? – The best low water access is middle ramp: this ramp is between the words ‘city’ and ‘of’ in signage on levee that reads “Greenville Port City of the Delta”. At lake level equivalent to 11 feet on the Greenville gauge a boater has 23 feet of good ramp that will drop down 2.9 feet deep (this point is N33.41211 – W091.06781 and is 24 feet from the end of the small hump in the middle of the ramp). Another slab is beyond this point but it has slipped on a drop-off. There is a ½ foot drop off to this slab and the slab is on a much steeper slope.The end of the parking lot is equivalent to 9.5 feet Greenville gauge and it has a sharp drop of 1 foot or more. The end of the parking lot is in line with the break between the 2nd and third triangular canopies to the gangway of the Bayou Caddy Casino. Top of ramp - N33.41158 – W091.06674
Lake Ferguson, New Public Ramp - End of boat ramp – N33.41211 – W091.06166 – the end of the ramp is at a level equivalent to approximately 8 feet on the Greenville gauge. The end of the slab is 14 feet from the end of the curb (the end of the curb is very close to level equivalent to 11 ft., Greenville gauge). In 2005 there was a ½ foot drop off into moderately firm sand. Top of ramp – N33.41832 – W091.06084 – equivalent to 50 feet Greenville gauge
Eagle Lake - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
The updated depth map with coordinates of fish attractors are now available at: http://mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/ pdf/maps/ Hwy 465 (Eagle Lake Rd. is now open. Both bluegill and redear sunfish (chinqipins) are bedding and being caught in 2-4 feet of water. Bass are in the pads in Buck Chute, and being caught on plastics and topwater. Crappie have slowed down and moved back to the edge of the channel in 10-15 ft of water
District 4
Okatibbee Reservoir - Last Updated: 7/2/2008
Lake level is at 343.04. Discharge is currently at 50 cubic feet per second. Water temperature is 83 degrees F.
Crappie fishing has been slow, but try fishing in depths of 8-12ft along creek channels with jigs and minnows. Bass are still being caught on deep diving crankbaits and worms near creek channels and drop offs. Catfish are biting well on trotlines using cutbait near the dam and other deep water areas.
Lake Tom Bailey - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
BASS are biting good on plastic worms fished along the lake margin. A lot of fish under 15 inches are being caught and released.
BREAM are biting crickets. The bite has picked up and anglers are catching nice baskets of bluegill.
CRAPPIE caught on jigs in deep water along the creek channel.
CATFISH anglers are catching them off the levee. Use livers at night for best results. This lake still holds the channel cat record for the state.
Camping is available for overnight stays.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
Kemper County Lake - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
BASS are schooling in the deeper water. Crankbaits and topwater baits (late) are working the best. Shad colored baits are getting results.
BREAM bite is good with some nice bluegill harvested. Use crickets and redworms from the bank.
Large CRAPPIE are being caught with minnows in water over 14 feet deep.
CATFISH angling has rendered few reports this week, but catches gradually increase till mid July.
Camping is available for overnight stays. No reservations needed.
There are 10 open water fish attractors, and each is marked with a buoy. Approximately 350 Christmas trees added to the sites in January 2007. They will provide great habitat for all species of fish.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
GPS coordinates for the fish attractors are:
N 32 48.281 W 88 43.983
N 32 48.555 W 88 43.938
N 32 48.464 W 88 44.151
N 32 48.750 W 88 44.240
N 32 48.637 W 88 44.336
N 32 48.946 W 88 44.904
N 32 48.170 W 88 43.714
N 32 48.117 W 88 43.639
N 32 48.716 W 88 44.396
N 32 48.774 W 88 44.623
N 32 48.206 W 088 43.787
N 32 48.728 W 088 43.147
N 32 48.493 W 088 43.584
N 32 48.541 W 088 42.914
N 32 48.623 W 088 42.970
Neshoba County Lake - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
BASS have been biting weightless plastics early and late along grass lines.
BREAM are biting good around land piers on crickets and worms.
CRAPPIE are hanging out in creek channels on points and any structure available.
CATFISH are biting good over the entire lake. Some of these fish may be leftovers from the recent rodeo held.
Camping is available for overnight stays.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
Lake Claude Bennett - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
Water temperature this week is 85 degrees and visibility is 30 inches.
BASS are biting rattle traps. Anglers are also reporting good topwater bite early in the morning and late in the evenings.
BREAM are biting redworms and crickets from the bank fishing out into 5-8 feet of water.
CRAPPIE can be found on the fish attractors near the levee.
CATFISH biting livers and worms late in the evenings and at dark in the creek channel located in the upper end of the lake.
Campsites are available.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
Several fish attractors have been established in the lake to create fish habitat and a hot spot for anglers. Approximately 150 Christmas trees were added to the sites in January 2007. They provide great habitat for all species of fish. These attractors are marked with buoys for anglers to easily find and are loaded down with Christmas trees. Other habitat enhancements include several bream gravel spawning beds located near the shoreline and fishing piers. These areas are great for locating bream during the late spring and early summer months.
GPS coordinates for the fish attractors are:
N 32 06.089 W 89 02.030
N 32 06.231 W 89 01.972
N 32 06.224 W 89 02.026
N 32 06.188 W 89 02.164
Simpson County Lake - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
BASS are along the lake margin and easy to catch on light tackle. Try a junebug salamander or plastic worm without a weight to catch a limit of small bass.
BREAM are biting on crickets and red worms. Large redear are in the stump field to the right of the boat ramp.
CRAPPIE over 10 inches have moved back out into deeper water. Try fishing around fish attractor bouys.
CATFISH angling is picking up with a few 3 pounders reported last week. Simpson is definately making a name for itself as a catfish fishery.
Camping is available for overnight stays. No reservations needed.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
Several fish attractors have been established in the lake to create fish habitat and a hot spot for anglers. Approximately 150 Christmas trees were added in January the fish attractor bouys. They will provide great habitat for all species of fish. These attractors have been marked with buoys for anglers to easily find and are loaded down with Christmas trees.
GPS coordinates for the fish attractors are:
N 31 54.886 W 89 47.393
N 31 54.976 W 89 47.500
N 31 54.819 W 89 47.632
N 31 54.757 W 89 47.565
Lake Ross Barnett - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
Water temperature is 86 degrees this week with a visibility of 36 inches (green color on the water).
Small BASS fishing is good early and late especially on cool days. Most of the bass have been caught on watermelon plastic worms.
Large BREAM have been biting good on crickets.
CRAPPIE are scattered in the deep water and around the fish attractors. Bite is slow this time of the year.
CATFISH are active with reports of bites on chicken liver.
Camping is available for overnight stays. No reservations needed.
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
Several fish attractors have been established in the lake to create fish habitat and a hot spot for anglers. Approximately 150 Christmas trees were sunk in January 2007 around marked fish attractor bouys. They provide great habitat for all species of fish. These attractors have been marked with buoys for anglers to easily find and are loaded down with Christmas trees.
GPS coordinates for the fish attractors are:
N 31 49.746 W 89 35.246
N 31 49.668 W 89 35.517
N 31 49.794 W 89 35.650
N 31 49.733 W 89 35.747
District 5
Calling Panther Lake - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
BASS have been caught on crankbaits and plastic worms. A 12 pounder was caught this week on a red plastic worm fishing about eight feet deep in water 20 feet. Angler reported many fish between 2 and 6 pounds that day.
BREAM anglers have been catching bluegill on crickets and worms.
CRAPPIE are on treetops/bushes. Anglers are using jigs to catch most of the fish.
CATFISH angling is good on livers and live minnows. Anglers are still reporting nice catches of up to 10 fish each.
Creel limits:
Largemouth bass 30 fish/day, 1 fish >20 inches.
Channel Catfish 10 fish/day
Bream 100 fish/day
Crappie 30 fish/day
A depth/bottom map is available showing locations of fish attractors and other lake features. The link to our lake map page is:
http://www.mdwfp.com/level2/Fisheries/pdf/maps/
Lake Mary Crawford - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
Largemouth bass are good with catches of 1-2 lb.sized fish being caught along the grassbeds on topwater. Bream are bedding and being caught on worms and crickets in 2-4 feet of water along the shoreline. Catfish are good at night on the stump fields next to creek channels. Try worms and liver fished on the bottom.
Lake Bill Waller - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
The water temp. is 84 degrees with visibility around 18 inches. Bass anglers are reporting catches of fish from 1-2.5 lbs. using Texas-rigged and weightless soft plastics along drops near lily pads in 3-8 ft. of water; watermelon-seed and red shad seem to be good color choices. Some have had success with topwaters around the edges of the pads. Bank and boat anglers are still catching bream around the gravel spawning beds and report catching fish up to 1/4lb. mainly using and red worms in 4-6 ft. of water. Bass anglers: don't forget the bass bag limit at Bill Waller is 15/person/day and all bass measuring 18" and over in length must be released. For more detailed information please contact the Lake Office @ 601-736-1861
Lake Walthall - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
Water temps. in the mid 80's. Water levels are still low so launching will probably be limited to small boats. Bream anglers still report catching fish from the bank using crickets & redworms in 3-7 ft. of water with some catches coming in less than 3 ft. of water; bream continue to move to spawning areas with each full moon. A few bank anglers also report catching bass on points & drops with some cover using soft plastics fished Texas-rigged and weightless. Remember: largemouth bass limit is 10/person; bream (bluegill, redear) limit is 100/person; catfish is 10/person.
Lake Columbia - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
The water temp. is 85 degrees. Bass anglers are catching fish from 1-2.5 lb. in 3-7 ft. of water in areas around lily pads. Most bass catches reportedly coming on soft plastics fished Texas-rigged and weightless on the edge of lily pads adjacent to deeper drops like main lake points. Some anglers have reported catching bass on topwaters at the edges of the pads. Bream from 1/4 to 1/2 pound are being caught by bank and boat anglers in 4-6 ft. of water near brush piles and gravel spawning beds using red worms. Check out the MDWFP Fisheries website for an updated map of Lake Columbia showing new fish attractor locations. GPS coordinates for these new attractors are posted on the State Lakes Forum. For more detailed information please contact the Lake Office @ 601/736-1861.
District 6
Lake Jeff Davis - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
Largemouth bass are good. 1 lb. pound fish are the average being caught in 3-5 feet of water near structure and points. Fish plastics and topwater along these areas. Bream are excellent and being caught on worms and crickets in 2-4 feet of water on beds and along dam. Catfish are scattered with a few angler reported catches.
Lake Bogue Homa - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
Attention: Lake Bogue Homa is closed to all activities other than those specified below until further notice. Beginning 17 April 2008 pleasure boating and water skiing are authorized from noon to sunset in designated areas only Thursday through Sunday at Lake Bogue Homa. For further information contact Lake Bogue Homa at: 601/425-2148.
Lake Perry - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
Water temp. around 82 degrees with visibility areound 20 inches. Bass anglers report catching fish up to 3 lbs. on soft plastics from boats in 3 to 5 ft. of water. Most anglers fishing points with woody structure as well as around vegetation like around the edges of the grass or lily pads early & late in the day with some bass coming from fish attractors. Bream up to 3/4 lb. being caught using red worms & jigs in 3 to 6 ft. of water. Crappie anglers in boats report catching fish up to 1 lb. in 5 to 9 ft. of water using and jigs & minnows; anglers fishing along channel ledges or deeper drops on points. Note: coordinates for fish attractors can be found on the state lakes fishing forum. For more information contact Lake Perry at: 601/784-6119.
Lake Mike Conner - Last Updated: 6/30/2008
Laregmouth bass are fair with catches of small to medium sized fish being caught in the shallows on plastics. Bream are bedding and being caught on worms in 2-4 feet of water on worms and crickets. Catfish are scattered on the shallower flats and points. Try cutbait and worms fished on the bottom.
Pascagoula River - Last Updated: 7/1/2008
Pascagoula River: The river is at 3.14 ft. @ Merrill and on a slight rise due to the rainfall this past weekend throughout the drainage. Bass anglers report they are still catching some fish from 1-2 pounds on soft plastics in the oxbows and buzz baits early in the day around stumps, laydowns and brushtops in the river. Some bass anglers having success in the lower river and marsh using soft plastics and crankbaits around vegetation early and late in the day. Catfish anglers report that most catches coming on trotlines using cutbait & soap. Most trotline catches seem to be blue catfish and channel catfish. Crappie anglers report catching a few fish in oxbows around brushtops using minnows & jigs in 5-8 ft. of water. Bream anglers are catching bluegill in oxbows & the river using crickets & beetle spins around woody cover and vegetation. Bream continue to move to spawning areas with each full moon now. Anglers report catching redear up to 1/2 pound in the lower river using redworms; most catches coming on the edge of grass or lily pads. Please note that a new minimum length limit is in effect for black bass (this includes largemouth bass & spotted bass) in the Pascagoula River and adjoining oxbows, from Merrill to the Highway 90 bridge. Only bass over 12 inches may be in possession on these waters with a creel limit of 10 black bass per day.